**Head ending. **

Figuring that the mannequin didn't have a preference about which part it got back first, I put the heart key in my pocket. Time to go get the head!

Scooting around the mannequin, I went to the door with the head on it, turning around to look back at my follower nervously. Would it want me to put it on for it, or could it manage? The though of holding a head not on a body sickened me, making me gag as I unlocked the door once we got to it.

I took a deep breath, looking back at the mannequin once more. It stood there, arms behind its back like it was patiently waiting. "What are you waiting for, Alfred?"

The voice reminded me; the sooner I got out the better.

I edged the door open, poking my head in before bringing in the rest of my body.

Another bathroom. I inwardly groaned, looking in the tub and the sink before I threw the toilet lid up – what the hell was that looking up at me!

A head, lying in the toilet bowl like it was a normal thing to do. This sight, disgusting, grotesque! I wanted to look away, and never see it again!

But…

I couldn't help but stare, those eyes… they were violet! Empty, dead eyes, still full of color! The only color in this entire hell hole!

The face… so familiar…

Suddenly, I felt hands grab my shoulders, pulling me back away from the toilet before shoving me into the hallway. I watched as the mannequin snatched up its head, stroking it like it was a pet dog, "Ah, my precious head…" I heard the voice say. "…my head…"

It kept repeating those words, the mannequin slowly lifting its head up while facing me – as if I'd enjoy this gruesome show! What is there to enjoy about violet eyes, laughing at your fear, and that mouth moving as it chants?

P-Please…stop that! I thought, eyes getting wider and wider. The voice only got louder, and the head began to smile as it continued chanting, "…my head, my head, I'm reunited with my head… my head, my head, I'm reunited with my head…"

Stop! I begged, looking down and grabbing my head, Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop! Please! Stop!

The voice continued.

Stop!

"...reunited…"

I'm begging you!

"…with my head…"

After that, the voice faded away. I opened one of my eyes and looked back up at the mannequin, now making final adjustments to his head before his arms fell to his sides in relief. He blinked at me a few times, his eyes never leaving mine, before looking as if he remembered something. He then pushed past me again, dashing to the first room I came across when I came upstairs.

W-wait, I chased after him; we haven't gotten your heart yet!

When I got to the room, he was tugging at the door, kicking it, doing everything he could to get it open.

I approached him, reaching out to tap his shoulder, before he suddenly stopped.

I looked at him questioningly, watching as he turned to face the wall. He stared at the wall for a second before he lifted up his hand, dragging his finger across the chalk pictures as if he was reading them.

The pictures! I forgot all about those! Maybe he understood what they meant! Hey… do you know what that says?

He reached the end of the line of pictures, nodding and bringing his hand down, "Ah, I understand…" the voice said, "…Alfred…"

I leaned forward a little bit, anticipating what he was going to say next. What?

He just stood there, arms limp by his sides, head looking down at the floor. I watched as his fingers began to shake violently, heard his breathing become erratic, bringing his head up, "…ah, shit…"

My own heart was uncontrollable at this point, it hurt my entire chest, and all I could manage was to ask him, Are you okay? Does this mean something bad? Why are you acting like this?

"…Alfred…" he said again, "…thank you."

That was when he spun around so quickly, his face now his all of his facial features aside from his eyes – now empty, and gray, horrifying – and holding a knife tightly in his hand above his head as if to stab me!

It took me no time to process what he was going to do. But when I turned around to run from the room I saw the door was gone, leaving nothing but a corner. I looked back at him, seeing he was quickly nearing me with the knife.

I let myself get cornered; only having time to look at him before I felt the sting of the weapon in my chest.

"Only one can leave…"

I began to curl into a ball, but he grabbed my head by the roots of my hair, glaring at me like I was responsible for what happened to him!

"…and sadly, I cannot let you be the one to go…"

He began throwing stabs into my head and neck, and my world was quickly fading to black.

"…with my head giving me my mind, I'm going to enjoy the world…"

I collapsed to the floor, taking one last stab in the chest where my heart was, letting it rest from the work it did – forever.

"…while you stay behind, and become the next mannequin."

The last thing I saw was him leaving, the door wide open – mocking me!

"Good-bye, Alfred."

Now was the time I remembered his name, the name that matched the face. The face of the man who killed me.

"Come back… Matthew…"