Among The Dolls – William Sleator

Think of the door. Getting through it might be difficult, however, for at least one of them was always watching her. As she sat at the table she studied each of the dolls’ faces in turn, trying to decide which of them, if any, might be persuaded to help her. For there was one other hopeful thing, and that was the power she would have over them when she did get out.

She could put a proposal to them all at once, that she would do anything any of them wanted; but that wouldn’t work because she was sure that each would selfishly want whatever she promised to someone else. They would never agree. And remembering her conversation with Ganglia in the bedroom, it seemed that bribing them individually might be more effective. After all, it wouldn’t much matter what it was she promised them; to the dolls, whatever she offered would be enticing only if it were something the others couldn’t have.

She discarded the aunt at once. She was so distant and cold that Vicky was afraid to say anything to her. She would never have the nerve to ask her for help. The father, who had entered the dining room, was of no use. He was so utterly meek and helpless that he probably wouldn’t dare to help her, even if she offered him everything she could think of. And Dandaroo, who was still up in his room, would be the same. Although …

. Her eyes slid back to the father’s face. The cotton in his head seemed to be settling down, so that the top of his head was narrow and empty and his chin was wide, sagging down onto his chest. He was staring vacantly at the wall, while on either side of him Ganglia and the mother, both giggling, were stabbing savagely at the turkey with their knives and forks, crumbling off bits of plaster.

The father …

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You may not copy, reproduce or upload this e-book, other than to read it on one of your personal devices. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e- book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy. 1kitap1.com/en Table of Contents Title Page Tor Copyright Notice AMONG THE DOLLS Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine STARSCAPE Reader’s Guide Copyright Page 1kitap1.com/en AMONG THE DOLLS This can’t be happening, Vicky said to herself.

It’s impossible! I must be dreaming. But it wasn’t vague like a dream. Everything was horribly clear, and all the details were perfect. She tried to fight a growing panic, which was only made worse by the deep void just ahead of her. Behind her, the music stopped with a sudden crash and she spun around. Beside the music box stood the aunt doll, taller than Vicky now. In the abrupt silence, Vicky simply stared at her without speaking. “Aha,” said the aunt doll softly, her smiling mouth not moving at all.

“You are small and helpless now, I see.” 1kitap1.com/en Chapter One The poplar trees along the roadside shimmered in a light breeze, and there was hardly a nip in the autumn air. It was altogether a perfect day for a family outing. Certainly it did not occur to Vicky to wonder about what the approaching, more bitter season would hold for her. What she was thinking about more than anything else as they drove along the winding country road was the ten-speed bicycle she hoped to get for her birthday.

Her father looked briefly back at her from the driver’s seat and smiled. “You haven’t said a word for miles, Vicky,” he said. “Something on your mind?” “Oh,” she said dreamily, trying not to make the hint too obvious, “I was just thinking about what a wonderful place this would be to go for rides on a brand new, ten—” “Wait!

Stop!” her mother cried out, startling Vicky and not giving her a chance to finish. Her father pulled the car abruptly over to the side of the road where there was a hand-lettered ANTIQUES sign nailed to a tree. Vicky sighed. Her mother was always searching for old phonograph records and sheet music.

Her father winked at Vicky. “It won’t take long,” he said, and they followed her mother up to the dilapidated wooden farmhouse that sagged behind the sign. It was dark inside, and there was a moldy basement smell.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

• Unique ID: c99466137d674d12
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 744,522 bytes (0.71 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• ISBN: 9781466827424, 9780765352392, 0765352397
• Pages: 56
• Language: English (en)

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• Estimated Reading Time: 72.72 minutes
• Total Words: 14,545
• Total Characters: 80,373
• Average Words per Page: 259.73
• Average Characters per Page: 1435.23

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