Author's Note: For those of you who are sticking with my story, I want to say thanks. It's still far from being over, but, since I've already got it all typed, I won't take long between updates. What are your thoughts on it so far? Don't be afraid to tell me in a comment or a personal message. Also, with me going back and correcting mistakes, if I happen to oversee something, please tell me in a comment or message and I'll try to go back and fix it. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic or The Number 23, the cool movie this story is based on.
THE NUMBER 22
Chapter 4
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I thought I was free from the curse,....free from the horror,....but, unknown to me at the time,...I wasn't. In fact, the terror was just beginning....Even though I had decided there was nothing to worry about anymore, I decided to still go to the bookstore and find out who wrote the book.
"Why, Twilight Sparkle! I ain't seen you in weeks! Where ya been, girl? Usually, you're the first one in when the new issue of Magic Monthly comes in."
"Oh, I've been....busy. But, don't worry. I'm still your number one customer, Mr. Bookworm. Speaking of which, my friend, Rarity, bought me a book for my birthday just the other day. I was wondering if you could look it up on your computer and find out some information on the author."
"Well, sure thing! Let me just get the old machine started."
Old Mr. Bookworm didn't know a whole lot about computers, being raised in the early 50's and all. It took him about 7 minutes to get it turned on and about another 10 to find the book-searching site. How he's managed to keep one in his shop for this long is beyond me.
"Okay, Ms. Twilight. If you'll tell me the name of the author, I'll type 'er in and see what comes up."
I never did hear Mr. Bookworm the first time. I was too busy staring at his clock. I noticed that his clock read 2:22.
"Twilight....Hello?....Twilight?"
".....Um, what?!"
"You were starin' into space, girl. Something wrong?"
"...Oh, no! Nothing's wrong!....Nothing at all."
"Oh, well, in that case, can you tell me the name of the author?"
"Oh, sure. The name is Topsy Kretts."
"Okay, and I'm gonna need to see the book. Ya know, just in case the name itself doesn't pull up anything."
Ya know, it was funny. When I handed him the book, I realized that that was the first time I had parted with that book since I started reading it. The memories of me being pulled to it still lingered in my mind, but I reminded myself that I had had nothing to worry about all along. While he typed the name in, I stared back at the clock. The time was now 2:24. I figured what I had saw was just a coincidence. I looked around the store, observing the atmosphere. Mr. Bookworm did a very good job sweeping the floors and wiping the windows, but he never found time to dust the shelves. The books looked ancient, unlike the books in my library. I can't believe Rarity actually came in here, being the type of lady she is.
"Well, Twilight, I'm sorry to tell you this but...."
"But what?"
"Well, this Topsy Kretts didn't write anything before or after this book."
"Well, what about the book's credits? Who helped publish it?"
"Actually, that's another thing that was interesting. The book was self-written, self-published, and self-released. It doesn't even show that there were any copies made of it,...which of course is ridiculous. I mean, who do you know of that would only make one copy of a book and put it out for public sale."
Once again, I was distracted by something. This time, it was his bookshelves. I had counted them several times over, but I always came up with the same amount: 22.
"Um, Mr. Bookworm....I'm sorry, but...I have to go!"
"Oh, well,....okay.......Wait!"
"What?!"
"Don't forget your book!"
I felt like leaving right there. Just leaving the book in his care....Letting him deal with it. But, just like the other night, something was pulling me to go retrieve it. As I drew closer and closer to the counter, tears began to form in my eyes. Why was I crying? I had no control over my body! I was being forced to retrieve something that was causing me nothing but trouble. I had never experienced anything so unusual in my life! I felt like screaming for help to Mr. Bookworm, but the force that was drawing me to the book was also keeping my mouth shut. After eventually reaching the counter, I, still in tears, accepted the book.
"Well, good-bye Twilight! Have a nice day."
"That's easy for you to say."
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Chapter 4
The Curse Begins
As my life went on,....as my time continued,....everything about me was going as it should have been,....except my mind. I would still go about my daily schedules, helping Orlando and doing my research,....but all I could think about was the number.......22. Did it really pose such a significance that it caused the Italian Blonde's father to kill himself and his wife? I had to find out,.....but I didn't know how. I thought about who I could go to....Who might be able to help me? I finally decided on Orlando. But, unfortunately, when I told him, the only thing that interested him was the place where the Italian Blonde killed herself. He wanted me to take him to her apartment. I had no choice but to do as he wanted.....Orlando could be very persuasive. I knew why he wanted to go......He wanted to make love with me there. See, Orlando had this thing about turn-ons. When he felt he was in danger or if he was in a place that is or was once dangerous, like a murder scene, he got turned on. I couldn't complain. As our bodies touched each other under the bright white color of the room,.....it hit me. It was as if the spirit of the Italian Blonde was lingering in there and it had sent a spiritual message to my mind. What she had said to me about the number......it was all so clear.
"It's this number!!....Twenty-two!......"
"This number is everywhere!......"
"Driver's licenses, pages of books, even my name! It was in the words that I spoke, the pieces of music I played......everything!!!......"
It was clear what I had to do......I had to check everything. When I got home later that night, I immediately got to work. I checked my name......my actual name.....it had 22 letters. I checked my birthday......the numbers added up to 22. I even checked the number of windows in my house. Guess what?....There were 22 of them. I knew then that, whatever had happened to the Italian Blonde's dad,....and then her,.....was happening to me.
After finishing the chapter, I put down the book and started staring at the wall. For about an hour, I just sat there.....staring. I'm glad Spike was gone to Canterlot that week or he would've thought I'd gone off my rocker.....But,....then again,.....I had in a way. I re-read the chapter over a couple of times and I always came up with the same conclusion: this book was meant for me. I finally got the strength and will to get up and go down to the main room. However, I didn't stay gone long. I came back up to my room with a quill and notebook. I immediately got to work.
"Okay.....My name.....Twilight Mary Ann Sparkle......The number of letters adds up to 22!!.......Okay...okay! My birthday....February 2nd.....Oh my gosh!....February 2nd! The second day of the second month! Two and two beside each other are....22!....That just leaves.....my windows."
Some relief came to me when I found out I only had 5. However,....the curse wasn't gonna give up that easily. When I looked closer, I found out that 4 of my windows split into four sections each and my 5th window was just one by itself.
"Let's see....4x4=16....16+1=17....Hm...That still doesn't equal 22."
But the curse wasn't always so simple. It wanted me to think to truly experience its inner horrors.
".....BUT,...I had 5 windows to begin with! And 17+5 equals.....(gulp)....22."
I couldn't believe it, but, whatever the Italian Blonde had, I now had. And it wasn't going any easier on me than it was him.....I wondered how long it would take before the curse led me to do what he had done.....kill himself.
End of Chapter 4!
Author's Note: I know this one may have been a little short, and I also know that Rainbow Dash or any of the other Mane Six haven't had that big of a role. But, don't worry! All shall unfold itself as we continue on through this horrifying tale!
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