By:A.R.

Mason felt harsh snaps as his limbs began to tear- his eyes filling with tears. "Stop! Your hurting him!!! He's only human!!!!" a soft but robotic voice exclaimed, making the dolls and puppets stop and look over at the window. Mason and the old lady looked to see the pink dress wearing doll- it stood, worry and anger on her porcelain face, "Let. GO!" she screamed, making the dolls take their hands off Mason- pulling away in unison. 

"No! Don't Listen to her! She's useless! She's nothing but a mistake!" the lady exclaimed.

"Get. her." the doll hissed pointing towards the shop keeper.

"No. You can't. I created you!" she shouted, backing up as the dolls stood up, approaching her. She fell back, crawling backwards into the small room.

The puppets slammed the door shut- pushing one of the doll shelves in front of the small door. "Now go back to your places. Never hurt a human again." the puppet commanded, pointing towards the shelves.

They all did as told, heading back to their places. Mason watched as they did, shock on his face. "What are you? Their goddess or something?" he asked the puppet, turning to her in confusion.

The bulbs on her cheeks glowed her eyes widening, "A-Ah, no! I'm not! I-I just happen to be one of them. And older then all of their souls." the doll and Mason jumped when the cabinet shook with an aggressive thud. "You have to leave- I'll wipe everyone's memory of your death. You have to get out of here though." she told Mason, motioning towards his dead body.

It glowed a golden tint before slowly moving together the pieces attaching to it's rightful places. Pretty soon the glowing stopped- Mason's body in perfect condition. He felt himself being pulled towards the body. Before he knew it- his own eyes opened, him sitting up from the ground. "Woah..." he muttered looking down at his hands. He stood up, looking around as everyone around him along with time froze, everything except the puppet and the banging on the small door. "What is this..?"

"I'm erasing everyones memory- and buying you time. Go! You must leave- my power can't effect Ms Pen. She will get you." the puppet exclaimed as everything all around the shop went in reverse, the scene slowly undoing itself as the crowd and cops dispersed from the scene.

Mason ran down the ally, watching as people went backward- time was rewinding. And he only had a bit of time to get out of there.

He ran all the way home, watching as the police officers from earlier walked backward and out of the house, his mother backing up into the house- shutting the door. Before he knew it, time had continued, the cars drove forward, letting him know everything went back to normal. He burst into the room to see his mom sitting on the steps, holding Judith in her arms. "M-Mom!" Mason exclaimed, running over and hugging her.

"Baby!" She exclaimed, hugging him back- tears running down her cheeks. "Where were you??? You scared the heavens out me! I was about to call the cops for a search!" Claire exclaimed, kissing Mason lovingly.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be so stubborn earlier..." he whispered, pulling away from her kisses.

"No worries... you got it from me- I am partially to blame," Claire whispered back, caressing his head.

As Mason hugged his mother- a slight nervousness hit him- unsure what it was. He brushed it off, pulling away, "I'm gonna go take a nap.. I'm exhausted." he told him mom, with a small weak smile.

"Of course! You need it.. finally took, Frances's tip..?" Claire smiled as he headed up the stairs.

"Guess... I have so much to live for....." Mason replied, walking up and out of sight.

His mom stared in confusion, "But... you didn't die. That phrase doesn't even make any sense." she called before glancing over at Judith who met eyes with her, "I suppose your brother does need rest.."

*TS*

Mason layed in bed, thinking about his day- hectic. Frightening. Confusing. "Why did that puppet help me...? Wasn't she on the lady side...? Was she the puppet the elderly woman mentioned..? What was the name....

Maria... Maria Poppy.."