Dio spun around quickly, looking her directly in the eyes. It was that doll. The one who'd pulled me down when I was running away from father. The doll that assisted in my murder.

'Dio! That doll works for father. Don't let her get hold of you or you might never escape her grasp.'

The doll giggled. "Aya, you must go back to the doll room. Now that you've joined us, you can't escape."

Something about what that doll said angered Dio and he lunged over at it. She giggled evilly again, ready for his attack.

'Stop, Dio! Don't let her grab you!' I called out.

It was too late though. He'd already gone in after her. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. As he aimed to break the the doll, she quickly dodged and pinned him down from behind.

'Dio!' I screamed.

Dio struggled, punching kicking and screaming. He tried desperately to free himself from the doll's grip, but it was useless. He couldn't break free.

"Won't the doctor be pleased to know that you and the girl are still alive," laughed the doll.

The doctor? She was going to tell father that we were alive?! No! She couldn't do this! I don't want to go back to that doll room! Stop!

She didn't stop.

"Doctor Alfred! I've found something special!" she called out at the top of her lungs.

Her voice echoed through the halls and it was so loud. There was no way that father wouldn't hear it.

It was all over. Father would kill Dio and maybe kill me for real. But I didn't want to die. Not now. Not when the exit is right there...

My world began to fade as I heard father's footsteps echo down the hall. He was coming this way.

I said my final prayers as his figure entered my field of vision. His face was smeared with blood and he was carrying a knife and a syringe.

He chuckled madly as he noticed Dio, pinned down and struggling.

"What do we have here? Weren't you one of my experiments?"

He kneeled down beside Dio and the doll, eyes showing an intense curiosity.

"What are you doing here? You should be dead. The curse died off."

Dio stared back at my father with stone cold eyes. His deep hatred for father was apparent.

"What does it matter to you? You're going to kill me again anyway, right?"

Father looked over at the corner of the room where I was sitting. His eyes. There was no word to describe them. They were frightening. They were insane. I wanted to jump off a cliff.

"What are you doing with my precious Aya? What would you want with my doll?"

Father's doll answered in place of Dio. "Aya is not dead. Her soul remains. He wishes to save her. He was sent by your wife."

Father hissed. "Monika? Hmph. Still a pain even after death..."

He turned to Dio and grabbed him by the neck collar. "Is it true that Aya is alive?!"

I wanted Dio to lie, but he didn't. He was too afraid of father.

"Y-yes. She's alive, but she can't move. She can speak, but only I can hear her."

'Dio! Why are you telling him this?!" I cried, panic taking me over.

He didn't answer. He just hung his head in defeat.

Father directed his attention over to me. He walked over slowly, eyes widening. He stroked my hair gently. If I didn't know better, I would've thought he was the perfect father.

"So you're alive, Aya?"

'Father...'

He couldn't hear me. He looked frustrated.

"Why can't I hear her?" he asked Dio.

"Only I can. I'm not sure why," responded Dio.

Father looked angry. Just as he was about to lose it, everything went black. I hadn't died. I knew that. The room was just pitch black.

I heard screams and struggling in the darkness, but couldn't pinpoint which sounds belonged to who.

Suddenly, someone scooped me up and carried me out of the room and back into the light. Thank goodness. It was only Dio.

As we ran out I only heard him say three words, "Thank you, Monika."