Broken Dolls

Chapter 3: The Fault in Perfection

Jade's breath came in short, sharp bursts. He flattened himself against the wall, heart pounding as the scientist switched off the machine. The restrained doll twitched once, then fell completely still.

The scientist scribbled something on a clipboard, then turned to a nearby intercom. "Jessie-21 has been decommissioned. I'll prepare for retrieval of the next test subject."

Jade's stomach churned.

Decommissioned. A clean word for something so horrifying. The doll on the table-its empty, lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling, its expression frozen.

No-not just a doll. Jessie.

Jade's fingers curled into fists. He remembered Jessie's voice, soft but steady. He remembered the way Jessie always stepped forward first during training, how he used to whisper to Jade when the instructors weren't watching.

"Do you ever wonder if there's something else out there?"

Jessie had always asked questions. More than he should have. More than was allowed.

And now he was gone.

Jade felt something break inside him. His chest ached. His throat tightened. His vision blurred. A sharp, unfamiliar sting burned behind his eyes, and before he could stop himself-

A tear fell.

It rolled down his cheek, landing softly on the floor. Then another. His body shook as silent sobs wracked his frame, and he bit his tongue to keep from making a sound.

Jessie-21 is gone. Just like the others. Just like I will be.

The realization sent a cold wave of terror through him.

Jade wiped at his face furiously, but the tears kept coming. He had never cried before. None of the dolls had. It wasn't supposed to be possible.

Then why does this hurt so much?

Panic surged through him. If the scientists saw him like this-if they found out he could feel-they would erase him, too.

He turned and fled.

---

The dormitory was silent when he returned, but the moment he stepped inside, he knew something was wrong.

A figure stood near his cot.

Instructor Han.

His piercing black eyes locked onto Jade's the second he entered. "Jade-07." His voice was even. "You are out of bed past regulation hours."

Jade's pulse spiked. He fought to keep his expression blank, but his body still trembled. "I went to the washroom."

Han took a slow step forward. "You did not."

Jade struggled to breathe evenly. His face still felt damp, his chest tight from the unfamiliar weight of grief.

Han's eyes narrowed slightly.

Jade swallowed hard. He knew there was no escape. This is it. This is when they take me.

But then Han's gaze flickered, studying Jade's face more closely. A small furrow appeared between his brows.

"... Your face is wet," Han observed. "You were washing it."

Jade hesitated. Then, realizing what Han was implying, he latched onto the excuse.

"Yes, Instructor," he said quickly. "I-I couldn't sleep."

Han remained still for a long moment. Jade could hear his own heartbeat hammering in his ears.

Then, finally, Han stepped back. "Report to the medical ward at sunrise."

Jade's stomach twisted. They still suspect something.

Han walked past him without another word, leaving the dormitory in silence.

Jade forced himself to lie down, but his body refused to relax. He clenched his fists, trying to suppress the grief that still lingered in his chest.

They knew something was wrong with him.

And if he didn't act soon-

He would be the next doll strapped to that table.

---