Before I can read further Someone was coming upstairs and I guess it was Ruby. She was back to her room. I hid the diary because I wanted to continue reading it. Ruby “Hy! what are you doing here? Everything Alright?” I said, “Yes, Of course, no doubt!”. Where were you? I was waiting for you from too long. She said “Oh, I was with lucky and Happy. They were planting some trees, so I joined them. I said with all my excitement “What are you wearing tonight? “Ruby said “I’m not fine today maybe we can do this thing later. If it’s okay with you all”. I said, “Are you okay? Should we leave this place? You can consult a doctor.” She hesitated and said, No, I don’t want to leave this place right now. I want to know the reason behind this haunted house. People are scared of it. But we are here from the last three days, and I feel there is nothing suspicious in this house. It’s just an old beautiful home. “Yeah.” I watched her closely. She didn’t look surprised. “Ghosts.” It felt good to say the word and not get stared at like I was
crazy. “Do you… believe in ghosts?” “No”, she said. Then why are we wasting our time here? There might be some old reasons for calling this house haunted. “No, there is something here!! I know, and I’ll get all my answers here. I know this, as well.” She said. What about your work. Will you leave your job if you don’t find a specific reason for your grandparent’s death. Ruby said “I work from home” You work from home? I said. “Yes,” She said. “All right,” I said. She talked freely as she opened and sifted through the box.
“All of these mass-market plastic dolls come off the production line
looking so soulless. I buy them from op-shops, or sometimes even find them thrown out, and fix them up. I repaint their faces, sometimes cut or re-weave their hair, and give them new outfits. Like this one.” She pressed a doll into my hands. I guessed it would have once been a Bratz, but it was unrecognisable. Instead of the garish makeup and pouty oversized lips, it wore a warm smile. Ruby had painted over its eyes to make them proportionate to the other features and had even given it freckles. It looked sweet—like a country farm girl, an impression heightened by the tiny
denim overalls. “This is nice.” I didn’t have to fake my surprise.
“Thanks.” She bounced on the balls of her feet, apparently too full of
excitement and joy to keep still. “Parents love them, especially in the homeschooling and alternative communities. They appreciate having a one-of-a-kind doll, and the fact that they’re recycled doesn’t hurt, either.” “Yeah, I can imagine that. Do you sell them at fetes?” “Online, mostly.” Ruby took the doll back and tucked it into the box. “I upload new batches every few weeks. They sell fast. I’m hoping I’ll be able to spend more time making them now that… well, now that I have this house.” The joy that had lit her face softened. I hunted for something to bring it back. “I’m sure you will. Have you picked a workroom yet?” “No, not yet. I thought maybe one of the upstairs ones. I like having a view. But I haven’t been up there since the agent whisked me through.” Ruby glanced towards the staircase then turned a sheepish smile on me. “Did you want to… have a look with me?” Did you ask Sannu, Lucky and Happy? That you want to stay here more. Yes, she said. And they are ready to join me here. You can make your decision. Well, I don’t think anything to say. I never you’ll ever be so stubborn. I left her room with an angry face. The curving staircase groaned as we crept up to the second floor. Part of me felt guilty for enjoying myself so much. The other part was just excited to explore inside Marwick House finally.