Ragdoll
Ragdoll’s ritual was on the brink of finishing. It just needed someone to voice out the wish. The gag pressed the mouth to the point of injury but the ears were kept unharmed and clean. They knew anyone could express the wish as long as Ragdoll heard it. Then, the ritual would be complete.
Woke up in the wee hours of the morning; the night rag covering the little body completely soaked in sweat. Back then, Ragdoll wasn’t Ragdoll yet, just a child with a mission in a poor shack. Darkness surrounded the trembling body. The child, without really knowing why, was aware it was the right moment and visualised every step lined up, crisp and light. The steps waited to be followed. Nobody was around. Venus was already out. Time was scarce. The fire was set and water poured into the rusty pot. The dirt floor was swept and names and figures were drawn. The movements were executed with precision as if rehearsed every night. At the sound of the water boiling there was a clear voice: “We both know we will be enemies one day”. The child smiled and plunged hands and face in the water. It felt cold and harmless. Then, the wish, a wish that didn’t belong to the child, was screamed to the dusk.
Many wishes had been expressed since that day. Many battles had been won and lost. The rite defined itself and had to be followed with precision, same time, same movements, and without a doubt, same rag. Hence, the abhorred name. Ragdoll became loved, feared, needed, demanded and eventually old and unable to safeguard that unique possession. Friends and enemies coveted that power. Ragdoll chose to hide, unable to destroy the rag, the symbol of the glorious past. As expected, they gave chase and battled. Just before the capture, Ragdoll threw the rag on the fire. It was too late; it didn’t burn completely.
They treated Ragdoll like a puppet, twisting movements out of the naked limbs. Fighting back was impossible. Ragdoll cried in agony a refusal to the betraying mind that awaited each upcoming step, so many times repeated. When the water felt cold at the touch of hands and face, Ragdoll howled, it all seemed lost.
It happened without a warning, the growl became a fierce bite that ripped the gag together with some teeth, flesh and bone. “Nevermore!” screamed Ragdoll. The collective gasp, devoured by the broken mouth, tasted of freedom.
