Well, here's chapter 1. I've been watching the Puppet Master movies and they are awesome!

I own nothing.

(Hang On by Seether)

Well now I found myself
Wish I was someone else
My heart are stained with love
Wish I could take it away
I hid behind the shell
In time the pain will melt
My heart are stained with love
Wish I could fake it

I gave my life away
There's nothing left to say
I gave my life away
You take it in your way

You take it in your way

My selfish enemy
Still has the best of me
Empty and feeling numb
Wish I could take it away
I can't control the need
To weak to not concede
Wish I was deaf and dumb
Wish I could fake it

I gave my life away
There's nothing left to say
I gave my life away
You take it in your way

I gave my life away
There's nothing left to say
I gave my life away
You take it in your way

I can't pretend we're the same
I can't pretend we're the same
I can't pretend we're the same

Oh now I found myself
Wish I was someone else
My heart are stained with love
Wish I could FAKE

I gave my life away
There's nothing left to say
I gave my life away
You take it in your way

I gave my life away
There's nothing left to say
I gave my life away
You take it in your way

You take it in your way [4x]

I hummed bitterly to the tune, going around dusting the old antiques in the large store. I inherited it from my great-great grandfather, Andre Toulon. It was an antique store in one section, the part I was currently at, a freak show in another, and a theater for puppet shows in the last section.

My name is Alex Toulon, and I am the only Toulon left. My great-great grandfather had been watching me since my parents were murdered when I was 5, 12 years ago today. I had lived with him in a mansion across the street until he had said he need to go on a business trip, 1 month later a layer came with Andre's will and told me he was dead.

'Well, did you expect the old man to live forever, he had to die sometime.' I thought, shaking my head. I had black, curly hair that was down to mid-back, icy blue eyes, was a little chubby yet not fat, had 4 piercings, and was 5 feet 4-8 inches tall. My outfit consisted of worn navy jeans with my black ipod in a pocket, a black hoodie, black steel toed boots, and a blue choker necklace. I was considered a goth or punk to most people. I was home schooled due to the fact Andre was big on privacy.

I turned down the volume on my ipod, which was now playing 'Reckless' by Papa Roach, when I saw someone walk in. I felt my heart freeze over when I saw Eric Quin, the old mean layer who I had never wanted to see again.

"Alex, due to the fact you are only 17, you are not considered an adult. You will be sent to a foster home or stay with a friend of your great-great grandfather at the Bodega Bay Inn in California. The mansion will be kept by the government until you turn 18 in 11 months, same with the store, though you are allowed to visit anytime. You will be taking a plane from Virginia to California where they wil pick you up. Now go pack your bag, you have 4 hours until we leave for the airport." all I could do was glare with a stare that wished death at his back as he walked away. As he left the store, profanities left my mouth.

"That fuckin' asshole, he just wants Andre's fuckin' money that God damned bastard..." my rant continued like that till I saw one of the old employees glare at me.

"Sorry Marian." I called sheepishly to the angry old woman. She smiled at me.

"Don't worry child, I'll watch the store while your gone. Now you better go start packing your bags. Remember to buy me a souvenir from California!" she called as I walked out the door, trudging through the January snow. After 20 minutes of laborious walking, I walked through the thresh hold of the mansion. It seemed so quiet and creepy without Andre's constant playing of music. I shivered, walking up to my 3rd floor bedroom. I grabbed all my suitcases out from under the bed and packed them all with clothes and other things. The last thing to go in was a small picture of me as a kid watching Andre doing a puppet show.

"He never let me come near those puppets." I snorted at the memory of him scolding me as a 7 year old when curiosity got me to try to sneak into the puppet show section of the store to look at the puppets alone.

'I still wonder where those puppets got to.' I mused, throwing all my bags down the stair case except the one with the picture.I walked down the stairs, setting the 4 suitcases by the door. I locked the door as I went back down to the store. All the workers were on their lunch break. I had 3 more hours to waste. I went into the freak show section, looking at all the unusual items Andre and I had collected over our years of traveling. I next went to the puppet show theater, all the wood faded and dusty since the puppets disappeared. I was hopeless with puppets and making them come alive with strings, so I would always be the one to re-paint the puppets and carve the easy bodies. Elsa once took me down here on my 8th birthday for a private puppet show just for me. Great-great grandma Elsa was shot by some crazy old Germans that used to be Nazi's when her and Andre lived in Berlin.

"May she rest in peace.'' I said to her memory before going back to the antique section.

'Only Barbara would be stubborn enough to stand outside in the cold instead of knocking on the door.' I mused, walking to the door. I unlocked it and held it open for her as she walked inside.

"Thank you Alex, my lazy sister is extending her lunch break I see." Barbara was Marian's twin sister yet her polar opposite. I rolled my eyes.

"No, they have lunch from 12 to 1, it's only 12:45 Barby." I explained to her. She gave me the evil eye as I called her Barby, I just smirked. She glowered up at me from her 4 ft. 9 inches height. Her and Marian found it their job to acts as my grandmothers when my grandparents died along with my parents. We were coming home from vacation in my dad's van when a semi slid on some black ice and ran into us head on. I was in the farrest back seat so all I go away with was a broken arm and leg while everyone else died.

I chatted with Barby for a while till Marian came back, Barby scolding her for leaving 'this poor defenceless child' alone. I helped Marian clean while Barby and her argued over the smallest things. I snorted at their behavior. It seemed like a few minutes when Eric showed up.

"Let's go," he order. As I was about to pretest he continued, "Your bags are in the trunk, now hurry up." I waved to everyone before getting in his small car. Why such a fat man would buy such a small car confused me but for now I ignored it. I put my head on the window, turning on my ipod. I put on 'Monster' by Skillet before falling asleep.

The secret side of me, I never let you see
I keep it caged but I can't control it
So stay away from me, the beast is ugly
I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls
It comes awake and I can't control it
Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I feel like a monster
I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I feel like a monster

I awoke to the fat lard I call Eric shaking me awake. I slapped his hand away before getting out of the car. My ipod was still play music, except now it was 'Poker Face' by Lady Gaga. I gagged and quickly changed the song. I walked to the trunk as Eric popped it. I had to carry all four cause Eric was in a prissy mood and said I could handle it. I rolled my eyes, imagining me 'accentidently' throwing one at him so he would fall into the area where cars were coming and going. I had to keep the smirk off my face as he turned around to make sure I was still. I went to the crossing and ran like hell when I got the opportunity. I got beeped at a few times but hey, how the hell did they expect me to get over here! I walked into the airport before looking at which plane was where. I saw the plane to California was about to start boarding. I ran to the gate I was to go to. They took my bags and checked them. I was put through a metal detector after I took off my sliver skull ear rings, my sliver eyebrow ring, my chain belt, my steel toed boots, and my black belly button ring. The lady super vising me was giving me a disgusted look as I took off my hoodie to show my black spaghetti strap shirt. She was looking at my arm, which had a long scar that went from my shoulder to my wrist. I just smirked at her, she probably thought I was emo or something.

"You can go." she said. I put back on my hoodie, piercings, and belt before grabbing my bags. I got on the plane, finding my middle class seat. I was sitting next to some girl. She was in a red and black shirt and a black skirt. Her hair was dark brown and she had brown eyes.

"Hey." she said in greeting as I sat down after putting away my bags. I nodded at her, my anti-social side showing through. She looked to be 22-25 years old, not too much older than me.

"So...my name's Lauren. What's yours?" Lauren asked, trying to make conversion.

"My name's Alex." I responded curtly. She raised an eyebrow.

"You got a last name?" I smirked, this girl wasn't too bad.

"Yep, Toulon." I said, noticing how she turned slightly pale. I just looked at her sceptically, did she know someone in my family? She kept quiet after that so I put on some music. Burn by Papa Roach came on. I hummed softly to the tune as not to annoy anyone.

I didn't know you were a fake
Every lie straight to my face
So blind I could not see
Right behind my back you stabbed me
Should've know you were a bitch
Shut up you're making me sick
Little man you're nothing like me
Lying cheating so deceiving
I trusted you broke me down
And you screwed me over

Don't try to deny it
You cannot hide it
Ill be ignited
When I get to watch you burn
Burn Burn
I wanna watch you burn
Burn Burn
I wanna watch you burn
You're gonna get what you deserve
I wanna watch you burn

You turn me inside out
My world is upside down
You're not hurt are you happy now
Looking over your shoulder fucking me over
I trusted you sold me out
This is far from over

I zoned out, probably fell asleep too, cause when I came to, someone was shaking me gently and telling me to put on my seat belt. Lauren was looking at me carefully, analyzing me.

'Do...not...insult.' I was struggling not to break out and tell her to fuck off and stare at something else. As the plane landed, I stood and stretched. Now standing beside Lauren, I realized I was a good inch or two taller. I waited to get off the plane after getting my bags. I got off the plane, sitting on a bench to see what was supposed to happen. Eric had said they were going to pick me up but he never told me what they looked like. I sat there for a good 15 minutes before getting bored. Just as I was getting up, some people were walking toward me. Lauren looked nervous standing behind them. There was 3 people all together.

"What?" I snapped as they came near me. The man at the front was at least 26 years old, same with the girl beside him. They were holding hands but I could see by how his hand was turning red that the girl was holding his hand more than he was holding hers.

"Hello, I'm Rick Myers. Are you Alex Toulon?" he asked politely. I looked him in the eyes.

"Who wants to know?" I fired back, glaring. I did not trust complete strangers.

"I am the caretaker for the Bodega Bay Inn and the friend of your great-great grandfather whom you will be staying with. This is Susie and I believe you've already met Lauren." he introduced. I stood up with my bags in hand, total strangers or not they were better than sitting here.

"Here, let me help you." Rick grabbed 2 of my bags. I had to balance myself due to the lack of previous weight.

"Well, let's get going." Susie said cheerfully. I decided I hated her then and there. As we got in the car I sat in the backseat with Rick as Susie drove.

"So...how old are you?" he asked, trying to break the awkward silence. I decided to pity the poor guy.

"I'm 17. Though here in 11 months I'll be 18 and free to move back into my mansion and run the store again." I concluded. He nodded. Then he looked nervous as he asked his next question, in fact everyone did.

"So, do you know anything about what Andre did?" I cocked my head slightly, it was an obvious answer.

"Yes, he ran an antique store, a freak show, and a puppet show. That's all he ever did. Why?" I questioned back. I got no answer.

"WELL, we're here!" Susie shouted, I glared at her for a moment. I got out of the car. We were at a castle looking inn. It was beside a cliff with the ocean below. It was beautiful. One side the huge building was covered in moss and vines. As I walked inside, I saw how it looked originally like it did when the place was first decorated. Call me a sucker for history. I started sweating in the 60-80 degree weather in my hoodie and jeans. I took off my hoodies, forgetting my scar. Susie gasped, eyeing it. I blushed slightly.

"So, where's my room?" I asked politely, trying to drive their attention from my scar. Rick smiled.

"Here, I'll show you the way." He led me to an old elevator. I got in and he shut the door before deciding on a level. I walked out of the elevator on the sixth floor. Rick led me down the halls to the last room. As he opened the door, I walked in. The room was divide like an apartment. I walked into the living room area. The walls were a light blue with white trim. The furniture matched. There was a plasma TV on the wall, the only modern item in the room. I went down a hall to find a big bathroom. The floor was black tile while the sink, tub, and toilet were white. There was a silver towel hanger with a black fluffy towel on it. I continued to the bedroom. It was a dark sea blue with black trim. The bed was a king sized four poster bed. There was a huge window with a view of the ocean. The room was slightly curved like a circle in shape with a pointed ceiling. There was a walk in closet off to the side. I loved it. I put my bags on the ground for the moment.

"Well, I'll leave you to start unpacking." with that Rick left, shutting the door quietly behind him.

'First things first, out of these hot clothes!' I unpacked my suitcases on the bed, putting everything in it's designated area. I put on a pair of black mesh shorts that stopped after my thighs. I kept on the same shirt. I still put my silver chain around my hips but took off my necklace. I took off my boots and socks in trade for blue flip flops. I grabbed my room key off the coffee table where Rick put them and put them on the chain near the side of my hip. I took my ipod and put in in a holster that I snapped also on my chain belt. Because it would be useless to listen to depressing music at a place like this, I put on a lighter song, Just Like You by Three days Grace. It may be an awesome song but it always got stuck in my head. I walked out the door, locking it. As I walked towards the elevator, I could've sworn I saw a shadow following me. When I turned around it was gone.

'I'm going crazy, well, it was bound to happen sometime.' I thought, shrugging it off. I got in the elavator and made it go to the lobby/1st floor. I walked outside, walking towards the cliff. I stood there for a minute until I heard someone screaming. I turned to see Susie and Rick running towards me.

"What now?" I groaned as they same within hearing distance.

"Please step away from the ledge Alex, you gave us a little heart attack there." Rick commented. I nodded in understanding.

"You thought I was going to jump, didn't you?" I accused, watching them guiltily nod. I snorted.

"I have never hurt myself or attempted suicide.'' I told them honestly. Susie looked at the newly revealed scar on my leg. It went from mid-thigh to mid-shin. Before I walked away from the cliff, I looked to the sunset.

"Well, dinner sounds good to me. Anyone else hungry?" Rick lighten the mood. I smiled half-heartedly.

"Sure." with that my stomach growled. I blushed.

"I haven't eaten since yesterday." I said sheepishly. They laughed, Susie's was sore to my ears. As we walked into the hotel, Rick led us to a dining room. Lauren was waiting for us. For dinner we had cheese burgers, French fries, and macaroni. I came starving, I left 10 pounds heavier. As dinner was ending, we all went to a parlor like room and watched 'Gone without a Trace' until 11. I stood up and stretched.

"Well, I better hit the hay. See you all in the mornin'." I yawned at the end before walking to the elevator half asleep. I went to the sixth floor before trying to get out of the maze of hallways. I found my room after 20 minutes of wondering. I unlocked the door before going inside. I locked the door once inside and put the keys on the coffee table. I walked around in the dark searching for a light switch. I stumbled 5 times and ran into the wall before finding it. As I looked around at what I had stumbled on, I was confused. For some reason it looked like the furniture had been rearranged. I shook the thought out of my head. I look at where I had ran into the wall. I panel had fallen out, revealing a dark empty space. As I got closer, I unhooked my ipod and used it's light to get a better look. Inside the wall was a huge trunk. I put down my ipod and grabbed the trunk with both hands before pulling with all my might on it. After 8 attempts, it finally was completely out of the wall. I looked at the locks on it. I would need a hammer.

"Oh, screw it. It can wait till mornin'." I mumbled, turning off the light and going to my room. I feel on the bed, my belly button ring digging into me.

"oowww, not my smartest idea." I talked to myself. I dragged myself to the closet and put on extra short shorts that were blue and a black T-shirt. As I re-entered my room from my closet, I noticed something different. On the window sill was a doll. I cautiously approached it. On closer inspection it was a puppet.

"You look familiar." I mused, staring at the puppet intently, trying to remember where I had seen it before. The puppet had a white face with a permanent Cheshire smile and high cheek bones, white straight hair to it's shoulders, a black hat, a black trench-coat, and a black strip of leather tied to keep the trench-coat together. It's most noticeable feature was a hook and a knife it had for hands.

"I must have not seen you in here the first time, sorry little dude." I commented, feeling stupid for talking to a puppet. When it's mouth suddenly fell down, I fell on my ass. I panted, feeling my heart racing.

"Damn, you scared me there buddy. Let's see, what should I call you?" I zoned off in thought. It was like a light bulb went on over my head.

"I know! Blade, that fits you well doesn't it?" I announced, gently touching his knife for a hand.

"I better introduce myself, I am Alex Toulon. And now your Blade so nice to meet you." I yawn after a minute. I got up and went to the night stand where I put my ipod's docking station. I put my ipod on it and put the music on so it wasn't to loud to be heard by anyone else. I gently patted the puppet's head before lying on my back in bed so I didn't bother any of my piercings. I used the remote to change the songs.

"Night Blade, see you in the afternoon." I laughed a little at my own joke. Flipping through the songs, I could've swore I heard a hiss. After a minute I forgot about it. I put on a funny song, Hit the road Jack by Ray Charles.

(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

Woah Woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean,
You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen.
I guess if you say so
I have to pack ma things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

well baby, listen baby, don't ya treat me this-a way
Cause I'll be back on my feet some day.
(Don't care if you do 'cause it's understood)
(you ain't got no money you just ain't no good.)
Well, I guess if you say so
I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right)

(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)
What you say?
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.)
(Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.)

well!
(don't you come back no more.)
you must be joking?
(don't you come back no more.)
what you trying to do to me?
(don't you come back no more.)
i came to talk it over
(don't you come back no more.)
i thought we had a better understanding
(don't you come back no more.)
oh baby don't be so chicken
(don't you come back no more.)
you don't want to see me cry x2
(don't you come back no more.)
oh baby it isn't fair
ooh yeah

Even after 27 songs, sleep still hadn't come to me.

"Why can't I fucking sleep?" I yelled into a pillow. I threw the covers off myself. I stood up, still hugging a pillow to my chest. Currently ...to Be Loved by Papa Roach was playing, I hummed along to it. I pulled a plush chair that was in the corner to the window. Blade was still there, except now he was sitting. I just gave him a blank stare as I sat down in the chair, pulling a lever so I was basically lying down.

"I'm no gonna question how you moved positions, but please, I'm cranky enough as you can see." I had a staring competition with the black eye sockets of the puppet before looking out the window. The full moon reflected on the waves, making them shimmer a silver color.

"It's so beautiful, so different from the antique store, so different from the mansion. These people are so different from Andre, I miss him and Elsa so much." By now, tears were falling from my eyes.

"I don't belong here, but the minute I turn 18, I'm out of here. I'm gonna get all my inheritance from my family and I'm gonna live my life my way. You know, when I was little, I was hopeless at puppets with strings, so Andre had me paint and carve them. It was fun, but he always came up with the ideas." For some reason, talking to this lifeless piece of wood made me feel better. I yawned. I curled into a ball in the chair. This time instead of leaving Blade on the cold window sill, I gently picked him up and loosely hugged him to my chest. I made careful to put him in a comfortable position that didn't involve me being poked or hooked. As I closed my eyes, I relaxed. Before I fell into a deep sleep that had finally found me, I thought I felt the puppet shift, but then again, I have been seeing things lately, better to ignore it.

"Wake up Alex!" I heard yelling. I sleepily opened my eyes, only to be met by bright daylight.

"Too bright!" I moaned tot he still yelling voice. I heard a door unlock and footsteps. As I slowly opened my eyes to get used to the light, a person entered the room. The person was Rick.

"Mornin'." I mumbled, slowly stretching. I pushed a blanket off me. I looked up to see Rick blushing bright red. I carefully followed his line of sight to my night clothes. I pulled the mystery blanket back over me. I looked down beside me on the big chair to find Blade lying there, facing me and Rick. His black eye sockets seemed to be watching us.

"Mornin' Blade." I said, gently putting him back on the window sill so I didn't crush him. I kept the blanket around me as I got out of the chair. I walked into the closet, closing the door behind me. I put on a red and black skirt, a black shirt with a strap around my neck due to a portion of the upper back that was cut out, my ever current chain belt, and black strap sandles. As I walked out, I saw Rick staring at Blade. I snuck up behind him.

"You know he's just a cute puppet?" I whispered lightly in his ear, making sure to blow on it. He jumped forward, gracelessly falling face first into the carpet. I started laughing my ass off.

"Damn, why so jumpy there Rick?" I teased as he got back up. The song No Matter What by Papa Roach came on. I started singing along.

I need you right here, by my side
You're everything I'm not in my life.
We're indestructible, we are untouchable
Nothing can take us down tonight
You are so beautiful, it should be criminal
that you could be mine.

And we will make it out alive
I'll promise you this love will never die!

No matter what, I got your back
I'll take a bullet for you if it comes to that
I swear to God that in the bitter end
We're gonna be the last ones standing

So believe me when I say, you're the one
They'll never forgive us for the things we've done

And we will make it out alive
I'll promise you this love will never die!

No matter what, I got your back
I'll take a bullet for you if it comes to that
I swear to God that in the bitter end
We're gonna be the last ones standing
We'll never fall, we'll never fade
I'll promise you forever and my soul today
No matter what until the bitter end
We're gonna be the last ones standing

And everybody said that we would never last,
And if they saw us now I bet they'd take it back
It doesn't matter what we do or what we say
Cause nothing matters anyway!

No matter what, I got your back
I'll take a bullet for you if it comes to that
I swear to God that in the bitter end
We're gonna be the last ones standing
We'll never fall (We'll never fall)
We'll never fade (We'll never fade)
No matter what until the bitter end
We're gonna be the last ones standing

At the end it seemed Rick and I were only a few inches apart. I felt so weird. I wasn't used to being close to people. Just as we were about to connect, Blade's mouth fell open, I hiss escaping it.

"AAhhhhhhhh! Oh my fucking God, Blade you scared the shit out of me!" I lectured the innocent looking doll as I clutched my chest. I looked to see Rick on the floor.

"I think you made Rick here faint." I laughed at that. I walked to the bathroom, splashing water on my face and combing my hair. I put it into a large messy bun on top of my head, a few curly strands falling out. I went into the living room and grabbed the keys off the table before putting them on my chain belt. I walked back into the bedroom, Rick still unconscious on the floor. A few giggles escaped my mouth. If I puppet could look smug, that's how Blade looked right now. I walked up to Blade.

"Well, let's get breakfast." as I walked from the bedroom to the living room, I realized the wall panel was back in place, the trunk half hidden behind a chair. I shrugged.

"After breakfast I'll grab a hammer and we'll open it, deal little buddy." I talked to myself more than Blade. I left the room, Blade tucked into my arm. I left the door unlocked for Rick to leave when he woke up. As I got down stairs I heard Susie and Lauren yelling.

"Rick, Alex! Where are you guys?" I heard them yell in a frenzy.

"What the hell are they yelling about?" I mumbled, talking to inanimate Blade. If I didn't know better I'd say he just shrugged.

"Why the hell are you two yellin'!" I asked/yelled, silencing them both. Their eyes went to Blade immediately. Susie's eyes widened.

"W-where did you find t-t-that?" her high voice with the stutter annoyed me.

"Blade here was on my window sill." I explained, no details used. Lauren's eyes got panicked.

"Where's Rick, Alex?" her voice was hysteric. I sighed, all I wanted was breakfast.

"He passed out. Blade's mouth fell open with a hissing sound and he fainted." I explained, trying to inch my way towards the dining room.

"Did you leave Rick for a minute when he was unconscious?" Susie sounded slightly calmed.

"Yes, to brush my hair.'' I answered. After I said that, they both jumped in the elevator, taking off before I could get in.

"What the hell is their problem?" I asked no one. I walked into the dining area and ate some pancakes. Just as I was about to start on my 3rd plate, a scream erupted.

"RICK!" oh shit. I grabbed Blade, putting him back in my arm and raced to the elevator. I made my way to the 6th floor, running down the slightly familiar hallways to my room. The door was open. I ran back to my bedroom. Susie was sitting on the ground, Rick's head on her lap. Lauren was dialling 911.

"Shit! The phone lines are down." Lauren told Susie. As Susie shifted, I saw Rick. His face was littered in shallow cuts, blood still flowing out. There was a stab wound in his stomach and that's all the damage I could see.

"What the hell happened to him?" I yelled, falling to my knees. Susie glared at me.

"It's all your fault! You had that puppet kill him you bitch!" I was shocked. In response to her yelling, I cuddled Blade against me gently.

"Blade's just a lifeless puppet! He could do anything! And how the hell is this my fault!" I yelled, my voice cracking. She looked confused for a minute.

"You don't know that thing is alive!" she looked at Blade. Before I could continue she did.

"It hasn't hurt you yet? Why the hell did it hurt Rick! Andre said he was the next Puppet Master!" my blood ran cold. Andre? Andre was going to give his priceless puppets to Rick!

"Wait, Rick offered to have Alex come here, Andre never meant for her to! When Blade saw her, he deemed her the new Puppet Master and Rick was a threat because he would try to be the Puppet Master. And Blade won't hurt Alex because she's now the Puppet Master." I looked at Lauren in shock. I slumped down, taking it all it. I then realized something. They said Blade was alive, he was cuddled against my chest.

"Pervert!" I scream, throwing Blade on the bed. Lauren gave me a questioning look.

"He's been cuddled against my chest for most of the time I've been here." I answered, blushing. I looked on in amazement as Blade jumped down from the bed before running toward Rick, who was starting to come to.

'Shit!' were my thoughts. I had to do something, I'm the Puppet Master...wait, I'm the Puppet Master, does that mean they do whatever I say?

"Blade! Stop!" I yelled, closing my eyes. I waited to hear screaming, crying, something, just not silence. I slowly cracked open an eye when I felt something cool in my lap. I looked down. Blade was calmly looking up at me from my lap. I quickly took him and cradled him in my arms.

"Is Rick gonna be okay?" I broke the silence. Susie nodded.

'Wait, Andre was a Puppet Master too. So where are the other puppets?' I realized. I stood up slowly.

"Blade, where are the other puppets?" I asked him. He pointed towards the living room. I followed the direction of the knife until I was looking at the trunk I pulled from the wall.

"They're in there?" I asked for confirmation. Blade nodded. I got down on my knees and put Blade down. I pulled the trunk out from behind the chair. The lock on the trunk was gonna have to be broken.

"Blade, can you go find me a hammer or something?" I politely asked. He nodded before jumping up and trying to open the door. I giggled at how cute he looked. He turned around and did his version of glaring. I quickly stopped and opened the door. He raced down the hall to wherever. I left the door open for him. I went into the bathroom and grabbed some towels. I bought them back to the bed room after running some warm water over them. I had Susie hold one to the stab wound in his stomach and had Lauren wipe the blood off his face.

'He'll live, the knife didn't hit any organs.' I mentally sighed in relief, making a note to scold Blade on stabbing him. I felt a tug on my skirt. I looked down to see Blade dragging a small hammer. I take it and walk back to the living room. I attack the lock with the hammer. It took me 17 minutes but the lock eventually broke. I unclasped the side clasp and opened the old trunk, dust flying into my nose. After Blade helping me with a coughing fit and prying the trunk all the way open, I looked inside. I gently took each puppet and set them on the ground after dusting them off. After all of them were on the ground, I watched them for a minute before turning to Blade.

"Why aren't they alive?" I asked, even though I knew he couldn't answer. He went over to the trunk before pushing a box my way. I picked it up and opened it. Inside was 5 bottles of a green liquid and a shot. Blade motioned from the green liquid to the shot to the necks of the puppets.

"So I give them only a little of it?" I questioned, filling up the shot with green liquid. Blade nodded when I looked at him. I grabbed the joker puppet and put the needle in it's neck before injecting some of it into his body. I quickly pulled the needle out as his hands twitched. The head spun in different directions, making me jump away. As the face stopped it revealed a confused face. Blade made his weird hissing and grunting sounds, conversing with the other puppet. When Blade pointed at me, the joker looked at me before waving sheepishly. I waved back.

"Hi, I'm Alex Toulon. And I guess I'm the new Puppet Master." I introduced myself. The new puppet looked like he was saying something then realized I didn't speak puppet. He went back into the trunk, coming back with an old leather bound journal. I flipped through it, translating the German writing from what Andre had taught me. I found a page with mini sketches with their names underneath each picture. I looked at the picture that resembled the puppet before me.

"Hi Jester.'' I greeted, using his given name. I looked at Blade's picture, smirking when I saw his given name was actually Blade.

"Guess I picked your name right off the bat Blade." I teased, stopping when he hissed. I glared at him.

"Don't use that tune of hiss with me." I scolded. Jester's face spun to revealing a smiling expression before chuckle-like sounds escaped him. After a minute of getting use to Jester, who found my shoulder very comfortable, and Blade, who sat in my lap and would look up every couple minutes to glower at Jester, I put the needle in the only girl puppet. I injected the green liquid and pulled in out. She slowly twitched before sitting up. Blade helped her up before talking to her in their little puppet language. Instead of pointing at me like with Jester, he ran back and sat in my lap. Jester waved at the girl. I looked up her name in the book.

"Hello Leech Woman," I greeted her, "I'm Alex Toulon and I am the new Puppet Master." As I finished my introduction, I put out my index finger as a form of handshake. She cautiously shook it. I smiled at her.

"You look pretty. How abut later I sew you a new outfit." I offered, smiling when she nodded her head. She found a place on my knee, Blade observing her the whole time as if to make sure he was the only one who got to sit into me. I shook my head at his antics. I grabbed the next puppet, the one with six arms. I looked at Jester.

"I'm gonna make a guess and say his name is Six Shooter." I said dryly. He did his weird chuckle thing before nodding. I did the same process I did with Leech Woman and Jester to Six Shooter. Almost immediately he jumped up, spinning a gun in each hand. Blade, now to worried to give up his place, just screamed a hiss. I looked at Blade.

"You possessive bastard." I teased, before turning to Six Shooter.

"Nice to meet you Six Shooter. I'm Alex Toulon, the new Puppet Master." I held out 3 fingers on each hand for him to shake. He did alright, cracking a few fingers in the process. After I got a hand back, I used it to restrain Blade, who was trying to escape my lap to attack Six Shooter. I used a knuckle to gently knock him on the head, causing an annoyed hiss. After a minute he gave up. Six Shooter found a place hanging on my back from my neck and clothes. If I turned my head I could see his eyes looking over my shoulder. I turned around to the next puppet. After looking in the book I grabbed the puppet called Pinhead. I quickly injected him before laying him down. He grunted as he sat up. He looked at me, then at all the puppets hanging on me.

"I'm Alex Toulon, the next Puppet Master. Nice to meet you Pinhead." I greeted him, having to use my full hand to give him a handshake. Pinhead, unlike the other puppets sat beside me instead of on me. I could just feel Blade's arrogance from being in my lap. I lifted Blade off my lap, ignoring his hiss of protest, before setting Pinhead in my lap and putting Blade on the ground beside me. I could hear Jester and Six Shooter giggling near my ears. I tried not to smirk at Blade's dejected attitude. Just as I was about to look up the next puppet, Susie and Lauren, supporting Rick walked into the living room. As I felt the puppet start to climb off me to create a barrier between them and me I knew I had to stop them.

"No," I commanded the puppets, "These people are the only reason I'm here. If they die I get sent away." Blade nodded at them, showing them I was telling the truth. He had probably been watching me since the moment I stepped out of the car.

"What have you done?" Lauren screeched, looking at the many puppets. I glared at her.

"I gave them life." I growled, the puppets seemed to tighten their grip on me. I smirked as I saw Blade about to jump off the top of a cabinet to attack her.

"Blade, no attacking them either." I smirked at Lauren as she realized I just saved her from a one way trip to a coma. Rick and Susie were pale and Rick was watching Blade's every move. I gently took each puppet off me and put them on the floor before standing.

"Let's get Rick to a hospital. He's lost a lot of blood." I sent a dirty look at Blade. I opened the door into the hallway, holding it open as everyone walked out. Jester jumped out of the door way just as I shut the door. He shook my keys at me. I thanked him and hooked them onto my chain belt. I walked down the hall, the puppets forming a protective circle around me. I just sighed, it wasn't going to be easy to convince them to stay here. As we all got into the elevator, I saw Pinhead close the gate and Six Shooter pull the lever, signalling for it to take us to the lobby/1st floor. As we got to the lobby, I could see that Lauren and Susie were getting tired and were weak from not eating since the dinner the night before. I pushed them away from Rick as we exited the elevator. I caught him before he could fall over and continued walking, acting like I had been helping him the entire time. As we got to the doors, the puppets stopped us. Leech Woman handed me my black hoodie and I hurriedly put it on. They let us get to the car after Blade opened the back seat door for Rick and me. I gently put Rick in before going back into the hotel for a minute, all the puppets following.

"Okay guys, only one of you come with me, the rest have to stay here." after a lot of arguing among the puppets, Blade stepped forward with Jester, showing in was my decission. I grabbed Jester, Blade hissing up a storm at me. I put Jester on my shoulder.

"Sorry Blade, but the hospital won't allow your knife and hook inside the hospital. Jester had no dangerous objects." I apologized before running back out into the car and shutting the door.

"Let's go.''

Well, there was chapter one. Reviews are appreciated.