The Doll Maker

Chapter 2: Seeing and 'Seeing'

I sat in the hallway, back pressed up against the icy metal lockers.

They were always cold, for a school can never be warm.

How could it be?

Prisons are never inviting.

My fists, teeth, eyes; all tightly clenched.

I was trying.

Trying to keep the visions away.

Trying to stop.

I want to be able to 'see' again.

I want to be normal,

To view only the things that are truly there...

I am sick of black and white.

Life has color; if I don't...

If I don't then maybe...

"How are you feeling today Aidan?" He asked, that beautiful smile directed at me.

"I'm fine Phill." I huffed pushing myself off the floor. "You don't have to fuss over me." I pouted in response. "Sorry I freaked out yesterday ok?"

"As long as you're all right Aidan." The warmth of his smile spread like an infectious disease bringing color to the world in place of . " e on, we'll be late for class."

"O-Okay..." I stuttered, blushing brightly as I spoke. He reached out his hand for mine and walked me down the long, treacherous hall. He pulled me along as if I were a child.

But I am not a child.

I pulled my hand from his and glared at him, but he just chuckled, patting me on the head. "Come on." He said. I wasn't really mad at him.

"So nice of you to join us Mr. Langley, Mr. Karstin." The teacher's voice sounded as we entered the classroom.

The mass manufactured puppets,

Sitting at their desks,

Stuffing the room; suffocating the ones who needed to breath.

They chirped and giggled,

Like a hoard of wild insects.

I took the march of a convict,

The jury glared at me, intent on dissecting my being for motives.

Sitting down in my electric chair I nearly choked.

I was strangled by the sent of chalk and ink on new paper.

The accusatory glances that were shot at me were easily ignored.

All that mattered was his soft uplifting smile.

The smile that captured my heart, and often times saved me

From myself.

The teacher began to speak,

His words ringing foreign in my ears.

The lights all faded; all but a spotlight that engulfed Phillip's figure

Bathing him in a bright white light.

As quickly as it came

The spotlight disappeared.

It returned moments later,

With the black winged angel as the lead player.

"Come with me." The faceless angel cooed in soft whispers.

I looked at my shaking hands, watching as the became colorless once again. Frantically I searched from the bars of my cell for vivid savior. I fought desperately against the violent tremors that wracked my body.

"What's his problem?" One marionette juror snickered as its pointed glare locked on to my misery, causing all the other's to turn.

The judge looked over, sighing in blatant annoyance. "Stop it right now Mr. Langley or you'll have a month's worth of detention to learn how to restrain yourself."

"He's desperate for attention!" The puppets laughed, putrid black smoke clouds pouring from their mouths.

"Come with me." The angel repeated.

I couldn't find Phillip. The world was black and white, and I couldn't find my only spot of color.

The angel embraced me, it's mere touch killing me. "Come with me, and feel my pain." The black winged creature hissed in my ear.

I was dying... and no one else could see what was happening. I struggled against the angel's grip. The tears flowing from my eyes as I felt a sharp pain shoot through my shoulder.

And then...

"It's ok Aidan." Phillip's soothing voice calmed me. a gentle hand stroked my brow, and he ran his fingers through my chin length stringy blonde hair.

I could 'see' again, only the things that were truly there, the way the world was supposed to be, color and all. We were standing in the middle of the hallway. I broke down, crying into his chest with violent sobs. "I'm... I'm a freak..." I began. "I... I see things, Phill... things that no one else can see. Things that aren't really there. I'm a freak..."

"No, no Aidan." Phillip smiled gently, patting me on the shoulder. "You're not a freak, you're Ai-... Aidan, you're bleeding..."

My shoulder, his hand, and even some of the cheaply tiled floor, were covered in blood.

I want it to stop.

I want to be able to 'see' like other's do.

I want to see only what is truly there.

And it frightens me,

For maybe what I'm seeing

Really is there...