- >They just finished up wrapping your foreleg in bandages and have brought you to a room.
- >You watch as Rest and a doctor are talking.
- >While you can’t hear what they are saying, their expressions are telling.
- >’You’re insane you know. They’re talking about putting you away. In a cell, like you deserve.’
- >No.
- >’Fight all you want, but you know I’m not wrong.’
- >Go away please.
- >Rest approaches you with a smile, though your fear tells you otherwise.
- >”How are you feeling?”
- “Okay, my head hurts a little, but I’ll manage. Can I go home now?”
- >Her smile falters for a moment, it speaks volumes.
- >”I’m afraid not, they have to keep you overnight for observation.”
- >Your heart has started to beat faster.
- “But Rest, I can’t stay here.”
- >The smile has faded to a neutral look, but kindness still lies in her eyes.
- >”Eri, you had multiple injuries. Other than the cuts, there was a concussion. You’re lucky I found you when I did.”
- >She is accusing you isn’t she?
- “I told you it was an accident, why don’t you believe me?”
- >”Yeah you have, but the hospital doesn’t see it that way. I already pulled some strings to let you out tomorrow.”
- >She did what? How?
- “Rest, why, how?”
- >”I promise to explain more later, but first I have to talk to my boss. I will be spending the night by your side here. We will get through this together Eri.”
- >She says that, but the words feel hollow.
- “Alright, don’t be long. Okay?” You sigh.
- >Rest smiles. “I’ll try to be as fast as possible, but I will be right back.”
- >As she leaves you to this room, you’re left alone, again.
- >The whole place screams sterile, you’re not certain how anypony recovers in these places.
- >Looking down at your foreleg once more, it hurts a little. Although it is wrapped now, you can still feel the cuts just below.
- >Your head isn’t feeling much better, a small lump is on it from the tub.
- >They couldn’t give you serious pain killers because of the cuts, they want you to suffer.
- >This so was stupid of you, should’ve just cut once and be done with it. But you couldn’t, you didn’t and now look at you.
- >No point in dwelling on it, you’re stuck here.
- >The pounding hasn’t let up either, it’s making your eyes heavy.
- >You’re pretty certain you shouldn’t sleep because of the concussion. Though if that were the case, they wouldn’t have left you alone, right?
- >Trying to distract yourself, you sit up to look out to the window.
- >The sky is a deep blue, some stars have come out, you’re not sure what time it is.
- >Wait a moment, don’t these places have clocks? Look around, you see one on the wall. It says 8:47 pm.
- >Hard to believe that you were out for hours, but Rest says you were.
- >Guess you got brain damage or something.
- >’Wouldn’t be much of a stretch, you’re already crazy.’
- >Not again, not now, go to hell.
- >’You’re alone, like always. They always leave, you can never escape that.’
- >That’s not true, Rest says she will help me and she is here now.
- >’And you believe her lies? Remember that her words didn’t save you from earlier.’
- >That’s all it took to fuel the anger in your heart.
- >No. It has helped before, you’re the liar here.
- >’You will see in time.’
- >Fuck off.
- >Silence.
- >Get it together Eri. You’re losing it again.
- >You shake your head in attempt to focus, only for it hurt.
- “Fuck! Stupid, why did I do that?.”
- >The pounding has increased and so has the pressure on your eyes.
- >Maybe you should rest them a moment. Although it’s just moment, but you don’t feel yourself pass out.
- >A gentle nudging awakens you from your rest, but you don’t open your eyes.
- >“Eri, time to get up.” Says a soft voice.
- “Mom is that you? Can I stay home today? I don’t feel so good.” You groggily say.
- >”Sorry Eri, but it’s me, Rest.” She says with a giggle.
- >Your eyes shoot open, and you attempt to sit up quickly before she reaches out to you.
- >”Easy there, you shouldn’t move too fast.”
- >Head still hurts, not as much though.
- “Sorry, I didn’t even know I passed out.”
- >”It’s alright. When I came back last night, I found you fast asleep, but I promise I was here the whole time.” She crosses her chest with her hoof.
- >It makes you smile a little before you decide to ask her.
- “So can I go home now?”
- >”Yes, and I will help you home. I figured you would want to leave early, so that’s why I tried to wake you.”
- >Feeling a small bit of relief, you take a moment to answer her.
- “Thank Celestia, I can’t wait to go home.”
- >Rest nods and stands back a little from the bed to give you some space.
- >Slowly, you climb out and set your hooves on the cold floor. Rest helping you each step of the way.
- >A thought hits you, so you ask Rest.
- “What about paperwork? Don’t I have to fill some kind of release form?”
- >”Like I told you last night, I pulled some strings and did it myself.”
- “Oh, but I thought I had to do it?”
- >”Eri, let me worry about that, and lets get you home.”
- >She’s not wrong, you would rather not stay here any long than you already have.
- >You nod for her to continue as you both go into the hallway.
- >Passing by a number of rooms, you can see various patients and staff. You don’t envy them.
- >It doesn’t take long to reach the outside and when you do. The bright light hurts your eyes.
- >A reminder of how often you stay indoors.
- >The walk home is slow, you pass by some ponies, who look concerned. Can feel their judging stares upon you.
- >Rest hasn’t really said much other than ‘Easy, take your time’ or ‘Feeling alright?’
- >While you enjoy this company, your not one for small talk.
- >You’d tell her, but you’re afraid of pushing her away.
- >The house is still the same as you left it. Looking abandoned and in need of repair.
- >As you both approach the front door, you can make out some hoof marks on it.
- >A quick flash of yesterday’s events course through your mind, and you try to push them out. In the process, you let out a whimper as a pain ignites in your chest.
- >Rest noticing your distress, quickly leads you inside and onto the couch.
- >”Shh, it’s alright, I’m here with you. Just breath Eri.” She rubs your wither.
- >While it does help a little, that doesn’t solve the problem.
- >You have to tell her something.
- >’You tell her, and she will leave you.’
- >FUCK OFF.
- “Rest, I want to tell you about yesterday.”
- >She looks surprised, but ready to accept your confession.
- >”Sure, take as much time as you need. Remember, you don’t have to hide anything from me.”
- >Rest joins you on the couch and nods for you to continue.
- >Taking a moment to gather your words and courage, you hope she will understand.
- “I admit it, I did cut myself. However, I did not try to kill myself. I know I’m weak and helpless, but it wasn’t supposed to go that far. When I tried to cut again, I accidentally cut deeper. The pain just caused me to flail and hit my head.”
- >”You’re not weak Eri, you just haven’t found your strength yet. I know you will eventually.” She says in an attempt to reassure you.
- “It’s not just that, an old face from my past came over after you left yesterday. I lost control when we talked.”
- >A look of concern crosses her face.
- >The events are still fresh in your mind and you breath a little harder.
- >”Take deep breaths, it will help. Are you saying she did this to you?”
- “It was the memories, it all came back to me at once. It was all too much for me.” You whimper out.
- >”It’s alright Eri, are you comfortable with telling me about what happened during this exchange?”
- >Attempting to summon more strength, you nod and gather a breath.
- “I can tell you a little, not everything, not yet.”
- >”That’s more than fair, go on.”
- >Fresh tears cascade down your face.
- “She came by claiming to want to be friends again, but I know better. She had no right. I slammed the door in her face, and she tried to buck it down. It was there that I broke apart.”
- >”I’m no therapist, but it sounds like it triggered a traumatic episode. She shouldn’t try to break down the door. It was the first thing I saw when I got here, so I ran in.”
- >No surprise there, you’re all kinds of fucked up.
- “Ye-yeah, no doubt. Thank you for listening to me.”
- >”You’ve made a lot of progress so far. So, how about we get something to eat, then we can talk more if you’re feeling up to it.” She offers up.
- >Slowly, you get control of your crying with the help of Rest.
- “Okay, I’d like that.” To be honest, you’re really hungry.
- >Shortly after lunch you both head back to the living room.
- >It’s here you realize that she hasn’t left for work.
- “Wait a second, aren’t you supposed to be at work? Did I make you late?”
- >You’re starting to panic, great going dipshit, you’re going to make her lose her job.
- >”Calm down Eri, I can explain like I said I would. When I talked with my boss last night, I put in for some time off. He didn’t like that it was such short notice, but I convinced him that is was an emergency. I’ve done so much for the hospital, so I had to address that as well to get my point across.”
- >She really does care about you.
- >A soft knocking kills the moment and replaces it with fear.
- >”I’ll go answer that, just stay here, okay?”
- >You know who it is, of this you are certain.
- “Rest! No, don’t answer it!”
- >She looks at you with concern.
- >“It’s alright Eri, I can handle this, I promise.”
- >Turning back to the door she opens it, your fear is confirmed.
- >”Hi, how can I help you?” Rest asks.
- >>”Hello, is Miss Eri home? I need to speak to her, it’s very important.”
- >Spying form the couch, you can see that Rest is attempting to block the door way.
- >”Can we talk outside?”
- >>”Yes of course.”
- >What is she doing?
- >The door closes behind her.
- >You can’t hear what’s going on, you have to know, so you head by the window to listen.
- >>”What is this all about? Is Eri home? Who are you?”
- >”I’m her friend, are you the one she told me about yesterday?”
- >Don’t do this Rest, she doesn’t need to know.
- >>”I’m not sure what she told you, but we are friends, we grew up together in fact. I really need to talk to her, it’s a private matter, so do you mind letting me see her?”
- >Of course you do, you just want to hurt me again.
- >”I might not know the full story, but I can’t let you see her.”
- >>”And why not? What has happened to her? Tell me.”
- >”I have half a mind to get a hold of the guards after what I heard.”
- >>”Now hold on a second! You have no right to accuse me! I admit that I let myself get out of control, but I did not touch her.”
- >She’s not wrong, but that didn’t stop her from tormenting you.
- >”You tried to buck this door down, and don’t tell you didn’t. You can see the marks, can’t you?”
- >>Connie’s voice falters a bit. “I know I did, and I’m sorry about that, but you don’t understand. Please, I need to see Eri. At least one last time.”
- >Is she crying? You’d peek out the window, but you don’t want to be seen.
- >It’s silent for a moment, Rest sighs and starts to talk.
- >”How about you come over tomorrow, then we can see about that, okay?”
- >>”Tomorrow? Okay, can you at least tell me why?” You think you heard her sniffle.
- >”I can’t go into details, I need to talk to her about this. If you really are her friend, then you will understand.”
- >>”Thank you, I, I have to go now.”
- >You can’t believe this.
- >’I told you, but you didn’t listen. They all betray you.’
- >You feel frozen solid, it’s true. Isn’t it?
- >The sound of the door opening snaps you out of it.
- >”Eri? What are you doing there?”
- >Turning to your friend, no, traitor, you feel a combination of anger and terror.
- “Why? Why are you doing this to me? You want her to torment me again?!” You accuse her.
- >”Now hold on second Eri.”
- “No! It was bad enough when I was a foal! I don’t want to see her!”
- >”Eri listen to me! I said I would help you didn’t I? I will be there with you every step of the way, right by your side. If it gets too much, she can leave and you will never see her again. I swear it on our friendship.”
- >Other than yesterday, this is the second time you’ve seen her get this upset.
- “I, yes, yes you did. Okay Rest, if you think it will help.”
- >She seems to calm down and slowly approaches you.
- >”It’s okay, I know it’s a lot to take in. I know I keep saying it, but we will get through this together.”
- >She offers up a hug, and you take it without thought.
- >As evening rolls in, you can’t escape your dread.
- >Rest keeps trying to lift your spirits, but it helps little.
- >At dinner, she had made some soup
- >”I know it’s not much, but I can’t cook worth shit.”
- >You laugh a little, she is trying.
- “I don’t mind, I can’t cook either. Somehow made eggs into charcoal.”
- >After dinner you’re starting to feel tired, and you notice so is Rest.
- “Are you staying the night?”
- >She looks at you like you grew a second head.
- >”Well yeah, I keep telling you right by your side. Remember I said that I applied for time off?”
- >That’s right, she did you moron.
- “Ye-yeah, sorry. I forgot, I’m stupid.”
- >”You’re not stupid, just stressed is all.” She says with a smile.
- >Helping you to your room, she tucks you in bed.
- >It’s been so long since mom did that, you miss her, and feel your eyes moisten.
- >Rest, misunderstanding your sadness, tries to alleviate it.
- >”It’s okay, everything will work out tomorrow. If you need anything at all, I’ll be on the couch. So don’t hesitate to get me, okay?”
- “Mhm, thank you for everything Rest. Goodnight Rest.”
- >She gives you a gentle hug before moving to the door.
- >”Goodnight, Eri.”
- >For once, sleep takes you quickly.
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon
by
NHanon