Haunted States of America: Curse of the Dead-Eyed Doll
weird-looking doll there It’s supposed to be haunted or cursed Cursed Yeah Marco replied They make a pretty big deal about it I bet it’s the only reason people go there That’s absurd their dad said waving his hand at Marco Complete nonsense Al couldn’t help but smile He liked seeing his dad get worked up You don’t believe in that stuff Dad Al asked Ghosts and haunted toys That’s for the movies he responded finishing his toast The idiots who believe in that stuff are as empty-headed as those dolls Al couldn’t agree more There were tons of TV shows about people running around in the dark looking for ghosts Those shows seemed totally fake to him yet they were pretty popular among his friends at school Guess they’re idiots too Al thought According to my dad at least Like I said Marco replied They’ve got a little bit of everything After stealing one more handful of cereal from the box still sitting on the table Al grabbed his backpack and skateboard HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA
Have a good time at the doll museum Dad said waving Al over for a hug Al let his dad wrap his arms around him and clap him on the back Thanks Dad he said his voice muffled by the hug And as soon as you get home tonight History paper Al said I know I know A little before 9 30 a m a school bus packed with sixty eighth-graders pulled into the parking lot of the Fort East Martello Museum Al studied the brick building as the bus slowed down in front of it Next to him Al’s friend Selma peered over his shoulder Al’s family had passed the fort countless times driving driving on Highway A1A but he’d never paid much attention to it There was an old bell in front of the building along with a giant black boat anchor that was partially buried buried in the rocks Next to the sidewalk leading into the museum was a flagpole with an American flag hoisted to the top A sign to the right of the building announced what the eighth-grade students of Gulf View Middle School could expect inside CURSE OF THE DEAD-EYED DOLL
FORT EAST MARTELLO MUSEUM CIVIL WAR ERA FORT LEARN ABOUT Key West Industries Robert the Doll Local Folk Art Citadel Tower Military History Museum Store Wow Al said The doll got second billing The doll Selma asked What are you talking about He pointed at the sign Marco said there’s a doll in there that’s supposed to be super creepy and haunted Al said But really how scary can a doll named Robert be Selma shivered a bit Dolls creep me out she admitted admitted I never even had any growing up My parents said I would cry anytime my sisters played with them Sure dolls can be creepy Al said But Robert Kind of a dumb name for a doll if you ask me Once the bus stopped Mrs Crowley stood up and HAUNTED STATES OF AMERICA
announced the plan for the day First they would go on a tour of the museum and learn about the Civil War relics From there they’d break for lunch and then get an hour or so to explore the museum on their own The bus doors opened and the students spilled out They followed Mrs Crowley to the front door where their tour guide a middle-aged man named Corey introduced himself As the students waited to go inside Al looked at a poster beside the door Check it out he whispered to Selma Oh no Selma said with a gasp She immediately looked away from the poster Nope No thanks The mounted frame beside them displayed a black poster with a faded picture of a doll Above the doll’s head in thin shaky letters were the words ROBERT DID IT What’d he do Al wondered Get people to believe he’s haunted Beside him Selma was still turned away from the poster What you don’t want to see the most haunted doll in the world Al asked Or at least in Key West Florida Stop it Selma said giving him a playful shove Al listened to his classmates growing excitement CURSE OF THE DEAD-EYED DOLL
