//------------------------------// // Chapter II: Time to Play // Story: Cozy Glow Meets the Boogeymare // by PanHead 537 //------------------------------// Cozy Glow stirred. Yawning loudly, she stretched out her legs and rubbed her eyes. "Oh, great," she grumbled sleepily, slowly sitting up. "It's morning already. REALLY looking forward to going to Tar- huh?" Her eyes shot open immediately. Instead of a dirty dungeon cell, what met her eyes was a foal's bedroom. She rubbed them once more to refresh her vision. Nothing changed. She blinked rapidly. Still, the bedroom remained the same. Looking down, she noticed she was in a proper bed, not a cell bunk. Taking inventory of the rest of the room, she saw a dresser, atop which was a nightlight shaped like a star and a cassette tape radio. A row of cubbyholes lined the right wall with toys placed neatly in each one, and a little bedside table sat to the left of the bed with a lamp sitting on it. At the back of the room was a closet, its doors completely closed. The bedroom door stood off to one side, a light from the hallway shining through. Next to the bed, a window ever so slightly cracked open revealed the outside world: pitch black save for a few lights from neighboring houses. About 30 feet from the window was a streetlamp, its light glowing softly. On the opposite side of the bed sat an air vent, a low, quiet whistle emitting from the grates. "Where am I?" Cozy said quietly to herself. "What's happening?" A bit scared, she pulled the blanket closer to her. Looking toward the cubbyholes, she noticed a clock hanging on the bare spot on the wall above the vent. "It's not even midnight yet? W- what the heck is going on h- here? Did I really not sleep very-" *CLICK* Cozy froze. She slowly turned to look at the dresser. It looked the same, but something was wrong. A tiny green light on the radio was slowly blinking. Trembling, she pulled the blanket even closer. What's going on here? she thought. Radios don't turn on by themselves. *CLICK* This time, she could hear the cassette motors slowly turning. The tape began to play. "If- if anypony h- hears this tape, Celestia forbid you- you stay h- here," came the voice of a filly, her voice trembling severely. "I- I- I have to make this quick. She's probably watching me, and you as well if you're unfortunate e- enough to b- be playing this tape at night. Every time I tell somepony that- that the Boogeymare is real, they laugh at me and say I'm j- just a scaredy filly. *sniff* And- and- and if you try to tell somepony, t- they won't believe you, either. And if you don't behave, she'll get you. There's a flashlight in the drawer of the nightstand. That's... all she's afraid of. Also, stay as quiet as possible. This- this won't stop her from finding you, but it helps you know when... she's nearby. I've- I've seen her try to get in from the window, the air vent, the bedroom door, the closet, and most often, f- from underneath the bed. Again, stay quiet. You'll hear her moving. But, she's very s- smart. She will not come from the same place twice in a row and- and may try t- to move quieter each time she tries to- to get in." *SCRAAAAAAATCH!* "Oh no. No no no! She's coming! O- one last thing. The- the flashlight batteries will run out v- v- very quickly, so- so use it wisely. If- if it dies completely, there's a box full of spares under the bed. I- I don't remember how much ch- charge each color battery g- g- gives. I- I think r- red ones give the least amount of charge, green ones give a bit more, and blue ones give a ton. But, if you have to- to look under there, she- she might be there. Again, if you hear her, flash the light at her and she'll go away. And- and- and don't try to l- leave the room. She'll follow you no matter what. Just don't let her-" You've been veeeeeeeeerrrrrry naughty. "No! No! NO!!! NO!!! LET GO OF ME!!! PLEASE!!! DON'T KILL ME, PLEASE!!! SOMEPONY, HELP!!! NO!!! NO!!! NO!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH-!!!!!!" *static* *CLICK* The tape ended and the green light went dark. Cozy Glow felt a massive chill down her spine. She slowly reached over and slid the top drawer on the nightstand open. Sure enough, her eyes met a flashlight. She quickly picked it up and flicked the switch. Good. It works. she thought. She quickly slipped her head down to look under the bed. She noticed a large cardboard box labeled "Batteries." *CREEEEEEEEAAAAAAAK!* Cozy shot back up. What met her eyes was the silhouette of a thin, elongated hoof pushing open the bedroom door slowly. Soon after, she saw a head peeking into the room. Quickly turning on the light, she saw the hideous face of the Boogeymare: razor sharp teeth, lifeless white eyes, and a horrendous smile. Upon seeing the flashlight, it hissed, quickly closing the door as it retreated. Cozy froze with fear. That crazy unicorn was right! She is real! she thought. She looked back at the clock. It read 12:08. "Sh- she said the Boogeymare would... go away... by morning." Cozy whispered to herself. "Dear Celestia, help me." She scanned her surroundings again. Looking back at the dresser, she saw something else in front of the radio. It looked like a battery, but it had five green lights on it. She noticed that the top light was slightly dimmer than the others. *SCRAAAAAAAATCH!* She whipped around to the right to find the vent cover being pushed open, a clawed hoof reaching through. She quickly turned on the flashlight. Once again, the creature hissed and retreated, closing the vent cover behind it. Glancing back at the battery-shaped object on the dresser, the top light was almost completely out. If that's a meter, is that how much power I have in this flashlight? Cozy thought. These batteries are terrible. *THUD! THUD!* Cozy jumped. She looked towards the cubbyholes. A yellow ball had fallen out of one and onto the floor. She narrowed her eyes at it. Stupid ball. You scared the cutie mark out of me. *CREEEAK!* Quickly turning on the flashlight, she saw the Boogeymare slowly creeping out of the bedroom closet. She directed the light right into the creature's eyes. *HISS!* The Boogeymare once again retreated back into the closet, closing the door behind itself. Cozy narrowed her eyes again. "Okay. Now I'm getting mad," she whispered. "How much longer do I have to keep this up?" She checked the clock again. 12:30. She glanced at the meter on the dresser. The top and second lights were completely out. The third was half lit, half not. I think I can hold out for a while longer. she thought. You can do this, Cozy. You can do this. *CREEEE-EEEEE-EAAAAA-AAAAK!* This time, the sound came from the window. Again, the hideous face of the Boogeymare met her eyes. Cozy turned on the flashlight, once again, directing it into the eyes of her pursuer. *HISS!* *BANG!* "For Celestia's sake!" she yelled. "Can't you take a hint?!" Checking the battery meter again, the top four lights were completely out. The bottom light was lit, but it was almost out. Scanning her surroundings one last time, she leaned over- *SCRATCH!* She whipped to the right. A clawed hoof was slowly crawling up the bed. What Cozy heard next almost made her fall off the bed. I'm huuuunnnnngryyyyyyy... Cozy shoved the flashlight down the side of the bed as fast as she could, almost grazing the creature's arm. Just in time. *HISS!* Sweet Celestia, that was WAY too close! Cozy thought. She checked the clock. 1:00. She flicked the flashlight switch. Nothing. She tried again. Again, nothing. She tried yet again. Still nothing. Glancing up at the meter, all five lights were completely out. Oh no. she thought. I need a battery. She quickly looked under the bed. Staring at the cardboard box, she noticed there was a hole in the bottom. She reached her hoof down but couldn't reach the bottom. "Come on! I need a battery NOW!" She reached up and began tapping the top of the box with her hoof, hoping that something would come out. Nothing. Getting increasingly frustrated, she gave the box a hard hit. This time, a green battery fell out of the hole in the box and rolled towards her. She quickly grabbed it and sat up on the bed again. Inserting the battery into the flashlight, she noticed the bottom two lights on the battery meter had come back on. *SCRAAAAAAAAAAATCH!* "No no no no no!" She quickly turned the flashlight on and shined it at the vent. *HISS!* Seriously? she scolded herself in thought. Don't lose focus! Yet again, she checked the clock. 1:10. Suddenly, a little chime began to play softly. Cozy shot her gaze to the cubbyholes and noticed a Jack-in-the-Box sitting on the floor in front of them. The little crank on the side was slowly turning as though someone was touching it. Finally, the little clown popped out of the top of the box as the chimes of the soft tune faded away. She shuddered. That was unpleasant. she thought. *CREEEEEEAAAAAAK!* The bedroom door began to open again. Cozy turned the flashlight on again, but nothing happened. She quickly tried it again. Still nothing. The bottom two lights on the meter were still on. What?! I just used it! Why isn't it working?! she thought. Looking up again, the bedroom door was completely open. However, the Boogeymare was nowhere to be seen. Cozy began shaking the flashlight as hard as she could. "Come on! Work!" she yelled. Checking the door again, she once again saw the white, lifeless eyes of the Boogeymare, who was now creeping slowly into the room, staring right at her. Cozy tried the light yet again. Still nothing! No! No! No no no no no no! Don't do this to me! Work, please! She was on the brink of tears. I'm ssssssssssssssssoooooooooooo huuuuuuunnnnnnngrrrrrryyyyyyy... growled the Boogeymare, nearing closer to the bed. Cozy smacked the flashlight one more time. This time, the light erupted out like a beam of sunlight into the eyes of the creature. *HISS!* The Boogeymare shielded her eyes and bolted out of the room, faster than ever. Cozy quickly rubbed her eyes. "What do you want with me?" she cried. "Just leave me alone!" Closing her eyes, she began to take a few deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. "Calm down, Cozy Glow. Just calm down. She'll be gone by sunrise," she whispered. "Just stay focused." She glanced at the clock again. 1:29. She checked the meter on the dresser. Only the bottom light remained. "Okay. Gotta be careful. The battery's almost dead," Cozy said quietly. "I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. I can-" *BZZZZZZZZZZZT!* *CLICK* Cozy Glow jumped. She glanced at the nightstand, only to find that the little lamp had turned off. She reached over and pressed the button on the bottom. Nothing. She pressed it rapidly. The light still would not come back on. She angrily pounded a hoof into the pillow. Great. Now I'm down one light. she thought. But, how did it go out? I didn't even touch it. *SCRATCH! SCRATCH! SCRAAAAAAAAAATCH!* She froze. Slowly turning around, she saw the Boogeymare clinging to the wall above the bed, scratching it relentlessly. Peering down, her eyes fell upon the pink filly. I'm hungry for yooooooouuuuuuu... she growled. Cozy shined the light right in the creature's eyes again. Aah! Keep that away from me! she bellowed, leaping off the wall and running out the bedroom door. Cozy checked the battery meter. It was out. She quickly checked the clock. Since the bedside lamp was out, she could barely make out the time. 1:59. Time for another battery. she thought, ducking under the bed. I didn't even hear the door creaking that time! Reaching her hoof down, she hit the cardboard box a few times. Nothing came out. She gave it a good whack. A blue battery rolled out of the hole in the box. Quickly sitting up and inserting the battery into the flashlight, she noticed that all the lights on the meter were lit up again. This oughta keep that monster at bay. Cozy thought. Out of curiosity, she shined the light on the wall behind her where the Boogeymare had been. She had carved something into the wall. "You are next." it read. She shuddered again. "How far gone was this mare when she was alive?" she asked, even though she knew no one would answer her. I'm coming for you... Once again, the creature was slowly reaching up from the side of the bed. Cozy bent over the side and thrust the flashlight right into the Boogeymare's face. "Take that, you ugly freak!" she yelled. *HISS!* Cozy sat back up again and checked the clock. 2:17. She smiled triumphantly. "Only a few more hours until sunrise," she said. "I've got this in the bag." *CLICK* She looked up. The nightlight on the dresser had gone dark. She face-hoofed. "Why me?" *CREEEE-EEEEE-EAAAAA-AAAAK!* The sound came from the window again. Cozy readied her flashlight. She quickly checked the meter. The top light was much dimmer than the rest. Come on, you ugly piece of garbage. she thought, smirking. Take your best shot. You can't win, you little brat! "Oh yeah? Eat this!" Cozy yelled, turning the light on. Nothing happened. "No, come on! Work!" she shouted, shaking the flashlight as hard as she could. Ha ha ha! I always claim my prey! the Boogeymare growled, crawling through the open window, only to get blinded yet again by Cozy's flashlight. *HISS!* *BANG!* "You're just like Princess Twilight: a pathetic weakling." said Cozy, smirking with triumph. She checked the clock again. 2:40. She grinned widely. "Twilight's friends and her students may have bested me, but you won't!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, not expecting a reply. Checking the meter again, she saw that the top light was out and the second was barely on. She then looked back at the window, then, narrowing her eyes, slowly turned to the other side, checking every possible entrance carefully. Nothing. *THUD!* Cozy nearly fell off the bed. Checking the cubbyholes, she noticed that a little toy train had fallen onto the floor, landing next to the yellow ball. She face-hoofed again. Who keeps knocking everything off these stupid shelves? she thought. *CLICK* "Lucky me," she growled. "The light in the hallway is out. I can barely see ANYTHING NOW!!" *CREEEEEEEAAAAAAK! Oh no. The closet! Turning the light on, her eyes once again fell upon the face of her pursuer, who was right in front of the bed. *HISS!* Yet again, the Boogeymare darted back towards the closet, slamming the door behind her louder than ever. Cozy glanced at the clock. 3:11. She checked the battery meter. Only the bottom light was fully lit. She smiled. "Yes. Just a few more hours until sunrise," she said. "You hear that, Boogeymare?! I'm gonna make it to sunrise! You're nothing!" Oh, am I? Cozy whipped around. The Boogeymare was standing right next to the bed, her razor-sharp teeth peering through her twisted smile, once again only to be blinded by the flashlight. Hissing loudly, she ducked back under the bed. Cozy smirked again. "Yes," she said in a mocking tone. "You are." She checked the meter. The bottom light was almost out. She checked the clock. 3:20. "I'm gonna take a risk," she said. "Time for another battery." Slowly looking under the bed, she reached down and tapped the cardboard box. Nothing came out. She hit it a little harder. Still nothing. She narrowed her eyes. Really getting ticked off right now. she thought. She gave the box the hardest whack she could muster. Finally, a red battery rolled out of the little hole. She picked it up and put it into the flashlight. Checking the meter again, the bottom light and a tiny bit of the light above it had come back on. "That barely did anything," she grumbled. "But I think I can manage for now." *BZZZZZZZZZZT!* Cozy darted her gaze towards the window. The streetlamp was out. She slammed her hooves into the bed in frustration. "Perfect. Just perfect," she growled. "Now I can't see ANYTHING!!!" She clicked the flashlight on quickly to check the clock. 3:30. Quickly turning the light off, she checked the meter. The bottom light was half on, half off. She shivered. Come on. Why can't time move faster? she thought. *SCRAAAAAATCH!* "Oh no, you don't!" Cozy shouted, shoving the flashlight down the side of the bed, jamming it up against the Boogeymare's face. *HISS!* "Told you. You have nothing on me," Cozy said, grinning from ear to ear. She looked back at the battery meter. Once again, all five lights were out. She checked the clock, barely able to make out the time in the darkness of the room. 3:35. "Okay. Time to get yet another battery," she said, slowly shifting to check under the bed. But just as she was about to lean over the side, she felt something grab hold of her leg. Freezing stiff, she slowly turned to look behind her. And what met her gaze was a horrifying sight. Peek-a-boooooooo... groaned the Boogeymare. She yanked hard on Cozy's leg, throwing her onto the floor, and sending her flashlight across the room. Slowly, she walked over to the pink filly, towering over her. Well, well, well. she hissed. It seems you've hit a little ssssssssssssnag. "W- w- what do- do you w- want with m- m- m- me?" Cozy uttered, shivering in terror. What do I... waaaaaaaaannnnnt? the Boogeymare growled, inching her face closer to the little filly. Why, you're my dinner, little brat. Thrusting her head down, she bit down hard on Cozy's wing, slowly dragging her under the bed. "No! NO!!! NO!!! LET ME GO!!!" she screamed, flailing her legs helplessly. "HELP!!! SOMEPONY!!! HELP!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"