Hemlock Grove: No Turning Back

••● Chapter Four: Presence Unknown ●••

I kept telling myself that my eyes were just playing tricks on me. But a gentle tap on my foot said otherwise. The doll was resting against my foot, it wasn't me spooking myself. It was actually moving everywhere by itself. My throat was tight as I kneeled down picking it up in my hand examining it. Her eyes still watching me, her skin was pale looking like it would be cold as ice if she were human. She wore a torn black prom dress, her hair was ragged, and she had a faint smile. A rather devilish one.

This doll was never here before. Ever. And it sure as hell didn't belong to me.

My thoughts were scattered as I heard footsteps running up the stairs and faint laughter. The voice had belonged to a little girl who sounded like she wanted to play tag. I picked up my cell phone, throwing the doll across the room. Running towards the sound upstairs. Through the chaos I rush of energy had gone through me, a tingly sensation ran through the tips of my fingers. The energy had belonged to a spirit, someone who was left in the house with me and I had to get my answers one way or another.

As I got up the first three steps a loud bang occurred in the basement below me. The faint same laughter followed after. I didn't know where to go, was she upstairs? Downstairs?  But before I could make a choice on where to search first I felt a cold chill go through my body and the spirit had gone through me. Which meant she was no longer downstairs or upstairs she was behind me. The child laughed and as I turned around the spirit had shown herself in a more solid form. Staring at me, she held onto the doll in her hand, her head tilted to the left. She was just a little girl, wearing a white nightgown as her hair was braided into two pigtails.

Vrr. Vrr. Vrr.

My phone went off in my hand as I looked down to see it was an incoming call from Peter, I had slid my thumb across the screen slowly answering the call as I placed it up to my ear.

"Rebecca whats wrong? I had four missed calls from you."

"You know how I told you about something being in the house with me..." I whispered the ghost still staring at me twirling partially back and forth.

"I'm on my way," he quickly responded hanging up the phone.

I slowly made my way down the stairs, trying to walk around the little girl before me as her eyes would follow my every moment. I didn't know how to approach her or if I should talk to her.

"Are you in pain?" she questioned me innocently,  cutting through the heavy air. My eyes looked around the house cautiously, "Don't worry we are completely alone. So are you?"

"N-no." I stuttered, still slowly making my way down the steps not making any sudden movements.

"Are you sure? How about if I touched these. You sure you don't feel a burning sensation?" she questioned, me once again. This time placing her cold fingers on the strange marks I had on my body. I gave a slight flinch to her touch and she gave a smile like her doll, "oh so you are a lier. The burning feeling must feel as if you were burned at the stake like your ancestors. I'm Layla."

I didn't know how to react to the little girl's words, instead, I stared blankly at her unaware of how to respond or act. I could still feel a little tension in my back, ready to open my mouth to say something she instantly cut me off.

"You're Rebecca. I know who you are. Relax, there's no need to fear me I'm not going to hurt you."

Slightly feeling my body relax with her words still not breaking eye contact with the unfamiliar spirit. "Why exactly are you here?" I asked trying not to offend her sheepishly taking a seat on the couch. Layla disappeared, my eyes looking around the room soon jumping at the sight of her when she appeared next to me on the couch. I could feel nothing but iced next to me, making my hairs stand up on my arms as goosebumps covered my body.