//------------------------------// // 2. Molly // Story: The Rag Doll // by Ayla //------------------------------// The Rag Doll Chapter 2 Molly Apple Bloom stood numbly as the preacher pony droned on, not really taking in anything that he said. She wondered if her parents funeral had been anything like this. Everyone wearing black, some ponies crying, others just looking sad. Apple Bloom didn't feel anything. She was numb. Before the funeral, Twist's parents had read her will and Twist had left something of hers for everyone in the class, including Miss Cheerilie, to remember her by. Apple Bloom had gotten Twist's rag doll. She remembered seeing Twist holding it most of the time and she knew it was her most prized possession, and she had left it to her. She felt like she didn't deserve it. She hadn't been a very good friend to Twist. She hadn't even really spent any time with her after she'd gotten her cutie mark until she'd gotten sick. If she was honest with herself, if Twist hadn't gotten sick, she might never have become real friends with her again. All because she was jealous of a stupid cutie mark. She realized now that there were far more important things in life then just that. You had to live life to the fullest, and treat people right while they were still here, and while you were still here, because there was no telling how long you really had. It was a good lesson to learn. Apple Bloom just wished she hadn't had to learn it at Twist's expense. Still, she knew that she would never forget it. She was glad when the funeral was over and they all could go home. That night, as she lay in her bed clutching Molly, the tears finally came and she cried her heart out. "I'm so sorry Twist! I should've been a better friend to you!" As she sobbed herself to sleep, just before she drifted off, she could've sworn she felt somepony stroking her mane comfortingly. The next morning Apple Bloom found Molly sitting on the end of her bed, and a chill went down her spine as it almost seemed as if the doll was staring right at her. She could've sworn that when she went to bed that she'd been holding her. She must've forgotten putting her there. She was so upset that it was no wonder she didn't remember. She pushed it out of her mind and soon forgot about it. That was only the beginning however. It seemed that wherever she put the doll, the next time she found it, it was in a different place. All this grief must be making her forgetful, she decided, and ignored her growing uneasiness. It was probably just her guilt making her think things like that. Apple Bloom got into the habit of taking Molly with her almost everywhere. She felt in doing so it was almost like taking a bit of Twist with her when she went on her crusading adventures with the others. One time she'd done a double take when she could've sworn she saw the doll turn her head and look at her, but when she'd looked again the doll was as normal as ever. Twist was enjoying herself, finally getting to hang out with Apple Bloom and the other crusaders, even if she was a doll and had to stay still all the time she was with them. She enjoyed the little jokes she played on Apple Bloom, moving when she wasn't looking so she'd find her in a different place. It made Apple Bloom get such a funny look on her face! Twist didn't know it, but being a ghost inhabiting a doll was starting to take a dark turn on her thoughts. Though she was often happy, she was also often starting to get angry. It just wasn't fair! She was dead and going to stay dead, trapped in this doll and unable to really enjoy life. She could hear others but she couldn't talk to them without a great risk to herself. She was so bored most of the time that she could hardly stand it. Maybe she could talk to Apple Bloom. After all even if she told anyone, who would believe her? After being with her for two whole weeks, Twist decided to try that night. Apple Bloom was almost asleep after a long day of crusading when she started to hear a whispering voice. "Apple Bloom..." "Huh?" Apple Bloom sat up, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. "Is somepony there?" "Apple Bloom..." Slowly Apple Bloom turned to look at the rag doll that she'd put in her chair in a sitting position. She gasped as Molly's head slowly turned to look at her. She'd never realized how creepy looking those button eyes on the doll were before. "Hello Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom's scream filled the night. To Be Continued...