Lucas returned with Father Renner, a priest from St. Mary's Church.
The moment they entered Miriam's apartment, the air thickened, carrying the smell of damp earth and burnt wax. Lights flickered violently, exploding into darkness. Shadows crowded the corners.
The doll sat on the floor, glowing faintly with a soft, unnatural light. Its eyes reflected not the room, but faces of children Miriam had never seen, frozen in silent prayer.
Father Renner opened his Bible. Pages turned themselves, skipping words, spelling letters in reverse. Blood-red marks appeared as though ink had sprung from the doll itself.
"It learned prayer from sinners," Renner whispered.
The doll stood. Its porcelain skin cracked, revealing black veins pulsing underneath. It spoke in layered voices:
"Faith is a door. Humans leave it unlocked."
Renner began reciting scripture. The doll tilted its head, absorbing the words, twisting them. Shadows moved independently, whispering back distorted prayers.
The doll crawled toward Miriam, smiling. Its smile stretched beyond porcelain limits.
The apartment trembled. The walls whispered her name. Every prayer, every word she had spoken, became a part of the doll.