chapter 5 Where the Road Bleeds

It was late at night, quiet, and the road just kept going. Veronica’s dad had both hands on the wheel, but he kept glancing in the mirror. The doll was there, sitting in the back. Staring. Not blinking, not moving — just watching him with that weird half-smile.

Then, out of nowhere, a slam.
The car jerked hard to the side and crashed right into a pole. His head snapped forward, pain shooting through it.

He barely noticed the ache — the doll was gone.

He pushed the door open, stepping out. Glass crunched under his shoes as he looked around. “Where is it?” he muttered.
That’s when the road… changed. The black tar looked wet, shiny — and red. Blood was coming up through the cracks.

“What the hell is going on?” he whispered.

Then he heard it.
“Dad… help me… I’m scared…”

He turned fast and saw a small girl standing there. His heart jumped.
“Veronica? Darling, I’m coming!”

He ran, but before he reached her, she flickered… and was gone.
“Veronica! Where are you?!”

Something pale caught his eye — the doll. He grabbed it quick and turned back toward the car. But the car wasn’t there.

He started walking. Just walking. Step after step. No idea where he was heading.
Then a scream hit the air.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

It was so loud his skull felt like it would split. He dropped to his knees, hands over his ears.
“Veronica?! Is that you?!”

The sound swallowed everything. Then — nothing.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in the driver’s seat. The car looked fine. His head didn’t hurt. And the doll… was back in the rear seat, sitting there like nothing had happened.

He drove home without a word.

When he rang the bell, Veronica’s voice shouted from inside.
“Daddy’s here! Daddy’s here!”

She opened the door, smiling wide.
“Where’s my doll?”

He rubbed his forehead. “Oh… here, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Daddy!” She ran to the dining table, doll in hand, and started combing its hair.
“Oh, my sweet doll, I love you so much… I wish you’d never leave me…” she sang softly.

His wife came up beside him. “What’s wrong?”

“I… I…” he started, but she kissed him gently.

“You look tired.”

“Yeah… just tired,” he said.

“Alright, let’s eat dinner. Then we’ll sleep.”

Later that night, after eating, Veronica returned to her room. She placed the doll gently on the bed and whispered:
“Did you bother my dad today?”

“Yes,” it replied, its voice a whisper that seemed to seep into Veronica’s very bones.

“Don’t bother my parents,” Veronica murmured sternly. “You promised me.”

The doll stared at her for a long, unblinking moment… then leaned forward and pressed its cold lips against her cheek.

“Alright,” it said softly. “I won’t.”