Ruth was an avid collector of antiques and dolls, so it was no surprise when she brought home a strange-looking doll from an old shop deep in the woods. She brought it home and displayed it proudly on her shelf.

But something strange began to happen when the sun went down. Ruth heard a creaking noise coming from the doll and then, suddenly, the doll started to move. Its glass eyes seemed to follow her wherever she went and it would giggle and whisper under its breath.

Ruth became increasingly paranoid as the weeks went by. The doll often appeared in the hallway outside her bedroom, grinning and beckoning her forward. One night, Ruth awoke to find the doll perched on the edge of her bed, staring down at her.

Frightened and confused, Ruth tried to scream but her voice wouldn’t work. As she desperately tried to get away, the doll spoke.

“I’m alive now,” it said. “And I’m going to take you with me.”

Ruth scrambled out of bed and ran out of the room. She quickly grabbed her coat and ran out into the cold night. She heard the doll’s laughter following her in the wind.

To this day, Ruth still doesn’t know where the doll came from, or who put it in the shop. But she is certain of one thing– never again will she foolishly bring a doll home.