Maria began to back out of the room. She didn't like this at all. What if this doll were to attack her, Alfred knew how to kill these things if they came alive, not her. She could throw knives, yes. Alfred had taught her how to do so, if she was ever in danger. But what if these dolls were immortal? The doll stood up from the chair and walked towards her. Maria froze in fear, unable to move. The doll stopped about a metre away from her, and after a moments' pause began to speak to her.
'Maria, c…can you hear me?' the doll asked her. Maria hastily told her yes, thinking that if she took too long she'd be dead.
'Do you know who I am? Can you recognise me? Tell me you do, please!'
The doll pleaded with her. Her soft, quiet voice sounded familiar to Maria, just… she couldn't who it was, it must have been someone from many years ago else there was no doubt she'd know straight away who the voice belonged to. After all, she hadn't met many people, only Alfred, Monika, Aya and possibly a few more. She knew some of the dolls too, but… they were dead now…surely they couldn't speak to her? Maria shook her head in reply.
'You don't?' Maria watched as the doll's lilac eyes began to fill with tears. Maria suddenly felt bad, the girl clearly knew her.
' Are you sure? My name is Elizabeth, remember? We used to play together on the streets when we were young. I used to sit by you and help us get food, do you not remember? You used to think my name was Elissa, because you hated the 'beth' part, remember? You were so funny!' The girl seemed to force a friendly smile on her face. Maria thought for a minute, searching her mind for the name that matched that smile. Then it hit her. The girl, Elissa, her best friend. Maria remembered the days they spent playing on the streets, the happiness, the day that tall figure took her away…when she never came back… Maria hated to think what had happened to Elissa after he took her. In fact, she hated to think what would happen to herself now he'd took her. Maria began to cry, rand towards the girl and hugged her tight, like one would a long lost friend.
'What did he do to you?' Maria muttered in her ear.
Elissa pulled away from Maria and pulled down the top of her dress slightly, revealing the pink scar he'd left in her chest.
'The doctor always told me I had a good heart in me' Elissa whispered, looking to the floor.
Maria urged her to tell her all that had happened since they were separated. As Elissa told her story, Maria couldn't help admiring Elizabeth's strength. She told every event without shedding a tear, it was almost as if she'd relived it so many times now that it no longer affected her. It was almost as if she were heartless.
Maria told Elissa to wait behind the door of the lab, and walked in to meet Alfred curled up on the floor. He had a gold pendant clenched in his fist…was he…crying? Maria took another step into the room, her heel making a deliberate tap on the stone floor to make him notice her standing there. Alfred glanced at her foot and suddenly leapt up off the floor, standing bolt upright. Maria knew when he wasn't alright. He'd always react in such a way so she wouldn't think him weak, but she knew him too well now to fall for his acting. Maria walked up to the Doctor and looked him in the eye. She could tell he'd been crying. She hugged him, knowing he always felt better knowing someone was there. He hugged her back until Elizabeth's footsteps became audible from the lab. Maria could tell by the way Alfred flinched and tried to hastily leave the room that he thought it was Monika. Maria grabbed him by his white lab coat so he was unable to escape. She held him there in the middle of the room while Elizabeth entered. Elizabeth stood just inside the lab, a forlorn expression on her face. She was almost emotionless. Maria searched Alfred's eyes for a reaction, he looked as if he was going to cry again. Maria let go of his coat and he strode towards Elissa. He was fairly tall so when he walked quickly it was almost running. Maria watched as Alfred hugged Elizabeth, it was so strange… didn't he…kill her?