The factory was never this quiet during the day.

Usually, the life-sized doll factory was filled with the hum of machinery, the clatter of conveyor belts, and workers moving between stations. But tonight, the building felt almost abandoned.

Almost.

You were the only employee still working the night shift.

Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as you made your way along the production floor, checking the unfinished dolls before they were sent to the next station. Most of them were nothing more than blank, human-sized forms covered in soft fabric, waiting for their faces, hair, clothes, and personalities to be added later.

You stopped beside one of the conveyor belts.

One of the blanket-doll bases had shifted slightly out of position.

"Seriously?" you muttered.

You leaned over the belt and grabbed the edge of the doll, trying to straighten it.

It wouldn't budge.

You pulled harder.

The fabric suddenly gave way.

"Whoa—!"

Your foot slipped.

You tumbled forward, landing awkwardly on the moving conveyor belt.

The machinery immediately carried you along with it.

"Wait—WAIT!"

You scrambled to get your footing, but the belt kept moving beneath you. The unfinished dolls surrounding you rolled and shifted as you were carried deeper into the factory.