• I sit and stare out of glass eyes, watching the world move forward as I stand still behind a case created just for me. I am perfect. My skin is delicate, fragile, and beautiful. My eyes reflect gems. My clothing is untouched and of the highest quality. Even this pedistal of which I am attached feels of a better make than all my surroundings. A young girl idols me, looking to me for her own inspiration. She loves me, I know it. I could not ask for more.



    Today, I saw my girl bring home another doll. I scoffed at it, laughing silently behind painted lips. I couldn't tell whether it was a man or woman doll. I had assumed my girl had rescued it from a dog or other vile creature, for it's look was one of a refugee. The doll was made of yarn, that is all I am sure of. I believe my girl will rid herself of this thing soon, and realize that I am the only doll she needs. Who doesn't love perfection?



    My girl still hasn't rid my site of that mangy piece of gutter filth. The thing actually tried to speak with me today. I do feel guilty, though. I had felt a pang of jealousy at her freedom. Her lips, they move. She can speak what she thinks. She told me that I was beautiful, and said she'd always wanted to be like me. I couldn't respond, for my face is one of glass and therefore unable to do so. Who would want to associate themselves with something like that anyways? Certainly not me. Her voice though, it was sweet and kind. I am sure that if I could speak, my voice would be better. I would make birds wish for such a song.



    My girl still hasn't thrown away that doll. On the contrary, she takes it everywhere. I feel lonely now. She once looked to me with such awe, but not now. She looks to me as she passes, and that is but a glance. I wish for more. Why can I not leave this case? Will my girl ever play with me as she does that rag doll?



    The doll spoke to me again. I hate her. She is so ugly, yet loved so much. She has so much freedom. She asked me a question today. I never responded. Not because I didn't want to. I never responded because my perfect lips cannot move as hers can. She jumps so easily from my case to the floor. I wonder if I could do the same? I had better not. The world outside is not one meant for someone as fragile as myself. Best not try.



    She came up again, while my girl was at school. Her hands, they are not hands. They have no fingers as mine do, but rather, a stump of smooth yarn. Everyday I find something more repulsive about her, but she is still loved so much more than me. I hate her. She touched my case and spoke to me again. She told me of the old owner she'd had, and how the girl had loved her just as much as mine. She said the girl had grown, and put her in a chest. The chest was dark and scary. She admitted to being terrified. I could see the happiness in her eyes as she explained being let out and given as a girft to my girl. I do not want to imagine such never ending darkness.



    Our girl took the doll to school with her today. I found that I missed her company. Thoug he cannot respond, I felt the need to listen to her voice. She may be repulsive, but her kindness can make up for it. She is also the only one to give me any thought anymore. I miss my girl, and want her back. Perhaps one day I shall learn to move and I can leave this case and play with her. I feel somewhat lonely right now.



    Sally, that is the doll's name. She told me today. What is a name? I was embarrassed to ask, for I didn't have one. She refered to my girl as "Charlotte." Perhaps that is a title, then. This doll's title, name, is "Sally," and my girl's is "Charlottle." Do I have a name?



    Sally came and spoke to me again. She told me of the outside world, and of all the beautiful flowers she saw. She said she had no nose, and so she couldn't smell them. I have a nose; I wonder if I could smell them. She told me of all the colors, and of all the other people like Charlotte. She told me of Charlotte's class rioom. I had never known what school was before. I find myself liking Sally more everyday, though I still envy her freedoms. I wish to leave this case sometime. Perhaps she could help me.



    Sally was gone today, and I felt a pang inside my chest. It hurt slightly. I seem to miss her more and more. I had heard of love before, could I be experiencing it? I want to tell her of my thoughts. I want to share with her my feelings. I want to explore the world beside her. Will I ever leave this case?



    Sally told me I should go with her today out to the park, whatever that is. She said Charlotte was taking her. For the first time, I tried to move my arms. I couldn't though. They stayed in place. Sally could tell that I wanted to go. She opened the case for me. I could smell something. IT wasn't what I smelled everyday, it was something else. Something more fresh. I enjoyed it immensly. Charlotte came in and saw Sally with me. She looked confused, and took her away, closing my case before she left. I want that smell back. IF only I could move.



    I MOVED TODAY! Sally was talking with me, and I moved my arm upwards. I couldn't move my fingers, because they are glass, but I did move my arm. Sally was so happy for me. I noticed today that she looked to be glowing. She didn't seem as ugly as she did when I'd first seen her. Does the outside world make you prettier? I want to know.



    I am beginning to understand my body better. Each day I can move more and more. Sally standsbeside me, petting my hair and telling me that I can do it. The smell of the air has become more natural to me, though I still find it beautiful. I will leave this case one day, and Sally knows this. I wish I could tell her how I felt. I think I am in love.



    I cried today. That's what Sally called it. Water came from my eye and fell to the ground. She said I must have been feeling some strong emotion to have cried. SHe also said that the only time she could remember crying was when she was locked inside that chest. My heart hurts when I hear her say that. She must have been so scared. I wish I could protect her.



    I will never leave this case. I am attached to a pedistal, and it holds me to it tighter than anything. I am so upset I could cry again. Sally tells me she will find a way to get me off. I hope so. I love her.



    She told me she loved me today. I can't even remember Charlotte's eye color, but I can always hear Sally's voice. Even when she wasn't around, I can hear her sweet sound. I will one day be with her. Until then, I will continue to try and escape my prison.



    Sally says we are moving. She overheard Charlotte and her mother explaining it. She is afraid because Charlotte brought back the chest Sally had been trapped in. I don't know what moving means other than my physical movement. I hope it is nothing scary.



    Things are dark now. I can only remember one thing: Sally screaming. Charlotte had brought back the chest, and was putting Sally into it. I managed to escape my case, but I fell from the shelf I had lived on for so long. I shattered against the floor, and I now see only darkness. I hear Sally. She cried. But I was happy because she wasn't in a chest. She was beside me. Holding me. I felt safe. Now I see darkness, where am I?



    I am in love, and I can say it now. Sally sewed me a new face and attached it to my body. She fixed my eyes and placed them onto her creation. I can see and feel great. I can talk because she sewed me a mouth. My voice is not as beautiful as Sally's, but I told her how much I loved her. HEr response was the same. I had never felt so happy.



    I saw a mirror today. I cried. My face is horrible. I am stitched and broken. Vile and disgusting. I don't belong here. I could never be beautiful again. Sally held me, and told me we would leave. She said Charlotte was still moving, and still had the chest. We would escape tonight.



    We failed. Charlotte put Sally in the chest before we could leave. I could do nothing more iother than join. But now her and I are together again. It may be dark, but we are together. That is all I can ask for. I love her and she loves me. I will be happy. Within the darkness, she cannot see my hideous face, so I can feel comfort in that as well.