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[Copied from https://pastebin.com/ujidQBSs]
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>You never did care much about others.
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>You had the usual family upbringing, childhood, relationships.
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>Somewhere, somehow, it all started slipping.
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>Slowly slipping until one day, it all fell apart.
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>Broken into so many pieces, it was hard to put back together again.
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>You slipped away from work, unable to face others around you.
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>You stopped caring about your room.
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>You started drinking, heavily.
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>Whatever that would help dull your mind each and every night.
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>But one night it was different.
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>You went out, bottle in hand to walk around the neighbourhood.
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>Too many unanswered messages.
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>Too many missed calls.
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>You needed to get away from it all.
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>As you wandered the dirty alleyways, your eyes caught sight of a van with its backdoors opened.
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>There was a crowd gathered there.
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>But it wasn't just your usual crowd.
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>It was full of trash, just like you.
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>You wandered over to see what the commotion was about.
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>"Look at that one, doesn't look too healthy."
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>"C'mon, it's worth nothing at this rate."
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>"What are you saying?"
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>"This is the last one."
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>Edging through the crowd, you spot it.
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>A brown pony.
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>It's coat was matted, covered in mud and filth.
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>It wasn't even standing, instead it looked like it was holding onto its foreleg.
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>Wait, that's not it.
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>You notice that it's scrunching up a dirty torn up hat.
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>You stupid animal.
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>You're ruining the hat you know.
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>It was pitiful.
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>You turn to leave.
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>Looking around you, you see it in many eyes.
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>The eyes you fear.
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>Contempt, arrogance.
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>Even lust.
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>These people are sick.
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>You shove your hands into your pockets.
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>You feel the cold hard steel in your hand.
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>Grinning, you know you're about to do something stupid.
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>You break through the crowd and straight up to the auctioneer.
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>"Hey man, get back and give me some space alright?"
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"Not happening."
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>"Hey listen-"
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>You swing an arm over his should and with the gun inside your pocket you press it up against his back.
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>"H-hey, let's not do anything stupid."
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"Same could be said about you."
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>He started to struggle.
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>"You're gonna get into trouble, you wanna go to jail?"
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"Like I said, same thing could happen to you."
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>You press your gun deeper into his side.
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"Or worse…"
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>The crowd was beginning to get restless and started shouting.
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"Say it, give it to me."
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>"N-no man, y-you can't do this."
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"No, you do."
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>The sweating auctioneer stopped struggling against you and looked at you.
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>"Alright! The pony is taken!"
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>Like a deflated balloon, the energy in the crowd dissipates.
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>There were several jeers before people started leaving.
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>You release the auctioneer, who rubs his sore side.
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>You've gotta act fast.
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>You look down the still pony, figuring out how to carry it back.
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>There's a collar and chain held by the auctioneer.
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>You yank it off him, and pull it like you would with a dog.
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>Instead, the pony is just pulled forward, scrapping the rough floor of the van.
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>You pull harder, this time the force is enough to pull the pony out back of the van and falling to the floor.
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>It hits the floor, lifelessly, before the brown bundle curls into a ball and starts shivering.
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>Shit.
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>You didn't mean to do that.
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>Did you hurt it?
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>You decide the next best thing to do is to quickly move it away.
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>Crouching down over it, you scoop your arm over and under it.
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>The pony doesn't move or resist, only clutching to that mangy hat with what life it has left.
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>You keep walking forward, past the van and further down the alleyway.
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>No way were you gonna head straight back to your place.
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>Not after the stupid thing you just pulled.
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>"Two wrongs don't make a right", right?
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>You begin to pick up the pace and head towards the abandoned docks.
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>There's a place there you used to go on your night outs when it was warmer.
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>You'd stay there too at nights, just when you think things were too unbearable.
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>Rounding corner after corner, you hear the slow running of water.
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>You find the fences that surround the docks and sneak in through your old cuttings.
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>There's a tunnel at the end of the docks, a place you've got some stuff.
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>You duck and enter into the darkness, stepping over cardboard and other junk.
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>You feel around for the cheap lamp you left around, and light it up.
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>The light glows a brightly, making the place look warmer than it really is.
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>You kneel down and place the pony onto the cardboard and take a better look at it.
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>It's a mare.
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>That would explain the lust in their eyes you saw earlier.
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>It was filthy, who would want to do something like that to it?
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>You held a hand over her nose, it was still breathing.
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>Moving up, you placed your hand over her head.
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>That wasn't right.
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>You moved your hand up against her torso and felt her temperature again.
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"Cold."
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>This wasn't good.
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>You didn't want to take her away from those others, only to die in a dark, abandoned place like this.
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>You look around your den and put together a steel kettle, bucket and gas cooker.
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"Stay here."
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>You quickly head back out of the tunnel with the bucket and fill it up with water from an old tap.
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>Back inside, you light the gas cooker and heat the water inside the kettle.
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>The pony stirs at the sound and light.
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>Once the water is hot enough, you some of it back out into the bucket, before putting it back on the gas cooker.
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>With what rags you could find, you rinse it through the bucket of hot water and start applying it onto the pony.
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"Sorry but this'll have to do."
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>The pony flinches and starts squirming against the heat.
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"Hey, hey stop it. It's alright."
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>You place another hand on top of her to stop her from moving around so much.
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>Soon enough, she relaxes from the warmth coming in through the rags.
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>The rag is filthy, it looks like her actual coat is orange.
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>You carry on the rinsing the rags in the bucket of hot water and wiping clean the little pony.
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>All you're left with is a bucket full of cold murky water and filthy rags.
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>The pony has regained some of its initial colours.
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>More importantly, she looks more alive.
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>You wrap a heavy rug around her and prop her upright away from the floor.
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>With what's left of the boiling water, you pour two hot mugs with some cheap instant chocolate.
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>You think back to the news, of how numerous, rainbow coloured ponies started appearing out of a portal.
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>It seemed so strange, so unrealistic.
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>But here you are, with one right in front of you.
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>You turn around and notice a pair of emerald green eyes staring at you.
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>Maybe it was dark, or perhaps it was the lighting coming off the cooker.
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>Her eyes were bright, but they looked dull, lifeless.
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>But she was looking at you.
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"Here."
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>You hold out a mug, half filled with some hot chocolate.
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>She doesn't move.
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"I said here. Take it."
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>You thought maybe she was deaf or dumb at first, but then she slowly moved.
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>Two worn hooves pull out from underneath the rugs and hold onto the mug.
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"Drink it."
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>She's hesitant at first, smelling the brew before lowering the mug.
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"I said drink it."
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>You stare at her.
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>This causes her to flinch, before she brings the mug up to her mouth and takes a sip.
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>Just what had happened to her?
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>She pauses, before greedily gulping it down.
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"Whoa easy, don't burn yourself on it."
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>She tips the entire mug down her mouth, before placing the mug back down in front of her.
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>Suddenly she starts coughing, almost retching.
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"Shit, what's wrong with you?"
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>You step over and wrap an arm over her shoulders and start rubbing her back.
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>You can tell that she's frightened of you by the look in her eyes.
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>Those bright wide green eyes.
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>She continues coughing, eventually emptying her stomach in front of her.
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>You carry on holding onto her, stroking her back until she calms down.
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>She tries to speak.
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>"Pu… puhlease…"
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>She's in a really bad shape.
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>She can't stay here.
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>You'll have to take her back to your apartment.
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"It's alright, I'm, I'm not going to hurt you."
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>You try your best to smile.
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>A fake smile, one you've practiced many times before.
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>But you're greeted by something completely alien.
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>She faintly smiles.
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>"Th-thank you."
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>
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>You're outside and stumbling through the streets again.
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>Easy now, otherwise your cover might get blown.
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>You shift the bundle on your back into a more comfortable position.
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>But it doesn't help.
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>For something so small, she's heavier than a dog.
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>A cold breeze blows past you.
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>It chills you, forcing you to momentarily stop.
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"Dammit."
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>You wrapped your jacket around the pony you were piggybacking.
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>Maybe you could've carried her on your front.
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>It's too late now.
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>You just hope to hell no one notices you.
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>You hear a car just turning around the corner.
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>You duck behind some dumpsters and watch the car lights go by.
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>And you wait.
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>It's late now.
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>There's hardly anyone on the streets.
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>All the more reason for you to not get careless.
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>Who knows what other scum is hiding around the next corner.
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>You hear her moving her head and moaning.
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"Hang in there, we'll be home soon."
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>Home.
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>That's what other people would call it.
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>But if it were up to you, you wouldn't even call it a home.
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>You step out of the corner and begin shuffling back to your apartment.
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>There are newspapers, empty fast food cartons strewn about.
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>It stinks.
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>She stinks.
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>But at least it should cover up the smell.
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>There's a noise behind you and you freeze.
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>"H-hey man, you got any spare change?"
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>You turn around and see what you thought was yourself.
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>His face is rough and filthy.
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>His beard is long and bushy.
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>His clothes are mismatched, jeans are too large, dirt all over the place.
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"I ain't got no money."
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>"S-sure you do, y-you got that horsey there right?"
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>Shit.
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"What the fuck you talking about?"
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>You face him full on.
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>"H-hey e-easy man. I just want some change."
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"Get lost."
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>"Don't you have any food at least? I haven't eaten in so-"
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"I don't care."
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>The man looks at you with those eyes.
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"Get lost."
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>He turns and stumbles away.
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>Once he's gone around the corner, you don't see him again.
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>You relax a little and carry on down back alleyway.
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>The sight of corrugated iron comes into view.
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>It's covered in patches of rust.
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>The windows are cracked and fogged over with mould and other stains.
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>You're at the foot of the iron staircase.
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>You think back to that man earlier on.
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>Yeah, you haven't eaten in a while too.
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>You take a step.
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>The iron staircase creaks and vibrates all over.
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>You would sure like to eat, but you can't afford to.
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>You take another step.
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>And now you've got this pony.
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>You're nearly at the top.
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>Your forehead is sweating.
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>So is your back.
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>But at least it's warm for her.
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>You reach the top and drop the pony down by the doorway.
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>Fishing out your keys you open up the battered door.
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>A dark, cold hallway presents itself to you.
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>You hear shuffling besides you,.
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>It seems like she's awake.
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>And trying to crawl away.
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"Hey, easy now."
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>You pick and wrap her up into your arms.
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>That's right, you're not going anywhere now.
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"We're home now."
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>You get in and put her in a comfortable position.
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>You need to get her warm.
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>She's lying on the sofa.
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>She's safe.
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>There was no way she was going to get out.
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>No, you should say there's no way of anyone getting in.
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>The bathroom is dark.
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>You didn't want to buy another lightbulb.
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>Useless thing.
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>A lamp on an extension cord lights up the bathroom on the floor by the doorway.
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>The white light casts an unnatural light on the green porcelain tiles.
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>You pull back your sleeves.
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>You cast a shadow on the wall as you fumble to turn on the bath taps.
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>Damn light.
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>You run your hand through the water.
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>It's cold.
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>Damn boiler.
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>You hear the boiler back in the kitchen kicking to life.
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>And you wait.
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>It takes a while until you have some hot water coming through the taps.
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"Let's see what else I can use."
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>There.
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>You empty what's left in a shower bottle, rinsing it through for extra measure.
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>It smells of soap and some kind of fruit.
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>Whatever.
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>It was the cheapest one you could get.
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>Leaving the tap water running, you walk back into the lounge.
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>She's still there.
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>She hasn't moved an inch since you placed her there.
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>You scoop up the bundle, jacket and all.
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>As you make your way to the bathroom she begins to stir.
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>Standing before the bathroom you unwrap and take your jacket off her.
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>Her eyes slowly begin to move.
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>Those green eyes lock onto yours.
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>As you begin to lower her into the bathtub, the sound of running water attracts her attention.
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>Her head quickly twists and her eyes are wide open.
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>Suddenly she starts panicking and kicking her legs out.
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"H-hey! What's gotten into you?"
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>You quickly turn off the tap water and try your best to hold onto her.
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>She's pretty strong despite how weak she seemed.
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"H-hold still!"
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>She's not listening to you and starts to cry out loud.
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>It's a horrible cry.
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>She manages to kick your shoulder, causing you to cry out in pain and lose grip of her.
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>The little pony falls backwards into the bath water, splashing water and bubbles everywhere.
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>She screams.
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>You've never heard anything like it.
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>She's screaming loudly.
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>You take a step back.
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>She's flailing in the water.
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>You can see her now.
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>She's petrified.
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>Scared out of her wits.
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>She's trying to jump out of the water, but she's weak and the bathtub wall is tall and slick.
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>"H-heeeelp! No-nooo!"
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>You snap out of your senses and kneel down at the bathtub.
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"Hey! Hey! I'm here for you."
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>You pick her up and hold onto her, soaking your body and clothes in the process.
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>But the pony keeps on kicking.
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"Hey you're out of the water now."
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>She's panting heavily and still trying to climb over you.
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>"H-heeelp…"
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>But your grip is stronger than hers.
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>You both stay there, in a locked struggle.
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>After a while, she's too tired to keep crying out loud.
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>Every effort she makes to get out of your hold is weaker.
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>She's calming down now.
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>Her fatigue must be taking over her.
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>All the while you're stroking the back of her neck.
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>Gently, in a slow fashion.
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>Holding onto her tightly.
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>When was it that you held someone like this?
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>You remember being held by your mother.
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>But it is only a fleeting memory.
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>You look down your shoulder at the shaking pony.
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"It's alright now."
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>You say to her.
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>You slowly grab a large towel nearby and wrap her up in it.
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>Slowly, you get up on your feet and bring her back into the lounge and plop her down on the sofa.
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>Looking down you inspect yourself.
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>Your clothes are soaked.
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>And you've got a few scratches from her hitting you.
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>You slump down on the floor beside the sofa, pulling out an old pizza box and throwing it into a corner.
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>Just what were you thinking.
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>Taking this pony back with you.
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>You couldn't even do anything right.
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>Letting out a heavy sigh, you realise what time it is.
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>You're too tired to change out of your clothes.
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>Too tired to move.
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>You don't care anymore and just want to sleep.
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>You shut your eyes.
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>
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>You wake up with a sore back.
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>Just what did you do?
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>Empty food cartons and drink cans lie scattered around you.
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>Yeah, that's right.
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>You gave up last night.
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>When you go to stand up you feel something press against your shoulders.
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>Turning your head, you're greeted by warm fur.
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>Is that…
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>Her?
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>You feel her body wrapped around your neck with her legs hanging off your shoulders.
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>No wonder your neck was so warm.
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>And so sore.
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>Looking down your side, you find her sleeping face, complete with her mangy hat.
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>Though…
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>There's crud all over her eyes.
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>It looks like she's cried herself to sleep.
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"Mm."
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>This troubles you.
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>You carefully lift her legs off you and then back onto the sofa, trying not to wake her up.
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>You gently twist her around so that she lies on her other side.
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>The orange pony stirs, whimpering.
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>Shit.
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>What time is it?
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>You look around for the clock in the darkened room.
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>It’s been knocked off the wall, leaning against the wall beside a bin.
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>6:37am.
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>Still early, but not early enough for you to fall back asleep.
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>You turn to look back down at her.
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>She's looking a lot less comfortable than she did before when she was sleeping on your back.
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>Rolling your shoulders, you get some movement back into them.
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>Feeling through your pockets, you find enough change to get something from the local shop.
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>The bakery should have stuff fresh out of the oven at this time.
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>Taking one last look at the still sleeping pony, you grab and throw a towel over her and quietly leave the flat.
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>You open the front door and scan up and down the apartment complex.
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>Empty.
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>You lock the front door and make your way down the iron stairs.
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>You yawned.
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>You were hardly awake at this sort of time.
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>Not to mention what had happened the other night.
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>The fresh morning air chills your lungs.
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>You shiver.
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>Shoving both hands into your pockets for warmth, you make your way quickly out of the alleyway and across the road.
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>It's open.
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>The shop door opens with a ring of the bell.
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>The reeking smell of bleach invades your nostrils.
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>You shuffle over to the bakery at the back of the store, and soon enough the smell of bleach is replaced by that of the freshly baked bread.
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>The plainest bone will do.
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>You grab and bag a loaf of bread.
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>The warmth from the bread soaks into your chest and arms as you bring it up to the counter.
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>There's an old man with a grey beard sitting behind the counter reading a newspaper.
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>He doesn't ask how your day was.
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>He doesn't even bother to look at you.
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>With another ring of the bell above the door, you quickly leave the store and head back to your own apartment.
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>
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>As you reach the last step up the iron staircase, you hear a noise.
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>Bang.
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>It sounds like someone is trying to break down a door.
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>Thoughts rush through your head.
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"It couldn't be."
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>You pick up a dislodged brick lying outside a barred up window sill.
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>You cautiously creep your way up and along the hallway, gripping the brick in hand.
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>Whoever it is that's doing that is going to wish that they never stepped foot here.
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>Then you stop.
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>Bang.
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>The sound is coming from inside your apartment.
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>You almost go into a sprint when you hear it.
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>BANG.
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>You hear something bashing against the door on the inside.
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>… BANG.
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>… BANG.
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>Whoever it is, they're ramming the door from the inside.
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>BANG.
-
400.
>But, judging from the sound and impact, it's way too low for a human person.
-
401.
>It dawns on you.
-
402.
"It couldn't be…"
-
403.
>You walk up to the front door, slide your key into the keyhole and turn the key.
-
404.
>The sound of the door unlocking freezes whatever's doing the ramming inside.
-
405.
>You slowly push open the door and look inside.
-
406.
>There's nothing but the darkened room.
-
407.
>Are they standing still?
-
408.
>Hiding?
-
409.
>You squint.
-
410.
>Your eyes gradually adjust to the lowlight.
-
411.
>Then you see it.
-
412.
>Looking down, you see a panting pony.
-
413.
>There are bruises along her legs and over her face.
-
414.
>You look into her eyes, but she's only looking past yours.
-
415.
>Her eyes are locked outside.
-
416.
>She's going to try and make a break for it.
-
417.
>As soon as you take a step forward, the orange pony makes a dash for the door.
-
418.
>Were it not for your size, or how weak she was, she might've gotten away.
-
419.
>You lower and drop down to your knees in time to grab a hold of her.
-
420.
>She tried to run and jump past and over you, but instead, she just ran into a trap.
-
421.
>Your arms clamp down onto her like a vice.
-
422.
>She lets out a scream.
-
423.
>No, a wail.
-
424.
>You cringe at the sound.
-
425.
>But you don't let go.
-
426.
>With a free foreleg, you can feel her reaching out over you.
-
427.
>Trying to grab hold onto that imaginary freedom that's outside.
-
428.
>But reality is sinking in.
-
429.
>Your real strength and weight holds her down.
-
430.
>She can only look on towards the overcast light from outside.
-
431.
>She continues to struggle.
-
432.
"Shhhh."
-
433.
>You whisper, applying more pressure onto her body.
-
434.
>She murmurs.
-
435.
>"Ah-ah."
-
436.
"Shh, it's okay. It's okay."
-
437.
>You don't let go.
-
438.
>"Ah-pul."
-
439.
>She's weakening.
-
440.
"Shhh."
-
441.
>"Ah-pul… bloom."
-
442.
>Her body goes limp.
-
443.
>Did she just call out a name?
-
444.
>Slowly you release her from your vice-like grip.
-
445.
>She lies there in your arms.
-
446.
>You raise a finger to her nose.
-
447.
>She's still breathing.
-
448.
"Good."
-
449.
>You lift her up and put her back down onto the sofa again.
-
450.
>Just like before.
-
451.
>Stumbling back out to the front door, you lean down to pick up your dropped bag of bread.
-
452.
>As you lean down, something on the inside of the door catches your eye.
-
453.
>Are those?
-
454.
>You trace your fingers over the dents in the door.
-
455.
>There's blood too.
-
456.
"Hm."
-
457.
>With a grunt you stand up and lock the door.
-
458.
>You make sure that the latch is on too.
-
459.
>Heading back inside you toss the bread onto the kitchen table and fill up a glass with tap water.
-
460.
>You stop by the kitchen table and decide to tear off a bit of bread loaf with your teeth, bringing it all back to the front room.
-
461.
>Kneeling down in front of the pony, with one hand you carefully inspect her face.
-
462.
>Her face is rough.
-
463.
>Self-inflicted injuries.
-
464.
>Guess she thought the metal would give way and that she could get away.
-
465.
>You tilt her head up ever so slightly and bring the glass of water to her lips.
-
466.
>After a moment she becomes responsive and takes a small sip.
-
467.
>The place has become quiet now.
-
468.
>Only the sound of the ticking clock fills the air.
-
469.
>She's sipping the water with more vigour now.
-
470.
>You pull the glass away from her, causing her to try and follow it.
-
471.
>You tear off a small piece of bread and press it against her lips.
-
472.
>At first she seems hesitant about eating it, but soon enough she takes it into her mouth.
-
473.
"Good girl."
-
474.
>You place the larger piece of bread onto your lap, tearing off small pieces to feed her.
-
475.
>You can't help but think about how frail she is.
-
476.
>How did she get like this?
-
477.
>What exactly was she trying to do?
-
478.
>If she had gotten out, someone else could've taken her.
-
479.
>She would've starved or froze out there.
-
480.
>Or worse, she could've been hit by a car.
-
481.
>You raise your hand up above her head and stroke her mane with the back of your hand.
-
482.
>She tenses up when she senses your touch.
-
483.
"It's okay."
-
484.
>You whisper into her ear.
-
485.
>She slowly relaxes with your gentle stroking and her eyes gradually open.
-
486.
>Seems like she's still in a bit of a daze.
-
487.
>But then she finally registers you and tries smiling again at you.
-
488.
>Perhaps she's just delirious, weak.
-
489.
>You return the smile as best as you could.
-
490.
>With a well-practiced smile.
-
491.
>
-
492.
>There she was, something that's only come into your life from just the other night.
-
493.
>There she was.
-
494.
>Smiling at you.
-
495.
>It's only when you smile back, her smile falters.
-
496.
>That's strange.
-
497.
>Did she see through you?
-
498.
"What's wrong?"
-
499.
>You ask.
-
500.
>For the first time, you manage to get a good look at her eyes.
-
501.
>The first thing that struck you were her eyes.
-
502.
>Those beautiful emerald green eyes.
-
503.
>She breaks the contact, looking back down at the floor.
-
504.
>Oh how you wished you could just look at those eyes for just a little while longer.
-
505.
>She opens her mouth to speak, but doesn't say anything.
-
506.
"What is it?"
-
507.
>Silence.
-
508.
>She doesn't answer you.
-
509.
>You know she can talk.
-
510.
>Well, that's not entirely true.
-
511.
>You've only heard her say a few words, but it seems like she understands.
-
512.
"Listen to me."
-
513.
>You take a good, long look at her and notice how dirty she still is.
-
514.
>Her mane was all tangled and knotted.
-
515.
>Her legs were tucked underneath herself, making herself look smaller.
-
516.
>An unsettling feeling wells inside you.
-
517.
>You tried to help her before.
-
518.
"Are you listening to me?"
-
519.
>Nothing.
-
520.
>You sigh and ask again.
-
521.
"Do you understand? Just nod or, just, do anything."
-
522.
>You get onto your knees before her.
-
523.
"Just do anything to let me know you do."
-
524.
>She slowly nods.
-
525.
>All the while trying to avoid eye contact with you.
-
526.
>You catch another glimpse of her eyes, but there's something else there.
-
527.
>Fear.
-
528.
>She's afraid of you.
-
529.
>You sit back down and let out a sigh.
-
530.
>This was too much.
-
531.
>No wonder she's so wound up, and you know oh so little about her.
-
532.
>You don't even know her name.
-
533.
>Maybe you should've asked the auctioneer that before taking her off him.
-
534.
>Not like it matters now.
-
535.
"What's your name?"
-
536.
>One of her ears flickers.
-
537.
>Still nothing.
-
538.
>You raise your hand and tap your own chest.
-
539.
>Putting on a gentle voice, you introduce yourself.
-
540.
"Me, I'm Anon."
-
541.
>Slowly she looks back up at you.
-
542.
>Like she's expecting more.
-
543.
>Struck again.
-
544.
>By those beautiful green eyes.
-
545.
>They pierce right through you.
-
546.
>You try and think about who you are.
-
547.
"I…"
-
548.
>… am a good for nothing.
-
549.
"I'm…"
-
550.
>… useless.
-
551.
"I mean I'm…"
-
552.
>… wasting my life away.
-
553.
>Shit.
-
554.
>This wasn't what you wanted to think about.
-
555.
>This isn't what you wanted to say.
-
556.
>But how can you be so sure?
-
557.
>When all these voices keep coming back in.
-
558.
>You shut your eyes and try to block out all those voices.
-
559.
>They're just opinions.
-
560.
>But, like dam about to burst, the memories, the thoughts, they all keep coming through.
-
561.
>Gushing through.
-
562.
>When a sudden tap on your legs brings you out of it.
-
563.
>The first thing you're greeted with are those emerald eyes.
-
564.
>Though there's concern mixed within her fearful expression.
-
565.
>"Ya…"
-
566.
>She's talking to you.
-
567.
>"Are ya alright?"
-
568.
>You want to throw your arms around her and bring her into a hug.
-
569.
>But you don't.
-
570.
"I'm, I'm alright."
-
571.
>You take a deep breathe.
-
572.
>She retracts her hoof and you feel her warmth leave your leg.
-
573.
"Sorry."
-
574.
>Why are you apologising to her?
-
575.
>She only looks at you.
-
576.
>You have a feeling, that perhaps, you could tell her how you weren't alright.
-
577.
>Perhaps you could, if only it's with her.
-
578.
>Don't do something foolish.
-
579.
>"Ah'm…"
-
580.
>Her voice is quiet and quivers.
-
581.
>"Ma name's Applejack."
-
582.
>Applejack.
-
583.
>You've heard how the ponies had strange names.
-
584.
>The ones with horns had magical powers, apparently.
-
585.
>But even that was never officially confirmed.
-
586.
>It happened last year when news of it broke out.
-
587.
>That mysterious, colourful ponies came from portals appearing all over the world.
-
588.
>They were all ragged, tired and looked defeated.
-
589.
>But instead of helping, it felt like the world powers just cast them aside.
-
590.
>It conflicted with everything we've ever known or understood.
-
591.
>Especially the so called magic.
-
592.
>Then there was that tattoo that they all had.
-
593.
>A 'cutiemark'?
-
594.
>What was it?
-
595.
>Pre-determination?
-
596.
>Fuck that shit.
-
597.
>Your eyes travel down to her flank.
-
598.
>Towards where you've seen their marks.
-
599.
>It's caked in dried in filth and mud.
-
600.
>It looks red.
-
601.
>She uncomfortably shifts her flank away from you.
-
602.
>Her action brings you back out of it again.
-
603.
>Was she…?
-
604.
>No.
-
605.
>That can't be it.
-
606.
>But this wasn't the first time.
-
607.
>She was also afraid when you were trying to bath her.
-
608.
>What is it that she's afraid of?
-
609.
"What's wrong?"
-
610.
>She cowers, covering her head with a hoof.
-
611.
>Standing up you startle her, causing her to cry out.
-
612.
>"A-ah!"
-
613.
>She starts frantically shifting herself away from you.
-
614.
>What is this.
-
615.
>She's afraid of you?
-
616.
>Despite how you took her in.
-
617.
>Away from all those other eyes.
-
618.
>Other eyes filled with lust and wrong.
-
619.
>She's wrong.
-
620.
"Applejack."
-
621.
>She's backed against the wall now.
-
622.
"Applejack!"
-
623.
>This time, she snaps out of it.
-
624.
>Her eyes dart open, looking back up at you.
-
625.
>You get down on one knee with an outstretched hand.
-
626.
"I don't know what happened to you, but I'm not going to hurt you."
-
627.
>It looks like it's working.
-
628.
"I…"
-
629.
>She looks back at you, then down to your hand.
-
630.
"I thought you might feel little better if you had a bath."
-
631.
>Her hoof slowly reaches out for your hand.
-
632.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, I'll be with you."
-
633.
>Her hoof stops mid-air.
-
634.
>What's wrong?
-
635.
>Maybe she needs some assurance.
-
636.
>You lift up your hand and grab hold of her hovering hoof.
-
637.
>It feels like Applejack wants to pull back.
-
638.
>But your firm hold stops her.
-
639.
"You'll be safe with me, alright?
-
640.
>You wait for her to nod.
-
641.
>Applejack slowly nods.
-
642.
"Let's get you cleaned up."
-
643.
>You go to pull her up, but she doesn't get up.
-
644.
"What's wrong?"
-
645.
>"Ah…"
-
646.
>"Ah ya gonna hurt me?"
-
647.
>Huh?
-
648.
>Despite how you've just told her that you weren't going to hurt her, she still had to ask.
-
649.
>This was getting tiresome.
-
650.
"No."
-
651.
>You can't fake a smile this time.
-
652.
"I've told you before, why do you ask?"
-
653.
>Silence fills in the gap.
-
654.
>The occasional police siren can be heard in the distance, but it doesn't bother you.
-
655.
>She speaks in such a low and quiet voice.
-
656.
>"It's nothin'."
-
657.
>You're tired.
-
658.
"Come on, we'll go together."
-
659.
>
-
660.
>You tug on her foreleg bringing her upright.
-
661.
"I'll go get things ready."
-
662.
>You make your way to the bathroom and pick up from where you left things off.
-
663.
>Puddles of old, soapy water lie across the floor.
-
664.
>A near empty bottle floats motionless inside the bathtub.
-
665.
>Reaching into the cloudy bathwater, you pull plug and start draining the water.
-
666.
>The drain is loud and jarring and fills the entire room.
-
667.
>You turn the tap and refill the tub with hot water, using your hand to measure the temperature.
-
668.
>You look down into the tub.
-
669.
>Seeing your own outline in the water, memories of what happened last night resurface before you.
-
670.
>Applejack's wide open eyes and gaping mouth.
-
671.
>Her frantic escape.
-
672.
>What was she so afraid of?
-
673.
>Was it something to do with the water?
-
674.
>You shake away the image and hope that you never see something like that again.
-
675.
>Without realising it, you find yourself tightly gripping the side of the bath.
-
676.
>You turn off the tap.
-
677.
>What would create such a reaction like that?
-
678.
>Hang on, she called out a name.
-
679.
"Apple Bloom."
-
680.
>Was it someone she knows?
-
681.
>You'll have to ask her about it.
-
682.
>As you turn around, something startles you.
-
683.
>A pair of unmoving green eyes stare at you from the corridor.
-
684.
"Applejack?"
-
685.
>You take a step.
-
686.
>You almost didn't catch her quiet voice.
-
687.
>"Ah-Anon?"
-
688.
"The bath is ready, come on in."
-
689.
>She raises a hoof as though to take a step backwards.
-
690.
>Standing aside, you wait for her to make her way to the bathroom.
-
691.
>Her head is kept low, facing down to the ground.
-
692.
>Her tail is rigid and frozen when she moves.
-
693.
>She comes to a stop just inside the bathroom, her ears are folded down.
-
694.
>You can't help but notice how still she's become.
-
695.
>How her eyes are darting to and fro.
-
696.
>Rather than let her run through whatever it is she's reimagining, you step in and scoop your arms around her.
-
697.
>"Ah-Anon! Wha-"
-
698.
"Easy now."
-
699.
>You hold her up to your chest, practically hugging her now.
-
700.
>Taking a step or so forward, you lean down so that she can look into the bathtub.
-
701.
>Her body becomes stiff and her ears shoot straight up.
-
702.
"Look."
-
703.
>You scoot one of your hands up behind her and pat her head for reassurance.
-
704.
>Something that reminded you of your own childhood.
-
705.
"See, you're okay."
-
706.
>"Ah, ah, guess, ah, am."
-
707.
"Okay I'm gonna lower you down-"
-
708.
>One of her hooves almost touches the water surface.
-
709.
>"Wait!"
-
710.
>You stop, somewhat awkwardly using one hand to support yourself on the edge of the tub.
-
711.
>She twists around in your arms and pressing up against your chest.
-
712.
>Looking down, you see Applejack burying her head into you with her eyes tightly closed.
-
713.
>Her forelegs are clamped down around you.
-
714.
>"Wait, wait, ah, ah can't, no, ah, no more."
-
715.
>She's violently shaking.
-
716.
>It scares you.
-
717.
>You can't even imagine what she's going through.
-
718.
>At the same time, you want to say something to her, to comfort her.
-
719.
>But you don't know what to say.
-
720.
>And so you do nothing but wait.
-
721.
>Your eyes wander to the cracked tiles on the wall.
-
722.
>How old age and mould ate away their pristine state.
-
723.
>Thinking back to those weeks after the ponies appeared, there was something strange happening in the news.
-
724.
>The news was always depressing, reporting on the latest murder or horrific car accident.
-
725.
>But any mention of the ponies was gone.
-
726.
>Day after day, you read the newspaper headlines at the stand.
-
727.
>Day after day, they faded away from the public awareness.
-
728.
>Only then did the rumours started coming out of the cracks.
-
729.
>Rumours that only made you question your humanity.
-
730.
>They were being treated like meat.
-
731.
>"Anon?"
-
732.
>You meet those green eyes again before she glances away.
-
733.
>"Ah'm, ready, ah guess."
-
734.
"Let's take it easy."
-
735.
>She lets go and you lower her down into the water until her hooves touch the bottom.
-
736.
>The water doesn't reach higher than her chest, but you can still see how uneasy she is.
-
737.
>You grab a wet cloth and turn her face towards you.
-
738.
>As you lean down to inspect her, a light blush appears over her face.
-
739.
>"Ah-Anon, wha-"
-
740.
"Hold still."
-
741.
>You lift her head higher and gently wipe away the dirt from her eyes.
-
742.
>Wiping her face, you trace your fingers delicately over her closed eyes.
-
743.
>Touching and feeling her features.
-
744.
>Her fur is bright and warm, highlighted by her freckles that were hidden by the grime and dirt.
-
745.
>Her eyes remain closed.
-
746.
>Her breathing is steady.
-
747.
>You stop cleaning her just to etch this scene into your memory.
-
748.
>There's just something so natural, beautiful and innocent about her.
-
749.
>Without a second thought, you bend down and kiss her gently on her forehead.
-
750.
>When you pull back, her eyes open in bewilderment.
-
751.
>There's shock and confusion in her eyes.
-
752.
>But there's no fear.
-
753.
>The blush only grows deeper as she realises what just happened and turns to face away from you.
-
754.
>But when she turns, the moment is ruined.
-
755.
>There's a long, deep scar going down along her neck.
-
756.
>And in that very moment, she raises a hoof to cover it from your eyes.
-
757.
>"It's, it's not what yer thinkin', it's, it's nothin'."
-
758.
>You rinse the cloth clean in the water and raise it up against her scar, squeezing the water out and down along her scar.
-
759.
>Slowly and gently you wipe down the area.
-
760.
>Bits of dirt, stains and loose fur come out with each stroke.
-
761.
>Over and over again you wipe at her side.
-
762.
>You wonder what sort of person could have done this to her.
-
763.
>Lost in the thought, you lean into the bathtub and put too much pressure onto her scar.
-
764.
>"Ahh!"
-
765.
>She cries out in pain.
-
766.
>Shit.
-
767.
"Applejack?"
-
768.
>She's down on her knees with her foreleg holding her scar.
-
769.
>Fresh tears flow down her cheeks.
-
770.
>You didn't think that scar would still hurt.
-
771.
"Sorry I didn't-"
-
772.
>She grimaces and cuts you off before you could finish speaking.
-
773.
>"Ah'm, ah'm alright."
-
774.
>Applejack slowly resumes her standing position, looking away from you again.
-
775.
>What was up with her?
-
776.
>You had conflicted feelings of guilt and fear.
-
777.
>If you had hurt her, you would've taken it back two fold.
-
778.
>But what if she wanted to leave?
-
779.
>You were keeping her here because it's safer than being outside.
-
780.
>Right?
-
781.
>No.
-
782.
>You had to take action and make it up for her.
-
783.
>Using this as an opportunity, you unbuckle your belt and drop your jeans.
-
784.
>They fall onto the bathroom floor with a thud.
-
785.
>"W-hat are-"
-
786.
>As you attempt to kick your legs free, you hear some splashing behind you.
-
787.
>"Are ya-"
-
788.
>Having freed yourself, you step inside the tub.
-
789.
>The pony has her back towards you, with her rump high in the air.
-
790.
>You crouch down over her and start scrubbing her back.
-
791.
>When you touch her, she nearly jumps.
-
792.
>"Gah."
-
793.
>You can't help notice how tense she's become.
-
794.
>She seems to find it really uncomfortable.
-
795.
>You'd like to get her to relax, but at the same time you needed to get her clean.
-
796.
>It's strange.
-
797.
>It dawns on you how you're beginning to change.
-
798.
>Perhaps talking to her will help make her feel relaxed.
-
799.
"You know."
-
800.
>You start awkwardly.
-
801.
"I've always thought baths were a waste of time and water."
-
802.
>One of her ears lifts up.
-
803.
"And yet here I am, having one with a pony of all things."
-
804.
>Scrubbing away at her back, you can feel her relax a little.
-
805.
"I guess some things are better shared together."
-
806.
>Her true colour, a bright, warm orange begins to shine through the dirt.
-
807.
>You begin to wonder how she would look once she was cleaned up.
-
808.
>No, how wonderful she would look.
-
809.
>With her back cleaned, three red apples appear on her flank.
-
810.
>Squeezing out some shampoo into your hand, you start working on her mane.
-
811.
>Working your fingers into her mane, you start working out the knots.
-
812.
>Like with her coat, washing away at her mane her original colour starts coming through.
-
813.
"Now close your eyes."
-
814.
>She does so with a nod and you rinse her mane through.
-
815.
>The mud and muck washes away revealing a light gold mane.
-
816.
>She shivers.
-
817.
>The bathwater is now cold and murky.
-
818.
>There were still areas that you haven't touched, but it would seem like you would need to leave it for another time.
-
819.
"Looks like we're finished."
-
820.
>"Huh?"
-
821.
>You fish out the plug and drain the water.
-
822.
"You coming out or what?"
-
823.
>The wet pony looks back at you and slowly turns.
-
824.
>Her forelegs cling onto the bathtub edge and she tries to jump.
-
825.
>She fails to get enough strength into her jump though and appears to hop on the spot.
-
826.
>It would look cute were it not for her weakness.
-
827.
"Sorry."
-
828.
>Grabbing a large towel you wrap and scoop her up into your arms.
-
829.
>She's still shivering in your arms.
-
830.
>Why couldn't she have said that she was cold?
-
831.
>Holding her in your arms as you move out of the bathroom, you consider putting her to sleep on the couch again but quickly dismiss it.
-
832.
>It wouldn't be good if she was left her out in the cold.
-
833.
>That leaves only one other place.
-
834.
>"Wh-where are we goin'?"
-
835.
"To my room."
-
836.
>"Yer room?"
-
837.
>You open the door and enter your room.
-
838.
>Magazines, books, old boxes and stuff were thrown about on the floor.
-
839.
>Everything was where you left it, even the curtains were drawn for as long as you remembered.
-
840.
>The bundle shifts around in your arms, trying to get a good look around the room.
-
841.
>You set her down on your bed and begin to dry her off as best as you can.
-
842.
>"Ah-Anon, slow, slow down."
-
843.
"You're gonna catch a cold if I don't."
-
844.
>Having gone through her tail and mane, you flip her onto her back to dry her underside.
-
845.
>The sight of Applejack, laying sprawled out on your bed, is in front of you.
-
846.
>You lift the towel up and start wiping her down from her front, when she says something.
-
847.
>She mumbles.
-
848.
"What?"
-
849.
>She looks away from you.
-
850.
>"Are, are, ya."
-
851.
>Her voice quivers and breaks.
-
852.
>She speaks again, in a clear, quiet voice.
-
853.
>"Are ya gonna, rut me?"
-
854.
>You stop moving your hand.
-
855.
>What was that?
-
856.
>She looks back at you, this time with her tail lowered on the bed, exposing her marehood.
-
857.
>"J-just that, whenever y'all, 'clean' me, y'all gonna, do, that."
-
858.
>You could hear the disgust in her voice.
-
859.
>But that doesn't even compare to what you're experiencing right now.
-
860.
>That deep, unsettling emotion flaring up inside you.
-
861.
>You didn't clean her just to do something like that to her.
-
862.
>It never even crossed your mind.
-
863.
>You knew, though, how badly she was treated.
-
864.
>The signs were all there.
-
865.
>Perhaps you were just kidding yourself.
-
866.
>Your hands rolled up into fists.
-
867.
>You abruptly tear away the towel, exposing her briefly before pulling the duvet back over her.
-
868.
>Then you start walking to leave the room.
-
869.
>"Ah'll do whatever ya want!"
-
870.
>You don't reply.
-
871.
>"Ah'll do anythin'."
-
872.
>Your hand grabs the door knob.
-
873.
>"Just, please, don't leave me alone!"
-
874.
>You stop.
-
875.
>"Don't leave me all alone."
-
876.
>"Ah'll do anythin' ya-"
-
877.
"Stop it."
-
878.
>You release your grip on the door knob and breathe out deeply.
-
879.
>You were starting to feel cold and tired too.
-
880.
>You walk on back over to your bed and, kneeling down, you come face to face with her.
-
881.
"I won't leave you alone."
-
882.
>You scoop your hands underneath and move her onto the other side of the bed.
-
883.
"Just go to sleep."
-
884.
>She looks at you all the while you move her.
-
885.
>Lifting the duvet to get in, you pause and look at Applejack.
-
886.
>She looks back at you with eyes peeping over the duvet.
-
887.
>You smile at her before sliding into the bed and turning away from her.
-
888.
>This should be fine.
-
889.
>Today will pass, just like any other day.
-
890.
>Lying there, you close your eyes and listen to the silence.
-
891.
>Your bedfellow breaks the silence by shuffling around.
-
892.
>Her breathing is quiet and shallow, unlike yours.
-
893.
>"Yer smile."
-
894.
>She speaks out to the dark.
-
895.
>"Yer hidin'."
-
896.
>She saw through it.
-
897.
>You don't say anything more, and neither does she.
-
898.
>
-
899.
>You wake up and open your eyes.
-
900.
>The pale morning sunlight filters in between the crack in the curtains.
-
901.
>Specs of dust float in and out of the light.
-
902.
>It seems like you've turned tossed and turned around in your sleep.
-
903.
>Your arm lies outstretched across the pillows with your fingers up like monuments in the light.
-
904.
>Your other arm rests close to your body, hidden underneath the duvet.
-
905.
>Feeling an itch coming across your stubble, you go to scratch it but something hitches onto your arm.
-
906.
>You become more awake with the obstruction and peer down at the little orange bundle sleeping against you.
-
907.
>Looks like you weren't the only one that tossed around in their sleep.
-
908.
>Applejack lies huddled against you, with a foreleg resting over your arm and her legs intertwined with yours.
-
909.
>Blissfully asleep, unaware that you were capturing this moment in every detail.
-
910.
>Slowly, you slip your arm free from her foreleg, doing your best not to wake her.
-
911.
>Sensing that your arm was missing, she bats her foreleg against your side to try find it again.
-
912.
>At the same time she rubs her head against your chest, burying it away from the light.
-
913.
>It reminded you of a time when you had your pet dog all those years ago, and how it would curl its head against you.
-
914.
>Her head digs into your chest once again, but instead flips back up and settles her neck against your chest.
-
915.
>She hums in her new position, perhaps as a sign of her comfort.
-
916.
>Her face paints a picture of peace and quiet.
-
917.
>With your free hand you trace your fingers along her features.
-
918.
>How large her eyes were.
-
919.
>How soft and sensitive her ears were and who they would involuntarily flicker when you touched them.
-
920.
>Trailing your fingertips down to her nose where you tap it with two fingers
-
921.
>She snorts immediately, scrunching her face at the same time.
-
922.
>Her eyes flutter open in a daze, slowly looking around the room before falling back down onto yours.
-
923.
>"Mmm."
-
924.
>She digs her head back down into your chest and pulls you into a tight hug.
-
925.
"Morning."
-
926.
>You break the silence.
-
927.
>Her eyes snap open and she kicks at you and scoots away to the other side of the bed.
-
928.
>The force of her kick is enough to send you out of the bed, hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
-
929.
"Ow!"
-
930.
>You rub your sore arse, only to see those green eyes peeping over the edge of the bed.
-
931.
>"Cornsarnit! Ah-Anon?"
-
932.
>You shoot her a glance, forcing her to slowly edge back over onto the bed.
-
933.
>You can barely see her eyes now.
-
934.
>"Are, are yer, alright, Anon?"
-
935.
>You get up and stretch out your back with an audible click, making Applejack flinch at the sound.
-
936.
"Peachy."
-
937.
>You grunt.
-
938.
>Truthfully you couldn't stay angry at her.
-
939.
>But you still had questions about her.
-
940.
>Like what she meant with her comment last night.
-
941.
>Pulling on some joggers you left lying around, you head to the bathroom to do your usual morning business.
-
942.
>Not too shortly after, you hear the sound of clopping following after you.
-
943.
"Applejack?"
-
944.
>"Anon? What are y-"
-
945.
>She turned the corner and instantly saw everything.
-
946.
>Her eyes fell and shrank.
-
947.
>A deep blush flushed across her face, followed by another adorable scrunching.
-
948.
>She dipped her hat, covering her face, and quickly backed out of the room.
-
949.
>Silence fell upon the room, all but the sound of a constant stream.
-
950.
>A grin grew on your face after realising what it was.
-
951.
>It's been so long since you've lived with another person.
-
952.
>Shaking off a few drops, you finish up and head out to the lounge.
-
953.
>You spot Applejack perched on top of a stool, with a slight blush still on her face.
-
954.
>Seeing where she was sitting, you take the spare stool and sit directly opposite her.
-
955.
"So what do you eat?"
-
956.
>Applejack bit her lower lip and mumbled out a reply.
-
957.
"I can't hear you if you mumble."
-
958.
>She turns away from you and then slumps into her hooves.
-
959.
>"Ah'll, ah'll be fine with whatever."
-
960.
"Hmm."
-
961.
>Dissatisfied with her reply, you turn around and look around the kitchen.
-
962.
>You've still got the bread from the other day, but that's not enough.
-
963.
>Looking through the cupboards and fridge there's hardly anything to eat.
-
964.
>There were a couple eggs, perhaps you could make some eggs on toast.
-
965.
>But can a pony have eggs?
-
966.
>Otherwise there was some old cereal packets with whatever milk you have left.
-
967.
>You can't decide.
-
968.
>You grab whatever you could find and lay them all out in front of Applejack.
-
969.
"I don't know what you can, have, so here, you pick."
-
970.
>Applejack slowly turns her head around and looks at the items.
-
971.
>She leans in close, tapping and taking a sniff out of each item.
-
972.
>It was like she's never seen them before.
-
973.
"You finished?"
-
974.
>"N-no, a-ah don't know what these are."
-
975.
"Well, this is some wheat cereal."
-
976.
>You open the box and push it in front of her.
-
977.
>She pushes her nose into and takes a couple sniffs, before pulling back and making a face with her tongue.
-
978.
"I'm guessing that's a no."
-
979.
>She moves away from the cereal box to a small one.
-
980.
>"What's this?"
-
981.
"Pop tarts, apple and cinnamon flavour."
-
982.
>Her eyes lights up.
-
983.
>"A-apple?"
-
984.
"Alright hang on."
-
985.
>You open up the small box and throw it into the toaster.
-
986.
>"W-what are you doing with it?"
-
987.
"Heating it up."
-
988.
>Her eyebrows roll up in confusion.
-
989.
>A moment later, you hear the toaster spring up.
-
990.
"Here you go."
-
991.
>You slide a plate with a hot pop tart on it.
-
992.
>"Is, is that it?"
-
993.
>Applejack's ears droop down at the sight of the peculiar item.
-
994.
>You nod and take your seat again.
-
995.
>She hesitates as she opens her mouth at various angles to take a bite.
-
996.
>You weren't sure if you would call it pathetic or cute.
-
997.
"Here."
-
998.
>You break off two pieces, popping one into your own mouth and holding the other out in front of her.
-
999.
>"Are yer sure it's apple?"
-
1000.
>You shrug and take another bite.
-
1001.
>"Doesn't smell like apple to me."
-
1002.
>She comes around eventually, taking the piece out of your hand and chews on it.
-
1003.
>She swallows after making a couple faces.
-
1004.
>"Mm, it's, eh, somethin'."
-
1005.
>Seems like she doesn't like it.
-
1006.
"Alright then."
-
1007.
>Taking what's left over to the kitchen top, you start fixing some scrambled eggs.
-
1008.
>It's nothing fancy but it works.
-
1009.
>Glancing back, you can still see the orange pony curiously looking over at you.
-
1010.
>You set down two plates of toast and scrambled eggs.
-
1011.
"Try this."
-
1012.
>You pour yourself a hot cup of cheap black coffee before taking your seat.
-
1013.
>Without waiting you sprinkle some salt and pepper on top before you start eating.
-
1014.
>However Applejack seems to be struggling with her meal.
-
1015.
>This one too?
-
1016.
>You settle your knife and fork onto your plate.
-
1017.
"You'll have to eat something, if you don't, it's gonna be trouble."
-
1018.
>You waited for her to eat.
-
1019.
>You needed her to eat something.
-
1020.
>Applejack's eyes looked up at yours then at the food in front of her.
-
1021.
>She closed her eyes and started taking down the scrambled egg and toast.
-
1022.
>Good, she's finally eating.
-
1023.
>The meal went by without much issue and you finish your piece of toast with some black coffee.
-
1024.
>Or so you thought.
-
1025.
>Taking the empty plates over to the wash basin, you heard her murmur something.
-
1026.
"You're mumbling again."
-
1027.
>She doesn't reply.
-
1028.
>Turning around you find Applejack on the floor beside the table.
-
1029.
>She must've jumped down off the stool while you were moving the dirty plates.
-
1030.
>But something was wrong.
-
1031.
>Her breathing was erratic.
-
1032.
"Hey."
-
1033.
>She stopped and looked up at you.
-
1034.
>There was an uneasy look in her eyes.
-
1035.
"What's wrong?"
-
1036.
>In that moment, her back arched up and down in quick jolts.
-
1037.
"Hey Applejack!"
-
1038.
>Before you could do anything, she had emptied her stomach all over the floor in front of you.
-
1039.
>Once, twice, thrice, she retched until she couldn't throw anything up.
-
1040.
>The acrid smell reached your nose, and what was once scrambled eggs was now a brown mess.
-
1041.
>Why couldn't she have said something?
-
1042.
>She didn't have to eat it if she didn't like it.
-
1043.
>Applejack rolled over on her side.
-
1044.
"Dammit."
-
1045.
>You couldn't blame her, could you?
-
1046.
>You didn't want to think about it anymore, it was a stressful morning as it already is.
-
1047.
>Thinking anymore would just get you angry.
-
1048.
>You started moving.
-
1049.
>Grabbing some dirty kitchen towels, you threw it over the mess.
-
1050.
>Tiptoeing around it, you reached the orange pony.
-
1051.
>You pull off her hat and stroke her mane, freeing some strands stuck around her lips.
-
1052.
>There were tears in the corners of her eyes.
-
1053.
>You needed to get something that she could eat.
-
1054.
>But first thing's first.
-
1055.
>You lifted her up with in your arms and gently place her back down onto the sofa.
-
1056.
"Don't move."
-
1057.
>A while later, you were sitting down by the sofa cushioning a tired pony.
-
1058.
>The floor was roughly cleaned up and the towels were filthy but the acrid smell was at least gone now.
-
1059.
>You guided another glass of water to the pony on the sofa.
-
1060.
"Drink, it'll help make you feel better."
-
1061.
>Her lips moved and sucked at the water.
-
1062.
>She lifted a hoof and pushed away your hand.
-
1063.
>"Ah, ah'm sorry, fer, fer-"
-
1064.
"It's fine."
-
1065.
>You keep telling yourself this.
-
1066.
"Here, try this."
-
1067.
>You lifted a spoon with some wheat cereal with watered down milk.
-
1068.
>Surprisingly, she didn't make a face when she tried it.
-
1069.
>"This is, some, weird tastin' wheat."
-
1070.
"Probably because it's not meant for you."
-
1071.
>She looks up at you, confused with one ear up and one ear down.
-
1072.
>"Ah, ah see, we weren't really meant to be here anyhow."
-
1073.
"You're right about that."
-
1074.
>You give her a couple more spoonful's before setting aside the bowl and glass of water.
-
1075.
>You find that stroking her mane and scratching behind her ears helps relax her.
-
1076.
>Time goes by undisturbed for a while.
-
1077.
>The sound of outside traffic creates a low, constant rumble.
-
1078.
"You better now?"
-
1079.
>Her eyes flicker open, as though caught in a state of confusion.
-
1080.
>"Y-yes mast- ah, A-Anon."
-
1081.
"So tell me, what can you eat?"
-
1082.
>"Any, anythin', really."
-
1083.
>Not this again.
-
1084.
"Okay, what do you like to eat? You seemed to be interested in apples."
-
1085.
>There was an apple in her name and apples on her flank.
-
1086.
>It couldn't be a coincidence.
-
1087.
>"Y-yeah."
-
1088.
"Apple crumble? Apple fritters? Apple turnovers?"
-
1089.
>Her eyes beamed at every mention of 'apple'.
-
1090.
>"Yer, yer got those here?"
-
1091.
"No I'd need to go out and buy them."
-
1092.
>She deflated slightly.
-
1093.
>"Yer don't make 'em yerself?"
-
1094.
"What? No, that'd be too expensive and take too much time."
-
1095.
>Not that you had any work to do.
-
1096.
>But money was a real issue.
-
1097.
>The food that you could only afford, the clothes you wore, even the state of the apartment was all up to money.
-
1098.
>Only rich people could do something fancy like bake their own stuff with their 'organic' ingredients and silver kitchenware.
-
1099.
>"Ah, ah see."
-
1100.
>She wasn't like that, right?
-
1101.
>You had to ask.
-
1102.
"So do you make yours, from scratch?"
-
1103.
>She smiles at the question.
-
1104.
>"Yessiree, made everythin' with these very hooves."
-
1105.
>So what's how it was.
-
1106.
>You remembered how one of the taller, white Pegasus ponies that came through was decorated in gold.
-
1107.
>"Why, we'd spent all day makin' anythin' an' everythin' we could, with the apples we grew."
-
1108.
>There was a genuine smile on her face now.
-
1109.
>"Granny Smith, bless her, couldn' even keep still as we made 'em, me, Big Mac an'-"
-
1110.
>Her smile falters and she quickly shakes her head as though to get rid of the thought.
-
1111.
>"Yea, we, we made 'em."
-
1112.
>Sounds like she had a big family.
-
1113.
"So what about this 'Applebloom'?"
-
1114.
>In an instance, her eyes became unfocused and distant.
-
1115.
>They shot wide open and her pupils had shrunk.
-
1116.
>Her face paled as she looked down.
-
1117.
>"Ah, ah don't know what, what yer talkin' about."
-
1118.
>She spoke slowly and in a very low voice.
-
1119.
"You called out her name. Sounds like she-"
-
1120.
>"WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW?"
-
1121.
>You were taken aback by her outburst.
-
1122.
>Her voice was loud and dry, filled with anger and tension.
-
1123.
>But just like that, she settled back down and turned away from you.
-
1124.
>"It's just, it's just a place."
-
1125.
>You don't say anything.
-
1126.
>"A place back home."
-
1127.
>You nodded.
-
1128.
>But you couldn't get your mind away from her outburst.
-
1129.
>How those green eyes filled with such emotions looked at you.
-
1130.
>How you were someone who had just hurt her again.
-
1131.
>You already wanted to put this behind you.
-
1132.
"Could you-"
-
1133.
>You try speaking out to her again.
-
1134.
>She looks up at you without any expression on her face.
-
1135.
"Could you tell me about your home?"
-
1136.
>She doesn't answer and shuts her eyes.
-
1137.
"Okay."
-
1138.
>You go to stand up which elicits a response from her.
-
1139.
>"Where, where are yer goin'?"
-
1140.
"I'm gonna go out to the shops, there's hardly anything around here for you to eat."
-
1141.
>She nods.
-
1142.
"Just stay inside and don't try and get out again."
-
1143.
>"O-okay."
-
1144.
>You leave the room and head back into your bedroom to put on your jacket and jeans.
-
1145.
>You check your wallet has enough notes before pocketing it, followed by your keys.
-
1146.
>A clopping noise follows you into the room.
-
1147.
>"What should ah do?"
-
1148.
"What should you do?"
-
1149.
>"While yer gone."
-
1150.
>She rubs her foreleg while covering her face with her hat.
-
1151.
>"Yer been lettin' me stay here, ah should be doin' somethin' in return, y'know?"
-
1152.
>You couldn't think of anything at the moment.
-
1153.
>But you could tell there was something else to her question.
-
1154.
>Honestly you wanted to get out right now.
-
1155.
"Do whatever you want."
-
1156.
>You walk to the front door.
-
1157.
"Just, stay inside."
-
1158.
>You unlock the front door and look back.
-
1159.
>Applejack was sitting down in the hallway on her hind legs.
-
1160.
>With one last look at her, you close and lock the door.
-
1161.
>With your hand still on the handle, you thought back to the time she was trying to get out.
-
1162.
>There's still so much you don't know about her.
-
1163.
>Trying to talk to her won't get you anywhere.
-
1164.
>Not with all the problems you keep hitting.
-
1165.
>What did you think?
-
1166.
>That it would be easy taking in a pony?
-
1167.
>Walking down the platform towards the stairwell, you think of the people you know you could turn to.
-
1168.
>Not friends, just people with the answers you needed.
-
1169.
>The dull sky looked down upon you from above.
-
1170.
>
-
1171.
>Once you're out in the streets again, you feel a sense of normalcy return to you.
-
1172.
>These were the streets that you were unwillingly thrown onto.
-
1173.
>The very streets that shaped you into who you are.
-
1174.
>If you did something stupid, or likewise, dangerous, you'd have to be lucky to not get hurt or end up dead.
-
1175.
>If you were weak or too soft, the street would cut you down.
-
1176.
>That's life out here.
-
1177.
>In all this chaos, pollution and crime.
-
1178.
>Something appears as you emerge around the corner.
-
1179.
>You find a person lying on some cardboard, someone you haven't seen before.
-
1180.
>You lean down over him, checking to see if he was awake or if he was even alive.
-
1181.
>Nothing.
-
1182.
>Pity.
-
1183.
>You start to pat him down, trying to find anything of use.
-
1184.
>He's kinda cold.
-
1185.
>You dig out only a few notes, coins, a lighter and a half empty box of Lucky 7 cigarettes.
-
1186.
>Lucky 7's.
-
1187.
>It's been a while.
-
1188.
>You take one out of its crumpled package and smell it.
-
1189.
>They still had their freshness, that blend of earth, wood and spice.
-
1190.
>Some poor sap would definitely buy these off you.
-
1191.
>You held the lone cigarette in a familiar manner in between your fingers.
-
1192.
>Just how long has it been you stopped smoking?
-
1193.
>You didn't want to start again, start wasting your money and slowly kill yourself.
-
1194.
>But something kept you from putting it back in with the others.
-
1195.
>You slide it into your jacket pocket, not wanting to overthink it.
-
1196.
>And just like that you leave the body alone on the cardboard and go about your way.
-
1197.
>Back out on the main street, it's not much different.
-
1198.
>People were few and far between on the streets.
-
1199.
>When there were, they were dressed in drab clothing, hunched over wherever they walked.
-
1200.
>Some were pushing trolleys carrying food, others were pushing trolleys carrying their own stuff.
-
1201.
>You approach the local rundown shopping market with an outdoor fruit stand.
-
1202.
>It was sparse, taking a closer look you find that it's only filled with some anaemic looking oranges and a couple of pale green apples.
-
1203.
>It was a poor excuse of a fruit stand.
-
1204.
>Nothing like the red ones on Applejack's flank.
-
1205.
>Now that you think of it, everything around her was bleak in comparison.
-
1206.
>An image of Applejack flashes before your eyes.
-
1207.
>She was sleeping in a curled bundle on the floor, where her side gently rises and falls as she sleeps.
-
1208.
>Her warm, soft fur illuminated by the warm sun.
-
1209.
>It warms your heart a little, just thinking about her.
-
1210.
>You snap back to the scene in front of you.
-
1211.
>The rotting, peeling wooden crates that are clearly too large for the fruit inside look barren and unwelcoming.
-
1212.
>It would be easy to take one and walk away.
-
1213.
>But the thought of Applejack stops you.
-
1214.
>You needed to get some more stuff inside for her.
-
1215.
>You grab a few of the best apples you could find before slipping inside the store.
-
1216.
>The store was practically empty on the inside.
-
1217.
>The air was stale and heavily infused with the pungent odour of exotic spices.
-
1218.
>The tiles along the floor have lost their shine over the years, while the fluorescent lights above cast their lifeless light above you.
-
1219.
>Some old foreign song plays in the air around you, masking what would otherwise be the uncomfortable silence.
-
1220.
>You stroll through, passing all the out of place, brightly coloured looking products to find some apple pastries.
-
1221.
>You find them, though they look dry, old even.
-
1222.
>Then, something catches your attention.
-
1223.
>You bag a few for Applejack regardless.
-
1224.
>You follow them in the corner of your vision, though it's not hard to miss them.
-
1225.
>A large woman pushes a pram with a kid shouting, pulling and hanging off her arm.
-
1226.
>But that's not the important thing.
-
1227.
>No the important thing was the open black handbag.
-
1228.
>You carefully look around the store, spotting only two old looking security cameras.
-
1229.
>One is at the back end corner of the store and the other at the front looking down at the counter.
-
1230.
>This was an opportunity for you.
-
1231.
>For Applejack.
-
1232.
>Thumbing the apple in your hand, you figure out a plan to distract the woman.
-
1233.
>You slowly walk up behind them, timing your distance.
-
1234.
>The kid pulls on the woman with one hand and wildly swings his other arm in the opposite direction.
-
1235.
>In front of them to the side is a tower made out of stacked cereal boxes.
-
1236.
>That'll do.
-
1237.
>Sometime throughout his whining and pulling, he turns around and locks eyes with you.
-
1238.
>You falter, but he quickly dismisses you goes back to pestering the woman.
-
1239.
>He must've thought that you were unsuspecting.
-
1240.
>How wrong he was.
-
1241.
>You wait for the right moment and go for it.
-
1242.
>At that same moment, the kid turns around and looks back at you.
-
1243.
>You throw the apple at the base of the cereal tower which is now right next to him.
-
1244.
>The kid knows what you're doing.
-
1245.
>But it's too late.
-
1246.
>There's a loud crash as the pile of boxes comes falling down.
-
1247.
>The kid's mouth is wide open.
-
1248.
>Before he could do anything, he's instantly tugged back and slapped on the face by the woman.
-
1249.
>You roughly push past them as she turns her back on you, quickly grabbing whatever you can get out of her handbag and shoving them into your own pocket.
-
1250.
>You place the bags of apples and pastries onto the counter and quickly take out some notes.
-
1251.
"Just these, I'm in a hurry."
-
1252.
>The guy behind the counter is looking at the commotion behind you.
-
1253.
>"Sir? Hold on I need to-"
-
1254.
"Now."
-
1255.
>He looks at you quizzically before relenting and taking your money.
-
1256.
>As he gives you your change, he looks over again at the woman and then back at you.
-
1257.
>His eyes shoot down at your bulging pocket.
-
1258.
>"Did you just-"
-
1259.
>You leave without letting him finish.
-
1260.
>As soon as you're outside, you run.
-
1261.
>You could've sworn you heard him call out after you.
-
1262.
>But that's not going to stop you.
-
1263.
>Taking the first corner, you weave through the tight alleyways and large dustbins.
-
1264.
>Splashing on puddles, kicking away empty cans, stepping over old newspapers, you keep going.
-
1265.
>Further and further away into the city maze.
-
1266.
>After a good while, you slow down to stop.
-
1267.
>You're in some unknown alleyway.
-
1268.
>Taking in deep breaths of air you rest along some back doorsteps.
-
1269.
>You can feel your back drenched in sweat.
-
1270.
>A police siren hitches your breath but soon fades away into that industrial background noise.
-
1271.
>Even though you got away with it, you still messed up at the counter.
-
1272.
>It wouldn't be the first time either.
-
1273.
>Pulling out the stolen goods, you take a look to see what you got.
-
1274.
>It was a good grab.
-
1275.
>There was a smartphone, an Apple one at that too.
-
1276.
>Too bad the screen was cracked, otherwise you could've sold it for a lot.
-
1277.
>The thought of showing it to Applejack comes to mind and you wonder how she would react to it.
-
1278.
>You imagine telling her how you got an Apple phone and how she'd scrunch her face.
-
1279.
>Though she'd probably question you about how you got it.
-
1280.
>There was that certain way she looked at you.
-
1281.
>Like how she could see through you.
-
1282.
>Better not.
-
1283.
>You couldn't really tell if it was new or old.
-
1284.
>But first thing's first.
-
1285.
>You pull out the SIM card with a bent out paperclip and crush it.
-
1286.
>You turn it off and slide it into your pocket before moving onto the other item.
-
1287.
>A black purse.
-
1288.
>A Gucci one at that too.
-
1289.
>Perhaps it's real and not a fake, or so you would hope.
-
1290.
>Going through her stuff, none of then prove useful to you.
-
1291.
>An expired driver's licence along with various credit cards.
-
1292.
>But you find some paper notes, at least a hundred's worth of crumpled notes in there.
-
1293.
>Separating the notes from the purse and putting them into your own pocket, you decided what you were going to do next.
-
1294.
>You needed to go see him again.
-
1295.
>
-
1296.
>It took you a while to find the place again.
-
1297.
>Retracing your steps after so many months wasn't easy.
-
1298.
>Going through private carparks, access ways and through an abandoned construction site.
-
1299.
>Everything was just how you remembered it.
-
1300.
>The red painted steel door situated on the back side of a windowless building.
-
1301.
>The only things on the outside were a couple CCTV cameras high up on the corners.
-
1302.
>Otherwise there was nothing there that made it stand out from the others.
-
1303.
>You go up to the door and find an old intercom panel to the side of it.
-
1304.
>It's worn all over, the metal surface is dirty with grime and is beginning to show signs of rust.
-
1305.
>You press the call button and nothing seemingly happens.
-
1306.
>The speaker suddenly crackles to life.
-
1307.
>"Who is it?"
-
1308.
>You lean into the intercom and speak.
-
1309.
"I'm here to see Wire."
-
1310.
>You hear a buzz and the door automatically unlocks for you.
-
1311.
>There's no one there to greet you as you step into the dark, silent corridor.
-
1312.
>The door closes with a deafening bang and locks behind you.
-
1313.
>Only the dim hue of lone red light illuminates your path along the long stretch.
-
1314.
>Arriving at the end of the corridor, you find a door with blue light coming out from the gap below it.
-
1315.
>Entering the room the hum of fans and air conditioners surround you.
-
1316.
>In front of you is a desk with computer screen, keyboard and a near full ashtray.
-
1317.
>"Anonymous!"
-
1318.
>A young male voice calls out from behind you.
-
1319.
>Looking to the other side of the desk, a lanky looking guy wearing a loose cardigan and baggy trousers comes out behind another door.
-
1320.
>He raises his arms out towards you.
-
1321.
>"What no hug?"
-
1322.
"Knock it off Wire."
-
1323.
>"I thought you'd forgotten all about me."
-
1324.
>He laughs it off and goes into a stretch, arching his back in an wide motion.
-
1325.
>You cringe a little as you can hear a couple of loud clicks.
-
1326.
>"Well, ah, I'm glad you haven't forgotten me."
-
1327.
>Wire was younger than you, that's for sure.
-
1328.
>You’d almost call him pretty for a guy were it not for all those piercings and tattoos he had.
-
1329.
>That, and the weird shave he had on one side of his dyed blonde hair.
-
1330.
>"So!"
-
1331.
>He walks towards his desk and slumps down against the chair.
-
1332.
>"What brings you out of the blue after so long?"
-
1333.
>He motions towards your pockets.
-
1334.
>"You, uh, 'working' again?"
-
1335.
"Not really."
-
1336.
>You casually toss out the woman's purse and cracked iPhone into his open arms.
-
1337.
>His eyes light up.
-
1338.
>"Oh Gucci, very nice, that is, if it's not fake."
-
1339.
>He flips the purse around, opening it up and taking a sniff out of it before checking the seams with a finger.
-
1340.
>"Hmm it could pass."
-
1341.
>His attention then snaps to the cracked white phone.
-
1342.
>"Ah, you picked one up too, they're everywhere these damn phones."
-
1343.
>He goes to inspect the phone and begins muttering to himself.
-
1344.
>"So simple and yet so expensive."
-
1345.
>He quickly pulls out a cable and connects the phone to his computer.
-
1346.
>That was Wire for you, still the same as before.
-
1347.
>He seemed like he was always thinking, asking questions and looking out for anything strange.
-
1348.
>"I supposed you destroyed the SIM card already?"
-
1349.
"Yeah."
-
1350.
>"Dammit, fine, it's fine."
-
1351.
>It was no wonder that there were signs of drugs scattered all over his desk.
-
1352.
>A mirror, razor, glass pipe, lighter.
-
1353.
>You resorted to the same things at one point.
-
1354.
>"Did you check to see if it was unlocked?"
-
1355.
"Didn’t bother checking."
-
1356.
>"Why did I even bother with you people?"
-
1357.
>He clicks his tongue at you before pulling out the cards in the purse.
-
1358.
>"Guess I've gotta do everything myself."
-
1359.
>If there's anything, he knew his stuff.
-
1360.
>"There's always a demand for these, things, but that can wait for now."
-
1361.
>He unplugs the phone and puts it to a side along with the purse and various cards.
-
1362.
>Leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk, he looks intently at you.
-
1363.
>"I thought you learnt your lesson from before, like I mean, that was some pretty stupid shit you pulled back then."
-
1364.
"I needed the money back then and I need it again now."
-
1365.
>It didn't make you feel any better saying that but it was true.
-
1366.
>There was nothing else you could've done.
-
1367.
>You grimace.
-
1368.
>"Man, you've gotta think of the bigger picture."
-
1369.
>He jumps out of the chair, startling you, and starts pacing up and down the room.
-
1370.
>"Money is just something that makes slaves of us all, look at the debt our country is in."
-
1371.
>"All those shitty loans and jobs people take on like idiots."
-
1372.
>"Like the money isn't even real, it's all just data, information held on some offshore servers."
-
1373.
>You're losing him at this point.
-
1374.
"So what?"
-
1375.
>He stops right in front of you.
-
1376.
>"So why do it?"
-
1377.
>"Why'd you come back again?"
-
1378.
>"Just so that you could pawn off some shit to me?"
-
1379.
>You're taken aback by his sudden aggressiveness towards you.
-
1380.
"What do you care what I do?"
-
1381.
>He studies you.
-
1382.
>"Harsh man, like I said, I know you."
-
1383.
>Wire feigns being hurt.
-
1384.
>"I thought you would've moved on, to be honest."
-
1385.
>He shrugs.
-
1386.
>"Moved onto a better place, a new chapter in your life, that sorta thing."
-
1387.
"I-"
-
1388.
>He wasn't wrong.
-
1389.
>But he wasn't right either.
-
1390.
>You stopped because you had given up.
-
1391.
>That you accepted the fact that you were a lost cause.
-
1392.
>You look away from him and sigh.
-
1393.
"Something came up."
-
1394.
>"Ah, there we go, 'something came up."
-
1395.
>He smiles and leans against his desk, pulling out a cigarette.
-
1396.
>"Do you mind?"
-
1397.
>You shake your head.
-
1398.
>"Not that you have any say."
-
1399.
>He lights it up and drags deeply on it.
-
1400.
>"So what is it?"
-
1401.
"I need you to check something out for me."
-
1402.
>"Well then you've come to the right guy."
-
1403.
>He lazily claps his hands together.
-
1404.
>"Anything for you, though there'll be a fee of course."
-
1405.
"That's what those are for."
-
1406.
>You motion over to the phone and purse.
-
1407.
>"Hm, that'll depends on what you want to know so we'll see."
-
1408.
>He looks back over to you and winks.
-
1409.
"What do you know about those, uh, ponies."
-
1410.
>The air around him changes.
-
1411.
>He frowns, taking out the cigarette from his mouth and quietly speaks.
-
1412.
>"Jesus, I can't believe it."
-
1413.
>He stubs out his cigarette by cramming it into the ashtray.
-
1414.
>His eyes narrow as he looks back up at you.
-
1415.
>"I didn't take you for a horse fucker Anon."
-
1416.
"What?"
-
1417.
>"Can't say I'm not disappointed in you, word is out on the streets that someone stole the last one at an auction."
-
1418.
"Fuck you I rescued her."
-
1419.
>"You're shitting me, you just 'rescued her'?"
-
1420.
>He looks at you, holding a stare.
-
1421.
>Would he even believe you?
-
1422.
>You let out a sigh.
-
1423.
"I was passing by and I, I saw her there, lying in her own filth with all those people around her."
-
1424.
>Not people, monsters.
-
1425.
>You didn't want to say anymore.
-
1426.
>"And you just thought you'd stage a rescue at gunpoint?"
-
1427.
>Wire still holds his stare at you before revealing a grin.
-
1428.
>"You fucking madman."
-
1429.
>He slams the table as he wildly grins.
-
1430.
>"You got guts, you know that right?"
-
1431.
"A whole lot of good it's done me so far."
-
1432.
>You shake your head.
-
1433.
>He laughs.
-
1434.
>"I knew you still had it in you."
-
1435.
"So what do you know about them?"
-
1436.
>Wire leans back in his chair and crosses his arms.
-
1437.
>"It's more of a question of what don't I know?"
-
1438.
>He types something on the keyboard before turning the monitor towards you.
-
1439.
>It has some obscure search engine results with various images of ponies inside an encampment.
-
1440.
>"You probably sensed it from the news, like how they weren't telling whole story."
-
1441.
>You nod.
-
1442.
"I followed it until they stopped reporting on them a while back."
-
1443.
>You forgot about them.
-
1444.
>Until you found her.
-
1445.
>"That's what I mean, did you know what else has been swept under the rug in the news?"
-
1446.
>You shrug.
-
1447.
"No."
-
1448.
>"Jesus, do you even watch the news?"
-
1449.
>"Actually scratch that it's fucking depressing."
-
1450.
>He turns his monitor back to do another search before turning it back to you.
-
1451.
>It's a reputable news website with a small article about an attempted hack on a government server.
-
1452.
"So what about it?"
-
1453.
>"That, Anonymous, is bullshit."
-
1454.
>"Thanks to a certain group, they've leaked the contents of that hack."
-
1455.
>"And what can I say, it's very interesting stuff."
-
1456.
>"The leaked documents belonged to a government military official, not some government social worker as they like to spin."
-
1457.
>"There are detailed reports on the arrival of what's been designated as P0-N315."
-
1458.
>"In other words, them."
-
1459.
>This was new.
-
1460.
"Show me."
-
1461.
>"By all means."
-
1462.
>Wire stands up and motions to the free seat in front of the desk.
-
1463.
>He turns the monitor towards you to read and then leans back into his.
-
1464.
>Wire gives you a brief rundown on their bodies, how the ponies were herbivores by nature.
-
1465.
>They had basic bodily functions, similar to horses here on earth.
-
1466.
>Though that's where the similarities end.
-
1467.
>What separated them from your regular horse was their sentience, varying mythical features like wings, horns, strength and that supernatural kinetic phenomenon.
-
1468.
>You could say it was magic.
-
1469.
>They had complex emotions like fear, pain, pleasure and joy.
-
1470.
>Next is some legal documentation with instructions to arrest and detain anyone who takes in a pony.
-
1471.
>You click to go on, but the next document doesn't show up.
-
1472.
"This, this can't be everything."
-
1473.
>All the information you've read so far was already out there.
-
1474.
"Where's the rest?"
-
1475.
>Wire looks away from you.
-
1476.
>"Maybe, perhaps maybe I shouldn't show you the rest of the contents."
-
1477.
"What?"
-
1478.
>You were dumbfounded.
-
1479.
"You're not going to help me?"
-
1480.
>He shakes his head.
-
1481.
"What is it, you want more money?"
-
1482.
>"Wrong again."
-
1483.
>"Look, I could show you the rest of the contents but you've, what, spent a couple nights already with your newly rescued pony friend, right?"
-
1484.
"Yeah, and?"
-
1485.
>He lights up another cigarette.
-
1486.
>"What do you know about her?"
-
1487.
>"Like, what do you really know about her?"
-
1488.
"What are you getting at?"
-
1489.
>He shrugs and shakes his head.
-
1490.
>Wire taps the ash off the end of his cigarette and waits for you to continue.
-
1491.
>Does he really want to go through with it like this?
-
1492.
>You look at him with a frown, but he doesn't budge.
-
1493.
>You sigh out of frustration and take a moment to think about Applejack.
-
1494.
"We both know that they're sentient, they think and have emotions."
-
1495.
>The memory of her enthusiastically talking about apples resurfaces.
-
1496.
"She seems to likes apples, and might've had a big family too from the sound of it."
-
1497.
>Other, unpleasant, memories begin to resurface.
-
1498.
>Her screams going into the water.
-
1499.
>That line across her neck.
-
1500.
"Signs of abuse, scarring, hates taking baths."
-
1501.
>Then there were the times she cried.
-
1502.
>Her cries echo in your ears.
-
1503.
"Applebloom, she mentioned a name, Applebloom, I think she called it a place."
-
1504.
>Wire nods.
-
1505.
>"Anything else?"
-
1506.
>You think it over.
-
1507.
>Nothing.
-
1508.
>You really didn't know anything about her.
-
1509.
>But you wanted to help her.
-
1510.
"She's scared and she needs help."
-
1511.
>Wire nods while keeping quiet.
-
1512.
"Nothing else."
-
1513.
>"I just wanted to make sure."
-
1514.
>"We all have secrets Anon, the so-called skeletons in our closets."
-
1515.
>"She probably has hers, question is, how much are you willing to unearth them?"
-
1516.
"You still need asking?"
-
1517.
>You raise yourself up in your seat.
-
1518.
>"Look, I'll level with you."
-
1519.
>He walks over to you and resting his arm on your chair and meeting you eye to eye.
-
1520.
>"You can't blindly trust others, like how can you tell she's not lying?"
-
1521.
>"Others have come here asking the same questions you did, do you know who they were?"
-
1522.
"There were others?"
-
1523.
>"Sickos, rapists, sadists, the bad lot, they've all had their fair share of fun with our new arrivals."
-
1524.
>There was a grim smile on his face.
-
1525.
>"So, as a friend, I'm asking you, no, I'm warning you-"
-
1526.
"Give me the info and stop wasting my time."
-
1527.
>His eyes flicker.
-
1528.
>"Okay, okay."
-
1529.
>He stands upright, shrugging his arms and takes over the computer.
-
1530.
>Moving away, he presents the screen to you again.
-
1531.
>There are now more documents, possibly hundreds there for you to read.
-
1532.
"There's so many."
-
1533.
>"All reorganised by yours truly."
-
1534.
>You tap down through the list quickly scanning the titles; initial and situational reports, profiles, photographic evidence, communication and email logs.
-
1535.
>There's a map on one of the thumbnails that draws your attention.
-
1536.
>Opening it, you realise it's a photograph of an actual map.
-
1537.
>It's map of a continent you've never seen before, decorated with a golden border, pastel paint marks out the lands while the names are written in beautiful cursive ink.
-
1538.
>It would look something like a work of art, a grand tapestry were it not for the scorch marks along its edges.
-
1539.
>What exactly happened?
-
1540.
>There were translations in the photographic copy.
-
1541.
>The castle built on a mountain is labelled as Canter-lot, with a small village or town nearby called Pony-ville.
-
1542.
>And next to it there was a farm called Sweet Apple Acres.
-
1543.
>Was that Applejack's place?
-
1544.
>You quickly scan the nearby places: Ever-free Forest, Clouds-dale, White Tail Woods, the names goes on.
-
1545.
>But there's no sign of a place called Applebloom.
-
1546.
>Something wasn't right.
-
1547.
>You close the map, going back to the directory and search for the profiles.
-
1548.
>Clicking on the tab, a long list of names automatically generates for you.
-
1549.
>Strange, odd names appear in a seemingly random order.
-
1550.
>You realised they were sorted out under 'processed date', which listed a Twilight as first.
-
1551.
>You come to grips with the system and adjust it to display an alphabetical order, and soon enough Applejack's name appears on the list.
-
1552.
>Your chest tightens as you hover the cursor over her profile.
-
1553.
>You open it.
-
1554.
>A document resembling a prisoner profile appears
-
1555.
>There's a small picture of Applejack.
-
1556.
>Faded, green eyes seemingly stare back at you.
-
1557.
>They're bloodshot.
-
1558.
>One of her eyes looks bruised all over.
-
1559.
>There are black marks covering her in patches and there are small bloody scratches all over her face.
-
1560.
>There's no sign of a neck injury, which confirms your fears that it must've been recent.
-
1561.
>Shutting your eyes, you rub your temples.
-
1562.
>It's okay.
-
1563.
>She's still okay.
-
1564.
>You carry on reading the profile.
-
1565.
>There's a dated statement about her being a farmer on Sweet Apple Acres.
-
1566.
>More details start coming out of the document.
-
1567.
"'The subject stated that it came through the portal with one other family member.'"
-
1568.
"'Big Macintosh.'"
-
1569.
"'Upon questioning about the survival of any other family members, the subject has stated that there were no other family members.'"
-
1570.
"Huh?"
-
1571.
>There was a huge gap in time.
-
1572.
>The next statement is several days after the previous one.
-
1573.
>"'Additional family member found and processed, transferred to the family unit.'"
-
1574.
>'Awaiting report.'
-
1575.
>The document ended after that.
-
1576.
>This can't be right.
-
1577.
>You go back to the profile list to look for Applebloom's profile but nothing turns up.
-
1578.
>You sort the documents by date modified and you skim the titles for her name.
-
1579.
>Nothing.
-
1580.
>The last entry is a communication log.
-
1581.
>'Immediate action to all personnel: Cease all operations.'
-
1582.
>'Terminate subjects on sight.'
-
1583.
"Wire, what happened here?"
-
1584.
>"From everything that I've read?"
-
1585.
>"I don't know, something went down the chain of command and then the ponies ended up going into hiding."
-
1586.
>"Maybe they couldn't hold them, maybe they released them, maybe the ponies were dangerous, who knows?"
-
1587.
>He stubs out another cigarette.
-
1588.
>"Either way, you're in dangerous position now buddy."
-
1589.
>He turns off the monitor.
-
1590.
>"It's disgusting really, once you piece it together from then on."
-
1591.
>You've seen enough.
-
1592.
>"It was right after that, that others went after them."
-
1593.
>He looked away, seemingly towards the other door.
-
1594.
>"They were taken in droves."
-
1595.
>"They thought they were safe but no, they were taken, used, played with, bought and sold and fulfilled whatever desires people had."
-
1596.
>"God knows how many of them are still out there."
-
1597.
>"And people are still looking for them."
-
1598.
>You've heard enough.
-
1599.
"I think it's time I leave."
-
1600.
>As you get up to go, Wire stares at you.
-
1601.
>"She might not want rescuing y'know, she might just want to be put out of her misery."
-
1602.
"You might be right."
-
1603.
>You had more unanswered questions than answers now.
-
1604.
>This was a waste of time.
-
1605.
>No, it wasn't.
-
1606.
>You found something about Applejack, and that was Applebloom.
-
1607.
"Keep whatever you can get for the stuff, see you around."
-
1608.
>Wire doesn't more and stares at you.
-
1609.
>"Adios."
-
1610.
>The cold air outside breaths some life back into you.
-
1611.
>Another police siren blares through in the far distance.
-
1612.
>It only served to remind you how unsafe, how dangerous everything's become.
-
1613.
>You needed to get back and get some answers from her.
-
1614.
>It was the only way you could help her.
-
1615.
>Before anything else happens.
-
1616.
>
-
1617.
>You take a couple steps outside before coming to a stop.
-
1618.
>Something bugged you about Wire said.
-
1619.
>What was it?
-
1620.
>That people had come to him before to ask questions.
-
1621.
>Then, perhaps, one of them might know something about Applejack or Applebloom.
-
1622.
>They might've even have done something to them.
-
1623.
>You still wanted to go back and check on Applejack.
-
1624.
>But something stopped you.
-
1625.
>It was something you couldn't put your finger on.
-
1626.
>You turn and head back to Wire's.
-
1627.
>If you could get the names of the ones that know about Applejack, you could do a little snooping.
-
1628.
>Perhaps pay them a little visit.
-
1629.
>You didn't plan on killing them, no, but perhaps you could convince Wire to help.
-
1630.
>Hurting them might do them some good.
-
1631.
>You turn another corner and head back along the alleyway, nearing the red door when you see that it's slightly opened ajar.
-
1632.
>You could've sworn that the door had locked shut behind you when you left.
-
1633.
>Did someone else go in?
-
1634.
>Things weren't adding up.
-
1635.
>You enter the building, this time without presence of the buzzer.
-
1636.
>The corridor is still the same, red and quiet yet eerily different altogether.
-
1637.
>You listen out for any sounds, of anyone or anything else inside the building.
-
1638.
>But there was nothing.
-
1639.
>You approach the main room and open it, entering the sound of fans and air conditioners again.
-
1640.
>The smell of cigarette smoke still clings to the air though Wire is nowhere to be seen.
-
1641.
>You slowly walk up towards the desk again, hoping to find him jumping out from behind it to scare you as a prank.
-
1642.
>Then he'll laugh at you and slump back down into his chair.
-
1643.
>But he's not there.
-
1644.
>Where could he have gone?
-
1645.
>Looking down at the desk, you inspect it.
-
1646.
>There's a small sheet of glass with traces of white powder over it.
-
1647.
>It looks like he's done a couple lines since you left.
-
1648.
>Your eyes fall onto an opened pill bottle lying on its side, with several white pills spilled out.
-
1649.
>Picking one up and examining it, you're curious about its unique shape and size, and turn to the bottle.
-
1650.
>There are medical warnings all over it.
-
1651.
>One sticks out for you.
-
1652.
>'Not for human consumption.'
-
1653.
>Equine sedatives?
-
1654.
>Why would he have these?
-
1655.
>Something loud happens in another room.
-
1656.
>It sounded like something had fallen over or crashed into something.
-
1657.
>You turn to the direction of the sound, facing the door he originally came through.
-
1658.
>You could almost hear something else.
-
1659.
>You strain your ears against the fans in the room.
-
1660.
>Taking several steps to the door, you hold out your hand to grab the handle.
-
1661.
>While looking down, you notice it.
-
1662.
>White splotches on the floor.
-
1663.
>Leaning down you take a closer look, there's trail stretching from behind the desk and continuing on through under the door.
-
1664.
>You touch it with your fingertips, It's cold.
-
1665.
>Taking a sniff out of it told you all you needed to know.
-
1666.
>You stood up and faced the door.
-
1667.
>Leaning against it, you can just about make out the voices on the other side.
-
1668.
>You silently grip the door handle and slowly twist and push open the door.
-
1669.
>The door opens silently.
-
1670.
>It's another corridor, without any lights.
-
1671.
>Stepping inside, you leave the door open in case you need to get out quickly.
-
1672.
>The voices become louder and clearer as you approach the opening at the end of the corridor.
-
1673.
>Voices moaning and grunting.
-
1674.
>The air becomes heavy with the smell of musk.
-
1675.
>There's a rhythmic slapping sound.
-
1676.
>You sneak around the corner.
-
1677.
>The sight you find pulls you out from behind the cover.
-
1678.
>There's a naked figure, towering over something smaller.
-
1679.
>His back is arched as he forcefully thrusts forwards and backwards.
-
1680.
>You see a pair of yellow wings, flared open.
-
1681.
>Between his legs is a pink tail, lying flat on the floor.
-
1682.
>It was filthy, wet and unkempt.
-
1683.
>"Ah, nh, hah."
-
1684.
>You could the soft, gentle, female moans coming from the other figure.
-
1685.
>"Pl-please, ah, n-no, no more- nh."
-
1686.
>You snap out of it.
-
1687.
"Hey!"
-
1688.
>The figure stops and tilts his head back behind you.
-
1689.
>"Come back to join in Anon?"
-
1690.
"Wire?"
-
1691.
>You couldn't make out his features before, but now with his head tilted back, you could see his shaved side.
-
1692.
>You take a couple steps forward to get a good glimpse of the mare behind him.
-
1693.
>She's been tied up to the wall with leather straps tightly wrapped around her hooves.
-
1694.
"What are you doing?"
-
1695.
>Looking down her legs are outstretched.
-
1696.
>There's something silver and cold that shines in her wings.
-
1697.
>Following your eyes, Wire grins wildly and starts thrusting into her.
-
1698.
>"Nh- ah!"
-
1699.
>"Ah, allow me to introduce you to my new friend."
-
1700.
"Wire, stop it-"
-
1701.
>He traces his fingers along her wing tips and squeezes them, eliciting a moan.
-
1702.
>"Come now, I need you to focus for me."
-
1703.
>"Ah, I'm, I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me-"
-
1704.
"I said stop it!"
-
1705.
>You run up behind him and attempt to pull him off the mare.
-
1706.
>But you're frozen still.
-
1707.
>Half lidded, cyan eyes look back up at you.
-
1708.
>You could smell her warm, sweet breath as she pants.
-
1709.
>Her fur is drenched in sweat, saliva and precum.
-
1710.
>Her marehood glistens between her legs.
-
1711.
>Emanating heat, her folds are swollen and a line of warm seed slowly drips out of her.
-
1712.
"H-hey."
-
1713.
>Reaching out you try and free her from her restraints and touch something cold and hard.
-
1714.
>It vibrates and flickers, sending the mare into another spasm.
-
1715.
>"Gah, nh!"
-
1716.
>You finally realise what it was.
-
1717.
>Dozens of needles were protruding out of her wings.
-
1718.
>Her marehood winks violently at the intense sensation you just gave her.
-
1719.
>"Careful now."
-
1720.
>Wire's voice calls out behind you.
-
1721.
>You feel your legs give way as you're kicked and sent crashing to the floor.
-
1722.
>A knife presses itself against the back of your neck.
-
1723.
>Looking up above you, you see him smiling past his erection.
-
1724.
>"You don't want to give her too much pleasure, it'll kill her y'know."
-
1725.
>Then, as though to allow you to spectate, he guides his manhood back into hers.
-
1726.
>As his head enters her slick folds, she moans and lifts her hips up.
-
1727.
>"You have to be gentle with her, isn't that right?"
-
1728.
>The pony sobs in a quiet voice.
-
1729.
>"Pl-please st-stop, I'll, I'll do anything you say."
-
1730.
>He clicks his tongue and leans over to her ears.
-
1731.
>"I could stop it, but where's the fun in rushing?"
-
1732.
>Blowing hot air into one of her ears, he bites down onto it.
-
1733.
>The yellow mare tries to twist her head to escape, only to let another gasp escape her.
-
1734.
>His free hand dances across her chest and stomach.
-
1735.
>It pokes and draws circles in her fur, before sliding down to her teats and slit.
-
1736.
>She squirms as Wire starts playing with her, tears streaming down her face.
-
1737.
>You get up to push him off, but he stomps down onto your head.
-
1738.
>"Patience Anon, I know how much you're just dying to help her."
-
1739.
"W-why are you doing this?"
-
1740.
>"Why, it's the only merciful thing to do for her."
-
1741.
>He punctuates his sentence with a deep thrust into her and forcefully pulls on her clit.
-
1742.
>Her tongue sticks out into the air and she tries to take another breath.
-
1743.
>"PLEASE STOP! PLEASE STOP! PLEASE STOP!"
-
1744.
>She shouts.
-
1745.
>"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!"
-
1746.
>Wire cups her muzzle with a gentle, wet hand.
-
1747.
>"But my dear, sweet little pony, with all that you've experienced so far-"
-
1748.
>He takes away the knife and moves his hand behind him so you can't see what he's reaching for.
-
1749.
>"-with so much pain, agony and despair."
-
1750.
>He leans in close to her with sincere eyes.
-
1751.
>"I can only hope to give you this as a parting gift, the ultimate pleasure."
-
1752.
>He takes out a syringe filled with a clear liquid and waves it in front of her.
-
1753.
>Her eyes dilate.
-
1754.
>"NO. NO. STOP. PLEASE STOP!"
-
1755.
>He reaches out for her hoof and brings it up to the syringe.
-
1756.
>She squirms and screams, but it's all for naught as he pushes the needle deep into her sole.
-
1757.
>As he injects the clear liquid into her, it becomes clear what it's supposed to do.
-
1758.
>Her eyes roll back as she shudders.
-
1759.
>Her protests and moans become unintelligible.
-
1760.
>But he doesn't stop there.
-
1761.
>"Time for the grand finale."
-
1762.
>He gives you a smile and winks.
-
1763.
>He starts pumping her with new vigour, pulling her hips down onto his rod.
-
1764.
>You could see a change in her breathing, from a slow pant to quickened breaths.
-
1765.
>She's gasping for air.
-
1766.
>The sounds of their sexual organs collide, filling the entire room.
-
1767.
>His pace quickens and she squirms harder.
-
1768.
>"I-I'm nearly-"
-
1769.
>His breath hitches as he pulls her needled wings downwards with both hands.
-
1770.
>He releases deep inside of her.
-
1771.
>"AH! AH! AH!"
-
1772.
>Rope after rope hits her insides.
-
1773.
>She shudders after each hit in agonising ecstasy.
-
1774.
>Then, her breath hitches.
-
1775.
>"Ah, ah, ah."
-
1776.
>And then it stops.
-
1777.
>Her eyes stay open, staring into the darkness.
-
1778.
>Wire is panting with his head bent high, his hands still gripping onto her motionless wings like tight reins.
-
1779.
>"Goodbye my dear."
-
1780.
>He gracefully dismounts and allows her to fall limp in front of you.
-
1781.
>Her eyes now falls onto yours.
-
1782.
>You look away but you can't.
-
1783.
>You're drawn to a new sight.
-
1784.
>A mix of white and red fluid drips down along her thighs from between her legs.
-
1785.
>"Now where were we-"
-
1786.
>You clamber on top of him and pull him down, pinning him against the cold floor.
-
1787.
>Rolling your hands into fists you bring them down onto his face.
-
1788.
>You didn't care how you were punching.
-
1789.
>You just didn't want to see his face anymore.
-
1790.
>That smile.
-
1791.
>Blood spurts out from his nose as smash his face in.
-
1792.
>You start to hone in on his eyes when his hands shields them.
-
1793.
>Your punches don't get through.
-
1794.
>Instead of punching, you now grab onto his head and squeeze, before pulling his head back up and then back down onto the hard floor.
-
1795.
>You repeat this violent motion a couple times, like you were trying to break through the floor.
-
1796.
>Then his legs pull up and wrap themselves around your waist.
-
1797.
>Before you could do anything, he pulls you back down and then onto your front.
-
1798.
>"Wow, I feel so woke right now."
-
1799.
>His hands reaches around your head as you struggle to free yourself from his sudden grip.
-
1800.
>He returns the favour and smashes your head against the floor.
-
1801.
>You try and struggle free but you're pinned down.
-
1802.
>Smash.
-
1803.
>The force rings through your entire head.
-
1804.
>You try shifting your body weight, but you're too weak, too disorientated at the moment.
-
1805.
>Smash.
-
1806.
>You think back to Applejack and how she was going to be left all alone.
-
1807.
>Smash.
-
1808.
>In a desperate attempt, you fumble and pull something off him.
-
1809.
>It's the knife.
-
1810.
>He pauses and releases you, quickly jumping off your back.
-
1811.
>"Now, we're even."
-
1812.
>You could hear him take out a cigarette and light it up.
-
1813.
>You stand up, staggering and turn around pointing the blade at him.
-
1814.
"What the fuck is wrong with you!"
-
1815.
>"I could say the very same to you, you should be grateful that I haven't smashed your head into the ground."
-
1816.
"You were raping her! And now she's fucking dead all thanks to you!"
-
1817.
>Wire shakes his head.
-
1818.
>"It was the only thing I could do for her, Anon."
-
1819.
"Bullshit."
-
1820.
>"It was the only kind thing anyone could do for her."
-
1821.
>"She was ill, Anon, better to have her die the way she did than for her to suffer."
-
1822.
"You didn't have to kill her like what."
-
1823.
>"What I gave her was the gift to forget everything, every sad thought or bad memory-"
-
1824.
>He grins.
-
1825.
>"-with pure, unadulterated pleasure."
-
1826.
"I should gut you right here."
-
1827.
>You thrust the knife into his direction.
-
1828.
>Wire, unthreatened by your action, brushes his hair back and spits blood out of his mouth
-
1829.
>"So, what brings you back?"
-
1830.
>"Was it because of Applejack?"
-
1831.
"What do you know about her?"
-
1832.
>"Like I said, what don't I know?"
-
1833.
>He looks over to the yellow pegasus pony on the side.
-
1834.
>You couldn't tell what he was thinking from his expression.
-
1835.
>"If you don't want Applejack to experience something like that, I suggest you quickly go back to her."
-
1836.
"What did you do?"
-
1837.
>He tilts his head at you.
-
1838.
>"That's just the thing, Anon, I didn't do anything."
-
1839.
>"When people are cruel, weak and twisted, you can't change them."
-
1840.
>You wanted to kill him right there, but the thought of something like that happening to Applejack made you think twice.
-
1841.
>You take one last look over to the pegasus.
-
1842.
>If what Wire said was true, there was no way you could've helped her.
-
1843.
>But it might not be too late for Applejack.
-
1844.
"I'm keeping this."
-
1845.
>You slowly step out of the room.
-
1846.
"If I see you again, I'm going to kill you."
-
1847.
>"You're too kind for that Anon."
-
1848.
>His smile is the last thing you see as you run outside.
-
1849.
>Outside, you run past people.
-
1850.
>Some of them called out after you in alarm, probably because of the bruises you had over your face.
-
1851.
>You didn't care, you wanted to get back.
-
1852.
>Why didn't you head back in the first place?
-
1853.
>You reach that familiar alleyway when you spot the body lying on the cardboard again.
-
1854.
>He's still there.
-
1855.
>And he's dead, just like-
-
1856.
>The sight of all those needles jammed into her wings sends a chill down your back.
-
1857.
>You only make a couple of steps before you retch and empty your stomach out into the gutter.
-
1858.
>That acrid smell fills your nostrils again.
-
1859.
>The acid burns against your dry throat.
-
1860.
>Looking up with teary eyes, you can see your apartment close by.
-
1861.
>Applejack.
-
1862.
>
-
1863.
>You arrive home and fumble for the keys in your pockets.
-
1864.
>Jamming the keys into your lock you turn and pull it open.
-
1865.
>The air inside your apartment is still.
-
1866.
>It's quiet
-
1867.
>Your heart jumps a beat.
-
1868.
>You regret not taking your gun with you.
-
1869.
>Bracing yourself, you take a step inside.
-
1870.
"Applejack?"
-
1871.
>There's no reply.
-
1872.
>Dammit.
-
1873.
>Where is she?
-
1874.
>She couldn't have gotten out, or maybe someone took her.
-
1875.
>No stop it.
-
1876.
>Focus Anon.
-
1877.
>You need to look out for Applejack.
-
1878.
>Perhaps you could make it to your room and get your gun.
-
1879.
>It's a plan at the very least.
-
1880.
>Thoughts of her gone creep in.
-
1881.
>You make it past the kitchen.
-
1882.
>It's empty.
-
1883.
>There's a kitchen knife lying out on top of kitchen worktop.
-
1884.
>You're reminded of the sharp needles.
-
1885.
>Focus Anon.
-
1886.
>You keep a look out for anything strange.
-
1887.
>Seemingly keeping it under control, you move on.
-
1888.
>When you step into the living room, you spot an orange bundle lying down on the floor with a hat obscuring her face.
-
1889.
>You feel your gut pull under.
-
1890.
"Applejack."
-
1891.
>Not caring about leaving yourself wide open, you rush to her, scoop her and pull her into your arms.
-
1892.
>The bundle seemingly comes alive with your touch.
-
1893.
>"Wha- Anon? Is that you?"
-
1894.
>Her southern accent is homely and sweet.
-
1895.
>She's okay.
-
1896.
"Thank god you're alright."
-
1897.
>Your hands wrap around her and hold her tightly in a hug.
-
1898.
>One of your hands finds itself resting on the back of her neck and your other hand finds itself pulling her in around her waist.
-
1899.
>"Ah-Anon?"
-
1900.
>You stay silent, slowly stroking her in your embrace.
-
1901.
>She smells a little of apples, but mostly sweat and dirt.
-
1902.
>Losing your composure, the nightmarish thoughts begins to resurface in your mind.
-
1903.
>You grip her tightly, afraid that if you were to let her go, you might never see her again.
-
1904.
>For the first time in ages you felt something that pull on your heart.
-
1905.
>And at the same time, it scared you.
-
1906.
>"Anon?"
-
1907.
>You're woken out of a trance and feel a hoof tapping you on your back.
-
1908.
>"Anon, yer kinda hurtin' me."
-
1909.
"Ah, sorry Applejack."
-
1910.
>You release her slightly, just enough to get a good look at her.
-
1911.
>You wanted to make sure that you could put her face to memory.
-
1912.
>She raises an eyebrow as she looks at you.
-
1913.
>Her reaction forces you smile.
-
1914.
>"Ah! Gid offa me."
-
1915.
>She quickly pushes herself off you and looks away.
-
1916.
>"W-what?"
-
1917.
>"Yer doin' it again, an', yer actin' kinda strange Anon."
-
1918.
>She moves away from you and jumps onto a stool over in the kitchen.
-
1919.
>"Ah know ah'm in no position to ask but, do ya have any food?"
-
1920.
>Rubbing her stomach, she looks over to you.
-
1921.
>"Ah'm kinda hungry."
-
1922.
>Yes, you remember now.
-
1923.
>You get up and walk over towards her, slinging the bag in front of her.
-
1924.
"Here."
-
1925.
>You take out and place the apples and the apple pastries in front of her.
-
1926.
>Her eyes instantly takes to the apples, tilting her head as she examines them.
-
1927.
>"What kinda apples are these?"
-
1928.
>They were just apples.
-
1929.
"I'm, uh, not sure."
-
1930.
>She rolls one around on the table top.
-
1931.
"Are they bad?"
-
1932.
>She turns at your with a distinct look in her eyes.
-
1933.
>Something that could've been pride or shock.
-
1934.
>"They're, they're fine, ah guess."
-
1935.
>It surprises you when she picks it up in her hooves and starts to eat it.
-
1936.
>She only glanced and sniffed at the pastries.
-
1937.
>She's almost like a small child.
-
1938.
>"Is, is there somethin' ya want from me?"
-
1939.
>You're taken out of your trance once again.
-
1940.
"I was just, uh, looking at you, eating."
-
1941.
>"Uh-huh."
-
1942.
>She finishes the apple whole and quickly goes through another one in silence.
-
1943.
>You want to strike up conversation but there's nothing you could start on for what you wanted to talk about.
-
1944.
>She wipes her muzzle with her hoof and turns to you.
-
1945.
>"Thank ya mast-"
-
1946.
>Applejack stops herself and ears fold down in embarrassment.
-
1947.
>"Ah mean!"
-
1948.
>She bites her lip.
-
1949.
>"Thank yer, Anon."
-
1950.
>You're beginning to notice this habit of hers, calling you 'master', which makes you curious.
-
1951.
>But your mind was already troubled.
-
1952.
>There was still the incident with Wire and that poor mare.
-
1953.
>You grimace and grit your teeth.
-
1954.
>You were unsure of Applejack's past.
-
1955.
>You had to keep her safe.
-
1956.
>And you had no idea what might happen.
-
1957.
>"Anon?"
-
1958.
>You look up at her.
-
1959.
>"If yer got somethin' yer wanna say, just say it."
-
1960.
>Jumping back onto the floor, she hunches her back.
-
1961.
>"Ah'm not used to bein' 'treated' like this.
-
1962.
"I, I don't know how to say it-"
-
1963.
>You pause.
-
1964.
>"As far as ah know, ah'm just a slave. So yer can quit pretendin'."
-
1965.
>"Yer keep smiling at me, like yer tryin' be all kind to me."
-
1966.
>"But ah've seen what yer kind do, ah know, ah've-"
-
1967.
>She becomes very still.
-
1968.
>Feeling worried you circle around her.
-
1969.
"Applejack?
-
1970.
>Crouching down to her level, you notice that she's trembling.
-
1971.
>She's tightly shut her eyes.
-
1972.
>You reach out to stroke her.
-
1973.
>They open at your gentle touch, revealing small tears in the corners of her eyes.
-
1974.
"Sorry."
-
1975.
>"Ye ain't"
-
1976.
>Shaking her head she looks at you with a frown.
-
1977.
>"So, what do yer want me to do?"
-
1978.
>"Yer told me to stay put, an' that's what ah did."
-
1979.
>"Ah, ah'm tired an' ah don't want any more trouble."
-
1980.
>She points a hoof to the kitchen.
-
1981.
>"Ah don't think ah'll be able to cook anythin' other than apples but if yer want me to, ah'll do it."
-
1982.
>"If yer want me to clean up the place, ah'll do what ah can."
-
1983.
>Her head scans around the room.
-
1984.
>"Ah'm just an earth pony, so ah don't know what yer expectin' of me."
-
1985.
>"Ah'm better with hard work though ah don't expect yer got any apple trees that need buckin'."
-
1986.
>She tenses up.
-
1987.
>"An' if yer want, 'that', ah won't fight."
-
1988.
>Her voice is bitter.
-
1989.
>"Ah won't complain."
-
1990.
>"Not anymore."
-
1991.
>She shuts her eyes once again and looks to one side, as though she was expecting to be hit.
-
1992.
>She flinches when you move your hand.
-
1993.
>You reach up and gently stroke up cheek.
-
1994.
>You try and think of something to say but there's only one thing you could think of.
-
1995.
"Sorry."
-
1996.
>She's silent.
-
1997.
>"Don't be."
-
1998.
>You feel her warmth coming from her cheek.
-
1999.
>She doesn't move, seemingly adapting to the situation.
-
2000.
>"At least."
-
2001.
>Her voice is low, almost inaudible.
-
2002.
>"At least yer kind to me."
-
2003.
>"Ya ain't done anythin' bad to me just yet."
-
2004.
>"Though ah still don't know why ya don't."
-
2005.
>Slowly and surely, she leans into and nuzzles your hand.
-
2006.
>Just as Wire said, the pieces were slowly coming together.
-
2007.
>Her distrust of your kind, of you yourself.
-
2008.
>Her lack of hope and despair.
-
2009.
>And yet, you still wanted to help her.
-
2010.
>To somehow prove her wrong.
-
2011.
"It'll be okay."
-
2012.
>The next moment, you feel something touch your lips.
-
2013.
>Her hoof presses against them.
-
2014.
>Looking past it, there's a sad look on her face and just as quickly as it happened it was gone.
-
2015.
>"Thank fer trying."
-
2016.
"Listen."
-
2017.
>You clear your throat.
-
2018.
"I want to help you, but you've gotta help me."
-
2019.
"We need to be honest with each other, okay?"
-
2020.
>She seemingly nods.
-
2021.
"Tell me."
-
2022.
>You take another deep breath.
-
2023.
"Tell me about the time you came here."
-
2024.
>
-
2025.
>Applejack fell silent.
-
2026.
>She pulls back and scrunches her face.
-
2027.
>"Wh-why do yer wanna know?"
-
2028.
>She looks at you with a questioning glance.
-
2029.
"Because-"
-
2030.
>'I just witnessed someone killing one of your kind.'
-
2031.
>But you couldn't say that to her.
-
2032.
>You were paranoid that someone was outside, spying on the apartment.
-
2033.
>No one ever came over though, because you had no one to invite.
-
2034.
>Not in this place.
-
2035.
>The thought that she could be taken from you put you on edge, especially now that Wire knows.
-
2036.
>Your hands were already rolled into fists.
-
2037.
>You couldn't let it show that you were angry.
-
2038.
>That you were afraid.
-
2039.
>You were probably already failing to hide it.
-
2040.
>You just didn't want to scare Applejack.
-
2041.
>But perhaps, maybe, it was the only way.
-
2042.
>You let out a frustrated sigh and spoke to her.
-
2043.
"I was out looking for information on you."
-
2044.
>Your words seem to put her into a trance.
-
2045.
"But there was a lot that I didn't understand."
-
2046.
"About the portals."
-
2047.
"Or how you ended up on the streets."
-
2048.
>You pause.
-
2049.
"But I found a document on you."
-
2050.
>She doesn't respond.
-
2051.
"It didn't tell me much, only that you have a brother and that you used to work on a farm."
-
2052.
>You sneak a look at her when you speak again.
-
2053.
"The curious thing was that it mentioned that they found another someone else."
-
2054.
>She jolts and her expression drops.
-
2055.
>Anger swells behind her voice.
-
2056.
>"It ain't any of yer darn business!"
-
2057.
>She pushes back against your arms with a new strength.
-
2058.
>You wouldn’t have imagined it with her small stature but it was enough to topple you over.
-
2059.
>She slips away from underneath your grasp.
-
2060.
>Before you could get a hold of her, two hooves violently push you away.
-
2061.
>You fall over and land hard.
-
2062.
>What had set her off?
-
2063.
>What had gotten her all aggressive?
-
2064.
>Was it because of her family?
-
2065.
>She had only mentioned her grandmother, brother and-
-
2066.
>The pieces were falling into place.
-
2067.
>You remembered when she called out for a Applebloom, no matter how brief it was.
-
2068.
>And how she lied about it being a place.
-
2069.
>It was unique name, much like hers.
-
2070.
>The name didn't even show up on the map you saw at Wire's place either.
-
2071.
>It must have been her sister that they had found.
-
2072.
>But then-
-
2073.
"What happened Applejack? What happened to Applebloom?"
-
2074.
>Her eyes shoot wide open.
-
2075.
>She shakes her head side to side as though she was trying to dispel whatever thought or memory had taken over.
-
2076.
>There was no information as to what had happened afterwards.
-
2077.
>Not in the databases.
-
2078.
>But it couldn't have been something good.
-
2079.
"Applejack, answer me."
-
2080.
>"Ah, ah don't know."
-
2081.
"What do you mean you don't know?"
-
2082.
>"Ah, can't remember."
-
2083.
"Don't you remember anything?"
-
2084.
>She clamps her eyes shut and shouts.
-
2085.
>"Stop askin' me! Aren't yer listenin' to me? Ah can't."
-
2086.
>You fall silent.
-
2087.
>"Ah keep tellin' ya ah can't. An' yer keep askin'."
-
2088.
>She stares at you with still eyes.
-
2089.
>"Why won't yer leave me alone."
-
2090.
"I took you in, all I'm doing is asking questions. And this is how you treat me?"
-
2091.
>"An' ah didn't ask fer yer savin'. An' ah didn' ask fer this."
-
2092.
"Do you think any of those men from that night would care?
-
2093.
>She grits her teeth.
-
2094.
>"No."
-
2095.
"You'd be treated like a slave, beaten or worse, you'd be dead."
-
2096.
>"Don't ya think ah already know that?"
-
2097.
>Applejack lashes out at you, slamming her hoof onto the floor.
-
2098.
>"An' what do yer think ah should do?"
-
2099.
>"Ah pray to Celestia every night fer a new mornin'."
-
2100.
>"An' each day, it's been the same ever since we've got 'ere."
-
2101.
>"Ah, ah'm tired Anon."
-
2102.
>"Ah'm scared."
-
2103.
>She starts rubbing her cheek with her hooves
-
2104.
>Tears being to stain her fur.
-
2105.
>You, you probably deserved that.
-
2106.
>She's had a tough time, probably harder than you could imagine.
-
2107.
>Yet you want to help make things better, no matter how small.
-
2108.
"You, you still have me."
-
2109.
>"So is that why yer took me in?"
-
2110.
>She gives off a half hearted laugh.
-
2111.
>Did you just mess up?
-
2112.
>"Yer think ya some kinda knight in shinin' armour?"
-
2113.
>She places one hoof over towards you, prompting you to look her in the eyes.
-
2114.
>Her tone shifts.
-
2115.
>"Do yer want me Anon? Is that it?"
-
2116.
>What was once filled with fear, confusion and sorrow was now replaced with something else.
-
2117.
>Half lidded, sultry eyes.
-
2118.
>This was not the Applejack you knew.
-
2119.
>She took another slow but steady step towards you.
-
2120.
>"Yer can be rough with me, ah can take it."
-
2121.
"Applejack?"
-
2122.
>This wasn't like her.
-
2123.
>"Ah saw the way ya was smilin' at me."
-
2124.
>Before you knew it, she was on top of you.
-
2125.
>"Yer like them others, y'all sayin' them same things."
-
2126.
>Her hooves were resting on top of your shoulders.
-
2127.
>"But when it comes down to it, y'all just want one thing"
-
2128.
>Her face was now only inches away from yours.
-
2129.
>"Ah can make yer feel good."
-
2130.
>She pushes herself onto you, touching her lips touch with yours.
-
2131.
>You feel her warmth and can taste the sweetness of her lips.
-
2132.
>You resist her tongue trying to gain entry.
-
2133.
>Pulling back, she looks at you with an unsure smile.
-
2134.
>"This is what yer want, right Anon?"
-
2135.
>She goes back into the kiss, this time pushing her tongue into your mouth.
-
2136.
>For that brief moment, you give in and push your tongue against hers.
-
2137.
>Your tongues meld and play with each other.
-
2138.
>Her tongue is hot and wet.
-
2139.
>Your arms wrap around her small body and embrace her.
-
2140.
>No.
-
2141.
>None of this feels right though.
-
2142.
>You pull out of the kiss.
-
2143.
"Stop it."
-
2144.
>A look of shock and confusion spreads across her face.
-
2145.
>Her lust ridden eyes have disappeared, instead the fearful eyes
-
2146.
>"A-Anon?"
-
2147.
>You raise your hand which causes her to flinch and cower.
-
2148.
>She stops as your hand rests on top of her head.
-
2149.
"I don't want you doing, whatever, that was."
-
2150.
>The knot you felt in your stomach seems to loosen.
-
2151.
"I didn't save you because I wanted to do that to you."
-
2152.
>You couldn't quite put it into words, it wasn't any sense of justice but more an act of defiance.
-
2153.
"It was just the right thing to do."
-
2154.
>Applejack slowly nods.
-
2155.
>"Is that so."
-
2156.
>She bit her lower lip and looked to the side.
-
2157.
>"Anon, will yer really help out a complete stranger like me?"
-
2158.
>She pressed a hoof against her other foreleg.
-
2159.
>"Be honest with me, ah really need to know if ah can trust ya."
-
2160.
>Without speaking, you pull her into a hug and squeeze her.
-
2161.
>Words could only do so much.
-
2162.
"Yeah."
-
2163.
>You feel a shiver go through her body.
-
2164.
>"Yer, yer really mean that?"
-
2165.
>You give her another squeeze before letting her go.
-
2166.
"I do."
-
2167.
>You could see a few tears in her eyes as she looks up to you.
-
2168.
>"Yer quite the fella, y'know that?"
-
2169.
>A small smile escape her lips.
-
2170.
>A genuine expression, which sets something off inside of you and forces a cough out of you.
-
2171.
"I'm nothing really, otherwise I wouldn't be in a place like this."
-
2172.
>You gesture around your apartment.
-
2173.
>"Still, ah don't think ah've met anypony like ya."
-
2174.
>She looks down.
-
2175.
>"Not here anyway."
-
2176.
>You speak in quiet voice.
-
2177.
"Do you honestly not remember anything about Applebloom? After you arrived?"
-
2178.
>She remains in the same pose.
-
2179.
>She nods.
-
2180.
>You take a deep breath.
-
2181.
>Your chest still aches from before.
-
2182.
"Like where did you go? Who took you in? What did they look like?"
-
2183.
>Applejack doesn't flinch but instead looks towards the entrance.
-
2184.
"Anything, anything at all?"
-
2185.
>You could barely hear her voice.
-
2186.
>"Ah, ah meant it when ah said ah couldn't remember."
-
2187.
>You pat her on the back of her neck this time.
-
2188.
>"There was a place, a place that ah remember bein' with Applebloom."
-
2189.
>"An', it felt so real, like it this was all just a nightmare an' that we were really back together again, like home."
-
2190.
>"There was fields an' blue skies outside an' the sound of a lake outside."
-
2191.
>"She was right there Anon, ah could touch her an' hold her, like ah've always done."
-
2192.
>"An' then-"
-
2193.
>She froze.
-
2194.
>"An' then-"
-
2195.
"Applejack?"
-
2196.
>"An' then-"
-
2197.
>You stay silent, waiting to see if there's anymore.
-
2198.
>Her whole body shakes.
-
2199.
>Tears start fall down her cheeks.
-
2200.
>You try your best to snap her out of it.
-
2201.
"Applejack, it's okay."
-
2202.
>"An' then it ends there Anon. Ah, ah can't remember what happened next."
-
2203.
>She clamps her head in between her hooves.
-
2204.
>"No matter how much ah try, ah just can't."
-
2205.
>"Ah want to remember but ah can't!"
-
2206.
>"Ah'm worried sick about her, an' ah miss her so much."
-
2207.
"It's okay, you've told me enough for now."
-
2208.
>"Anon?"
-
2209.
"There's still time, perhaps."
-
2210.
>You stand up, prompting Applejack to also stand up.
-
2211.
>But she's unsteady and almost trips, clinging onto your leg for support.
-
2212.
>"Ah, wha-"
-
2213.
"Hey what's wrong?"
-
2214.
>"Ah, my legs."
-
2215.
"Seriously?"
-
2216.
>She shakes her head.
-
2217.
>Damn.
-
2218.
>You scoop her up into your arms.
-
2219.
"You were fine earlier on."
-
2220.
>"Ah, ah know, but ah-"
-
2221.
>You watch as Applejack tries to move her legs.
-
2222.
>You had a sinking feeling in your gut.
-
2223.
>This was some sort of psychological condition.
-
2224.
>You remembered reading up about dogs and how they could have been conditioned under abuse.
-
2225.
>But now things were getting worse.
-
2226.
>This is going to affect your chances of escaping with her if anything happened.
-
2227.
"Shit."
-
2228.
>"Anon?"
-
2229.
"Listen, something happened before I got back."
-
2230.
>You look at her dead in the eyes, for as long as you could bear.
-
2231.
"Something, horrible, happened."
-
2232.
>"Is that-"
-
2233.
>She looks at you with a slight hesitation.
-
2234.
>"Is that why yer face is so beat up?"
-
2235.
>You fall silent.
-
2236.
>So she did notice.
-
2237.
>You thought you were doing a good job of hiding it.
-
2238.
>Guess you weren't as strong as you thought you were.
-
2239.
>Probably not strong enough to look after yourself and her.
-
2240.
>Your hands were still tightly gripping onto her shoulders.
-
2241.
>Maybe she was hurt, scarred by her experiences.
-
2242.
>But denying the truth won't help either of you.
-
2243.
>Releasing your grip onto her.
-
2244.
"Listen, we might not be able to stay here anymore."
-
2245.
>
-
2246.
>You look out through the slit in the apartment window curtains.
-
2247.
>The sun was beginning to set outside.
-
2248.
>The sky was of an orange hue, dulled by the constant city smog drifting through the air.
-
2249.
>As the minutes went by, the darkness soon smothered the orange light until it was no more.
-
2250.
>You turn to the pony slave before you.
-
2251.
>Applejack.
-
2252.
>She was only a slave in name though, or so you'd like to think.
-
2253.
>Her history was, patchy at best, and what you know was a mess.
-
2254.
>She wasn't exactly free either.
-
2255.
>Not in this place.
-
2256.
>You've already spent too long talking with Applejack.
-
2257.
>There was no way you'd be able to make it safely out.
-
2258.
>Not at this time.
-
2259.
>You weren't sure whether or not there were any running trains heading out of the city by now.
-
2260.
>It was dangerous being out in the streets at night as it is.
-
2261.
>Who knows how many people were going to get mugged tonight.
-
2262.
>You look down at Applejack in front of you.
-
2263.
>There was no chance that you'd be able to take her outside, even if you put a leash on her, no one would mistake her for a dog.
-
2264.
>"Anon?"
-
2265.
>You turn to face the apartment's front door.
-
2266.
>She did a good number on it and left plenty of marks and dents on it, including smudges of her own dried blood.
-
2267.
>"Ah, ah we goin' be alright?"
-
2268.
>Her eyebrows are raised up.
-
2269.
"I don't know who we're dealing with, so we need to be careful."
-
2270.
>You speak out to Applejack.
-
2271.
>It was only a half-truth.
-
2272.
>You knew Wire, and that's what made you afraid.
-
2273.
>You don't want her to ever see him.
-
2274.
>"Do we hafta leave?"
-
2275.
>Her eyes look up at you, trying to discern any possible answer before you gave one.
-
2276.
>Her tail lay around her, wrapped around her hooves.
-
2277.
>You don't say anything to her as you think through your options.
-
2278.
>What can you do?
-
2279.
>If you stayed, you'd both be sitting ducks.
-
2280.
>Not even your gun could save the two of you.
-
2281.
>You've long thought that you'd end things with a bang.
-
2282.
>But not when things were beginning to look different.
-
2283.
>If you left, where would you go?
-
2284.
>No, that's not the right question.
-
2285.
>If the two of you left, where could the two of you go together?
-
2286.
>Renting motel rooms was out of the question.
-
2287.
>It would leave a trail, but not only that, all your money would quickly dry up.
-
2288.
>You could take her far away into the forest north of the city.
-
2289.
>But what then?
-
2290.
>You couldn't survive off a few days' worth of supplies.
-
2291.
>And you weren't much of a hunter gatherer.
-
2292.
>You weren't much of anything, actually, so you doubt you'd be able to help Applejack much.
-
2293.
>Maybe Applejack would do fine by herself.
-
2294.
>You imagined her left abandoned in the wilderness all by herself.
-
2295.
>How'd she'd handle herself by walking deeper into the forest and away from human civilisation.
-
2296.
>Away from human hands.
-
2297.
>Then, in all of that wondering and thinking, a place crept into your mind.
-
2298.
>A place so dark, so buried deep beneath your memories that you thought you'd have forgotten it entirely.
-
2299.
>That it was simply a thing left in the past.
-
2300.
>But it was there.
-
2301.
>And you wanted to be anywhere but there.
-
2302.
>Your focus snaps back to Applejack.
-
2303.
"If, if we stay, there's no telling when someone might break in."
-
2304.
>Applejack looks nervously towards the apartment door.
-
2305.
"And even if we went on the run, there's only so much time before we'd get caught."
-
2306.
>You kneel down, half in trying to get a better understanding from your pony friend and the other half in steadying yourself.
-
2307.
"Tell me Applejack, what do you want to do?"
-
2308.
>Your question surprises her.
-
2309.
>"Yer, yer askin' me?"
-
2310.
>Applejack leans towards you.
-
2311.
>"Ah, ah dunno 'bout anythin' Anon."
-
2312.
>Her voice is lacking in confidence.
-
2313.
>"Ah mean ah'm happy yer wanna help me out an' all."
-
2314.
>She turns to you this time.
-
2315.
>"Maybe ah'm just gettin' on an' ah should be grateful that ah met ya."
-
2316.
>In turn, you slowly look into her eyes.
-
2317.
>What was she getting at?
-
2318.
"What are you trying to say?"
-
2319.
>"It's nice tah hear those mighty nice things yer said earlier an' all."
-
2320.
>One of her hoofs paws at the ground.
-
2321.
>"But ah, ah think yer done enough, ah'm just a slave after all."
-
2322.
>Her hoof stops moving.
-
2323.
>"Ah'm just a pony at that too."
-
2324.
"Are you saying you I shouldn't care?"
-
2325.
>Applejack doesn't reply, instead she looks afraid.
-
2326.
>Probably afraid that she's upset you, that she spoke back at you.
-
2327.
"If it were just me, it wouldn't matter what happens to me."
-
2328.
>One of her ears twists towards you, as though she was expecting some sort of reply.
-
2329.
>You spoke like it was matter of fact.
-
2330.
"That's the honest truth."
-
2331.
>You smirk to yourself.
-
2332.
"Perhaps we're walking down the same path. The destination is all the same."
-
2333.
>But her voice, no matter how small it was, spoke out to you.
-
2334.
>"It would."
-
2335.
>You pause.
-
2336.
>"It would matter tah me."
-
2337.
>She looks up at you with something in her eyes.
-
2338.
>Something glistens and shines.
-
2339.
>You grunt at her, half out of discomfort and embarrassment.
-
2340.
"We'll see about that."
-
2341.
>"If yer fine with me."
-
2342.
>She takes a moment to find strength in her words.
-
2343.
>"We can do this together, just you an' me pardner-"
-
2344.
>Applejack scrunches.
-
2345.
>"Ah, sorry, ah didn' mean tah say, it's not like that-"
-
2346.
>She cuts herself off and slumps back down.
-
2347.
>There's a slight blush running across her face.
-
2348.
"Well, thank you I guess? No one's really said that."
-
2349.
>At the same time, you felt something funny on the inside.
-
2350.
>It wasn't something you plan on getting used to though.
-
2351.
>Though, she called you her 'pardner'.
-
2352.
>Huh.
-
2353.
"I could use your help, with this little fella here."
-
2354.
>You make the shape of a pistol out of your hand and wave it in the air.
-
2355.
"Maybe we could have a great old stand off?"
-
2356.
>You smirk again.
-
2357.
>She looks at you with a somewhat perplexed look again.
-
2358.
>She probably didn't even understand the reference.
-
2359.
>Coughing you clear your throat.
-
2360.
"So what do you think would give us the best chance?"
-
2361.
>She thinks for a while before coming up with a reply.
-
2362.
>Even then, she's slow and hesitant in coming up with the words.
-
2363.
>"Is there, is there, anywhere that we can go?"
-
2364.
>You nod.
-
2365.
>So that's the answer.
-
2366.
>The odds were stacked against you.
-
2367.
>You really didn't want to go back there.
-
2368.
>But what choice did you have?
-
2369.
>What choice have you ever had?
-
2370.
>You somberly stand up and head back towards your room.
-
2371.
>You manage to find and pull out a rucksack and large duffel bag from the closet just as the following hoofsteps stop by the doorway.
-
2372.
>Looking back over your shoulder, Applejack silently watches you from afar.
-
2373.
>She reminds you of a dog.
-
2374.
>The way she sits like some sort of guard dog.
-
2375.
>But that's where the similarities end.
-
2376.
>Where one had confidence, she had none.
-
2377.
>If there was one thing, it was her eyes.
-
2378.
>Those haunting green eyes.
-
2379.
>Intently staring at you.
-
2380.
>Perhaps you were her only hope.
-
2381.
>Perhaps this was something that only you could do to help.
-
2382.
>You ignore her presence and go around the room, grabbing what little money you had secretly stashed about.
-
2383.
>Notes folded into old books, hidden inside old shoeboxes and cases.
-
2384.
>Along the way, you throw some layers into your bags, some shirts and some thick jumpers.
-
2385.
>For reassurance, you reach underneath your pillow to make sure your handgun was where you left it.
-
2386.
>It was still there.
-
2387.
>You had another magazine with some extra ammo stashed in the closet, which you took and threw into your rucksack.
-
2388.
>You mentally go through everything.
-
2389.
"That's everything."
-
2390.
>Throwing the bags by the bedroom door, you turn to face your silent companion.
-
2391.
"You ok?"
-
2392.
>She seems distracted and almost comes out of a trance when you speak out to her.
-
2393.
>You watch her as she slowly comes over towards you, before gingerly placing a hoof onto your thigh.
-
2394.
>"Applejack?"
-
2395.
>"Ah, ah just wanna make sure, that you, that this, that this is real."
-
2396.
>Her hoof presses firmly onto your thigh.
-
2397.
>In return you step back and place her hoof into your hand.
-
2398.
"Of course I'm real, I'm right here."
-
2399.
>You thumb her hoof, feeling the smoothness of her sole.
-
2400.
>She shakes her head before letting off a small smile as she looks up at you.
-
2401.
>Then her ears fold down.
-
2402.
>Her smile disappears.
-
2403.
>You freeze.
-
2404.
>Your hand tightens around her hoof.
-
2405.
>Someone is knocking at the front door.
-
2406.
>You motion to Applejack with a raised finger to your lips to keep quiet.
-
2407.
>But you're not sure if she'll even understand you.
-
2408.
>Her eyes weren't in focus.
-
2409.
>She was in shock.
-
2410.
"Hey, Applejack, snap out of it."
-
2411.
>You give her a slight nudge with your hand which brings her back a little.
-
2412.
>"Ah-Anon? Wha-what are we gonna do?"
-
2413.
"Shhh. Keep quiet."
-
2414.
>You motion over to the closet.
-
2415.
"Hide in there and don't make a sound."
-
2416.
>You push her gently but firmly towards the closet.
-
2417.
"If something happens, run."
-
2418.
>"Wha-what about you?"
-
2419.
>You reach underneath your pillow and pull out your handgun.
-
2420.
"I'll make do."
-
2421.
>Standing up, you slide your piece behind your back.
-
2422.
>
-
2423.
>Applejack obediently hides at the back corner of the closet.
-
2424.
>Making sure that the closet door wasn't fully closed, you step out into the corridor.
-
2425.
>Applejack would be safe for a while.
-
2426.
>Now the question remains of who was at the front door.
-
2427.
>You wrack your brain thinking about who it could be.
-
2428.
>There was that hobo a while back.
-
2429.
>It couldn't have been him.
-
2430.
>You've only seen each other by coincidence.
-
2431.
>And each time you turned him away when he begged for scraps.
-
2432.
>Was this a consequence for your actions?
-
2433.
>You're filled with a growing sense of trepidation with each and every step you take.
-
2434.
>The apartment becomes deathly silent as you strain your ears to hear anything from beyond the front door.
-
2435.
>It was also the only safe way out of the apartment.
-
2436.
>The only other way was jumping out the apartment window.
-
2437.
>And that wasn't a very promising escape.
-
2438.
>Another series of knocks breaks your line of thinking.
-
2439.
>This time though, you can hear a single voice call out from behind it.
-
2440.
>"Anon."
-
2441.
>Wire.
-
2442.
>That's Wire's voice.
-
2443.
>That bastard was here.
-
2444.
>But why was he here?
-
2445.
>And how did he get here?
-
2446.
>You peer through the peephole.
-
2447.
>Sure enough, he was standing there on the other side.
-
2448.
>He looks rough though.
-
2449.
>What was he doing here.
-
2450.
>Was he here for Applejack?
-
2451.
>You feel your stomach tighten at the thought of what he did.
-
2452.
>You grit your teeth.
-
2453.
>He appears to be alone.
-
2454.
>But you can't be too sure.
-
2455.
>"Anon."
-
2456.
>He calls out to you again.
-
2457.
>"I know you're in there."
-
2458.
>Taking a final glance back down the corridor, you make a mental image of where Applejack and where your stuff was.
-
2459.
>You wanted to, no, you needed to protect her.
-
2460.
>But why would he have come here all alone?
-
2461.
>Taking a step back you pull out your handgun from behind your back.
-
2462.
>You imagine where Wire would be from behind the door and take aim.
-
2463.
>The door itself was hollow.
-
2464.
>You would be able to fire off a few rounds.
-
2465.
>Hopefully enough to end his life.
-
2466.
>Your hand grips tightly around the pistol grip.
-
2467.
>Your finger twitches at the trigger.
-
2468.
>The cold hard surface and heavy weight of the gun feels reassuring in your grasp.
-
2469.
>You could kill him right now.
-
2470.
>Wire, the very person standing outside, needed to answer for his actions.
-
2471.
>But a thought crosses your mind.
-
2472.
>You needed him to answer you directly, otherwise you might never know the truth.
-
2473.
>As to what had caused him to kill a mare.
-
2474.
>And, perhaps, with the answer, it would make things safe again.
-
2475.
>You needed to decide.
-
2476.
>Your hand trembles as you reach out towards the door handle.
-
2477.
>If you were wrong, however, everything you've done would be for nothing.
-
2478.
>Swallowing you make up your mind.
-
2479.
>You unlock the door and pull open the door.
-
2480.
>Wire is standing aloof, expressionless, as you aim the barrel at him.
-
2481.
>"Anon?"
-
2482.
>He's wearing the same clothes as he did earlier on and with the same undeniable smell.
-
2483.
>Though, there are fresh bruises across his arms and face.
-
2484.
>Dried patches of blood stain his collar.
-
2485.
>This doesn't look good.
-
2486.
"What are you doing here Wire."
-
2487.
>You don't care for any greetings.
-
2488.
>Wire flinches, then pass it off by smiling at you.
-
2489.
>"C'mon you know me-"
-
2490.
"Cut the bullshit."
-
2491.
>You push the gun forward.
-
2492.
>Wire falls back into his expressionless state.
-
2493.
"I told you before, if I see you again-"
-
2494.
>"You'll do what? Shoot me?"
-
2495.
>He stares at you, unafraid of your threat.
-
2496.
>You press the question again.
-
2497.
"What are you doing here."
-
2498.
>His eyes look down at the gun.
-
2499.
>"I, I need your help man."
-
2500.
>He was looking for help?
-
2501.
>You shake your head, why would he come to you for help?
-
2502.
>He tries to take a step forward but is stopped by your raised gun.
-
2503.
>You do not want him any closer to you.
-
2504.
"Help? Why should I."
-
2505.
>"I, it was pretty fucked up what happened earlier on."
-
2506.
"Fucked up? That's all you want to call it?"
-
2507.
>"Listen man."
-
2508.
>Wire starts scratching at his arm.
-
2509.
>"You know me, I don't do stuff like that."
-
2510.
"It's been years since I last saw you."
-
2511.
>"Listen, she, she was on her way to someone else, they wanted me to clean her up."
-
2512.
>They?
-
2513.
>"You weren't around man, you couldn't possibly know what they do to them."
-
2514.
>"They would've just, just used her until, until she-"
-
2515.
>He falls silent.
-
2516.
>But you notice his hand, his fingernails digging into his arm.
-
2517.
>Whatever it was, it really got to him.
-
2518.
>"They're a lost cause Anon. They should have never come here."
-
2519.
"You murdered her."
-
2520.
>He tries to take another half step towards you.
-
2521.
>"I did the only thing I could, I freed her!"
-
2522.
>You push the gun more forcefully into his chest trying to get him to back off.
-
2523.
>He almost sounded happy saying that.
-
2524.
>His smile, made you to grit your teeth together in disgust, in anger.
-
2525.
>Your finger started pulling the trigger, millimetre by millimetre.
-
2526.
>"N-now they're pissed, like fucking pissed off at me."
-
2527.
>"I, I need your help man."
-
2528.
>He tries to look past your shoulder and into the apartment.
-
2529.
>"It's Applejack, right? I saw you look her up on the computer."
-
2530.
>Shit.
-
2531.
>He smiles as he says her name.
-
2532.
"There's no pony here."
-
2533.
>"Anon, you're a terrible liar."
-
2534.
"Can't help you with that."
-
2535.
>He looks at you with something new in his eyes, was it new vigour or malice?
-
2536.
>You try to eye him up without batting an eye.
-
2537.
>"But okay, if you say so. If you won't help me, then just help me with this."
-
2538.
>Huh.
-
2539.
>His expression softens.
-
2540.
>"Here."
-
2541.
>He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something in his left hand, revealing a white folded note wedged between his two fingers.
-
2542.
>"You'll know when to call."
-
2543.
>He thrusts his hand towards your chest, pointing you with the note.
-
2544.
>You grab it without looking away from him.
-
2545.
"If you're planning anything, Wire I swear-"
-
2546.
>"You'll shoot me? Again, you keep saying the same thing."
-
2547.
>His smile cuts you off.
-
2548.
>"But I told you before Anon, you're far too kind for that."
-
2549.
>He takes a step back with his hands up in the air.
-
2550.
>"Say hi to Applejack for me and remember, whatever happens, don't lose that note."
-
2551.
>You follow him with your gun as he turns his back to you, feeling your finger on the trigger pull ever so slightly.
-
2552.
>You stand there at the front doorway, watching him make his way out down the staircase and out into the alleyway, until you couldn't see him anymore.
-
2553.
>His loud footsteps on the iron staircase fade away into that city background.
-
2554.
>He had a gait to his walk, something that only hinted that his injuries were more serious than you first thought.
-
2555.
>You close and lock everything on the door, sliding your back against it in exhaustion.
-
2556.
>The gun that once felt reassuring in your hand now pained it, your tight grip left impressions on your hands as though you were branded by it.
-
2557.
>You almost shot him.
-
2558.
>But would that have been a bad thing?
-
2559.
>You let out a large breath of air and as though on cue, your body starts shaking.
-
2560.
>A wave of nausea washes over you, making you feel sick to the stomach.
-
2561.
>You shut your eyes, hoping to ride out the moment.
-
2562.
>It was only when you felt a tapping on your shoulder that you opened your eyes up again.
-
2563.
>"Yer alright Anon?"
-
2564.
"A-Applejack?"
-
2565.
>
-
2566.
>You were somewhat surprised at seeing Applejack out of the closet.
-
2567.
>"Sorry Anon, ah, ah know what you said-"
-
2568.
"What if he had seen you!"
-
2569.
>Your mind races through the different scenarios of what could've happened.
-
2570.
>If she had left her hiding spot a minute earlier she would have been seen.
-
2571.
>And none of it was good.
-
2572.
"Did you hear what I said?"
-
2573.
>She flinches at your tone of voice.
-
2574.
>"But ah heard them noises, an' then ah saw you-"
-
2575.
>Her tail had become very still and her ears were folded back.
-
2576.
>"Ah was worried that somethin' happened to yer."
-
2577.
>You could see the start of tears appearing at the corner of her ears.
-
2578.
>You shouldn't be angry with her but you couldn't help it.
-
2579.
>In the end, she was just concerned about you.
-
2580.
>With a free hand, you slowly reach up and stroke her behind her ears.
-
2581.
>You sigh, quietly speaking.
-
2582.
"Thank you."
-
2583.
>She freezes from your touch, probably still nervous about your actions and of your touch.
-
2584.
>But she still stays beside you and doesn't run.
-
2585.
>You remain sitting on the floor as you stroke Applejack's ear.
-
2586.
>Feeling calm and relaxed, you shut your tired eyes again.
-
2587.
>You listen to your own breathing and focus on touching Applejack, feeling the warmth and the softness of her ear.
-
2588.
>After a while of quiet, you hear a loud rumble in the air.
-
2589.
>You open your eyes again to see a blushing Applejack.
-
2590.
>Her eyes dart between the floor and yours.
-
2591.
>"S-sorry Anon, ah'm, ah'm kinda hungry."
-
2592.
"I see."
-
2593.
>You didn't feel very hungry.
-
2594.
>Then again, you've developed an irregular diet of eating junk food, whenever and wherever you wanted.
-
2595.
>She most likely didn't get to eat much because of her situation.
-
2596.
>In contrast you were poor and didn't care to make your own food.
-
2597.
>You grunt as you stand up, your body feels heavy, tired and weak.
-
2598.
>You steady yourself by resting your arm against the wall, and soon enough something else helps you from the side of your leg.
-
2599.
>Applejack leans up and against your leg in an attempt to help you stay steady.
-
2600.
>She looks up at you with concern in her eyes.
-
2601.
"C'mon, let's go to the kitchen."
-
2602.
>You both head over to the kitchen where you then go to the fridge and pull it open.
-
2603.
>There's nothing in there that looks edible, at least for her.
-
2604.
>Remembering you might have some frozen stuff, you open the freezer door and sure enough find something.
-
2605.
>You pull out the only frozen pizza you had.
-
2606.
>'Hawaiian Delight'.
-
2607.
>Disgusting.
-
2608.
>Why did you pick this up and how long has it been in there?
-
2609.
>Though if you just took out the ham slices, Applejack could have this, right?
-
2610.
>It didn't take you long to unwrap it and throw it into the oven.
-
2611.
>While it was cooking, you sat down by the kitchen table.
-
2612.
>You reminded yourself of your latest encounter with Wire and pulled out the folded note from your pocket.
-
2613.
>Just what was on this note that was so important?
-
2614.
>You unfold it.
-
2615.
>There was a number written on it, but it wasn't anything that you recognised.
-
2616.
>His words rang in your mind.
-
2617.
>It just didn't add up.
-
2618.
>You spend a moment thinking back to the past, of people and places that you knew.
-
2619.
>You came up with nothing.
-
2620.
>Sighing, you pocketed it again and turned your attention to seeing where Applejack had went.
-
2621.
>You found her lying down over by the sofa floor by her hat, affectionately touching its brim.
-
2622.
>You take a moment and look at her, wondering she's been through.
-
2623.
>It felt like it was a part of herself that she was trying to mend.
-
2624.
>Like a bruise you would rub hoping that it would get better and not hurt.
-
2625.
>If only it wasn't in the terrible state it was in.
-
2626.
>The oven bell rings loudly from across the room.
-
2627.
"C'mon, the pizza's ready."
-
2628.
>You take the pizza out and roughly pull it apart into two slices, doing your best to separate out the toppings without burning your fingers.
-
2629.
>You present the one half with nothing but the pineapple topping to Applejack while you kept the other one with all the ham on it.
-
2630.
"Eat up."
-
2631.
>She looks at her meal with a little confusion and apprehension.
-
2632.
>"Thank you."
-
2633.
>Nevertheless she still thanked you for it.
-
2634.
>You go through your meal quietly and quickly.
-
2635.
>It was just some cheap pizza after all.
-
2636.
>Applejack, however, was quite the opposite.
-
2637.
>She was taking her time with her pizza, though she did seem to enjoy the pineapple slices.
-
2638.
>She'd pick up a single pineapple piece with her tongue and chew on it, though only having spent some time blowing on it to cool it down.
-
2639.
>Her eyes would light up a little from the sweetness.
-
2640.
"Do you like it?"
-
2641.
>She replies in a quiet voice.
-
2642.
>"It's alright."
-
2643.
>Not being able to hold the large pizza slice in her hooves, she bites onto the parts of pizza hanging off the plate.
-
2644.
>You wait for her to finish eating, resting your elbows on the table.
-
2645.
>Minutes pass by and her chewing becomes slower.
-
2646.
>She's starting to look sick.
-
2647.
>Eventually, she pushes the half-finished pizza away from her.
-
2648.
>"Ah, ah think ah'm done Anon. Sorry ah couldn't finish it."
-
2649.
>You look at how she tries to avoid eye contact with you.
-
2650.
>You sigh.
-
2651.
"It's okay, go get some sleep, we've got an early start tomorrow."
-
2652.
>She nods and hops off the kitchen bar stool and seemingly makes her way towards the sofa.
-
2653.
"No, not there."
-
2654.
>She stops hoof in mid-air.
-
2655.
"Go back into the closet."
-
2656.
>She'll be safer there.
-
2657.
>While you dump the unfinished pizza into the trash can you don't notice her when she quietly leaves the room.
-
2658.
>At least she wasn't kicking up a fuss.
-
2659.
>This was it, right?
-
2660.
>Your last night here.
-
2661.
>Looking around the room, you wonder if there was anything that you'd miss.
-
2662.
>You've never really left this place for an extended while.
-
2663.
>More importantly, you wonder if there was anything that would leave a trail or give a hint.
-
2664.
>Nope.
-
2665.
>It was all in your head, the only other person that knows about where you're going is six feet under.
-
2666.
>So much for a home.
-
2667.
>You go around the apartment to double check that all the windows and front door are locked.
-
2668.
>Still feeling unsettled, you cautiously open and peer out of one of the side windows facing out into the alleyway.
-
2669.
>It's quiet outside, despite the constant noise of the city.
-
2670.
>You've always found the sound kept you on edge, kept you on guard.
-
2671.
>Only the rich could afford safe places, better windows and security.
-
2672.
>And what did you have?
-
2673.
>What could you afford?
-
2674.
>Nothing.
-
2675.
>You pull your head back in and lock the window.
-
2676.
>It's even more quiet now inside the apartment.
-
2677.
>You turn off what kitchen lights were still working.
-
2678.
>The lack of lights never really bothered you before.
-
2679.
>You stumble over to the toilet to empty your bladder.
-
2680.
>Running water over your hands, you catch a glimpse of your own face in the bathroom mirror.
-
2681.
>You don't recognise the face in the mirror.
-
2682.
>A messy stubble and red, tired eyes of a stranger look back at you.
-
2683.
>Years of stress and neglect have cracked and broken down what should've been youth and happiness.
-
2684.
>What was there was not something you recognised.
-
2685.
>Uneasy feelings being to surface inside of you, forcing you to turn away and avoid looking at the mirror image.
-
2686.
>Better go get some sleep.
-
2687.
>You stagger back into your room and fall onto the bed, kicking off your shoes, socks and trousers onto the floor.
-
2688.
>The softness of the bed lures you into a false sense of calm, something that you consciously fight against.
-
2689.
>You need to wake up first thing tomorrow, as soon as daylight breaks.
-
2690.
>You hope you don't find yourself waking up dead.
-
2691.
>Just as you're about to laugh at the thought you feel something get onto the bed.
-
2692.
>You sit up and look around to find Applejack, standing at the base of the bed with one hoof on top of the mattress.
-
2693.
"What are you doing here?"
-
2694.
>"Ah, ah couldn't sleep."
-
2695.
"It's safer inside the closet."
-
2696.
>Her eyes waver but she doesn't move.
-
2697.
>You wait for her to say anything else.
-
2698.
"Well?"
-
2699.
>"Please."
-
2700.
>She lowers her head.
-
2701.
>"Please don't force me back in there."
-
2702.
>She doesn't move.
-
2703.
>"Ah don't want to be in that room anymore."
-
2704.
>There was something more going on here.
-
2705.
>"Ah'll be good. Just, just don't put me back in there."
-
2706.
>You get up to take a better look at her.
-
2707.
>She's visibly shaking now.
-
2708.
>Shit.
-
2709.
"Applejack."
-
2710.
>She doesn't hear your voice and carries on talking in a small, quiet voice.
-
2711.
>"Please, ah can't, ah won't cause any trouble, please, ah-"
-
2712.
"Applejack."
-
2713.
>"Just don't put me back into that room."
-
2714.
>You reach out and place a hand onto her shoulder.
-
2715.
-
2716.
"It's fine."
-
2717.
>Some life comes back in her eyes.
-
2718.
>"Anon?"
-
2719.
"Look, you'd be safer in the closet, I mean if anyone broke in they'd find me first."
-
2720.
>She nods and hangs her head.
-
2721.
>"Ah know, it's just, it's just, ah can't sleep in there."
-
2722.
"How come?"
-
2723.
>Her eyes look away from you.
-
2724.
>"Ah-"
-
2725.
>Her hoof rubs the same spot on top of the mattress.
-
2726.
>"Ah don’t like the dark. Ah-"
-
2727.
>You grip remains firm.
-
2728.
>"Ah-"
-
2729.
>This wasn't getting you anywhere.
-
2730.
>You sigh.
-
2731.
"Okay then, just cover yourself up."
-
2732.
>You go to lie back down, pulling the duvet back over yourself.
-
2733.
>You hear Applejack slowly get up onto the bed and then settle down, causing the bed to bounce a little.
-
2734.
>"Yer sure Anon?"
-
2735.
"It's fine."
-
2736.
>You reply.
-
2737.
>You stay awake, wondering if she's finally settled and gone to sleep.
-
2738.
>Not hearing anything, you close your eyes and try to get some sleep too.
-
2739.
>Just as you do so, you hear Applejack shuffling around under the duvet.
-
2740.
>She moves up through the duvet until her hooves finds themselves touching your back.
-
2741.
"Applejack?"
-
2742.
>"S-sorry Anon."
-
2743.
>You wonder what she's up to now.
-
2744.
"You ok?"
-
2745.
>She doesn’t speak straight away.
-
2746.
>"Could ah, could ah sleep with you."
-
2747.
"What?"
-
2748.
>"Ah, ah can't sleep so well on mah own."
-
2749.
>You're trying to think about what she meant.
-
2750.
>Wasn't she already in the same bed?
-
2751.
>"Anon?"
-
2752.
>You let out another sigh.
-
2753.
"It's alright."
-
2754.
>"Yer, yer sure Anon?"
-
2755.
>You grunt half in frustration, half in tiredness.
-
2756.
"Yeah."
-
2757.
>Hearing your voice of approval, she presses herself up against your back.
-
2758.
>Her head digs down against your back.
-
2759.
>You couldn't really say if you felt comfortable sleeping like this but you don't say anything to her.
-
2760.
>You try and shut your eyes again to sleep.
-
2761.
>"Anon?"
-
2762.
>Your eyes open again.
-
2763.
"What."
-
2764.
>"Could yer-"
-
2765.
>She mumbles something you could hear.
-
2766.
>You were tired, tired enough to lash out at her but you had to deal with this.
-
2767.
>You were doing this for her.
-
2768.
"What is it?"
-
2769.
>"Could yer, hold onto me?"
-
2770.
"What?"
-
2771.
>She remains silent.
-
2772.
>"Just, just fer tonight. Ah'm-"
-
2773.
>She bites her own tongue, before continuing on in a quieter voice.
-
2774.
>"Ah'm scared."
-
2775.
>You reply quietly and softly.
-
2776.
"Alright, come over here."
-
2777.
>You slowly turn over to face her.
-
2778.
>It's awkward at first.
-
2779.
>You've always slept alone, by yourself.
-
2780.
>You were used to sleeping with the whole bed to yourself, even though it always ended up in you taking up one corner of the bed.
-
2781.
>Applejack shifts her body towards you.
-
2782.
>You can feel her hooves touch you, feeling for your arms and chest.
-
2783.
>In likeness, your hands reach out and feel for her, sliding down onto her sides and brushing down along her soft fur.
-
2784.
>When you think she's comfortable with the new sleeping position, she shifts again, moving even closer towards you.
-
2785.
>Her forelegs reach out and brushes against your arm, forcing you to move your arm out of her way and let her foreleg rest against your side.
-
2786.
>She tucks her head up against your chest and in between your arms.
-
2787.
>Her hind legs intertwine and wrap around one of your legs, drawing her body close up to your lower half.
-
2788.
>The sudden closeness, the intimacy, made you feel uncomfortable.
-
2789.
>You wonder for an instance if she had planned to do this, if she had planned to keep on moving.
-
2790.
>People would do these things just to feel safe in desperate times.
-
2791.
>But over time the awkwardness wore off, you were sensing that she was just getting into a comfortable position.
-
2792.
>You hear her quietly speak out.
-
2793.
>"Thank you."
-
2794.
>With your free arm, you slowly bring it down to brush her mane in a slow, gentle manner.
-
2795.
>You could feel her tense up at your touch though you were really hoping that you could calm her and yourself down at the same time.
-
2796.
>Joined together, you felt a new warmth you hadn't felt in a long time, if at all.
-
2797.
>It was, pleasant.
-
2798.
>It was nice.
-
2799.
>And for that brief moment, you forget about all the horrible things that had happened.
-
2800.
>Wire.
-
2801.
>That mare.
-
2802.
>None of that matters anymore.
-
2803.
>Right now, there was just you and Applejack, wrapped up together.
-
2804.
>You opened up your tired eyes.
-
2805.
>Looking down at the small bundle wrapped up against your arms and body it made you realise just how small and close she really was.
-
2806.
>You can smell the sweet scent of apples coming off her mane.
-
2807.
>You can feel and hear her breathing against you in a slow, gentle pace.
-
2808.
>Without thinking why, you pull her in against her arms, enough to feel the limits of her body, enough to know that she was really there with you.
-
2809.
>You hold her in that firm yet gentle embrace.
-
2810.
>Knowing that she wouldn't be going anywhere soon and neither would you.
-
2811.
>Soon enough, sleep takes you.
-
2812.
>
-
2813.
>Everything feels so slow, so sluggish.
-
2814.
>You try and focus on where you were or what you were doing.
-
2815.
>But it slips away from you.
-
2816.
>It's all blurred, as though someone had given you a hard knock to the head, or given you glasses smeared with Vaseline.
-
2817.
>Everything was messed up.
-
2818.
>Your hands unfurl and you let go of her neck.
-
2819.
>You can still feel her warmth linger on your fingers.
-
2820.
>Her body lies still on the floor.
-
2821.
>Her eyes stare back at you.
-
2822.
>Those green eyes.
-
2823.
>You hear a door slam in the distance.
-
2824.
>Turning around, your eyes focus onto a painfully bright light.
-
2825.
>There's a bright flash and suddenly incredible pain sears throughout your body.
-
2826.
>Your head shoots back and your mouth splits wide open as you try to scream.
-
2827.
>It feels like your entire body was burning up.
-
2828.
>
-
2829.
>You wake up in a panic.
-
2830.
>You pull out your gun from beneath your pillow and point it at the doorway.
-
2831.
>No one's there.
-
2832.
>You swing your gun around to the window.
-
2833.
>There doesn't seem to be anything there.
-
2834.
>Your eyes are sore and they sting, so you can't be certain.
-
2835.
>You remain still.
-
2836.
>Nothing happens.
-
2837.
>You lower your gun back down.
-
2838.
>Get it together Anon.
-
2839.
>It was just a dream, a nightmare.
-
2840.
>Your mind was racing and so was your pulse.
-
2841.
>Taking deep, slow breaths, you try and calm yourself down but your body is slow to catch up.
-
2842.
>You scan the room again, afraid that you might've missed something.
-
2843.
>Everything still looks the same.
-
2844.
>Looking over to the gap in the curtains the lack of light tells you that the sun hasn't risen yet.
-
2845.
>It must still be early.
-
2846.
>That's right, you remind yourself.
-
2847.
>Today was the day.
-
2848.
>You go to get up when you feel something stir in your arms.
-
2849.
>Oh.
-
2850.
>That's right, she was still here.
-
2851.
>One of her forelegs is draped over your stomach.
-
2852.
>Applejack shifts and rests her head on top of your chest.
-
2853.
>Her eyes are still closed and she doesn't seem to be moving anymore.
-
2854.
>Guess she was still asleep.
-
2855.
>Seeing how peacefully she was sleeping made you hesitate.
-
2856.
>You needed to wake her up.
-
2857.
>You gently shake her shoulder.
-
2858.
"Hey, wake up."
-
2859.
>"Mmm."
-
2860.
>One of her ears twitches.
-
2861.
"C'mon Applejack, we need to get going."
-
2862.
>You start shaking her a little harder until you hear a sudden snort, prompting you to release your hold on her.
-
2863.
>Her eyes flicker open and she rolls over onto her back, looking at you upside down.
-
2864.
>"Mm is it mornin' already sugarcube?"
-
2865.
>Her words come out slow and slurred.
-
2866.
"It's me Applejack."
-
2867.
>She pauses.
-
2868.
>A steady blush creeps across her face as her eyes come into focus.
-
2869.
"Good morning 'sugarcube'."
-
2870.
>You grin and let out a small laugh at the cute gesture.
-
2871.
>"Ah, ah wasn't awake."
-
2872.
"Yeah, yeah, sure thing."
-
2873.
>You pull off the duvet covers, revealing your bare legs but also Applejack's body to the cold air.
-
2874.
>She scrunches her face and tries to cover her body.
-
2875.
>"Ah!"
-
2876.
"S-sorry."
-
2877.
>You were used to the cold, in fact it helped wake you up but you felt bad subjecting Applejack to the same experience.
-
2878.
>You can't help but notice how she's shivering now.
-
2879.
"Hang on."
-
2880.
>You turn your back to her and rummage through your wardrobe, remembering that you had it thrown in there somewhere.
-
2881.
>It was an old pullover you got from a charity store.
-
2882.
>You find it right at the bottom of a pile.
-
2883.
"Here we go."
-
2884.
>You shake it a few times to get rid of the dust and whatever else was on it.
-
2885.
>The pullover was looked like something an grandpa would wear.
-
2886.
>Not to mention the warm cream shade it had was too soft for your liking.
-
2887.
>You bring it over to Applejack before helping to put it on her.
-
2888.
>"Wh-what's this?"
-
2889.
>Taking a step back, you look over her.
-
2890.
>The pullover compliments her, despite how oversized it was for her.
-
2891.
"Warmer?"
-
2892.
>She looks down at the fabric.
-
2893.
>"Y-yeh, thank you."
-
2894.
>She raises a hoof to smell it, only to stick out her tongue.
-
2895.
>You let out a small laugh and go about getting changed.
-
2896.
>Once done, you pick up the two bags by the bedroom door and carry them to the apartment's front door.
-
2897.
>You quickly sneak a peek outside and to make sure it's all clear.
-
2898.
>A breeze of cold morning air blows in through the gap in the door.
-
2899.
>The sky was beginning to brighten up but it was still cold and dark outside.
-
2900.
"C'mon, we need to go."
-
2901.
>You stand by the front door, calling back out to Applejack.
-
2902.
>She follows you and slows down to a stop.
-
2903.
"What's wrong?"
-
2904.
>"Are yer sure it's goin' be safe outside?"
-
2905.
>You don't respond, knowing that there was always going to be some risk.
-
2906.
>"It's just that, it was safe here and ah've been to so many places already."
-
2907.
>She glances back up at you.
-
2908.
>"Do we really have ta go?"
-
2909.
>You sigh inwardly .
-
2910.
>You couldn't really blame her, you might be the only person to have shown her any sign of kindness.
-
2911.
>You kneel down to her level and comfort her.
-
2912.
"Yeah we do, it'll be dangerous if we stay here. I know a place that'll be safe."
-
2913.
>She looks at you with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
-
2914.
>You take out the large duffel bag you brought with you and lie it down in front of her.
-
2915.
>You pull down the zip and open it up, revealing a large empty space for her to get in.
-
2916.
>"Yer, yer can't be serious."
-
2917.
>She steps back on her hoof and gives you that look.
-
2918.
"There's no other way, do you want to get spotted?"
-
2919.
>"Well, no."
-
2920.
"Then get in."
-
2921.
>"Is, is there any other way?"
-
2922.
>You shake your head.
-
2923.
>"Oh, oh okay."
-
2924.
>She slowly steps inside a hoof at a time.
-
2925.
"Are you gonna sit?"
-
2926.
>"N-no, w-wait."
-
2927.
>She turns around to lie on her back with her hooves up in the air.
-
2928.
"Alright I'm zipping it up"
-
2929.
>"W-wait ah sec Anon. Just, just let me take ah moment."
-
2930.
>She takes a look around the apartment one last time and freezes on one spot.
-
2931.
>You follow her line of sight.
-
2932.
>She's looking at the sofa where she first slept here.
-
2933.
>Perhaps she'll miss this place more than you'll do.
-
2934.
>"Thank yer Anon, I mean fer all that you've done."
-
2935.
>She looks back at your face.
-
2936.
>"Ah hope y'know what yer doin'."
-
2937.
>You shrug.
-
2938.
"Don't thank me yet, we'll see if anything happens first, then you can thank me."
-
2939.
>She raises her eyebrows at you, before sighing and relenting.
-
2940.
>"Guess it's now or never."
-
2941.
>You pull the zip up to her face.
-
2942.
"Just hold up in there."
-
2943.
>You pull up the zip so that it just covers her body and most of her face, leaving a little gap for her.
-
2944.
>You slip your backpack on before bending down and lift the large duffel bag with Applejack over your shoulder.
-
2945.
>You grunt in the process.
-
2946.
>It wasn't the most heaviest thing you've ever carried but it wasn't going to be easy.
-
2947.
>You hear a quiet voice speak out from below you.
-
2948.
>"Yer alright Anon?"
-
2949.
>You can see a lone green eye peeking up at you from the gap in the zipper.
-
2950.
"I'll be fine. Any problems you just tap alright?"
-
2951.
>You look out the doorway as you feel an affirmative tap against your side.
-
2952.
>With a small smile, you pull open the front door and step outside into the world.
-
2953.
>You lock the door and walk down the same tired path, down the iron stairs and out through the alleyway.
-
2954.
>The streets were quiet and calm.
-
2955.
>To your relief, it was light enough now that you could walk through the otherwise dangerous alleyways.
-
2956.
>Walking down the same streets for the last time didn't give you any sense of nostalgia.
-
2957.
>You remember the shops you've been into and the few faces that have been around, but none of them bring you any joy.
-
2958.
>The bus stop gradually comes into view.
-
2959.
>
-
2960.
>You slump down onto the bench, propping your duffel bag beside you as you wait for the first bus to arrive.
-
2961.
>The overground train station was a ways off.
-
2962.
>It would've been quicker to get there by the tube but that would've been just as dangerous.
-
2963.
>What with all those gates and changes.
-
2964.
>You exhale a breath of hot air out into the cold.
-
2965.
"You doing alright in there?"
-
2966.
>You speak out to the empty bus stop.
-
2967.
>Placing your hand nonchalantly over the duffel bag, you grin as you feel Applejack give you an affirmative tap.
-
2968.
"That's one tap for yes, two taps for no, right?"
-
2969.
>There's another tap.
-
2970.
>A short while later, you hear and finally see the bus coming along.
-
2971.
"Alright this is it."
-
2972.
>You wilfully slap the duffel bag, eliciting a gasp.
-
2973.
"Sorry."
-
2974.
>You step on and purchase a one way ticket to the station from the driver, though not without being scrutinised by him.
-
2975.
>"You going on holiday or something bud?"
-
2976.
>The driver asks as he hands you the ticket.
-
2977.
>He was an old man, pudgy and had an unflattering moustache.
-
2978.
>You decide to play along.
-
2979.
"You know, I just woke up today and thought, fuck it, I'm going to Hawaii."
-
2980.
>You walk past him and leave before he has a chance to reply to you only to hear his mocking laughter behind your back.
-
2981.
>There's no one else on board at this time, much to your relief.
-
2982.
>The less people that see you leave, the better.
-
2983.
>You decide to take a seat near the back, parking your duffel bag on the window side seat.
-
2984.
>There was no chance in hell that you were going to leave a space for that one passenger who will take the seat right next to you and talk to you.
-
2985.
>The bus roars back to life and drives on.
-
2986.
>It's a quiet journey, with frequently timed stops at empty bus stops and the occasional bump from the pothole in the road.
-
2987.
>You're immersed by the passing scenery for a while before something in the corner of your eye catches your attention.
-
2988.
>Looking back down at the duffel bag, you see an orange snout sticking out of the zipper gap.
-
2989.
>You can see her nose taking in deep breathes.
-
2990.
>It was adorable yet at the same time concerning.
-
2991.
>You pull open the zipper to reveal Applejack's uneasy face.
-
2992.
>Leaning down you talk to her.
-
2993.
"You doing alright?"
-
2994.
>"Ah, ah feel kinda sick."
-
2995.
>She speaks in a quiet voice.
-
2996.
>Not good.
-
2997.
>It looks like motion sickness.
-
2998.
"I can't let you out, do you think you can hold on without being sick?"
-
2999.
>She shakes her head with uneasy eyes.
-
3000.
>You needed to do something to help her out.
-
3001.
>You need to keep her hidden but you couldn't keep her stuck inside the bag otherwise she'll just be sick.
-
3002.
>An idea comes to mind.
-
3003.
"Then how about this?"
-
3004.
>You carefully lift up the duffel bag so that it sat upright against the side of the bus and then take off your jacket.
-
3005.
>"Anon? What are yer-"
-
3006.
>You pull the zipper down and pull Applejack halfway out of the bag, sitting her rump onto your lap and pulling her in against you.
-
3007.
>"Anon!"
-
3008.
>She cries out in a hushed tone.
-
3009.
>You shift over to the window side seat, leaning closer to your duffel bag and finish by wrapping your jacket around Applejack.
-
3010.
>Effectively you were shielding her away from view but also keeping her upright so that she wouldn't be sick.
-
3011.
>To another passenger, it would look like you were just covering yourself with your jacket.
-
3012.
>You'd have to be careful though and put her back into the bag before anyone catches sight of her.
-
3013.
>Looking down you take a peek at the pony leaning against your chest.
-
3014.
"You feeling better?"
-
3015.
>"Yeh, th-thank you."
-
3016.
>She rubs her face against your shirt.
-
3017.
"You're in for a long ride."
-
3018.
>"H-how long fer?"
-
3019.
>You take a moment to think about it, it's been a long since you've been back.
-
3020.
"It'll take a couple hours I guess, it's been a while but we should get back there before dark."
-
3021.
>"Ah, ah hope we get there sooner rather than later."
-
3022.
"Same."
-
3023.
>You stroke the back of her neck, something you've found time and again soothing and calming in both ways.
-
3024.
>She lets off a quiet moan and you feel her hoof press up against your chest.
-
3025.
>"Sorry, it's just that, we've been gettin' kinda close like this a lot lately."
-
3026.
>You briefly take a peek at her beneath your jacket and you could swear you could see her a slight blush over her muzzle.
-
3027.
"It's fine."
-
3028.
>"Really?"
-
3029.
"Yeah, really."
-
3030.
>What was she worried about?
-
3031.
>You didn't really want to overthink it.
-
3032.
>You were just helping her out, that's all.
-
3033.
>No ulterior motives.
-
3034.
>Unlike the others.
-
3035.
>Though there were still a few things that still confused you.
-
3036.
>Those moments when she got into that state, that intimate state with you.
-
3037.
>Exposing herself to you.
-
3038.
>Kissing you.
-
3039.
>You turn your attention back outside of the bus, breaking your spiral of thoughts.
-
3040.
>There weren't as many tall buildings in the outer reaches of the city.
-
3041.
>The streets here were cleaner and there was a clear lack of graffiti and dumpsters.
-
3042.
>There were a few weathered looking trees and shrubbery here and there that helped add some sense of nature to the place, unlike the environment back inside the city.
-
3043.
>No trees, no shrubs, not even a single flower.
-
3044.
>Nothing but a concrete jungle.
-
3045.
>The bus jolts and moves onto a ramp entering the highway road.
-
3046.
>There was a constant flow of traffic now.
-
3047.
>Guess everyone else was just waking up and going about their daily lives.
-
3048.
>Not like you had a job where you could relate to them.
-
3049.
>You hear a whisper.
-
3050.
>"Are yer gonna miss yer home Anon?"
-
3051.
>You shake your head without looking down at her.
-
3052.
>It was nothing worth speaking for.
-
3053.
>"Ah'd feel bad if it was because of me."
-
3054.
>You resume stroking the back of her neck, this time moving up behind one of her ears.
-
3055.
>She gasps a little at your touch.
-
3056.
>"It, it feels nice when yer do that."
-
3057.
"I know, just relax."
-
3058.
>You notice that she doesn't tense as much as she did when you first touched her.
-
3059.
>It's probably a sign that she's beginning to trust you.
-
3060.
>For the remainder of the bus journey the two of you remain in a state of calm and quiet.
-
3061.
>You were still keeping an eye on Applejack and the other people around you.
-
3062.
>There were a few other passengers on the bus by now, some were sleeping, others listening to their own music or just stuck in their own little world.
-
3063.
>The old train station comes into view with its large concrete block design, something that was popular way back before you were born.
-
3064.
>You couldn't mistake the eyesore of a building, it was that ugly and brutal.
-
3065.
"C'mon, we're nearly there at the station."
-
3066.
>"O-ok."
-
3067.
>You gently lift Applejack off your lap and set her back into the duffel bag.
-
3068.
"Just hang in there, it won't be long until we're on the train."
-
3069.
>She nods as you close the zip and leave a small peeping hole for her again.
-
3070.
>Turning back outside, annoyingly there's a queue of people waiting at the bus stop.
-
3071.
>That was going to make things harder.
-
3072.
>You pull your jacket back on and sling both bags onto your back, readying yourself for a quick departure.
-
3073.
>The bus shudders to a stop just outside of the train station and the door pulls open.
-
3074.
>You'd expect people to wait for passengers to alight first before trying to board the bus but that doesn't happen.
-
3075.
>Not here.
-
3076.
>You try and navigate around the others as they push forward for their seats.
-
3077.
>It wouldn't be this much trouble if you didn't have to shelter Applejack in the bag.
-
3078.
>You were nearly out of the bus when a man pushes past you and elbows the duffel bag hard.
-
3079.
>You feel Applejack squirm and hear her cry out in pain.
-
3080.
"HEY!"
-
3081.
>The guy turns with a stupid, arrogant look on his face.
-
3082.
>"What?"
-
3083.
"Watch where you're going dumbass."
-
3084.
>He gives you the finger and starts swearing at you while you step off the bus.
-
3085.
>You were holding yourself back.
-
3086.
>You had to.
-
3087.
>This was just going to cause you trouble, the last thing you needed was to waste time and attract unwanted attention.
-
3088.
>Paying no attention to the passenger nor to the driver's jeers you were clear from the bus and headed towards the station entrance.
-
3089.
>There were a considerable amount of people inside, especially since this was a large station with twelve platforms.
-
3090.
>But you were more concerned about checking up on Applejack, you couldn't do it inside the station where there were so many people about.
-
3091.
>You quickly take a detour round the station building, eventually finding a bricked off pathway leading round back.
-
3092.
>At the end of the pathway there was an old, weathered looking metal door where you fail to find any cameras or windows about.
-
3093.
>No one could see you here and you'll be able to hear someone coming up the pathway.
-
3094.
>Deciding that it was safe despite the feeling that you shouldn't be there, you settle your bags down and take Applejack out.
-
3095.
>There were some tears in her eyes and a red bruise on her nose that she tries covering up.
-
3096.
"You alright kiddo?"
-
3097.
>"Sorry ah was noisy, it hurt real bad when-"
-
3098.
>You cup your hand around her lower jaw and gently lift up her face.
-
3099.
>After a closer inspection, you're thankful that she didn't get a nose bleed or that anything was broken.
-
3100.
>Her nose was still rather red, though.
-
3101.
"I should be the one saying sorry."
-
3102.
>She blinks.
-
3103.
"I should've stopped him, or at least taken the hit."
-
3104.
>You don't notice the small smile growing on her as she listens to you.
-
3105.
"Sorry."
-
3106.
>"There was nothin' yer could've done, so it's alright."
-
3107.
>She wobbles as she stands up.
-
3108.
>You give her some space to walk about and stretch despite your worries.
-
3109.
>The station was only two hours away from where you left by bus, probably less going by car.
-
3110.
>The fact that it was still early morning meant that you still had a lot of ground to cover.
-
3111.
>You go to ask Applejack if she was ready to go when you hear the metal door begin to unlock.
by SlavePonyGeneral
by SlavePonyGeneral
by SlavePonyGeneral
by SlavePonyGeneral
by SlavePonyGeneral