TAHARIEL:
Hey Cam …

TAHARIEL:
… Where’s Charlotte?

CAMMEO:
She’s staying with your Aunt Lu tonight.

TAHARIEL:

Good. 

CAMMEO:
I beg your pardon?

TAHARIEL:
Cam, have you noticed anything unusual about that doll?

CAMMEO:

Have you?

TAHARIEL:
Well, I think I  …

CAMMEO:

Tell me what you think and I’ll tell you if I think it too.

TAHARIEL:
OK. She’s been giving off this hostile vibe …

CAMMEO:

Uh-huh.

TAHARIEL:
Uh-huh.

CAMMEO:

I thought I was going mad.

TAHARIEL:
Not unless it’s catching.

CAMMEO:
I think it’s Herita.

TAHARIEL:
Your twin?

CAMMEO:
Mm-hmm, and today, I swear I saw her move.

TAHARIEL:
All on her own?

CAMMEO:
I’m certain of it. 

TAHARIEL:
I believe you. 

CAMMEO:
Lu asked me when Charlotte began… not being
a doll. I can’t remember. Perhaps you do? 

TAHARIEL:
I think it was the morning I found her shoe on
the floor - it was right here. I picked Charlotte up
to put it on her, and I felt -  pure hate.

CAMMEO:
I wouldn’t have put my Charlotte to bed minus a shoe.
Do you suppose she was walking about?

TAHARIEL:
I do now… 

TAHARIEL:
... Cam, the first time I felt her was last Wednesday morning
- that’s the only day I have an early class.

CAMMEO:

That’s over a week ago. Yes, that’s about the time I began
sensing her, especially when I play my violin.
Herita always hated my music …

CAMMEO:
… When I told Mez about all this, he dropped Charlotte to the floor.

TAHARIEL:
Oh my God - did he break her? 

CAMMEO:
No, he was hoping she’d show herself, but she was empty
at the time. That’s when we went to Lu. She’s looking into it.
Oh dear, do you think she’s in any danger?

TAHARIEL:
No. She’s protected by a dragon’s spell.
No magic’s strong enough to supersede that.

CAMMEO:
I keep forgetting.

TAHARIEL:

Aunt Lu will figure it out. She loves a good mystery.
I can see her now going though all her books.