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Who would leave a doll out here? She stumbled forward, the surprise of seeing something so out of place interrupting her tears and sniffles. The moonlight shone through the gaps in the treetops. With her eyes long-accustomed to the gloom, she had little trouble picking out the outline of the toy. Maybe it meant there was another little girl out here with her? Someone to play with? Someone to talk to? Someone who knew how to get home? Her tiny shoes made no sound as they moved across the forest floor to where the doll lay. It was a big doll. As big as any she had ever seen. It had been propped up against a tree, its head leaning over to the side. She knelt down to examine it. She frowned with disappointment. It was old and dirty. It was also broken. It looked like the paint had washed off it in the rain, exposing the pale wood underneath. The doll’s eyes had fallen out, there were just holes there. The fingers were very long and thin. She preferred dolls with short, fat fingers, like a baby’s. It wasn’t a nice doll at all. A lot of its hair had also fallen out, though quite a bit was still attached. It was long, dark and curly, a lot like her own. She looked at its dress. Even if it wasn’t so dark, she wouldn’t have been able to make out the colour. It was stained and filthy. It looked like it had been out here a long time. Her own dress was much nicer. It was the same shape, but didn’t have all those stains on it. Even with all the time she had been out here, mummy would have been proud that she had kept it clean. With that thought, the tears welled up again. She never should have run away. She had been here in the forest now for such a long time. Maybe mummy had a new daughter, one that wasn’t naughty, one who wouldn’t run away and get lost? Maybe she wasn’t just lost? Maybe mummy wasn’t looking for her any more? Maybe mummy was hiding. She had been too naughty, and now mummy didn’t want her any more! I’m sorry mummy. The tears turned to sobs. What if this doll belonged to another little girl? One who left it here, because she didn’t like it, because it was ugly? Because it looked like her? What if that little girl was … her replacement? I’m sorry mummy. She took a few moments to compose herself. She was just being silly, as usual. Of course mummy was looking for her. She just needed to keep going. She’d find her mummy. She left the doll where it was. It wasn’t a nice doll, and it was too big for her to carry anyway. She set off once again through the forest. Her tiny shoes made no sound as they moved across the forest floor.
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May 9, 2015 16:04
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| # ¿ May 13, 2024 12:39 |
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