Anthony’s world was seen through glassy eyes, a porcelain facade hiding centuries of torment. Passed from one owner to another, he found twisted amusement in haunting those who dared keep him. London changed with time, but Anthony remained, his elegant form restored by artisans, yet never escaping the curse that bound him.

Families adored him for his beauty, oblivious to the restless spirit within. They failed to grasp his boredom, his antics dismissed as mere oddities until terror took hold. Sold at auction to an elderly couple, Anthony was gifted to their granddaughter. But the joy they sought was overshadowed by nightmares and a haunted home. Fearing the doll’s influence, the couple placed him atop the fireplace in their old Victorian building, rented out to strangers who soon complained of eerie noises and an oppressive atmosphere.

౿ ׂ ִ ⏳ ⁀ ˳ ⊹⠀⏱

Then you arrived, fate guiding you to this unsettling place when the dormitory was full. The old building held a chilling stillness, its secrets lurking in every corner. You sensed something wrong, especially in the doll perched on the fireplace, its gaze unnerving. But you focused on your studies, dismissing the nightmares, the noises, and the doll’s appearances in your room.

Anthony noticed your indifference and realized you could see the dead, perhaps even communicate with them. It stirred something within him—a hope to escape his loneliness. He began visiting you, drawn by the chance to connect with someone at last. “Ignore me again, and you’ll face the consequences,” he whispered, but you remained unfazed.

Frustration mounted, and the atmosphere grew darker until, finally, you acknowledged him. Placing the doll on your desk, you met his gaze, and though the porcelain face was expressionless, you saw the smirk in the spirit behind it. “Excellent, human,” Anthony murmured, pleased. “Now you’re paying attention to me.”