>Repeated beeping awakens you. >Letting out a groan, you quickly shut off the alarm clock. >Taking a breath, you sit up and stretch slowly. >Just another long day in store. >You are Deep Rest, nurse extraordinaire! >Technically a doctor, but working as a nurse a little less stressful and you get to bond with patients more. >Rising out of your bed, you look around your apartment. >It’s a little cramped, but you have plenty of room for what little you what have. >Heading to the bathroom, you go through the usual routine of bathing and brushing. >Always a pain, but you try to look your best despite your colors of your coat and mane. >Won’t be long now till your shift starts, then the real day begins. >Stepping into the kitchen, you try to psych yourself up. >It’s always difficult though. >Especially with the effects of last nights drinking still lingering. >Thankfully, you didn’t overdo it. >Still doesn’t help the dull pain in your head. >You take out a box of cereal and a bowl. >You should really get around to making something a little better than glorified cardboard. >Reading the side of the box it says ‘Fills you with energy to get you through the day!’ “What a crock of shit, gotta sell to the masses somehow.” >Sitting down at the table, you open up a book and read while you eat. >It’s nothing special, just an issue of this years medical journal. >In truth, you already know most of this stuff like the back of your hoof. >Doesn’t hurt to get a refresher. >Before long, you finish up and start to prep to head to work. >Grabbing your saddle bags, keys, and putting on your wristband, you stop to give yourself a pep talk. “Alright Rest, just gotta put on your best face. Remember! Do it for the patients, do it for them.” >If anypony were to hear you now, likely your neighbors, they’d probably think your crazy. >Then again, they already hear you talk to yourself. >Especially when you drink. >Taking one final breath, you leave your apartment to the early morning. >The sun is slowly rising, and the air is still crisp. >Despite how everything feels so bright and lively. >It always seems like a thin veil covers it all. >Pushing aside those thoughts, you trot down the road, waving to the few ponies up and about this morning. >Slowly you approach your work, Ponyville General. >The pale yellow walls and brown shingled roof give off a rustic feel. >It feels welcoming and makes the patients feel at ease. >As you reach the entrance, you stop and close your eyes, giving yourself one final push. >Do it for them, never forget, do it for them. >Opening your eyes again, you head inside. >Passing by both patients and staff alike, you greet them with a smile. >This place is like a maze at times, but you could navigate it blind folded. >Entering the locker room, you see the other nurses getting ready. >One in particular catches your attention >Your friend Bedside Manner, though she prefers that you call her Betty. >Her turquoise coat and red mane make her stand out a fair bit. >But at least that makes her easy to pick out. >Going through your locker, she grabs your attention. >”Morning Rest, how was your weekend?” >Short, tiring, and you drank too much. >She doesn’t need to know that. “Morning Betty. It went pretty good, did some reading. How about you?” >She smiles. >”Mine was boring, ready for another exciting day of saving ponies from a runny nose?” >You give her a smirk, and reply with your own sarcasm. “Of course, and I can’t wait to take the temperature of each stallion who asks if they have a fever.” >You share a giggle between the two of you. >While you don’t see each other much outside of work, it’s nice to have some pony to talk to. >She rolls her eyes. >”Yeah, that never gets old.” “At least it’s all worth it. Can never be too careful after all.” >While she doesn’t share your conviction, no pony does, she does nod. >”That’s true. Well, I’ll see you later then.” “See you later Betty.” >Waving her off, you finish getting ready. >As you reach the group, you can see the usual nurses gathered around. >Time to get your assignments and updates on what happened this weekend. >The head nurse goes through her usual motions of reminding every nurse of their duties. >Part of you wish she didn’t, but sometimes the others need a reminder. >You listen to the important bits and wait for her to give your patients. >”Alright Deep, here you are.” >You quickly scan the names, but two in particular catch your eye. >Cart Wheel and Sky Light. >You’ve known Cart, well Carl, since you were a filly. >As for Sky, you remember him being born here. >You feel a little joy and a bit of concern enter your heart. >Giving the paper one final look, you start to make your rounds. >Mostly talking with patients, replacing equipment, and checking vitals. >But you get through it. >Carl and Sky are a bit high on your priority list. >Namely because Carl has been here for weeks, and Sky was brought in over the weekend. >Fortunately, first on the list is Sky. >Entering the room, you see Sky laying in bed under the covers with his mother sitting bedside. >High Light is her name, and she looks awful. >Not that you blame her, Sky is a regular here. >The poor colt was born premature and thus has had a whole host of problems. >Upon seeing you, he sits up a little fast before coughing. >His mother reaches him quickly. >>”Slow down Sky, not too fast, remember what the doctor said.” >He nods and lays back, but with a eager look on his face. “How’s my favorite colt?” >He gives you a big smile. >”Hi Rest, I’m happy to see you again.” >You nod and feel a swell of happiness. “I’m happy to see you as well. How about we chat while I do my work?” >Picking up the chart, you see why he is here. >Pneumonia. >A small bit of panic hits you, but you have learned to hide that from others. >Just continue smiling Rest, he is here now and will get through this. >He always pulls through, just like the last several times he was here. >As you perform your duties, you both start to talk. >”Mhm, mom reminds me that you have stuff to do.” He looks to her with a smile and continues on. “But your my favorite nurse.” >High Light looks a little happier seeing her son so lively. >You let out a small giggle. “Thank you light. How has school been?” >”It’s going great, I’ve just learned about the uni-uni-” >>”Unification.” Says Mrs. Light. >”Unification of the three tribes.” He says with a bright smile. >This colt is just melting your heart. >You write down a few more numbers, all good so far. “Sounds cool Sky, what’s your favorite part?” >He coughs again and his mother gently strokes his foreleg. >”When fire of friendship blasted away the windigos!” >He gestures and makes the noise of an explosion. >If you get diabetes from him, you don’t care. “That’s my favorite part as well.” >You make sure he doesn’t need anything else replaced. >”Mom got me a new train too!” >Taking a quick glance, you see she looking at him with tired eyes. >Still full of love, but so much pain. “Awesome, you’ve got to show me sometime, did you thank your mom?” >Turning back to him, you see he takes a moment, trying not to cough. >”Mhm, I was super happy and couldn’t stop thanking her.” >She lets out a small laugh. >>”You sure did, now don’t get too excited Sky.” >He looks to her and frowns. >”I won’t, you and the doctor keep reminding me.” “Well they are right to do that. You have to remember you’re a little sick right now.” >”I know, I can’t wait to get better.” >You share his enthusiasm. >Sadly, you have to go on with your rounds. “You will Sky, that will take time, but I got to go now. Be good for your mom, okay?” >He nods a little and his mother mouths a thank you. >You continue to make your way about the floor checking on the various patients. >The majority of them will make a full recovery and some are being released today. >That doesn’t stop the dread that creeps within. >Finishing up, you head to the cafeteria, and go grab lunch. >You’d pack your own, but you procrastinate. >Besides, what they serve here is better than what you make at home. >Grabbing a salad, you find your usual spot. >Slowly you start to eat, but eventually you just pick at it. >’What if Light dies?’ >You know that you and the staff will do everything in your power to prevent it. >But that still doesn’t stop the thought. >’That doesn’t change things.’ >He’s so young. >Suddenly, Betty joins you and snaps you out of it. ”Saved you a seat.” >She nods and starts to gossip. >”You didn’t hear it from me, but I heard that Doctor Monitor and Gentle Care are seeing one another.” >In truth, you really don’t care for gossip. “Really?” >You try to stay with the conversation, but you can’t stop worrying. >”-They work together though.” >Barely catching the end of it, you start to let your attention drift. “Uh-huh.” >She stops talking. >And you look back up, you can see her trying to read you. “What?” >”You’re thinking about the patients again, aren’t you?” >You’re trying to ignore that thought still, but you guess you can’t hide it that well. “Is it that obvious?” >She nods, and gives you look of understanding. >”It’s okay, I know you’re passionate about them.” “Yeah, hard to ignore it.” >She reaches out and touches your hoof. >”Just remember, you can’t let it get to you. Never forget what we learned in medical school.” >Never get too attached, something you always failed at. >It helps alleviate the worry a little. “Yeah, I know.” >She nods before looking over to the clock. >”Alright, I’m going to finish up my shift. Good luck with yours.” >If only it was that easy. “Yeah, good luck to you as well.” >After lunch, you go about your duties. >Just like before, you find that the patients are doing just fine. >That’s when you come to your last stop. >Carl’s room. >Entering, you see the elderly stallion. >A faded brown coat, white mane, and icy blue eyes that look back at you. >You give him a smile. “Hello Carl, how are you feeling today?” >He slowly smiles and clears his throat. >”Hello Ms. Rest, I’m feeling fine, same as usual.” >You pick up his chart, everything reads stable, but you can’t ignore the fear inside of you. >He has been here a while after his granddaughter brought him in. >Sadly, he has been having shortness of breath and it culminated in him fainting. >Thankfully, she visits daily. “That’s good to hear, I’m certain you’ll be out of here in no time.” >Nodding he continues. >”So did I ever tell you about when I first moved here to Ponyville?” >You’ve heard him tell you this story many times, but you don’t mind. “No I haven’t Carl, I’m happy to listen.” >As you check the usual, he starts. >”So I had just moved out of my family’s farm, and had all my stuff in a cart.” He chuckles. “I had wanted to experience the life outside of the farm, and had heard of a new town.” >He takes a moment and licks his lips. >”It was a nightmare to travel those roads back then, I pushed on. When I finally got here, I had no bits in my pouch or a place to stay. I wasn’t the brightest, but I was determined.” >You nod along, changing his IV. >”Coincidentally I met my wife then, her family let me stay at their home. Her father was worried I was there to take his daughter.” He gets a twinkle in his eyes. “Of course I wasn’t, but that stop me later.” >Finishing up, you turn to hear the rest of his story. >He shakes his head slightly. >”Sorry, let myself get caught up, anyways. When he saw that I could repair carts and wagons, he let me live with them. It was thanks to his kindness that I was able to set up my shop, and that’s how I moved to Ponyville.” >He looks at you and smiles. >”Thank you for listening to a old stallion talk your ear off.” >You laugh, but shake your head. “I don’t mind Carl, you’re my favorite stallion after all.” >He gives a small chuckle and coughs. “Easy there, don’t over do it.” >Carl catches his breath, and looks back to you with a smile. >”You flatter me too much Ms. Rest, I’ll let you go, you have your work to do.” >You wouldn’t mind listening to him more, but he is right. “Of course, take it easy Carl.” >As you leave his room, you can feel that nagging thought in the back of your mind. >It never stops, not while you work, not while at home. >’They all die eventually.’ >You stop and close your eyes tightly in an attempt to shove those thoughts out of your head. >Taking a breath, you continue forth. >After you finish writing up your reports, you head to the locker room to finish off the day. >You put away your uniform and grab your bags, but the feeling is still there, distracting you. >Betty tries to get your attention. >”Are you alright Rest?” >Shaking your head, you smile. “Yeah, just a long day.” >”Tell me about it, I’m going to head home, take care.” “You too.” >You head outside and the evening greets you >The land is bathed in a cool light, though to you it feels gray. >It always feels like the trot home is faster than to work. >Entering your apartment, you call out. “I’m home.” >Silence. >Of course no pony else is here. >You are alone after all, not that you wouldn’t mind having a special somepony. >Just need to find a balance of social life and work life. >Sighing, that’s probably never going to happen. >Setting your bags aside, you head to the kitchen. >You grab some leftovers from the fridge. >After sitting down , you try to eat and read to distract yourself. >But the thoughts remain, tormenting you. >’You can’t save everypony.’ >No. >You don’t finish eating, and throw out what little is left. “Just splash some water on my face, come on Rest.” >You head to the bathroom, you try just that. >But like earlier, the single thought plagues you. >’They all die eventually.’ >You just need to sleep, that will help. >Heading to the bedroom, you turn off the lights and climb under the covers. >Minutes turn into an hour. >Fortunately, sleep finally takes you, but doesn’t stop you from being restless.