Contains- Death and Blood.

Ruhanika crisply shoved her sister near their closet door. A deafening thunder was heard and both the sisters turned around, and fixed their eyes on the doll. It sat on a chair, her arms extended out and a creepy smile that never seemed so real before. With great courage, Ruhanika took a step forward. Her forehead was damped in sweat and her lips quivered.

Upon reaching in close proximity, she bent to the doll's chest level and pressed her ear against it. Her eyes widened and a lump formed in her throat.

A heartbeat was heard.

***

Earlier that day.. Ragini kicked the pillows from the sofa and sat with a loud thud, a grumpy face and folded arms. "Do you wish to join us?" Mr Shrivastav asked her.

"Yes yes yes!" She sprang to her feet and threw her arms in air, indicating him to pick her up. "Yes,please take her with you,afterall she does not let me study." Ragini's smile evaporated when she saw her sister, who was absorbed in a book walking down the staircase. Her lips curled into a pout, her hands landed on either sides of her hips and before she could say something a thunder was perceived and she hugged her father.

"The weather seems to be terrible. I think it would be wise if we leave the girls at home and hurry. Ruhanika we will be back soon and Ragini promise us that you will not disturb your elder sister." Mrs Shrivastav spoke while adjusting her saree.

"But maa-" (mother)

"You are a strong girl aren't you? And let me tell you a secret," she bent to Ragini's ear level and whispered," your sister gets scared and someone should stay to protect her right?" Her mother gave her a wink and the little girl nodded. After few kicks and pleading, she finally gave up and bid her parents a farewell.

Like a responsible girl, Ruhanika retired to her room and started studying. Ragini hummed a song on her way to her room. She quickly set up a table, few chairs and her toys. She placed her favorite silver haired, brown orbs with thick eyelashes,draped in a red frock and net jacket doll near her.

"Thank you so much miss potato for making time for my tea party despite your wedding being in few weeks. It is really lovely of you." She said that was a serene face and a faint smile. In order to deepen her voice and sound like a mature lady she cleared her throat and started.

"The pleasure is mine miss Ragini."

Feeling satisfied, she nodded. "And Mr. Horse,I hope your son is doing well after getting injured in the recent competition."

The boom of her voice died down, and the room was filled with an eerie of silence. She got up and went to Ruhanika who was seemingly busy with Chemistry equations. While studying she expected no disturbances and the creaking noise of the door, made her lose her temper.

"Didi (elder sister)could you join me for my tea party?" She asked, hope sparkling in her eyes.

"No I am studying go away!" She banged the desk and shooed her away. The younger girl scoffed and went. She banged her room's door and stared at the table with teary eyes.

"I wish this party was much lively!"

Suddenly, a 'thump thump' sound was heard. It kept getting louder and Ragini out of curiosity checked the windows. They were closed and so was the door. So where was the mysterious sound coming from?

Mr and Mrs Deshpande are out of town for few days. It is definitely not from their flat..

The lived on the top floor, and the family living beneath them were out of town. Was it their neighbor? Ragini quickly opened the door and sprinted. She tried to hear, but only murmurs and footsteps were heard. No loud noise. The sound got even louder and the source more obvious. A creepy thought filled her mind and she hoped that it would not turn into reality.

Ragini turned around and stared at her doll. She walked closer to it, and instantly the beating stopped. A blood chilling scream brought Ruhanika to the corridor. She was suprised to find Ragini covering her ears, with love she delicately kissed her forehead and asked her what the matter was.

"Didi, my doll has a heartbeat.."

***

Presently.. Before Ruhanika could pull herself away, she felt two hands holding her head tightly. The grip was almost as strong as an adult. It took her a moment to realize that the texture on her cheek felt like plastic and not human flesh. Ragini kept screaming and it did not help her rather it worsened the situation by panicking her. And before either of them could comprehend, a snap was heard and Ruhanika fell down.

Ragini kept staring at her sister's lifeless body. A trail was blood was seen near her lip, the death of her sister made her numb and when she raised to look at the murder,the doll..

It had a smile on it's face.

Ragini..

It called her..

Just then she woke up with a jerk. Her sister was in her usual night themed pajamas and had concern written all over her face.

"Are you okay? Should I call mama and pappa-" Ragini did not let her complete and gave her a hug. She eyed her silver haired doll from a distance. It was on its usual place. After lunch, it was decided that their parents were going out to attend a marriage. Ragini froze as she realized that, the same thing happened in her dream. She felt sacred that her dream would become reality, and after constant bickering and few tears her parents finally decided to take the girls with them.

Ragini had tidied her room before leaving and she did not even dare to look at the doll. Just as the door closed, a 'thump thump' sound was heard from her room..

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Word count- 1018 words

Entry for armykoyola 's contest words cosmos!

Slot 4- Horror, Crime, Death, Blood

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