Retired Major Lionel Eldridge was browsing items in a bazaar of relics, antiques, and curios when he happened upon a strange artifact. It was a pale doll with darkened eyes. It was attempting to be a darling little girl partially wrapped in a shawl. In a way he was reminded of the little girl in a tragic Christmas story who burned matches on a cold winter’s night as she stared into a store front window for gifts she would never live to receive. Lionel was tired of walking side by side with loneliness. His family gone, wife dead of tuberculosis, and all after 25 years of loyal service to Her Royal Majesty’s Army. He’d retired with a pension good enough to live on and at 49 years of age, he still had a life left to live, but for whom and what?

He touched the porcelain figure that seemed strangely life-like among the tables of other statuettes, trinkets, and simple gifts, lost in his typically reminiscent thoughts when a short, brown skinned man approached him. He seemed humble enough, his hands folded together, his robe typically pastel colored, and his black mustache that was pursed into a smile. “May I be of help Offendi?”

Lionel Eldridge emerged from his inner thoughts and glanced at the small man, “I was merely intrigued by this lonely little girl. Who does this doll represent?”

“In the customs of my people such dolls are spiritual entities of sorts there to address matters of one’s own state of the soul. She can be a companion with which to fight loneliness. She can merge with your soul as you dream and talk with you about your innermost struggles. She can be the partner from another world never meant to be in this dimension which you occupy.”

“So, what’s the point, old man, having a companion that only exists in another realm?” Lionel frowned.

“In my culture, these dolls might become surrogates for remedying the grief of a mother who lost a child, a father who has no family left, or of one who desires a lover, but remains alone against his or her will,” the unusual little man explained.

“How odd,” the former major replied.

“Is it no coincidence that you were drawn to this figurine for some reason you may not completely understand yet?” He smiled humbly.

Willing to explore the unusual avenue of the foreign and unexplained, Lionel made a decision,” I think I’ll take it,” he sighed resolutely.

“I think you will find this to be fascinating, Offendi. Shall I wrap this for you?”

“Yes, of course,” Lionel nodded nervously as if he were embarrassed to have made such an impulsive decision.

Lionel glanced at the hand written receipt with the words, “All sales Final” on it. In other words, no refund! He thought that to be odd, “Why the all sales final, on the ticket?”

“Oh, Offendi, this is a custom of my people. Once such a doll is exchanged, it can never be returned to the giver.”

“I see,” Lionel frowned as he turned to leave.

“Oh, and Offendi, make sure that if you ever give this doll away, that you never take it back.”

“Why?”

“It is considered to be bad luck to the giver,” the Indian merchant smiled nervously and bowed.

It was late afternoon and the winter sun was quickly descending into the London skyline. Lionel unlocked his door and strolled tiredly into his flat. His place seemed sad and overlooked by the rest of the world. Dreary furniture, aging framed paintings hung on the walls, mementos of a happier past that seemed somehow irrelevant in the present. He glanced around to make sure everything was normal, lit the fire beneath the burner of a now cold stew left over from earlier this morning, and unwrapped the unusual figure he had been foolishly fascinated over, thinking it would soon be among his collection of forgotten collectibles, but instead he sat down with it and stared into its intriguingly beautiful yet ominous face. “Perhaps you’re as lonely as I.” he murmured and sat it next to the end table alongside his bed.

Lionel went to stir his beef and vegetable stew to savor before he got ready for bed. He had fought in many places defending the colonies of the crown from Burma to India, from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe. He had seen many men die, lost many dear friends, and spent long periods away from the woman he longed to share the rest of his life with, but even there, once it was all over, fate had cheated him when his wife contracted TB. It was as though everything and everyone he valued had been robbed from his life. His daughter lived another life somewhere across the world and never approved of the life he had committed himself to as did his son. Curious how the very ones you love simply slipped away in the course of life, he sadly recalled.

He sat at the edge of his bed oblivious to the smell of sheets that could have used a freshening up and held the doll in his hands once more before retiring to the land of dreams. What a ridiculous substitute for companionship, he concluded as he gazed at her and then set her back down onto the end table next to the lamp. Lionel exhaustedly plunged into a deep dark crevice of dreamland, hopelessly lost in a death-like sleep. Yet, a strange thing happened. Before him a beautiful young lady with a shawl barely wrapped around her. Her white shoulders and slender arms visible. She stared hypnotically into his eyes and then dropped the shawl revealing her angelic figure! She held his face in her hands along with his unwavering attention and undressed him. There they made passionate love until he awoke gasping for breath with beads of sweat on his brow and a moist chest as though he had actually been in the act!

The retired major glanced to his left and looked into the face of the doll and thought that it was actually watching him! That startled him! He then glanced again and the doll had reverted back to what it was supposed to be! He breathed deeply to calm himself down! There was simply no logical explanation for this! He had just made love in another dimension to the spirit of this doll? Was that it? Was this what the funny little shop owner had been trying to explain to him? He got up slowly, walked to the kitchen, and reached up into a cupboard producing a bottle of brandy. He poured himself a couple of drinks, gulping down and savoring the warmth of the liquor while trying to make sense of it all.

The next day, Lionel stopped by the local “caff”. It was the “Piccadilly Eatery” and grabbed a corner table among those who were indulging in tea and crumpets, perhaps fish and chips, or shepherd’s pie, and glanced at the menu. Ann, a young widow, attractive yet shy, had arrived, but had to search for a table being that the lunch hour was in full swing and the buzz of patrons talking amongst themselves made it even more intimidating, when she spotted a single chair unoccupied. She nervously approached unsure of herself. “Sir, I hate to intrude, but is this seat taken?”

“Why not at all,” Lionel stood and pulled the chair backward to help her sit down.

“I’m so sorry. It’s just that I couldn’t find anything else available,” Ann apologized.

“Don’t even mention it. You are welcome Dear lady,” Lionel smiled.

“I am famished,” Ann explained. “I picked a bad time to be searching for a place to eat.”

The two made some small talk as Ann awaited her chicken salad sandwich order while Lionel ordered clam chowder and crackers. It seemed they both enjoyed each other’s company. Ann explained that she owned a small dress shop and worked as a seamstress there after the untimely death of her husband and sudden rejection by his family that left her with little money to start a business. It seemed they had much in common. Before they both knew it 2 hours had flown by with Lionel asking her if she ever did tailoring or repair for men and she said yes! “Well, how convenient,” Lionel grinned. “I shall bring a couple items of mine that could use repair.”

“I would be honored,” Ann smiled delighted to be able to see him again.

When the waitress came with their tickets, Lionel snatched Ann’s bill from the table, “Allow me, Dear!”

“Oh, I can’t let you do that,” Ann blushed.

“Don’t worry, I shall expect the finest quality of work from you then,” Lionel smiled amiably.

“Forgive me, Sir, but I’m not accustomed to such generosity,” Ann blushingly explained. “I must say though that I feel that I’ve known you for a long time.”

“You have, you have!” Lionel assured her. “How about I stop by tomorrow late morning. Would that be convenient?”

“I will make a special arrangement to accommodate you then and there, besides many of my customers who drop there items off will wait weeks before returning.”

This told Lionel that the poor young lady was often pressed for cash flow. When he got home he quickly went about gathering several of his jackets and slacks that he would see that she could make money working on no matter if they needed work or not. He’d make sure that she made some money!”

Was this doll a good luck charm or what or what? Lionel thought as he climbed into his bed and glancing at the doll, clicked off his lamp, and plunged into the dark waters of dream land once again! As he slept he felt the warmth and smooth skin of a young body climbing on top of his. He felt the sensation of warm kisses, a tongue in his ear, and the gentle bite upon his neck, and he was aroused as the two intertwined and made love in the privacy of his dreams once again. He writhed in his bed sheets and passionately wrestling with the youthful body that sent chills into his erotic senses. Once again, Lionel awoke breathless and spent as though he had just reached the climax of his life! This was uncanny! How could this have been possible, he thought as he lay wide awake and glanced over at the nymph sitting on his end table. Was this satanical, a blessing, or the work of his lonely imagination?

Over the next few days the intensity of Lionel’s interest in Ann continued and the two of them had made time to share lunches together. Lionel could tell Ann was most likely 29 to 32 years of age, in his estimation not too young for him if she were interested in romance. Ann found Lionel to be a true gentlemen unlike younger men, brash, pushy, and bad listeners. Lionel was patient, and attentive, this she found refreshing, and he hadn’t even made a move on her yet which she was surprised over, but she wanted this to take time anyway. He had mentioned being in the military but hadn’t used that as a demonstration of his manhood or as a bragging right. As a matter of fact, she had no idea the kind of action he had seen, and didn’t know how badly he was trying to distance himself from it. All in all, the two seemed a good match for each other. Lionel was not too old for her at all, she felt safe in his presence. He exuded a quiet and unassuming confidence that she could feel.

Again, Lionel came home alone and back to the familiarity of his quiet isolationistic existence but for this bewitching doll that he knew would enchant his dreams once again. In a very strange way, Lionel felt like somehow he was committing unfaithfulness for some uncanny reason that defied all logic. Never the less, Ann was the best thing that had happened to his waking existence in years and when the question of her coming over to his place to spend some time, Lionel welcomed the opportunity, but first he had to do some major cleaning up as he didn’t want to seem like a typical sloppy bachelor. So, he made up an excuse to delay her from coming over until he’d had a couple days to do come cleaning and organizing especially washing his bedding!

Once again after an exhausting day of house cleaning, Lionel rewarded himself with some brandy and after a phone conversation with Ann, got ready for bed. The only thing he hadn’t cleaned, organized or hidden, was the doll that seemed to be glaring at him from time to time. He chalked that up to his imagination, but little did Lionel know that it wasn’t just his imagination. The doll was becoming more and more part of him and his life, and it sensed something too, that this young porcelain skinned beauty that only existed in the sleep realm could not compete with-the physical realm that Lionel dealt with during the day and the majority of his time. That night as Lionel slept there came the presence of his dream lover caressing him, kissing every inch of his body, until he was aroused. Once again the two spirits were entwined as one making love with more intensity than ever before, but with a twist! Lionel blurted the name “Ann”. This shocked the dreamy enchantress! Suddenly she realized that there was another woman only in the worst possible way, in the physical reality, the real world, that Lionel occupied each and every day! This could not be! This would have to stop somehow and some way! She could not be allowed, whoever this Ann was, to take her place!

Friday night was the big night that Ann was going to come over. Lionel had taken it upon himself to buy Riesling White German wine to go along with the baked smothered chicken recipe he had done some recipe research on. Now it was already, the chicken dish was perfectly done, the yeast rolls were ready to be popped into the oven, and the white wine was chilled. Ann was special. He knew this. She wasn’t some frivolous tart who took nothing in life seriously and lived by the seat of her pants like most younger women, as he saw them. She had class. He could feel his heart pounding when he heard the knock at his door.

It was over a glass of wine that Lionel finally made his move, gently pulling her close and caressing her cheeks as his lips met hers. It seemed like a fire had lit up in Ann as she responded with a passionate physicality that surprised Lionel. She became a real tigress and before he knew it Ann had pulled him to his bedroom and began tugging at his shirt so she could get her hands on his chest! This was unbelievable! This surpassed Lionel’s greatest expectations. They hadn’t even eaten dinner yet! She clung to him with sincere desire and they were soon making love on a bed of clean linens he had made sure to wash! Ann was enthralled with this man of the world who had led such an interesting life and shown her so much interest like a true gentleman. She felt as though she had been waiting for man like this her whole life, especially since she had not been with another man since her husband had died!

The love making had left both of them spent and they both drifted off to a pleasant sleep. The box that the bazaar owner had wrapped the doll in made a rattling noise that woke up Lionel. It was under the bed. At first, he didn’t know what was going on until he finally figured it out! It was the doll in the box making that sound! He panicked! Ann was still sleeping soundly so he reached under the bed and grabbed the box and lifting himself off the mattress, he took the doll and its cardboard prison and put it outside on his patio leaning it against the privacy fence. When he turned around to go back inside, there was Ann rubbing her eyes and frowning suspiciously. “Whatever are you doing out here?” She asked.

“Thought I heard something and I was checking,” Major Eldridge lied.

There was a telltale rattling that came from the box, but Ann didn’t have X-ray vision. All she heard was the noise. “I think I’ve got a beastly rodent out here. I apologize! Let’s get in! I don’t want the bastard getting into my place!” Ann seemed convinced.

They both were hungry now and Lionel served the chicken dish after heating up the dinner rolls while serving up the two of them another glass of wine. Ann curled up next to him as he sipped from his wine glass. “You’re the most thoughtful man I’ve ever known, and most romantic too,” Ann admitted as she kissed his neck and made him feel aroused all over again. By now, it was after midnight, and they were both enjoying a very late meal that their fiery passion had brought their appetites to the surface over. Lionel felt truly happy for the first time in years as he gazed into the eyes of this wonderful lady. Was marriage a possibility here, he wondered. Maybe it was too premature to be fantasizing about, but he was indeed satisfied.

Suddenly a flickering light shown through the glass sliding door that led to the patio! The box was on fire! Lionel went outside to quell the flames, worried that his fence might ignite. As he tried to stamp out the fire, Ann, with quick thinking brought out a pitcher of water and doused the flaming box! “My God! How did that happen?” Ann shouted in disbelief.

“No earthly idea!” Lionel sighed, worried that there was something paranormal here that could spook Ann away from their situation.

“Oh, look!” Ann said as she bent over and cleared the cardboard ash away. “It’s an unusual doll, and it’s not even damaged, no char, no singe, it’s in perfect condition. What was it doing out here, Lionel?”

“Oh, I’ve been doing a lot of re-arranging lately,” He lied. “That’s an old doll that my daughter had when she was younger.”

“Curious. It’s very unique,” Ann said as she gazed at the face. “What could ever have started the fire,” She wondered aloud.

Lionel just shook his head unable to think of any kind of a logical explanation, but he knew! The doll was evil! He cringed at the thought of what might have happened had the two of them gone back to bed before that box had caught on fire! Lionel knew he had to get rid of it, but how? They went back to bed but Ann kept the doll with her. She had no idea what she was holding.

“You come with me young lady,” she laughingly spoke to the doll. “We’re going to keep an eye on you.”

She placed the doll on the end table and snuggled up to Lionel who held her in his arms. Slowly, they drifted off again. The darkness closed in around them and the an hour or two rolled by when suddenly Ann sat straight up in the bed gasping for breath with beads of sweat on her cheeks and forehead!

Lionel grabbed her,” Are you alright?”

“No!” Ann gasped. “I had this horrible nightmare, and, and, that doll of yours was in the dream!” She replied catching her breath. “Perhaps it was the fire that broke out and recovering it from the burned up box. I don’t know, but I can’t sleep anymore!”

“Can I get you something, dear?” Lionel asked as he rubbed her arm.

“No, no, “Ann replied. “I think I’ll go home get ready to go into the shop. I have work to do.”

Ann jumped out of bed, glared at the doll for a moment, dragged a brush across her hair, and began getting dressed as Lionel looked on speechless and worrying that Ann would be spooked off. He grabbed the doll, clenching his teeth and stuffed it under the bed. Something has to be done fast, he thought, or this damn doll would ruin his life! “Let me buy you some breakfast, dear,” Lionel offered.

“No-no!” Ann shot back. “I need to take care of some business. Just call me later.” Ann rushed off and left Lionel wondering if this incident had screwed things up between the two of them!  

After showering, Lionel, got dressed, and grabbed the doll as he walked out the door to climb into his little Austin Healey sports car and steering into the early morning traffic! He knew what to do! He took A302 to the Westminster Bridge then turned off on A100 Road leading to a circular drive that ended at an observation point where he got out of his car with the doll in hand! “I’m giving you away to the River Thames!” Lionel said as he tossed the doll with all his might into the waters!  Lionel drove to a pub and ordered a brandy as he mulled over the situation and then decided to go back to his place! He heard his phone ringing and rushed to pick it up. It was Ann. He was relieved to hear her voice, but was not happy to hear what she was calling about!

“Lionel, I just opened the door to my shop, and guess what I found? Your godforsaken doll was right there at my steps! Is this some kind of a joke? And it’s soaking wet too. Are you playing tricks on me, Lionel?”

“No! No!” Lionel shouted in disbelief, “Why would you accuse me of that?”

“Well, if it’s not your doll it must be an exact double!”

“This is impossible!” Lionel cried. “I just threw the damned doll into the River Thames not more than an hour ago!”

“Well no wonder it’s wet!” Ann shot back! “How do you suppose it got here? Walked?”

“Ann, I need to seriously talk with you. Please hear me out! I’ll be right over!” Lionel responded and slammed the phone back down on the hook

Lionel made a mad dash for his car and put the Austin Healey through its paces as he drove to see her! He pulled into a line of parking spaces across the street from Ann’s little shop, hopped out of the driver’s seat, and began to hurriedly cross the street, when all of the sudden a car nearly stuck him as he leaped out of the way! The driver stopped. “You trying to get yourself killed Mate? Are you alright?” He said without getting out of his Ford Cortina MK-2 four door.

“I’m alright. Sorry,” Lionel apologized as he brushed off his clothes and walked toward Ann’s shop! He burst through the door breathlessly! “Are you alright?”

“What happened to you?” Ann shouted as her eyes fell upon a disheveled man.

“I was almost struck by a vehicle just now!”

“I wondered what that screech of tires was all about,” Ann replied as she frowned at him not bothering to ask if he was okay or not.

The scorn of a woman, thought Lionel as he stared at Ann. “That doll is evil, and I lied to you and I’m sorry for that. It was never my daughter’s but I didn’t know how to explain it to you.”

“Why did you lie to me about it then?”

“I didn’t want to waste our time together talking about that damned doll!” Lionel glanced at it noticing its eyes seemed to follow him, and that spooked him. “I bought it at some foreign bazaar owned by some little Indian fellow. He saw I was looking at it and told me in his culture’s tradition that it can bring love and good luck, and at the time, lonely and unhappy, I bought it just for the hell of it, Ann. I had no idea what powers this thing has.”

“So it’s super natural then,” Ann nodded. “Just great! Look what you’ve brought into my life!”

“It’s not that easy. He told me that in order for me to get rid of it I must give it to someone who really wants it or it will never leave me!” Lionel explained.

“Oh, just great, Lionel,” Ann replied frowning. “I knew you were a man of the world, but you brought this curse with you?”

“Ann, I need your help. I don’t have any friends or acquaintances I would want to give this to. It has to be someone who deserves this for the injustice they’ve done to others, and I just don’t know anyone like that.”

Ann pointed to a table, “Sit down. I have to tell you something.”

“First, whatever you have to say let me put the thing outside so it doesn’t overhear us,” Lionel replied.

“Do you know how crazy all this sounds?” Ann asked dumbfounded.

“Yes, but I know what it’s about. It has haunted me in my dreams for several nights!

“Yes,” Ann agreed. “In my dreams last night the doll came to me as a grown young woman but I knew it was the doll, and it tried choking me to death! Now since I’ve had time to remember.”

“Was it a porcelain skinned and slender young woman with fair hair?” Lionel asked with raise eyebrows.

Ann nodded.

“You see! I know!”

“Then what do we do?” Ann asked.

“Is there someone you know who has harmed you, threatened you, someone who is exceptionally cruel?” Lionel asked as he grasped Ann’s wrist.

Ann grabbed Lionel’s hands. “I’ve never told you about how my husband died, the scandal it caused, and how I was ostracized from his family. All they cared about was not losing any of their wealth!” Tears flooded her eyes.

“Yes my dear. Tell me! “Lionel prodded her.

“My husband was Alias Nathaniel Burk, part of a wealthy family of trading brokers who profit off all of the British export and imports from the Royal Crown colonies. When my husband died he was caught having an affair with a married man’s wife who murdered him! It was a big scandal that caused a great deal of controversy! Somehow I was blamed by his family that I wasn’t woman enough to keep my man>”

“That certainly wasn’t true!” Lionel laughed.

“I would have rightfully owned half of my husband’s wealth had the courts ruled unjustly, and I didn’t even want all of it! I just wanted enough to start my life over again, but his greedy family apparently paid off the courts to minimize whatever settlement I was due. To add insult to injury over what my own disgrace, came what little money that I was forced to accept and begin anew, and I did it!” Ann broke down and cried unashamedly as Lionel grabbed her and held her in his arms.

“I’m so sorry!” He replied feeling his eyes well up.

“I know who we can give this godforsaken doll to but I don’t know how,” Ann said. “My former sister in law. She deserves it as much as the devil! She is greedy, jealous, and more vain than anyone I’ve ever known. She always resented me because she felt I was a threat to her sense of self-worth, always trying to undermine me, but I don’t know how to present it to her.”

Lionel already had an idea, “Leave it to me. Just give me their address and I will take care to deliver the gift of vengeance. You just wait and see,” he assured her.

“I’ll leave it to you then,” Ann dried her face with the handkerchief Lionel had offered her.

Chapter II

Lionel stood at the gates of a plush manor and an impressive archway. There was a hand set looking like a telephone that he picked up. “This is the Burk residence. May I help you?”

“Yes, my name is Eldridge, you should have a reservation for my time to meet Mrs. Nataly Burk?”

“What is your business and purpose here?”

“I thought I already explained that yesterday.”

“I’m sorry, but I have no notes on that. Please state what your business is.”

“I’m a salesman for a local merchant who is giving away a free promotion, a free gift, to acquaint local potential customers with their products. It’s completely free.” Lionel claimed as a boastful sales person would do.

There was the sound of a buzzer. “Please come in and I will inform Mrs. Burk.”

Lionel came to the large carved wooden door of the estate and it swung open revealing a spacious interior of luxurious artifacts, rugs, and marble flooring. It was almost breath taking. A woman came to the door dressed in a drab gray tight fitting blouse that did nothing to accentuate her flat chest, with a matching gray skirt, that flowed above a narrow pair of black leather winklepickers, that were sharp toed. She almost looked like the wicked witch of the North, Lionel noted.

“How are you today, Madame? I’m so glad to be able to present you with my free offering.”

She viewed him with a doubtful expression and replied, “Nothing’s for free. What is the catch?”

“Oh no catch, Madame, besides, I am Mr. Eldridge and I am here to offer you a free promotional item, no cost, no obligation, the bazaar that I represent would merely like to acquaint you with its merchandise so that if you are curious and would like to browse, you will have gotten a taste of the kind of products my employer carries.” Lionel handed her a decorative box tied together with a bow and ribbon.

Nataly Burk took the box with unappreciative gesture and tore open the packaging that she handed at a housekeeper standing alongside of her wearing a white cap and apron, appearing rather feeble. When she was the unique doll her eyes opened wide as did Nataly’s. The dismal expression on the greedy woman’s face suddenly lit up with interest. “I have an extensive doll collection that I began when I was a little girl, and this stunning figurine would go nicely with the rest of my collection.”

“It is all yours,” Lionel smiled. “But, first I’ll need you to sign off on your free item just to show that you own it free and clear with no further obligation. You know how with all the fraud that goes on nowadays, that it’s good to have proof of ownership.”

Nataly took her greedy eyes off the doll for a second giving Lionel a thoughtful expression, “you have a very good point there. Do you have something I can write with?”

Lionel felt around his pockets and acted flustered, “I’m so sorry Mam, and I must have misplaced it.”

“And you call yourself a salesman,” Mrs. Burk replied contemptuously. “Emily, would you go and get that fountain pen off mine off my desk, and throw that packaging away too,” She ordered. “And this business you represent is?”

“It’s that “Curios and Antiques” Bazaar on Carnaby Street in Soho near King’s Road in Chelsea.”

“Yes, I know the area,” Mrs. Burk replied dismissively as she signed for her package.

“I hope you enjoy that gift and please come see us! “ Lionel replied as the housekeeper began closing the heavy door and Nataly disappeared inside without as much as glancing back at Lionel with any kind of grateful expression! God, was Ann right, this woman is a true money grubbing wench! Lionel thought as he turned to leave.

I was later that evening after drinking her fill of brandy and eating a helping of the Shepherd’s pie that her chef had made that Mrs. Nataly Burk had headed for her lavish master bedroom at the top of the winding stairs. The children, her 18 year old son, and 16 year old daughter were playing the “Cluedo” mystery murder board game as their mother retired for the night. Her husband was out of town on a business trip making more deals foreign trade deals for the family brokerage. So fell asleep quickly having put the doll aside of her bed on her Fresco teak wood afromosia accented end table! Just another uneventful night but for a new addition to her doll collection. So accustomed to getting whatever she wanted, the woman had little appreciation at all. When was that obsessive work horse husband of hers going to get back in town? She thought, as dream land enveloped her senses!

Deep in the black void of the night as all her windows were heavily draped with flowing patterned silk fabric and lining, not one bit of starlight dared enter the darkness of the room at night. Then it happened. Nataly sat upright in bed, trying to catch her breath! A nightmare had visited her in the form of some female demon! She was chased around, hiding from her assassin and breathing hard as she awaited potential death! Now she was fully awake, gasping in her Revival Brass and iron framed “Slumberland” spring mattress bedding could not comfort her enough to overlook the horrors that had been visited upon her as she dreamt.

She got up dripping with sweat from her face and leaned against her chest of drawers with beveled mirrors and glanced deeply into the glass. There, she saw a pathetic, pampered, and spoiled woman in her early 40’s as scared as any little child could have been when she saw it! There were two glowing point of light in the inky blackness of the background. She turned to see the unique doll given to her that morning, glaring like some kind of monstrosity as it penetrated right though her eyes! She whimpered as she turned, trembling with terror, and felt short of breath! She then collapsed falling forward upon the plush Oriental rug she took for granted like everything else in her life. Her breathing went shallow as her heart faltered. The fright she’d experienced had done her in.

In the morning her housekeeper found her. She summoned the children, too caught off guard to think of shielding them from death! He son pulled her over on her back as she had been slumped over. The expression of horror upon her face left her son dazed as he stared in shocked amazement at her. “Mommy?” Elizabeth, her daughter mumbled in confusion as the housekeeper frantically called for a doctor! Neither child shed a tear. They simply sat silent even as the ambulance arrived.

It was later that day that Mr. Alias Nathaniel Burk arrived from his so-called business trip which had, in reality, been merely a soiree with his Mistress Francine, whom he intended to marry, but up until now, he hadn’t arrived at a comfortable solution, but with this unexpected turn of events-how convenient! And, it wouldn’t even amount to a costly divorce settlement! What more could a man like him ask for? He learned of which hospital her body had been carried off to and it would require the appearance of respect and decency for him to take a ride in his Bentley downtown to pay his respects would be required of course.

Meanwhile, the Mortuary at the London Hospital on Whitechapel Road on the East End would fast be autopsying the corpse of Mrs. Nataly Burk. The coroner had been puzzled. The blood work was normal with a presence of alcohol but not in great quantities. No, tranquilizers or other drugs were present. All organs appeared normal, even the heart that had apparently failed had not been diseased! That was strange! When filling out the Post Mortem Report, the examiner listed Cause of Death Unknown. However, the attending physician could not help but note the expression of horror on the face of the deceased and found that to be very unsettling.

Alias Nathanial Burk, thought he had a new lease on life and, being the practical and unsentimental man that he was, he gave the mysterious doll he found in his wife’s bedroom to his fiancé as a gift, thinking she might be impressed with such an exotic gift. However, as the weeks went on Alias, who had informed his new squeeze that it would take some time to transition her into the estate for the sake of public opinion and to prevent any undue rumors of scandal! However, it seemed that fate took a very bad turn for the Burk family as Francine exhibited a strange transformation in mood, complaining about strange dreams about a doll. In three weeks the mistress even in the lap of luxury that Alias Burk was keeping her in committed suicide by drug overdose!

From this point on in, the Burk Family experienced a series of personal tragedies, untimely accidents, and unlikely deaths. For some reason that no one but perhaps Ann and Lionel Aldridge could have known, the mystery of one of the wealthiest families in Great Britain suffering such sudden downfalls would remain the stuff of speculation, rumors, and occult documentaries that never arrived at the truth behind these unprecedented calamities other can some kind of curse!

As for Lionel and Ann, at first there had been an awkwardness after the doll incident that had raised red flags for the woman that he loved. Ann had to step back for a while until she was assured that everything between she and Lionel was now solid and free of any other surprises. An unexpected windfall of money came from the Burk estate owed to Ann once investigators had uncovered irregularities that should have been legally settled but were apparently violations. The two lovers would end up being married and a future arose from the ashes of unexpected misfortune.