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Three Nights in One Night

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Pirinja:
This is just a narrative I wrote for school. It's not based on anything, although I might have drawn too much inspiration from The Giver but whatever.
Three Nights in One Night

Prologue
     As you read this, don’t use your own life and world to understand the one you are reading about. The world in this story isn’t in fact a world at all. I’m talking about a time before worlds or planets. It is just a small town. A small town called Univerz. The cool name aside, you wouldn’t want to live in Univerz. All of the buildings were the same size and all the people wore the same exact clothing each day. The grass was always the same height. The people had their own names, but they weren’t unique names like you would think. They were all named after numbers to avoid being too unique. There were only three unique structures in Univerz. First of all, there is the sign. It’s a plain wooden sign that says “Welcome to Univerz” in big red letters. Second, there is the room of rules. You see, in Univerz the people have to follow set rules and there are many punishments for breaking the rules. The room of rules holds a giant book that explains all of the rules and punishments. If someone in Univerz breaks two rules in the same week, they are obliged to spend a whole day reading the book of rules. The final unique building is the castle. The castle is far off in the distance on a hill. Nobody knows what is inside because nobody has ever been inside. The most important rule is to never, EVER, even consider going to the castle.
Day One
     11 was a teenager who lived in Univerz. His father was 10 and his mother was 9. 11 had no siblings and only one friend (it was against the rules to have more than one friend) named 51. 11 was not like the rest of the Univerzians for he had personality. It was a shame that he couldn’t express it without being whipped. 11 wanted to go the castle, but of course he didn’t tell anyone. 11 and 51 were “enjoying” their favorite every day activity which was running around the square of land that was designated for running. 11 thought that he trusted 51, so for the first time in his life he told his secret.
“You know 51, we do the same thing every day” said 11 nervously.
“Yeah, your point?” replied 51.
“Well, don’t you ever want to do something else? Like, I don’t know, go to the castle?” 11 blurted out. This was either a mistake or an act of bravery depending on how you look at it, for immediately after, 51 said “You do know I have to tell your parents that you said that”. 51 stuck to his word and told 11’s parents.
     11’s house was cold and plain as usual.
“I really wish you wouldn’t break rules” said 10 as he walked towards a closet. “You know the punishment for considering going to the castle don’t you?” It was then that 10 pulled a whip out of the dark closet. 11 was whipped several times without complaining. Afterwards he had a very red, bruised back. Despite the physical pain, 11 was actually excited. Not only did he break the rules for the first time, but he was ready to break the rules even more. It was invigorating to go against the ridiculous rules of Univerz. 11 had a wonderful plan.
Night One
     11 went to bed after his parents said “Good night. Please don’t break the rules tomorrow” At least they thought he was going to bed. He was just going to pretend he was sleeping. He had never realized before, but everyone but him would be sleeping. This was 11’s chance to break the ultimate rule: Never Leave Your House at Night! Once he was certain that his parents were sleeping, 11 jumped out of his covers and walked towards the window. Each room in each building in Univerz had only one window. The window was surprisingly easy to open. 11 just flung it open with a clunk. He jumped down and hurt himself slightly. When he lifted his face up from the grass and to his surprise, he wasn’t in Univerz anymore. How is this so? How could 11 be in a completely different place when all he did was leave his house? Well that’s when this story gets interesting. All the boring buildings of before were now glorious skyscrapers, adorned with neon lights. 11 turned around to look at the old wooden sign. The sign certainly wasn’t wooden anymore, and it didn’t even say what it did before. The wooden sign was now metal, and colorful lights now spelled out “Welcome to One Night” 11 was overwhelmed with curiosity, but he remembered the reason he was here: to go to the castle. He ran across streets (that weren’t in Univerz). He ran past the strange people that were roaming around. Finally, he ran up the hill where the castle was. Outside of the castle was a medieval knight. He was tall, but not too tall. His armor was dark silver and his helmet was dark and couldn’t be seen through. The most frightening thing about him, however, was the long, metal lance he was holding. 11 cautiously approached the knight.
“Hello and welcome to One Night! I am the one knight of One Night” shouted the knight.
“Uh… hi…” replied 11. “What’s going on tonight?”
“TWO night! Ha ha ha! That’s a good one! There’s only one knight in one night! I appreciate the joke though. That’s the best laugh I’ve had in a thousand years!” said the knight.
“No. I meant the figure of speech. Tonight, as in the night we are in. I’ve never left my house at night before and I’m just curious as to what goes on at night” said 11.
“What! How dare you! It’s a Univerzian! You’re the first Univerzian to come to One Night in 500 years! You cannot be here! Be gone!” shouted the knight as he stabbed 11 through the heart.

Day 2
     11 awoke in his bed, in his house, in Univerz. He let out a scream but then he realized that he was perfectly safe. Or was he? He’d never thought about how safe Univerz really was until now. Perhaps it was too safe. That must be it. One Night was a much more exciting place, but at the same time it seemed dangerous. Oddly, 11 had no stab wounds. His visit to One Night couldn’t have just been a dream, could it? He was going to make sure tonight for he was going to return to One Night.
     9 walked into 11’s room and said “11? Are you alright? I heard you scream”
“It’s nothing. I didn’t mean to scream” replied 11.
“About last night. I’m sorry that 10 had to whip you, but those are the rules”
“I was just curious about the castle, and I still am. How can you not want to know what’s inside? I still want to go. That’s not changing, and I will go someday.”
“Oh my gosh!” I try to be nice to you by saying sorry and this is what you give me! You’ve just broken a rule twice in the same week! You have to go study the book now! All day!” yelled 9 in surprise.
“I’m not going to” said 11.
“How can you do such a thing? How!? What is your problem?! I’m ashamed to call you my son! Oh no. Expressing anger is against the rules and I’ve just done it twice. I need to go study the rules, but I expect you to be there too”
But of course, 11 didn’t go. He was sick of the rules, he was done with following them, and he didn’t care anymore if his parents were mad at him.
     Nighttime came and 9 returned to the house from her studying.
“I can’t believe you weren’t there! Why do you have to be like this! Everyone else has an obedient son yet you have to break the rules!” cried 9. “Oh yeah. Crying is against the rules too. I guess I’ll be going back tomorrow. Also, since I can’t get you to follow the rules, I picked up a smaller copy of the book. I’m going to lock you in here tomorrow and you’ll be forced to read it.”
9 shut the door and expected 11 to go to sleep. Of course, he didn’t. When he was certain that everybody was sleeping, he jumped out of the window into One Night again.
     11 still wanted to go to the castle, but he had to be more careful this time. He now knew that he wouldn’t be able to simply walk in. He needed a better plan and he didn’t have one. He’d have to ask someone else which meant talking to the strange people of One Night. He walked around a bit when he heard a voice.
“So you need a plan huh” said the hissing voice.
“Who are you, w here are you, and how did you know that?” replied 11.
“I am Eddy, I’m in the alley you are standing in front of, and I can read minds” said the voice. “I heard you needed a plan to get into the castle. I can help you. Just come over here”
11 walked into the alley where Eddy was. Eddy was holding a cane and wearing a cloak, hat, and sunglasses that covered his face completely, in other words he was very suspicious, but 11 didn’t think anything of it. He’d never seen a suspicious person before.
“Follow me. I’ve always wanted to go to the castle, but I’ve never been able to since I’ve broken my leg. I’m so glad that someone shares the same wish as I” said Eddy as he lead 11 deeper into the alley. “First I need to show you the ropes”
“Ok” 11 replied.
The two kept walking until they reached an area where there was a pile of ropes on the ground.
“What are these?” asked 11.
“These are the ropes” replied Eddy.
“Why is everything here so literal?” asked 11 getting slightly annoyed.
“You get used to it” answered Eddy. “Anyway, these aren’t just normal ropes. These are ropes that I made myself. They are incredibly strong and would take an immense force to break. They also have grapple hooks at the ends. You can easily get into the castle from the top. Just swing one of these ropes up there and the hook will catch the roof. Climb up it before the one knight sees you and you’ll be fine.”
11 waited a few seconds without doing or saying anything.
“Go on! Take them!” said Eddy.
“Don’t you have a problem with me being a Univerzian?” asked 11.
“Not at all, boy. I’m actually honored. I’ve always wanted to meet a Univerzian, but I’ve never been able to do so since their presence here is forbidden by both Univerz and One Night law. Please, make me proud and get into the castle and tell me everything about it. If you have any trouble come back here” said Eddy.
     11 ran out of the alley and back into the street. He ran as fast as he could, back to the hill. He ascended the hill as quickly as possible, trying not to be seen by the one knight. He stepped to the corner and threw the rope to the roof. Surprisingly, the grapple worked. 11 began to climb the rope when he heard the one knight say “I heard that!” 11 climbed faster, but it was too late. The one knight somehow sprouted wings, right through his armor. He flew up to 11’s height and stabbed him again.
Day 3
     Once again, 11 was awake in his room. He went to open his door, but it wouldn’t open. He then remembered that 9 said she would lock it so he’d be forced to study the rules. He didn’t study the rules. Instead he sat on his bed and thought. He thought about his life, and the castle, and another plan. He didn’t have any other plans than the ropes, and even that was given to him by Eddy. He decided he’d just wait, and when night came he’d talk to Eddy again.
Night 3
     Well night did come eventually and 11 once again didn’t sleep. It was kind of sad that his parents didn’t talk to him, or even see him all day. If that’s what the rules meant, he was even gladder he gave up on them. He jumped out the window again and was back in One Night. He made his way back to the alley where Eddy was waiting.
“So how was it? How was the castle?” said Eddy excitedly.
“About that…” answered 11.
“Oh, you didn’t get in. The ropes didn’t work” said Eddy, disappointed.
“The one knight can fly! I never would have guessed!” exclaimed 11.
“Fear not! I’ve got a second plan. This is one I’ve been working on for many, many years!” said Eddy as if he gained a sudden burst of confidence.
Eddy lead 11 even deeper into the alley than before. At the end was a suit of armor.
“This is my special project. I call it the two knight” said Eddy.  “You see, I’ve always thought that the one knight must be pretty lonely up there on that hill. He’s the only one who’s ever had the job. If he were to find out that he had a new business partner, he’d be so excited that he’d allow anything. All you have to do is wear this and tell him that you were ordered to guard the inside of the castle and he’s sure to let you in. Please try it and tell me what happens” said Eddy.
11 immediately took the two knight suit and put it on. He got strange looks from all the people, but that makes it even for he’d given them plenty of strange looks the first time he came to One Night.
     Ascending the hill was hard in the suit of armor, but 11 managed it. When he reached the top, the one knight said, “Who are you?”
“I am the two knight of One Night” answered 11. “You’ve always been the only one to guard the castle so the people of One Night decided that we need a second guard for the interior.”
“Really? This is so exciting! Finally someone to talk to! Go on in, but once you’re done your shift come back out and talk to me!” said the one knight excitedly.
     11 felt sort of bad that he was only tricking the one knight and it made him so happy, but he’d feel worse if he let down Eddy and never went inside the castle. He walked in and could barely take the excitement. At first, it seemed like a disappointment. The castle was completely empty! Or so it seemed. There were no stairs, no rooms, and not even any wallpaper. Even the buildings in Univerz had wallpaper! Then something amazing happened. 11 noticed a small box on the floor in a corner. He walked over and picked it up. It was only made of cardboard and it seemed insignificant.
“Well there’s no harm in opening it I supposed” said 11 to himself.
     But there was harm to opening it. The greatest harm the universe has every known was caused by 11 that night. He opened it normally, but then the catastrophe happened. The walls began to crumble and the ground began to shake. The last thing 11 ever heard was the one knight yell “No!” It was then that One Night and Univerz became one. After they were one they became nothing, and after they became nothing they became the Universe as we know it today. Nobody knows what happened to 11, 10, 9, 51, Eddy, the one knight, or anyone else from Univerz or One Knight. Some believe that they live on somewhere, somehow. One thing is for sure, there story was almost completely forgotten until now.

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