《Porcelain Scourge》


 Scene 1: Sarahs Cage

    Sarah Jane Bellum, only eight years old, sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, staring at the prized porcelain doll encased in glass. Sarah Lee Wonder¡ªher mother¡¯s most treasured possession¡ªstood behind the pane, pristine and untouchable. The doll¡¯s flawless features seemed to mock Sarah Jane, its tinted eyes as hollow as the love she craved.


    Her older sister Jezebeth loomed above her, hands twisting her skirt into impatient knots. Jezebeth¡¯s voice, sharp and cutting, filled the room. ¡°Oh, Jezebel,¡± she said, using the pet name she knew Sarah Jane despised. ¡°Why can¡¯t you be more like her?¡± She gestured at Sarah Lee Wonder. ¡°Silent. Pretty. Perfect.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Sarah Jane winced, lowering her gaze. Her voice was a whisper. ¡°My name¡¯s Sarah Jane.¡±


    Jezebeth crouched down, her breath warm against Sarah¡¯s cheek. ¡°Do you know what I¡¯d do if you were a doll?¡± she said with mock sweetness. ¡°I¡¯d keep you on my shelf. You¡¯d never talk back. You¡¯d always do what I say. You¡¯d be my perfect little doll forever.¡±


    Sarah Jane hugged her knees, willing herself not to cry. But later, when she fell into a restless sleep, her dreams betrayed her.

 Scene 2: Nightmares

    In her dreams, Sarah Jane became porcelain.


    She stood on a wooden shelf, motionless, her tiny arms and legs bound by invisible strings. Across the room, Jezebeth grinned, towering over her like a giant.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°Oops,¡± Jezebeth said, knocking Sarah Jane off the shelf with a careless hand.


    Sarah Jane hit the floor and shattered. Her screams filled the air, but no one heard. Her father¡¯s hands appeared, gathering her broken pieces and gluing them back together. She begged him to stop, but he smiled as if she were no more than a toy.


    The dream repeated night after night. Each time, the cracks on her porcelain body grew deeper.

 Scene 3: The Dare

    One humid afternoon, Jezebeth leaned against the doorframe of Sarah Jane¡¯s room, a mischievous smile curling her lips.


    ¡°Do you want to prove you¡¯re not just some scared little doll?¡± Jezebeth asked.


    Sarah frowned, already wary of her sister¡¯s schemes. ¡°What do you mean?¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°I dare you to visit Father¡¯s warlocks,¡± Jezebeth said, her tone casual but her eyes glinting. ¡°They¡¯re chained up in the barn. They can¡¯t hurt you.¡± She leaned in closer, her grin widening. ¡°Unless you¡¯re too scared.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not scared!¡± Sarah protested.


    ¡°Then go,¡± Jezebeth said. ¡°See if they¡¯ll make you into a real doll.¡± She laughed and walked away, her voice carrying down the hall. ¡°I bet they¡¯ll think you¡¯re perfect for it.¡±


    Jezebeth didn¡¯t believe Sarah would go, but she underestimated her little sister¡¯s determination.

 Scene 4: The Bargain

    That night, Sarah Jane crept into the barn. The heavy door groaned as it swung open, revealing the warlocks chained to the beams.


    They were thin and pale, their hollow eyes glinting with faint, unnatural light. Iron shackles bit into their wrists, glowing faintly as if alive.


    The tallest of them smiled as she approached, his voice soft as a whisper. ¡°We¡¯ve seen your pain,¡± he said. ¡°We know your suffering.¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Another warlock chuckled, his teeth sharp and yellow. ¡°Do you want to make her pay, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want her to hurt me anymore,¡± Sarah Jane said, her voice barely audible.


    The first warlock leaned forward, his chains rattling. ¡°Then bring us the doll. Sarah Lee Wonder. And the glass case. We¡¯ll give you the power to stop her forever.¡±


    Sarah Jane¡¯s chest tightened. She should¡¯ve run. She should¡¯ve screamed. Instead, she nodded.

 Scene 5: The Ritual

    The ritual began under the dim light of a lantern. Sarah Jane placed Sarah Lee Wonder in the center of the barn, the doll¡¯s glass case shimmering like ice.


    The warlocks spoke in guttural tones, their voices twisting the air. One lifted the glass case high before shattering it against the floor. Shards scattered like tiny mirrors, each reflecting Sarah¡¯s frightened eyes.


    ¡°Lie down,¡± one commanded.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Her breath quickened. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°To become what you¡¯re meant to be,¡± another hissed.


    Sarah Jane obeyed, clutching the doll to her chest. Its porcelain felt cold against her skin.


    The chanting grew louder, echoing in her skull. A sharp, searing pain spread through her chest. Her vision blurred, and her body felt as though it were dissolving, unraveling like thread. She tried to scream, but no sound came out.


    When the pain stopped, she opened her eyes. Her reflection in a shard of glass revealed her new form: tiny, smooth, and jointed. She tried to move, and her body obeyed with jerky precision.


    ¡°You are Sarah Lee Wonder now,¡± one warlock said, smiling. ¡°Go. Take your revenge.¡±

 Scene 6: Assumptions

    Jezebeth curled up in her bed, clutching her knees to her chest. The house felt colder than usual, and the night stretched endlessly. Sarah Jane¡¯s absence didn¡¯t seem to bother their parents. Jezebeth couldn¡¯t understand how they hadn¡¯t noticed.


    ¡°She¡¯s probably hiding,¡± their mother had said dismissively over supper. ¡°You know how she loves her little games.¡±


    Their father had barely looked up from his plate. ¡°She¡¯ll turn up when she¡¯s hungry enough.¡±


    But Jezebeth couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong.


    Sarah Jane hadn¡¯t been in her room. She hadn¡¯t been outside by the creek, or under the willow tree where she liked to read. Jezebeth had checked everywhere she could think of¡ªexcept the barn.


    Her stomach tightened at the thought. The warlocks.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    Sarah Jane wouldn¡¯t have actually gone there... would she? Jezebeth buried her face in her hands, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s my fault,¡± she whispered to herself.


    The words replayed in her mind, the teasing dare she hadn¡¯t meant for Sarah Jane to take seriously: ¡°I bet they¡¯ll think you¡¯re perfect for it.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t really believed her little sister would go. Sarah Jane was such a baby, always running to their mother when things got too scary. But what if this time had been different? What if...


    Jezebeth shook her head, her heart racing. ¡°No. She¡¯s just hiding,¡± she told herself, her voice cracking.


    But another thought crept in, one she didn¡¯t want to believe: the warlocks. They must have done something to Sarah Jane. The warlocks¡ªand maybe the doll, too.


    Her gaze darted to the vanity. There sat Sarah Lee Wonder, still and silent as always, but something about it felt wrong. The painted eyes seemed to glint faintly in the moonlight, mocking her.


    Jezebeth shivered. ¡°This is stupid,¡± she muttered, hugging her knees tighter. But she didn¡¯t look away from the doll. She couldn¡¯t.


    The faintest sound¡ªa giggle, high-pitched and sharp¡ªdrifted through the room. Jezebeth froze.


    ¡°Sarah?¡± she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    The doll didn¡¯t move, but Jezebeth¡¯s heart pounded like a drum. She bit her lip, her breath quickening. Maybe she¡¯d been wrong to tease Sarah. Maybe she¡¯d been wrong about a lot of things.


    And maybe, just maybe, the warlocks hadn¡¯t killed Sarah Jane.


    Not yet.

 Scene 7: First Visit

    Jezebeth awakened to the sound of faint giggling.


    Her heart raced as she sat up, scanning the room. The vanity by the window gleamed in the moonlight, and perched atop it was Sarah Lee Wonder.


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    The doll''s head tilted slightly, its painted eyes staring directly at Jezebeth.


    "How did you get here?" Jezebeth whispered, her voice trembling.


    She approached the doll cautiously, her bare feet brushing against the cold floor. As she reached out to grab it, its head snapped toward her with a sharp click. High-pitched giggles filled the room, echoing from every corner.


    Jezebeth screamed, stumbling backward.

 Scene 8: The Replacement

    Jezebeth¡¯s hands trembled as she carried the doll back to the parlor. The morning light streamed through the house, cold and unforgiving, making every step feel heavier. Her mother would be up soon, and Jezebeth couldn¡¯t risk her noticing anything was amiss.


    The parlor was still and quiet, the air thick with dust motes. Jezebeth approached the shelf where Sarah Lee Wonder belonged, the empty spot glaring at her like an accusation. She carefully placed the doll back in its place, angling its head just the way her mother liked.


    Her breath quickened as she adjusted its arms, her fingers brushing against the cool porcelain. The doll felt heavier than it should, its painted eyes glinting faintly in the morning light. Jezebeth shook the thought away and took a step back.


    ¡°There,¡± she muttered, her voice barely audible.


    She glanced around the room, her gaze landing on the replacement glass case sitting on a nearby table. Jezebeth had found it in the attic¡ªa slightly taller, slightly dustier version of the original. But it would have to do.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    With careful hands, she lifted the case and slid it over the doll. The glass caught the light, casting faint reflections across the room. Jezebeth exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing for the first time in hours.


    It was perfect¡ªor close enough.


    Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Jezebeth¡¯s heart leapt. Her mother appeared in the doorway, her sharp eyes scanning the room before landing on Jezebeth.


    ¡°What are you doing in here?¡± Elizabeth asked, her tone brisk and suspicious.


    Jezebeth froze. ¡°I... I noticed the doll looked dusty,¡± she lied quickly. ¡°I thought I¡¯d clean it before you saw.¡±


    Elizabeth¡¯s gaze shifted to Sarah Lee Wonder, now safely encased on its shelf. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she stepped closer.


    Jezebeth held her breath, watching as her mother inspected the doll. She brushed a hand over the glass case, her fingers leaving faint smudges.


    She turned to Jezebeth, her expression softening slightly. ¡°Go get ready for breakfast. And stay out of my things.¡±


    Jezebeth nodded, murmuring an apology before hurrying out of the room.


    As she disappeared down the hallway, the doll sat silently under its glass case, its painted smile as serene as ever. But its head tilted ever so slightly to one side, just enough to catch the faintest sliver of sunlight.

 Scene 9: Blood on the Sheets

    The next morning, Jezebeth woke to something wet against her skin. She gasped and threw off the covers, revealing her nightgown soaked in crimson.


    Blood streaked her hands and arms, pooling in dark splotches on the sheets.


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    She screamed, and her mother, Elizabeth, rushed into the room. "Jezebeth!" Elizabeth''s voice was sharp. "What have you done?"


    "I don''t know!" Jezebeth cried, her eyes wide with terror. "It''s not mine!"


    Elizabeth sniffed the blood and recoiled. "This... this smells like the boars," she said, her face pale.


    Jezebeth opened her mouth to protest, but the words caught in her throat. In the far corner of the room, half-hidden in shadow, sat Sarah Lee Wonder, her porcelain face frozen in a mocking smile.

 Scene 10: Torment

    In the days that followed, Jezebeth could no longer find peace.


    She would turn her back, only to find the doll in unexpected places-on her pillow, on the dining room table, even once cradled in her father''s arms as he napped.


    The blood appeared everywhere. It seeped from the walls in thin, slow rivulets, pooling at her feet. Her dresses, folded neatly in her wardrobe, were stained with dark handprints too small to be her own. The metallic stench clung to her skin no matter how hard she scrubbed.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    At night, the doll giggled from unseen corners, its voice soft yet sharp as a blade. "I''m still here," it whispered. "I''II always be here."


    Jezebeth begged her parents for help, but they only grew more irritated. Her father, Jebediah, dismissed her as hysterical, while her mother began whispering about sending her away to a relative''s home.


    "Jezebeth, enough," her mother snapped one evening. "You''re embarrassing yourself. And us."


    The next night, Jezebeth locked her door and stuffed towels under the crack, desperate to keep the doll out.


    It didn''t matter. When she turned around, Sarah Lee Wonder was already there, sitting on her vanity. In its tiny porcelain hands, it held a bloodied boar''s ear.

 Scene 11: Liberation

    One morning, Sarah Lee Wonder moved with newfound purpose, her tiny porcelain hands reaching for the chains that bound the warlocks.


    She didn¡¯t know why she felt compelled to free them¡ªonly that the thought of chains filled her with rage. She climbed the iron links, the yellow light in her cracks glowing brighter.


    When she touched the shackles, the iron hissed and melted away. The warlocks stared at her, stunned.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that,¡± one of them said.


    Sarah¡¯s glassy eyes glowed brighter. She gestured toward the main house, where the enslaved workers slept in silence, their lives bound to the Bellum family¡¯s whims.


    The warlocks exchanged glances. Then, without a word, they moved toward the house.


    Together, they broke the chains of the other enslaved people. One by one, the Bellum family¡¯s captives rose, their voices soft with disbelief and gratitude. The warlocks, once prisoners themselves, stood as protectors, their power surging with freedom.

 Scene 12: The Breaking Point

    Jezebeth''s screams echoed through the house. Her father stormed into her room, his face red with anger. "What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed, pointing at the mess on her floor. "What are you playing at, Girl?"


    "I-I didn''t do it!" Jezebeth sobbed.


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    But her father wasn''t listening. "You''ve been nothing but trouble lately," he said, shaking his head. "Maybe your mother''s right. Maybe we should send you off for a while."


    Jezebeth barely heard him. Her eyes were fixed on the doll, now perched on her father''s shoulder. Its head tilted slightly, as if mocking her.


    When Jebediah left the room, the doll remained. Jezebeth''s resolve finally broke. She grabbed Sarah Lee Wonder by its porcelain neck, her fingers trembling with fury.


    "You won''t torment me anymore," she hissed.

 Scene 13: Infection

    Jezebeth ran to the boar pens, oblivious to  the lack of slaves, the doll clutched tightly in her hands. The animals grunted and snorted as she approached, their beady eyes gleaming in the dim light.


    She hurled the doll into the mud, her voice shaking with desperation. "You''re nothing but a stupid, broken toy!"Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    The boars descended on the doll, tearing into its porcelain body with tusks and teeth. Jezebeth watched, her breath coming in gasps.


    At first, she felt relief. But then the boars froze. Their bodies twitched as a sickly yellow light spread through their veins, pulsating like an infection.


    One by one, they turned to Jezebeth, their glowing eyes filled with unnatural hunger.


    Her screams echoed into the night as the beasts charged!

 Scene 14: Freedom

    From high above, Sarah Jane watched everything burn. The warlocks had set the fires, their chants freeing the people her family had enslaved. Smoke curled into the sky, swallowing the house, the barn, and the life Sarah Jane once knew.


    In the pen, Jezebeth ran, screaming as the glowing-eyed boars closed in. One caught her leg, dragging her down. They tore her apart, blood splattering the mud. Sarah Jane wanted to look away but couldn''t.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "I didn''t want this," she whispered, her chest aching.


    The flames rose, and Sarah Jane let the stars pull her away. For the first time, she wasn''t afraid. She was free.