This story was selected as the winner our Scary Story Contest for our Oct. 4 , 2024 Spooky Issue.
This short story was written by Story Baughfman, a 9-year-old at Los Cerritos Elementary School.
The Giggle in the Dark
One night Regina was in bed reading a story to her little friend Molly the Dolly. The story was titled “The Killer Doll.” When the story was over Regina said to Molly, “You would never hurt anybody, would you?”
Of course, the doll didn’t answer. She just stared at Regina with brown eyes. Then Regina braided Molly’s blonde hair before she went to sleep. “I love your vintage dress,” said Regina.
Next Regina’s little brother Mark came in without asking. Mark asked, “Why is that doll so ugly?”
Regina said, “No she’s not!”
Mark had scissors and he said, “I can make her look prettier.”
Before Regina could scream, their mom came in and said, “It’s time for bed. Mark, go to your room. Say good night to your sister.”
“Good night Regina, and good night Molly. I’ll make you pretty tomorrow.”
Mark left and Mom said, “Good night Regina, good night Molly.” Mom turned off the lights.
Regina put Molly in her dollhouse and told her friend good night, then returned to her bed.
Regina closed her eyes and was about to fall asleep. But she heard a noise. It was giggling.
Regina looked around the room, but it was pitch black. All she could see were a couple of stuffed animals. And her doll in her little house.
Regina closed her eyes again and two seconds later she heard the giggle again.
“Who is that?” Regina asked. Nobody answered.
Regina was getting scared. She left her bed and went into the hallway. She entered Mom’s room and saw Mom was already snoring. She tried to wake up her mom, but Mom kept sleeping because she must have been extra extra tired after so much work that day.
The giggling started again from Regina’s bedroom. But the giggles turned into screams.
Regina ran into her room and saw something awful after she turned on the lights.
Mark was dead on the floor with the scissors in his back. Next to him was the doll and she had a smile on her face.
Molly said to Regina, “Your brother sneaked in here giggling, trying to cut off my hair. But I made him pretty instead.”
