The Haunted Traveler Vol 1 Issue 2

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wanting to replenish their dying stock or simply to
behold the beauty of the child. Serena was beautiful.
My wispy blond hair and Henry’s green eyes, like
emeralds they sparkled and danced.
Anna awoke, uneasiness spiking through her
body. The sun had fled, leaving the room cold and
dismal without its presence. Anna shivered. Sitting
upright, she threw the blankets from her and stood.
Serena gurgled, the sound reedy and thin.
Fire. That cleanses everything. The creature
squirmed in my arms, its eyes screwed shut as it
wailed. The sound, piercing, nestled into my head. It
never shut up. Not my daughter. The fire was the answer.
Its flesh reminded me of barbeque as it burned.
Anna retched, spewing the remnants of breakfast.
Rushing toward the bassinette, she slid in the pool of
vomit. She screamed, bracing her fall against the card
table. Anna righted herself and dashed to the baby.
“Not my DAUGHTER!”
Anna’s hands crawled to her mouth as she
stared down at the thing lying where Serena should
have slept. Its plastic skin shone in the waning light,
smooth and dead. Glass eyes, blue and not green,
regarded her dully.
The door opened behind her. Anna lifted the
doll and turned, facing Deidre.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Deidre’s eyes
flashed from Anna to the object she held. It dangled
from her hand, the eyes fluttering as it swung back and
forth.
“Liars and cheats!” Anna grasped the doll by
its arms and yanked. The torso fell to the floor with a