Chapter 4: Eyes on you

The air felt heavier here. The grass was stiffer. Even the jingle overhead seemed to fade.

You reached the door.

It was glossy red, with a brass knob shaped like a heart. You tried it.

Locked.

You leaned in, peering through the curtain’s edge—but saw only darkness.

Then—

A voice.

Soft. Sweet. Close.

“Neighbour~”It purred, “I just can't seem to get my eyes off you

You froze.

The voice came from behind.

You froze.

The voice behind you was soft, syrupy, and far too close.

 “Oh, neighbor… what a surprise,” it purred.  

“I noticed you were talking to your little friend over there. What were you chitchatting about? Hmmm? Who are they?”

Your heart is pounding. The street was still empty. No one in sight.

You tried to laugh it off. “Crush,” you said, half-joking. “Just a crush.”

The voice paused.

 “A CRUSH?” it echoed, tone sharpening.  

 “Unfortunately, neighbor… let me get one thing CLEARwith you.”

Suddenly, hands gripped your shoulders.

You were slammed against the wall of the star-marked house—hard enough to rattle the shutters. The figure leaned in, face obscured by shadows, but the scent of bubblegum and static filled the air.

“You are MINE,” the voice hissed.  

“Your attention is supposed to be toward ME. You are supposed to be talking to ME. You will look DIRECTLY at me. And only me. No one else.”

You struggled, breath catching. “Who are you? Why are you being so jealous? I don’t even know you!”

The figure’s grip tightened.

“I’m the JEALOUS ONE, huh?”  

 “Let me show you… JEALOUSLY.”

The sky above flickered. The jingle warped. The house behind them pulsed once, like a heartbeat.

CRACK.

Pain exploded across the side of your head. A flash of white. A ringing in your ears. The world tilted sideways.

You collapsed.

Your eyes snapped open.

The sky above was soft gray, like a stage light dimmed to half. The ground beneath them was velvet—literally. A picnic blanket, plush and red, stretched out beneath their body like a misplaced prop.

You weren’t in front of the Star House anymore.

Instead, you were surrounded.

Five strangers stood in a loose circle, each dressed like they’d stepped out of a storybook and into a fever dream.

Closest was Mrs. Bell, her gloved hands folded neatly in her lap, smile gentle, eyes glassy. You recognized her instantly.

But the others…

To her left, a tall man with floppy stitched ears and a twitchy posture—Mr. Bunny. His hoodie was patched with carrots and his fingers fidgeted like he was trying not to bolt.

Next to him, a woman in a heart-patterned apron—Mrs. Love—hummed softly, her eyes darting between you and the horizon.

Mr. Lollipop leaned on a candy-striped cane, his suit too bright, his grin too wide.

And finally, Mr. Sunny, dressed in sunflower yellow, radiated warmth that felt just a little too forced.

You sat up slowly, head pounding like a drum in a closed theater. Your hands instinctively reached up—and winced. A sharp ache bloomed across the side of your skull.

There was a bruise. A fresh one.

 “Mrs. Bell… I know you. But who are the rest of you?”

They answered in chorus, like rehearsed lines from a play:

 “I’m Mr. Bunny.”  

 “Mrs. Love, dear.”  

 “Mr. Lollipop, at your service!”  

 “Mr. Sunny, sunshine and smiles!”

You blinked, trying to piece together the last memory—red curtains, a voice, a grin, and then—

End of chapter 4.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***