Suggested by: 13yn

Written by: Mantineus

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

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'The doll.' Walter thought, as he retold the tale to Henry on the stairs leading down to the second floor. 'It all started with a doll.'

It was a plain fabric doll with long, brown hair and a very beautiful blue dress; like a girl's Sunday dress. The face looked as if it were drawn on with a marker instead of being sewn on.

His reason on giving Henry the doll was simple. He figured Henry, whom he knew had a crush on Eileen as well, would take it. Not knowing that it would be his downfall in the incoming battle against the ghosts; thus making sure The 21 Sacraments were fulfilled and he could spend an eternity with Mother and Eileen.

He gently laid in on the step on its back, the head tilted back over the step.

'What?!' Walter shouted in his mind. 'He didn't take it?'

How did that go wrong? He was sure that he did not do anything to give himself away. Yet, how come Henry just walked down the stairs? Walter was stunned, but after a while a gentle smile spread across his face. He would tempt Henry into taking it.

Walter stood up and looked at his prized possession one last time and walked off.

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Walter stood in the closet as Eileen started to work on some finishing touches to her outfit for the party. Walter sighed quietly, not wanting to startle her. She looked so pretty. In his mind he would walk up to her, wrap his cold, bloody hands around her and lean in, inhaling her scent.

But that could not happen yet. A conversation had to take place first. He only hoped that she would be compliant.

He walked out of the closet and cleared his throat, startling the poor woman whom turned away from her vanity to face the intruder. Her eyes grew in size and Walter swore he could feel her quickening heartbeat. She looked really beautiful in that dress. It brought out her eyes and the lipstick she finished putting on complimented her luscious lips.

"Do not be afraid." Walter said in his calm voice. A voice you got from being mentally cut off from the world as most see it. "I just want to talk right now."

"And what makes you think I'll let you?" She said, sounding really scared.

"I have a proposition for you." He said, choosing his words as best he could. Though he thought stating the obvious would be best.

"I'll scream!" Her voice rose in pitch.

He felt Henry leave this world and head back into Mother in the Other World. He did not worry if she screamed, the room was a part of his world, kept clean of the bloody, rusty walls because she was pure. Unlike the rest of the apartment. That meant that, for the time being, no one but him would hear her scream.

"Just please listen." He said. "I've loved you from when we first met. When you gave me your doll."

She did not seem to understand what he was saying. She had done many great things in her life, why would she remember that one incident when she was young? Walter just tried not to look or sound hurt as he continued.

"I don't want you to be like the others. Please, come with me." He took out his right hand for her to take. "It'll be quick, I promise."

"What will?"

"Your death." He stated, his blank appearance never changed.

She screamed! It was loud and sadly, Walter knew he had to act quickly. He tackled her from behind; the impact broke her arm and gave her beautiful face scrapes and a black eye as he lifted her head at an angle and slammed it back to the ground, discombobulating her. Of which he desired since he did not want her to stop this, nor feel it for very long.

He found the perfect place to carve the numbers, because there the dress would not be ruined. He carved 20121, poised to kill when another's presence from behind him.

It was Little Walter!

'No!' Walter thought. 'He has to stay pure!'

Walter took one good look at his child counterpart and saw the fear in his little eyes.

'Has he been here the entire time?' He asked himself, but shook his head. 'No matter. No permanent harm done, anyway.'

Walter sighed and kneeled before her and leaned over her, his mouth just above an ear, his long, blonde hair covering them as he told her a new rule.

"How about this." He whispered. "I'll spare you this time and let you get to know me better like I know you. Granted, not everything you'll learn will be pleasant. But then again, neither will your escort." He smirked at that. "But one thing is for certain. You will love me."

He placed a chaste kiss on her temple. "Now, I want you to forget our little talk. Just let me do the rest."

And with that, he left the room, leaving Little Walter and Eileen behind for Henry; the man he was willing to let guard his beloved until it was time.

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Walter walked down the stairs in the Apartment World when he felt something soft connect with his shoe. Curious, he looked down and saw that he stepped on the doll.

Walter smiled, bent over, and picked it up. Despite the fact that his plan failed and Henry did not take it, Walter was happy. He clung onto the doll as if it were the world and sighed contently and with relief for a stress he did not know he had. For, despite his reservations, he truly treasured the doll his love gave to him. He did not have to fear being parted from his greatest treasure.