Dead by Dawn

Chapters

I See a Bad Moon A-Rising
Castle Rapture
Lights, Camera...
...Action
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Hush in the Library
Dressing the Meat
Whisper to a Scream
A Sucker for a Pretty Face
Dead by Dawn
A Token Gesture
We'll Do Lunch
The Time of the Season
More Than Enough to Kill Anything That Moves

I See a Bad Moon A-Rising

In one of Ponyville's many quaint little homes, a mare stood in front of her bed, counting off things on her fingers as music played softly in the background.

“Let’s see here: phone, headphones, wallet, toothbrush, hairbrush, toothpaste, pens, notebook, and pepper spray.” A ponytail of wet, straw-yellow mane bobbed as its owner nodded to herself. “Okay, there’s all that. Now, what do I wear?”

Twisted Ankle tugged at the towel wrapped around her body, pink fur still matted from her shower. The Earth Pony crossed her arms and held a hand to her chin in thought. “Miss Cheerilee said we were going to be on the coast. That means it’s going to be cold, right?” she spun on her heels and faced her open closet, green eyes scanning over its contents. “Hm, let’s start with this,” she said to herself as she pulled a soft white zip-up jacket out and folded it up, tossing it into the suitcase on her bed.

“Sweatpants, jeans,” she continued as she grabbed two of each article of clothing and tossed them too into her suitcase. “Now, shirts.” A simple white tee-shirt, one with pink and yellow stripes, another that was pink with a big yellow splotch like it had been hit with a huge paintball, and finally a grey shirt with the name ‘Vandellas’ emblazoned on it.

Nodding to herself again, she moved from the closet to her dresser, pulling a few pairs of socks, bras, and panties from its drawers and tossing them into the suitcase. She walked over to the suitcase, pausing to glance around her bedroom; as though afraid the walls had eyes. She shook her head at her own silliness and allowed the towel to drop.

Her plump rump and the heart crossed with a baton on her flank were exposed for a moment before she quickly pulled on a pair of panties and hopped into a pair of jeans. She crossed one arm over her bare breasts while she pulled a bra from the suitcase and snapped it in place. She pulled the Vandellas shirt over her head, pulling her ponytail free of the neck of the shirt. She quickly pulled on her socks and stepped into her shoes and turned back to the suitcase. A quick bout of organization saw that it closed easily.

She hefted the suitcase and headed for the door. She quickly walked down the main hallway of her home, stopping in the kitchen to grab a peach from the fruit bowl.

“I’m going to meet Miss Cheerilee, Mom!” she called down the hallway.

“Have fun, dear!” her mother called from one of the rooms. “Oh, and Twisty?”

“Yeah, Mom?” Twisty called back.

“I want you to call me before nine. You know I worry.”

“I will, Mom. Bye!” And with that, Twisty left through the kitchen door.

The sun was well past its midpoint as Twisty walked through town. The streets were quiet, almost oddly so. Most ponies were at home, either putting up last minute decorations or just resting in preparation for that evening.

Twisty expected to run into one of her friends on the way to Miss Cheerilee’s, or at least see one of them there when she arrived. As the teacher’s home came into view, Twisty was surprised to see only Cheerilee and a brown Earth Pony stallion standing in the driveway next to a van. Cheerilee was dressed simply, wearing a light blue sweater with long sleeves and a pair of tan pants. The stallion, it seemed, had been unable to decide on a look. He had on a grey tank top, over which he wore a black suit-jacket, which seemed a bit at odds with his faded jeans.

Miss Cheerilee was talking. “…be here. Probably still sleeping in.”

“I know I wish I was,” the stallion said, tugging at the neck of his shirt.

“You can sleep on the way,” Cheerilee said as she walked up to the stallion, tapping him on the nose. “You won’t once we get there.”

Twisty blinked a few times and shook her head, trying to clear away the sudden thoughts of her teacher having sex. Quickly, she put on her biggest smile and loudly called out, “Hello, Miss Cheerilee!”

Cheerilee jumped a little, backing away from the stallion and coughing awkwardly. She smoothed out the front of her sweater as Twisty approached.

“Ah, Twisty, glad to see you here,” Cheerilee said with a too wide grin, which Twisty mimicked.

“Glad to be here,” Twisty replied, handing her suitcase off to the stallion.

He placed it in the back of the van, next to the rest of the bags and then turned back to her. He gave her a sideway’s look. “Little old for braces, aren’t you?”

Twisty quickly covered her mouth with a hand. She’d forgotten all about them.

Cheerilee elbowed her companion. “Reuben, be nice. A hoofball hit her at last week’s game.” She turned back to Twisty and gave her a genuine smile. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. Those don’t hurt, do they?”

Twisty shook her head, blushing.

Cheerilee nodded. “That’s good. I apologize for Reuben here. He’s a lawyer, so obviously his parents didn’t hug him enough.”

“‘S not untrue,” Reuben mumbled, rubbing his neck. “Ah, sorry, kid. Wasn’t trying to make fun of you.”

Twisty nodded and allowed her hand to drop to her side. “It’s okay. I’m sure Scary’s going to be a lot more insensitive once she sees.”

“One of my other students,” Cheerilee said, answering the unspoken question. She then peered at something behind Twisty. “Ah, here she comes now.”

Twisty turned around to see her friend, Scary Story, approaching. The black-coated Thestral had tucked her silver mane under the black hoodie she was wearing, which was half-zipped, revealing the pink shirt she had on underneath. And, as per the norm, Scary had put on a black skirt and stockings in favor of something a more wind resistant. Her luggage was presumably in the backpack she carried by the strap. Once Scary was close, she raised the black sunglasses she wore to peer at Twisty with orange eyes.

“You got braces,” Scary stated.

Twisty resolved to keep her teeth behind her lips for the rest of the weekend. “Hello to you too, Scary.”

Scary smiled bashfully. “Sorry, I’m really just happy you still have all your teeth.”

Twisty chuckled. “You and me both.”

Scary nodded and looked over Twisty’s shoulder, waving a hand to Cheerilee. She shifted her gaze and saw Reuben leaned against the side of the Van. “Why is the town lawyer here?”

“Community service,” Reuben replied with a smirk. “And I’m a bag man right now.”

“Huh,” Scary tossed her backpack to Reuben, who caught it and placed it in the van. She turned back to Twisty, pulling a notebook and pen from her hoodie. “Hey, Twisty, if you were going to rename yourself, what would your name be?”

Twisty raised an eyebrow. “Scary, did you use me in one of your stories again?”

“No,” the reply came all too quickly.

“Scary,”

“Ugh, fine, I did. But it’s okay. You don’t die until the end this time.”

Twisty smirked. “Thanks, Scary.” She jerked her head back to indicate Cheerilee. “You put Miss Cheerilee in there too?”

Scary glanced at the teacher. “Kind of,”

“Do I die?” Cheerilee asked with an amused smile.

Scary blushed. “Uh, yeah. But, it’s, um-”

Cheerilee waved her off. “I’m okay with it, Scary. Just give me a hot colt friend before I die this time.”

“Sure thing,” Scary said with a blush.

Cheerilee chuckled and beckoned Reuben to follow her as they went back inside the house, saying something about grabbing supplies.

“So, got anything good yet?” Twisty asked, moving to stand next to Scary.

“A couple things. It’s still pretty rough, though,” Scary said, opening the notebook and flipping to the appropriate pages.

Twisty looked over what her friend had written, noting that the character she presumed to be her was being called Voorshees. And the Thestral that totally wasn’t Scary was called Lace. Twisty tilted her head a little at the next character mentioned.

“Who’s this, ‘Stephanie Broadchest’ supposed to be?”

“Twisty!” came a sudden sing-song shout from behind the pair, making them jump. Twisty was recovering when she was suddenly hugged from behind.

“Guess,” Scary said flatly.

“Ahh, Flare, the hell!” Twisty shouted, twisting in her other friend’s grasp.

Double Moon Flare giggled and released Twisty, hopping back a step. Twisty ran a hand through her mane and turned around. She had always thought of herself as being attractive, but standing anywhere near Flare made her feel downright homely.

Flare was an Alicorn, but it was honestly not as impressive as it sounded. Sure, her teal coat was perpetually pristine, her golden eyes had a faint sparkle about them, and her flowing pink mane with its yellow highlights was always magically untangled, but beyond that her magical abilities were below average. And yes, she had wings, but since she was built like a horny sculptor has polished her from marble, she wasn’t exactly aerodynamic. Still, she filled out her thin purple sweater in ways that turned heads regardless of gender. And the green skirt complimented it nicely.

“Sorry!” Flare said with a giggle. “I’m just so excited! I mean, all of us together, it’s Nightmare-Night, and we’re going to the big, spooky castle. It’s all so perfect!”

“Yeah,” Scary said in the same flat tone. “Almost like someone set it all up, right?”

“I think you’ve been reading too many of your own stories, Scary,” Flare said, putting an arm around the Thestral’s shoulder. “Got a new one, by chance?”

Scary smiled forcibly and lightly picked up Flare’s hand and moved it off her shoulder. “It’s still a work in progress.”

Flare shrugged and quickly wrapped her other arm around Twisty, pulling the other mare close. “Keep me and Twisty updated. We’re really looking forward to it, aren’t we?” Flare gave Twisty a friendly jiggle.

Twisty laughed nervously as she watched Scary’s eye twitch. “Yeah. Apparently-” Twisty was cut short by Flare putting a finger over her lips.

“Whoa, no spoilers. Sheesh,” Flare shook her head and hugged Twisty closer, unknowingly smushing the pink mare’s head into her tits. Flare shot Scary a knowing and almost apologetic smile. “Can you believe this gal?”

Scary quickly pulled her sunglasses back over her eyes. “Yeah, she’s pretty, uh,” Scary cleared her throat and looked down. “Twisty got braces.”

Flare released Twisty from her marshmallow hell, if not her hug. “You got braces?” the Alicorn asked.

Twisty nodded. “Yeah. Remember last week’s hoofball game?”

“Oh,” Flare said, drawing the word out. “Yeah, that…. Do they hurt at all? I remember mine hurting.”

Twisty shook her head. “No, I kind of keep forgetting they’re there to be honest.”

Flare giggled. “Lucky you.” She craned her neck, looking around. “Hey, have you seen Laser Bright?”

Twisty shook her head. “Hasn’t turned up yet. In fact, it’s just you, me, Scary, Miss Cheerilee, and her, uh, friend.”

Flare opened her mouth, likely to ask just who Miss Cheerilee’s friend was, when she shifted her gaze behind Twisty.

“Well, speak and she doth appear,” Flare grinned and waved. “Laser Bright! Over here!”

Twisty craned her neck to look over her shoulder as another of her classmates approached. Laser Bright was bobbing her head to whatever was playing on her earbuds, her spiky white mane bouncing along with her and her candy-red eyes a bit unfocused. The Crystal Pony’s coat was a milky white at the moment, but Twisty had seen it shift into transparency. Usually during killer light shows.

Laser Bright pulled her earbuds out once she got close to the van, letting them dangle over her black shirt. “Hey there, guys,” she said as she placed her small gym bag on the ground at her feet and brushed some dirt from her pants.

“Ah, just the mare I wanted to see,” Flare said as released Twisty and approached the Laser Bright, wrapping an arm around her and leading her a little ways away from the others.

Twisty let out a relieved and quiet sigh, habitually brushing the front of her shirt. Flare was well meaning, but she tended to have very little concern for personal space. And she left strands of her mane everywhere.

Scary sidled up to Twisty and nudged her. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Does Flare wear a bra?”

Twisty gave Scary a sideways look before shaking her head to clear out any errant thoughts. “No, thankfully. The last thing I need right now is some bra wire taking my eye out.”

“It’s a little chilly. She might have done it anyway.” Scary said with a snerk. “How does she deal with the weight?”

“Great back strength?” Twisty shrugged, giggling a little.

Scary shook her head. “Stupid Earth Pony strength.” Scary coughed and quickly added. “Not that there’s anything wrong with Earth Ponies.”

“It’s okay, Batty, we’re all friends here.” Twisty replied with a smile. “So, what horrible fate lies in store for, ahem, Stephanie?”

“Ah, ah, no more spoilers for you. Wouldn’t want you to always be two steps ahead of her.”

“Spoil sport,” Twisty sighed and squinted at Flare and Laser Bright, who stood a few dozen paces away. “Wonder what they’re talking about.”

“Yeah, what are Stephanie and Vinyl talking about I wonder,” Scary said, scribbling something in her notebook.

Twisty raised an eyebrow. “‘Vinyl’?”

“Hey, coming up with names is hard.”

“And how hard was coming up with Broadchest?”

“And what would you call the mare who hit puberty at eight?”

Twisty sighed and shook her head. A beat passed before an evil thought crossed her mind and came out her mouth. “You know, Flare would probably find that hilarious. I’m gonna go tell her.”

Twisty could swear she saw Scary blush. “Please don’t. I mean, she said she didn’t want spoilers.”

Twisty smirked. “Fine, fine, I’ll let you tell her.” Twisty nodded at Scary’s notebook. “So, what other inventive names did you come up with? Did you call Xander ‘Stripes’?”

“No!” Scary said, all too hastily.

“There are other Zebra names, you know,” said a voice from behind the too.

Twisty smirked and turned to greet another of her friends. Xander was, as one may have gathered, a Zebra. He was tall, and aside from Twisty and Flare probably the most athletically built of the group. He certainly liked denim, wearing beige jeans and a blue denim jacket over a white shirt. He ran a hand over his short cut mane, which was actually devoid of black stripes.

He fiddled with the black framed glasses he wore as Scary fidgeted on the spot.

“I, uh, I mean,” Scary stammered.

Xander smirked, green eyes twinkling with amusement. He waved Scary off, placing his book bag on the ground. “Just messing with ya, Scary. I kinda wish I was named Stripes sometimes. Makes it sound like I’m fast.”

Scary smiled nervously and nodded.

Xander looked around. “So, anyone else show up yet?”

“Flare and Laser Bright,” Twisty said as the two mares walked back over. “And Miss Cheerilee and her friend.”

“Miss Cheerilee brought a friend?” Laser Bright said.

“You mentioned them earlier,” Flare nodded. “Who is it?”

“You know the town lawyer?” Scary spoke up.

“Him?” Laser Bright said, eyebrow raised. “What’s he doing here?”

“Oi!” a voice suddenly called.

The group turned towards the source of the call. Twisty smiled and waved.

“Ember, glad to see you made it!”

Ember Roundup was moving at a good clip as she approached to the group. She dug her heels in once she was close, almost literally grinding to a halt. The berry-blue mare wobbled unsteadily for a moment before finding her balance. She pulled the akubra off her head and fanned herself with it; her wire glasses perched dangerously far down her nose. She placed the hat back atop her frazzled orange and purple mane and pushed her glasses back over her grey-blue eyes.

“Did I miss anythin’?” Ember asked, brushing the front of her near omnipresent vest and black shirt emblazoned ‘reporter’.

Xander jerked his head at Scary. “Scary wrote us in another of her stories.”

Ember sighed. “Please don’t tell me my name is Dundee again.”

“Uh…” Scary trailed off.

Ember shook her head, pulling her camera bag from her shoulder. “I don’t mind, Scary, really. But, please tone down the accent this time. I don’t sound like I just hoopped off th’ boat from o.s., ta.” Ember said, exaggerating her normally gentle Brumbiland accent.

Scary stared and scratched at her ears. “I’m sorry; I didn’t get a word of that.”

Ember snickered. “You’re a cheeky bastard, Scary. Now, anyone seen Miss Cheerilee?”

“Still in her house,” Twisty said. “And why did you bring a camera?”

“What else am I supposed to record with?” Ember bent down and zipped open her bag, pulling out a hand-held camera. “I’m doing an article for the paper and it helps to have visual notes. Plus the local station said if I can cut together a segment, they’ll air it.”

“The station’s interested in a segment about an old castle over a hundred miles away?” Twisty raised an eyebrow.

Ember smirked. “More like they’re interested in the scandal I promised them.”

Flare spoke up. “I'm afraid to ask, but what scandal?”

“The one where our deadly beloved Mayor uses innocent students to help her cheat the tax-mare.”

Xander snorted. “Really?”

“You seen that lawyer here? What’s his name? Saul or Jimmy or something.” Ember waved dismissively as she fiddled with her camera. “Anyway, this lawyer is the one that found the Mayor her loophole.”

“And who told you about all that?” Laser Bright asked, sounding skeptical.

“The lawyer did,” Ember said matter of factly, smiling happily once she got her camera running. “And I’ll be getting all the evidence on film. Well, digital film. High-Definition, too.”

“Are we all gonna be a part of your big whistle-blow?” Scary asked, pointing at the camera.

“If that’s okay. I can always blur out your faces in post if you want.”

“Just be sure to shoot my good side and there’ll be no need for blurring,” Flare giggled, making a pouty face at the camera.

“I think all your sides are good,” said a voice with the vaguest of buzzing to it.

In spite of themselves, the group collectively jumped as they found a Changeling in their midst. The Changeling in question was wearing a Ponyville letter jacket over a dark-green sweater and a pair of thick, black jeans.

“Ah, Token, when did you get here?” Flare asked.

Twisty internally winced a little. She might have gripes about her name, but it was hard to beat literally being the Token of the group. And Twisty hated to admit it, but she did find it difficult to distinguish Token from his fellow Changelings. The letter jacket helped.

Token shrugged. “I’ve been here the entire time. I actually thought you were just ignoring me.”

There was a pregnant pause before Token snorted and fell into a fit of laughter. “Just messin’ with you, guys, I only just got here.”

The rest of the group shared in the laugh as the door to Cheerilee’s house opened, the school teacher striding out with Reuben close on her heels. Cheerilee was holding up a magazine, her purse around her shoulder.

“See, like that,” Cheerilee was saying.

Reuben scoffed. “I appreciate the vote of confidence, Cheer. But, I am not that flexible.”

Cheerilee shrugged. “We can just reverse the positions.”

“I can live with that.”

“Hey, Miss Cheerilee!” Twisty called all too loudly. “Everyone else showed up!”

Cheerilee stumbled a bit, but quickly regained her stride, rolling up the magazine and stuffing it in her purse. “Thank you, Twisty,” Cheerilee smiled as she approached her assembled students.

Cheerilee came to a stop and clapped her hands together. “So! It looks like everyone is here, but to be safe, let’s have you all sign the sheet.” Cheerilee lightly elbowed Reuben, who nodded quickly and pulled a clipboard from the back of the van. He handed it to Twisty, who signed her named and passed it along to Scary.

Cheerilee began speaking again. “Now, before we disembark, I want to get a few things out of the way. First of all, I want to make it clear who my friend here is. You might recognize him as our local lawyer. Reuben, say hello.”

Reuben, who was in the process of loading Flare’s oversized suitcase into the van, stopped to give a little wave. “Hey there,”

Cheerilee continued speaking. “He is coming with us in an official capacity. And that is because the castle we are to be visiting is in the process of being declared a historical site. Congratulations, kids, you will be a part of history.”

“A very technical and boring part,” Reuben interjected. “And that’s from the guy who reads legal docs for a living.”

“Reuben, be nice,” Cheerilee chided. “Moving on: I know I promised you all an A for going on this trip and you will receive it. But, you will also be taking a test once we return and you will be graded on it. But worry not, Daisy Wiss, the mare that will be giving you the tour, has written the test herself and she assures me that you won’t have a bit of trouble with it so far as you listen when she speaks.”

Reuben again paused in his loading of luggage. “You didn’t read the test?”

Cheerilee thought about that for a moment. “Huh, probably should, come to think of it.”

“You are a teacher, aren’t you?”

Cheerilee looked over her shoulder. “Any more lip from you and you’ll spend the next few hours chewing on a ball-gag.”

Reuben grinned. “Is that a promise?”

Cheerilee smirked and almost as one Twisty and the others shuddered.

Cheerilee turned back to them and continued. “Anyway, I don’t want any of you worrying your heads about the test or get the idea that the whole trip will be one deluge of facts after the other. You will have plenty of time to yourselves this weekend. As such, I would like to point out you are all adults and I plan on treating you as such. However, you are still my students so if you go and fall hundreds of feet and dash yourselves on a couple of jagged rocks, it will reflect badly on me. So please, be cautious.”

Reuben closed the van’s back doors and went to the van’s side, pulling open the passenger door.

“Make sure to buckle up,” Cheerilee said as she climbed into the driver’s seat. “And I just want to make it clear that the radio will be driver’s choice.”

Twisty got in first, scooting along the first row of seats to the window. The rest of the students climbed in, Scary plopping herself down beside Twisty.

“Surprisingly comfortable,” Scary mumbled as she buckled herself in.

Twisty nodded as she reached for her own seat belt. She then jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“This is gonna be awesome!” Flare crooned from the seat behind Twisty.

“I’ll bet,” Scary said flatly.

Twisty patted Flare’s hand before shrugging it off her shoulder, offering an apologetic look to Scary.

“Ready?” Cheerilee asked, looking over her shoulder. Once she had her chorus of replies, she started the engine and began guiding the van onto the road. She fiddled with the radio as the van rolled down the street.

“Uh, Cheer, you want to keep an eye on the road?” Reuben said, sounding a bit nervous.

“Careful,” Cheerilee said as she turned the dial. “I have the gag in my purse.”

Again the collected students shuddered.

“Aha,” Cheerilee grinned as she found her station.

A female DJ was speaking on the radio. “You’re listening to a prerecorded Radio Vinyl, because I’m napping right now! Why? In preparation for tonight when we will be doing our ten hour continuous broadcast! From nine until dawn, I’ll be here, live, with music, guests, and all sorts of fun. It’s our Dead by Dawn marathon. Hope you can survive the night. But, until then, here’s some tunes for ya.”

Twisty looked out the window as Cheerilee found her way onto the highway, watching as the short buildings of her home quickly gave way to trees alight with fall colors. The sky was filled with massive clouds, white and puffy on top and forebodingly dark underneath.

A strange feeling washed over her, equal parts excited anticipation and… dread?

Twisty shook her head, clearing away any dark thoughts. She was being paranoid. Too many late-night horror movies with Scary. There wasn’t anything to worry about. Not a thing.

Right?

Author's Note

Nine little ponies set off for Castle Rapture. How many will be dead by dawn?

Probably all of them, because I'm a monster.

Castle Rapture

Wire Setter walked down one of the castle's many stone corridors. This one was a touch different than the rest though. To Setter’s right was a row of tall glass windows that allowed the afternoon light to spill in and on his left the wall played host to numerous black cables and wires. Setter was running a light finger over one of the wires as he walked, habitually checking for any tears or nicks in the plastic. He followed the wire to a large wooden door, where it vanished into the wall. Satisfied the cable was unmarred; Setter opened the door and entered the room.

The first thing Setter noticed was that there was already someone in the room. A leanly built and narrow muzzled Diamond Dog, wearing a suit and tie as black as his fur. He was currently perched on one of the room’s tables, doing something Setter definitely did not want him doing in his monitor room.

“Could you please not polish your pistol in here, Jack?”

The Diamond Dog looked up from the revolver in his hands to the pony walking into the room. Jack chuckled and returned his gaze to the gun.

“I’m not polishing it, Setter. I’m cleaning it.” Jack replied matter of factly, running an oily rag over the gun’s barrel.

Setter sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Okay, well can you not clean it in here then?” He gestured around the room. Most of the floor was a nest of black cables; some held in bunches with zip ties. They fed into a dozen or so computer towers, with more cables connecting them to the dozens and dozens of screens that covered the walls. “I don’t want you shooting my power cable.”

It was Jack’s turn to sigh, as he looked back at Setter. “The safety’s on. And I took the bullets out.” Jack pointedly held up the gun so Setter could see the empty cylinder. “And I’m keeping it pointed at the floor. Well away from your cables.” Jack added as he lowered the gun.

Setter snorted. “I’m sure somewhere a safety instructor just came.”

Jack laughed as he gave his revolver one last swipe of the rag. “That’s funny,” he continued to chuckled as he plucked bullets from his pocket and loaded them back into the revolver.

“I’m happy to entertain.” Setter shook his head. “Shouldn’t you use something smaller? You could take someone’s head off or shoot right through the floor with that.”

Jack loaded the last round, gave the cylinder a spin and then closed it back into the gun. He sat still for a moment before shrugging and tucking the revolver into the shoulder holster under his jacket.

“I like this gun. And I seriously doubt I could shoot through the floor. It’s mostly stone.”

“What about the doors?”

“Oh yeah, I could shoot through the doors no problem.” Jack chuckled as he got up from the table and cricked his neck. “Your cameras all good?”

Setter walked over to a desk that sat more or less in the middle of the room and upon which sat a few different keyboards. He tapped a few keys on one of them and the monitors all clicked on, showing virtually the entire castle. Setter scanned the monitors for a few moments before nodding.

“Yeah, they’re all up and running. I even managed to finally get a few on the roof and two down the road at the bridge.”

Jack chuckled. “You certainly have all the angles covered.”

Setter snickered. “Been sitting on that one have you.”

“I was waiting for the perfect moment.” Jack gestured to the bank of monitors. “And thanks to you, I now have it on record.”

There was a stretch of silence between the two as Setter tapped a few more keys on the keyboard. The Pegasus broke it with a drawn out breath.

“It’s gonna be a crazy night,”

Jack nodded. “Yeah,”

Setter continued tapping keys, quite possibly with some intentions. “Nine. I can’t believe she’s gonna try doing nine all at once.”

“Makes sense to me,”

“Oh?”

Jack nodded as he peered at on of the monitors, this one showing one of the castle’s more modernized kitchens. “You weren’t there on the first one. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. So she tells me.” Jack added, looking away from the monitor. “Anyway, that first time it was just the one. But once you’ve got that taste for it...” Jack coughed “You ever go hunting?”

“You mean have I ever strapped on a piece and gone hunting after something that could easily kill me?” Setter scoffed as he fiddled with a red dial. “I can’t say I have.”

Jack rolled his eyes and continued. “You should try it sometime. There’s just something… unique about it. Stalking something that stalks you back. It’s a high you can’t get out of a needle.” he sighed, almost in a longing way. “But, just like a junkie, you go searching for a better and bigger high. And sooner or later you’re walking into car factory full of crazies with nothing but a leather jacket, a revolver and ten bullets.”

Setter gave Jack a sideways look. “Did you actually do that?”

Jack rubbed his chin. “Listen, let me put it another way. It’s like sex. It’s great with just one, right? So, why wouldn’t it be better with two? Or three? A whole orgy isn’t really that far fetched after a while.”

“Sounds like you’ve got something of an addictive personality.”

Jack smirked and nodded slowly. “Yeah, you’re probably right about that.”

“But, that does make sense. But there’s something else that’s been nagging at me. It’s how blasé you are about this. Are you really telling me that you, mister security, isn’t concerned about the Boss locked in here with nine huntees?”

“I didn’t say I wasn’t concerned. But Val’s always wanted to do something like this and now would be the last opportunity she’ll have for a while.” Jack shrugged again. “Besides, no matter who’s coming tonight, I’m sure they’re nothing I can’t handle.”

“Yeah, nothing one revolver and ten bullets can’t handle.” Setter said with a smirk.

“I’ll have you know that’s two revolvers, something a bit sturdier than leather-” Jack tapped his chest for emphasis “-and of course, this little beauty.” Jack pulled something from his pocket and held it up.

Setter glanced over and then did a quick double take. “You have a grenade!?”

“It’s for emergencies,”

Setter opened his mouth, but quickly closed it again. “You know what? I don’t want to know what sort of fucked up scenario you have cooking in your head that requires a grenade.” he shook his head and turned back to keyboard.

Jacked laughed as he tucked the green sphere back into his pocket. “Your loss.” the Diamond Dog looked over at the monitors again and tilted his head at one of the images displayed. “Hey, Setter.”

“Hm?” Setter looked up and then at the monitor Jack was now pointing to. It showed a familiar vehicle passing through the first gate and heading up towards the castle.

“Looks like your girlfriend’s here,” Jack said with an amused grin.

“She’s not my girlfriend,” Setter replied automatically, sounding like a middle school colt.

Jack just chuckled. “Right. Then I suppose you wouldn’t mind me going down and saying hello.”

Jack made to turn towards the door, but a sudden hand on his shoulder stopped him.

“Please don’t,” Setter said quickly. “You’ll scare her.”

Jack flicked Setter’s hand away. “I’ll scare her?”

Setter smiled nervously. “Jack, buddy, let’s be honest. You don’t exactly have a puppy-dog look about you. I will go down and talk to Merry and then, gently, you could introduce yourself.”

Jack just grinned. “So it’s Merry now, is it?”

Setter let out a defeated sigh and nodded. “Fine, I find her attractive and it seems she feels the same about me.”

Jack laughed and gave Setter a hearty slap on the back. “You could do worse than a bribe taking mayor.”

“…Thanks?”

Jack just nodded and looked back at the screens. “Well, she’s almost here, stud. I best go find the rest of the gang so we can all have a proper meet and greet.” Jack scanned the screens before pointing one out. “Ah, there’s Gavrii and Daisy in the entrance hall. Just have to find Val now.”

“Right behind you,” a familiar smoky voice spoke up behind them.

Merry got out of her to peer at what lay before her. Yep, no doubt about that. The castle even had a fucking rickety old rope-bridge.

Merry sighed and leaned against the side of her car. She was parked just at the start of the bridge, which connected the cliffside to the small island the castle was built upon. She didn’t even want to imagine the nightmare it must been building the fucking thing.

There was a helpful little sign placed right next to the bridge. Emblazoned on it were four words: Welcome to Castle Rapture

“What asshole named this place?” Merry wondered aloud.

She heard a whistle and looked up to see a figure on the other end of the bridge waving at her. Merry smirked and shut off her car, taking the keys and locking the doors before she began walking across the bridge.

Her heels clicked against the wood and she drew her grey overcoat closer around her as a gust of cold, salty air washed over her. The whole thing creaked with every step and each gust made it sway. It must have been at the least a few hundred feet to the crashing waves below, but she could still hear them. Needless to say, Merry quickened her pace.

Setter was waiting for her on the other side of the bridge, dressed as he usually was: green button up shirt and tan slacks. He had also apparently slicked back his normally disarrayed mane.

Setter smiled and offered her a hand of assistance, which she happily accepted as she stepped off the bridge.

“Good evening, Merry,” Setter said, offering his arm. “May I escort you inside?”

Merry grinned and hooked her arm around his. “You may,”

Together they walked towards castle. At another time, Merry might have taken the time to give the stone structure a proper amount of her attention. But, at the moment, she was too engrossed with silently giggling as Setter led, no escorted, her to the oversized double doors.

Setter raised a hand, likely to push the doors open, when someone on the other side did it for him. The door swung back to reveal the grinning face of a narrow muzzled Diamond Dog.

“Setter!” the Diamond Dog greeted the Pegasus loudly, quickly turning his gaze to Merry. “And you must be Merry. Pleasure to meet you.” he said as he stuck out a hand.

Merry put on her best fake smile and gingerly took the Diamond Dog’s hand, shaking it as quickly as she possibly could while still maintaining the façade of politeness.

Setter cleared his throat, clearly annoyed by his companion. “Merry, this is Jack. He does… security.”

Merry nodded, acutely aware of how fake her smile must look. “You look… sharp,” she said, chewing and swallowing any thoughts she had about how… tacky his off the rack suit looked.

The Diamond Dog, Jack, smiled at her, either oblivious to how forced she sounded or uncaring. “Thanks,” he jerked his head to indicate the hall behind him. “I’m sure the others want to meet you.” He turned and walked inside, Setter and Merry trailing a few paces behind him, Setter pushing the door closed behind them.

Jack led them down the foyer that led to another set of double doors. Jack pushed these open and indicated for them to go ahead of him. Setter went through first, Merry close on his heels, and Jack followed much closer than she would have liked, pulling the door closed behind him.

They were now in a large, circular room. Opposite of where they had entered was yet another set of doors, albeit much smaller. Hallways led off to Merry’s left and right. Two more creatures currently occupied the room.

The first was a Gryphon: tall and wearing a big, furry coat with an upturned collar that covered her up to her chin. At least, Merry assumed the Gryphon was female. It very well could have been a male wearing some garish sea-foam eye-shadow/war-paint arrangement.

The second was quite possibly the most lurid looking Unicorn Merry had ever set eyes on. Her coat was a bright yellowish green and flecked with white spots. In fact, her muzzle was pure white. Her mane was big and long, seaweed green with pink stripes. She was dressed like she’d smoked herself into a pot coma and only just woken up, wearing a shirt that was a metaphorical explosion of color and bellbottom pants. The Unicorn waved excitedly, a pair of gold bands jangling on her arm.

Setter cleared his throat. “Merry, this is Gavrii-” he pointed to the Gryphon “-and that is Daisy Wiss.” he indicated the Unicorn. “Girls, this is Merry.”

“Hello,” Gavrii said in a thick Gryphonstone accent, giving Merry a slight inclination of her head.

“Nice to meet you,” Daisy said in a bubbly voice.

“Val?” Jack asked from behind Merry, to which Gavrii jerked her head towards the right hallway.

“I apologize for being late. I was washing up,” explained the voice Merry remembered from the limo.

It was just as Merry had guessed from the brief glimpse she had gotten in the limo. It seemed her benefactor was a Lamia. But one that apparently liked to lurk in the shadows, just out of proper sight.

Big fucking snake indeed. Merry thought to herself.

“Valerie Morlin,” the Lamia said, extending a hand into the light. “Glad to meet you properly.”

Merry quickly walked over, shaking the offered hand. “Likewise, Miss Morlin,” she said with a nod.

Morlin released her hand and the corners of her mouth twitched into a smile, revealing teeth so white they practically shined in the darkness. “I must say, it’s quite nice to be able to talk to you without the pane of bulletproof glass.”

The Diamond Dog let out an amused snort. “Don’t tempt me, Val.”

Morlin chuckled. “I’ll try not too.” She turned her attention to the Gryphon. “Gavrii, did you raid one of the closets for that coat?”

The Gryphon cracked something close to a smile. “I thought it suited me, Valerie.”

Morlin returned the smile. “It certainly does.” She turned her attention back to Merry. “So, I suppose a tour is in order.”

A sudden buzzing sounded from behind Merry. She turned to see Setter pulling a phone from his pocket and flipping it open. He looked to Morlin and nodded. “They’re pulling up now, Boss.”

Morlin nodded. “Ahead of schedule.”

The Diamond Dog pushed himself away from the door and spoke to Setter. “Gavrii and I’ll go to the usual place. Anything happens; you call us, okay camera jockey?”

“Just keep in in your coat until we need you, Fast-Draw,” Setter said with a smirk as Jack passed him and headed down the left hallway. “You two, Featherbrain.”

Gavrii gave Setter a look and scoffed as she walked by him, following Jack.

“Setter, shouldn’t you be watching cameras?” Morlin said with a smile.

Setter snapped his fingers. “Right-o, Boss. Don’t worry, Merry. I’ll give you a ring once everything’s settled and you can join me.” And with that he too turned and vanished down the hallway.

Morlin clapped her hands together. “Well, our guests shall be at the door any moment. You should greet them alongside Daisy, and from there I advise you to follow her on the tour until Setter calls you.”

Merry nodded, trying to keep her expression relatively neutral. “Got it.”

Morlin chuckled. “Don’t worry. I doubt you’ll be bored. Daisy has been working on her tour and she’s very excited to give it. Aren’t you Daisy?”

The Unicorn nodded enthusiastically. “Very much so, Miss Morlin. And just in case, I’ve got a few things prepared to keep everybody entertained.”

Morlin smirked. “I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully.” She smiled at Merry. “Well, I’m off to look inconspicuous. When they see me, just tell the kids I rent a few rooms.”

Morlin slithered off though the doors leading deeper into the castle, leaving Merry alone with Daisy.

“Ready?” Daisy asked, one tasteless eyebrow cocked.

Merry put on her widest smile. “Let’s go and meet those bright, smiling faces.”

Author's Note

Fun Fact: Jack was initially called Grillo. I'd just watched Purge: Anarchy. Anyway, I decided to change it to Jack, mostly because the character design was similar (read: identical) to a character I ha created some time ago. More fun facts: The Jack I had created then was a lawyer. Kind of like Reuben.

What is it with me and lawyers?

Lights, Camera...

Merry swallowed down a yawn, bored of watching teenagers bumble around waiting to be killed. And she’d seen the movie before.

Luckily, just as the supposed teenagers on screen were getting flashed with lightning, the phone in her pocket buzzed. Merry slumped down in her seat a little and pulled the phone from her pocket, shielding the screen with her hand.

‘Get to somewhere you can talk’ the message on the screen said.

Merry sighed silently. Finally.

Thankfully, the dumbfucks in front of her were engrossed with the dumbfucks on screen, so she was easily able to slip away. The room was still dark, but she could see just well enough to find her way to the door at the far end. Merry slipped out into the hall beyond and pulled out her phone.

It rang once before picking up. “Hello?” she said anxiously.

“Hello, beautiful,” Setter said, making her giggle. “Smile, you’re on camera.”

“I am?” Merry hurriedly looked around.

She heard Setter chuckle. “Relax, you’ll see when you get up here. Now just follow my directions and you’ll be here in no time.”

“Where did the Mayor go?” Cheerilee whispered to Reuben.

“Huh?” he replied, mouth full of honey hay, nut and grain bread, mayonnaise, lettuce, no tomato.

“I think the Mayor had to use the little politician’s room,” Cheerilee whispered with a smirk.

Reuben swallowed before answering. “Want me to go find her? She is old. Might’ve gotten lost.”

Cheerilee smirked and gave him an odd look. “Huh. The Mayor goes missing and you volunteer to find her. Quite a coincidence.”

“Ya think I’m cheating on you with the Mayor?” Reuben said with a chuckle.

“I didn’t say that. But you do feel awfully excided.”

“And who’s hand is in my crotch again?”

Cheerilee smiled. “Mmm, do me right here.”

“Please don’t,” said a quivering voice from a couple of seats over.

Cheerilee looked past Reuben to where Daisy was sitting, scrunched down in her seat, watching the movie through splayed fingers.

“We weren’t going to actually…” Reuben chuckled nervously and shrugged before turning back to Cheerilee. “Were we?”

Cheerilee at last pulled her hand away and nudged him. “Maybe you should go look for the Mayor. She might have actually gotten lost.”

“Right,” Reuben said, getting up as quietly as he could and heading off for the door.

Cheerilee moved over a few seats to sit beside Daisy. “You doing okay?”

Daisy smiled nervously. “I’m fine, I’m just a bit-” she jumped as the soundtrack screeched while something violent happened onscreen “-not used to scary movies is all.” she tried sitting up a bit in her seat, only to sink back down as the movie continued.

Cheerilee put on her understanding smile. “Hey, it’s only movie. None of that stuff happens in real life.”

Daisy gave her an odd look. “Yeah,” she said, smiling awkwardly. “Yeah, I mean, sure sometimes ponies go to isolated locations and drink and smoke and have sex, but they don’t get picked off by mad killers.” she winced as the movie treated them to more gore. “But the first sign is usually someone going missing. And then someone else goes looking for them.”

Cheerilee smirked as someone on screen made the mistake of wandering off on their own. “You’re letting your imagination run away with you.”

Reuben wandered down one of the castle’s many hallways, approaching what looked like a juncture.

“Hello?” Reuben called out, his voice echoing back to him. “Miss Mayor? You lost?” He slowed as he reached the juncture and stepped out into the more open space. “Am I lost?” he said softly.

He looked around. The hallway was lit with torches, apparently they hadn’t gotten around to installing lights this far in. Aside from his breathing and the torches soft crackling, there was silence.

“Anybody?” Reuben called out again, listening to the echo fade. “Serial killers? Ghosts? It’s ghosts, right? All the heads in that trophy room, those belong to you? Maybe one of those artifacts?” he let out an amused snort. “Hey listen, ghosts or possibly murderers, uh, if you were planning on killing anyone, especially me, could you wait a bit? See, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna get laid here soon and I’d kind of like that to happen before I get an arrow through my throat. Can we do that? Really? Awesome.” Reuben smirked. “Oh, I really hope no one heard that.”

“I don’t know,” said a voice from behind him. “I think you got a shot doing stand-up.”

Despite himself, Reuben jumped and quickly spun around, coming face to face with the Lamia from before. He chuckled nervously.

“Heh, thanks,” he cleared his throat, “Uh… Val, right?”

Val smiled and nodded. “That’s me. You, uh, you looking for someone?”

Reuben nodded. “Yeah, um, Daisy’s friend.”

“Oh, wool overcoat, glasses?”

“That’s her.”

Val smiled. “Right, I just saw her. She said something about going to bed.”

“This early?” Reuben shrugged. “Eh, she did drive a ways to get here, and she’s no spring chicken if you know what I mean.”

Val laughed lightly. “It appeared that way to me.”

Reuben laughed along with her for a moment. And then the laughter faded away and an awkward silence stretched out between the two.

Reuben spoke first. “So, uh, you live here?”

Val nodded. “Yeah, for a while now.”

“And, how is that?”

“It’s nice. Quiet. The place really is beautiful in the morning.” Val sighed. “It does get lonely sometimes. When that happens I usually drive into town, pick up some young buck and fuck the loneliness away.” the Lamia snickered.

Reuben nodded. “That does work. Uh, if you don’t mind my asking...”

“Yes?”

“How do you, er, drive?”

“Oh, that,” Val looked down at her tail. “To be honest, Daisy is kind enough to give me a ride in. And then I wobble back in the morning.” she smirked and looked around a bit before turning her attention back to Reuben. “Say, you’re not lost, are you?”

Reuben blushed. “Yeah, kinda.”

Val chuckled. “Used to happen to me. It is pretty easy to get turned around. Daisy showing you her home movie theater?”

Reuben nodded.

“Then you should head down that corridor there and take the third right. That’ll get you back there.”

Reuben nodded again. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure,” Val smiled.

Reuben turned and began walking off. When he was a few dozen paces away, he turned around and called back, “Hey, uh, it’s sort of a reflex, but… do you need a lawyer?”

“Only if they catch me,” Val called back with a laugh.

Reuben laughed along with her before turning and continuing on his way.

Cheerilee hated to admit it, but she was actually on the edge of her seat. The action onscreen was certainly ramping up. Which was amazing considering that they had already put an axe in a mare’s face. The last pony left alive wandered around a cabin, waiting, dreading the inevitable appearance of the killer.

It was this moment that Reuben chose to fall into the seat beside her.

Cheerilee just about bit her tongue in half, managing to swallow down a scream and a cornucopia of swears.

“I didn’t find the Mayor,” Reuben said quietly, oblivious to her pain. “But I ran into Val: the snake-lady gal? She told me the Mayor went to bed.” He looked over at Cheerilee, quickly putting together what had happened. “I make you bite your tongue again?”

“Fucker,” Cheerilee hissed at Reuben, who shrugged sheepishly.

“Sorry,” he whispered back. “I’ll make it up to you.”

Cheerilee, who had pulled an ice cube from her drink to suck on, raised an eyebrow. Her hand went straight for his groin again, cupping him though his pants. She grinned as she felt him tense up.

“You’re goddess damned right you will,” she hissed, managing to sound evil in spite of her slightly slurred speech.

A chorus of shushes came from the rows in front of them. Cheerilee was midway through flipping them the bird when she remembered who they were. Ignoring them, Cheerilee focused on the movie, just in time to jump again as a body came crashing through the window.

“Okay, there’s another tripwire right in front of you,”

Merry shined the light on her phone in front of her, spotting the wire. She gingerly stepped over it, letting out a sigh. She brushed a lock of her mane out of her face and kept walking. The corridor was dark, more or less pitch black. Occasionally, Merry would spot a bulb, but they were always lightless.

“You think you could turn on some lights?”

“Where’s the fun in that? You’ll be here in a moment anyway.”

Merry sighed and changed the subject, “So, what’s with all these traps?” she asked.

“It’s because of the- well, you’ll see in a moment. See the stairs?”

Merry looked up from to see a staircase stretching up before her. “Yep.”

“Okay, go up that and then make a right.”

Merry did as instructed, climbing the stairs and making turning right when she reached the top.

“See that door there? Knock on that three times.”

The door was big and heavy looking, with numerous wires running into the wall beside it. Merry raised a hand and knocked on the polished wood once, twice and thrice. There was a short beat of silence and then the door swung inward. Setter stood on the other side, looking just as relieved as she did.

“Glad you could make it,” he grinned, beckoning her inside.

Merry giggled happily and all but skipped inside, Setter shutting the door behind her. The room wasn’t very big, but an impressive amount of hardware was crammed into it. Setter led Merry to a padded office chair, stepping gingerly over the nest of wires covering most of the floor. Merry sat down and Setter did the same. He began pointing out the contents of the room.

“I got plenty of food and stuff over there. There’s a, uh, bathroom down the hall if you need it. Uh,” he wiped his brow, seeming a bit nervous. “These are the screens.” He gestured to the scores of screens that covered the far wall.

“And these are hooked up to cameras?” Merry said, peering at the monitors, most of which showed empty rooms or hallways. The largest one in the center of the wall showed the hallway outside the door “How many do you have?”

Setter blew out a breath. “Wow, I don’t even know. Hundreds, probably.”

“Hundreds?” Merry gave Setter an amazed look.

He nodded. “Yeah. Every room, every hallway.” He tapped a few keys on the keyboard, bringing up on the center screen a high up angle on the hall Merry had left. “Everywhere. I got ones in the gardens, some on the roof. Hell, there are a lot of places that have more than one camera.” Another few clicks and the image on the center screen changed to a lower angle of the hall. “Getting all the angles, right? Uh,” he gestured to the desk and the keyboards on it. “I use those so I can move around to different sets of cameras.” He slumped back in his chair and looked at her, almost nervously.

Merry gave him an encouraging smile. “It’s very impressive.”

Setter visibly relaxed. “Thanks. I was worried you’d be bored.”

“Eh…” Merry said, wincing a little. “Uh, what… time do things usually start?”

“The Boss starts hunting around nine.”

Merry glanced at a nearby clock. Eight-thirty. She shook her head a little. “So, you record all the… hunts?”

“Yep, the cameras, they’re all recording. HD, ten-eighty.” Setter coughed. “It, uh, it all started out with Jackie-boy wanting some type of surveillance. Keep an eye out for serious trouble. Then, once the Boss saw what I had already set up, she asked if I could do more cameras. I said yeah, I can do more. She asks if I can record, I say HD and I spent a couple of weeks setting everything up. This was a few years ago. I’ve been in here every hunt ever since, recording.”

“Do you also, cut them together?”

“Yeah,” Setter smirked. “You didn’t, uh, want to see one? I mean, they are kind of really long.”

Merry waved him off. “Why bother? I’ve got a live showing.” She grinned.

Silence stretched out between them for a time, both of them watching the screen in front of them. The movie was still playing, its sound faintly oozing through the speakers. Merry then spoke again.

“So, how many?”

“How many of these things has she done, or how many…” he gestured vaguely, “uh, huntees?”

“Both.”

Setter shrugged. “I really couldn’t tell ya. Plenty through. The Boss doesn’t exactly go hungry.”

“So it’s for food, then?” Merry blushed a little. “I never really asked.”

Setter shook his head. “Nah. The Boss, I mean she metabolizes like crazy, but she could get her fill of food anywhere. Regular food, I mean.” Setter repositioned himself in his seat. “It’s, uh, for sport, really.”

“Sport?”

“Yeah, and she’s really sporting about it too.”

“As sporting as trapping ponies in a castle and hunting them is, anyway.”

Setter let out an amused snort. “She’s really good about that. She doesn’t use any of this during the hunt.” he gestured to his monitors and keyboards. “And she doesn’t use any weapons. All those traps? Non-lethal. They’re there for me, mostly.”

“So she just hunts them down all on her lonesome?”

“No help at all.”

“And she does it until everypony is dead?”

Setter shrugged. “That’s typically how it goes.”

“So they really have no chance of escaping?”

“I said the Boss was sporting, didn’t I? If they can escape her, they go free.”

“So they can just waltz out the front door?”

“That would be a bit difficult. We lock the door, for one thing. There’s a smattering of traps in the entrance section of the castle. But, if they can get past those things…” he shrugged.

“But the bridge is out, right?” Merry smirked.

Setter gave her a look. “How would we leave?” he chuckled. “We don’t tamper with the bridge. I mean, if you make it to the front door and somehow get outside, chances are you have the Boss on your ass. And I’ve seen her. She’s quick. So you can book it across the bridge and maybe get in a car and drive off, but chances are good she’ll catch you first. But, hey, you can always jump off and try to swim it.” He laughed. “If the fall doesn’t kill you, you’ll probably have a tough time swimming. Not that that has stopped a few from jumping into the water. Or falling. Or getting pushed.”

“Infighting?”

“A few times. Now that is some spectacular footage.” He scratched the back of his head. “Anyway, there’s also a time clock. They run it out without getting caught, they win.”

Merry raised an eyebrow. “Has that… ever happened?”

“It’s not unheard of. If they didn’t manage to get away before the hunt is called off and they’re still uncaught, they get a big cash prize, a huge dose of something that zaps the last few days, and sent on their merry way.”

Merry gave him a look. “You are so lying.”

Setter waved her off. “I’m not. The Boss insists on being a good sport. Honestly, I don’t know how she has the integrity.”

“Knowing you can lose,” Merry nodded. “She enjoys it more that way.”

Setter nodded. “Yeah. She enjoys it.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

Merry gestured to the screens. “Do you like this? Do you… enjoy it?”

“Yeah sure, it’s, um, it’s certainly a fun watch.” Setter smirked. “I mean, that’s why you’re here, right? You want to watch.”

Merry smiled back at him. “Actually, I wanted to be here with you.”

“Oh,” Setter coughed, clearly blushing. “That’s, really sweet.” He glanced at the screens. “We don’t have to, watch if you don’t want to. It’s basically a do nothing job right now.”

Merry reached out and took Setter’s hand in her own. “No, I want to watch. It sounds exciting.”

Setter grinned. “Oh, boy.”

“Are they all dead?” the young blonde mare on screen asked, tears brimming in her eyes.

The cop nodded solemnly. “Yes ma’am. Two of my guys pulled you out of the water. They thought you were dead too.”

The mare sniffed, looking like she was just about to break into sobs, when her expression changed to something akin to worry.

“Is the colt dead too?”

“Colt?”

“The colt, Jason!”

The cop gave her a questioning look. “Ma’am, we didn’t find any colt.”

The mare slowly turned her head and looked into the camera with a thousand yard stare. “Then he’s still there…”

Forlorn music faded in as the scene slowly changed to a shot of the lake, the water lapping gently. The lake then faded into blackness as the credits began.

Behind her, Twisty heard Daisy clap and the lights came back up. To her left she could practically feel Scary smiling while on her right Flare was holding a hand to her chest.

“Told you it was good,” Scary said with a smirk.

“I can’t believe I never watched that before.” Flare said, eyes still glued to the screen.

“A classic piece of cinema.”

“I wonder if the sequels are any good.”

“Unbeatable,”

Twisty smirked. “You two want me to get out of your way?”

Scary and Flare turned to Twisty and then looked past her at each other. The swiftly turned away, harrumphing in near unison. Twisty shook her head and stood up, stretching. Behind her, Miss Cheerilee, Reuben, and Daisy were also standing up.

Daisy clapped her hands together. “Well kids, I think that’s just about all my heart can take. I’m going to bed now, but seeing as you’re all adults-” she stopped and turned to Cheerilee. “Oh, I really should have run this by you first.”

Cheerilee waved her off. “It’s your show. And they are adults, on paper anyway. Go on,”

Daisy smiled. “And seeing as you are all adults, I think I can leave you to your own devices for the rest of the night.” she yawned before continuing. “There’s still plenty of refreshments, and there’s more film reels in the box next to the projector.” She tapped her nose. “Oh, and which one of you is Laser Bright?”

“Here!” the Crystal Pony said, standing up.

“Please come here for a moment,” Daisy said, beckoning.

Laser Bright made her way over to Daisy, and the two began talking quietly.

Twisty shrugged. Cheerilee and Reuben then made their way over to her and the others.

“Enjoy the movie, kid?” Reuben said to Twisty, his jacket draped over his arm and positioned over his body in such a way to hide his groin.

“It certainly was exciting, wasn’t it?” Cheerilee said, smiling at Reuben with blatant lust.

Twisty smiled awkwardly. “Yeah, it was good.” She looked away, over to Laser Bright and Daisy. The older mare was heading for the door at the far end of the hall and Laser Bright was skipping excitedly towards what looked like a set of speakers.

“I think it’s the real adults bed time, right Reuben?” Cheerilee said, nudging the stallion hard in his side.

“Oh yeah, have to get my beauty sleep,” Reuben said, nodding. “You kids, uh, you kids have fun now.”

“Oh, and stay away from the cliff edge. You fall off, I get yelled at and possibly jailed.” Cheerilee smirked. “Anyway, goodnight!” she pulled Reuben away, leaving Twisty smirking as they headed for the door.

Once they were out of earshot, Ember spoke up. “Those two are hornier than we are.”

A chorus of snorts and chuckled erupted from the group.

“Hey guys!” Laser Bright called from the far end of the hall, waving her arms. “Guys, I got speakers and a turntable here.”

“Color me intrigued.” Xander said, heading off in that direction, Ember and Token following him.

“I’m going to see what other movies she’s got,” Scary said, jerking her head in the direction of the projector.

“Me too,” Flare chimed in, getting a bemused look from Scary. “Well, I want to know too.” the Alicorn explained.

Twisty smirked. “You two have fun with that. I’m going to go take a shower.”

“Beware your noisy neighbors.” Scary said with a smirk before walking towards the projector, Flare close behind her.

Twisty nodded, more to herself than anyone else, and headed for the door.

The hot water cascaded down over Val’s scalp. She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the shower head firing water, savoring the sensation of its heat rolling over her scaly skin. She breathed in slowly, deeply, filling her lungs with the warm air, and the breathing out just as slowly.

After a time, she moved her hand up to the dial and turned the water off. The deluge slowed to a drizzle and then was cut off completely, leaving only a few lasts drops to drip down. Val drew in and out another breath, steeling herself for the cold air outside the shower.

She pulled back the shower curtain in one smooth, rapid motion. She hissed softly as the steam rolled away and the colder air rushed in. She felt her nipples harden, drawing out her hiss slightly.

Val let out a breathy chuckle and opened her eyes. Steam obscured most of the room, rising from her naked body and the porcelain floor below her. She slithered out of the oversized shower and over to the sink. She wiped away the fog on the mirror, revealing her face.

She smiled at her reflection, lips pulling back to reveal two rows of pearly white teeth. Her jaw parted and her fleshy red tongue emerged, licking over her teeth. She sucked her tongue back in with a wet slurp and closed her mouth.

She wiped away more of the fog. She took a moment to look her own form. Gods, was she certainly was something to look at. Fetching green scales, bountiful breasts, pleasingly wide hips, a hungry fire in her eyes. She turned to the side and gave her rump a little wiggle.

“Mmm, if we didn’t know each other so well, I’d just eat you right up.” She grinned at her reflection and licked her lips.

The radio beside her on the counter top suddenly clicked on, the female DJ’s voice coming through.

“Happy Nightmare-Night, listeners! As of now we here at Radio Vinyl are live for our Dead by Dawn marathon. That’s right, from now until dawn you are gonna be hearin’ me, a selection of guests, and of course, a buffet of musical treats. Let’s get things started.”

Val clicked the radio off and looked back to her reflection, grinning.

Author's Note

Okay, so here's the fair warning. The next chapter will contain sex and vore. You were warned.

...Action

Reuben felt like a teenager again as he and Cheerilee chased each other up the stairs and down the hall to their room. Cheerilee was laughing breathlessly once they reached the door, leaning on the wall for support. Reuben was panting as well, fumbling with the key.

“Having trouble there, stud,” Cheerilee giggled as she sidled along the wall and draped herself over his shoulders. “Need some help?” she whispered, nibbling on his ear.

Reuben halfheartedly tried to push her off while trying to fit the key into the lock. “That’s not, oh, exactly helping there, Cheer.”

Cheerilee groaned softly as she wrapped her arms around his torso. “Mmm, if you don’t open that door soon, I’m going break it down.”

With a sound of triumph, Reuben slid the key into the keyhole and unlocked the door. He managed to shove Cheerilee off his back long enough to get through the doorway, with her hot on his heels. The door was shoved closed with a thud, plunging them into temporary darkness.

“Gimme a second here,” Reuben said, again fumbling with the contents of his pockets.

Cheerilee audibly smirked and felt around in the darkness. She quickly found the dresser next to the door. And, in turn, found and turned on the radio.

“Aha,” Reuben said, accompanied by the sound of a match being struck. Reuben held the now lit match up high, spotting some helpfully placed candles on bedside table. He quickly lit the wicks, shaking the match out and tossing it aside.

“You carry matches around with you?” Cheerilee said as she pulled Reuben close.

“Just in case,” he replied, holding up the pocket matchbook before tucking it back into his pants.

“Good job buying the right kind of matches,” Cheerilee said, kissing him softly and pulling his jacket off and tossing it behind her.

Reuben returned the kiss and smirked. “What’s that about?”

“Never you mind,” Cheerilee replied, pushing him onto the bed. “Now get those pants off .”

Reuben laughed and set out doing as she asked. It seemed he wasn’t doing it quickly enough, as Cheerilee was on him only a few moments later, pulling his pants off his legs just as he finished undoing his belt. His shoes and socks went next, getting tossed somewhere in the room before Cheerilee practically tore off his briefs.

“Easy there, Cheer,” Reuben groaned as the teacher’s slender fingers wrapped tightly around his cock.

“Easy? Easy was hours ago,” Cheerilee said as she climbed onto the bed. “I want hard.”

Reuben scooted back to give Cheerilee more room. “Jeez, Cheer, can’t come up with anything better?”

Cheerilee smirked and gave his cock a forceful tug. “I’m a too horny to be clever. Help me out of these.”

Reuben grabbed the hem of Cheerilee’s sweater and she released her grip on his cock long enough for him to pull it over her head. He tossed it away while she reached out to grab his head and pull him into a kiss, her other hand going right back to his cock and stroking it.

“Pants, pants,” she murmured through their kisses.

Reuben slid his hands down her sides, ignoring the strap of her bra for the moment as he went for her button. He undid it after a few moments of struggle, pushing the pants down as she wiggled her hips out of them. Cheerilee kept kissing him and refused to cease her hand job as she laboriously worked her legs out of her pants. She finally kicked them off the bed, only now breaking their kiss.

Cheerilee pulled Reuben down from his sitting position and straddled him. She let go of his cock and ran her hands under his shirt and over his belly and chest, licking her lips as she grinded her soaked panties against him.

“Just rip them off,” She commanded breathlessly.

Reuben grabbed for the garment and easily tore the flimsy fabric apart. Cheerilee let out a laugh that turned to a moan as she ground her freed pussy against his cock, drooling sweet juices over him.

“Cheer…” Reuben groaned, reaching a hand down to try and properly angle his cock.

Cheerilee lifted her hips a little and leaned down. She nibbled on his ear again as he rubbed his cock against her entrance. The flared head, slick with her juices, slipped inside. Cheerilee gritted her teeth as she bit back a moan, nipping the tip of his ear.

Reuben let out a barely audible gasp, his hips bucking a little beneath her. Cheerilee pulled back from his ear to give him a quick kiss and an evil grin.

“Eagar, are we?”

“Me?” Reuben practically whined

“That’s good,” Cheerilee said huskily. She was trying to keep up some façade of control, in spite of every signal her body was sending. She was shaking, the feeling of merely the tip as much torture to her as it was to him. But Cheerilee did love being on top. She sucked in a breath before she finished her thought. “Because I’m going to ride you raw, stud.”

She slammed her hips down, her cunt greedily swallowing his cock with an almost audible slurp. Cheerilee let out a pleasured hiss, pushing herself upright and arching her back. A shudder ran through her; she had nearly cum on the spot.

“Aw, come on now, Cheer,” Reuben said breathlessly, little shivers of pleasure coursing through him. “Don’t tell me it’s your first time.”

“Funny,” Cheerilee muttered. She guided his hands to her hips. “Now shut up and fuck me.”

Reuben was more than happy to comply. He flexed his fingers, getting a good grip before pushed her up and nearly off her cock. And she suddenly slammed herself down, their hips meeting with a wet slap.

Cheerilee let out a wild laugh and quickly began bouncing herself up and down on him. Reuben took a firmer grip on her hips and began meeting halfway, the lewd slaps of their hips nearly drown out by the music. The music which seemed to be driving Cheerilee wilder by the moment. She quickly outpaced him, impaling herself harder and faster than he could, to the point where it was clear she was fucking him.

Reuben dared to move his hands up her sides again, going to and groping her bouncing, bra clad bosoms. Eager for more of him insider her, Cheerilee grabbed one of his hands, pulling it up to her mouth and biting his thumb. She suddenly bit down harder than she meant to. Her eyes screwed shut and she squealed.

Reuben groaned, both from the pain and from the sensation of Cheerilee’s passage squeezing down on his cock. She came hard, marecum soaking their groins as her cunt clenched and practically crushed his stallionhood.

“Fuck,” Reuben groaned as Cheerilee allowed him to pull his thumb from her mouth. He flexed his thumb, the pain already fading.

“Yeah,” Cheerilee sighed, panting quietly. Slowly, she started to roll her hips.

“Ah, Cheer,” Reuben winced, his painfully hard cock still buried inside her.

“Yeah?” the school teacher replied, not showing any indication of stopping.

“You, oh, you want to keep going?” he groaned, hands grabbing her gyrating hips, but not hindering them.

“Now what kind of mare-friend would I be if I left you all hard and needy? Besides,” she grinned evilly at him. “I said I was going to ride you raw.” she slid her hands down his chest, already bouncing and grinding. She threw her head back and laughed, “Fuck, I love this song! Think you can last till the end, stud?”

“Of course I, gah, fuckin’ can!” Reuben grinned back. “Ahh, this is a good song,” He got a sturdier grip on her hips and started pulling her down as her bucked upwards, their hips meeting with wet slaps.

“You’re the best,” she moaned, again pulling on his shirt as she bit her lip. “the best,”

“Can the best, ha, get a, a kiss?” Reuben asked as he ran his fingers up her back.

Cheerilee giggled and leaned down. She gave him a quick peck. And then another. Reuben quickly grabbed her head and pulled her into a hungrier, tongue-filled kiss. While he had her distracted, Reuben hooked a leg around hers and rolled the two on them over. Cheerilee let out a yelp followed by a laugh as she found herself looking up.

“Sneaky fucker,” she chuckled, any more words lost in her giggling mumbles. She wrapped one leg around his back and stuck the other up in the air. Reuben happily wrapped his arms around her thigh and kept thrusting, each impact making her still restrained tits wobble.

Reuben was soon panting with exertion, sweat matting his mane and fur. Cheerilee, for her part, seemed content to now lie there and nibble on her fingers, giggling away. Their eyes met for a moment, hers lidded and beginning to glaze over, sweat stinging his.

A naughty thought suddenly crossed his mind. He grinned and kept staring into her eyes as she let go of her leg and pulled his cock completely from her folds.

A look of confusion passed over her, but it was quickly morphing into what was sure to be a flurry of swears. Before she could utter a word, Reuben gathered up her rump in his hands and flipped her over again. Cheerilee found her face smushed into the sheets. She moved her head to the side and blew strands of mane away. She looked over her shoulder as Reuben climbed over her, feeling his erection trailing wetly up her thigh.

“Fucker,” she whispered with a grin, biting down on the blanket to muffle her sound of delight as he easily slipped back inside her.

Reuben grinned as Cheerilee’s plush ass cheeks jiggled with each slam of his hips into her. He was close. He could feel the dull pressure building in his loins. He couldn’t hold out much longer. How long was that damn song?

And then, an errant thrust hit a particular sweet spot, and Cheerilee bit down on the blanket so hard her jaw hurt. Reuben had just hilted himself when her orgasm hit, her wall crushing down on him again amid a rush of warm honey. And that did it. His balls clenched and his cock twitched as he shot his load into her depths, painting them white. He collapsed on top of her just as the song faded out.

Cheerilee spat the blanket out and sighed. “Ah, I do love that song,” She wiggled her hand underneath herself, rubbing her lips and his softening cock. “And I guess you’re nice too.”

Reuben chuckled wearily. “Thanks, Cheer,”

“Wire C goes into slot V and wire F goes…” Token heard Laser Bright trailed off, the Crystal Pony tilting her head to the side, staring at the tangled mess of wire and cables on the floor in front of her. “Where does wire F go?”

Laser Bright pulled the cigarette from her mouth and rubbed her forehead. At the far end of the hall, Ember was practicing news voiceovers with her camera. Over by the projector, Scary and Flare were occupied with another movie. And just a little ways away from Laser Bright, Token and Xander were hunched over a small table, listening to the radio.

Token looked up from the radio and over to Laser Bright. After a moment’s hesitation, he pushed away from the table and strolled over to her. “You, uh, need any help?” He asked, kneeling down.

Laser Bright smiled and shook her head. “Nah, I got it. I mean, I think I got it.” She tilted her head to the other side and then held the cigarette in front of her. “You know, maybe I don’t got it.”

Token clapped his hands together. “Okay, how can I help?”

Laser Bright took another puff of the cigarette and squinted at the wires. “Well for starters, you can figure out what idiot painted them purple.”

Token raised an eyebrow. “Laser Bright, they’re all black.”

Laser Bright blinked a few times. “Oh,” she stared at her cigarette again. “Maybe I am too high to do this.”

“High?”

“Hello to you, too,” Laser Bright giggled, leaning back and sitting down on the floor. “It’s a joint, silly.”

“Oh,” Token grimaced. “You brought that with you?”

Laser Bright giggled again. “Oh please. Mom always kept her stash under lock and key.” She took another puff. “I stole this from Miss Cheerilee.”

“What? When?”

“The ride here,” Laser Bright smirked. “I was trying to get something from my bag and hers fell onto mine and it was open and there was a baggie with weed and rolls of paper. I mean, ya think ya know a pony…”

Token reached out and gently took the joint from Laser Bright. “I think you may want to come down from that. It seems our dear teacher’s blend is a bit strong.”

Laser Bright blew out a smoky breath. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Token stood up and offered Laser Bright a hand. “Let’s go see those gardens, eh. Fresh air should help clear your head.”

Laser Bright mumbled an agreement and took the offered hand, allowing Token to haul her to her feet. She wobbled unsteadily for a moment, but Token quickly leaned her against his shoulder.

“Okay, easy does it,” he said, leading her over to the door.

“Need any help, buddy,” Xander asked as they passed.

Token shook his head. “It’s all good. Hey, if that Silver Screen guy comes on grab the radio and come find me.”

Xander gave him a thumbs up. “Will do.”

When they reached the door, Laser Bright helpfully pulled it open, still leaning on Token for support. Once they were out in the hallway, it was a fairly short walk to the next door. When Laser Bright pulled this door open, they were both hit with a gust of chilly air.

Laser Bright shivered and blinked, pushing off from Token to stumble outside. Token let her go, holding the door open with a foot while searching for a rock. Finding a decent sized one conveniently in arm’s reach, he dropped the joint and picked the rock up. He used it to prop the door open. Call him paranoid, but experience had taught him to be careful with such things.

Meanwhile, Laser Bright had made it quite a distance from the door on her unsteady legs. Just as she seemed about to fall, she found a small bench and sat down on it. Drawing his jacket a little tighter around him, Token followed her over to the bench, sitting down beside her.

Laser Bright shivered again and coughed. “Wow, you seeing what I’m seeing here, Token?”

Token looked around. The area was an expanse of grass, still green in spite of the time of year. Statues and lampposts dotted the area, seemingly at random. Further ahead, off in the direction of where their rooms were, the vegetation rose up in a veritable jungle.

“Lions and tigers and bears?” Token said with a smirk.

“Up there,” Laser Bright said, her head craned back, staring skyward. “Do you see?”

Token looked up with her, seeing nothing but blackness above them. “I don’t see anything.”

“Exactly,” Laser Bright sighed and shivered again.

Token smirked and quickly pulled off his jacket, draping it over Laser Bright’s shoulders. “Better?”

Laser Bright nodded, giving him a guilty smile. “Thanks. I didn’t think to bring a jacket or anything. Stupid, right?”

Token shrugged. “It’s not stupid.”

She pulled the jacket a little tighter around her. “But, aren’t you cold?”

Token just waved her off. “I’m fine,” he said, shivering a bit.

Laser Bright snorted. “Thank you. The fresh air is helping.” She looked up again. “It’s going to rain.”

Token glanced up again. “Yeah, looks like it.”

Laser Bright was quiet a moment before suddenly saying. “I’m adopted.”

Token gave her an odd look for a moment before shrugging it off. “Oh,”

“And I’m an idiot.”

Token scoffed. “You are not an idiot.”

“Yes I am. Because I only just figured out I was adopted.” Laser Bright sighed. “I mean, you think the first clue would be that I look absolutely nothing like them. Mom is an Earth Pony and Mommy is a Unicorn.”

Token swallowed dryly. “Uh…”

“They only admitted it when I asked. I guess they thought I’d figure it out on my own. Stupid.” she sniffed a little and then sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t be dumping my problems on you.”

Token shrugged. “I don’t mind. What are friends for?”

Laser Bright smirked. “Yeah, still, thanks.” She nuzzled his jacket. “I heard them arguing about it. Mommy wants to try and convince me I’m actually some sort of magical lesbian spawn and that’s why I’m a Crystal Pony. Mom just wanted to come clean. I think they actually started a fistfight. Again. Which meant that pretty soon they were having sex in the kitchen. Again.” Laser Bright laughed. “Thanks the goddess for noise cancelling headphones.”

Token chuckled a little.

Laser Bright sighed and poked him in his side. “Hey, thanks for listening. It feels good to get that out. But, that could be the weed talking.”

Token laughed again. “Yeah. Want to head back inside?”

Laser Bright shook her head. “Nah, it’s kinda nice out hear. Fresh air is making me feel better. I’ll just wander around a little and then come back inside.”

Token nodded and stood up. “Okay. Hold onto the jacket. Keep it warm for me, eh?”

Laser Bright chuckled. “Okay. See you in a little bit.”

“See ya,” Token said, walking back towards the door. When he pushed it open, he looked down to see the joint still smoking on the ground. After a quick glance over his shoulder, Token bent down and picked it up.

He carried it inside and brought it to his lips, taking a puff. It immediately sent him into a painful coughing fit. Scoffing, he tossed it down the hall and strolled back to the hall.

“Hello, listeners, we’re back with the first of our, mmm, special guests. Say hello Mr. Silver Screen.”

A deep yet still nervous sounding voice filtered through the radio speaker. “Uh, hello,”

“Mr. Silver Screen-” the DJ began.

The other voice hesitantly interrupted her. “Uh, just Silver, if that’s okay I mean,”

“Of course,” the DJ cleared her throat. “Silver, would you say you like, even love films?”

“Oh, most definitely. It’s part of the reason I own one of the largest multiplexes in about a hundred mile radius.” he coughed. “That’s Silver Screen Theaters in case anypony was wondering.”

“Right. And what are the other reasons?”

“Money,”

The DJ laughed. “I like you more and more by the moment, Silver. So tell me, what is your favorite kind of movie?”

“Oh, horror movies, hands down. Nothing quite like a good scare.”

“I concur. And that just so happens to segue into our next topic: Horror clichés. Are there any in particular that spring to mind?”

“Hmm,” Silver paused for a few beats. “I suppose I’d have to say the old trope about the couple sneaking off to have sex. I mean, it was never intended to be some sort of anti-sex jab, but many seem to take it that way.”

“Huh, so it’s not meant to imply that unless you practice abstinence you’ll be horribly murdered?”

“Not at all. At least, when it was first used it wasn’t supposed to mean that. You see, it’s really just a way for the writer to isolate the characters. I mean, unless their having an orgy, they’re gonna be far away from the rest of the group.”

“It makes a lot of sense when you think about it folks. And in case you are thinking of changing the station, we’ve got some rockin’ tunes coming up right now. It’s our Dead by Dawn marathon here on Radio Vinyl.”

“You think I should go check on the kids?” Cheerilee asked, breaking the gentle silence she and Reuben had been basking in.

Reuben shifted a bit on the bed beside her and smirked. “Feeling a bit guilty, are we?”

Cheerilee scoffed. “As if. I’m more worried one of them went and tried to cannonball into the water.”

Reuben chuckled. “You really think one of those kids would do something like that?”

“I would,” Cheerilee sighed. “Fine, you talked me into staying.”

“Knew I could wear you down,”

Cheerilee laughed and gave Reuben a playful shove. “Okay there stud, scooch over a bit.”

Reuben moved over and Cheerilee crawled off the bed. She pulled off her bra, tossing it aside. She grabbed her duffle bag and placed it on one of the room’s chairs, hummed to herself as the opened it up and pulled a fresh and intact pair of panties from inside it.

“I thought you were staying,” Reuben said, eyes glued to Cheerilee’s rump as she bent over.

“I am staying,” Cheerilee replied as she pulled on the lacey undergarment and then began hopping her way into her pants.

“Why’re you putting your clothes back on?”

“So you can pull them off again,” Cheerilee said with a wink as she pulled her sweater back over her head.

“Mind if I just rock the birthday suit?”

“Not one bit,” Cheerilee licked her lips. “Mmm, I do love some eye candy.” She gave him another wink and turned around, purposefully bending over again as she began searching through her duffle bag again.

“Well I’ll be damned,” she said after a moment.

“Something wrong?” Reuben asked as he sat up.

“One of those fucking kids stole my stash,” Cheerilee replied, sounding more amused than angry. “Little shits. Still, respect.” She stood up and snatched her purse from the dresser. “Luckily, I made sure to bring a back up.” Cheerilee pulled a cigarette case from her purse, opening it up to reveal that instead of cancer sticks, she had filled it with joints. She pulled one from the case and stuck in between her lips.

“You’re a terrible role model there, Cheer.”

“Eat me,” Cheerilee deadpanned. She pulled another joint out and held it up. “Trade you for a light.”

Reuben quickly grabbed his pants from the floor and dug the matchbook out of his pocket, tossing it to Cheerilee, who tossed the joint back to him. Cheerilee snatched it out of the air. She snapped closed the case and stuffed in in her back pocket. She quickly struck a match and held the little flame close to the joint; puffing a few times to get it going. She shook her hand to put out the match and then flicked it carelessly away.

And then, with deliberate slowness, Cheerilee took a deep drag, held in for a few moments, and then exhaled. She sighed and sat down in the chair next to her bags, taking a few more slow puffs, her whole body relaxing.

“Ah, sweet goddess it’s been too long,” she said with an almost rueful smile. “I got to tell you something here, stud. If and when I die, I want to be high as fuck.”

“Mares and gentle-stallions, the teacher of our children,” Reuben said with a laugh. He held up his still unlit joint. “I don’t suppose I could have my matches back?”

Cheerilee smirked and tossed Reuben the matchbook. “Don’t burn your fingers, I still need those.”

“You and me both, Cheer,” Reuben lit up his own joint, mimicking Cheerilee’s earlier actions. On the deep drag he suddenly fell into a coughing fit, eliciting a few chuckles from Cheerilee.

“You okay there, stud?”

“Fuck,” Reuben said softly as his coughing subsided. “What the hell kind of shit did you put in this?”

“Treehugger said it was like some sort of special super weed or something. It’s supposed to hit ya quick but wear off real soon too.” Cheerilee coughed a few times before shrugging. “I don’t know, miss new-age was probably more baked than I am right now.” Cheerilee smirked again. “Wow, she wasn’t kidding.”

Reuben shrugged and took another drag, managing to suppress another cough. “Heh, you seeing weird shit yet?”

“Don’t tell me it’s your first time,” Cheerilee giggled. “I’m not seeing weird shit. You look the same: three legs, four arms, six dicks…. You’ve been holding out on me.”

The pair fell into another bout of laughter, stopping only when they heard the distinct sound of glass breaking accompanied by a dull thud. The sound appeared to have originated from the bathroom. Cheerilee quickly turned the radio off, straining her ears.

“Did a bird just break in?” Reuben asked, sitting up on the bed.

“It was probably a bat,” Cheerilee said, getting a look from Reuben. “Because it’s Nightmare-Night.”

Reuben smirked and nodded. The two then sat there in silence for a moment.

“Well…?” Cheerilee said.

“Well what?”

“Well go check on it. It’s probably hurt.”

“Cheer, I’m naked.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Cheer, speaking from experience, if I go in there and try to help that bat, it’s going to bite my dick.” Reuben gestured to the organ in question. “And then what use will I be to you?”

“You still got that silver tongue, don’t you?” Cheerilee chuckled. “But, fine. I’ll go check on the bat.” Cheerilee stuck her joint between her lips and walked over to the bathroom door, pausing to look over her shoulder. “From experience’?”

Reuben shrugged sheepishly. “Well, it wasn’t a bat then, but still…”

Cheerilee smirked and turned the knob. The bathroom was pitch black and Cheerilee eased in one small step at a time. The window was definitely broken; she could hear the wind blowing as well as feel it. Her hands fumbled along the wall for a light switch.

“Come on, come on,” Cheerilee mumbled to herself, shuffling further into the bathroom.

She was now what the law would call properly inside the room, but she had one hand still touching the doorframe, lest she lose herself in the darkness. Finally, her fingers brushed against plastic and she flipped the light switch. The sudden brightness made her squint and cover her eyes.

Just a moment after her hand left the frame, a sudden and violent gust of wind found its way though the broken window and caught the door. It slammed shut with a startling bang, making Cheerilee jump.

“Fuck,” she said softly, her joint suddenly falling from her lips. “Fuck,” she said, louder this time.

Cheerilee sighed and bent to pluck the fallen blunt from the floor. She held it up, debating whether or not to take this risk of it somehow being contaminated. With another sigh, she tossed it into the sink.

Cheerilee rubbed her eyes and turned to look at the window. It was big enough for her to fit through, if for some reason she needed to. Although, the shards of glass might make that ill advised. More glass littered the floor and just at the edge of the glittering fragments was a rock.

Cheerilee tilted her head. It wasn’t a bird or a bat. It was a rock.

Mindful of the glass, Cheerilee crept forward and picked up the rock. Retreating from the glass, she held up the rock. It was about the size of her fist and worn smooth. She hefted it. It wasn’t particularly heavy, but unless there was a hurricane, there was no way in hell the wind carried it through the window. And how would someone throw it through the window anyway? Her room was a few floors up and facing the water.

Cheerilee shook her head as she turned the stone over as saw someone had written something on the flatter part. In very neat, red letters it said: Have you checked the children?

“What the fuck?” Cheerilee said softly. “Reuben, did you do this?” she called through the door.

She didn’t hear a response.

Cheerilee turned to face the door. “Very funny, Reuben. Nice touch with the thing about the bat biting your dick.”

There was still silence.

“Reuben?” Cheerilee said as she opened the door.

Light spilled behind her into the room, illuminating the scene. Reuben was still sitting on the bed, but it seemed he now had company. It was the Lamia from before. Her tail was sprawled along the floor, the end curled around Reuben’s legs. She was sitting on the bed next to Reuben, one arm wrapped around him, holding him close while her other hand was stroking his erection.

Cheerilee was frozen in place as her eyes moved up the Lamia’s torso. She was naked, stark naked, her bare breasts crushed against Reuben’s chest as she smothered him in a deep, wet kiss. Cheerilee could hear the Lamia’s muffled moans.

Cheerilee dropped the rock, which hit the floor with a dull thud, causing the Lamia to pause. She broke the kiss with Reuben, leaving him looking dazed, and looked to Cheerilee. She grinned and blew out a little puff of smoke.

“Be with you in a moment, dear,” the Lamia said before turning back to Reuben.

The stallion seemed to perk up a little when he caught sight of Cheerilee. He started to say something, but it was lost as the Lamia forced another kiss on him.

Cheerilee still could not move. All she could do was watch as the Lamia aggressively made out with her colt-friend. It looked like she was trying to eat his face.

Reuben’s eyes suddenly widened and he started to thrash in the Lamia’s grip. Her hand slipped off his cock to hold him tighter as she leaned further into the kiss. Cheerilee stared as the Lamia’s lips slipped over Reuben’s face, her brilliant red tongue slithering out to curl around his head.

The Lamia engulfed Reuben’s head, closing her eyes, seeming to savor the struggles of the stallion. Cheerilee saw the Lamia’s jaw and throat work and heard the accompanied gulp as the Lamia swallowed Reuben’s head. She worked her jaws over his shoulders, tongue sweeping over his chest, leaving trails of saliva. More wet gulps sounded as the Lamia’s lips crept down Reuben’s body. Cheerilee bit back a whimper as she heard the snake moan.

The Lamia was at his waist, his belly vanishing into her maw. The Lamia’s fleshy tongue went for his cock, wrapping itself around the shaft. The Lamia brought herself up to a sitting position as she worked his erection. His legs dangled out of her mouth, twitching and kicking in time with the jerks of his cock. The Lamia let out a muffled laugh when Reuben’s toes curled and he shot a small amount of pearly cum onto her bulging throat and chest.

Cheerilee shuddered and looked down, away from the spectacle before her. She saw the rock laying there on the floor, its message staring up at her.

‘Have you checked the children?’

Cheerilee’s blood ran cold as another gulp and moan echoed through the room. Somehow, strength returned to her limbs and she moved. She sprinted past the bed and slammed into the wall next to the door. Her palms were sweaty, but she managed to get a grip on the doorknob and turn it. She wrenched the door open and threw herself out into the hall.

The stone floor was cold beneath her feet. She nearly lost her balance and fell, but managed to catch herself in time. She ran for the stairs, heart pounding against her ribcage. And then her foot caught the edge of a carpet laid out on the floor. Cheerilee was pitched forward by her momentum and hit the floor hard, the carpet offering some form of meager cushion. Cheerilee groaned and pushed herself up. She got to her feet and looked over her shoulder.

The Lamia was there, leaning on the doorframe as she pulled Reuben’s feet into her mouth. She tipped her head back and swallowed, his feet briefly stretching her throat as they passed. The Lamia let out a satisfied sigh and smirked at Cheerilee, pointedly licking her lips.

Cheerilee turned away and ran for the stairs, descending them two, three, even four at a time. She made it down one flight and then another, stumbling on the next set. She managed to make it to the next landing, but she wasn’t able to stop herself slamming hip-first into the window sill. Cheerilee leaned out the window, groaning. She was on the third floor now, looking down at the disorganized growth of the castle gardens. And there, wandering among a field of tulips, was one of her students.

Swearing her way through the pain, Cheerilee pushed away from the window and limped her way down the next flight of stairs. When she reached the next landing, she again leaned out the window.

“Hey! Hey!” She called to the pony below, waving her arms frantically.

The pony turned and looked up at her, squinting.

“Miss Cheerilee?” Laser Bright said, staring up at the older mare.

“Laser Bright! Find the others and call the police!” Cheerilee shouted, failing to notice the Crystal Pony’s gaze shifting to look above her. “Tell them there’s been a mur-”

“Murder?” the Lamia finished, her head suddenly appearing at the top of the window.

Cheerilee slowly backed away from the window as the Lamia moved down its edge and pulled herself up onto its sill. She rested her head in her hand, staring almost thoughtfully at Cheerilee, daring her to make a move.

Cheerilee sucked in a breath. “Laser Bright, run!” she shouted, turning just as the Lamia suddenly lunged forward.

The Lamia caught her ankle and pulled her leg out from under her. Cheerilee pitched forward, the stone floor rushing up to meet her. The side of her head slammed onto the floor with a sickening thud. The pained gasp died in her throat as darkness bled across her vision and consciousness left her.

Author's Note

There, are you happy now? Are you entertained you sick monster!?

I really have to stop talking to myself...

Forgot to add the songs. Whoops. Links are up now.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips

“F-f-fuck!” Merry gasped softly before diving in for another kiss.

Setter made some sort of muffled noise, whatever it was smothered by Merry’s affections. The chair beneath them creaked dangerously, but Merry didn’t care in the slightest. If the chair collapsed, it would only drive Setter’s cock deeper inside of her. The thought alone made her pussy clench.

They were bathed in bluish light from the monitors behind them, the room’s other lights having been turned off at her request. On the largest one, the snake was having her way with the sandwich maker. All while poor, poor Cheerilee looked on. Merry would have laughed if she wasn’t so busy with the kissing.

Setter adjusted his grip on her ass, fingers digging into her firm rump as he pushed her up and pulled her back down on his cock. Every stroke, every thrust was divine. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d allowed anypony to… defile her like this. And here she was, letting a Pegasus have his dirty, sweaty way with her.

There were sounds in the room aside from the creaking of the chair and the slap of their hips. The microphones picked up everything with crystal clarity. Merry could hear the soft, frightened noises Cheerilee was making. She could hear the snake’s muffled moans, as well as each and every slimy, wet gulp.

She broke from the kiss with a wet ‘Muah’, a trail of saliva still connecting their lips. She broke it with a swipe of her tongue, grinning down at Setter. The Pegasus was leaning forward, eyes clenched shut and jaw set as he continued to fuck her. The sight almost made her laugh.

Merry swung her body, making the chair turn around a little. She craned her head, trying to get a good look at the action on screen. Cheerilee was moving, trying to run when she tripped and fell. Merry’s chortle was choked by a gasp as Setter hit a sweet spot. She leaned down, shoving his muzzle between her breasts and planting sloppy kisses on his forehead. But she still watched the screens out of the corner of her eye.

The snake had followed Cheerilee out into the hallway, swallowing down the last of the sandwich maker.

Merry hissed, riding the waves of her orgasm as she came hard over Setter’s dick. She slumped forward, lay on top of him, panting, as he continued to chase his own release. She heard him grunt and slam into her once more, releasing a few shots of warm cum into her.

And then he too slumped back in the chair, eyes rolling back into his head, and his jaw hanging slack.

They laid there like that for a minute or two, the only sounds audible in the room being their labored breathing. Finally, Merry pushed herself up, running her fingers through her messy mane.

“I haven’t cum that hard in years,” she said, sighing blissfully.

Beneath her, Setter chuckled tiredly. “You’re welcome.”

Merry smirked and slowly crawled off of Setter, moving on unsteady legs back to her chair. She fell into it, leather squeaking under her naked butt. She giggled and lurched forward, squinting as she looked around for her clothes.

“So you, ah, enjoying the show?” Setter asked, still panting.

Merry shot him a smirk as she plucked her panties from the floor. “You could say that.” She looked back to the screens as she tried to put the undergarment back on. “Hey, where did she go?”

Setter blinked a few times before shake his head and sitting up. He scooted over to the keyboards, tapping a few keys that cycled through the cameras. The screen flicked through a few shots of empty rooms and hallways before Setter suddenly stopped on one room. There was a suitcase laying open on the bed and through the speakers Merry could hear a shower running along with somepony humming.

“Taking a shower, huh?” he said, a grin slowly spreading over his face.

“Who’s room is that?” Merry asked as she looked around for her bra.

“One of the students. The pink one,” Setter replied, snickering.

Merry shot him a dirty, but amused look. “Looking to trade me in for somepony younger already?”

Setter scoffed. “Please. Hey, I’ve got an idea.”

“What?” Merry said, getting up to pull on her skirt.

“Why should we let the Boss have all the fun. I got some stuff in the closet down the hall.” He grinned toothily. “Why don’t we do a little hunting of our own?”

“Sounds fun. But, won’t your boss be offended if we poach one of her meals?”

Setter scoffed again. “Please, we’re not going to eat her, are we? We just do a little stalking, give the bitch a good smacking around, and then leave. It’s just a bit of fun and the Boss won’t mind at all.”

Merry’s lip curled into a sadistic smile. “Well, nothing wrong with a bit of harmless fun, is there?”

Laser Bright walked through the gardens, Token’s jacket drawn tightly around her, head sunk low into the collar. The grass beneath her shoes was still green and healthy, in spite of the fall weather. Was it enchanted or was it just some sort of… special grass?

Probably not special in the same way the grass she got off Miss Cheerilee was.

Laser Bright smirked. She should have known better. Any stoner that manages to get to Miss Cheerilee’s age has to have gotten bored of the regular stuff.

Laser Bright took another deep breath of the crisp night air. Aside from the few statues of weird naked goat dudes and naked fairies and naked who-knew-what, this garden was really peaceful. Even if it did seem to have been allowed to run wild.

Laser Bright pushed through what at some point might have been a nicely trimmed hedge and found herself in a small field of flowers just across from where the bedrooms were. At the edge of the field where she was, the flowers reach to her ankles, maybe mid calf. But farther in, the flower stalks grew higher and higher, quickly rising to what could easily be shoulder height, if not above her head. They grew right to and up the wall of the castle. There were roses, foxgloves, and lily-of-the-valley, but most prominent were the tulips.

Laser Bright slowly waded into the field, reaching out to brush her fingers gently long the petals of the blooming flowers. This place was definitely enchanted.

Laser Bright skirted the higher and denser patched, nearing the castle wall. She came to a halt, a thought entering her mind.

“Might never get a chance to do this again,” she said with a smile as she fished he phone from her pocket.

She quickly moved to her music folder, selecting the appropriate song. Just as it began to play, she heard someone shouting above her. She looked up and squinted at the figure leaning out of the second floor window.

“Miss Cheerilee?” She called up, only then noticing the figure climbing down the castle wall, moving from one conveniently place flagpole to the next.

Miss Cheerilee, oblivious to the large creature approaching, was shouting down to her. “Laser Bight! Find the others and call the police! There’s been a mur-!”

Miss Cheerilee was cut off as the climbing figure stuck their head into her view. The figure climbed around to perch itself on the bottom of the window. Now that it was still, Laser Bight could get a good look, even in the low light cast by the lampposts.

It was the Lamia from before. Val, as she had insisted on being called. She lacked her suit from earlier, apparently naked now. For whatever reason.

Laser Bight heard Miss Cheerilee shout. “Laser Bight, run!”

Val darted forward and then moved back, tilting her head. It was hard to tell, but it looked like the Lamia sighed. Val’s head then suddenly perked up and she turned around, her eyes meeting Laser Bight’s. The Lamia’s face split into a wide, tooth-filled grin that made Laser Bight’s blood run cold. She detached herself from the wall and landed on the ground with a dull, heavy thud.

Laser Bight found herself turning and running, her body deciding to act before her brain could fully process what was happening.

Laser Bight pushed flower stalks aside, hearing the rustle of Val moving through the flowers behind her. She was sweating, the jacket suddenly feeling heavier than before on her shoulders. She twisted and doubled back, ducking down as she hit the taller sections of the field. And yet the Lamia seemed to follow her every move perfectly. How-

Laser Bight almost smacked herself in the head. She threw her phone in a random direction and then headed off in the opposite. She slowed and crouched lower, trying to make as little noise as possible before coming to a complete stop. The rustle of Val veered off, following her phone. And then, it was suddenly quiet, aside from the muffled sounds of her phone still playing the song.

A voice spoke up. “Clever, aren’t you?” Laser Bight heard scales scrap against stalks as the Lamia moved around. “Why are you hiding?”

Laser Bight covered her mouth, afraid her breathing might bring Val. If she tried to run, Val would hear her. If she tried to move slowly, she would have to stand up and Val would see her. She looked down, barely able to see her hand in the low light. She’d gone all clear again. Hadn’t done that without meaning to in ages.

Gave Mom a heart attack when I got lost and she couldn’t see me…

Something clicked into place in Laser Bight’s head.

She heard the song become louder. Val must have picked up her phone and turned the volume up by accident. Laser Bight took the chance and quickly shrugged off the jacket and pulled her shirt over her head. She laid back in the dirt, careful to avoid the flower stalks around her. She wiggled out of her pants and underwear, pushing them off along with her socks and shoes.

Laser Bight immediately regretted her decision as a breeze passed through the field. She clenched her jaw, mindful of her chattering teeth. She looked down at herself, she was certainly there, but from a distance, she should be hard to see. She stood up slowly and looked around. Val was a few dozen paces away, looking around the field.

The Lamia’s eyes passed right over her without stopping.

Slowly, Laser Bight moved toward the hedge. She squeezed between the widest gaps she could find between the flower stalks, moving them slowly aside when there was not enough room. She made it halfway to the hedge when she heard Val move behind her. She looked back, seeing the Lamia’s head disappearing beneath the blooming bulbs. She faced forward and kept moving.

Laser Bight was closing the distance to the hedge, the flowers becoming shorter and more densely packed. When she was perhaps a dozen yards away, she stepped on something thin and sharp, almost allowing a hiss of pain to escape her.

Behind her, she heard Val call out. “Why don’t you just come out? Let’s have a chat, ah?” she heard Val suck in a deep breath. “Ah, you’re cold, aren’t you? Running around naked.” She sucked in another breath.

Laser Bight took a step forward. But when she tried to take another, pain lance up from her foot. A thorn had stuck in her heel.

“Ah, you know, it is a bit difficult with all these tulips and roses, but I can still smell you.” Val sucked in another breath, letting it out with deliberate slowness, sighing as if she had tasted something pleasant.

Laser Bight swallowed past the lump in her throat and steeled herself. She arched her feet, hoping to avoid stepping on the thorn. And she ran.

She crashed through the hedge, its branches scratching her flesh through her thin, transparent fur. She more limped than sprinted along the path through the garden, trying to remember the way back to the door. She could hear the sound of wood and plant breaking as something massive approached from behind.

There. A gap in the growth. The bench she and Token had sat on. It was there, across a short expanse of grass. And from the bench, the door was a stone’s throw away. She could make it. She could make it.

But she didn’t.

A tail, massive and greener than the vegetation around her, looped around her waist. It yanked her back and off her feet, coiling around her legs and then over her torso. Her arms were free to pound fruitlessly against the scales as she was turned to face the tail’s owner.

Val smiled at her. Like how a cat would smile at an injured mouse. It was then that Laser Bright was able to confirm that the Lamia actually was completely naked. Her bosom heaved as she took a heavy breaths, pert nipples standing out either from the cold or from excitement.

“That’s a clever trick,” Val said with a breathy laugh, peering at her.

Laser Bight continued to struggle as Val held up her phone. The Lamia turned it over in her hand, pulling the back off and popping the battery out. She tossed the battery and phone away and drew herself closer to Laser Bight.

“Shh,” Val hushed softly, touching a hand to Laser Bight’s cheek. “Calm down, it’s alright.”

Laser Bight refused. She lashed out, hoping to catch Val’s face in her hands. Val sighed and backed away as Laser Bight felt the coils shift around her. The loop around her chest widened and slipped up over her shoulders. Before she figure out what Val was doing, the coil came back down and tightened around her, trapping her arms at her sides.

Val smiled and held Laser Bight up higher, ducking down below the Crystal Pony. Laser Bight opened her mouth, whether to ask a question or hurl insults she did not know. But her voice died in her throat as she felt Val’s fingers on her feet and the small measure of relief that flooded through her when the thorn was pulled from her heel.

Val rose back up, leveling her head with Laser Bight. She held up the thorn and then flicked it away. She rested an elbow on her own coil, peering at Laser Bight.

“I don’t suppose you can turn that off. For me?” Val asked in soft tone.

Laser Bight glared at the Lamia, remaining in her clear state.

Val shrugged. “Okay, dear, I understand.”

The wind blew through Laser Bight’s mane, punishing her for the sweat that had clung to the hair. She grimaced and moved her head, trying to somehow move it away from the wind.

This did not go unnoticed. Laser Bight saw Val smile at her and then felt the coils around her shift. They slipped off her legs and the coils around her torso slid down around her legs. She was still as bound as before, but now she could feel the breeze hitting her bare body between Val’s tail.

Laser Bight began writhing again, but she soon gave up on her weak struggles. She shivered, feeling her eyes tear up as the weight of her position settled on her. She was trapped. At the mercy of a monster.

Val moved close to her again, gently touching her face. “Oh, dear, what’s that matter?” Val said in clearly feigned concern as she wiped a few tears from Laser Bight’s cheek.

Laser Bight, jerked her head back, shivering again.

Val gave her a gentle smile. “Come now. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong.”

Laser Bight sucked in a breath, hating how much it sounded like a sob. “I’m cold,” she said quietly.

Val smirked. “Well, you did take all your clothes off, didn’t you?” she leaned in her face now inches from Laser Bright. “But, best not to dwell on that. Here, let me wipe those tears away.” Val leaned in closer and her lips parted. A long and fleshy tongue slid from her mouth, licking over Laser Bright’s cheek.

Laser Bright gasped. The tongue was wet, slick with saliva. At any other moment in time, she would have recoiled, would have gagged at the very thought of this happening. But the tongue was so warm; the saliva it left on her cheek was warm as well. But the oral muscle soon passed over her and the trail it left rapidly lost its warmth. Another breeze washed over her and she felt all the colder after the short respite.

Val sucked her tongue back into her mouth with a wet slurp. “Sorry if this is strange for you, but I really just like to do it this way. I have been called overly affectionate.”

The Lamia’s tongue snaked out of her mouth again; licking Laser Bright’s other cheek. And again, she felt the warmth of it and missed it all the more when it was gone. The tongue vanished back into its owner’s mouth, drawing Laser Bright’s eye to Val’s lips.

Val chuckled. “Now, about getting you warm. Let’s see, I could…” She tapped her chin, staring at Laser Bright for a moment before shaking her head. “Oh, this would be so much easier if I could see you, dear.”

Laser Bright sniffed. “Please, stop playing with me and just….”

Val smirked and dropped the fussy tone for a moment. “I’ll stop playing when we an have a proper face to face.”

Laser Bright was midway through a snarl when she simply sagged in the Lamia’s grip.

She sucked in a breath of cold air and squeezed her eyes shut in concentration. The very tip of her horn began to faintly glow. Becoming completely clear was a spell of sorts, but one that her body would cast by itself in times of stress. Dispelling it took a bit of effort, but slowly, the passive magic faded and Laser Bright returned to her milky-white color. She was fully visible once more.

Val smiled and her tone was friendly once more. “Oh, you are cute. Let’s see about warming you up now.”

The coils around Laser Bright loosened and moved away. Most of them. A length of tail remained around her legs and under her rump, serving almost like a seat. Val quickly drew Laser Bright into a hug, crushing Laser Bright’s chest with her own.

“Mmm, you’re softer than I though you’d be. Crystal Pony and all,” Val whispered in her ear, her voice almost tickling.

Laser Bright shivered again and tried to snuggle closer. It seemed stupid. It was stupid. This Lamia, this monster had done something to Miss Cheerilee. And she was no doubt planning to do something horrible to Laser Bright. Why hadn’t she already? Why was Val just… toying with her?

Another cold shiver ran through her.

“Still not warming up, dear?” Val asked, moving Laser Bright away from her body to look at her.

Laser Bright shook her head.

“Well, I do have one other idea. But, I don’t think you’ll like it.”

“What is it?” Laser Bright asked softly.

Val raised Laser Bright to eye level. “Well, it’s warm inside of me. Quite comfortable too. Never had a complaint.” Her smile was wide, wider than any Laser Bright had ever seen. She licked her lips. “I think get the idea. What do you say, little pony?”

Laser Bright felt her eyes tear up again. This was what she wanted all along. Val had been toying with her. Playing with her food.

“You want to eat me?” She said, trying to choke back any sobs.

“In my defense, you do look delicious.” Val noisily licked her chops, drawing Laser Bright’s eyes to her warm, red tongue. “Mmm, almost like rock candy, but softer.”

Laser Bright blinked away her tears and met Val’s eyes. “You don’t need me to say yes. You’re going to just eat me anyway.”

“I’d rather not shove you down my throat.” Val chuckled. “But, I don’t like being out here much more than you do.”

Laser Bright squeezed her eyes shut as the wind played along her naked body again. “J-just do it.”

“Mmm, not what I was hoping for, but I can work with it.”

Laser Bright felt a gust of warm air wash over her face, smelling faintly of sex. It was the only warning she was given before her head was suddenly engulfed in moist warmth. Laser Bright’s eyes shot open, but all she could see was a pulsating, hazy red darkness. She was given a moment to appreciate the Lamia’s maw before a loud gulp echoed in her ears. Her head was squeezed into a tight tunnel, just as hot and wet as Val’s mouth.

Laser Bright felt her shoulders enter Val’s jaws, felt the Lamia’s teeth lightly scraping over her fur and skin. Drool ran in little streams down her body, teasing her with temporary heat. Laser Bright started struggling again, kicking her legs and wigging her pinned arms as Val swallowed again.

Val was taking her time now, teasing Laser Bright’s belly with her tongue, letting the cruel wind torture her naked rump and legs. She continued to kick and squirm, pricking her sides on Val’s teeth. She then felt the coils tighten around her legs and the jaws around her middle clamp down tighter.

She blew out a frustrated breath. Her normally spiky mane was matted down around her head by the fluids surrounding her. An errant bang found its way into her mouth. She spat it out and sucked in a breath of hot, thick air.

“Stop playing around and eat me, you bitch!” Laser Bright shouted, wondering of the Lamia could even hear her passed the layers of flesh surrounding her.

It seemed she did. Laser Bright suddenly felt herself tilt as her legs were lifted into the air, pointing her straight down the Lamia’s gullet. She felt the coils around her legs pulling her downward as the flesh around her rippled. She found herself getting her wish as her waist and then her thighs were drawn into Val’s hot, massaging throat. He calves were ushered past the Lamia’s lips and the soles of her feet were given the barest ticking before being swallowed.

Finally, Laser Bright was fully encased in the warmth she craved. She let out a happy sigh as her rapid decent slowed. She could still feel the pulsating flesh rolling around her, guiding her deeper. But now at a slower, gentler pace.

Blood was rushing to her head, making her feel faint. She shook herself a little, but then shrugged internally. She snuggled her cheek into the soft flesh and closed her eyes. She took a breath of the cloying air and allowed herself to be tenderly rocked into slumber.

Author's Note

Fun Fact: Xander was originally going to be the one to get ded in this chapter. Because he's black.

Hush in the Library

“And that was Mr. Sandman. It’s Radio Vinyl and I’m here with our guest Silver Screen. Silver, we were discussing horror movies. I have a personal question: What is it with characters taking showers or having sex or just finding excuses to take their clothes off in general?”

“Audience titillation of course. Nothing gets eyes on the screen like tits.” There was a pause. “C-can I say that?”

“What, tits? Yeah, you can say tits. But, more importantly, if a girl gets her tits out, she’s dead meat, right?”

“Not, uh, ahem, not necessarily. There are a few examples of horror survivors who, ah, get their tits out.”

“You know, not to get off topic, but I just realized I could be completely naked and my audience would have no idea.”

“Uh, yeah. You’re not, uh, going to do that now, are you?”

“Not unless you start throwing money at me.” The DJ laughed. “Something we can maybe look forward to folks. Gotta keep this show interesting. It’s Radio Vinyl with out Dead by Dawn marathon. Here’s the commercials.”

Violet Visor yawned and tuned out the advisements. She turned her attention back at the mask she was making. It wasn’t anything special, but the slender, white coated, baggy shirt and sweatpants wearing Pegasus always felt calmer when she was working with her hands.

She brushed a long lock of red mane from her eye and leaned in close, her nose inches from the smooth, ivory surface of the mask. She frowned and leaned back. She looked over her workbench, eyes passing over various tools before settling on a switchblade. She picked it up and flicked it open, the blade flashing in the light of the nearby lamp.

Slowly, she brought the tip of the blade to the right cheek of the mask. She put some weight on it and then quickly drew it down across the face. She placed the switchblade back on the desk and held up the mask again, observing the damage she had done.

She grinned and grabbed the switchblade, setting about giving the mask a much more scarred visage. Once she was finished, she set the blade aside and picked up a bit of steel wool, taking off some of the unsightly excess material and adding more tiny scratches. After a moment, she set the wool aside as well and held the mask up to the light.

Smiling broadly, she clapped her hands, bringing to life the rest of the lights in the room. It was a small room, furnished only with a dresser upon which the radio sat, the desk where Violet was doing her work, a couch on the other side of the room, and a small glass coffee table directly in front of the couch.

“Zeal, look at this one!” She said excitedly.

She turned to face aforementioned the couch and the big, blonde coated Unicorn sprawled out on it, decked out like he was going to be raiding a kingpin’s mansion any second now. Zealous Strike groaned and threw an arm over his eyes.

“Violet, I was sleeping,” he growled. Not in anger, he just tended to growl in general.

“And now you’re not. Come on, I promise this one isn’t a clown,” She said sweetly.

Zealous sighed again and sat up, shaking his head and further mussing up his spiky, dark brown mane. He ran a hand through the white streak it had.

“Okay, let me see it.”

Violet giggled and proudly held out her scratched and scuffed up hockey mask.

“Very… original,” Zealous deadpanned after a moment.

Violet scoffed and tossed the mask back onto her workbench. “There’s nothing wrong with paying tribute to a classic, brother dear.”

Zealous snorted and yawn, stretching his muscled limbs.

“Any word yet?” he asked.

“What do you think?” she replied.

Zealous opened his mouth to say something, probably snarky, when the mobile phone sitting on the coffee table in front of him buzzed. Zealous picked up the phone and flipped it open. He looked at the screen for a moment before looked back to Violet.

“It’s time,”

Violet felt a smirk coming on. “Finally,”

As one, the siblings stood up and began moving about the small room. From the dresser Violet pulled a duffle bag, which she tossed to her brother. He caught it easily and stood up from the couch, turning and pulling the cushions up like the lid of a cooler. Inside the couch was a veritable arsenal of unregistered firearms along with plenty of knives and other bladed weapons.

“Bring the twelve-gauge,” Violet said over her shoulder as she pulled black combat gear from the dresser. “I want to make that dog bleed.”

“Dog’s all yours,” Zealous replied as he stuffed the shotgun into the bag, moving on to pick out his own weaponry. “Just remember it’s the snake we want.” The duffle bag loaded, she stood up and turned around just in time to catch the Kevlar vest tossed his way.

“With a price as big as hers, how could I forget?” Violet smiled as she laced up her boots. She stood up, looking less like a college student and more like a commando. She snatched up the mask from her desk as she walked over to the couch, pulling a machete from inside it. “The mutt’s just a bonus.”

Zealous chuckled as he pushed the couch closed again. “Are you really bringing the mask?”

“What?” Violet said innocently as she held the mask over her face. “It’s Nightmare-Night. And I want my candy.”

Zealous rolled his eyes and slipped the duffle bag’s strap over his shoulder, tucking the vent under his arm. “Sometime I think you have way too much fun.”

Violet pulled the mask away and giggled. “It’s a fun job, if you do it right. Here, you wear the mask. Trust me, it’ll be a blast.”

Her brother shook his head and started towards the door.

“Aw, come on.”

“I’ll think about it,”

Violet followed him. “Fine, you think out it, I’ll drive.”

“Like hell you’re driving.”

“Aw…”

Val had never eaten a Crystal Pony before.

It was something of an odd note. She had eaten Earth Ponies, Unicorns, Pegasi, Thestrals, Zebras, Donkeys, Minotaurs, Diamond Dogs, Gryphons, a (relatively small) Dragon or two. She had even swallowed down a few Changelings. But never before had a Crystal Pony graced her taste buds.

Well, the sample size was small, but so far, Crystal Ponies were sweet and tender.

A muffled, but discernable shout reached Val’s ears, coming from with in her.

“Stop playing around and eat me, you bitch!”

Val mentally sighed. Well, if you’re so eager.

Val tipped her head back and used her tail to push the Crystal Pony down her throat as she swallowed quickly. Hips and thighs vanished past her lips, followed soon by the mare’s calves. Val allowed herself the briefest of pauses to tickle her meal’s feet before gulping them down as well.

A pleasured shudder ran up her spine. It was a near indescribable feeling: the sensation of toes slipping past her lips, trailing the length of her tongue, and then sliding over the back of it into her throat. Feeling them tickled as they followed their owner into her gullet. But, the mare’s wiggling was quickly dying down, settling into the usual stillness apart from an errant twitch or kick.

Val let out a sigh and smacked her lips. “Mmm, short, but sweet. So very, very sweet.” She licked her chops, hoping to catch any lingering flavor of the mare. She then rolled her head, cricking her neck as a cold breeze blew over her. Another excited shiver ran through her.

The night was young and here she was: two down, one unconscious, and six completely unaware.

“I wonder how long before they notice their friend is missing,” Val said aloud as she uncurled herself and began slithering back the way she came.

She moved slowly, searching though the grass for the phone she had tossed away earlier. It took a few minutes, but she managed to find the device and the battery, the two luckily having landed right next to each other. She put the Crystal Pony’s phone back together and carried it with her as she went back through the hedge.

Val took a deep breath once she was in the field of flowers, still smelling the mare. The scent led her to the mare’s discarded clothing, which the Lamia gathered up. She slipped the phone into the pocket of the letter jacket and then carried the bundle over to the castle wall, leaving it under one of the windows.

Val smirked, thoughts of how she could use the clothes and the phone flitting through her head. She shook them off after a moment, having other matters to tend to.

Val made her way back the stairwell, ascending to the second floor landing, where she found Cheerilee laying exactly where Val had left her. Val sank to the floor, gently picking up Cheerilee’s head. She was still breathing, which was a relief. And while she had a nasty bruise, Val doubted Cheerilee had otherwise injured herself.

Val eased Cheerilee’s head back to the floor and rose. She idly wondered how long it would be before the mare regained consciousness. Hopefully not too long.

Val was contemplating moving the teacher back to her room just to fuck with her head when a sudden racket piqued her interest. The Lamia turned around, head cocked to the side, listening. There was shouting, too far away to make out.

It appeared something of note had happened all on its own.

It was with a heavy heart that Twisty shut off the water in the shower. She sighed and ran a hand through her wet mane, water droplets falling from her body to pitter-patter on the porcelain below. She shook herself, flinging more water, and then reached for a towel. She quickly tied the towel around herself, covering her nude form from prying eyes.

Not that she thought that anyone was actually watching her. That would be ridiculous.

Twisty stepped out of the shower, hissing softly at the cold tiles beneath her feet. She approached the sink and wiped away the fog from the mirror. Once she could see herself, she picked up and plugged in the helpfully place hairdryer. As she used the jet of hot air to dry her wet mane and coat, she couldn’t help but feel as though she had forgotten to do something.

Let’s see: mane, pits, butt. Yeah, got all of those. And I already laid out fresh clothes, not that that matters. Was I supposed to be taking notes? No one else was. Did I forget something at home? If I did, Mom would have called-

Twisty lowered the hairdryer. “Crap,”

She quickly pulled the plug from the wall and left the bathroom. Her suitcase lay open on her bed, some of her clothes laid out beside it. She ignored these as she dug into her suitcase, tossing her other clothes aside and pulling out her wallet, her toothbrush, her hairbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a few pens, a notebook, and her can of pepper spray before finally finding what she wanted.

Twisty pulled her phone from a pocket in the side of the suitcase. She flipped it open to a screen the happily informed her she had a missed call from Mom.

Twisty let out and groan a tossed the phone onto the bed, rubbing her eyes. She had completely forgotten about calling. And now it was well past nine. Twisty chewed her bottom lip and started to pace, the pepper spray still clutched in one hand.

Is Mom even still up right now? If she isn’t and I wake her up she’ll be even more pissed at me. Oh, but what if she’s still up waiting for me to call? I better just call her and get the scolding over with.

Twisty groaned again and was just about to walk over to the side of the bed where her phone had landed when she heard the hinges of her door creak. Slowly, Twisty turned around, seeing a figure dressed in black robes with what looked like a fencer’s mask standing in the doorway.

Twisty tilted her head. “Scary, where did you find that?”

The figure began walking forward.

“Scary?” Twisty said nervously as the figure held up a gloved hand and brandished a crackling taser.

“Scary, that’s not funny,” Twisty said, backing up a few steps and promptly bumping into someone. She spun around to see another figure dressed similarly in robes but with a shark-toothed bandana covering the lower half of his face looming over her.

“Seems pretty funny to me,” the taller figure rasped, holding up a baton.

Twisty stumbled back a step, trapped between the two advancing figures. She looked back and forth between the two, praying they would take off their masks so they could all have a good laugh. They were taking their time, knowing they had her trapped. The tall figure raised his baton as Twisty continued to look back and forth, the can rattling in her hand.

Oh.

Twisty narrowed her eyes and brought up the pepper spray. Bandana froze for an instant, allowing Twisty spray him directing in the face. His mask didn’t seem to afford him much protection as he instantly recoiled, gasping and spiting and clawing at his eyes. Twisty spun back around and threw the can at the other figure. It bounced off their head, stunning them while Twisty charged. She knocked the stumbling figure over, running past them and out into the hall. She ran off in a random direction, hearing shouts behind her.

Blood roared in Twisty’s ears as she ran, taking left and rights at random. Who were those two and what in the hell were they doing? She heard running footsteps behind her and quickly ran to the first door she saw. The door was thankfully unlocked, opening at her touch. She scrambled inside and slammed it shut.

Twisty turned and braced her shoulder against the door. Right next to the door a desk was pushed up against the wall. Twisty grabbed the chair set in front of the desk and jammed it beneath the doorknob. She soon heard running steps in the hall.

“Where did she go?” asked a female voice, sounding panicked.

“I heard a door close,” growled a male voice that soon let out a string of coughs. “She’s here somewhere. Try that one.”

Twisty heard the faint rattle of doorknobs in the hall. The knob on the door in front of her turned, the chair holding it closed as someone tried to open it. There was a bang as someone slammed themselves into the door.

“In here,” she heard the male, presumable the figure with the bandana, say.

“What room is that?”

“Library,”

“And how do we get in there?”

There was a pause before he replied. “There’s another door. You stay here while I circle around. I’ll let you in.”

Twisty swallowed dryly and backed away from the door. She looked around the room, quickly taking it in. It was a fairly large, if dimly lit, room, the ceiling high above her head. Dozens of towering shelves filled the room; some were stuffed to the brim with books while others had noticeable gaps. The shelves did not appear to have been placed in any sort of orderly fashion; instead, they seemed to form a maze of sorts. The room was split into two levels. On the far side of the room, between some of the shelves, Twisty could see a staircase.

The still damp mare took a hesitant step forward. There might be a door on the second level, or she might just trap herself up there. That was assuming she could even get to the staircase. Maybe she should just move the chair blocking the door and take her chances rushing the mare waiting outside.

Before Twisty could come to a decision, the sound of a door opening somewhere above reached her ears. The door closed with a loud bang and the sound of something heavy scraping across the floor followed.

“I know you’re still in here!” Bandana called out. “Don’t worry, I’ll find you soon enough. How about some music while you wait?”

There was a crackle of static before the familiar voice of the DJ reached her ears.

“This next song is probably one of my all time favorites. So let’s get right to it.”

Twisty swallowed again and quickly dove into the maze. She followed the first shelf to its end and then took a right, following the next book-lined path until it took her to another fork. She went right again and hugged herself against a particularity well stocked shelf.

Bandana thunder down the staircase. Twisty’s breath caught in her throat as his hurried pace came dangerously close. But his footsteps went right by her. She resisted the urge to let out a sigh of relief and slowly sidled along the bookshelf, heading deeper into the maze

She reached the end of the shelf and quickly traded it for one set perpendicular to it. Peeking around the corner, she heard a loud grunt followed by the sound of another door opening.

“Help me with this,” she heard Bandana say, followed by more heavy scraping.

“Is she still in here?” the female asked.

“Has to be,” Bandana replied. “You go that way.”

After a few moments, a shadow fell across the shelf Twisty had previously hid behind. She quickly ducked back around the corner, trying to keep her rapid breathing quiet.

Come on, Twisty, come on. Think, think!

Twisty turned and looked at the shelf she was currently pressed against. Numerous tomes of varying colors and sizes lined it and Twisty quickly pulled down the thickest one she could reach. She pushed herself up against the shelf again, hefting the book.

She didn’t have to wait long for the shadow’s owner to round the corner. For a split second, both Twisty and the fencer’s mask wearing figure made something resembling eye contact. And then Twisty smashed the book into the side of Fencer’s head.

Fencer reeled back, dropping her taser. Twisty swung the book forward again, hitting Fencer in the stomach. She doubled over and Twisty brought the book down across her back, knocking her to the floor. Twisty dropped the book and quickly scooped up the fallen taser. She ran past the groaning figure on the ground, going back the way she had come, taking the left turn at the fork this time.

Behind her, Fencer yelled out, “Setter!”

Twisty puzzled at the name for a moment, failing to notice Bandana before she crashed into him. Twisty hit the ground hard, feeling the knot on her towel beginning to slip. She pushed herself to her feet just as Bandana, or Setter it seemed, recovered and rose to a kneeling position. He reached out for her, catching her towel.

Twisty took a step forward, but froze as she felt the fuzzy cloth slip from her body. She let out a gasp, hands quickly attempting to cover herself. Setter let out an amused snort, still clutching her towel. Twisty snarled and spun around, jabbing Setter in the neck with the taser. His whole body went ridged and he collapsed like a house of cards.

Twisty dropped the taser and bent down, retrieving her towel. She stood up and gave the still convulsing Setter a swift kick in the stomach. Twisty held up the towel, intent on covering herself once again. Her ambition was short lived.

Fencer rounded the corner and charged her, throwing a wild punch. The cheerleader only catching the other mare’s fist in the towel by sheer luck. Twisty quickly pressed her advantage, shoving Fencer away. She shook the towel out and threw it over Fencer, her attacker tangling herself with thrashing arms.

Twisty turned and ran, rounding another corner and finding a gap in the books. She knocked and few more books from the shelf and began squeezing herself through, trying to ignore the angry shouts behind her. It was a tight squeeze, but she managed to pull herself through. Now outside the book maze, Twisty found herself with a clear path to the staircase. She sprinted to and up the steps.

On the third to last step, Twisty felt her namesake kick in. She tripped and pitched forward, more or less throwing herself onto the landing at the top of the stairs. Picking herself up, Twisty turned to the source of the music. A radio sat on top of a small bookshelf that had been pushed in front of a door.

Twisty scrambled over to it, grunting with effort as she pulled and pushed the heavy shelf away from the door. The radio was blaring, but she could still detect the thumps of feet pounding up the stairs.

When there was enough space for her to conceivably squeeze through, Twisty pulled the door open as far as the shelf allowed. There was a shout behind her, but she ignored it as she clawed her way past the door. When she was halfway through, a hand grabbed her arm, trying to pull her back inside.

Twisty yanked her arm away, panic setting in as she found herself starting to feel stuck. Her arm was pulled again and she balled her fingers into a fist, jabbing wildly. She connected with something and the hand on her arm released her. Grasping the doorframe with her other hand, Twisty half-pulled, half-threw herself forward. She scrapped some of the skin on her belly and rump on the wood of the doorframe, but she made it through.

Twisty fell forward again, but she quickly pushed herself back up. She turned to see a gloved hand reaching through after her. She grabbed the doorknob and wrenched the door, earning a yelp of pain as it crunched on the seeking arm. The limb was quickly withdrawn and Twisty pulled the door closed.

Twisty turned tail and fled down the hallway at a dead run. Again she took left and rights and random, never pausing to think about which direction to take. She ran and ran until her legs and lungs burned. Twisty slowed to a trot and then gradually came to a complete stop.

She leaned against a wall and listened. No shouts reached her ears and no footsteps chased her. All she could hear was the sound of her own labored breath. Slowly, she sank to a sitting position, appreciative of how the stone was cool against her back and under her butt.

Her eyelids felt heavy and Twisty reasoned that closing them for a moment would do no harm. She opened them again, after what could have been a moment or an hour. Her ears twitched as a gentle rustling drifted to them.

Warily, Twisty pushed herself up to a standing position, still standing flush against the wall. The sound of a door opening made her breath catch in her throat. She waited, heart thudding inside her chest.

There was the sound of a door closing and the rustle soon returned. It was rhythmic, and it was coming closer. Soft humming soon joined the scrape. Twisty swallowed past the lump in her throat, legs tensing as she prepared to run again.

Suddenly, a voice spoke, sounding frighteningly close and vaguely familiar. “See, what you’re dealing with is an image problem.”

Another voice spoke, sounding closer and at a more feminine pitch. “What do you mean an image problem?”

The first voice spoke again, closer still. “Well, when ponies see you, they have a knee jerk reaction. No offence intended, but you are, well, all scaly and you’re big, and you have all those sharp teeth.”

It hit Twisty; that was Reuben’s voice. But, whomever he was talking to didn’t sound like Miss Cheerilee.

Twisty shook her head and quickly covered herself as best she could, stepping away from the wall. The voices seemed to be coming from around a corner a few paces away from her. She took a steadying breath and stepped around it, already blushing with embarrassment.

She almost ran right into a fluffy velvet robe. She took a step back and looked up to see a perplexed reptilian face looking back at her. She took a few more hurried steps, tripping over her own feet and falling on her plush rump. She stared up at the creature before her, blood running cold in her veins.

“W-who are you?” she asked, voice trembling.

The creature’s scaly features softened into a reassuring smile. “Why, I’m Mrs. Morlin, but just call me Val. I think we met a little earlier. Although, you had more clothes then.”

Twisty’s sense of modesty caught up with her and she looked away, trying in vain to cover herself again. Val bent down, the bathrobe clad Lamia stopping when her eyes were level with the sitting Twisty.

“Locked out of your room, right? It happens to everyone, dear. Why don’t we find you some clothes and-”

“I wasn’t locked out of my room,” Twisty said quickly, cutting Val off. “I was chased out by these two… psychos. They’re still here somewhere.”

Val tilted her head. “Psychos? Are you sure it wasn’t some of your friends, playing some sort of prank?”

“I’m sure,” Twisty said, getting to her feet, Val rising with her. “I have to find Miss Cheerilee. Rueben!” Twisty called, looking past Val, but only seeing an empty hallway. “Where is he?”

“Who?”

“Reuben, the stallion you were just talking to.”

Val chuckled guiltily and looked away. “Ah, I’m afraid I was… talking to myself. Working on a bit of my book, saying it aloud helps. I’m guess I was using his voice by accident.” Val shook her head and looked back to Twisty. “Anyway, I suppose if there really are a couple of crazies running around, we should go find your friends. And stick together, of course.” Val smirked. “I’ve watched enough horror movies to know to stick together.”

Twisty let out a relieved sigh. “So you do believe me?”

Val chuckled. “Well, you are either dedicated to an elaborate and personally humiliating prank, or there really is something going on. Either way, you have my interest.” Val cleared her throat. “But, I really think we should find you some clothes first. You don’t want to run into some murderer in the nude.”

Twisty nodded, timidly covering herself again. “Yeah, uh, would there be clothes in any of these rooms?”

“There might be,” Val slithered towards a nearby door.

Twisty was about to take a step after her when she hesitated. Something felt… off. Val seemed almost unnervingly calm about running into a naked and terrified mare late at night. Twisty shook herself and quickly followed the Lamia. She probably just had a level head on her shoulders.

Val opened the door and peered inside the room. “I think we have something here. Follow me, dear.” Val beckoned Twisty as she slithered inside the room. The pink mare followed her inside, the door closing behind her.

Dressing the Meat

Val couldn’t remember ever having such a run of good luck before. The idea of hunting so many at once had initially sent a tingle nervous excitement down her spine. And yet, here she was with two down, another unconscious, and a fourth sitting out in the open naked as a jaybird.

Maybe they wanted to be eaten.

Val suppressed a smirk and flipped on the light switch, illuminating the room. A four poster bed sat against the far wall, an armoire standing a few feet away. A rounded floor length mirror had been placed near the wardrobe and several drawers were lined up on the adjacent wall.

“I think we have something here. Follow me, dear.” Val said as she pulled her tail inside the room. The pink mare, Twisty if Val remembered correctly, followed suit, taking care to not step on Val’s tail.

Twisty closed the door behind them, awkwardly pushing it closed with her rump as her hands were busy trying to preserve her modesty, however fruitlessly. It was somewhat difficult, but Val managed to avoid blatantly ogling the naked mare. Mostly anyway.

Val cleared her throat, tearing her eyes away from Twisty’s plump thighs to look at her face.

“I’d start with the drawers,” Val said, jerking her head.

Twisty nodded mutely, shuffling over to the aforementioned bit of furniture. She pried her hands away from herself and gingerly pulled open the top drawer. It got maybe half an inch out before Twisty looked back at Val.

Val quickly looked away, pretending to busy herself with the armoire. Out of the corner of her eye, Val saw Twisty shake her head and return her focus to the container in front of her. Val pulled open the doors, peering just beyond them.

She was mouthwateringly beautiful. Pretty pink fur fresh from a shower, naked body as bountiful and tender as a Lamia could ask for. Val couldn’t wait to hear her squeal, couldn’t wait to lick over every inch of her.

Something wet hit Val’s hand, snapping her out of her lustful stupor. She blinked and quickly closed her mouth, realizing she had been drooling.

Val turned her attention to the armoire, looking without seeing the clothes hung up inside it. She dared to sneak another peek around the door. The mare was bending over, searching the middle drawers now. With her ass in the air like that, Val was tempted to just go up and give it a nibble.

Val forced herself to look away.

Only half of the interior of the armoire was devoted to just hanging up clothes. The other half was a set of little drawers. Val pulled one open at random, surprised by what she found inside it.

She dared to glance back at Twisty. She might be able to squeeze herself into the clothes Val had found. And, in some ways, they would be oddly appropriate.

Val bit back a grin and spoke.

“Aha, found something!”

Twisty looked up the drawer she had been sifting through to see Val pulling something from the armoire. Twisty closed the drawer and slowly walked over to Val as the Lamia held up her prize.

It was a set of clothes: a white button up shirt, a black tie, a black skirt with some red and yellow plaid patterning around the hem, and a pair of knee high socks that matched the skirt. Val held the pair of black school shoes and lacy white panties in her other hand.

“It’s a school uniform,” Val said before giving the outfit another look over. “I think so, anyway.”

Twisty shrugged and took the clothes. “As long as they fit,”

Val smiled weakly and turned away, giving Twisty the privacy to pull her arms away and try on the clothes. Twisty knew she had probably given Val an eyeful and then some already, but the gesture was polite.

The panties and skirt went on okay, even if the skirt did only barely make it to her knees. The socks were fine as well, and surprisingly comfy, she had to admit. Twisty grumbled quietly over the lack of a bra, but she soon had plenty more to grumble about how snug the shirt was. She was almost afraid it would pop a button if she rolled her shoulders. She examined the tie for a moment and then with a shrug tied it around the collar of the shirt. The shoes were, surprisingly, a perfect fit, if a bit stiff.

Twisty messed up her mane with a shake of her head and ran a hand through it. “Okay, how do I look?”

Val turned around and brought a hand to her chin, her eyes roaming up and down Twisty’s body. “If I’m being honest, like a Trottingham school girl. But, I’m getting the impression that was the idea.”

Twisty kicked the floor, trying to loosen up the shoes. She laughed nervously. “Heh, who doesn’t like schoolgirls?”

Val smirked.

The Earth Pony turned away from Val and faced the large mirror not far from the armoire. She sighed softly. She did look like a schoolgirl. Twisty shrugged inwardly and dared to try a few stretches. She might as well be limbered up, considering what she knew was out roaming the halls. Much to her relief, the fabric and the buttons held up under the pressure. Twisty then hopped on one foot and then the next, shoes still stiff.

“We should go looking for the others,” Twisty said as she balanced on one leg, holding her other ankle behind her back in another stretch.

“Mhm,” Val mumbled in agreement from behind her.

Twisty switched legs. “Or maybe we should head back to my room? I mean, my phone is there. Although, I wasn’t getting much of a signal earlier.” Twisty frowned as she dropped her foot. “No, we should go find the others, before those guys in the masks do.” Twisty sighed and rubbed her temples. “I don’t know. What do you think, Val?”

The fur on the back of her neck suddenly stood up as warm air washed over it and Val whispered in her ear. “I think you’re beautiful.”

Twisty turned around and faced Val, the Lamia’s face uncomfortably close to her own. She was still smiling warmly, but with a lustful, hungry gleam in her eyes.

“V-Val?” Twisty stuttered, cheeks flushing red as she tried to take a step back, only to bump into the mirror.

“Achingly beautiful,” Val slowly whispered, bracing a hand against the mirror and leaning closer still. She reached her other hand up and cupped Twisty’s cheek, her palm smooth and oddly cool.

Twisty flinched from the contact, her breathing shallow.

Val sighed softly, hand dropping down to Twisty’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I just… don’t have much in the way of self control, I’m afraid. None at all, come to think of it.” She chuckled, hand leaving Twisty’s shoulder save for the tips of her fingers. The fingers traced from the mare’s shoulder to her throat and then her chin, lifting it gently yet firmly. “It’s a miracle I’ve stopped myself from gobbling you up when I found you.”

Twisty managed to find her voice. “What are you talking about?”

Val smirked. “Eating you, dear.” She said with almost terrifying casualness.

Twisty swallowed dryly. “Eat me? You want to eat me?” She shook her head, trying to move her chin from Val’s fingers, to no avail. “But, but you can’t!”

“Of course I can,” Val said matter-of-factly. “Ask your friends.”

Val moved to the side and lifted up a thicker section of her body, bringing it close. The Lamia finally took her fingers away from Twisty, sucking on two and tracing them over uneven lumps in her scales.

“Reuben, he didn’t taste like that name would suggest, but was still quite nice.” Val ran her fingers over the next lump. “Now, this one? Laser Bright, if I‘m remembering correctly. Ooh…” a light shudder ran up her body. “She was better. Younger, faster, sweeter. You probably wouldn’t think of a Crystal Pony as being tender, but she was.” She then nuzzled the lump, moaning softly as she wetly licked her lips. “Mmm, she was so sweet I’d cough her up just so I could eat her again.”

Twisty shuddered, feeling her heart pounding in her chest, threatening to burst out and run off. Past the groaning Val, Twisty could see the door out of the room, slightly ajar. But before to could move a muscle Val had refocused on her.

“Although, I think she will pale in comparison to you, Twisty. Ah,” Val suddenly pressed her snout to the base of Twisty’s neck, inhaling sharply. “You smell wonderful.” Val said, her words muffled lightly. She pulled back, letting her breath out slowly. “There’s plenty of time between now and dawn, Twisty. Plenty of time for me to show you things you’ve never dreamed of.”

Twisty swallowed past the lump in her throat, still seeing the door behind Val. “Please, just let me go. Let them go. You don’t have to do this.”

Val smiled good-naturedly, a low chuckle coming from her throat. “Of course I don’t have to do this,” she said, brushing a lock of hair from Twisty’s face. “I want to.”

Val’s fingers were at her chin again, lifting it as she leaned in close. Val closed her eyes as their lips met. Twisty made a muffled sound of protest, but it went ignored as Val deepened the kiss, moaning softly. Her tongue quickly came into play, forcing its way past Twisty’s lips.

Twisty felt the tip of the Lamia’s tongue brush along her front teeth and then against her braces, quickly becoming stuck. Val’s eyes shot open and she pulled her head back from Twisty. Her tongue remained outstretched between their mouths, cartoonishly so.

Val jerked her head, a motion that freed her tongue, but clearly not without a small amount of pain. While Val winced and blinked away tears from her eyes Twisty reacted almost without thinking. She slammed a knee into Val’s underbelly. Val made a strangled choking noise as Twisty twisted herself out of the Lamia’s grasp and sprinted for the door.

Twisty struggled to maintain her balance as she more or less slid into the hallway, legs scrambling beneath her to gain traction on the stone floor. She finally found purchase and was flying down the corridor with little sense of direction beyond getting away.

She heard Val calling from behind her, but quite obviously had little interest in what the Lamia had to say. Twisty saw a passage to her left and tried to turn down it, her momentum slamming her into the wall. She grunted and pushed herself off, resuming her mad dash. Behind her she could swear she heard the scrap of scales.

Twisty passed a few doors and then ducked right, spotting a balcony at the end of the long hallway in front of her. She skidded to a stop and was turning around when she caught sight of Val rounding the corner not far behind her. The Lamia paused, leaning against the wall, panting.

“Twisty dear, just wait a moment. We both know that’s a dead end. Why don’t you-”

Twisty turned away and began running again. She heard the sound of scales scraping over stone as Val started after her. Twisty didn’t dare look behind her. It would slow her down, distract her. She couldn’t trip, not now.

The balcony was approaching rapidly and through it, Twisty could see another wall of the castle. On the opposite wall was a window, with a flagless flagpole jutting out beside it.

As Twisty crossed the threshold, she could feel the bulk of the Lamia behind her, could feel the slender fingers grasping for her. Without breaking stride, Twisty stepped up onto the stone railing. She leapt off into space; almost certain she felt the tips of Val’s fingers brush across her back.

Twisty sailed forward, seemingly in slow motion as she stretched her arms outward, desperate. She slammed into the flagpole, curling her limbs around it. She screwed her eyes shut as it shook from the impact, the wood threatening to snap or rattle from its housing. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the pole settled.

Slowly, Twisty opened her eyes. She was still attached to the flagpole, likely by the grace of Celestia alone. Gingerly, she shimmied down it and placed a foot on the angular sill of the narrow window. Twisty swallowed dryly as she dared to take a hand from the flagpole and reach out to grasp the side of the window. She wedged her other foot in the crook between the pole and the wall and after a moment’s hesitation, pulled her other hand from the pole and clamped it onto the other edge of the window. She pulled herself through and collapsed into the hallway beyond with an audible sigh of relief.

Twisty laid there for a moment, panting softly, when the sound of clapping reached her ears. She pushed herself up onto her feet and looked back out the window. Val was across the gap, leaning over the balcony railing with something akin to an approving smile stretched across her lips, clapping slowly.

“I’m impressed!” she called to Twisty, ceasing her clapping. “I don’t suppose you could just wait there for me while I find a way around?”

It took Twisty a few heartbeats to find her voice. “You’re not going to catch me.”

Val smirked. “We’ll see. It is, after all, quite a long way to dawn.”

“What is it with you and dawn?”

“It’s the deadline. If I can’t gobble you up by then, you win.”

“Is that right?” Twisty said, slowly moving away from the window.

Val smiled toothily. “Would I lie?” she let out a breathy laugh. “You know, I’m actually glad you got away from me. The harder you make me work for it, the better you’ll taste.”

There was a beat in the conversation, as though Val expected Twisty to say something. When the mare did not, Val again called across the gap.

“Of course, with so many of your friends running around, I might just be too full to eat you.”

“Leave them alone!” Twisty shouted.

“Make me,” Val snickered, before switching to a song-song tone. “Oh, you can run and you can hide. But, no matter what you do. I’m still going to eat your friends.” Val smacked her chops loudly. “And then I’m going to eat you.”

Twisty turned and ran, Val’s laughter chasing her down the hallway.

Author's Note

I practically use the word practically too much, so I took a few out. Not that you would know.

Confession time, ~~writing this made me so hot and bothered~!~~ this chapter has been done for months, but I wanted to try and finish the whole story before I released any more of it.

Anywho, no murder in this chapter. Maybe next time. :raritywink:

Whisper to a Scream

Jack watched as the young mare fled down the darkened hallway. Moonlight shone through the windows, lighting up her form as she passed them. Her features were a twisted mask confusion and fear. She rounded the corner of a nurse’s station, stumbling and falling to her knees. She drunkenly scrambled behind the counter, turning and pressing her back to it.

The Diamond Dog shifted in his seat, rolling his shoulders and scratching his neck. He had dozed off a while ago, exactly how long he wasn’t sure. In some ways he could relate to the poor mare on screen. He had seen her wake up and stumble around, seemingly just as confused as he was.

Taking his eyes off the screen, Jack glanced around the room. The room was dark, lit only by the dim light coming from the television set. It was like a lighthouse, shining into a blackness darker than the space between stars.

Jack shook his head and turned his attention back to the screen. He was slipping back into metaphors. Nothing good ever came of that.

“Laurie? Laurie!” the nurse on screen was calling, clearly terrified.

The movie cut back to the mare, presumably Laurie, crouched down beside a wall. Laurie shifted, still in some kind of daze, and slowly leaned around the corner. Her eyes widened in fright-

The radio in Jack’s pocket squawked.

Jack jerked and clamped a hand down over the bulge in his coat, trying to muffle it. He quickly dug the device from his pocket, feeling Gavrii watching him. He turned the volume down and brought the radio close, hunching over.

“Jack?” Val’s voice came through the speakers, accompanied by a few whispers of static.

He pressed the button on the radio’s side. “I’m here, Val. Is something wrong?”

“Maybe. One of our guests just told me about a, ahem, ‘pair of psychos’ that chased her out of her room. It’s probably nothing, but check with Setter, just to be safe.”

Jack nodded to himself, patting his guns and Kevlar vest to make sure they hadn’t run off.

“Okay, I will,” he pulled the big revolver from his shoulder holster, checking the cylinder out of paranoid habit. “Where are you?”

A low chuckle came over the radio waves. “Ever the eager hero. I don’t need rescuing, Jack. I’m just worried about someone harming our poor guests.”

“And what if there is someone running around that shouldn’t be?”

“Then maybe you’ll finally be able to get your gun off.”

Jack snorted and snapped the cylinder closed, satisfied ghosts hadn’t switched his out bullets with chocolate. Gods, did he hate chocolate.

“It’s a good thing you’re pretty, Val.”

Val laughed again. “So they keep telling me. Happy hunting.”

Jack suppressed a smirk and tucked the radio away. He looked over to Gavrii, the Gryphon already staring at him.

“Is Valerie alright?” Gavrii asked quietly.

Jack nodded. “Val’s fine. I just need to check in with Setter. He cued up on yours?”

Gavrii nodded and pulled her own radio from somewhere inside her fur coat. She handed it over to him, but continued to stare.

Jack ignored her for the moment and pressed the button on the radio’s side. “Setter, are ya there?” Jack released the button and waited for what was probably fifteen seconds but might as well have been an hour.

Finally, the radio let out a fizzle of static along with Setter’s voice. “Jack, what’s the, the matter, buddy?” He sounded like he was out of breath.

“Setter, I need you to check the cameras, Val thinks we might have some uninvited guests.”

An annoyed sigh came over the radio. “All of them?” Setter’s tone was particularly whiny, even for Setter.

“Yes, Setter, all of them.”

Another sigh. “Well, look, I’m, uh, not in front of the, um, cameras right now.”

Jack furrowed his brow. “You’re what?”

Setter chuckled nervously. “I’m kinda… kinda in the middle of something right now.”

Jack sighed. “Setter, you can fuck around with your girlfriend later. Check the fucking cameras.”

“Fuck you too,” Setter muttered before the transmission cut out.

Jack waited maybe a minute before Setter was back on the radio. “I think there’s someone in… uh… block 87C.”

Jack stood up. “Are you sure?”

“Look, I’m seeing something there. Best go check it out there, super cop.”

The transmission cut out again and Jack shook his head, tossing Gavrii her radio. “That Merry must be quite that gal.”

“Maybe she’s just a whore,” Gavrii snorted, eyeing him with a titled head. “Do you want me to come with you?”

Jack shrugged, checking his gun again. “Setter probably just said a block number at random to get me off his ass. Still, better safe than sorry.” Satisfied his gun barrel hadn’t tied itself in a knot; Jack tucked his gun back in its holster and made for the door. “I’ll radio you if I need help.” He paused at the door and jerked his head at the TV. “And tell me what happens with this Laurie chick.”

Gavrii graced him with a rare smirk and waved him off. Jack nodded back and left the room, stalking down the dark hallway beyond.

“And we’re back, even though we never really left. It’s Radio Vinyl and our guest Silver Screen will unfortunately be leaving shortly. But Silver, before you go, I’ve got one question that I’ve always wanted to ask a, uh, horror expert.”

“Well, all you have is me, but I’ll do what I can.”

The DJ laughed. “Okay, okay, here’s my question: why not a gun? In just about every horror movie I’ve seen, the killer never uses a gun. I mean, have you ever tried to kill someone with an axe? It’s surprisingly difficult.”

“The short answer is that guns aren’t as scary as machetes or chainsaws are.” there was a brief pause. “I’m sorry, did you say you tried to kill someone with an axe?”

“It’s not as interesting as it sounds.” the DJ said quickly.

“O…kay,” Silver coughed awkwardly.

“Well, Silver, it seems to be that time. I’ll play you off. This is Radio Vinyl with our Dead by Dawn Marathon.” the DJ lowered her voice, whispering her next sentence. “Here’s the music.”

Dark clouds loomed outside the windows, sending sparse droplets of rain to pitter patter against the high glass windows. Among their ranks was an occasional dim flash accompanied by a dull, faraway boom. Heralds of the oncoming storm.

Ember Roundup pressed the tips of her fingers against the glass, staring out into the darkness beyond. It was such a cliché, the whole dark and stormy night thing. The music coming from the radio on the other side of the hall wasn’t helping matters much.

Ember shook her head and turned around. She picked up her camera from a nearby table and fiddled with it, double and triple checking the settings and memory card. Satisfied, she hit the record button and held the camera at arm’s length, positioning herself next to the window.

She pushed her glasses back over her eyes, and gave the camera a smile. Not too big of a smile, though.

“Hello Ponyville-”

Ember grimaced and quickly put her hand over the camera lens. She took a quick breath and pulled away her hand, again giving the camera a smile.

“Hello viewers, this is Ember Roundup reporting to you from Castle Rapture. As you can see-” she shifted the camera properly to the window beside her before turning it back to herself “-it is a dark and stormy night here.” She gave the camera a cheesy grin before grimacing again and once more covering the lens with her hand. She sighed and pulled her hand away.

“As you may notice, the weather outside isn’t particularly friendly. But I am happy to report that that the atmosphere here is.” Ember turned away from the wall and began walking backwards across the room.

She stumbled a bit as she backed into a row of seats that looked like they had been stolen from a movie theater. Her stumbling sent her bumping into the projector, knocking it off center.

“What the hell!?” Scary Story and Double Moon Flare said in near perfect unison, jumping out of their seats and fixing her with accusatory stares.

“Sorry!” Ember squeaked, lowering her camera.

Scary sighed and hopped over the back of her seat, closing in on Ember.

“I didn’t mean to-” the Earth Pony began, but Scary ignored her, bushing past and stopping the projector before pulling it back to its original position.

“What are you doing?” Scary asked as she fiddled with the projector, her tone laced with annoyance.

“Sorry, I was just, uh,” Ember hesitantly brought up her camera a little before quickly lowering it. “Just trying to record some stuff for my, uh, report.”

“And why were you trying to record us?” Flare asked, sounding oddly defensive.

“I wasn’t trying to record you two specifically, uh…” Ember trailed off as Scary turned from the projector to her. “Sorry,” she repeated.

There was a moment of tense silence. Scary had maybe and inch or two on Ember and wasn‘t much wider save in the hips department, but the Thestral’s eyes and teeth made her seem even larger. But the tension faded when Scary cracked a grin.

“‘S all good, Ember.” Scary chuckled, patting Ember on the shoulder. “Accidents happen.”

“Let us finish up the movie and then we’ll do some interviews, yeah?” Flare added as Scary returned to her seat beside the Alicorn.

Ember nodded quickly. “Yeah, sounds perfect.” She coughed. “Ah, sorry about the, uh,”

Flare looked over her shoulder, flashing her perfect smile. “Gosh, Ember. It’s okay, really.”

“Could you hit the button on the side of the projector there? The green one.” Scary added.

Ember nodded and leaned close to the projector, pushing the indicated button. The device started back up and Ember promptly took a few steps back. Once it seemed as though everything was in working order Ember turned and made her way towards Xander and Token at the far end of the hall. She kept the camera pointed ahead of her this time

“Hey guys,” Ember as she approached.

Xander tossed a pair of cards down on the table in front of a smiling Token. The pair looked up from the table, each giving her a friendly smile.

“Hey there, Ember,” Xander said, turning down the volume on the radio as she reached the table. “Want us to deal you in?”

“Alright,” Ember took a seat and placed her camera on the table’s felt top. “What are we playing?”

“Cups,” Token said, pointedly taking a sip from his own.

“Cups?” Ember raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Xander as the Zebra gathered up the cards and began shuffling them.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of cups,” Token said with a chuckle.

Ember smirked and shook her head. “It’s just something you made up, isn’t it?”

“You’re not accusing a Changeling of lying, are you, Ember?” Token waggled a finger. “Because that would be racist.”

Ember snorted and leaned over to Xander. “How much money did he take from you?”

“Two weeks allowance,” Xander said with laugh. “Which is why we’re not playing poker anymore.”

“You really need to work on your tell, buddy,” Token leaned over the table to Ember. “He rubs his left eyebrow when he’s lying.” The Changeling stage-whispered.

Ember shot Xander an accusatory look. “In the van, when you kept asking about my camera, seeming all interested? You were rubbing your eyebrow, ya striped bastard.”

“Easy there, Ember. Don’t git ya knickers in a twist,” Xander said in an exaggerated Brumbiland accent. “And I was rubbing my right eyebrow.” He straightened up the deck and tossed two cards her way.

“And what does that mean?” Ember asked.

“That means he’s super duper lying,” Token snickered.

Xander laughed and shook his head, dropping a pair of cards down in front of him. “Come on, Ember. Don’t you see what he’s doing?” He tossed two cards to Token. “The Changeling is sowing discord among up equine folk.”

“Shit, they’re onto me.”

The three of them laughed as Xander put the deck in the middle of the table and checked his cards. Seeing Token doing the same, Ember quickly checked her own. The three of clubs and the four of hearts.

“Okay, so how does one play cups?” Ember asked, dropping her cards back onto the table.

Token smiled. “Well, first you look at your cards,” he glanced down at his own cards for a moment before picking up his large, red plastic cup. “And then you take a drink.”

As Token drank from his cup Xander passed Ember a cup of her own, filling it up with a pitcher taken from beneath the table.

“And what are we drinking?” Ember asked, peering suspiciously at the thick red liquid in her cup.

“The blood of virgins,” Xander said ominously, returning the pitcher to the floor.

Token finished his drink with an ‘ah’ sound and smacked his lips. “It’s fruit punch mixed with milk instead of water.”

“Huh,” Ember said, gently pushing the cup away. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Your loss,” Xander said, taking a drink from his own cup.

“Anyway, next you take a pair of dice and put them in your now empty cup.” Token did just that, rattling the dice around in the cup a few times before tossing them onto the table. “And then you roll them and see what they add up to. In this case, seven.”

Ember nodded. “So, the goal is to have your cards add up to the same number as the dice, right?”

“Wrong,” Token said with a smirk. “You actually want you cards to be as far away from the number on the dice as possible.”

“Oh,” Ember pushed her glasses back up her nose. “Are there any more steps?”

“Well-” Token began, but he was cut off by a sudden and loud bang as the door a few dozen paces away suddenly flew open.

A figure stumbled into the hall. The figure, clearly female based on her shape, was carried halfway to the table by her momentum. She staggered to a halt and quickly spun of her heels, charging back to the door. She threw all of her weight behind it, slamming it closed with a thunderous crash.

She turned and leaned her back against the door, slowly sliding down to the floor. She gulped lungfuls of air, her eyes momentarily unfocused. It then clicked in Ember’s head. She knew this mare.

But Xander beat her to the punch.

“Twisty?” he said slowly.

Ember initially had to suppress a grin.

Twisty was sitting on the floor, her back against one of the doors leading out of the hall. She was wearing, of all things, a stereotypical schoolgirl outfit. Knee socks and everything. However, the more Ember looked, the less she felt the urge to laugh. Twisty’s breaths came in deep, ragged gasps, and her eyes were wide and fearful. Her gaze flicked anxiously between Ember, Xander, and Token.

“Scary, Flare,” Twisty said between breaths, her voice hoarse.

As if on cue, the Thestral and the Alicorn came running up. Scary went straight to Twisty’s side, Flare following after a moment’s hesitation. The pair got on either side of Twisty, putting her arms around their shoulders and lifting her.

They brought her over to the table. As Token and Xander cleared out a space, Ember snatched up her camera. It was still recording. Ember’s finger hovered over the button to shut it off, but she hesitated. After a moment, she pulled her finger away and tried to hold the device in an inconspicuous manner.

Twisty was still panting as they sat her down at the table. Xander pushed Ember’s abandoned cup into her hand, which Twisty drank without hesitation. She downed half of it before going into a coughing fit.

As her coughing subsided, Twisty shakily put the cup down and looked to Xander. “What is that?” she asked hoarsely.

“Fruit punch and, uh, milk,” Xander said sheepishly.

Twisty shook her head, coughing a few more times. She wiped her eyes and said, “Has anyone seen Miss Cheerilee?”

The group looked back and forth amongst themselves before collectively shrugging.

“Not since she left with Reuben,” Ember answered.

Twisty squeezed her eyes shut, holding her head in her hands. Slowly, her breathing evened out.

“Twisty,” Scary began, breaking the sudden silence. She approached Twisty’s side, leaning on the table. “Twisty, what’s going on?”

Flare leaned in from the other side, looking Twisty over. “And what are you wearing?”

Twisty inhaled sharply and looked up. Her jaw worked a few times before she seemed to find her voice. “Guys, this is going to sound insane, but…” she took another deep breath, taking the cup and swallowing the rest of the punch. She put down the cup, a bit harder than is seemed she meant to, and began speaking.

“Two psychos in masks attacked me in my room. I had just gotten out of the shower so I was sort of, ah, naked. I got away from them and then I ran into Val.”

Xander tilted his head. “Who?”

“The Lamia,” Twisty said, gesturing vaguely. “The, uh, big, green, snake… lady.”

Scary nodded. “Yeah, I think I remember her.”

Twisty placed her hands on the table and stared at them. “She, uh, found these clothes for me. Then she, uh, she pinned me to a wall and started saying all these things about me. And what she wanted to do to me. And then she said she that she-” Twisty swallowed, a shudder running through her. “She said she… ate Reuben.” Twisty winced and looked up from the table. “And Laser Bright.”

No one said anything for a moment, each of the assembled taking in what Twisty had said. And then Ember broke the silence with a scoff.

“Very funny, Twisty.”

Twisty blinked a few times. “Do you think I’m making this all up?”

Ember nodded. “Uh-huh. You never were any good with pranks.”

“It’s not a prank!”

“Well, if you are telling the truth, shouldn’t we call the cops?”

“Yes!” Twisty shouted, standing up out of her seat. She looked around the table and said in a softer tone. “Who’s got their phone with them?”

Ember looked around, surprised to see Xander, Token, Scary, and even Flare shake their heads.

“I think Laser Bright had her phone,” Flare said, nervously pulling on the hem of her shirt.

Ember shook her head. “Ah, then we can just give her a call. Ask what it feels like to be fitted for a snakeskin bodysuit.” She turned to Twisty. “I don’t have my phone either. It’s in my room, probably where everyone else’s is too.”

Twisty shook her head and moved around the table, heading for the other door on the far side of the hall. Ember started after her, everyone else following after a moment.

“Where are you going?” Ember asked.

“I’m going to the rooms and getting my phone.” Twisty said over her shoulder.

“Alone?” Scary said quickening her pace to get beside Twisty. “But what about, uh, Val?”

“You actually believe her?” Ember asked, pointing her camera at Scary.

Scary glanced down at the camera for a moment and then back up at Ember. “Twisty can’t tell a lie to save her life.” She looked to Twisty. “I believe you and I’m not letting you go alone.”

Twisty shot Scary a grateful smile, but it quickly vanished. “You can’t come with me, Scary.”

Scary stopped in her tracks, grabbing Twisty and forcing her to stop as well. “Why the hell not?”

“Because Val is still roaming around out there. I barely got away from her before and I know for a fact I can run a lot faster than you.” Twisty pulled her hand out of Scary’s and started walking again. “You need to stay here and barricade this place.”

Scary blew out a frustrated breath and followed Twisty. “Fine, I’ll start stacking things, but you can’t just go out there alone.”

Token suddenly jumped in front of them. “Wait, wait, wait, we can’t just board this place up and leave Laser Bright out there.”

Twisty slowed to a halt. “Token…” she began softly.

The Changeling shook his head. “Nonono, she, she wasn’t feeling well and I took her outside, to the gardens right out there. She said she wanted to be alone for a little while.” He laughed nervously. “We can’t just leave her out there.”

Twisty shook her head. “She’s not out there Token.”

Ember moved a few steps back and used her left hand to steady her right, making sure she had both Twisty and Token in the shot together. Token looked like he was about to say something, but Xander stepped in and cut him off.

“Hey, now. I can go with Token, we can go find Laser Bright and be back here in no time.”

Twisty gritted her teeth and rubbed her temples. “Laser Bright is not out there, Xander. Val said she-”

Xander held up his hands defensively. “Look, I believe that some crazy snake lady told you she ate grown mare, but she could have been lying, Twisty.”

“I don’t think she was,” Twisty said flatly. “And we can’t spilt up. It’ll just make it easier for her to pick us off.”

Ember risked drawing attention to herself and spoke up. “So they can’t go find Laser Bright, but you can go looking for a phone all by yourself?”

Twisty shot Ember a glare. “I’m sorry if I want everyone here to keep on breathing, Ember!” She sucked in a breath, blowing it out slowly and turning back to Token. She started to say something, but stopped, her gaze shifting to something behind the Changeling.

“The windows,” she said quietly and then said, louder now, “The garden, it’s right out there, right?”

Token looked over his shoulder and then back at Twisty, nodding.

Twisty did a nod of her own. “Okay, then go check the windows. If you see Laser Bright out there, then by all means get her in here. Otherwise, you stay in here with everyone else, alright?”

Token nodded and ran off towards the windows without another word.

Twisty shot Ember another look. “Happy?”

“Pardon me for pointing out the hypocrisy,” Ember replied.

“She’s right, Twisty,” Xander said, drawing the pink mare’s attention away from Ember. “Why don’t I go with you? Yeah, there’s no way I could outrun you, but can probably fight Val off if-”

“You don’t remember how big she is,” Twisty said, cutting him off. “She’d kill you.”

“Damnit Twisty, what do you think she’s going to do to you?” Flare demanded.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” Ember rolled her eyes and raised her voice. “I’ll go with her!”

The others quieted down and as one turned to her. Ember gave them her best reporter smile, lowering her camera, but still keeping it pointed forward.

“I might not be as able to beat you in the hundred meter dash, but I think I can bloody well keep pace.”

Twisty raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t believe me.”

Ember chuckled. “I don’t, but, given the circumstances, I think it best if there was someone to watch your back.” Ember held up her camera. “And get the whole event on video, too.”

Twisty gave Ember something akin to a glare for a moment, but her expression softened and she nodded. “Okay, that sounds, reasonable.” She moved out of the circle the group had formed around her and went to stand next to Ember. “Alright, start on the barricades while we’re gone.”

The others nodded and began wandering off, likely trying to puzzle out just how they were going to erect any sort of barricade. All save for Flare, who lingered for just a moment.

“Twisty?” she said slowly.

“Yeah?” Twisty replied, her tone noticeably soft.

“What if…” Flare grimaced. “What if you don’t come back? What are we supposed to do?”

Twisty inhaled sharply. “If we’re not back in ten minutes, you do whatever you think is best.”

“…Okay,” Flare said, sounding disappointed as she walked away.

Twisty sighed and began walking towards the door leading back to the room, rubbing her eyes. “This is all so messed up.”

“So you keep saying,” Ember remarked, falling into step beside her.

“You really don’t believe me?” Twisty asked.

Ember scoffed. “I’m not skeptical just to be a dick, Twisty. This could all be some elaborate prank. I mean, are you really asking me to believe that there’s some big fucking snake running around eating ponies?”

They reached the door leading back to the rooms. Xander was pulling one of the wooden benches over. He gave Twisty a questioning look, one she answered with a slight nod. Twisty opened the door, holding it for Ember.

Ember hesitated, wary that they were going to try to lock her out. She shook off the feeling and passed through the doorway, giving Twisty a smile as she passed. Twisty followed close behind her, pulling the door close. Behind them Ember could hear the sound of the bench scraping along the floor.

Ember and Twisty started down the corridor, side by side. They moved down to the trophy room, entering it without saying a word. Here they slowed, Twisty moving cautiously, head cocked to one side.

Ember stared at Twisty for a moment, a small smirk of amusement on her lips. She certainly was committed to this whole prank. Ember then glanced over at the stuffed heads that adorned the walls, eyes angry and teeth exposed. She suppressed a shudder and followed Twisty, trying to tiptoe.

Thankfully, they were soon out of the trophy room and in the hallway beyond. Twisty slunk up against one of the walls, almost pressing herself against it. She began sidling along it. Ember again stared, but she felt significantly less amused now. She quickly mimicked Twisty’s actions, following closely behind her.

They reached a corner. If Ember remembered correctly, the rooms were just around the bend. She watched as Twisty peeked around the corner. The air was still, almost unnaturally so.

After what seemed like an eternity, Twisty moved around the corner, motioning for Ember to follow. They crept forward now, walking as if they were on eggshells. They passed a few closed doors before coming to one that was still open. Twisty slipped inside the room, Ember right on her heels.

Once they were both in the room, Twisty leaned against the door. She gritted her teeth as she tried to quietly ease it close, the hinges making one or two diminutive squeaks. After a few moments, the door was shut, the lock clicking softly as Twisty turned it.

Ember released a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding while Twisty rubbed her eyes, letting out a breathy chuckle. Twisty pulled her hands away and drew in a deep breath, moving to the bed.

Ember followed Twisty with her eyes and camera. The bed was strewn with clothes and various items. Twisty made a beeline for the cell phone lying amongst the mess.

Ember dared to break the silence. “Don’t you want to change?”

“There’s no time,” Twisty said quietly, flipping open her phone and hastily hitting the buttons. She hit dial and held the phone to her ear, fingers drumming anxiously on the bed. A few seconds ticked by and Twisty’s expression became confused. She pulled the phone away, staring at it.

“What is it?” Ember asked after a moment.

Twisty looked up from the phone. “It says I don’t have a signal.”

Ember could not help the smirk that curled her lip. “Really?”

Twisty narrowed her eyes. “Ember-”

Ember held up a hand. “Hey now, let’s just go try my phone, okay? I know I had a signal earlier.”

Twisty just nodded, tucking her phone into a pocket on her skirt. She moved around the bed and to the door, gingerly opening it. Again, the hinges squeaked as Twisty fully opened it. She peeked out, looking one way then the other before turning back to Ember and nodding.

They moved out into the hall, crossing it and moving a door down. Twisty gripped the doorknob, turning it and slowly easing the door open. To Ember’s surprise, the hinges didn’t make a sound. They slipped inside in silence, Twisty again securing the door.

Ember’s room was considerably tidier than Twisty’s, nary a sheet or pillow out of place. Ember moved around the bed and picked up her bag from the floor. She set it down on the bed, rummaging through it with one hand while the other held her camera.

She quickly found her phone, pulling the little device out with a sound a triumph.

“Aha, here we are,” she smiled at Twisty and held up the phone, waggling it back and forth. “Shall I do the honors?”

“Be my guest,” Twisty said, sounding distracted, her head cocked to the side.

Ember smirked and shook her head, quickly dialing the police and hitting the call button. To her surprise, her phone beeped that there was no signal before dumping the call.

“The fuck?” Ember said under her breath as she redialed, only to have her phone again dump the call.

“I can’t get through,” Ember said, looking from her phone to Twisty. “I’m sure I had a signal before. I don’t underst-”

“Shh,” Twisty hushed her suddenly, holding up a hand.

Ember quieted down as Twisty slowly crept back towards the door. She pressed her ear against it, closing her eyes in concentration. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked to Ember.

Twisty mouthed something. Ember blinked and shook her head. Twisty did it again, slower this time. It took Ember a moment, but she put it together.

‘Someone out there.’

‘Who?’ Ember mouthed back.

Twisty merely shrugged in response. Ember sighed silently, pushing her glasses back over her eyes. Of course she wouldn’t know. Not unless whoever it was said something.

Twisty continued to listen at the door as Ember again tried to call the police. For the third time her phone refused, beeping in her ear and dropping the call. Swearing soundlessly, Ember moved over to Twisty, tapping her on the arm.

‘Nothing.’ she mimed.

Twisty’s brow furrowed, her eyes closing in what seemed like defeat. Her eyes opened again and she leaned further against the door. Before Ember could ask Twisty what she heard, she got her answer.

“Guys?” a voice called out. A familiar voice.

“Laser Bright?” Ember said softly, hand reaching towards the doorknob.

Before her fingers could touch it, they were suddenly crushed together in a vise-like grip. Ember gasped in pain and jerked her hand out of Twisty’s.

“Why-?” Ember started, only to stop when Twisty met her gaze.

Somewhere on the other side of the door, Laser Bright called out again.

“Guys, are you here? I, well, I got locked outside. I found another door, but it’s not like I know this place.” Laser Bright audibly shivered. “It st-started raining before I g-got back ins-side. I’m really c-cold guys a-and I lost my key. Please…”

“That’s not Laser Bright,” Twisty whispered darkly.

“You don’t know that,” Ember hissed back.

Twisty frowned for a moment, and then her eyes flicked to the camera in Ember’s hand.

“Can you use that to peek around the corner?” Twisty asked quietly.

Ember nodded. “Yeah,”

Twisty jerked her head to the door, moving so Ember could stand next to it. The Brumbilander rolled her eyes as she got into position. Twisty was either jerking her around or off her fucking rocker. Sure, her phone not working was odd, but it wasn’t like she had full bars to begin with and the storm that was bearing down on them certainly wouldn’t be helping. And now she was supposed to believe that the big pony-eating snake lady could also imitate voices?

Ember considered just bolting out the door then and there. But she hesitated. She remembered Scary talking about one of her stories or a movie or something. The guy that didn’t believe a word the hero said always ended up doing something stupid and dying horribly.

Ember sighed softly and slowly turned the doorknob. Just as before, the hinges were completely silent. She angled the camera and eased the door open just enough that lens could see out into the hall. She fiddled with the view screen on the side, adjusting it so she could see what the camera saw.

As the fuzzy image on the tiny screen focused, Laser Bright was talking again. “Hello? Twisty…?” her voice took on a singsong quality as she said the name, the pitch of her voice lowering.

The screen resolved itself, revealing the creature outside. The Lamia had her back to the camera. She was big and covered in green scales. She turned to the side as she approached the door to Twisty’s room, revealing her serpentine visage and her nakedness.

It took Ember a moment to realize she wasn’t breathing. She gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth once she realized what she had done.

Slowly, the Lamia’s head turned to look towards the camera. Ember hastily pulled the camera away from the crack in the door, backing away from it as well.

“Fuck, I think she saw me,” Ember said in a barely audible whisper.

“What?” Twisty said as she moved to close the door.

“Don’t!” Ember hissed, grabbing Twisty’s hand. “Don’t, she’s looking this way.”

Suddenly, another familiar voice began speaking, at an almost painful volume.

“Hey there, listeners. It’s Radio Vinyl and at the moment I’m here all alone in the studio. Our next guest is running a bit late it seems. Just between you and me, I think it’s all for the best. I had a whole mess of tacos for lunch and they’re starting to repeat on me.” There was a brief pause. “Whoo, be thankful they got me one of those cough buttons. Especially if you’re wearing headphones.”

The Lamia had turned on a radio, it seemed.

The DJ coughed. “Anyway, this is Radio Vinyl with our Dead by Dawn Marathon. And if any of you out there are feeling a little stressed right about now, this next one’s for you.”

“Guys, are you there?” The Lamia called out above the sound of the radio. She was still using Laser Bright’s voice, slipping into that sing-song tone. “Guys…”

“What do we do?” Ember asked in a panicked whisper.

Twisty looked around the room, eyes frantically flicking from one hiding spot to the next. They soon settled on the window. Twisty made her way over to it and slid it open. A blast of cold air shot into the room, raising goose bumps over Ember’s arms. Twisty turned from the window to Ember and beckoned her forward.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Ember hissed through clenched teeth.

“You have a better idea?” Twisty replied, holding out her hand.

“Fuck,” Ember muttered, moving over to the window and taking Twisty’s hand. She peered out it, seeing nothing but blackness. “What the fuck now?”

“There’s a ledge just outside, big enough for your feet,” Twisty said, sounding out of breath, her eyes fixed on the still partially open door.

Ember swallowed dryly. She could see the ledge now, just three feet or so below the bottom of the window. She tried to focus on it and not think about the few hundred foot drop into the crashing waves and jagged rocks below. Tried.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Ember mumbled, putting the camera’s longer strap around her neck to free up a hand. Holding tightly onto Twisty, she swung a leg out the window, her foot finding purchase on the ledge. Gripping the windowsill, she brought her other leg out.

Ember reluctantly let go of Twisty’s hand and shuffled farther along the ledge. The walls outside were anything but smooth, large cracks and gaps marring the stone. And thankfully providing helpful handholds. She pulled her hand from the windowsill and moved just out of view of the window itself. She found a rather convenient flagpole to latch onto, wrapping one of her arms around it. The wind blew across her. It was more a breeze than anything, but still cold enough to make her shiver.

Twisty soon followed her out the window. The cheerleader shuffled in the opposite direction, moving with a bit more confidence than Ember had.

Once Twisty had found a proper handhold, she and Ember locked eyes. Ember took a shuddering breath, looking desperately at Twisty for some kind of reassurance that they wouldn’t be hanging off the side of a castle for the rest of their lives. However short that time may be.

A shadow fell across the windowsill and Ember’s breath caught in her throat. The shadow shifted as its owner moved about. Soon, a green hand gripped the sill, and the tip of a green snout pocked out beyond the window’s edge. They remained there for what felt like an eternity, before suddenly vanishing.

Ember breathed a sigh of relief, the cold air burning her lungs.

After a few heartbeats, she slowly edged along the wall to the window. She maintained a white-knuckle grip on the wall with her right hand while her left brought up her camera. She used it to peer past the open window and into the room, the view screen showing her it was empty.

Ember allowed her camera to hang around her neck and shot Twisty a relieved smile. She thought she saw Twisty start to say something, but was too eager to get back inside to pay it mind.

Ember hauled herself inside the room. Her foot caught the edge of the window and she fell forward. Her hands shot out and caught the edge of the bed. It wasn’t enough to stop her fall, but it did turn her so she fell on her side, rather than her front and her camera. Ember grunted and scrambled to her feet at Twisty appeared at the window.

“She’s gone,” Ember said with an excited titter, offering a hand to Twisty.

Twisty hesitated for a moment before taking Ember’s hand and allowing herself to be pulled into the room.

As Twisty brushed herself off, Ember turned towards the door. It stood wide open now, showing the hallway beyond. Ember padded over to the door, again using her camera to peek out into the hallway. Amazingly, both left and right were clear.

Ember looked over her shoulder. “She’s gone,” she repeated, a bit louder than she probably should have.

“Where did she go?” Twisty whispered, moving up behind Ember.

Ember just shrugged. “I dunno,” she grinned as she moved out into the hallway.

Twisty again hesitated, but followed her none the less. They soon stood side by side, looking down the hallway that eventually led back to the hall where the others were. Twisty cricked her neck and took a few steps forward, head cocked to the side as she looked at another one of the doors.

Ember inhaled deeply and slowly let the breath out. They had escaped, for the moment anyway. And her phone still didn’t work. And there was still a giant pony-eating snake lady after them. Ember deflated a little.

She took another breath and straightened up, opening her mouth to ask Twisty what they should do next. The words died in her throat as something warm and slimy slid across the back of her neck and up to her ear.

“Twi-Twisty,” Ember said shakily as warm breath ruffled her mane.

“Yeah?” Twisty said, not turning around.

Ember gulped. “I think I know where Val is.”

Twisty turned around and suddenly went ridged, the color draining from her face. Ember felt the Lamia’s breath roll across her nape again, making her fur stand on end. Ember heard her speak, in her own, ear-tickling voice.

“I’ll give you a head start.”

Twisty bolted, faster than Ember had ever seen her move. And Ember was suddenly aware that she was running as well. It seemed her fight or flight instinct had kicked in. She barely managed to avoid crashing into the wall at the bend in the hallway. She turned, her legs scrambling to find traction.

She was moving again just as she heard the Lamia sliding her bulk across the floor. Twisty was ahead of her, by what seemed like miles. The cheerleader reached the trophy room door, stopping to hold it open. Ember flew past her, bounding the length of the room in an instant. She wrenched the other door open just as Twisty wedged an ornate-looking chair against the first door.

The primal parts of her brain screamed at Ember to run, but she stubbornly stood still, holding the heavy door open for Twisty. The other mare turned and sprinted through the doorway, Ember following suit just as something heavy slammed into the first door, cracking the wooden chair.

Ember shoved the door closed and followed after Twisty in a dead run. Ahead of her, Twisty was yelling for the others to open the doors. Behind her, Ember could swear she heard the door to the trophy room smash open.

Twisty slammed into the doors to the hall, frantically pounding her fists against the wood. Beyond the door, Ember could hear the scraping of wood on stone along with shouting. The doors opened inwards like they were moving through molasses. Twisty squeezed herself inside, grabbing hold of Ember’s arm as she tried to follow. Twisty pulled, but Ember felt herself get stuck, her camera wedged between her and the doorjamb.

The wood creaked as it was pushed open another couple of inches, allowing Ember to lurch forward and collapse inside. She turned her body, catching sight of the Lamia racing towards her as the others were pushing to door close. Ember scrambled to her feet, lending her strength.

The door closed with an echoing thud. Barely a second passed before a resounding bang sounded as the Lamia slammed herself against the door. Ember felt herself jolted away by the force of the impact, but she quickly shoved herself back against the door, leaning into it with all her might.

One of the others dragged a heavy wooden bench over, pushing it against the door just the Lamia again slammed into it. Another bench was brought and a third, chairs soon adding to the disorganized pile against the door.

The Lamia hit the door a third time as Ember moved away to allow a fourth bench to be leaned against the door. She stumbled back, falling into a chair that had been ignored. She was panting, sweat dripping from her forehead as her heart threatened to burst from her ribcage.

Aside from the sound of labored breath, quietness stretched out. It seemed as through the Lamia had given up, for the time being. Ember rubbed her eyes and straightened her glasses. Looking around, she locked eyes with Twisty, who was leaning against a wall, in a similar state to Ember.

“Twisty?” Ember said after a moment.

“Yeah, Ember?” Twisty replied, slowly sinking to the floor.

Ember shakily took a breath. “I think I believe you now.”

Author's Note

References! Intrigue! Talking!

This one took a while to write, mostly because I scrapped the start of Ember's segment, restarted it, scrapped it again, and then finally got the ball rolling on it. Then I chopped in it half at one point to splice in another scene, then I sewed both halves back together and moved the other scene to after this.

Also, I bet you couldn't help but notice a lack of sex and murder in this chapter as well.
But Wraith, you promised the three people reading this that there would be sex, violence, and sexy violence!
And there will be. Soon. Ish.

~~(Honestly I started writing way too much character stuff because I liked the characters, and then I remembered I was going to murder them all horribly. And then I was sad. But then I started writing death scenes and I was, like, 'Wow, this is tons of fun too!' And then I was sad because I realized what a sick fuck I was for enjoying it. And then I kept going.)~~

Are you still reading this? Oh my fuck, stop typing, no one cares! Just get to the murder! Yeah, there's like an eighty percent chance of murder over the next three chapters.

A Sucker for a Pretty Face

The silence of the place was deafening. It hung heavy in the air, thick enough to cut with a knife. Jack stopped at a corner, holding his breath, straining his ears. Silence prevailed.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. There was something clawing at him, an itch inside his skull. Something was off about the way Setter had spoken. An undercurrent of panic, maybe? What reason would Setter have to be afraid, safe and sound inside his little viewing room.

Maybe Merry was into pegging.

Jack snickered softly at the thought as he rounded the corner and continued down the hallway beyond.

Speaking of the backwater politician, he had been in something of a sour mood ever since she’d shown up. There had been a poorly concealed look of casual contempt on her face the instant she had laid eyes on him. She had kept in on while looking at Gavrii and Daisy. It only seemed to drop when Val had arrived, becoming… what had it been? Some twisted mix of arousal and appreciation.

A humorless smirk found its way onto his face. Maybe his bad mood was born of jealousy. The smirk quickly faded as he continued padding along, thoughts drifting to Merry’s presence in the castle.

Why had she suddenly wanted to see what went on inside the castle walls? He had always imagined that even a vague notion of Val’s appetites would turn the gray-haired bitch’s delicate stomach. There was a chance that he was wrong about her. Politicians tended to be into freaky stuff.

And yet, the itch persisted. Jack idly scratched his head, just behind his ear. It didn’t help.

Could there be another reason for her being there? Maybe she was under pressure from some sort of law enforcement and was ratting them out to save her own ass. Maybe that was how she managed to get so many ‘guests’ for Val.

But if that was true, where were the police? Val had started hunting a few hours ago and would have surely snagged at least one of them by now. No office worth his badge would stand idly by while some poor, innocent soul was eaten alive.

A whimper pierced the silence, pulling him from his musings like a cold bucket of water. He flattened himself against the wall, his revolver stirring anxiously under his coat. He held his breath, listening. Quiet, limping footsteps reached his ears, along with shallow, uneven breathing.

Whoever it was, they were wounded, or frightened. Jack took a slow, deep breath, sliding his hand inside his coat and wrapping his fingers slowly around the grip of his gun. The footsteps were getting closer, maybe a dozen yards away now. He tugged on the gun a little, loosening it from its housings.

The source of the footsteps came into view from around a corner. She was an Earth Pony, middle aged with a magenta coat and a pink and off white mane. She wore a sweater, a pair of pants, and an expression of fear and worry.

The files, the photos, he had hardly skimmed them. This mare… he couldn’t place her. Had he seen her before? She certainly didn’t look the part of Val’s usual fare.

She was looking around, she would spot him in a second or two. He could draw and put one through her head by the time she finished turning around. And yet, something compelled him to stop. She looked so… innocent? She looked like someone’s mother, or aunt. Nothing like a murderer or a drug dealer. And she clearly wasn’t having any fun.

She turned and saw him. She blinked. So did he.

He always was a sucker for a pretty face.

She opened her mouth. “Help!”

Help?

“Help me!” she shouted again, starting towards him.

Jack blinked again. His hand was still inside his coat. He pulled it out, fingers wrapped around his revolver.

She was still coming. Her hands were up. Her hands were empty.

She was saying something, whatever it was faded to a whimper when she caught sight of the gun. She staggered to a stop, staring at him. Her eyes flicked from his face to the gun and back. She whimpered again.

“Who are you?” he said, the sound of his own voice surprising him.

“Ch-Cheerilee,” she whispered, her voice carrying far in the quietness of the hall. “Who are you?” She looked at the gun again.

Jack took his eyes off of her to glance down at the gun. He lowered it to his side as he looked back at her, feeling almost embarrassed.

“Look, I-” he cleared his throat, trying to hold his gun arm tighter against his side. “My name is Jack.” He floundered for a moment, trying to find the words. “…What are you doing here?”

She gingerly touched the side of her head. “I came here with my students and my-” she stopped short, shuddering. She shook it off and met his gaze. “My students, they’re in danger. We have to call the police.”

Jack tilted his head. “Students?”

Cheerilee nodded vigorously, taking a step towards him. “I’m a high school teacher. My students and I came here and… I was attacked. By this big, snake… lady thing. She, she…” She winced, again touching the side of her head, taking a breath.

Jack shook his head. “You’re a high school teacher? You brought a class here?”

Cheerilee let out most of the breath, nodding. “Yes, I did. And a big snake lady ate my colt friend.” she said, taking another step forward. Her initial meekness was fading. “It sounds crazy, it is fucking crazy, but she ate my colt friend. And I… I think she ate one of my students. She might have gotten more. We have to call the police!”

Jack took a breath. “I can’t do that.”

The meekness vanished in an explosion of fury. “What the fuck do you mean you can’t?” she shouted, her voice echoing down the halls.

“Keep quiet!” he said, closing the distance between the two of them and grabbing her arm. “Listen, I don’t have a phone on me and the police wouldn’t be much help anyway.”

“Let go of me!” she yelled, twisting in his grip.

He released her and backed off a few steps, holding out his left hand. “Sorry. Now please be quiet.”

She glared at him with enough fire to melt steel, but obligingly hissed her next sentence. “Why wouldn’t the police be much help?”

“Because this is all a misunderstanding,” he said in a soft tone, edging his way back towards her. “Look, I can fix this. Come with me.”

She looked at him warily. “What do you mean, fix this?”

He shook his head. “I’ll explain on the way there, but you have to come with me. It’s not supposed to be like this, we were lied to.” It was a dumb move, but he tucked his revolver back into his holster, holding up both hands to show they were empty. “I can fix everything, but you have to come with me.” He repeated, extending one of his hands.

She tilted her head, eyeing him like a strange animal she had met in the forest. But, slowly, she reached out and took his hand. He let out a breath he hadn’t realized he had been holding and nodded, pulling her gently along with him as he turned and went back the way he had come.

They didn’t make it down the corridor before she spoke again.

“What do you mean you were lied to?”

Jack sighed. It was funny. Your life never seems fucked up until someone else points it out to you.

“It’s… complicated. Give me a moment.” He pulled the radio out of his pocket, fiddling with it for a moment before hitting the button. “Setter?”

The radio crackled back a moment later. “What now?”

“Where is Val?”

The reply was confused. “What?”

Jack snarled. “Look at the screens and tell me where the fuck Val is, now!”

The wait for the reply was either a few seconds or an hour. It was probably the former.

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know.”

“I mean I don’t know! I’m… look, I’m not in the camera room right now.”

Jack actually grinded to a halt, his companion accidentally running into him. Might as well have been a butterfly running into a brick wall.

Jack brought the radio close to his face. “Well then, where the fuck are you?”

Author's Note

Oh hey there Cheerilee. Haven't seen you in like, what, two years?

For anyone that cares (me), this scene was originally longer, with Jack going into some rather deep thoughts about previous going ons in the castle. I was so bored writing it I scrapped most of it in exchange for a few more Max Payne references. I fucking love Max Payne.

(Oh hey, no murder in this one either. What a fucking shock, amiright?)

Dead by Dawn

Double Moon Flare grunted as she leaned her shoulder against the last of the wooden benches, pushing it along the floor and against one of the doors leading out of the hall. She let out a sighed and sat down on the bench, leaning back.

Flare looked around. On the other side of the hall Twisty and Xander were adjusting one of the other barricades. Token was still peering out the windows, desperately searching for Laser Bright. Ember seemed to be busying herself going over the stacks of food they had, tallying them or organizing them or whatever; her seemingly ever present camera sat on the table nearby.

And Scary was sitting in the theater seats. The projector stood silent, but Scary wasn’t looking at the screen anyway. She was hunched over slightly, looking at something in her lap. Based on the way her right arm was moving, she was writing something.

Flare took a breath and looked away. Should she go ask Twisty what to do next? Try and help Token or Ember?

Flare sighed and shook her head. She stood up and made her way over to the theater seats. She sidled over to Scary, awkwardly clearing her throat.

Scary jumped a little, a hand going over the notebook in her lap as she looked up. When her eyes met Flare’s she relaxed a little, hand coming away from her notebook. Scary coughed and gestured vaguely to the seat beside her.

Flare nodded and eased herself into the seat, leaning back and away from Scary, who leaned over her notebook again, turning slightly away from Flare. A few moments of silence stretched between the two before Flare said something.

“So, uh, what are you, um, doing?” Flare briefly wished she had some genuine talent for magic, so she could wipe that sentence from hers and everyone else’s memory.

Scary swallowed and brushed a hand over the page, straightening up. Hesitantly, she picked up her notebook and placed it on the little armrest. On the page was a rather crude drawing of a Lamia, fang-filled jaws opened wide.

Ember cleared her throat again. “Is that, uh, Val?”

“Y-yeah,” Scary said, reddening a little as she quickly pulled the notebook back into her lap. “I, uh, just needed to work on something.” She gestured with her pencil to where Twisty and Xander stood. “And I’m not all that physical, so...” She smirked ruefully and tapped the notebook.

“You helped earlier,” Flare said, sitting up a little.

“Adrenalin,” Scary shrugged. She glanced down at her drawing before grimacing and snapping the notebook close.

Flare sighed and shifted in her seat. “…Hey, Scary?”

Scary looked over. “Yeah?”

“This whole, uh, thing. It’s kinda like one of your stories, right?”

Scary chuckled. “Yeah, I guess so.” She shook her head. “Not sure if I could have come up with a big snake lady that eats ponies.”

Flare smirked. “Well, assuming you did, what would happen now?”

Scary gave her a sideways look. “Flare, this isn’t-”

Flare smiled and reached over, taking Scary’s hand in her own. “I know. But let’s pretend it is. What happens next?”

Scary took a moment to answer, staring at her hand in Flare’s. She seemed to remember herself and her gaze snapped back to Flare’s face.

“Well, um, we’re pretty secure in here with food and the lights are still on, so, uh…” Scary swallowed dryly. “Maybe the lights would go out?”

Flare smiled and then jumped when a sudden boom sounded. She looked around frantically, only realizing after a few moments that what she had heard was thunder. She settled back down in her seat, laughing nervously and glancing around. Thankfully, it seemed as though most everyone else had jumped as well.

Flare looked back at Scary, the Thestral’s expression somewhere between a grimace and an amused smirk. Flare smirked and shook her head, again taking Scary’s hand.

“Okay, okay, ah, what else would happen?”

Scary again took a moment to answer. “Oh, uh, I guess the rainstorm would break. Lightning flashing though the dark and stuff like that.”

Flare nodded, squeezing Scary’s hand a little. “Anything else?”

“Um,” Scary’s mouth worked a few times, no words coming out. “Uh, maybe, ah-”

“Guys!”

Token’s sudden shout broke the relative quietness after the thunder. Scary stood up, pulling her hand out of Flare’s. She took a step forward, but then hesitated, looking back. Their eyes met for an awkward moment before Flare looked away, standing up as well. Keeping a few paces away from each other, they made their way over to the windows along with everyone else.

Token was standing rather precariously on the slanted windowsill, almost but not quiet touching the glass. He was pointing excitedly at something outside.

“What is it?” Twisty asked, moving close to the window.

“See that, out there by that lamppost?” Token said, finger pointing.

Flare moved up next to Twisty and squinted. The lamppost was a fair ways away from the window and something lay at its base. Far too small to be a pony, but it certainly was something.

“What is it?” Flare asked, looking from the window to Token.

“That’s my jacket,” Token said like he had just struck oil. “…I left it with Laser Bright.” He explained after a moment.

Ember spoke up from the back of the group. “But, it just lying there isn’t a good sign, is it?”

Token’s jaw worked a few times before any sound came out. “I-”

“The hell?” Flare said aloud as the lamppost outside suddenly went out, plunging the area outside into darkness.

Token turned his attention back to the window, nearly pressing his nose against it. He squinted, pressing a hand to the glass. The window suddenly shattered as something smashed through it, showering the assembled ponies with shards of glass. Token was knocked from his perch, his fall broken by Scary and Xander. The three fell to the floor in a crumpled heap.

Flare quickly recovered from her backwards stumble, rushing forward and pulling Scary to her feet, brushing bits of glass from her clothes. Flare hesitated a moment longer than she should have before also hauling Xander up. Ember, who seemed to have escaped the glass and the falling Token, helped said Changeling from the floor.

Twisty moved in among the group, trying to pick away clinging splinters of glass. Flare moved out of the way, looking up at the now broken window. She turned from the open space to the glass littering the floor, following the trail to the metaphorical brick through the window.

“That’s my jacket,” Token said as Flare picked up the article of clothing.

Flare nodded, turning the letter jacket over in her hands. She felt something shift in one of the pockets. She reached inside and pulled out a cell phone.

“It’s Laser Bright’s phone,” Flare said, looking up from the device.

Token made his way over to her, mutely taking his jacket and staring at the phone in her hand. Everyone jumped as the phone let out a loud sound like a ringing bell. A message alert flashed onscreen.

Without really thinking about it, Flare swiped the screen. The ringing stopped and a video began to play.

“Hmm, let’s just get you steady here,” murmured a smoky voice. A face appeared on the screen, green and reptilian. “Ah, there we are.”

“Guys, you should come take a look at this.” Flare said, the rest of the group crowing around her as she turned the volume up on the phone.

The Lamia on screen smiled. “Well, since the cat is out of the bag, my little ponies, I suppose now is the best time to explain the rules. I’d do so in person, but I doubt you’d let me get close enough at this point.” The Lamia snickered and continued. “The rules are simple. Well, rule rather. This little game of ours ends at dawn. If the sun comes up and you’ve managed to stay on this side of my scales, you’ve won and will be free to go.”

The Lamia’s face suddenly grew larger on the screen as she brought the phone close. Her brilliant red tongue licked across the lens, smudging it. “Good luck,” she sang softly before the video ended.

Flare swallowed dryly, arms falling to her sides.

“What time is it?” someone asked after a moment.

“Just past midnight,” Flare heard Twisty reply. The pink mare moved out in front of the group. “Dawn is at seven o’clock on the dot.”

“So we wait her out here?” Scary asked.

“We have food and a decent barricade. Here is our best shot.”

“And if we make it, do you think she’s actually going to just let us go?” Ember asked.

Flare watched Twisty frown. A deep, painfully uncertain frown. It looked horribly out of place on her.

“She’s crazy,” Twisty said after a moment. “She might be crazy enough to keep her word, but until dawn we don’t have much of a choice other than waiting her out.”

“What about running?” Token said suddenly, looking up from the jacket in his arms for the first time since Flare had found it. “The van. If we move quickly enough, we could make it.”

“Miss Cheerilee has the keys,” Scary said, picking another piece of glass from her hoodie. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t hotwire a car.”

A murmur of similar statements made its way through the group, Twisty merely shaking her head.

Xander spoke up next. “Val didn’t say anything about Miss Cheerilee, right? Before, when she attacked you.”

Twisty nodded hesitantly. “She didn’t mention her, but that was a while ago. She might have-”

“We should try looking for her,” Ember said, cutting Twisty off. “She has the keys, which means we could just get the fuck out of here right now instead of waiting around seven fucking hours.”

“Do you want to go back out there, Ember?” Twisty growled, her tone harsh. “Val could have killed us both back at the rooms. She was playing with us.”

Ember seemed to deflate, shoulders falling as she shuffled back a step.

Twisty sighed and rubbed her eyes. “Look, if Miss Cheerilee finds us we will bring her in here. And if she has the keys then we’ll make a run for the van. But here is the safest place right now. We have food and light and-”

And as though on cue, the lights suddenly went out.

Author's Note

Names be droppin' all over the damn place.

And hey, uh, there was an explicit threat of murder in this chapter. Conspiracy to commit murder is the same as murder in the eyes of the court, so... yay?

A Token Gesture

Twisty clicked closed the lighter in her hands, the last of the candles now burning. She didn’t know nor particularly care to know why an assortment of candles and a few lighters had been included in the hall’s arrangements. But, like everything else she had encountered in the last few hours, it smacked of deliberateness.

Since meeting Val and acquiring her current fetishized attire, Twisty had been moving near nonstop. She hadn’t had time to really think about much beyond the next few steps forward. Now, as she and her friends huddled around a few candlesticks, she had time.

Val could have eaten her when she found her wet and naked in the hall. Val could have caught her or Ember back in the rooms. And now she was tossing jackets and phones through windows and cutting the power like she was a villain in one of Scary’s stories.

Twisty chewed the inside of her cheek as she stared at the dancing candle flame, not really seeing it. The seemingly arbitrary time limit Val had given them was just as odd. Why do that, or any of this? What was the point beyond mere sadistic entertainment?

Maybe that was the point.

“Twisty?”

Twisty jumped, pulled from her thoughts. She spun around, coming face to face with Token. The Changeling seemed startled by her sudden movements and back away a step. Token coughed and folded his arms, apparently having now put on his letter jacket.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,”

Twisty shook her head. She tried to give him a reassuring smile, but the corners of her mouth refused to turn upwards.

“It’s alright, Token. We’re all a little jumpy right now.” Twisty leaned against the table the candle sat on, again trying to create an air of casualness. However hopeless and pointless the effort. “You, uh, probably want your lighter back, right?”

Token waved his hand. “Nah, just, uh, hang onto it for now.” He coughed again. “I just, uh, wanted to apologize. For earlier. For not believing you.”

Twisty’s smile was a little more convincing this time. “There’s no need to apologize, Token.”

Token nodded. “Thanks,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, Xander said he was going to try and fiddle with the radio. Not sure if that’ll help any, but I thought you’d want to know.”

Twisty nodded, pushing away from the table. “Thanks. I’ll go see if he’s having any luck.”

Twisty picked up the candle and moved passed Token, heading for one of the other patches of light in the dark. The largest cluster of candles was in the middle of the hall, placed on the floor with Scary, Flare, and Ember sitting down among them. The rest were strewn rather haphazardly around. Twisty made a mental note to take the time to arrange them in a more organized fashion.

She soon crossed the hall to where Xander was standing. He was leaning over a table, fiddling with the radio sitting there. As she approached, she could hear quiet snippets of stations along with frequent bursts of static. Xander didn’t seem to notice her, too focused on his task. Twisty cleared her throat, making Xander tense up. Once he looked over his shoulder and saw her, he visibly relaxed.

“Hey, Twisty,” he said, turning back to the radio and fiddling with one of the knobs.

“Hey, Xander. Ah, Token said you were doing something with the radio here?”

Xander nodded. “Yeah, I think I remember hearing that there’s a way to send a distress signal with any old radio. I’m just trying to figure out how.”

Twisty nodded. “That’s good,” There was a rather long pause. “Is there, um, anything I can do to help?”

Xander chuckled, “I don’t suppose you have an instruction manual lying around?”

Twisty smiled. “I’m afraid not.”

Xander grunted. “Was worth a try,” He sighed and rubbed his eyes. “You know what’s bothering me the most about all this?”

Twisty tilted her head. “What?”

“The wait,” Xander shook his head. “Right now we’re all jumping at our own shadows, waiting for her to come in here and…” he trailed off, adjusting the radio’s antenna.

“I don’t think she can get in here,” Twisty said after a few moments.

“How’s that?”

“She’s too big for the windows. And I doubt she could break down those doors with her bare hands. I think she’s waiting for one of us to go outside.”

“Might not have to wait that long,” Xander said, jerking his head towards the rest of the group. “They’re getting antsy over there. I can’t say blame them.”

“Neither can I.” Twisty sighed. “Let me know if you have any luck with the radio.”

“Will do,”

Twisty slowly made her way over to where the others were sitting amongst a dozen or so candles. As she approached, she could hear them talking in low voices.

“…word of some crazy fucking snake cunt.” Ember was saying.

“If the lights are out here, then they’re probably out everywhere else too.” Scary said, tapping a pencil against her notebook. “I can see alright in the dark, but what about the rest of you?”

“We have the candles, we’ll just take them with us.”

Flare shook her head. “She’ll be able to spot us from a mile away.”

Token spoke up next. “What about one of us goes out there with a candle and gets her attention?”

It was here that Twisty reached the group. “You’re not suggesting that someone acts as bait?”

Token shrugged. “Not someone. Me.”

Ember shook her head. “Come on now, Token. Stop with the crazy talk.”

“What’s so crazy about it? She goes after me and loses track of the rest of you.”

Twisty sighed. “Spitting up the group is just going to make us easier to pick off one at a time.”

“And staying together makes it easier to get us all in one go.” Token rubbed the back of his neck. “Look guys, I just can’t fucking stand sitting here waiting for her to-”

The sound of shattering glass cut through the air. Twisty turned towards the sound, seeing large shards of glass land and fragment just a dozen feet away. It barely registered for a few moments, the nearby candle flickering and being reflected by scores of broken shards. Rain fell on the glass, a stray drop hitting the candle and smothering the flame.

Twisty snapped back to reality and looked up. The ceiling of the hall, she hadn’t really ever looked at it before. It was too dark to see up there now. That is until a helpful flash of lightning lit up the sky.

There were windows on the roof. Tall, wide windows big enough to fit a dining room table through. And silhouetted in one of the windows was a serpentine shape.

Twisty felt a sudden sickness rise in the back of her throat. They had trapped themselves. She had trapped them.

“She’s on the roof!” Twisty shouted, snatching up one candles and rushing towards one of the doors.

“What?” she heard one of the others say behind her. It might have been Ember, but Twisty didn’t stop to confirm.

“Twisty, wait!” she heard Scary shout as more lightning split the sky. “Twisty, what about the roof?”

Twisty ran past a confused Xander and closed the distance to the door in the space of a few heartbeats. She slammed into the barricade they had made. Dropping the candle down beside her, she began pulling it apart. Or trying to at least.

Scary was the first to reach her side. “Twisty, what the fuck-?”

Scary stopped dead when Twisty turned to her. Maybe it was the look in Twisty’s eyes.

“There’s windows on the roof,” Twisty said, suddenly and acutely aware she was out of breath. “Val’s on the roof.”

The color seemed to drain from Scary’s face. She tossed away her candle and began pulling at the barricade. The others were only a few steps behind. They too began to tear into the barricade, pulling it apart with what felt like agonizing slowness as a third window shattered.

Twisty glanced to her left and her right. Everyone was there except for Xander. Twisty looked over her shoulder for him just as something large landed on the ground with a heavy thump.

Val uncoiled herself, her rising form lit faintly by the few candles still burning around her. Her eyes met Twisty’s and a grin stretched her lips. Val’s body tensed, but before she could spring forward, a tall figure crashed into her.

“Hurry!” Xander shouted, jumping back as Val recovered and swung a fist at him.

Twisty tore her gaze away and helped Scary pull another bench from the pile. Behind her she could hear the Xander grunting and yelping in pain. Beside her, Ember was swearing angrily, leaning her shoulder against a table and shoving it to the side. Flare threw a chair aside, Scary kicking another out of the way.

Twisty pushed the last chair out of the way and wrenched the door open. The hallway beyond was brightly lit, shining like a lighthouse into the darkened hall.

“Go! Go!” she shouted, physically shoving Scary through the doorway. Ember was a step behind her, but hesitated.

She turned and shouted. “Xander!”

Twisty looked behind her. Xander wall falling, his legs swept out from under him by Val’s tail. He landed heavily on his back, the blow knocking his glasses away. Val was soon looming over him, panting, with a smile plastered on her face.

And then from behind her, Token came running up. He jumped, landing on Val’s back and wrapping an arm around her throat. A look of surprise flashed across her face as the air was suddenly cut off. She jerked back out of the light, giving Xander time to stagger to his feet and move shakily towards them.

“Where’s-” he started to say, squinting, but Ember cut him off as she grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

“Fucking come on!” she shouted, pulling him through the doorway.

“Go!” Twisty yelled at Flare.

“Not without you!” Flare replied, moving through the doorway and pulling Twisty with her.

Twisty twisted out of Flare’s grip and moved to the door, looking back in the hall. Token stumbled into view. He looked up, his gaze meeting Twisty and he flashed her a strange smile.

Before Twisty could shout at him to run, before he could take a single step, a tail covered in green scales snaked out from the darkness. It wrapped around his ankles and pulled his legs out from under him. Token pitched forward, landing hard. He looked up, blinking away tears of pain, his eyes meeting Twisty’s once more.

And he was pulled into the darkness without a sound.

Twisty couldn’t move, couldn’t breath. She just stood there, frozen against the doorway, staring at where Token had vanished. Val suddenly loomed out from the darkness, low to the ground, her muscles tensed.

Twisty managed to react more on instinct than anything else. She pulled the door closed as Val sprung forward, stumbling back as the Lamia crashed into it. Flare was pulling on her arm and they were moving.

Flare might have been talking, but Twisty couldn’t hear over the roaring in her ears.

Token clawed desperately at the stone floor as he was pulled backwards. His nails scratched uselessly at the stone floor, the surface too smooth to get any sort of purchase on. He was suddenly whipped around, his ankles slipping free from his attacker’s tail. He tumbled over and over before finally coming to a stop.

He laid there, his world still spinning. A distant-sounding thud reached his ears, but he barely noticed it. After a moment, the world settled and he was able to tell which way was up and which way was down. He tried crawling forward, away from the thing in the room with him.

He didn’t get very far.

Hundreds, maybe even thousands of pounds of fat and muscle were suddenly laid atop him, crushing him, squeezing the life from his body. Every breath he took seemed to be smaller than the last. The already dim hall was growing darker, his vision getting fuzzier by the moment.

And then, suddenly, the weight was gone.

Token took a deep, gasping breath of air, almost choking on it. He went into a fit of painful coughing that curled him up into a ball. It soon passed and he slowly uncurled, becoming aware that he was laying on his side on the ground.

He didn’t move for a time, his breathing slowly returning to normal. Thoughts trickled through his head. The storm, the glass, the big snake, crashing into her. He could hear the steady patter of rain as well as smell the moister. Glancing around him, he found the area dark save for three or four far away little spots of light.

Before he could get to his feet, he was forcibly rolled over onto his back. Something moved in the darkness above him. A sudden flash of lightning illuminated the face of the Lamia.

As the lightning faded, another, warmer light approached. Token looked to the side, seeing one of the few remaining candles being brought over by the Lamia’s tail. She placed the candle on the ground just out of Token’s reach.

The Lamia nodded to herself and turned her attention back to Token. It was the first time he had gotten a good look at her, only vaguely remembering that initial encounter in the hallway that now seemed like months ago.

She was naked. Starkly naked.

The Lamia brought up part of her tail, leaning on it as she stared at him. She seemed to notice where his eyes were focused. She smirked, seemingly amused.

“Hey there, sweetie,” she said casually, like they were two strangers sharing a café table.

Token remained silent, resolutely staring at her face.

The Lamia chuckled. “You know, I just wanted to say that I think you’re an amazingly brave boy. Jumping on me like that?” she shivered and grinned. “It gives me chills just thinking about it.”

Token blinked a few times, but otherwise just laid there.

The Lamia shook her head. “Hm, the strong, silent type? Come on now, sweetie.”

A few moments passed before Token finally spoke. “You killed my friend.”

Again the Lamia chuckled, shaking her head. “Did I now?”

“Yeah, you did,” Token growled. He made a move to get up, only to be firmly pushed down by the tip of the Lamia’s tail.

“I didn’t kill your friend, sweetie. I just gobbled her up is all.” The Lamia loving patted the section of her tail she was leaning on. “She’s quite alright, I assure you.”

Token’s breath caught in his throat. His jaw worked for a few moment before he found his voice. “What?” he managed to croak out.

The Lamia’s tail wormed its way beneath him, pulling his up. Token’s legs were shaky, his entire body was trembling. He stumbled forward, falling into the Lamia’s arms. And her tits. In spite of the sheer insanity of the situation, Token still felt himself blush. He tried to move back, only to feel the Lamia’s arms wrapped around him and hold him there.

“Mmm, well hello to you too,” she said playfully, her hand slowly sliding down his back.

“Laser Bright,” Token said, uncomfortably aware he was more or less saying it into her tit.

The Lamia’s hand halted on his lower back. “What was that, sweetie?”

She loosened her hug just enough that Token could crane his head back and look at her face. “Laser Bright, you said she-”

“Ah yes,” the Lamia chuckled, her hand leaving his back and her hug further loosening. “Sorry, I’m easily distracted around cuties like you.”

The Lamia brought part of her tail close. She took one of Token’s hands in her own and gently pressed it against the smooth, warm scales. It took a few moments, but Token felt it. Felt the shifting of something inside the Lamia’s body.

“It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced,” the Lamia whispered in his ear, her voice tickling. “It’s so soft and wet and warm. And as you can feel,” she chuckled softly “you’ll have some rather pleasant company.”

Token gasped and jerked his hand away from the tail as though it had burned him. He rounded on the Lamia. “You spit her out right fucking now!”

The Lamia did a mock gasp, pushing the tip of her tail against his lips like a shushing finger.

“Now, now, sweetie. There is no need for that sort of… language.” A thoughtful smile creeped across her lips. “Not yet, anyway.”

The tail pulled away, but not quickly enough. Token wasn’t even sure what he was thinking, or if he was thinking at all. He opened his mouth and bit down hard on the Lamia’s tail.

The reaction was predictable. The Lamia let out a sharp yelp of pain, her entire body recoiling and moving back.

Token barely had time to grin when he felt the Lamia’s tail slam into his side. The blow was strong enough to lift him off his feet and send him flying through the air. He crashed into something, hearing as well as feeling something crack from the impact.

He crashed to the floor, the pain from the landing barely registering over the pain in his head. It felt like his brain was going to split his skull open. Red-tinged darkness ate away at the corners of his vision and he soon blissfully passed into unconsciousness.

Val had reacted on instinct, lashing out at the source of pain. And by the time she realized what she was doing, her tail was already connecting with Token. She actually flung him into the air, sending him careening into one of the windows. The thick glass cracked from the impact and Token fell to the floor, laying there unmoving.

Val rushed over and scooped up the Changeling. His eyes were closed and his didn’t react to her touch. There was a nasty gash on the side of his head, oozing blood.

Mumbling apologies, Val checked his pulse and listened closely to his mouth. The Lamia let out a sigh of relief. His pulse was strong and he was still breathing.

Val cradled Token in her coils and arms, tracing one of his head fins with a finger. “Silly, silly boy. We didn’t even establish a safe word first.” She shook her head and carried him away from the window.

The hall was dark, even for her, but there was enough light for her to find her way around. Mostly, anyway. After what Jack had told her, Val was thankful she never had to endure the pain of stubbing a toe.

She slithered over to the row of theater seats, easing Token’s unconscious body into one of them. Val pulled a few napkins from a nearby table, wetting them down with a helpfully placed bottle of water. Murmuring to herself, she sponged the blood from Token’s head.

Tossing the bloodied napkins away, Val shook her head and sighed.

Spirits, was I always such a klutz? Knock out any more and I might as well go on a diet.

Val smirked and rubbed her forehead. She shouldn’t dwell. For all she knew, Cheerilee had woken up by now. And brave little Token here probably would too. Well before the sun rose.

Val gave the Changeling’s face one last tender caress before moving to rise up. She paused as lightning flashed through the windows, noticing something glinting faintly on the ground. Val pulled a nearby candle to her and moved the light to where she saw the glint. Laying there on the floor, in remarkable condition, was a pair of glasses. Val smiled and plucked the spectacles from the floor.

She rose up, properly this time, and cricked her neck. She moved to the door Twisty and the rest of her friends had fled through. She pried it open, squinting at the sudden light.

The hallway beyond the door split into no less than three different directions with a staircase leading up representing a fourth. A toothy grin spread across Val’s face.

“Einie, meanie, mineie, moe…”

Author's Note

Y'know, if Val wasn't a murderous, hedonistic psychopath, she probably be like a really cool aunt. One you could hang out with, talk about all sorts of things, and have kink sex with without it being weird.

Someone should write a whole story about that.

For realsies though, I'm wondering if it's worth it to slap a non-con tag on this story, what with all the lack of consent.

We'll Do Lunch

“Please don’t fire me. Please don’t fire me. It was just the one time and I sprayed everything down afterwards. Please don’t fire me!” Cheerilee repeated her mantra in a worried hush as she hurried through the streets of Ponyville.

It was a bright and sunny day -because wasn’t it just always?- and while Cheerilee certainly liked sunny days just as much as the next pony, today all that sun did was beat down upon her. She was sweating bullets, both from the heat and from her own nervousness.

The Mayor knew. She had to know. Why else would she leave such a short message? “Miss Cheerilee, please come to town hall as soon as possible.” That was not a ‘Come on by, we’ll do lunch,’ sort of message. That was a ‘You left your bodily fluids all over school property. And much like then, you are fucked,’ sort of message.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Cheerilee swore under her breath as she dodged a passing cart filled to the brim with apples.

Cheerilee soon arrived in the town square and barreled right through it to town hall. The magenta mare found herself lucky as someone was leaving just as she was approaching, allowing her to sprint right through the open door.

The schoolteacher nearly lost her balance as she skirted the receptionist’s desk, ignoring the earnest young mare’s attempts to assist her. Cheerilee knew the way just fine, avoiding the too slow elevator and unintentionally slamming herself into the door to the stairs. Luckily, the unyielding door offered something sturdy to lean against.

Cheerilee drew in a deep breath. Once she had regained her footing, she very carefully pulled the door open and stepped into the stairwell. Once the stairs were in front of her, Cheerilee bolted up them. Two, three, sometimes four at a time. She was pulling open the third floor door in no time.

The third floor of town hall housed a boardroom, a relatively small office for the Mayor’s secretary, and the Mayor’s office proper, with a hallway connecting the three rooms to the elevator and the stairs.

Cheerilee paused at the mouth of this hallway, panting. She took a steadying breath, trying to even out her shallow breathing, and ran a hand through her messy mane. She smoothed out the front of her shirt, as best she could anyway. She traversed the hallway as quickly as she could without running, stopping to poke her head into the secretary’s office.

“Excuse me, Raven, is the Mayor in?” Cheerilee asked in as steady a voice she could muster.

Raven looked away from her computer screen and gave Cheerilee a friendly smile. “Yes, she’s expecting you.” Raven then tilted her head, bemused. “Miss Cheerilee, you didn’t run here, did you?”

“No,” Cheerilee replied easily. A lifetime of lying to foals came in handy on occasion.

Raven gave Cheerilee a knowing look and waved her towards the Mayor’s office.

As Cheerilee approached the frosted glass, she could hear muffled voices.

“More to the left. The left. Ah, right there, perfect. Sweet Celestia, you’re good at this,” said the voice of the Mayor. Was she talking to someone?

“You embarrass me, miss Mayor,” an all too familiar voice replied.

Cheerilee sucked in a breath. “Fuck,” she swore again. Well, this was it. She had a good run in the education business. There were plenty of other jobs for a mare with her skill set though, right?

Cheerilee steadied her breathing, made a little finger gun gesture to her temple, and opened the door.

The first thing she noticed was the Earth Pony stallion. He was wearing a slightly rumpled black suit, his dark brown mane already halfway returned to its usual messy state, and he was engrossed in the construction of a sandwich. It was all pretty much par for the course with him.

Cheerilee looked from the stallion to the mare sitting opposite him. Mayor Merry Mare was wearing her red suit today. The one that showed off a bit more cleavage than one would think appropriate. The cream-colored mare was leaning back in her chair, arms folded behind her head, and legs crossed and feet resting on the edge of her desk.

The Mayor only seemed to take notice of Cheerilee when she heard the door close behind her. She looked in Cheerilee’s direction and smiled widely.

“Ahh, Miss Cheerilee, you’re earlier than we expected.”

Upon hearing this, the suited stallion perked up and turned around. He smiled happily once he saw her.

“Hey there, Cheer,”

Cheerilee returned his smile weakly. “Hi, Reuben,”

Reuben’s smile faltered a little as he tilted his head, like a puzzled dog. “You okay there, Cheer? You look like you just ran a marathon.”

Cheerilee shrugged. “I was, uh, out for a run before I came here.”

“You must be famished,” the Mayor interjected. “Reuben?”

The brown stallion jumped a little, suddenly remembering where he was. “Oh, right,” He turned around and scooped up a completed sandwich from the desk. “Honey hay, nut and grain bread, mayonnaise, lettuce, no tomato,” he rattled off as he offered the sandwich to Cheerilee.

Cheerilee hesitated for a moment before shrugging mentally and taking the sandwich, biting into it hungrily. If she was going to be fired, she was going to do it on a full stomach. Reuben watched her devour the sandwich with a look of concern, silently handing her a glass of water once she had eaten half of it. Cheerilee mumbled a word of thanks past a mouthful, washing it down with a gulp of water.

It was only after she stuffed the last morsel past her lips did Cheerilee realize both Reuben and the Mayor had been quietly watching her. She chewed slowly and awkwardly before giving one last dry swallow and setting the now empty glass back on the desk.

“You look better already,” the Mayor noted with a smile, only now taking her feet from her desk and resting her arms upon it. She cleared her throat, getting Reuben’s attention and giving him a ‘carry on’ gesture.

Reuben smiled awkwardly and quickly tended to the partially completed sandwich still sitting on the Mayor’s desk. In a few moments, he was laying the top slice of bread on and handing it over to her.

“White cheese, white bread, little bit of pepper, hay burger patty, and cucumbers,” Reuben recited, making the corners of Cheerilee’s mouth twitch upwards.

The Mayor took the sandwich without a word and took a bite. After a minute or two of thoughtful chewing, she swallowed and gave Reuben a smile. “This right here?” she held up the sandwich “This is art in a deliciously edible format. Honestly, Reuben, I don’t understand why you bother with all this lawyer business.”

“Money,” he replied with a shrug.

The Mayor laughed and nodded. “Fair enough,” she then looked to Cheerilee, “Cheerilee, dear, why are you still standing there. Sit, sit!”

Cheerilee hesitated for a second before doing as the Mayor commanded, Reuben taking the seat beside her. He quickly swiped what remained of the sandwich ingredients into a nearby wastebasket and put his briefcase in their place

The Mayor tapped the tips of her fingers together. “Now, Cheerilee, I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you here.”

Cheerilee nodded, glancing between the Mayor and the briefcase.

“Well, a friend of mine called me just the other day. It was a rather long conversation, so I’ll sum up the important bits. She’s recently inherited an old coastal castle. Now, as I’m sure you can imagine, the property tax on such a thing is more trouble than its worth. Not too long after, our friend Reuben here was giving me a hand with office taxes. And when I mentioned my friend’s plight…. Well, I’ll let him explain.” she gestured for Reuben to begin.

The stallion cleared his throat and shifted in her seat to face more towards Cheerilee. “Okay, Cheer, get this: Celestia’s all about keeping her little ponies educated about the past, right? Well, in the interest of that, historical sites are granted a quite generous property tax breaks. Especially if these historical sites also give educational tours to our impressionable youth.”

Cheerilee’s eyes widened as Reuben’s words sunk in.

Reuben chuckled. “Yeah, you get what I’m getting at. A field trip or two-”

“Educational field trips,” the Mayor interjected.

Reuben nodded, “Right, educational field trips. One or two of those and the castle belonging to miss Mayor’s friend can be declared a historical site. With all the tax breaks that entails.”

Cheerilee looked between Reuben and the Mayor, trying to keep her expression neutral as relief flooded through her. When she spoke, she did so slowly to keep her tone even. “So, I take a class on a field trip to your friend’s castle, they learn a bit about Equestrian history, and your friend cheats the taxpony?”

Reuben scoffed and waved Cheerilee off. “Cheer, come on, it’s not like that. This poor mare just suddenly has some old castle dumped in her lap; she has no idea what to do. I spoke with her on the phone and she told me she damn near had a heart attack when she looked over the tax forms. She’s thinking that family thing or no, she cannot hold on to this place. And if she sells it, it’s gonna get torn down and made into beachfront condos.” Reuben opened up his briefcase and pulled out a few photos. “She sent these over. Look at this place, Cheer.”

Cheerilee sighed and took the proffered photos. They were shots taken some distance away from a modestly sized old-fashioned castle, sitting on a little island just a stone’s throw away from the nearby cliffs. It was likely done at such a distance so that one could appreciate just how high above the waves the place was. Cheerilee had to admit, looking at it; it would be a shame to see such a place disappear.

Cheerilee sighed again and handed the pictures back. “I understand what you mean, Reuben.” she chewed on the inside of her cheek a moment before looking to the Mayor. “There is some historical value to the place?”

The Mayor nodded. “Architecture and craftsmanship aside, I’m told it did house a few interesting if relatively minor figures of history.” the Mayor tapped her fingers against her desk a few times before leaning forward. “Listen, don’t think of this as being used to help preserve a bit of history and a good pony’s coin purse. Think of it as a paid vacation.”

Cheerilee’s ears perked up. “Paid vacation?”

The Mayor grinned and nodded. “Yep. You’d spend the night, maybe the whole weekend if you’re up for it, in the castle. Give the students time to really soak in the place, right? And you would be there too, of course. To supervise.”

Cheerilee was just about to say yes when a sneaky thought wormed its way into her mind. “But, a bunch of foals on an overnight trip to a place like that? Even if the parents sign off on it, if one of them-”

“Foals?” the Mayor interrupted. She thought for a moment before laughing and grinning wider than before. “Ha! Who said anything about foals? You’d be taking that senior class of yours.”

Cheerilee raised an eyebrow. “Them? But, there’s only seven of them.”

“The forms I’ve been looking at say that’s more than enough,” Reuben said.

Cheerilee nodded. “Well, that would be a lot easier. But, seven eighteen year olds in an old, dusty castle for a weekend? I’d almost pick the foals over them.”

“You wouldn’t have to watch their every step. The Mayor’s friend is excited to do the whole tour guide thing, apparently. And, it’s not an old, dusty castle. It’s a big, spooky castle. Probably filled with ghosts and goblins and all other sorts of scary things.” Reuben chuckled. “The Mayor’s friend has you slated for a Nightmare Night stay.”

Cheerilee thought about that. She was sure some of the students would go for that. Probably all of them, even.

“Well…” Cheerilee smiled. “That actually does sound rather nice.”

“A favor for a favor,” the Mayor said. “My friend doesn’t bankrupt herself holding onto the castle and you get a relaxing few days of time off. With pay.”

“And the kids learn something. And we preserve a little bit of history.” Reuben added.

The Mayor waved her hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, I suppose that too.” she laughed again. “So, do I take it you agree, Cheerilee?”

The magenta mare nodded. “You can count me in. Although, I suppose I’ll have to print up the sign off sheets.”

“I took the liberty,” Reuben said as he pulled the papers from his briefcase.

Cheerilee smiled as she took the papers. A paid stay in a castle, on Nightmare Night to boot. Just rest and relaxation, far away from any foals. But, with her students no doubt policing themselves when they weren’t being force fed facts, she’d probably be lonely.

Seeming to read her thoughts, the Mayor spoke again. “You know, Cheerilee, it might be prudent to take Reuben with you. Just so he can dot all the tees and cross all the ies.” the Mayor gave her a wink.

Cheerilee blushed. She didn’t even want to know how the Mayor knew about her and Reuben. Maybe he told her. Oh, he was going to get such the spanking for that.

Cheerilee made a small production of sighing. “Well, if you insist, I guess I’ll take him too.”

Reuben chuckled as he closed up his briefcase. “I know I’m a real drag on ya, Cheer.”

The Mayor clapped her hands together. “Now that that’s all settled, I’m afraid I’ll have to shoo you out the door now. I have some important mayor business to attend to.”

Cheerilee and Reuben stood up from their seats, and after an exchange of goodbyes, were out the door. The Mayor waited for a few moments, eyes glued to the door, before she turned to the phone on her desk. She quickly tapped in a number and waited with held breath as the line rang.

Four rings later, someone on the other end answered.

“It’s me,” the Mayor said in a hushed voice, almost as though she was afraid the walls really did have ears. “We have to meet.”

She listened a moment.

“The usual spot. How soon can you be there?”

The answer came quickly.

“Really? Perfect,” the Mayor glanced at her clock. “Just, one last thing. …Is, ah, is everyone going to be there?”

The Mayor grinned widely at the answer.

“Good, good. I’ll see you soon, then,”

And the line went dead.

“Shit,” muttered Merry as she fumbled with the cheap plastic lighter in her hands. The thing was stubbornly refusing to work properly, leading to the tried and true method of making things work:

Verbal abuse.

“Come on, fucker. Light!”

And like that, a small flame burst from the tiny hole on top of the lighter. Merry was so overjoyed she nearly allowed a sudden gust to blow it out. Muttering more swears past the cigarette in her mouth, she cupped a hand near the lighter and brought it to her lips. She held it to the end of the cigarette for a few moments and took a few puffs. Satisfied it was lit, she allowed the lighter to go out as she leaned back against the hood of her car, taking a proper drag.

She closed her eyes, savoring the first puff of the first and last cigarette of the day. She gently took it from her mouth and exhaled, opening her eyes again. She tucked the lighter in the pocket of the grey overcoat she wore and stuck the cigarette back between her lips.

Merry looked around, chuckling softly. Who would have thunk that a respected politician like herself would be sitting on a lonely country road at dusk, awaiting the arrival of a shadowy figure.

Another drag, another exhale. There was a name for this time of day. The time when the sun had barely set, leaving the sky still light, but the land dark. What was it? …The magic hour, that was it.

Merry fiddled with her ascot and then smoothed her shirt and pants. She puffed a few times as she regarded her watch, tutting at the time. They were usually quite punctual.

Then, as though the universe had heard her thoughts, a black limo cleared a line of trees and turned in her direction. Merry shielded her eyes from the limo’s headlights as it came to a stop. The driver helpfully switched to low beams after a moment.

She heard a door open and close and the sound of footsteps approaching through the dirt. A figure walked out towards her, their features quickly becoming visible.

“Hello, Setter,” Merry said as she pulled her cigarette from her lips.

“Evening, Miss Mayor,” Wire Setter replied in that smooth whiskey voice of his.

Merry smiled. She couldn’t help it with Setter. He just had an air of… sharpness about him. Which was something for a Pegasus. He wasn’t going to grace any magazine covers, but he certainly was pleasing to look at. And he was always wearing a green button up shirt to match his green fur. But his eyes were the best part: a most pleasing shade of yellow, and glittering with intelligence.

“You said you had something for us?” Setter was saying as he ran a hand through his shaggy yellow mane, bringing Merry back to the moment.

“Yes, and you are going to love it,” Merry said as she stuck her cancer stick back in her mouth and crossed her arms in a cocky pose. “I can get you nine.”

Setter was silent for a moment, head slightly cocked to one side. “Did you say, nine?”

Merry nodded. “When you said this was going to be our last deal for a while, I thought I might as well go all out.” She rested a hand on the small metal case that sat beside her on the hood. “I got all the files right here.”

Setter was quiet for a few moments more, and then he smiled. “She feels that same way.”

Setter looked over his shoulder and nodded. There was the sound of another car door opening and another figure approached holding a duffle bag. The figure quickly handing the bag off to Setter and retreated before Merry got a good look at them.

Setter took a moment to heft the bag before offering it to Merry, who grunted a bit louder than she liked as she took its weight.

“It was supposed to be a goodbye present, but she feels like you’ve more than earned it.” Setter said with a smile as Merry set down the heavy bag.

Merry nodded and fidgeted for a second before speaking. “I, ah, was wondering something.”

“Yes?”

“I want to… meet her.”

Setter blinked, but otherwise his expression remained neutral. He tilted his head, listening to his employer speak into his ear. After a few moments, he nodded, more to himself than her, and indicated for her to follow him.

Merry followed Setter towards and past the limo’s headlights, moving along its body until they came to the door near the back. Setter stopped at the door and awkwardly cleared his throat, scratching his cheek. Merry raised an eyebrow. Setter looked embarrassed for a moment before whispering: “She hates smoke.”

Merry let out a soft ‘oh’ before pulling the cigarette from her mouth and tossing it to the ground, grinding it out with her heel. Setter gave her something of a charming smile and opened the door for her. Merry climbed inside and pulled the door closed.

The interior was pitch black. Merry sat there on what were some quiet comfortable seats for a moment before she heard a click and the light on the ceiling came to life. Aside from the soft creamy coloring of the interior, the light made something else apparent: she was alone.

Before Merry could ask aloud if this was some sort of joke, the soft crackle of a speaker drew her gaze in front of her. It seemed Setter’s boss had retreated behind a privacy wall that cut the passenger compartment of the limo in half. Just below a blacked out window was a small speaker.

“You wanted to meet me?” a distinctly female voice asked, filtering through the speaker.

Merry inspected the privacy wall for a button before the voice clarified itself.

“Just talk, dear,”

Merry cleared her throat. “I did. Want to meet you, that is.”

“Why?”

Merry chuckled nervously. “Well, it’s just that, even after all of the, uh, transactions we’ve done, we’ve never met face to face.”

“Would you really want to?” the voice asked. “You haven’t been told what it is we do, but I imagine some one like you could make… inferences.”

“Oh, I have,” Merry paused and took a breath. “That’s actually why I wanted to meet you. I have a, request of sorts.”

“Oh? And what sorts are you requesting?”

Merry tripped a bit over her next sentence. “I want to come with you. On this next, ah…”

“Hunt?” the voice supplied.

Merry smiled nervously, almost like a foal with a hand in the cookie jar. “Yes. I want to come with you on your hunt.”

“Hm,” the voice sighed, accompanied by a fizzle of static. “Did you want to participate?”

“Goodness, no,” Merry said, adjusting her glasses. “N-not to mean anything bad by that, it’s just not my, uh, thing.”

There were a few breaths of silence, and then there came the soft hum of a motor coupled with the gentle scrap of glass on rubber as the glass window descended just a few inches. Merry heard the voice again, but now unmarred by electronics. It tickled her senses as though speaker’s tongue was in her ear.

“So, you like to watch?” the voice was amused.

Merry felt a hot blush begin to color her cheeks. “Y-yes,” she admitted.

The glass descended further, giving Merry at least a partial view of her client. A reptilian face all but leered at her; golden eyes sparkled with amusement while green lips pulled back in a smile that revealed a mouth full of sharp, white teeth.

“Then I look forward to seeing you there.” Her host paused, a fleshy red tongue moving behind her fangs as she thought about something. “Mmm, and do me a favor, dear. Wear something slutty.”

The Mayor and her client shared a laugh.

“I’ll make sure to do that,” Merry replied with a smile.

“Well, I suppose I’ll be seeing you again come Nightmare Night,” her client said, letting out another soft chuckle. “Until then, my dear Mayor.”

“Until then,” Merry replied, taking the cue to open the door and exit the limo.

Setter was waiting for her outside, standing straight-backed with his hands folded. He looked towards her as she clamored out of the vehicle and shut the door, but was otherwise silent. A moment later, he tilted his head again and then broke out into a wide grin, his shoulders shaking with quiet laughter.

“Oh, miss Mayor. If sources are correct, you’re some sort of sexual deviant,”

Merry returned the grin and waggled her finger. “Now, now, Setter, don’t act all surprised. I am a politician, after all.”

Setter snickered. “Fair enough,”

Merry started walking back towards her car, Setter following beside her. When they arrived at it, Merry took the small metal case and handed it off to Setter. After that, they both turned and faced each other, something of an awkward silence stretching between them. Setter managed to say something first.

“I look forward to seeing you on Nightmare Night, miss Mayor,” Setter said, his wide grin fading into a gentler smile.

Merry returned the smile. “As do I, Setter,” she said as she leaned in closer and dropped her voice to a huskier tone. “And call me Merry.”

Between his fur and the glare of the headlights, it was practically impossible to tell, but Merry thought she saw the stallion blush.

“Alright then, Merry,” he replied, putting just enough emphasis on her name to send a shiver down her spine.

And then, with a tilt of his head and a nod, turned and made his way back to the limo, vanishing behind its lights. She heard the engine purr and the dirt shift beneath the tires as the vehicle backed up. It managed to find a level enough spot to turn itself around and head back the way it had come, vanishing behind the line of trees.

Merry leaned back on the hood of her car again, blowing out a breath. Of all the creatures she imagined her client was, a Lamia was not among them. She reached for a cigarette, only to remember she had already ground out her last one. She snorted and pushed herself off the hood of her car, making her way towards the driver’s seat.

She climbed in and started the ignition, the radio clicking to life. She shook her head and muttered.

“Should have known it was a big fucking snake.”

Author's Note

You may remember a story called The Serpent and the Cheerleader from last year. I found it difficult to finish partly due to being a lazy bastard and, upon reflection, because the concept was quite flawed. Anyway, I threw out the original set up and replaced it with The Most Dangerous Game.

Okay, I say The Most Dangerous Game, but what I mean is Hard Target, but you get the idea.

Anyway, this Author's Note is dragging on. So I'll just leave this here:

The Time of the Season

“…And that’s not even bringing up the fact that this thing has like a magical perpetual battery and can record and store well over twelve hours of HD video and audio.” Ember was saying as the van slowed to a stop. “Oh, and it even has night vision.”

“Cool,” Xander said, in a surprisingly genuine tone. “But, what does a thing like that cost?”

Ember laughed nervously. “A lot, actually. It’s okay, though. The loan I got for it has a low interest rate.”

“We’re here, kids,” Cheerilee said over her shoulder as she undid her belt and opened her door.

Someone opened the side door and after her fellow students had disembarked, Twisty hopped down from the van, dead grass crunching underfoot. She brushed off the front of her pants and did what everyone else was doing: staring up at the castle.

The massive stone structure practically loomed over them, its spires jutting into the darkening sky. The whole thing looked uneven, like it hadn’t been planned out properly before being built. The towers were all different heights, and even from here the stonework on certain sections looked distinctly different. And to top it all off, the thing just plain looked like it was ripped from an old cartoon. Twisty would not have been surprise if there was a flash of lightning behind it to drive the point home.

“Quaint,” Scary said sarcastically eliciting a smirk from Twisty.

“The Mayor’s here,” Reuben said, pointing to the only other car parked nearby.

“She said she might be,” Cheerilee said, shouldering her duffle bag. “Okay kids, grab your stuff and follow me. And in case it wasn’t already obvious, don’t mess around on the bridge.”

There was a chorus of acknowledgments as the students picked up their luggage and followed Cheerilee and Reuben to the bridge. Cheerilee gingerly stepped onto the first plank, easing her weight onto it. When it held she nodded to herself and waved for the others to follow her.

Twisty swallowed dryly and locked her eyes forward, doing her best to ignore the creaking of the bridge as she followed closely behind Reuben. When she had reached the halfway point, a sudden gust of sea wind hit the bridge. Twisty screwed her eyes shut and grabbed hold of the ropes that served as handrails. The bridge swayed violently, but the wind soon died down and the bridge settled back into its gentle rocking. Twisty blew out a breath and kept walking.

“You okay?” Flare asked from behind her, genuine concern replacing her usual sparkly tone.

Twisty nodded. “Yeah, it’s just that… I’m not a big fan of heights.”

Flare raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never had trouble doing the pyramid.”

“There’s a big difference between the top of the pyramid and-” Twisty swallowed dryly and gestured to the space and to the dark waters below them. “And that.”

Flare simply nodded in reply.

Thankfully, the rest of the walk across the bridge was as uneventful as it was short. Twisty let out a noticeable sigh as she stepped back onto solid ground. The group made its way over to the massive pair of double doors and collectively came to a stop.

After a few moments, Reuben spoke up. “Do we knock?”

“The Mayor never specified,” Cheerilee said, staring up at the castle. “Maybe I should-”

There was a sudden and loud groaning like an ancient beast awakening as the doors both swung open. A green Unicorn mare dressed like something a hippie threw up stood in the center of the doorway, arms thrown wide in greeting.

“Welcome!” she shouted happily.

Twisty cringed, partly from the sudden and loud noise and partly from the mare’s almost painfully bright appearance. Her fellow students seemed to concur with her. Except for Scary, who merely giggled quietly.

“Knows how to make an entrance, her,” Scary whispered in Twisty’s ear.

“Hello, my name is Daisy Wiss,” the Unicorn said. “But please, call me Daisy. I’d like to invite you into my lovely home.” Daisy beckoned them forward, turning and walking back inside the castle.

Twisty watched as Miss Cheerilee shrugged and motioned for the class to follow her. They all passed through the doorway and down a short hall to another set of large doors. Daisy pushed these open as well and they entered into a circular room. The Mayor stood waiting in the room, grey overcoat wrapped tightly around her.

“Evening, class,” the Mayor said. Her smile seemed a bit forced.

“Evening, miss Mayor,” Twisty and the others replied back in near perfect unison.

“Good evening, miss Mayor,” Cheerilee and Reuben said together, each tripping over the other’s sentence.

“Good evening,” the Mayor echoed back. She straightened up a little and adopted a tone Twisty had heard at every one of the Mayor’s speeches. “Everypony, I’d like you to meet my good friend Daisy Wiss. She is the mare that owns this estate and she has agreed to give you all a tour. For a small fee, of course.” the Mayor added with a cheeky smile. Daisy gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. The Mayor cleared her throat. “Well, I see you all have your luggage and I’m sure you’re all eager to set it down someplace. Daisy will show you all to where your rooms are.”

There was a noticeable beat before Daisy spoke up. “And from there we will begin the tour. Follow me, please.”

Daisy turned and walked down the hallway to the right of the entrance hall, the assembled ponies following behind her. As she led them past numerous doors and hanging paintings, she began what sounded like a rehearsed speech.

“The area we are currently in was the initial structure built here on this little island just over two hundred years ago. It was originally supposed to actually be an entire castle, but they only managed to complete the front wall. You’ll see here where one architect leaves off and the next carries on.”

Daisy pointed to a section of the wall where the stonework noticeable shifted from larger bricks arrange rather loosely to a smaller and tighter pattern.

“From here the masons and their masters completed the courtyard and main housing section. However, as you’ll no doubt see, it seems through either poor planning or by insistence, the gardens lack a wall blocking them off from the water. Strategically, it’s unsound. But when the sun rises over the water, I think you’ll understand why it was never corrected.”

Daisy led them down a branching hallway and came to a sudden stop. Cheerilee, who had been only a few steps behind her, ran into the poor mare’s back, Reuben soon running into her as well. Twisty narrowly avoided continuing the impromptu comedy routine, even if Ember didn’t.

“Oomph,” Ember let out a grunt. Luckily, Scary and the others was more on their toes.

Daisy turned around, blushing as she brushed off Cheerilee’s front. “Sorry about that. I’d just noticed we’ve stumbled upon one of my tenants.” She turned around and stepped to the side. “Class, I’d like to introduce Miss Valerie Morlin.”

Twisty moved around Reuben to get a better look at their surprise guest. The first thing that struck her was just how large the she was. It was a she, with breasts like those it had to be. Her frame was wider than the average pony’s; it even rivaled a Gryphon’s. She was covered in scales, a vibrant emerald green over her back, arms, and head, but a softer viridian on her throat and down through the middle of her chest and underbelly. At her waist, where on a pony legs would be, her body became a tail that stretched out into the hall behind her. Her head was that of a serpent, hairless, with fiery eyes smoldering behind a pair of black rimmed glasses. She wore a dark blue suit and skirt, a few buttons at the top popped to tease a hint of cleavage and show off the suit’s blood-red lining.

It took Twisty a moment, but she recalled that in one of Ember’s Daring Do books, Daring had met a creature much like Valerie Morlin. A Lamia, the book had called her.

Valerie blinked and quickly drew her tail around herself. “Oh, Daisy, I didn’t know you had guests.” her voice tickled Twisty’s ears.

Daisy coughed. “I didn’t tell you about the tour?”

“No, but it’s quite alright.” Valerie smiled. “It’s nice to see some tender young faces.”

“She rents a few rooms.” Daisy explained. “You write books, right?”

“Among other things.”

“I apologize for the intrusion, Miss Morlin,” Cheerilee said quickly, walking up and shaking Valerie’s hand.

“It really is no trouble at all. And call me Val,” Val said, sticking to a lip smile. “Anyway, I was on my way to bed. But I’m sure I’ll see you all later.”

It was certainly odd, but Twisty could swear that just before Val turned and slithered off, the Lamia deliberately locked eyes with the Earth Pony. The look was almost lustful. Twisty blinked and shook her head, Val already vanishing around a corner.

“Moving along, class,” Daisy said, leading Twisty and the others down a few more twists and turns before stopping at another corridor, this one lined with doors.

“Here are the rooms. The ones that have been upgraded to more modern standards, anyway. Their placement is yet another that suggests this was indeed a place of luxury and not ever meant as any sort of genuine stronghold. The windows again face the water and the walls are no thicker here than anywhere else.” She took a deep breath and smiled. “Well, enough of my ramblings. Please, pick yourselves out a room, get yourselves settled and then come back out so we can continue the tour.”

Behind Twisty, Token perked up a little. “We pick or own rooms?”

Daisy nodded. “There isn’t much difference between them, but at the very least you’ll have some control over who your neighbors are.”

Twisty’s fellow students quickly scattered, opening bedroom doors and peering inside excitedly, chattering as they attempted to work out who was going to be next to who. Twisty joined them; turning the door handle and pushing it open to reveal a bedroom that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a modern hotel. The lack of a TV not withstanding.

“And there’s no need to double up!” Twisty heard Daisy call after them.

“And in this scene, the unaware prey unpack their belongings,” Setter said to himself as he watched the students picking out their rooms on the monitor screens, loudly chewing a stick of gum.

He watched as Daisy approached the school teacher and the lawyer. Hidden microphones picked up their conversation.

“Well, they certainly seem excited.” Daisy said, nodding towards the students.

“I’m surprised you didn’t leave the rooms as is,” the lawyer said.

Daisy smiled. “A good portion of the rooms are still in their original state. In case any future visitors want the authentic package. Oh, and while we’re still on the subject of rooms, you’ll find the, ahem, adult lodgings on the fifth floor.” Daisy pulled an old fashioned iron key from her pocket and handed it to the teacher. “You two pick out whichever one suits your fancy.”

“Why just the one key?” the teacher asked.

“One size fits all,” Daisy said with a smirk. “And if one of you needs the key, I’m sure the other will be close by. We’ll resume the tour once you get back.” And with that she walked off to watch the students pick out their rooms. Merry was loitering nearby, looking just as bored as Setter felt.

The lawyer and teacher looked at each other.

“The Mayor told her,” they said in unison. Smirking, they began climbing the nearby stairs.

Setter scoffed and turned his attention to the screens showing the inside of the rooms.

“I wouldn’t bother putting the underwear in the drawers there, asshole. You’re not gonna be here that long.” The Pegasus leaned back in his chair and yawned. “Come on, come on, let’s get on with the tour already.”

“Setter,” came a sudden voice, accompanied by a burst of static.

Setter jumped, falling out of his chair. Spitting swears, he scrambled to grab the walkie-talkie from the table. He took a steadying breath and pressed the button on the side.

“Yeah, Boss?”

“I want you to take down who is in which rooms.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

“And don’t sound so glum. Your marefriend will be along soon.”

“Funny,” Setter replied, dropping the walkie-talkie back on the table. He sighed and climbed back in his chair, grabbing a notepad and a pen from his desk. He scooted the chair over to the monitors, staring at them with a bored expression.

And then, an idea crossed his mind.

Setter pushed his chair back over to the table, where a radio sat among stacks of snacks and drinks. He fiddled with it for a moment before he managed to get a clear station.

“Hey, guess who’s still listening to a pre-recorded broadcast. It’s you, silly! Anyway, the real party will be starting soon. You’re listening to Radio Vinyl. Here’s some tunes for ya.”

Setter grinned and turned his attention back to the monitors. On one the teacher and the lawyer were oohing and ahing over the suite they had chosen. They were getting pretty handsy about it, too. Setter was almost disappointed when the pair didn’t start fucking right there.

Moving on to the next set of monitors, Setter watched as the mare with the headphones bobbed her way through the unpacking of her gym bag. Marking off what room she was in, he moved on to the Zebra, watching him hop on and off the bed in his room.

“Planning on getting some action are we?” Setter snickered before checking the next screen.

Setter only managed to just catch sight of the Changeling leaving his room to wait in the hall. Setter scoffed, switching to the room that held the blue one. She was fiddling with a hand-held camera.

“Might be some good footage on that,” he said as he made a note on the notepad, speaking aloud as he wrote. “Get the-” he consulted the files spread out over his desk “-Brumbilander’s camera.”

The next two screens were a lot less interesting.

“Bat-pony-goth-bitch taking her journal with her, and miss captain of the cheer squad is moving in, apparently.” He smirked. “Let me guess. Is that your overnight bag?”

Sighing disinterestedly, Setter moved on to the last screen. “And here we have-”

The words died in Setter’s throat as he watched the pink mare on his screen wiggle out of her jeans. She sighed and quickly began pulling her shirt over her head. Setter fell out of his seat again, falling heavily on the floor. He scrambled back to his feet, getting close to the screen.

“What’s your name?” he said to the monitor, daring to look away long enough to find the mare’s file. “Twisted Ankle, eh? Oh, you are just the best, aren’t ya?”

On the screen Twisted had pulled her shirt up to just beneath her pert tits. And then she stopped. She allowed the bunched up portion of the shirt to drop back down and pulled another pair of jeans from her suitcase.

Setter let out a frustrated sigh and slumped back into his seat. It was still something to watch the young mare hop her way into the jeans, but his mood was still soured by the teasing. Twisted ran hand over her mane and left to join the others in the hall.

Setter made another note on the notepad and tossed it away, resting his chin on his fist as he watched the school group assemble itself back in the hall. In the background, the song faded out.

Cheerilee walked beside Reuben as the tour guide, Daisy, led them away from the rooms and deeper into the castle. Ahead of her, her students had clustered together, while behind her the Mayor walked a few paces behind. The older mare looked simultaneously anxious and bored.

“You okay?” Cheerilee said in a hushed tone over her shoulder.

The Mayor perked up, blinking, and then quickly nodded.

Cheerilee merely nodded back and faced forward again. After a minute or two of walking, a thought snuck its way into her head. She slowed her pace until she was walking beside the Mayor.

“Hey, are you on the same floor as me and Reuben?”

The Mayor raised an eyebrow before suddenly shaking her head. “No, I’m staying with Setter. I mean Daisy.” she added quickly.

“In the far side of the castle?”

“Yeah, over there.”

“Oh,” Cheerilee was quiet for a moment. “Who’s Setter?”

“My new assistant.”

“What about Raven?”

“Setter… is my second assistant. Raven’s on vacation and Setter is filling in for her.”

“Oh,” Cheerilee nodded. “Hey, is he that cutie that delivers the mail.”

“Yeah, I gave him a promotion.” The Mayor jerked her head forward. “This next part is good. You should probably listen.”

“Right,” Cheerilee said, taking the hint and catching up to Reuben just as Daisy approached another door.

“And this is the trophy room.” Daisy said, sweeping her arms wide as she pushed through the doors.

Cheerilee suppressed a yawn as Daisy launched into another speech. The Unicorn first pointed to the various animal heads adorned the walls, each frozen in a roar.

“Most of the heads you see up there are the genuine article. The few that have been replaced with replicas were those deemed unjustly displayed. But, ignoring the savage practices of the past will only lead to their repetition. Hence, the fake heads.”

She tapped one of the roughly half a dozen glass cases that sat on pedestals that dotted the room. Each glass case housing some sort of golden trinket.

“Now, there is a story behind each and every one of these and I will be happy to tell them to you, but not today.” She grinned and pointed to a case holding a three-sided ceremonial dagger. “But, I promise the story behind that one puts most Daring Do books to shame.”

Next, she gestured to the fireplace. Two overstuffed chairs flanked it, and above the mantelpiece sat a massive double-barreled gun.

“And that is an antique hunting rifle. Not as fancy as modern weapons, sure, but I swear nothing puts a hole in a charging Minotaur quite like that thing does.” Daisy giggled. “But, I urge you to leave that thing be. It might still be loaded and it is quite… temperamental. Anyway, moving on!”

Cheerilee smirked as Daisy made her way to the door on the far side of the room. She led the group through it and into another hallway.

“Now, as I’m sure some of you have noticed by now, there are a lot of doors in this place. There’s whole sections of this castle where you would never have to set foot in the a hallway to get to where you needed to go.” She chuckled. “Again, not exactly a very tactical design choice, but certainly helpful for stringing together interesting locations.”

Cheerilee raised an eyebrow as Daisy practically skipped down the next hallway and then the one after that, forcing Cheerilee and the others to move at a half-run to keep up with her. Daisy finally stopped at the end of a hallway indistinguishable from the rest, a pair of double doors blocking the way forward.

“Okay guys, this next one is my favorite.” Daisy said with an excited giggle before she pushed open the doors to reveal a massive and dark room.

As Cheerilee followed after her, Daisy all but shouted her next speech, her voice echoing in the room. “At one time, this might have been a church of some sort. Unfortunately for some the castle’s previous owners, some of the other previous owners cleared the room out. Now, it serves as one part dinning hall and two parts-” Daisy clapped her hands and numerous lights flicked on, illuminating the space “-entertainment hall.”

Cheerilee grinned. She understood why Daisy had been excited. The hall was the size of a gymnasium and it certainly lived up to the labels Daisy had given it. Flanking the way they had come in were several long wooden benches and table, stacked high with all manner of food and refreshments. In front of one of the hall’s walls sat several rows of theater seats, an old-school projector was set up behind the seats. And further back, Cheerilee though she could make out what seemed to be several speakers and a tangled nest of black cables.

Daisy laughed as she watched the group fan out, either bee lining for the food or going over to examine the projector. “Now, I know you were told this was an educational field trip, but it is Nightmare-Night. I happened to have found a big box filled with film reels right next to that old projector. If you are so incline, I have cued up a classic. Grab some refreshments and find your seats.”

Cheerilee’s students chattered happily as they descended on the food tables, gathering up platefuls to unsteadily carry to the theater seats. While her students clustered together in the first few rows, the Mayor chose a seat in the far back corner. Shaking her head, Cheerilee looked over to Reuben. She smirked as she watched him, a stacked pyramid of sandwiches in hand, find himself a seat and then courteously place his jacket over the seat next to him.

Cheerilee walked over to Daisy. “I’m impressed.”

Daisy blushed and shrugged. “I’m amazed this all worked, personally. I thought I’d have crashed and burned before we even got to this part. Or that this part would crash and burn.”

“Hey, take it from a mare that does this for a living. You are a natural at this. Have you ever taught a class before?”

Daisy shrugged awkwardly. “Kind of. It really is a boring story though.” she nodded her head towards Reuben. “You should probably go keep him company. I’ll get the projector up and running.”

Cheerilee smiled and wandered over to Reuben, sitting down beside him and allowing him to put an arm around her.

He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I bet this right here is going to be way better than having sex on some old bed.”

Cheerilee smirked and after a quick check to make sure no one was looking, placed her hand firmly over Reuben’s groin.

“I’ll take that bet,” she hissed teasingly in his ear as the familiar hum of a projector started up behind her.

Behind them, Daisy clapped her hands again and the lights in the room dimmed as the projector threw the films onto the wall. Cheerilee made herself comfortable in her seat, leaving her hand right where it was, enjoying the feeling of Reuben squirming.

A familiar soundtrack faded in as the movie began.

Author's Note

"Damnit, Wraith! Where's all the tits and gore you promised us?" is what I imagine some readers might be saying, thinking, or typing in the comments. Fear not, reader, they'll be here soon.

Ish.

More Than Enough to Kill Anything That Moves

Merry Mare leaned against a stone wall, a massive floor-to-ceiling window beside her. Somewhere above the window a spotlight shone down to the grassy ground below. It had to be at least a ten-foot drop.

Merry shook her head and looked away from the window. A few feet away from her Setter was pacing back and forth. Beyond him stretched a long hallway with a few paths branching off here and there.

Setter was muttering to himself as he paced. He had been doing that for the past few minutes now, rubbing his bruised arm all the while.

“Little blonde bitch….”

Merry clenched and unclenched her jaw before finally speaking.

“Setter?”

Setter stopped and turned to her. “Yes?” he said, properly.

“Uh, everything alright?”

Setter smirked and waved her off. “Sorry, just can’t get over the number that Twisted bitch did on us. Fuck, my fucking eyes still fucking hurt and so does my fucking arm.” he inhaled sharply and shook his head. “Sorry. It’s my own fu- ah, fault anyway. We shouldn’t have gone messing around with the Boss’s guests. It was a stupid idea.” He sighed and pointedly pulled his hand away from his arm. “I’m more worried about Jack.”

“Is this really going to be a problem?” Merry rubbed the back of her neck. “Jack he, uh, he doesn’t know what we did, right? We ditched the robes and the masks, so he can’t know. And even if he did, it’s not like we-”

“I’m not worried about that,” Setter said, cutting her off.

Merry bit back a remark about the interruption. “…So what are you worried about then?”

Setter sighed and rubbed his eyes. “Jack wants to talk to the Boss. Which means he’s going to interrupt her while she’s…” he gestured vaguely “you know. He wouldn’t do that unless something important came up. And I’m talking really fucking important.”

Merry nodded and fished her phone out of her pocket as covertly as she could. She turned it on and checked the screen. No new messages.

Setter went back to pacing. “Cops, maybe? Why they would come all the way out here…. No, no, it’s gotta be something else.” He suddenly turned to Merry again. “What do you think?”

Merry jumped and shoved her phone back in her pocket. “S-sorry, what?”

Setter chuckled and shrugged, either not noticing or not caring about her obvious nervousness. “You have any ideas about why Jack suddenly wants to talk to the Boss?”

Merry shrugged. “What if he wants to talk to Val because he ran into one of, um, the guests?”

Setter raised an eyebrow. “Huh, that might be it. He could’ve killed one of them, want to apologize to the Boss for spattering dessert’s brains all over the carpet.”

“You think he’d do that?”

Setter smirked again. “Jack’s always looking for an excuse to get his gun off. And if he thought someone had broken in, he’d be extra jumpy. Yeah, that’s probably what happened.”

Setter seemed to relax a little, moving close to the wall opposite hers and leaning against it. They stayed there like that for a moment or two before a sudden and loud bang sounded, making them both jump.

Merry turned towards the source of the noise, seeing the Diamond Dog from the start of the night striding towards them, a scowl on his face. Trailing a step and a half behind him was…

“Cheerilee?” Merry croaked, her throat suddenly going dry.

“Setter, what the fuck are you doing out here?” the Diamond Dog, Jack, growled as he approached. His gaze shifted to her and his right hand went inside his jacket. “And why is she with you?”

Merry watched Setter smile too widely as he pushed away from the wall, shrugging and laughing.

“What can I say, Jack? I, uh, forgot my condoms in my room and the little lady was just keeping me company while I went and got ‘em.”

Jack’s eyes narrowed and his hand came out of his jacket, a big revolver in it. Setter’s smile became painfully strained once the gun was in view.

“H-hey now, Jack. Uh, what’s the gun for?” Setter looked passed Jack. “And who’s your new friend?’

“Her name’s Cheerilee,” Jack said, jerking his head to indicate the magenta mare, his eyes never leaving Merry. “She’s a teacher.”

Merry swallowed thickly, her gaze shifting from Setter to Jack to Cheerilee and back again. Cheerilee seemed just as nervous as Setter did, albeit without the wide grin. Jack seemed angry, his fingers clenching and unclenching around the gun held down by his side.

Setter kept up his joking tone. “Oh, that’s, uh, nice I guess. Uh, what’s she doing here again?”

Jack briefly looked from Merry to Setter, smiling humorlessly. “Exactly.”

Merry felt around her back pocket. The taser Setter had given her was still there. She wrapped her fingers around it.

Jack’s gaze shifted back to Merry. “Why would a high school teacher be here, Setter?”

Setter shrugged. “Poorly timed fieldtrip,” he laughed, but quickly stopped as Jack’s expression remained the same.

“This lying bitch,” Jack growled, his eyes boring into Merry. “She tricked Cheerilee into bringing her class here, Setter.”

Setter laughed nervously. “You, ah, sure about that, Jack? You know, because there’s a chance that-”

Setter’s words seemed to catch in his throat when Jack suddenly aimed his gun directly at Merry’s head. Her heart jumped into her throat, choking her. Her blood ran cold in her veins. This was it.

“I should kill you right here,” Jack growled, slowly walking towards her. “But, I’m sure Val would rather hear about all of this straight from the horse’s mouth.” He quickly closed the distance between them, pressing the barrel of his gun to her head. “She might turn you over to Gavrii after that. And believe me, you’ll wish you died here.”

He turned to look at Setter. “We need to get back to the camera room and find Val. She’s already gotten two of them, but it’s still early. We can-”

Merry pulled the taser out and jabbed the Diamond Dog in the groin. Merry ducked her head as his whole body went ridged. She shoved the brute back, knocking the gun from his hand and sending him stumbling.

He recovered quickly. Strong hands wrapped around her throat, lifting her off her feet and slamming her into the wall. Merry let out a chocked gasp, her hands fruitless pushing against his arms and face, blood roaring in her ears. Her gaze was locked on his face, his expression a twisted and angry snarl.

And then, an almost thoughtful look crossed his features. Merry slipped from his hands, falling to the floor in a coughing heap. Merry stared up at Jack through watering eyes as the Diamond Dog regarded her with a dead-eyed stare.

“Hey, Jack,” a faraway sounding voice called out.

Merry saw Jack’s head turn just before the cracking boom of a gunshot echoed through the hallway. The impact sent him stumbling back into the wall opposite Merry. He quickly pushed off the wall, staggering drunkenly into the center of the hallway.

Blinking the tears away, Merry turned her head towards the origin of the shout and the shot. Setter stood there, Jack’s fallen gun in hand, looking almost surprised. He blinked and quickly brought the gun up again, firing another shot.

Merry clasped her hands over her ears as Jack jerked backwards. He stumbled back a step, but refused to go down. Setter fired again and again, forcing Jack back further. The fifth shot pushed him into the window, the glass creaking. And the sixth shot sent him through it. Merry could swear she heard the dull thud of Jack’s body hitting the ground.

Slowly, her hands dropped away from her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Setter drunkenly lurched over to her, crouching down.

“You okay?” he asked, sounding out of breath.

Shakily, Merry nodded. Her eyes unfocused for a moment, shifting to something behind Setter. Cheerilee was standing there, momentarily forgotten in the excitement. She looked from Merry and Setter to the broken window and back again. Setter noticed Merry wasn’t looking at him and looked over his shoulder.

Cheerilee hesitated for a heartbeat before turning to run. Setter moved faster than Merry thought him capable, springing to his feet and swinging wildly with the gun. He hit Cheerilee more with his arm than the gun, but still knocked her to the floor.

Merry managed to get her legs beneath her and get to her feet. Setter reached back to hit Cheerilee again but seemed to think better of it. He lazily pointed the gun at Cheerilee.

“Stay down, bitch,” he said, letting out a breathy titter.

Setter glanced back at Merry before giving her a nonchalant shrug. He moved past her to the broken window, idly scratching his head with the gun’s barrel. Merry spared the groaning Cheerilee a second-long glance before moving to Setter’s side.

A cold breeze accompanied by a sprinkling of rain washed over her as she looked out the broken window. Below, Jack lay sprawled on the grass, unmoving. Merry heard the clicking of a cylinder rotating as Setter pulled the revolver’s hammer back and almost casually aimed the gun down at Jack.

Setter pulled the trigger, the gun clicking empty.

“Huh,” Setter grunted, bringing the gun close and fiddling with it.

Merry shook her head and turned away, looking back to where Cheerilee lay. Only the schoolteacher wasn’t there.

“Fuck, where did she go?” Merry said, moving away from the broken window.

“What’s that?” Setter asked, turning towards Merry.

Merry peered down the hallway, seeing nothing that would indicate where Cheerilee might have gone. She shook her head nervously, moving back to Setter.

“She's gone, Setter. Where the fuck did she go?”

Setter shrugged. “It’s not important. You don’t happen to have your car keys on you?”

Merry raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but why?”

“‘Cause we got to get the fuck out of here,” Setter said, taking Merry by the hand and leading her down the hallway.

“What? Why?”

Setter chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I just killed the Boss’s boy toy. She might be a little upset about that.” He laughed again. “Believe me, I’d love to stay and snatch up every last bit of valuable junk in this place, but…”

Merry stopped and pulled her hand out of Setter’s. He paused and turned, shooting her a questioning look.

Merry fished her phone out of her pocket while she spoke. “What if I told you there was a way to do that?”

Author's Note

Fucking finally! Well, that brings the total body count to... what two? Only took twenty thousand words since the last death. And that's how long it's gonna be until the next one. I hope you have staying power, 'casue it's gonna be a long night.