The Nightmares

NIGHTMARE TWO

(continued)

I heard a crackling noise, like static, until I heard, "My name's Rainbow Dash, and you...you're in horrible danger."

At this, I felt my heart pound even harder. Not only was I talking with a pony, no matter it was in my dreams, it wasn't trying to brutally murder me. Today was like a nightmare, and a dream. Was it good or bad that I met her? Good, I suppose. But if this is what I had to do just to barely talk to her...God knows what I'll have to do just to meet them in their real form.

My train of thought was broken by the slightly crackly voice, "Listen to me...you...trust...Pinkie..." It was as if I was hearing only a third of what the Rainbow doll was saying, making me frown slightly.

She, or it, made another crackling noise before saying, in a clearer voice, "Hey. Hey! Listen, come on...seriously, your life is....danger!" The voice was a lot louder, so I simply held it up slightly as I picked my flashlight up again, walking around some more in the dead silence.

"Come on, say something. I...talk!" I finally cleared my throat, my voice slightly raspy from screaming and crying, "...What's going on here?"

The doll seemed to wait a moment in consideration before saying, "I'm not entirely sure, just...listen to me...Pinkie is...death...run...don't..." The voice seemed to fade slightly, before another crackle. It sounded like she was struggling to talk to me.

"Augh! I can't talk for too long...it's hard to...remain here. Just be careful...I will...be here for..." She was cut short, but I understood it enough. I started walking around, almost waiting to wake up.

After a few minutes, a window seemed to crack, and I looked over, my past fear starting to rear it's ugly head again. The doll in my hands started talking again, "Don't...be...afraid. It's...just be brave..." I could tell that she was frustrated, trying to talk to me but failing; like a bad phone connection.

The doors to the building seemed to fly open with a loud bang, metal against concrete. I jumped slightly, my heart stopping for a moment. After I realized nothing was there, I sighed in relief.

I continued waiting around for myself to wake up, before I realized how dark it had gotten. The world around me was consumed in shadows, as if trying to swallow me up as well. I shivered in fear, walking down the walkway's stairs and sitting near a wall.

The doll in my hands kept trying to communicate, but I could barely hear any of it's ramblings. What an ornate nightmare. I thought, still waiting.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sound; the sound was small and almost insignificant.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I looked around at the windows, looking for the creature, however, my heart kept pounding. I gulped, standing up, holding the doll close to my chest.

I took a step forward, before noticing that the walls around me were stretching and morphing before my eyes. Blood started to appear on the wall, showing the sinister side of the dream.

Ta-ta-ta-tap.

The doll started speaking again, "Wait! Don't...fear...her..." The speaking seemed to grow more labored as I started hyperventilating slightly. Dream or not, it was still terrifying. The tapping noise got closer with each passing heartbeat, showing how helpless I really am.

As soon as I almost decided to head out, I saw the piercing eyes in the black hallway, blood leaking out from her hooves and moving on the walls like a living snake.

"I just want to play."

Before I even considered what was going to happen, I ran as fast as I could out the door. The grass below my feet was slightly wet, making me slip a bit before regaining my balance and I continued sprinting. The doll's words fell on my deaf ears as I continued to sprint from the adrenaline in my system.

Suddenly, I found myself flat on my face, a small amount of blood seeping from my chin which had hit a tree root. It stung as if I was awake, which perplexed me greatly. The doll started talking as if trying to run away itself, speed in its words, "Get up...she...run...!!"

I slowly stood, coughing a bit. Did I hurt my chest? Looking down, I see that my chest is slightly bruised. At least, in the dream. Quickly, I started running once more.

The trees I flew by seemed familiar after the fourth round about, so taking a moment to look, I saw that the trees were repeating. It was no surprise I didn't notice, considering the fog of black surrounding this imaginary forest. I then remembered how tired I was in the moment of clarity, kneeling slightly and breathing deep gulps of air. My lungs felt pained and I coughed every so often.

Finally, I stood again, looking to the doll. It was silent.

I heard the crunch of grass behind me and looked hesitantly, fearing the worst. Yet, there was nothing but the cold air. Then, I realized that I had calmed myself down significantly. I made a few mental connections as the forest seemed to become less dim and gruesome.

A familiar sound came from the doll before it spoke once more, "...Good, she's gone...for...now. You must...calm...bed." I then, fed up with it's fragmented answers, lifted it up, shaking it slightly, "What do you mean god damn it!?"

A moment of silence passed before it replied with a challenging, "I'm trying my...best! What do you...want...me?!" In a burst of anger, I threw the doll onto the dreaded ground and ran my hands through my hair, "I just want this to be over with!"

There was nothing but silence from the doll, who just waited. I sighed shakily, then bent down and picked it up slowly, trying to calm myself, "...I'm sorry..."

It still remained silent, and I thoughtfully held it between my hands before walking forwards, "...Yeah, I would be angry at myself too." We, or I, continued to walk away.

The silence rang in my ears, almost threatening. However, I was too deep in my own self loathing to do much at the moment. The grass crunched slightly under my feet as I walked past more of the copied trees. The silence, in a way, let me think about how fast I really snapped at the dream doll.

It seemed a little too fast. I, however, ignored this and kept walking, hoping to find something. Anything, considering the fear was now almost just a simmering pot below everything else.

Then, there was a voice. Clearer than before, "...Please, don't be so sad." I wiped a few tears away, looking at it while hiding my emotions, "...Huh? I'm not sad." It's button eyes kept staring into mine; before replying, "I can see it in your eyes. Please..."

The doll seemed to be a lot more thoughtful right about now, and I sat down on the bark of a tree, sighing, "...Just...what do I have to do?" My small tears brimmed on my eyes, ready to fall. It then replied, "...You just need to find your home."

Slightly perplexed, I asked, "But...that's where she found me, it...it would be suicide." My words rang out into the silence before they were contradicted by the doll's, "That's what she wants you to think. I don't know how I can help you more, just...start going."

I nodded once more, pulling the doll to my chest tightly.

I kept walking, feeling my spirits raise some. It seemed that the less scared I was, the less dense the forest was. Eventually, the last trees faded and I saw a sidewalk. I started walking down it as the scenery switched to my neighborhood. Worries seemed to melt away as I sighed, smiling at the doll, "...Whatever you are, regardless of being a dream, thanks..."

It didn't respond.

Suddenly, blood splattered on the street. I looked back and saw Zalgo Pinkie behind me, the corpse of some random person in her hooves. I almost screamed, but I turned and ran as fast as I could. The street way seemed to stretch about half as fast as I ran, taking twice as long.

The monster had gone, and instead a giant, all consuming shadow was following me. It roared with anger as I ran to my home, having to break into my own house. Quickly, I pushed open my room door, behind it being bodies.

And also me. On the bed lay my sleeping form.

Thinking little of it, and the shadow quickly tearing the walls apart, I dived at my own form and braced myself for the black oblivion.

But none came.

I shot up, a cold sweat on my body. My mother was standing next to my bed, yet again, expecting me to wake, "Finally, it took you almost as much time as yesterday to wake up."

I nodded, slightly irritated, "Yeah, I'm sorry I didn't get up exactly when you liked, mother." The words were laced with a layer of venom, and I instantly regretted it.

"I...sorry mom. Bad night." She nodded, smiling, "I understand dear, I have bad dreams too. I'm heading off to work, see you later."

I nodded slowly, before laying back. What had happened? Why had this happened to me? Suddenly, I felt my chest heave slightly. Looking down to my chest, I saw a big bruise on my chest. Exactly where it was in the dream. Fear seeped into my thoughts, invading my hopes.

Could I die in these dreams? I dismissed the thoughts and got on my computer, going about my day as slowly as I could.

After some time, I collected myself and went into the shower. As I turned the water on, I heard it once more.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It was so quiet, but it, again, made me almost scream in anger and whimper in fear. I walked over to the door, and threw it open, pulling my arms up to a defensive position. Nothing. I then closed it and opened the shower curtain, revealing nothing.

And the tapping was gone.

After I washed up and dried off, I closed my bedroom door and laid back in my chair. The TV had been on apparently all night, and I looked up. A news story from a day or so ago was playing.

"...And still, the police have found no evidence about the murder on 42nd Street. Nick Franklin, an apartment owner in the city of Detroit was murdered days ago. Police have discovered this at the scene. Younger and sensitive viewers are advised to look away at this point."

Suddenly, the newscast turned to a picture. A picture that made my heart stop. A picture that would normally be terrifying, but now brought absolute horror. A picture that would, this day, turn my life upside down.

Written in Nick's apartment, on his wall, in blood.

'SMILE'

END NIGHTMARE TWO