You're the next one

There was a smell of frost in the air, and a thin layer of snow covered the ground. The cold February evening promised to be calm. A gentle breeze moved the leaves, and cars rarely passed the street hidden in the shade of the trees nearby. Besides, people also didn't come here often. 

Not that they were frightened by a large wooden house in the middle of the forest, on which an inattentive passerby might have stumbled upon if they roam a bit too far. On the contrary, from the outside, the house seemed very warm and friendly. It must be admitted that building it should be considered as a tremendous achievement. Surrounded by dense trees, on the terrain full of slopes and hills, a beautiful mansion was built, mainly made of wood and stone, with a sloping roof and a surrounding yard. A trampled path leading off the main road headed to the gate.

         So why didn't people visit this beautiful building that looked like from a fairy tale? The reason was very prosaic - rarely anyone was in it.

Built several years ago by "people from the town", citizens vulnerable to urban smog. In their peaceful corner, however, they were only once in a while. The distinguished, elegant family was rather discreet and distrustful, it did not speak much about itself. It was only known that the woman was an architect and her husband was a lawyer. They had a son, an inquisitive, full of energy toddler, whose child's face often raised a smile on the faces of older neighbours whom he reminded the times of their youth. Despite the secrets, they gained the sympathy of residents with their - paradoxically - helpfulness, hospitality and friendliness. 

There are places in the world where so little happens that every getting out of the rut is treated as an event and an occasion to celebrate - the arrival of a well-liked family was such an opportunity. It was often regretted that this is so rare and the people called to mind the man who proudly laid the last tile on the roof years ago, treating the house as an achievement of his life. Undoubtedly, his wife-architect had a hand in his success.

It was not common to see the car entering the narrow path leading to the house. However, this frosty evening such a view could be seen by a keen observer. The car pulled up to the gate, which opened with a crunch and rolled into the driveway. A well-dressed, handsome man got out. He looked around and went to the switch to lit the property with lamps. He seemed to know the house like his own pocket. 

The man was the only son of the house owners, Casper Andersen. To be honest, he was here by accident - halfway to the city, he remembered the house in the shade of trees and decided to spend the night in it. He was last here a few years ago, so he had only a vague notion of how to get here, but he succeeded.

Suddenly Casper stopped walking around the house and leaned out the window. He thought he saw a movement in front of the gate. He wasn't wrong - three people were heading towards the house, one of which was clearly smaller. Casper sighed. He was tired and hoped that he would do without all this theatre. He thought the people come to visit him and celebrate his arrival. The bell rang. "Such host responsibilities", he thought and went to greet the guests.

He came to the gate and looked at three people who decided to visit him. He saw that it was a family with a child who had something under his arm. Casper noticed it was a doll. He smiled. He liked children, they did not annoy him. On the contrary, he loved their honesty and cheerful, even naive smile. Their curiosity about the world and energy always made him happy.

They stood in front of each other. He was surprised. All the guests had tired, dirty faces. He remembered them through the mist.

"The Aberdeens...?", he asked uncertainly. He did not remember them having a child, but he did associate Marianne Aberdeen's characteristic hair and Jerry Aberdeen's uneven nose. He felt stench like the family hadn't washed in a few weeks.

‘’Good evening, good evening! How nice to see the lights in this beautiful corner again! ", he heard Marianne's nice, melodious voice.

‘'What's happening? Did you... Did something happen to you? Do you need help?”, asked Casper. The sight of greasy hair and creased, stale Aberdeens’ clothes did not make him feel comfortable. Marianne and Jerry looked at each other.

"I know this is a stupid question...", began Jerry Aberdeen. "But could you let us spend the night here? Just one night."

"We've been living in front of your gate for a few months.", Marianne interjected. Her beard trembled and tears appeared in her eyes. "We know how hospitable you are. We were hoping that maybe you would come and let us at least take a shower...", her voice broke. She started crying.

Casper was shocked by what he saw.

It was obvious that they were not in the best condition. He saw their faces in the light of lamps, they looked at him hopefully, their eyes glistened. He carefully pondered his next move - on the one hand, he dreamed of going to sleep, on the other - the sight of those hurt, decent faces gave him strength. He made a quick decision.  

"Welcome, come in, I have a cake and marzipan cookies. I hope you are partial to marzipan.", he said and made room for them to pass. "Time to restore friendly relations”. They looked at him with genuine gratitude. He smiled and looked at the child. He smiled back. Something was terrifying in his face, something that caused shivers. Casper felt uncertain.

***

"Are you going to stay here for long?", Jerry Aberdeen asked. He was bathed and dressed in Casper’s father’s clothes. They were eating homemade marzipan cookies. His wife, clothed in Casper’s mother dressing-gown, sipped tea from the cup, and the child played with his doll in the corner.

"I'm just a stop, I am leaving in the morning. I'm going to Greenville."

"To Greenville? Why?", Marianne became interested.

"In business", Casper answered casually. He hated when people interfered in his affairs. From the corner of his eye, he looked at the always cluttered desk adjacent to the big window in the living room, with papers and projects stacking on it. Casper inherited his mother's architect's sense. He was very capable of what he was doing. His designs delighted with creativity, accurateness and beauty, although many engineers clutched their heads, seeing the details of the work. His first large project was to be built in Greenville - the task was to make the market a friendly meeting place. This plaza craved for decorating and more room to make people willing to spend time there.

Then his gaze fell on the playing kid.

"To be honest, I didn't remember you had a child. Congratulations, what's his name?", he asked Marianne and Jerry to change the subject. He was surprised when he saw their nervous glances. There was silence.

"You know... This is not our child." finally whispered Jerry, leaning closer to Casper and glancing at him. "His name is Ignatius. He is an orphan. His parents…"

"Her mother was a simple trickster. She seduced this poor Henderson! They met once and there you have what came of it!", Marianne interrupted suddenly, raising her voice. Ignatius stopped playing and looked at her.

"Marianne!", Jerry scolded her. "Why is such hatred in you!? You are full of animosity towards her!"

"Old Hugh did very well that he didn’t consent to their marriage! This girl certainly didn't love Patrick, all she wanted was his father's money. And he chased her away - what a surprise!". Marianne snickered. "She came back within a few months later with the belly. And she is lucky that he didn't make her abort. But is it happiness for sure...?".

"Marianne!", Jerry almost choked on with the air. He was breathing quickly, his face was red, his fists were clenched. "How can you... How can you say things like that!? Can you cease to criticize her in such a disgusting way? Can you stop assuming the worst about her?! Don't forget that Ignatius is your son now!"

"I curse the day I agreed to this adoption, Jerry. Look at that brat. He is retarded, lagging behind his peers! I feel sick when I look at him! Can't you see what's happening to us since we took this sucker into our home!? You got fired from your job and I stopped receiving benefits, even though I still can't work! We landed on the street, and it's all because of you and your good heart!", Marianne shouted contemptuously.

Casper couldn't believe what he heard. He looked at Jerry, who looked like he was going to punch his wife, whose face was a mixture of pain, rage and contempt. To say that he disapproved of her approach to Ignatius, was like not to say anything. He was furious when he saw how the woman treats this poor child. He was trying to talk himself out of participating in this quarrel. He refrained from getting into the discussion because he didn't know the ins and outs of this case. 

"You mentioned Old Hugh. I remember this name, who is he?", he said to lightly discharge the atmosphere. Jerry and Marianne looked at him as if they saw him for the first time.

"No wonder you know him. Hugh Henderson. He is a mutual acquaintance of me and your father. He probably visited you sometimes.", said Jerry, still glancing at his wife.

"Well, you're right, I remember him. I think even too clearly.". Casper remembered the permanently disfigured face of the elderly, high man, who was often invited by Casper's father. Deep-set eyes, sharp, even Indian facial features and a deep scar from the corner of the mouth to the eye always made Casper frightened. Even now, after a few years, he shuddered at the mere mention of it. A strange feeling of fear swept over him and he realized how tired he was. "I don't want to be rude, but it got late and I have to get up at the dawn. It is time to sleep"

''You're right. We apologize you had to hear this argument. Ignatius is a very... talented boy.", said Jerry. Marianne snorted. Her husband glanced at her from under his eye and continued: "It's very kind of you, we are very grateful.".

''Yes, it's true. How nice to be clean again!", said Marianne without a trace of recent rage in her voice. Casper smiled slightly. He was still indignant.

"Great, I'm glad we agree. Come, I will show you where you will sleep.”.

***

"Good night, we get up at 5:30.", said Casper, closing the door to the guest room, where he composed the Aberdeens and little Ignatius. He took a deep breath and leaned his head against the wall. He looked at his watch. In a few hours, he will be in Grenville, where he will discuss his project. "It's time to go to sleep", he thought. He turned to go to his upstairs bedroom. He stumbled. He looked down at his feet, trying not to curse. He bent down and saw that he almost fell over on the doll that Ignatius had played all evening. He picked her up. He disliked her on the spot. The sight of her very realistic face, with large blue eyes and narrow lips, frightened him. He looked more closely. He noticed that even such details as mimic wrinkles or eyelashes were rendered. He had the impression that the doll's gaze pierced him through. He seemed so alive, so... human.

"Oh, you found her.", a thin but sure voice sounded suddenly. Casper looked up. He saw a figure standing in the middle of the corridor. He recognized Ignatius. What is he doing there? Casper was sure that Ignatius was in the bed with his parents. He realized that he had never heard him before. The boy actually didn't act like his peers - he did not run, did not shout, did not ask questions. He sat quietly in the corner as if he wasn't there. Could Marianne's attitude affect him that way?

"Yes, I tripped over her.", he answered, looking at the doll and pulling it toward the boy. He came and took her. ''What is her name?''

"Whose?", Ignatius looked at him questioningly. Casper was terrified by his voice, childish but unnaturally calm. There were no emotions in it as if he were dead.

''The doll’s. Your doll’s.", said Casper, looking at the boy inquiringly. He had small green eyes and a dishevelled black hair. The narrow lips were slightly parted, which actually gave him a handicapped look.

''Oh. It has many names. 16.", finally answered Ignatius. ''First was Laura, then Eva. Carol. Peter. Rebecca. Tina and Oliver. Denis. Natasha, Zoe and Rose. Melanie. Isaac. Horace. Luke. Ignatius. And then it will be... what is your name?", Ignatius looked Casper straight in the eye. He took a step back. He didn't understand what the boy was talking about, but it didn't seem normal to him.

"I ... I am Casper.", he stammered. Ignatius was still staring at him, and Casper was beginning to feel more and more uncomfortable. Suddenly something dawn at him.

"Hey, you... you don't blink!", he broke out before he could think what he was saying. But in fact, Ignatius's eyelids have not twitched even once since they were talking. A strong shiver went through Casper's body. Something was clearly wrong. Something terrible was happening. He wanted to go to bed and pretend that this was only part of the bad dream.

"The dead ones don't blink.", Ignatius’s calm reply and the smile accompanying it didn't at all alleviate his strong anxiety. Casper was flooded with cold sweat and darkness appeared in front of his eyes.

"What... What are you talking about? I... I don't understand what's going on. What is going on? I don't want to... I'm scared. It's all so strange. No, I'm sick of it! No, no, I don't want to! I don't want to!", he screamed deliriously, staggering down the corridor. He still had Ignatius's eyes fixed on him. Suddenly he felt his head hit something. He fell. He curled up on the floor like a small child, pulled his knees up and wrapped his hands around his head. He started crying.

***

He didn't know how much time had passed - 15 minutes, an hour, five. When he opened his eyes, he found himself lying in his bed, in warm bed linen. He touched his head. It hurt mercilessly. He was still laying for a moment, too afraid to move. Suddenly the smell of food came from somewhere. He got up slowly. Taking cautious steps, he went downstairs. He looked around and dumbfounded.

Marianne Aberdeen was bustling in the kitchen, opening cabinets and putting products on the table. Jerry Aberdeen was standing by the stove preparing scrambled eggs. Ignatius was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, good morning, honey, I'm glad you're up already. Set the table, okay?”, Marianne said when she saw him. Casper was still standing on the stairs, trying to understand what was going on. ’’Should I tell you twice? The table!"

''What are you doing? Why are you rummaging in my cupboards? I appreciate that you wanted to make breakfast, but...", Casper began uncertainly. Marianne looked at him and started laughing.

‘’In your cupboards? In your cupboards? Since when are they yours? You'll have your cabinets when you finally move out. I see you are not awake yet."

Casper couldn't believe what he heard.

''What? Marianne, this is my home and you are guests here!". Marianne's expression changed. She wasn't laughing anymore. She looked at Casper angrily.

"What is this supposed to be? A joke? Restrain yourself a little, I'm not your friend to speak to me in this way, by name! Jerry, can you tell him something?”, she turned to her husband, who was still standing by the kitchen, cooking. He looked up and stared at Casper.

"Son, don't upset your mother. I don't know what you play, but it's not funny. The fact that you are 23 years old does not let you behave that way. I remind you that we still upkeep you! "

Casper felt dizzy. He sat on the stairs. What is going on here? The Aberdeens are making fun of him or is he crazy?

"Where's Ignatius?", he asked quietly, remembering his piercing eyes.

''Who? I don't know any Ignatius. Casper, what's the matter with you? You didn't wake up yet or should I call a doctor?", Marianne answered, coming up to him and putting his hand on his forehead. Casper shuddered under the influence of her touch. ’’You're hot, I think you may have a fever. Come on, have breakfast with us, and then you will go to ventilate to the garden."

"But... but I was supposed to go to Greenville.", groaned Casper, feeling very weak. He dreamed that all this would turn out to be just a strange nightmare, from which he would wake up. He no longer knew what was true and what he had come up with. He didn't understand what was going on and was losing his sense of reality. He noticed the marzipan cookies lying on the table, which he and the Aberdeens ate last night. So his “previous” life wasn’t only a figment of his imagination.

''What? To Greenville? For what? No, that's enough. I don't know what you are playing, but you have to stop immediately"

"Okay... Mum.", he groaned resignedly and started setting the table.

It was the most awkward breakfast of his life. The Aberdeens kept looking at him, asking how he felt. Everything turned over in him when he saw Marianne Aberdeen using his father's pans, and Jerry Aberdeen sitting in his mother's large, comfortable chair. He forced himself to call them "mom" and "dad", but he wanted to vomit whenever he did it.

After breakfast, he went out onto the terrace, breathing deeply. What happened? His life overturned 180 degrees in just a few hours. How is this possible? He looked around. He noticed his mother's garden, which consisted of wildflowers and never cut bushes. Their branches were covered with a layer of hoar. The sight of a hammock tied to two trees reminded him of his childhood. Tears appeared in his eyes. He felt terrible as if he was enslaved by his own mind. He was longing for freedom, dreamed that everything would be as before. He desperately wanted to understand what was going on. He missed the clarity and brightness of his thoughts before he hosted the Aberdeens. Everything that was happening continued to remind a very elaborate conundrum.

Suddenly he saw something in the snow under one of the trees. He came closer and froze.

The doll was looking at him from below. He immediately recognized those green eyes and dishevelled black hair.

He closed his eyes, praying that all this would end. When he opens his eyes, everything will be as before. And the doll will disappear forever as if it were never there.

He opened his eyes carefully. The monstrous doll with Ignatius's face was still sitting under the tree. Something has changed, however. One of her arms was outstretched as if it pointed to something behind Casper.

The man took the doll in his hand. It seemed to be looking at something above his shoulder. He tried to move her hand. It was impossible.

Slowly, with a pounding heart, he turned away. He noticed something that made him stagger. This view inflicted real, physical pain on him. His hands began to shake so that the doll fell out of them. He felt as if terror, disgust and despair ripped him to shreds. He couldn't catch his breath, spasms tugged at him. He fell to his knees and vomited.

From one of the lower branches of beautiful, dignified pine, Ignatius's dead body hung on a thick rope.

"The dead ones don't blink."

He looked at the doll with insanity in his eyes.

''Oh. It has many names. 16. First was Laura, then Eva. Carol. Peter. Rebecca. Tina and Oliver. Denis. Natasha, Zoe and Rose. Melanie. Isaac. Horace. Luke. Ignatius. And then it will be... what is your name?”, Ignatius's washed out of emotions voice thundered in his head. 

So he will be next.

He fell to the ground, paralyzed with fear. He couldn't move. He was shaking all over. It felt like everything wants to kill him. Familiar trees have never seemed so scary. A murderer could hide in the uncut bushes. Every rustle of leaves or the crackle of branches made his heart grow in his throat. All the fears he had ever felt returned to him. His mind gave him ever newer images of drowners, hangovers, wild animals, shot people, blood and crimes.

He heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway. He curled up more.

''Casper? Casper! Dear God, what are you doing? What's going on?! Should I call for help?”, Marianne's voice sounded somewhere next to him. ''Casper? Can you hear me? Is everything alright?"

"I ... I'm not sure.", he stuttered out. 

"You probably fainted. No wonder, you haven't even touched breakfast today. Guests have arrived. Your little cousin Mary with her parents. You remember her, right? You liked looking after her so much when she was younger! How long ago it was... our little one has grown up!"

Casper remembered this little, freckled, energetic girl with red braids well. She always reminded him of Pippi Langstrumpf. He slowly raised his head. Both Ignatius's body and doll have disappeared. He looked around uncertainly. He tasted blood and bile in his mouth. His clothes were soaked in melted snow and his body was shivering with cold.

He sat down. He saw a girl running into the garden. Her red hair was no longer braided, just loose, and freckles added charm to her smiley face. It must be admitted that she was really beautiful.

"Casper!" She shouted as soon as she saw him and rushed to hug him. He embraced her gently, still shaky. She must have noticed it because she looked at him closely. ''What's happening? You are very pale!"

''He fainted. Luckily I came because he would lay here for ages. We are going home, we have to strengthen our strength. I cooked the soup.", Marianne answered for Casper. He was grateful to her because he could not express in words what had happened to him. He got up cautiously and took a few steps toward the house. Marianne and Mary followed him. Mary was jumping next to him, it was obvious how happy she was with this meeting. He looked back. He thought he could still see the shadow that Ignatius's body casts.

***

''I have a friend in my class, she is very talkative. He talks to his bestie all the time. The teacher reprimands them and they don't react! And one day she got pissed off, I'm not very surprised... ", Mary was babbling, sitting next to Casper and slurping the soup. Suddenly she stopped.

"Please, continue, what about this teacher?", Casper encouraged her, trying to smile. He could not stop his furtive glances at the garden. Now and then he jumped in his chair and spun around as if to check that no one was behind him.

"You behave strangely.", said Mary. "You don't blink at all. "

Casper froze. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he winked. He tried to do it. It came to him hard, unnaturally.

"Is it already happening? As soon? I... I thought I had at least a few moments. I wanted to stall for time, maybe break this circle, do something...", he muttered under his breath.

"What are you saying?", Mary asked.

Casper looked her straight in the eye and said only one sentence:

"The dead ones don't blink."

She pulled away from him. She smiled slightly, thinking it was a joke. Casper was angry for himself for saying that. He didn't want to scare her. However, something in him, some internal strength, made him do it.

"How long are you staying here?", he asked quickly, wanting to change the subject.

"Oh, for short, only for one night. We are visiting my grandparents and my parents thought it would be nice to visit you. They thought I would be happy to see you, which is true.", she replied and smiled at him.

For night. For one night. Casper had heard those words some time ago. He felt like millions of years had passed since then, as if it were in another era. But no, it was literally a few hours ago. Oh, how much has changed in his life during this time! He regretted that fate threw the Aberdeens and this infernal doll under the roof of his house. Some supernatural force guided her, helped her move. It threw her to people's feet, put her in their sight. And when they touch her...

"What is this?" Mary asked suddenly, pointing to something behind Casper. He turned around.

There was a doll on the kitchen counter. Her lips were bent in a smile. It was not a pleasant smile. It seemed mocking.

Casper's blood drained from his face. What does it do here? Where did it come from? He looked quickly out the window.

"What is her name?" He heard Mary's question. He turned away in horror. He saw that the girl came up to the counter and... took the doll in her hand.

Casper felt it was too late. Nothing can be done. The bloodthirsty toy found another victim. You can't break the circle. History repeats itself.

"Listen to me very carefully. This doll... This doll has many names. Laura. Eva. Carol. Peter. Rebecca. Tina. Oliver. Denis. Natasha. Zoe. Rose. Melanie. Isaac. Horace. Luke. Ignatius... Casper. She has also your name, Mary. You’re the next one."