I'm sitting here waiting for my destiny to come for me, as I'm sure all his enemies have done. It's like that moment between night and dawn where even the very earth seems to be holding its breath in anticipation. I'm sitting alone in the depths of my home, watching as all the toys that I have given souls to dance around me. Soon my children you will give your very souls for me.
It's not that I'm crazy. I was merely given powers I never should have had. I'm a very selfish man. I always have been. I'm ashamed of myself now that I look back over my life. I've done nothing but bring heartache and pain to people whose lives were already laden with it. But when I saw something I wanted, there was no way to stop me. Oh what a fool I've been.
The teddy bear sitting to my left is the oldest of my children. He was a young man who used to bring flowers to my ailing sister. I entrapped his soul in the bear so he would continue bringing her flowers even after his body had come down with the plague. I didn't save my sister and I'm still not sure why.
The doll dancing in front of me was a little girl who'd once asked me for a doll of her very own. I'd always wanted a daughter and I didn't think her mother and father treated her very well. I gave her a doll and she gave me a lock of her hair. When would they realize what I was really doing?
Most of the toys who lived here had once been children. I loved children dearly and I couldn't imagine my life without them. They are sweet and innocent creatures that have no desire to hurt, kill, or rule the world. They were nothing like me, or those corrupt Sarafan and their leaders, the Circle of Nine. Damn Nosgoth and its praetorian people. They all deserved to die.
They all deserved to die… Except, for her. Her hair was the color of freshly tilled earth. Her skin was the color of white silk and just as smooth. She was more beautiful than the sunrise. She was the beautiful daughter of a foolish king.
King Ottmar was a very insipid man who put his daughter before his kingdom. And on the eve of her birthday when she became unhappy with her gifts, Ottmar searched the kingdom for one who could make her a doll to match her beauty. He was so sure that would make her happy.
Indeed it did make her happy and me as well. They don't call me the Doll Maker for nothing. Her soul was mine and still is for that matter. I hold the crude doll I made close to my heart. Although my darling refuses to speak to me, I still hold on to the hope that something will change.
Not that it matters anymore. The Oracle of Nosgoth told me my destiny in a dream, just as he told me the fate of so many others. Why he shared this knowledge with me I shall never know.
The screams of my children alert me to the fact that my destiny draws nigh. I see him there in the mirror, a ghost of shadow. A vampire of the blessed thing called life. I do not need life anymore. I am ready for death. I welcome it with open arms. If nothing else it will relieve my boredom and guilt. Oh what a fool I have been.
I hear him there outside the door and smile to myself. I must play the part of the evil one, unwilling to die. I will play that part to perfection just as I always have. Soon my death will come. He opens the door as I stare at it in silence.
Oh what a fool I've been….