There used to be an old album in our living room. I remember a picture of my Mom and Dad in it. It was their wedding, I think. They looked so happy.

I think it would have been better if they never got married…

If Ms. Peterson was a candidate for a survey of personality, it would clearly state that she was feisty, determined, and rather nosy, though all in a good way. She was also quite a flirt, as the pawn shopkeeper would say. Her fiery red hair could be blamed for her spirit, but she also had a walk that showed confidence and glee. She worked in a small business, but she hardly ever stayed too well focused on her job. Most of her time was spent socializing, especially with Mrs. Barcley, who had been her closest companion in the past three years. So it was not all that surprising when Karen called her up on the phone. It was a normal habit between them to call each other throughout the day, even after work. What was not usual was the distress in Karen's voice.

"Maggie, can I ask you a favor? I know it's late, but…" Of course she could ask her a favor! Maggie, after all, really didn't have much else to do at this time, and she wasn't at all anywhere tired. "Of course, Karen, of course!" she interrupted gaily. "Just say what you need."

And of course, she was there in less than half an hour.

"Oh, Maggie, you're here." The relief was obvious, but Maggie could still hear the tired notes in Karen's voice. "It's Mr. Daylee again, isn't it, Karen?" she asked with suspicion. A smile formed itself on her friend's tired face, and she laughed wearily. "Yes, you know how he is. Forgetting something, misplacing something…"

"Calling on you to fix it," Maggie finished, and they both gave a snort. Maggie could hear a small boy's voice in the background, shrilling with delight. "So, I take it Andy liked the doll?" she asked. Karen smiled. "You think?" They watched Andy run up to the door, clutching the doll-it was as big as he was- close to him. "Aunt Maggie!" he exclaimed. Although Maggie was not his real aunt, she had become such a part of the family that the name had simply stuck. Maggie grinned down at him. "Are you babysitting me, Aunt Maggie?" he inquired. "Yup, it's just you and me tonight, kiddo," she said, tousling his hair. Andy giggled in excitement. "You hear that, Chucky?" he practically squealed to the doll. "Aunt Maggie's staying tonight!"

***

I don't want her here. Anyone this boy likes I won't. She has to go.

Tonight…

Andy was reclining on the couch with the doll. Maggie peered over at him and smiled. Jumping onto the island of the kitchen, she made herself comfortable while opening some cabinets. "Mmmm… god, I'm so hungry… you owe me food, Karen," she said to no one in particular as she took out some packaged chips. The TV was blasting the evening news- news, for crying out loud! Maggie shook her head and glanced at the clock. It was a bit past his bedtime, but…

A sudden break in the news caught her attention.

"Recently the infamous "Lakeshore Strangler" has been found in the nearby toy store. Police and detectives report that the long feared serial killer is now dead, but how, no one is sure. Detective Michal W. Norris reports that he had been hotly pursuing the killer for long hours that night, but he never saw any sign of what could have led to his death. Surprisingly, the killer was found to be only…"

Maggie turned off the television hastily. "Bedtime, Andy," she said, trying to hide her breathlessness. Andy looked up at her dolefully. "But, Aunt Maggie," he insisted. "Chucky wants to watch the news." Maggie shook her head in disbelief. Doll indeed. "Of course he does, Andy," she said, dismissing the boy's protests. Just a typical child's excuse for wanting to stay up late. But why the news? And why did it have to be on Charles Lee Ray? She ushered Andy along towards the bathroom. "Come one Andy, let's get those teeth brushed," she said. "Can I brush Chucky's teeth with my toothbrush 'cuz he doesn't have one…" Andy was saying as he walked in the bathroom. "Yah, sure, kiddo. Whatever you want," Maggie replied, sitting on the couch.

Karen never wanted her son to know about that "Lakeshore Strangler". Maggie questioned it, of course- she thought that a child should know danger's face, but when Karen only insisted, she had never asked again. She supposed now it didn't matter, seeing as Ray was dead.

***

Damn, do I hate the taste of toothpaste. I can't spit it out though, this kid keeps sticking that toothbrush of his in my mouth. Brush your own teeth. I can do this myself. I just never want to...

***

Andy was tucking himself in when Aunt Maggie came in. He smiled up at her. "Look, Auntie, me n' Chucky are already in bed!" he crowed happily. Aunt Maggie grinned back down at him. "Well, aren't you two good boys?" she said as she helped pull the covers over the boy and his doll. "Yup," Andy yawned, pulling the doll closer to him. "We're gonna be the best good-guys ever, right Chucky?" the doll blinked and looked at him. "Right-O, buddy!" it exclaimed. Andy laughed and squeezed it tight. His aunt Maggie turned off the light before closing the door on them, leaving only the silence, save the crickets chirping outside.

"Aunt Maggie, doesn't believe you're real, Chucky," he whispered to the doll. "But I do. You'll be my best friend, won't you, Chucky?" Chucky looked at him and smiled. "Yah, kid. I'm your friend to the end, hidey-ho, as they say." Andy grinned before yawning sleepily. "'night, Chucky," he said softly, kissing his face. "Sure, g'night, kid," Chucky muttered. He pressed his face against the boy's chest until he could feel the steady breathing of one who was in a deep sleep…

***

Good. He's asleep now. I can't move though, his arm is on top of me. My face is still wet…

I have to go. Time for the kill. For some reason, though, I feel reluctant to go… must be because the bedcovers are warm…Why is my heart beating so fast? It's not like I can get caught now…

Maggie was staring at the clock. 1:00 A.M. Karen must be really busy, to be out this late. Of course, it was Mr. Daylee. What could she expect? The man was a good man, but as a boss? He was too unorganized. In fact, Maggie could almost consider Karen more of the boss than Mr. Daylee. If she wasn't watching Andy, she would get more food…

A thumping sound caught her attention.

"Andy?" she called. No one replied. She craned herself over the couch to look down the hallway, but she didn't see anything. "Must've imagined it," she muttered to herself, "Crazy, Maggie, you've been watching too many horror films, haven't you?" She was settling back under the blanket again when the thumping sound was heard once more. She sat up, suspicious this time. "Andy?" she called again. Only the crickets replied. "Alright, Andy, just one game of hide-and-seek… but I thought you were asleep by now! Do you know what time it is? When I find you, it's bedtime for real…" She got up slowly and walked into the kitchen. "Hmm…"

No one seemed to be there. But she had heard the creak of the floorboards of the kitchen. Andy must be hiding here. "Oh, I wonder where Andy could be…?" she sang. Usually the little boy would giggle and reveal his hiding place. But not tonight. Wow, she thought to herself. Andy's getting better at this… she heard the thump again, this time from behind her. She turned quickly, but she saw nothing. Now the hairs on her neck began to rise. "Andy?" she called, less confident inside. "Come on out, Andy, Aunt Maggie's really tired…" Andy would have come out by now. Which meant…

Either she was imagining things, or someone else was here tonight.

The phone rang, making her jump and scream. She quickly recovered herself and picked up the phone. "Hello?" she said, hoping her voice wasn't still shaky. "Maggie?" It was Karen. "Oh, Karen, it's you…" Maggie said. "Why? Who else would call? Maggie? Are you OK? Did something happen?" Karen sounded worried. "What? Oh, no! No, no, don't worry, Karen… the wind startled me outside that's all… whoo whoo," she giggled nervously. "Alright," Karen's voice had a hint of skepticism in it, but she went on, "I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be back in an hour maybe… I'm so sorry, but Mr. Daylee got me all caught up in this joint business project and no one can seem to agree…"

"Don't worry about it, Karen," Maggie assured her. "We're fine. Andy's asleep. We'll see you later, m'kay?" She hung up the phone. "Yah, everything's OK, right, Maggie?" she said to herself. She heard another noise; this time is sounded like a container falling over. She turned and looked at the island, where Karen usually kept her flour. A shiny object flew straight towards her.

She screamed…

***

Damn it damn it DAMN IT!

***

"Ouch…" she rubbed her forehead. "What was that?" She looked down at her feet. A small, miniature hammer lay next to them. A Good Guys hammer. She frowned. "Andy, you really hurt me…" No one was there.

Except for the doll.

"Chucky?" Maggie picked up the doll in disbelief. So maybe this was why Karen didn't want Andy knowing about serial killers? Maybe because he would want to pretend to be one, or in this case, pretend his doll was one? But Andy was nowhere to be seen. She picked up the doll gingerly. Could it possibly be..? "No," she chided herself. Dolls don't talk. Dolls don't move, and they definitely don't try to hurt people. Dolls are for happiness and love.

She crept to the room where she saw Andy. He was clutching a pillow and, obviously, fast asleep. Clutching a pillow, perhaps, that should have been his doll. Maggie frowned. Why was she thinking like this? This doll couldn't have…

She sighed and slid the doll back under Andy's arm. Andy tightened his arms around the doll and murmured in his sleep. Maggie turned away to leave, but a sudden thought crossed her mind. It was crazy, insane even, but she had to. She leaned over the doll and got close to his ear. "Look," she hissed, trying to sound fierce. "Either you're not real, so it doesn't matter, or you are real and you better listen: Andy is my best friend's son. This little boy has been through enough pain after his father was killed. He's struggling to find his place again, and he's looking at you, buddy. That's right. You. You are like a dream come true. Don't become another nightmare for him. Because if you hurt him, if you break his heart, I swear," here she grabbed some of the doll's hair to make her point. "I will hunt you down. And if I don't, his voice will haunt you, and you will never be able to forget him." She stood back up and pointed sternly at him. "That is not a threat," she whispered. "That is a promise."

***

Why couldn't I kill her? I must have aimed wrong. I can't control this small body I've been put into. Stupid bitch thinks she can threaten me? Like I care if some poor sap gets hurt because of what I did. People hurt me all the time and they didn't care, and look, I survived. Look at me now.

You, woman. You should have been dead…