I was close to the door now. I tried to make it look as though I was looking at the lamps and the perfume bottles as I edged closer to the door. Glancing at my watch I saw I was nearly a full hour late. Eric would be worried – or annoyed – by now.
"You have a lovely shop, sir" I said quietly.
I couldn't bring myself to look at him and reached for the door handle. The man grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.
"Come sit with me a little longer" he said, grabbing my shoulders and forcing me back over to the chair, making me sit down.
I stared in shock as he sat opposite me.
"Sir, please" I whispered. "I need to be somewhere"
"You would make a wonderful doll"
"I'm sorry sir: I don't have time to model for you like the little girls. I am truly flattered, but I really have to be somewhere"
He grabbed my arm, yanking me close, so I was practically on his lap. My hand slipped awkwardly as he tugged me, catching on his shirt and slipping under the fabric, hitting against his wooden stomach. I shrieked and struggled, but he kept hold, pulling me closer still and taking my chin in his hand, making me look at him. The music box started playing its tune again.
"You will make a wonderful doll"
It was all a blur as he stood, spinning me round and lifting me up in both arms, his wooden chest stiff and harsh against my back.
"Sir, stop!" I screamed. "Please; let go of me! Get off me!"
He didn't listen, just carried me over to the second door, opening it and exiting the shop. Frantic, I looked up to see a white mansion-type building with pink beams, like something out of a fairy story. I screamed more as he started walking again, leaving the back door open and tightening his hold.
"Please, let me go!" I begged. "I told you; I have to be somewhere!"
"You will become a wonderful doll, frozen in time and set as a beautiful object of display"
I screamed harder until a wooden hand clamped down over my mouth, silencing me. I knew I was trapped in a hold like this, helpless as a child. I forced myself to relax my body, hoping his vice-like grip would do the same. It didn't. I could feel myself panicking and started to struggle again as he opened the tower door. I struggled to get my head free so I could breathe properly in my panic.
"Come"
He put me down and grabbed my hand, dragging me up a twisting stone staircase. I couldn't struggle away from such a tight grip. He took me up to a room with various shelves, a large wooden table and a stove with pots and pans, chalked out words on the walls. He locked the door and released my hand, leaving me trembling and sobbing in fear, so scared I could barely move. I wanted Eric, and even though we were away from the shop now, 'My Fair Lady' was still ringing through my ears.
The man went over to a shelf, pulling down a cloth and a bottle of chloroform. I gasped and managed to take a few steps backwards. I watched him unscrew the lid and pour a fair deal of it on the cloth before replacing the bottle and advancing towards me.
"N-no! Please, s-s-sir, please don't!" I stammered, backing up against the table.
He grabbed me by the collar, pinning me down as I kicked and screamed, trying in vain to push his hand away.
"Stop! Stop… st…" He was too strong and before long, the chloroform soaked cloth smothering my mouth and nose knocked me unconscious.