Reignite

It was now early morning, Sunshine was currently sleeping soundly curled up beside as she has been doing the past few nights. Antonia said she was healing up nicely aside from the more extreme injuries, there was minimal evidence of the cuts, bruises and that black eye. I currently couldn't sleep I never could when I'm worried. Shane had yet to wake up and I'm positive he'll panic when he wakes up, Matt and I both said we would help him but the question is how?

Turning my thoughts to what has happened over the past week, everything seemed to be changing for everyone dividing people or bringing them together. Even though we weren't human anymore, it doesn't mean we should be treated any different from a regular person. We're just caught up in something we have had no say in.

Matt and Shane are worried about their lives falling apart, I've practically been left with feelings and emotions I can't understand especially since Sunshine came into my life. I wonder how Antonia felt about all this and how did her husband react?

I've long since accepted the fact that I'm stuck like this for the rest of my life, stripped of my masculinity or rather what little I had of it. Even though I'm a mare now I'll try my hardest to pull through, I have to if not for my sake then for the people I care for.

My thoughts were disturbed with a light knocking on the door, who would be knocking at this hour?

“Come in, but please keep it down.” I asked, Antonia entered the room looking a little distressed. “Antonia what's wrong?”

“Shane's woken up, he won't let anyone see him I was hoping you could talk to him.” Antonia explained, “He's really frightened...” Seeing the urgency I got up and out of bed.

“Antonia can you look after Sunshine for me please.” I politely asked her, as I made my way to Shane's room.

The hallways were dimly lit as I trotted through the seemingly endless halls, what would I say to him? I wondered. Here I am in a situation I wasn't used to, in the past it was always Shane who helped me and the others. I gave an unwanted bitter laugh at the irony of the situation.

“Who saves the hero when he needs saving?” I muttered to myself. Every single time I need him he was there for me, and I'll be damned if I couldn’t be there for him. I arrived outside the door to his room, I gave a quick knock.

“Shane...it's me Mark, can I come in?” I asked, it's best I handled the situation gently. There was no need to scare him further than he already was. There was a moment of silence before the door opened.

“...Come inside...” Shane said quietly, after I entered the room I heard Shane shut the door behind me. Turning round I was met with a dull yellow furred pegeasus, with Shane's distinctive blonde hair colour for his mane and tail as well as his deep blue eyes. The mark on his flank was a shield with two hands shaking on it and with out a doubt Shane was taller than me.

“Shane, Is that really you?” I asked in amazement, he nodded his head simply, “I came as soon as I heard you were awake.”

“...Sorry if I kept you awake Mark...” Shane apologised.

“Shane you don't have to apologise, I was worried about you...” I replied shaking my head, “I've been worried about you all day, how could I sleep?” I swear he was too selfless for his own good sometimes.

“I-I...er...don't know what to say.” He replied embarrassed, “I-It's still kinda weird seeing you like this, I mean from what I've seen you have it worse than I do.” I gave no response to that comment, making Shane worry a little more.

“Shane, I know you care deeply about all of us but please don't be so selfless when you don't have to be.” I replied, “If anything let me be there for you, like you were for me. Friends till the end no matter what, right?” Shane gave a small smile, he looked relieved after hearing those words.

“It's just...I dunno...” He sighed.

“It's like you don't know what's going to happen, right?” I finished for him, “Matt and I will be there for you, like we've told you already. Believe me we know that feeling Shane, your not alone.”

“How do you do it?” Shane asked, “How do you keep going in times like this?”

“I just take it one day at a time.” I answered honestly, “I have to or...well you saw what happened last time.”

“Mark...” Shane stated, “Over the years we've been friends, we've been through a lot. I mean we've had our clashes, disagreements and hell don't forget our rivalry.” Shane let out a small laugh, “What makes you think that this gonna be different?”

“The difference is that one of my closest friends needs my help, and it'll be a cold day in hell if I don't return the favour.” I answered with a reassuring smile.

“I know my mom and younger brother will turn up sooner or later. Could you be there with me when they do?” Shane asked.

“Of course I will Shane.” I replied, “I'll ask Antonia if Sunshine can help her around the hospital again, when you family visits.”

“Sunshine?” Shane asked. “Who's that?”

“Sunshine...is my newly adopted daughter.” I said with pink blush across my features, “She was a victim of abuse, beaten by her parents. She was brought in unconscious over week ago I've been taking care of her ever since she woke up.” Shane's expression became one of anger.

“What kind of twisted fuck would do that to their own kid?” He asked in disgust.

“Someone who certainly isn't human, only a monster would do that to child.” I answered him, “How are you holding up?”

“A little bit better I admit, and thank you for coming to see me even at this ungodly hour.” Shane replied, “By the way did you get round to seeing that psychologist?”

“I did, I have being seeing Samantha for just over a year now.” I answered, “Speaking of which I have a few questions to ask her the next time I see her.”

“I see...” Shane noted, “Mark...would you mind staying a bit longer, please...”

We idly chatted about pretty much anything and everything: catching up with what happened what happened to me at my stay in the hospital, what he got up to, the latest games and music, and even the daft stuff we got up to when we were younger. We talked until around 7am, I think we both needed that normality Shane looked remarkably more relaxed now.

“I have to go now Shane, as much as want to continue talking with you I need to get some sleep.” I said yawning as if on cue, shaking it off and smiled. “Just remember what I said earlier, okay.” Shane just nodded as he himself yawned, I giggled softly as I left the room and headed back to my own.

I'm glad Shane is better now, even if it's only a little. I arrived at my room and saw there was no sign of Sunshine or Antonia, just a note on the bed.

Mark

I've took Sunshine to get some breakfast, and then I'll take her to help me around the hospital for a few hours. You looked tired when I last saw you so use the time to get some sleep, and thank you for talking with your friend Shane. - Antonia.

I yawned as I read the note, yeah sleep sounded good around about now I thought as I climbed into bed. Resting my head on the cool pillow, I was asleep with minutes.

“Is he here?” A familiar male voice asked.

“She is currently asleep, but yes she's in there now.” Another voice corrected. I was currently drifting in and out of sleep, the voices are familiar but I was too drowsy to tell who the belonged to.

“I guess what my wife told me was true then.” the male voice asked in an annoyed tone, “You might as well wake him up then.”

“Jeez fine I'm getting up!” I shouted from my bed. I took a look round the room, Sunshine must still be with Antonia. “If you insist in making such a racket, just come in already.”

The door opened revealing Samantha and a grumpy looking middle aged man, who was better known as my stepfather. He took one look at me and looked genuinely surprised which from my experience was very rare for him.

“I-I...er wow not what I was expecting.” He admitted.

“Where's Mom?” I asked, noting that she wasn't with him.

“She's gonna be here a little later, you know work and all that.” He explained, “May I ask who the lady here is?”

“I'm Dr Samantha Rio, I'm Mark's psychologist.” Samantha introduced herself, “She has been my patient for over a year now.” This immediately caught dad's attention.

“Over a year? Mark you fucking idiot, you know you could come to us if you needed help.” He scolded, I winced a little from the scolding...ah well old habit's die hard.

“This sort of thing is kinda beyond your help Dad...” I explained, “And believe me my current situation is...complicated.” Dad raised a brow, urging me to go on. Samantha took this as her cue to explain exactly what was wrong, dad listened intently trying to understand my situation, thoughts and how I was dealing with these new emotions and feelings. His expression at best was a mix of unamused and anger.

“So my stepson becoming what he is now is due to the issues he has been seeing you about?” Dad inquired, Samantha just nodded, “Even the gender swap?” Again Samantha just nodded. “Just fucking great.” He sighed earning him an angry look from Samantha and myself

“And what was that supposed to mean?” Samantha scolded.

“Nothing...” He quickly dismissed, I shot Samantha a look that said 'I told you so'.

“Dad, to be honest I'm quiet happy being a woman now, even if I'm not human anymore.” I admitted.

“Look Mark, I'm sorry just give me a little time I got to go.” Dad said as he bolted out the room.

“...”

“Will you be okay?” Samantha asked, I nodded.

“I'll be fine, it's best I give him time to get used to all this.” I sighed, “I know it can be a lot to take in.” Samantha gave me a sympathetic look.

“Has it always been hard living with him when you were younger?” Samantha asked.

“Kevin and I...we don't really see eye to eye, if anything we clashed on and off as I grew up.” I explained, “Still though despite all that he was there when I needed him, he's a good man at heart if a bit old fashioned.”

“And what about your real father?” Samantha inquired knowing it's sensitive subject with me.

“Trevor...well what can I say.” I answered, “That bond was never there, he was piss drunk in some bar while my mother was giving birth to me from what I was told, he disappeared on and off for weeks, hell he finally left when I turned 6 years old.” Samantha remained silent as she listened. “At the time I didn't think he cared I was his son, I pushed myself to get some form of recognition from him but alas I got nothing. He came back when I was 13, he just barged in unannounced drunk as can be with a massive grin on his face saying he was glad to be back. I come back from school and he takes one look at me, and do you know what he said?” Samantha shook her head.

“What did he say?” She asked.

“Who the fuck are you?” I said with a bitter and angry tone in my voice, “I told him who I was, but he just replied: Son? I've never had a son, never have and never will.” Samantha remained silent for a moment wondering what kind of man would say such a thing. “Dad...er Kevin picked him up and threw him out of the house and threatened to call the police. I haven't seen that man ever since...”

“I think I understand what's going on between you and Sunshine a bit better now.” Samantha exclaimed. “You both know what it's like to be rejected by parents, I admit Sunshine's case is a more physical example of parental rejection but in the end when you heard what happened to her and saw the condition she was in.” Samantha took a second to think how she was going to explain, “You wanted to let her know that she wasn't alone and to show her she was loved and appreciated.”

“By the way, have you made any progress finding out anything about what I asked you the last time I saw you?” I asked. Samantha just shook her head.

“My best guess would be it would be something instinctive like how regular horses herd, but you have to bare in mind the human element in all this which has more or less complicated things.” Samantha explained the best she could. “I'll continue to look into this further for you. I'll stop by tomorrow to check on Sunshine, so I'll see you then.” Samantha left after I bid her goodbye.

I was left alone in the room, silent bar the ticking of the clock. I could understand Dad running out like that, and hell I could understand Mom doing that as well. It all made me ask myself:

“What do I do now?”