A Star and A Doll

A Star And A Doll: Part Deux

The sound of fabric ripping and porcelain shattering rent the air, followed by a soul crushing silence in the palpable stillness of the night.

The dark man turned away, growling, as he gazed at the doll like figure he had just cast to the street below.

"You dare?' He snarled. "You dare be upset with me? Show your temper to me? I who rescued you, fixed you, and moulded you? Trash. You may rot in the gutter for all I care. I tire of you." The door slammed behind him, locking her out in the cold, dark night. She cried out, the sound rising, becoming a keening wail, of grief and desperation. But he ignored her cries.

She did not know how long she lay there, a broken heap. Eventually, her cries softened, and she heard footsteps behind her. Turning, her broken eyes beheld a figure she had never thought to see again.

Her old Master!

She shuddered, the movement causing the shattering porcelain to grind and rattle against itself, an unpleasant noise that drew his gaze. Slowly, a cruel smirk formed on his lips.

"Why there you are, my broken beauty," he said, with a twisted smile. "What luck, I've found you at last, you naughty thing. What's this? Tried to repair you, did he? And ruined you far worse than before, from the looks of things. Don't worry, we'll get you home, and put back together. However, I can't work with what's here," he tsked. "No, we'll have to strip you to the core, and start all over again. This won't be pleasant I'm afraid, though I'm looking forward to it. Come along," he whispered as he bent to pick her up.

"Stop!" Cried yet another familiar voice. She turned towards the sound, surprised to see one of her old family whom had surrounded her before. "Let me take her for a while. I think I might be able to help, without hurting her worse." He leaned forward, removing her from his arms. She curled up, sobbing, her head resting on his shoulder, craving the warmth and gentleness of his embrace.

The man holding her looked down at her, a soft gentle smile on his lips, as he smoothed her hair back, and pressed his lips gently to her shattered forehead. "It'll be alright, little one. I promise, I'll take real good care of you, and later, once you're all healed up, then, and only then, you may choose where you wish to go." He gave the other man a curt nod, and walked off into the night, the doll tightly nestled in his arms.