CHAPTER SEVEN
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL
It was almost seven in the morning and she was pacing back and forth in her room. She had gone through another sleepless night and she felt like she was going to pass out. It was about time Mrs. Heelshire would usually wake up Brahms and she knew it was her turn to do now, she was too terrified to exit her room. She wasn't an expert in paranormal beings but she knew that she was going to play a dangerous game.
The thing inside the doll might be Brahms' soul but there was also a possibility that the doll might be possessed by a demonic entity. Apparently Mrs. Heelshire believed the first. Her plan was to play along until she found a way to escape this place but then again where would she go after? She was in a foreign place and she did not have enough money to rent a place yet. She had nowhere to escape to, she fell trapped. She realized that once more her freedom was taken from her and her life was in danger.
The clock was ticking and it was time to wake up Brahms for breakfast, she didn't want to leave the safety of her room but she had to follow the rules. She walked over to the door and pushed the dresser back to its place. She touched the doorknob and closed her eyes taking a deep breath.
She opened the door and looked around the hallway. Her eyes traveled immediately in his room and she saw the door was open. She walked over to his room hesitantly and looked around. The doll wasn't there to her relief so she walked out of the room and decided to check the library where she had seen it last night.
She slowly opened the door and looked inside the library. She walked over to the red armchair but it wasn't there either. How was she supposed to wake him up if she couldn't find him? She checked every room on the second floor until she decided to go downstairs to look for him. She checked the living room first and then walked into the kitchen.
She stopped as soon as her eyes fell on the table. There was a plate with eggs and cheese and a glass of orange juice with an apple next to it. Had he… had he made her breakfast? Perhaps that was part of his apology for scaring her last night. The breakfast looked tempting but she didn't dare touch it. She had searched the entire house and the doll was nowhere to be seen, she wasn't sure what she should do next. A sound caught her attention and she stilled. She heard it again and she realized it was coming from the large cabinet behind the door.
She walked over to the cabinet and she slowly opened it. She gasped taking a few steps back as she saw the doll sitting there innocently. A small note was on its lap. She reached quickly for it with and she unfolded the paper with trembling hands.
Let's play! She read the note and she then realized what he wanted. She had promised him that they would play in the morning and he was making sure she would keep her promise. She looked back at the doll and took a deep breath.
Do you want to play… hide and seek? She asked trying to guess what he wanted to play. The doll remained unmoving as always but the answer came from a different part of the house. Another knock but this time it was somewhere in the living room. She walked out of the kitchen looking one more time at the doll sitting in the cabinet and then she walked into the living room. She wasn't sure what he expected her to do, did he wanted her to hide or did he wanted her to find him.
Alright, I will count to ten and you have to find a new hiding place, she said out loud and she closed her eyes.
Ten
Nine
Eight
Seven
Six
Five
Four
Three
Two
One, ready or not here I come, she said opening her eyes. She searched the living room but she didn't find him there. She walked to the foyer and checked around but he wasn't there either. A child's laughter was heard throughout the house and she froze. She could never imagine that such an innocent sound could terrify her so much. She walked back into the living room again and looked around. This time she found him behind the couch, another note was resting on his lap.
Your turn, was written on the paper and she realized he wanted her to hide this time.
Alright, she said leaving the room. She chose the guest's bathroom for a hiding place. She knew it didn't matter where she would hide because he already knew where she was. As she closed the door behind her she heard knocking from the living room. Ten times she counted and then it was all quiet.
I found you! The voice said cheerfully making her jump, she realized he was right outside of the bathroom and she hesitated before opening the door. When she opened it she found another note on the floor.
Come find me! She read the note sighing. It was going to be a long day.
She had been playing hide and seek with Brahms all morning, when he finally decided to end their game she found him on the kitchen with a – guess what – note in his lap.
I'm hungry, she read the note and started making breakfast. She left his breakfast right in front of him and she waited. She was hungry and she thought about eating the breakfast he had made for her, she was afraid that it might be poisoned but she didn't want to make him upset by rejecting it. She ate her breakfast in silence staring at the doll. What was the point of making breakfast for him anyway? He wasn't really alive and clearly the doll wasn't going to eat it. She got up from the table frustrated and washed her plate quickly.
As she turned back to the table both the doll and the breakfast were gone. She was hoping that he wouldn't make her play hide and seek again. This time she found him in the living room sitting on the couch, he had a book in his lap and as she walked closer to him to inspect the book she realized it was the book she was reading last night. Her room was no safe haven she realized, he could enter anytime he wished.
She remembered that Mrs. Heelshire had asked her to read books to him and she understood what he wanted. It was reading time apparently. She settled on the couch next to him and picked up the book, she started reading from the beginning this time. She read to him until her eyes hurt and she couldn't see clearly the words anymore. She had gone through two days without sleep and she was extremely tired. Her eyes closed and she was asleep before she knew it.
She woke up hours later, she found herself laying on the couch covered with a blanket. Perhaps she had changed position in her sleep but she knew she didn't had a blanket when she fell asleep. Then she remembered, Brahms. She jumped off the couch but he was no longer there. A plate of food was on the table in front of her, she looked at it in wonder. She shook her head in confusion, the whole situation was insane.
First he made her breakfast, he let her sleep and he covered her with a blanket and now he made her food again. She knew he was trying to mislead her into thinking he was harmless but she knew better and she refused to let her guard down. Her plan to escape would be difficult if he was constantly seeking her attention. Just play along, she told herself sitting down to eat the food he had prepared. She would obey him, for now.
It was her turn to prepare dinner later that night. She had not come across Brahms since she fell asleep and she was grateful for it, his presence overwhelmed her. The sound of a car parking outside caught her attention and she looked outside to see Alex parking his car in the backyard. She had completely forgot that he would come over today and she was relieved to see him.
That's when realization hit her like a brick. Alex had been acting weird from the beginning and she knew he was hiding something but she didn't knew what it was. He knew about Brahms all along, he knew what was happening with the doll. He lied to her. She felt betrayed and helpless, he was her last hope. The only one she knew that could possibly help her and he had been part of the Heelshires terrible secret. When he opened the door and greeted her with a smile she felt like she wanted to throw up.
Hey Grace, I'm sorry I didn't make it earlier but it's been a really busy day, he stopped suddenly as he noticed the look on her face and his smile faded.
What's wrong? He asked worried,
You knew, didn't you? You knew and you lied to me, she almost whispered. His face changed from worried to an unreadable expression, he knew he had been discovered. His reaction was all Grace needed to confirm her suspicions.
Can you come with me outside for a moment please? He asked, his face still expressionless.
Why? She asked, she didn't trust him anymore. There was no one she could trust anymore.
Just, please, he almost begged. She could almost hear desperation in his voice. She was surprised but she reminded herself that this man had been lying to her from the beginning, there was a high chance that all this was just for show.
It's not safe here to talk, he nearly whispered and opened the door expectantly. She was curious to hear what he had to tell her even though she refused to believe any words coming out of his mouth. She looked around the room and she felt like she was doing something she was not supposed to. She hesitantly followed him out in the backyard and when he finally turned to look at her she could she the fear on his face.
You need to tell me what happened, he said in an urgent tone.
No, you should have told me what's happening here but you let me in the dark when you knew my life was in danger! She snapped, she was angry at him. She was angry at the Heelshires, she felt like they used her to escape the creature, or whatever it was, that lived into their house.
Maybe I should have, but things would have got really bad if I did. I know you're angry but we need to handle this carefully, he tried to calm her down but his answer infuriated her even more.
Maybe? You didn't think for a moment to warn me what was I getting myself into? This thing isn't human! She said, her words seemed to surprise him and he looked at her in confusion.
The doll… he started but he never finished the sentence. He seemed to be at loss of words and it frustrate her.
How long is this happening? She asked, she knew they didn't had much time but he wouldn't give her answers, not even now that she had discovered the terrible secret he was keeping from her.
Since Brahms… died, he struggled to answer and his answer shocked her.
You mean, they live like this for twenty years? She asked in disbelief. She had learn about it less than twenty hours ago and it was already driving her crazy, she couldn't imagine what it would be like living like this for so many years.
It's their child Grace, he tried to reason but she didn't want to hear any more excuses.
That's the problem! You don't know if this thing is actually Brahms, what if it's not? What if there's a demon in there? She said pointing at the house behind them.
Look the situation is more complicated than you realize, it's hard to explain right now but you have to do what he says. That's the only way you'll be safe. He seems to… like you which is extremely rare. Just follow the rules and we'll figure out something, he said trying to convince her but even now she doubted that he was being honest.
How do you know that he likes me? How do you know that you won't come here one day to find me in pieces? She asked him, she felt so helpless and she hated it. It was a feeling she had been trying to escape her entire life.
Suddenly the lights outside turned on which meant someone was in the kitchen, they both turned to look over the house and she knew that 'Brahms' was there.
I have to get inside, she said and she walked back into the the kitchen with Alex following swiftly. She looked around in the kitchen but there was no one there.
Do you need help with anything? Alex asked looking around nervously, she knew he was scared too but she ignored him. He would leave and he would go back to the safety of his home while she was stuck there with that thing playing the good nanny.
It's time for dinner, was all she said and she started preparing to serve the plates.
Alright, I'll go set the traps. If you need anything let me know, he said and he looked at her as he turned to leave. There was sadness in his eyes but she tried to ignore it, she didn't need any more pity, she needed help and he refused to help her.
She set the dinner on the table and she began eating, she didn't know if Brahms would join her but she just needed a few moments of peace before facing him. She finished eating quickly before heading to the living room.
The dinner is ready, she said out loud but there was no answer. When she walked back to the kitchen she found the doll sitting on the table and she knew he had heard her.
I'll be waiting for you in the living room when you're done, she said and she walked out of the kitchen. She went back to the living room and settled on the couch, she knew what was next and she wasn't looking forward to it. She didn't want to read him a bedtime story or kiss him goodnight but she knew she had to. Alex asked her to follow the rules, of course she didn't want to but she had to admit that it was the only way to stay safe from 'him'.
From the corner of her eye she saw that the lights in the kitchen turned off and she got up from the couch.
Grace? She jumped at the sound of his voice and she realized it was coming from the second floor. She went upstairs and she walked over to his room, the door was half open and the lights were off. She walked inside and tried to turn on the lights but nothing happened, she tried again and again only to stop when she heard a noise. She couldn't see anything in the dark but she knew he was there and it terrified her.
Grace? He called her name again in a soft voice. She couldn't tell exactly where the voice was coming from, not that it mattered anyway.
What happened to the light? She asked trying to keep her voice steady.
I don't want it, he simply stated. She had to make him turn on the lights, she was already scared out of her mind but being in the dark with him was a new kind of terror.
I can't read to you if you don't turn on the lights, she insisted trying to convince him.
I don't want a bedtime story Grace, I want you to stay with me, he said in a somewhat sad voice.
I'm here, she said not really knowing what else to say. She heard creaking on the floorboards and she stiffened. As if he saw it he suddenly stopped.
Are you afraid Grace? He asked curiously. He already knew she was scared and she didn't understand what was the point of such a question.
Yes, she whispered. He didn't speak for a long time and she was getting nervous.
You won't leave me Grace, will you? He said and the question caught her off guard. There was nowhere for her to go but he didn't need to know that.
Why did the other babysitters left? She asked. She didn't know what came over her and she decided to ask a question like this but it could lead to a dangerous game. He didn't answer immediately and she was afraid that her question had upset him.
They were bad, I didn't like them, he finally answered. To her relief he didn't sound upset and she decided that she could push him for more answers. If anyone could give her answers that was Brahms himself.
What did you do to them? She asked hesitantly, if he had hurt any of them Mrs. Warren would have told her but then again it seemed that everyone was keeping things from her.
I made them leave, he answered and she felt like she should have stopped asking right there but she continued.
How? She asked, she wasn't sure she wanted to know but it was better to know what he was capable of if things went wrong.
I scared them, but I don't want to scare you. I want you to to stay, please don't leave me, his voice was almost begging her and for a moment she wondered if it was actually the spirit of Brahms talking, the spirit of an eight year old boy who had died so violently and his soul never found peace.
Will you hurt me? She dared to ask. Even if it was in fact the spirit of a child there was no guarantee that it was harmless.
Never, he answered immediately and he sounded so sure of it that it surprised her.
Do you promise? She asked. She wasn't even sure why she asked.
I promise I will never hurt you, do you promise you'll never leave me? He asked innocently. It wasn't just a promise she realized, it was a commitment. Another hidden message, don't leave me so I won't hurt you, that's what he was asking of her. But how long could she live like this, afraid to make a wrong move, afraid that she forgot about a rule… it all too much.
I promise I won't leave you if you don't hurt me, she said and it wasn't a lie. Sure it would not be easy but she didn't had many options. For as long as she was safe she could stay there. Besides his parents would return at some point, perhaps things will become easier then. They knew how to handle him better than her.
I don't want you to be afraid of me, I'll be good, he said with sadness in his voice. She knew she couldn't hide the fact that she was scared of him and she couldn't just stop being afraid because he said he wouldn't hurt her.
It takes time to build trust Brahms, if we both keep our promises we'll be fine, she said adding herself as well into this to reassure him.
I trust you Grace, he said and from the tone of his voice she could tell he was smiling as he said that. She couldn't imagine the emotionless porcelain doll smiling but her mind pictured the young boy from the pictures smiling at her. It was easier to picture him that way. It's just a child treat him like one, she told herself.
It's time to sleep now Brahms, she reminded him and almost jumped up when the light on the nightstand turned on. The doll was already laying on the bed under the covers. She waited for a moment but there was no answer, she guessed that was the end of the conversation. She walked closer to the doll and hesitated before reaching down and kissing it on the forehead.
Goodnight, she whispered and she turned off the light this time. She closed the door behind her as she left and she walked over to her room. She felt so tired both physically and mentally that she didn't even had the energy to change clothes, she fell on the bed and closed her eyes. She hoped to get a decent amount of sleep this time but her mind would not let her rest.
She had promised Brahms that she would stay and had promised that he would never hurt her. Perhaps things would not be as bad as she originally thought, perhaps all he wanted was to feel affection and acceptance, something he had probably never experienced even when he was still alive, as a child. She remembered how Alex described him, he was a troubled child but she wondered if he had always been like this. Mrs. Heelshire seemed like a very affectionate mother but in the short time she had spent with her she realized that she was very strict.
Maybe her strictness was what led her son to develop a twisted personality. Even now that he was dead she had set out rules for him and he didn't dare disobey those rules. She felt bad for him in some way, even now she would not let him rest. Grace soon realized she was obsessed with her son, she wanted to have a perfect boy. Maybe she could help him, maybe she could find a way to free his spirit from this world and let him rest in peace finally. It was all she could do for him.