It was a regular Saturday afternoon for seven-year-old Sonnet. Her mom was in town, most likely getting her hair done or buying a new purse. Her dad was in his office, still working though it was a weekend. Their absences forced Sonnet to occupy herself. Today, she wanted to go to the woods behind her house to have a picnic with her favorite doll.
She got her doll when she was five years old as a gift from her aunt who lived far away. The doll had white porcelain skin and pink clothing. To match her doll, Sonnet combed her brown hair and put on a dark pink dress. She packed a yellow picnic basket with all her favorite foods: a raspberry tart, chocolate cookies, and two boxes of fruit punch—one for both Sonnet and her doll. She grabbed the basket and a blanket before hurrying out of the house.
The woods were always dark and intimidating—especially at night. Yet Sonnet was not afraid. She skipped into the woods, picking little flowers along the way. Finally, she found a small flat clearing surrounded by flowers, perfect for her picnic. She laid out her blanket and began to eat.
By the time she finished, it was cold and nearly dark. Sonnet started her walk home but soon realized she was lost. The forest was now pitch black. Wolves howled and owls hooted. Just as she was about to give up, she saw the glow of a distant light and ran toward it.
The light came from an old cottage, surrounded by what looked like children's drawings. It reminded her of an old story her mom once told her—about a woman named Lilith who lost her daughter Rosie in the woods. Consumed by grief, Lilith turned lost children into dolls.
Despite the warning, Sonnet was tired and decided to knock on the door.
Once. Twice.
The door creaked open, revealing an old woman in a gray gown and purple shawl.
"Hello sweetheart, what brings you into my neck of the woods?" she asked in a voice that was almost too sweet.
"My name is Sonnet, and I'm lost. Could I stay here ‘til morning?" Sonnet asked politely.
"Ah yes, of course dear. Come in, come in," said Lilith.
Inside, the cottage was warm. Lilith served Sonnet food while Sonnet placed her doll in her lap and ate happily. But then a piece of paper fell from a cupboard. Sonnet picked it up and read:
The Recipe for Turning Children Into Dolls
It was true—the story was real! Sonnet ran from the house and saw the town lights. She was almost home! But it was too late. The food Lilith had served was laced with powder that turned girls into dolls. Her arm was already turning into porcelain. Sonnet slowly transformed into a doll.
Days later, a man found the doll and gave it to a toy shop. That doll was Sonnet. She sat on a shelf for years, watching life go by—until one day, her parents and a little girl entered the shop. The girl, her sister Nova, pointed to Sonnet, and soon she was taken home.
Nova and Sonnet became best friends. One day, Nova dropped Sonnet into a spring near the woods. Suddenly, Sonnet turned back into a human. Their mother, watching from nearby, rushed over and hugged her tightly.
Sonnet grew up and had a family of her own. Lilith was eventually arrested, and all the dolls were turned back into children.