I watched over the sleeping filly over the next few hours, watching as she whimpered and cried quietly in her sleep. Seeing that was just heart-breaking, for god's sake she's just a child how can anyone be so damned cruel?

I had taken the liberty of looking over her medical chart while she slept, I had tried my best not to physically sick because of what they had done to her. I could easily imagine what kind of monsters they were to do this to her, I could easily picture some drunk, drugged up dead beats who never even deserved who have a child.

Given my own experiences with my own parents, I always wondered what kind of parent I would be though some part of me was afraid I would turn out like my old man. The fact I’m a mare now still frightens me to my core, and I can’t even imagine what that might feel like to a child as young as the filly next to me.

“Hm?” I felt something break my train of the thought.

The filly stirred a little, she opened her one good eye slowly as the other seemed to be blackened by the monsters that did this to her. She took a moment to get one look at me and looked absolutely terrified as she retreated back under her blankets, hoping they would offer some sort of protection. I could barely see her face as she continued to stare at me with uncertainty as she peaked from under the blankets.

“...!” She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

“Hey, it's okay I'm not going to hurt you.” I reassured her, trying to sound as motherly as I could.

“...?” She opened her mouth again but once again there was nothing but silence.

“Do you want me to call the nurse?” I asked her, she nodded slowly unsure about her present company. I pressed the button at the side of her bed that signalled a member of staff. “There we go, the nurse should be here soon.”

I had to do something to ease her a little, that frightened expression of hers was worrying me greatly.

“So do you want to watch some cartoons while we wait?” I asked her, her ears perked up a bit as she nodded silently. Couldn't she speak or was she too afraid to? I considered a much worse possibility and sincerely hope that wasn't the case.

I looked around for the TV remote, but alas it was nowhere to be seen. I settled for pressing the on switch on the TV itself with my hoof. To my surprise it was already on a cartoon channel, once again “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” was on, I climbed back on to my bed, curled up in an attempt to get comfortable.

Normally I wouldn't watch a show such as this, but given I only put it on for the silent filly in the neighbouring bed to cheer her up I'll gladly make an exception. The episode itself seemed to focus on a young yellow filly with a red mane and tail decorated with a large bright red bow called Applebloom. She seemed focused on getting something called a 'Cutie Mark' and was getting teased and bullied by these other two fillies called Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who were calling her names like 'Blank Flank' for not having a mark.

Hold on? I looked back at my flank staring at the mark upon it, a Cutie Mark was it? I understood I looked like a pony from the cartoon, but according the show this mark is supposed to represent a special talent or a part of my personality. Knowing me it would most likely be my personality.

“Hmm...” The injured filly looked at me confused.

“...?”

“It's nothing, just something I realised.” I reassured her, “Shall we continue watching?”

“...” She nodded; it looked like the cartoon was cheering her up a bit. I was glad it was, I never liked a child that young upset.
In all honesty it felt like I was playing the role of a parent spending time with their child, funnily enough I imagine I would be a good mother.
“Snap out it, you’re a guy remember!” I mentally scolded myself. I wondered where that mother comment came from, but I decided to ignore it.

We continued watching till the end of the episode, Applebloom stood up to the two fillies that were bullying her and made friends with two other fillies her own age, a unicorn called Sweetie Belle and a Pegasus called Scootaloo. I giggled a bit at the adorableness when they called themselves the 'Cutie Mark Crusaders'.

The little filly next to me was smiling a little; I'm glad that the happiness of the show was cheering her up. Heck when I was young filly I used to watch cartoons like that all the time when I was upset.

“When I was a little filly? Where'd that come from?” I wondered to myself.

The nurse came in, along with Antonia who looked at us both. Seeing the small smile on the young fillies face gave her a sense of relief. The nurse was a unicorn was pale yellow earth pony with a thermometer for a Cutie Mark; she had bright green eyes and pale blue mane.

"How do you feel?” The nurse asked,

“...” was the only reply from the quiet filly.

“What does the chart say about her injuries?” I asked worried. Antonia took a look at the chart lifting it with a faint pink glow. I know I had already read the chart, and from what I understood about the body I never saw anything about an injured throat on the chart, so a professional opinion couldn’t hurt.

“Let's see...” Antonia read over the chart, “It seems the wings took the most damage, a black eye, a few broken ribs, and a few cuts and bruises. She was unconscious when we brought her in a few days ago, which was Tuesday according to the chart.”

“Is anything on that chart regarding a neck injury?” I asked worried, Antonia looked over the chart again and shook her head. “Oh thank goodness.” I sighed in relief.

“...?” The filly looked confused as to what we were saying, which wasn’t a surprise given her age.

“It’s nothing to worry about; I was just asking the nice nurse about what was on that chart.” I reassured her.

Antonia quickly caught on to what I meant, and looked at the filly worryingly.

“I think that the experience has traumatised her to the point where she refuses to speak.” Antonia explained. I looked at the young filly with deeply concerned look. Her little stomach growled a bit.

"..."

“Shall I get you something to eat?” the nurse asked, the young filly nodded.

“Mark, I'm sorry to say this but you’re going to have to accompany me for a little while.” Antonia explained, “We've came across stallion limping in the car park, he mentioned you by name.”

“What's his name?” I asked curious who it could be, Shane couldn't have changed has well could he?

“He said his name was Matthew.” Antonia replied, “He mentioned you work with him.”

“Alright then, I don't know how he found me but if he came all this way it must be important.” I said simply.

“...!” The injured filly whimpered a bit which immediately caught my attention.

“Hey, don't worry the nice nurse here will look after you while I'm gone.” I reassured her in soft tone of voice, “I'll be back soon, and when I get back we'll watch more cartoons together okay?”

“...” The small filly nodded slowly.

I left with Antonia to meet up with Matt, I was asking as many questions as I could about the young filly. The trauma of what happened to her left her silent, too frightened to speak. Antonia and the other hospital staff had no idea of what her name is. The only thing they could tell me was someone wearing a hood had found her like that, brought her here and no one has seen or heard of him since. No one seems to remember what he looked like either.

“...I see.” Was all I replied with...

After about a few minutes of travelling we ended up back at the lounge, waiting for us there was a grey black maned earth pony with brown eyes and a pair of red dice with a six and one on the visible faces. He was pacing back and forth with a slight limp, and look of impatience on his face.

“You know you should have had that limped looked at while you were waiting.” I scolded him.

“Mark? You got hit by this as well?” The stallion asked,

“Yes Matt, I came down with similar symptoms to you the day after you called in sick.” I said in my now softer feminine voice which caused Matt to raise an eyebrow, if he still had any...”How'd you find me here anyway?”

“Well Mark or...is it Marcia now?” He let out a chuckle earning him a unamused look. “The Boss called you in to cover my shift today, but your Mom answered the call telling him you were at the hospital ill. He gave me a call to check in on you.”

“Does he know that you’re a pony now?” I asked.

“Oh I think he will soon enough, I couldn't exactly go into work like this could I.” Matt laughed, “I can imagine all the panic that would cause.”

"Are you okay? Antonia mentioned you were limping.” I asked a little concerned, noticing the dark red patch on his right foreleg.
“Tis but a scratch, my fair lady.” He joked, “You know how bad my luck is sometimes.”

“Hmm...” Was all the reply I would give him. Matt didn't show it but he was nervous, he only jokes on like this when he worries. “Matt, what happened? Talk to me here.” He sighed in defeat.

“Nothing gets past you does it?” He replied, “I'm...just worried about all this, you know. I need my job to get by, I was lucky that the Amanda gave me the chance to do it.”

“Look I'm sure Amanda will understand, we're in this together right?” I comforted him, “We've been friends for two years now, and I haven't let you down once have I? We'll get through this even if I have to drag your sorry ass through it all, and if I don't you know fine well Shane will.” I gave Matt a reassuring smile.

“Thanks Mark, I'd best get this leg looked at ‘til then I’ll see you around.” Matt said as he bade me farewell.

“Matt.” I said

“Yeah Mark?” He responded.

“I'll be in room 213 if you want to talk okay.” He nodded and left to find one of the nurses.

"That was very kind of you, Mark.” Antonia commented, “I'm sure your friends are lucky to know that you care about them greatly.”
“It's just...Matt's been through a lot, he tries so damn hard just to get by.” I explained, “He honestly thinks the world is against him when it comes down to luck.”

“I see, I forgot to tell you earlier that your psychologist will be visiting later.” Antonia explained, watching me pale a bit. “It's just standard procedure for your situation, I'm sure your parents understand this part of the procedure.”

“My...parents don't know that I'm seeing a psychologist.” I hesitated. “Can we take this somewhere private please...” Antonia led me to an unoccupied room, which was identical to the room I was sharing with that quiet filly.

“May I ask why?” Antonia asked, wondering why I wouldn't tell my parents about something as serious as this.

“Over a year ago, I had emotional breakdown it was the fifth time I had one over the past 3 years. This one however was the worst I'd had. I still don't know what set me off but my best friend found me in that pitiful state.” I explained. “It was the first time I'd let anyone see me in such a state, he stayed with me until I calmed down and suggested I'd get professional help.”

“I'm glad he found you Mark, but that doesn't answer my question.” Antonia stated.

“I just try to make my parents proud; I come off as this stoic, independent and strong willed man who doesn't let anything in the world get to him.” I explained further, “But in reality I'm very much a shrinking violet who just wants to be able to be myself.”

“You wear the mask for so long, you'll become it.” Antonia explained, “But every so often it slips and cracks showing the world who you really are.” I nodded. “I read your psychological profile, do you know what I see?”

“What do you see?” I asked with hesitation.

“In the short time you've been here, I see a wonderful, kind and caring mare, who wants nothing more than to accept herself. It's very clear to me you value your family and friends greatly, you even try to be there for a young filly whom you've only met a few hours ago.” Antonia stated, “Just be yourself, Mark.”

“Thank you Antonia, that means a lot to me.”

“Come on Mark, I do believe you made a promise to that filly.” Antonia reminded me.

“I know, let’s go then.” We both made our way back to room 213.
________________________________________

The quiet filly was still watching 'My Little Pony' happily; I noticed the nurse had changed the bandages around her waist and wings. The sound of the door closing finally caught the filly's attention.

“...!” Her visible bright green eyes lit up with happiness when she looked at me. I smiled back.

“Hey..., didn't I say I would watch some more cartoons with you?” The young filly patted in the space next to her. I climbed up next to her, smiling as she curled up next to me.

The hours passed by as we watched a marathons worth of cartoons together. My thoughts turned toward the filly curled up next to me, I didn't know why I cared so much about this filly who I've only known a few hours now. Was all this instinct to me now, just because I changed gender? I certainly hope not, I genuinely cared about this frail filly.

The young filly yawned; I took a look at the clock which said 10:30 pm.

“Hey..., I think it's time you get to sleep little one.” The quiet filly next to me looked at me earnestly trying to tell me something.

“...?”

“Do you want me to tell you a story?” I asked, but the filly shook her head, “Do you want me to sing you to sleep?”

“...!” She nodded her head tiredly.

“Okay, let's just keep this between us okay? This was a song my grandmother used to sing to me when I was a little younger than you.” I felt a little shy for what I was about to sing, but I wouldn't disappoint the young filly. If she wanted a song she got one, I'm sure my late grandmother would approve of me doing this.

“You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When the skies are grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine away

The other night dear
As I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke dear
I was mistaken
And I held
My head
And cried

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When the skies are grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine away

You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When the skies are grey
You'll never know dear
How much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine away

Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away”

The young filly was fast asleep by the end of the song, smiling I climbed out of her bed and into my own.

“Goodnight little one, everything will be alright. I promise.”

Author's Note

That's this chapter rewrite done, I'm gonna continue redoing the existing chapters to flesh the story and characters out a bit more before I continue with any new chapters.

You all didn't think i had given up on this fic did you? i started it I'll damn well finish it.

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