About a week after my encounter with the camp zombie, I was called to a murder scene due to its strange nature. When I arrived at the house covered in police tape, I told everyone to clear the scene using the FBI badge that I got from Agent Cole.

Well, the old agent Cole as I was now Agent Cole.

Standing in front of the house alone, I raised my right hand and willed The Mentalist Ring to activate. With an unnatural pink gleam flashing over the gem, I was taken away from the present to see what I could find about the series of events that lead to this scene. Fortunately, I had a stronger soul than Cole and actually trained with it, so I got a lot more than the snippets he got.

***

In an ordinary house located in Cedar Hills, a suburb located in the northern part of Sunset City, lived a relatively normal family, whatever that really means. The family was made up of Alex, his son Nick, and his new wife Sandy.

This family was relatively happy with the only problem being the small one of Nick having trouble accepting his new stepmother. In a happier world based on happier movies this problem would have been resolved after a series of hijinks that culminated in a heart-to-heart talk right before the stepmother left on an airplane. Too bad for everyone involved, this was not such a happy world. Instead, this family would invite a plague upon themselves in pursuit of solving this small problem.

The small event that set off this series of dark events was the purchase of a not so simple vintage porcelain doll.

The previously mentioned newly married couples were coming home from a date night. The man was a tall black man with close cropped hair and stubble. His new bride was a shorter redhead with a face full of freckles holding a doll she saw in the window of a pawn shop on the walk home.

“Honey, I love how you are trying to connect with Nick, but you can’t just force these things or buy a kid’s love. Also, I don’t know if he is at the age to appreciate a doll.” Alex said while trying to talk Sandy out of her endeavor.

“I know, but I have to try to something if I’m ever to get through to him. Also, my mother got me and my brother dolls at this age and we both loved ours.” Sandy defending her position.

“I’ve met your brother and as a result I am almost positive that he was just too nice to share his true thoughts on the matter with your mother. Also don’t you think that doll is a little creepy.”

“Oh hush, he’s going to love it.” Sandy reassured her husband while excited and hopeful for Nick’s reaction.

Sandy threw open the front then walked into the living room where Nick and his babysitter were watching cartoons. The babysitter, seeing that the parents were back home, excused herself and left after getting her pay from Alex.

“Look Nick, I got you a present.” Sandy said full of anticipation.

The young boy whipped his head around in excitement at the mention of a gift. Only for his smile to fall then come back noticeably more strained.

“Oh, a doll. Thanks.” Nick mumbled clearly disappointed.

Sandy visibly deflating told her son, “I thought you would appreciate it. I know I did when my mom got me one when I was your age.”

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“Well, you’re not my…” Nick started before seeing the despondent look forming on her face and his father’s raised eyebrow behind her.

“Thank you for the gift. I love it.” Nick said while trying to sell his enthusiasm as much as a kid his age can.

Nick took the doll and went up to his room.

“He hates it.” Sandy bemoaned after sinking into the living room couch.

“He appreciated the effort and that you’re trying.” Alex consoled while sitting down next to her.

“Thanks for that.” Sandy told her husband while leaning into his arms.

The next morning the two adults awoke to a surprise waiting for them downstairs.

The downstairs was trashed with trash strewn about the floor and someone had carved “B***H” into the wall of the living room with a knife that was then stuck into the wall as punctuation.

“Nick!! get your butt down here right this instant!!!!” Alex bellowed out, startling his son awake.

“What Happ…” Nick said while walking down the stairs before the sight before him silenced him.

“Nick you’re going to clean all of this up and you’re grounded for this entire month.” Alex borderline yelling while trying to keep his anger contained.

“Nick, I thought things were going better. Why would you do this?” Sandy croaked out, barely holding back her tears.

“Dad! It wasn’t me!” Nick pleading with his guardians.

“I don’t want to hear. Oh, and I’m adding another two weeks to your punishment because you refuse to take responsibility.” Alex told his son.

“I’m telling you this wasn’t me!” Nick reiterated.

“That’s another two weeks right there. You’re at two months now, want to go for three?” Alex questioned his son.

“This is so unfair!” Nick shouted before getting started on the cleanup.

“Honey, I got to go to the hardware to get something for the wall, can you make sure Nick cleans up his mess?” Alex asked his wife.

“Of course, I can handle a kid acting out.” Sandy reassured doing a small fist pump that brought a smile to her husband’s face.

Alex then threw a sweatshirt over his pajamas, grabbed his keys and wallet, then left for the store.

Things were going fine at the house besides the awkward silence that permeated the downstairs that was occasionally broken up by the young boy’s cleaning endeavors.

This continued until Sandy got up to get a glass of water from the kitchen. When she was just entering the room with the living room behind her, she was pushed from behind and banged her elbows and knees on the ground. She got back up and looked at the young boy looking at her from his position in the living room.

“Nick, we do not hurt others. This behavior is unacceptable, you are grounded for another month.” Sandy said, getting angry for the first time.

“It wasn’t me!” Nick started tearing up.

“It was Fredrick!” while pointing at the doll that appeared on the couch somehow.

“Nick while I appreciate that you like my gift enough to name it, that does not excuse your behavior or lying. Another month of being grounded. Now go up to your room until your father gets back.” Sandy sternly said, turning red in the face.

“I didn’t name that stupid doll.” Nick mumbled under his breath before stomping upstairs.

What followed was a tense day of Alex fixing up the wall and cleaning up downstairs himself, silent meals, and early bedtimes as everyone was done with the day.

Current Equipment:

Head:

[The Black Wasp Jackal’s Face]

Earrings:

[]

Necklace:

[The Energy Baron’s Stomach]

Clothes:

[Suit of Armor]

[Muscle Shirt]

Rings:

[The Mentalism Ring]

[Succubus’ Kiss]

[Mena’s Book]

Bracelets:

[]

Shoes:

[Cement Shoes]

Armaments:

[Weaver’s First Armament]

[Sense Cane]

[Holy Straight Razor]

Storage:

[Various Essences]

[Chi Organ]

[Various Murder Weapons]

[Green Thumb]

[Glass Eye]