The Number 22

Is it a prank ??

_ What the hell !!!

Jeff stared at his hand, maby it was a "birthday prank", Eddie or Lisa may have done it when he was drunk at the party yesterday. Yes !! That was it ! Even if it doesn't explain how he was having this same ugly nightmare, Jeff managed to accept that it was just a mere prank done by his friends for the simple reason that it was the only logical explanation.

He left the bathroom and went to bed. But he took sleeping pills, because he was afraid of sleeping and seeing the same guy in his dreams.

***********

Saturday morning 9:22

Jeff woke up, cursing between his teeth. 

_ Why !! It has to be 9:22!

He went straight to the bathroom, and showered himself with nice hot water. Then he wore his clothes and took his phone. He wants to talk to them, to his friends. 

_ Hey Lisa ??!

_ Oh Jeff ?! What's up ? Your voice is kind of....weird, are you ill or something ? Do you need anything?

Jeff rolled his eyes. Girls ! They're gifted when it comes to questions.

_ No I'm okay! It's just that I want to meet you and Eddie in the café across the street, you know the one we always go to !

_............Jeff, what's going on ??

_ It's.....It's not something I can tell in the phone. Let's just meet there okay ?

_ Ya okay . I'll call Eddie then.

10:22 , Jeff left his flat. Lisa and Eddie were waiting for him in the café. When he saw them, he was relieved although he was still feeling the cursed number in his hand, and the mysterious guy smirking in his head.

After he said hy, Jeff sat in front of his friends.

_ Okay now prank is over, who did this ??

He showed them the palm of his hand. Lisa and Eddie started laughing.

_ Maan you're eighteen, having a tatoo on your hands isn't the great deal, maby you should try one on your arm.

_ I didn't do it !! Either you did it, or this weirdo who keeps popping in my dreams.

_ Weirdo ?? Jeff are you okay ?

Eddie took Jeff's hand.

_ Dude you should have a nice rest ! 

_ Just tell us, what happened ?! Yesterday you were fine at the party.

Jeff looked at his friends, he saw genuine worries in their eyes, seems that they weren't the ones who have done it, but who did ???

_ Well for this whole week, I kept having this same nightmare: a guy who comes in a forest and writes a 22 on my hand. But today, when I woke up at precisely 2:22 Am, I found it really here in the palm of my hand. The worst part, is that I can't whip it away. It's like a damn tatoo !!

Eddie and Lisa looked at each other.

_ You believe me don't you ?

_ Of....Of course we do !! 

Lisa looked at him, and winked while making a huge Smile on her face.

_ Maby you should come to my place you and Eddie, I have plenty of cosmetics that will resolve your problem.....Common, guys, I'll make you pancakes !!

Eddie and Jeff faked a smile, and looked at her with the "please, not the pancakes" eyes. The last time they ate her pancakes........Well, SOMETHING happened. Eddie touched his stomach, not willing to experience it again. Lisa rolled her eyes.

_ Or maby I can order Pizza .

Eddie's eyes widened.

_ PIZZAAAA ! 

The people in the café turned to stare at them. After a short awkward moment, the three of them started laughing out loud. 

Lisa's eyes were still teary when they left the café. While they were walking, Lisa stopped and l turned to face her friends, walking backwards.

_ Shall we take a taxi ??

_ The three of us ??

_ Err, yeah ?! These are my favourite shoes and I don't wanna ruin them by walking !!

Eddie and Jeff rolled their eyes. Girls !!!

_ Okay then but stop walking backwards you'll probably hit a tree.

Eddie burst out in laughter, he started daydreaming. 

_ Maaan I really wish to see that !!!

_ Heyyy !!!! 

_ What ??! You're really hi-larious when you do something embarrassing! Do you remember in highschool when you...

_ Stop it !! Or I'll make you eat pancakes !! I got plenty of them in the fridge.

_ Okay okay I'll zip it . 

Jeff started laughing.

_ You two are incredible ! Hey, there a taxi. 

Lisa headed forwards and started yelling:

_ Taxiiii !!!!