Pt. 01:
When I'd returned from work, entering my apartment complex, there had been a large package, which I must emphasize the ungodly size thereof, waiting. I had to lean over it to check my mail. In my peripheral, I read my own name on the box, which confused me, as I wasn't expecting any deliveries. On all sides, the word 'fragile' was stamped in bold letters, something hard to miss. Because of such, I carefully carried it up the few flights of steps to my flat, nearly throwing out my back in the process.
As soon as I slid the cardboard container into my apartment, I locked the door behind me and took a breather on the couch. Pulling at my collar, I was drenched in sweat. Whatever was in that thing, it was nearly the end of me. Why was it so heavy? The fact its contents were to be treated delicately, I had been especially nervous handling it, afraid of dropping it down the stairs or banging it around.
After I'd caught my breath, though my arms and lower back somewhat aching still yet, I retrieved a knife from the kitchen and decided to tear into the thing, except with caution not to potentially damage anything inside. Immediately after having cut through the transparent tape, pulling open the lid, I closed it back up. Blinking, I had trouble believing what I'd just seen. As a sort of double take, I reopened the package a few more times, but only slightly, as I was afraid to let the overhead light fully illumine what was to be found. Almost shaking, I removed a piece of paper that'd been stuck to one of the flaps, hoping it'd offer some explanation.
"Congratulations!" it read. "You've been randomly selected for our mailing list. Aren't you lucky? Well, you definitely are. By the time you read this, you will probably already have noticed what our special service provides. To participate, you must know a few rules. 1. You are permitted to do whatever you want, just don't 'damage the goods'. 2. You can't tell anyone about our services (especially law enforcement). 3. You have only twenty-four hours to enjoy the contents of each delivery. The following day, you must return to sender. If you don't, you're off the mailing list. Oh, and we break your fucking legs, and also probably your face. If you use our goods and services, it will be assumed that you agree to these terms, and you will be held to your agreement accordingly. If you, for any reason, wish to be removed from our mailing list, simply leave a note inside saying so, and you'll never hear from us again. Thanks and enjoy, XOXO, hugs and kisses, mwah."
All I could think was that this couldn't be real. Though I was sure I wasn't asleep, that this was not some sort of lucid or vivid dream, I questioned the legitimacy of what laid inside the container in the fetal position. Its chest heaved with breath, it had hair, flesh, and all other lifelike qualities, of which were disturbingly convincing. If it was a doll, why did it rhythmically move, as if breathing? Perhaps it could be battery powered, but that made little sense. And as I reached into the open box, feeling its skin, it was warm and alive. I couldn't delude myself into thinking otherwise, it was a real girl.
There'd been a second page to that letter, so I decided to read it, anxious and trembling, my pulse racing.
"Race: Caucasian. Hair: blonde. Eyes: brown. Height: 5'4. Bust: C."
That offered no help. In fact, it made me feel even worse. And I nearly had a heart attack, since my gaze fell upon the girl after I was finished reading, only to see her eyes staring back up at me. Panicked, I shut the flaps, unsure of what to do. My first instinct was to let her out, to go to the police, but obviously whoever had sent her to me had my address. I really, really didn't want to have my legs broken, either.
To my surprise, she didn't resist as I expected her to. She'd been as if sleeping peacefully before, but now that she'd awoken, I anticipated screaming. It was disturbingly silent. When a few moments passed, I hesitantly peeked back into the package. She was still there, of course, unmoving apart from her piercing eyes, and saying nothing. I left the lid agape, worried she'd been without oxygen whilst trapped in there.
And holy shit was I glad I'd been so cautious in handling the box. You know, since it had a person in it!
Morally, I knew it would be wrong to partake in what this 'service' provided. Yet there she was, lying naked. Her hand slowly crawled up the side of the cardboard and touched mine. The only thing I could do was just stare down at it. My heartbeat was prominent in my chest, as I knew a doll, no matter how realistic they make them these days, could not make such a human and sentient gesture.
But there was in me, at that moment, an ethical dilemma. As far as I could see, it must somehow be consensual. Although she was rather expressionless, she was caressing my hand, not yelling for help or leaping out to escape. Even so, I couldn't do it. I was afraid, despite the temptation being so vehement.
"Hello...?" I choked out, almost as a cough.
There was no response, her look vacant.
"Are you okay? Don't you want out?"