Chapter Twenty Two

Heffalumps and Woozles

 As I run down the deep purple tunnel, I can hear it’s footsteps echoing all around me, making me pick up my pace and run even faster than I thought was remotely possible for me. What you ask? Well-

“Marky! I love games and all but these pumps are hurting my feet, why don’t you slow down some?” It asks. That only motivates me to run faster.

            I hear the footsteps start to slow down, as I turn around to look behind me for any sign of Rippir, I do not stop running, although I wish I had.

            As I stumble down a large dirt tunnel I try and grab onto as many roots as I can, but they all just rip out. It feels like I’ve been falling for an eternity now, but in reality it’s only been roughly 17 seconds. I look around me and all I can see on the once dirt wall is the face of Rippir. The further down I go, the change of emotion on its face. When will this tunnel end? A sudden thought occurs that when it does, I will be killed on impact. I once again start grabbing for anything I can, once I catch something, I’m quick to let go for it is Rippir's face. I look down and see all black, making it unnoticeable as for when I will hit the ground. But right then, I hit something sticky.

            A clear, sticky thread sticks to me as I struggle from discomfort. A good half second later I hear a noise behind me. I turn my head as best as I can and see an oddly printed purple spider like being, with an even odder head. The head it that of the demon, Rippir. I start to squirm even more frequently in hopes of getting out before it can come any closer.

“Now now Marky, what are you doing? No need to fear me,” it grins mischievously, “I simply want to have  little fun, wouldn’t you enjoy that Marky? We could spend all the time in the world together, you and me, in this web, forever.” It says, its eyes widening when saying forever as it begins to lick its lips.

            It then begins wrapping me in the spider goo while humming the themes song to “friends”. Right when I think I cannot me anymore terrified its pinchers begin to make a noise in the part where they clap. Christ…… I begin to struggle with discomfort once again, in hopes of getting somewhere, it seems luck is on my side. Being too into the song to notice, Rippir ends up pinching me free and I take my chance to fall down below. I don’t know if I should be relieved or not, because I still do not know where this tunnel leads or how long it- OW!

            I feel cement beneath me, shakily standing up, I waste no time and begin running. As I’m faced with two roads a sign with arrows pops up out of nowhere. But there’s a twist, it’s got Rippirs face on it, or more so two.  

            “left or-”

“right”

“But which way is-”

“Left, and which way is-”

“Right!”

“Although one may be right, which is the-

“Right way to go?” At that, both of the heads begin to cackle. I’m quick to make a move, I chose right… I think. As I run, everything passes by in slow motion. I hear carnival music in the background and find myself in a house of mirrors. As I run, my own reflection seems to terrify me. I run into mirror after mirror and resort is grabbing hold of them as a guide to get out as quickly as possible. Sadly, after 5 minutes I’m out, but find myself in the tunnel of love.

“OH MARKYYYYYYYYYYY?!” I hear Rippir call. Out of all places we’re here? “Come out to play!” I hear him call as I run faster. I have no idea how I’ve been able to run this long but the more I think about it, the more my legs feel like jelly and the heavier my breathing gets. I decide to hide behind one of the cliché swans.

“Marky? Oh Marky? You can run but you can’t hide!” He says walking right past me. Well, looks like I can.

“Hey Marky!” he says jumping out behind me, looks like he was right….

“I’m always right, Marky,” he says flipping his hair and licking his lips, “and right now, I say we take one of these things around this tunnel and see how romantic is really is1” he grins.

“How about no!” I say before I take off. But oh to soon, for I didn’t realize my pocket was caught on the swan, therefore ripping my pants apart. At this Rippir smiles, and I run. He says something but I can’t hear him over my screams as I run through this crappy love tunnel.

I wake up with a start, sweating and out of breath. Oh thank god that was just a dream, I think to myself, sitting up on the couch. As I put my head in my hands, I feel something shuffle next to me.

“Marky, are you okay? You seem awfully tense, would you like me to rub your shoulders?” It asks sitting up with a smirk, it is then that I realize he is shirtless.

“AHHH!” I scream, falling off the couch with a thud.

“Maybe you’re right….. You should rub my shoulders!” Ripper gleams.