bleak/reverse

The previous night, I actually found a place to sleep; on the carpet in my (bedless) room. I had a spare blanket, so I used that to keep me warm thought the night.

I was in a deep, peaceful sleep.

But all that changed when the digital clock on my phone reached 6:00 A.M.

I heard "BOMB! BOOOOMB!!" and then jolted awake in a cold sweat. My phone's alarm was going off.

"BOMB! BOOOOMB!!" I quickly regained my senses and scrambled to get a grip of my phone. Once it was in my grip, I pressed the on-screen button labeled "STOP". With my heart beating fast, I ran to the living room, then the bedroom to check if anyone was woken by the hostile alarm. Thankfully, no one was awake yet, so I could have the liberty of waking them up in a somewhat gentle manner.

Wait a minute...something wasn't right here. I couldn't see Pinkie Pie. She wasn't in the bed. Oh damn, she was already awake, wasn't she? Where could she have gone off to?

Right then, my heart started beating a little faster than normal as I searched for the hopping pink joy-giver. I dropped to my knees and looked under the bed. She wasn't there. I got back up to my feet and went into the bathroom (which was in the bedroom, it was a few feet away from the bed) and opened the shower curtain. She wasn't there (but if she was, I'd have a lot of explaining to do. My mind was still a bit fazed from being jolted awake after four hours of sleep) so I went back out and ran to the living room. Was she on the big couch with Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy? No. Was she anywhere in the living room? No. I ran back to my room, and opened the door leading into the empty closet. No sign of Pinkie. I was starting to get really worried at this point. If I couldn't find Pinkie anywhere, they would think I've done something to her. I opened the door leading to my garage, and got in my parents' van, on the off chance that she somehow found the van and slept in it or something. She wasn't there. I shouted "Goddamn it!". I leaped out of the driver's side (the door was open) and I slammed the van door. I ran back in the house, and checked the last place I thought she could've been in; the pantry. I sprinted to my kitchen, and nearly skidded as I forced myself to stop right in front of the pantry door. I took a quiet breath, and touched the metal knob with the palm of my hand, and surrounded it with my fingers. I twisted the knob to the left, and slowly opened the door.

I saw Pinkie in there, happily munching on a cannoli she had found. My heart beat at a normal pace again. It took me all of four minutes to find the cheery pink pony enjoying her snack. I had never seen someone enjoy a food so much. As I was calming myself down, she swallowed the bite she took and acknowledged my presence. "Hey Stephen!" she said, enthusiastically but at a normal volume. "What'cha doing up so early?"

I stammered and sputtered for a second or two as I was trying to find the right words to say. I hadn't engaged in this sort of conversation (or any conversation, for that matter) in years. "I always get up at this time," I said. "What about you?"

"Oh, I was hungry, so I got up about ten minutes ago, and got myself a snack! Man, these things are good, what are they?"

"They're cannolis. Pretty good, huh?"

"Very, very good! They're more than good, they're great, great, GREAT! Man, they don't have stuff like this in Equestria! Where'd you get these?"

"From the store. Well, a store in my town, anyway."

"That sounds like a really, really, REALLY awesome place! Can we go there today?"

"Well, Pinkie, I thought you guys were gonna try to focus on getting out of here?"

"Well, we were, but I bet we can have some fun while we're here! Let me go wake the girls!"

"No, Pinkie, they can't all come along, they'll attract atten-" Before I could finish my warning, Pinkie dashed off to the bedroom and woke Twilight and Applejack. Then she bounced to the living room and jolted Rainbow, Rarity, and Fluttershy out of their rest. All she had to say to them was "WE'RE GOING TO THE STORE!". I could see Twilight walking out of the bedroom, rubbing her right eye with her hoof. "Pinkie, what are you talking about?" She said, with a hint of irritation in her voice. "There's no stores around here, and we don't need to go to one."

Pinkie practically teleported to Twilight and held the half-eaten cannoli in her face. "Stephen told me he got this delicious cannoli from a store!"

"A...cannoli?" Twilight was puzzled. Her slight annoyance became interest. "They have different food here, too?"

"Yeah," I said. "I tried to tell Pinkie to not wake you guys up, since I was going to."

"Well," Twilight said. "I'm not going anywhere, I fell asleep at three in the morning last night while I was studying. I need to spend all day studying and practicing if we're even gonna have a chance at getting back home. You and the others can go if you want, though."

Defeated, I sighed. "Pinkie, do you want to go to the store?" I didn't have to worry about her attracting much attention; My local Wal-Mart had the most boring and uninterested customers on the planet. They were practically robots. Sure, if the whole party went, we might get some unwanted witnesses, but only Pinkie was coming along, so there wasn't a big risk of attracting attention. I knew this because I walked in one time and blared "Big Booty Bitches" out of my phone speakers. No one even glanced. I guess they're the embodiment of the emotionless, thoughtless stoic I was going to become.

As for Pinkie's response to my question, she hopped up and down with a big smile on her face and shouted "YEEEESERRONI!". I grabbed the keys to the van, and began walking through the hallway where the door to my garage was. I notioned Pinkie to follow my lead. Before I disappeared from the view of those in the living room, I told them "We'll be back in a bit, don't get into any trouble!" I went out to my garage with Pinkie close behind. I opened the door to the front passenger's side of the van and she just jumped into the seat. I closed her door, and got in the driver's side.

"Alright, Pinkie, all I ask is that you at least try to refrain from making a lot of noise, okay? Driving a vehicle takes a lot of patience and silence."

"I dunno what driving or vehicles are, but okay!" She said that with the most pleased and giddy smile on her face.

"Oh, you need to put on your seatbelt." I reached over to her chair, grabbed the seatbelt, and put it in the compartment thingy where it locks into place. To my slight curiosity she didn't ask me what a seatbelt was. I just assumed she had been on a roller-coaster or something. I buckled my safety belt and revved up the engine. I grabbed a tiny remote with a rectangular button on the center. It had three tiny buttons on the top and bottom of the rectangle button. I simply pressed the rectangular button and the large garage door opened. When the iron door was completely out of the way, I set down the remote, grabbed the driving wheel with both hands, pressed down on the gas pedal and accelerated out of my home and onto the driveway. Once the van was on the street, I grabbed the remote again and pressed the rectangular button, closing the garage door. I put down the remote (In case you're wondering, I always set it in the little storage bin in the door. I think every van has one) and drove down toward the entrance of the Lonesome Road. At the intersection, I turned right. I was headed for town. Pinkie was looking out the window, taking in the sights of this new world she was staying in for a bit.

After a few minutes, we reached the town - Loomsville, it was called. The name matched the atmosphere and appearance. As we were at a traffic light, I looked out my window and saw someone get stabbed in the shoulder by a thug right outside a bank. I'm at least glad Pinkie didn't see that, since she was too busy staring at "Winson's Law Firm" outside her window. Someone as happy and innocent as she is shouldn't ever have to see something which was a common sight for me whenever I went into town. It took a few more minutes for us to get to the Wal-Mart.

Once I found a parking spot (Unfortunately the only one I could find would force us through a two minute long walk) I got out of the van, as did Pinkie. We made the long damned hike to the front doors of the building, which I nicknamed "The Brick Mansion of Unwanted Goods and Antisocials". Once we were inside, I grabbed a nearby shopping cart and began walking forward, pushing the cart with Pinkie bouncing at my side. She seemed absolutely amazed at the size of the building. "It's even bigger than Celestia's room!" She exclaimed. It did make me feel a bit happy to see her so ecstatic over something as simple as a shop. I guess Equestria doesn't have supermarkets.

"So, Pinkie," I spoke. "What are you looking for?"

"More new snacks!" She replied. I didn't know what they served over in Equestria, so I don't know what other new foods she could have found. I replied back with "Well, let's try walking through some aisles and seeing what we can find." as I scrolled by the aisles with Pinkie bouncing next to me. We saw the snack aisle, and immediately Pinkie dashed into it. I was surprised by her sudden movement, and I ran (still pushing the cart) right to her.

"Oh! Oh! Stephen, what's "Apple Bites"? I bet Applejack would love those!"

I had barely caught up to her by the time I heard her ask that. "They're little crunchy chips that taste like apples. You know what, let's get a pack for her." I grabbed a bag of the Apple Bites and dropped it in the cart. Pinkie continued hopping down the aisle as I followed close behind.

"What about...Oh! How about "Veggie Rolls"? What could these be? Are they little rolls filled with tiny veggies?" I swear, Pinkie's logic was so laughable, but in a good way. It reminded me of my imagination when I was a child.

"They're actually tiny rolls of chips filled with sauce of varying flavors, mostly broccoli and radish." Those chips were absolutely disgusting. I could tell they weren't a hit with the crowd, either, seeing as the spot on the shelf where they were was completely stocked with bags of them. Take my word for it, nobody wants vegetable-flavored sauce in a chip.

"They sound kind of nasty! I think I'll pass." Pinkie continued her half-aerial travel down the primitive, concrete floor within the Brick Mansion. I kept to the ground as I followed her.

Pinkie spotted something that I just knew she'd want; Chocolate Squares. From what I remember from the show, Pinkie enjoyed sweets. I heard her squeal in excitement upon spotting a pack of the snack.

"Stephen, could we get these too? I love, love, LOVE chocolate!" I replied with a simple "Sure, Pinkie". The pack of the snack went in the cart. Just then, I remembered something I really needed; I had to get food for the party. Horses don't eat meat, and aside from the macaroni, cannolis, and snacks, there was only meat in my kitchen. I don't think the party would want to eat nothing but macaroni 'n cheese for a whole week.

"Alright, Pinkie, I just remembered that we needed some fruit for the rest of the girls, so let's check out the fruit aisle." She said "Sure" in a happy, excited tone as she bounced at my side, following me to the "Tiny Jungle of Fruits". Once we were there, I grabbed one of those plastic bags that you're supposed to place the fruits in, and loaded it up with apples, oranges, bananas, and pears. I wanted to cover all the bases as I didn't know what specific fruits the party enjoyed, aside from Applejack. I knew she loved apples. Now it was time to head for the checkout.

"Good morning, sir," The (female) cashier said with a straight face as I placed my goods on the conveytor belt. "Please enter your PIN number in the device, here." I quickly typed my PIN as she was bagging my items. The groceries were then loaded into the cart. They cost $18.59 in total. I paid for them with actual cash. "Thank you for shopping at Walmart," she said. I thought  "Yeah, whatever, bitch. You're just happy that you get your pay." to myself whilst storing my wallet back in my pocket. Pinkie, however, aptly and politely responded with "You're welcome!". The cashier didn't respond. What a bitch.

Anyway, we walked out the doors of the Brick Mansion, and I threw the bags into the seat behind Pinkie's. I didn't bother putting the cart in that little cart storing section they have in the parking lots. Other people didn't seem to care, so why should I be any different? It's not like actually doing what the store wants you to do benefits you in any way.

So, as we were driving home, we had to stop at a red traffic light. At that moment, Pinkie wanted to make some idle chatter. She was unusually calm this time around. What, did the thought of how the Veggie Rolls could taste make her feel nauseous?

"Stephen, I got a question."

"Sure, Pinkie. What is it?"

"Do you think I'm fun?"

I was a little taken aback by this question. It came off as kind of a personal question, for her at least, since I thought she probably wanted to know if I saw her as a pleasure to be around.

"Well, yeah, of course I do. What makes you think I don't?"

"I was just wondering, I saw the people in that store didn't seem very happy, one of them even looked at me and he looked kind of annoyed! Am I annoying, Stephen?"

"Absolutely not, Pinkie. I think you've made today a lot more interesting, in fact, maybe even more enjoyable than any day I've had recently. If other people think you're a nuisance, that's their issue for not seeing someone for who they really are." I felt a tiny, tingling sensation of pride as I said that. It wasn't often that I could give life advice to someone.

"You know, Stephen, I think you're right. Thanks!" She reached over and gave me a hug on my arm. My heart skipped a beat.

I was hugged.

Someone gave me a hug.

I hadn't been hugged in so many years. It felt like being hugged for the first time, and by a cheerful, adorable pink horse who I thought only existed in a cartoon, no less.

That made me realize something though...they were from a cartoon. A cartoon that perhaps millions of people watch and cherish. And the world and characters within it actually exist. How the hell was this possible? Was it some scientific accident that they came to be? Did the cartoon come first?...or did the ponies?

Is the show even just a simple fictional cartoon? How could I have not thought of this before? I chalked it up to being immersed in the current task of having to take care of them. Nonetheless, they existed, and I had to let them stay in my home, and help them get back home. They couldn't stay on this miserable Earth. There was one thing that made me feel a little comfort, though; I managed to have some bonding time with at least one of them. I went out with her and got some food for us. That actually made me feel...good. It warmed my heart a little bit...

No, could it be? Have I...rediscovered friendship? After all that betrayal, heartbreak, and abandonment...could I have found an honest person to look to? Someone to look forward to speaking with? Someone to play with? Someone to cry on? Someone to cherish?

Why, yes. Yes I did.

But only for a week.

One goddamned week.

It's true what they say, the good things don't stay for a while. I felt a lingering sensation to ask Pinkie a personal question.

"Hey, Pinkie?"

She looked to me with a smile. "Yeah, Stephen?"

"Do you consider me a...uh..."

"A what? A "yuh"? Why, no! That's just silly!"

"I mean, do you consider me a...a friend?"

"Of course I do! You're helping us get back home, and you're taking care of us! You're a great friend!"

I felt more warmth reach my chest. I could feel my shattered heart being slowly repaired. "Yeah...thanks, Pinkie." I flashed a happy grin as I said that. "You're welcome!", she said with the corners of her mouth pointed up.

The traffic light went green. I pressed down on the gas petal. After a minute, we had finally got out of town and were minutes away from the Lonesome Road. I got the remote, opened the garage door by pressing the same button as earlier, set down the remote, grabbed the bags of groceries, stepped out of the van, closed the door with my foot, and walked into the garage as Pinkie followed close by. I set the bags down for a second to open my door. I could hear some yelling inside. Oh damn, I bet they got into trouble. I don't have anything too valuable, so I doubt they could've broken anything important. I grabbed the bags again and walked inside. Once I was in the hallway, Pinkie stepped inside the home. I walked to the kitchen and set the bags there. I walked back down the hallway, closed the big garage door (There was a panel on the wall with a button that closes and opens the door) and shut the door leading into my home. Now, it was time to go see what this fuss was about. I went into the bedroom, and I could see Rainbow Dash and Rarity bickering about something. I also noticed there was some steam in the air as if someone ran a hot bath. The carpet also felt wet. Oh, great, I think I know where this is going.

I heard Rainbow Dash shouting. "...But I didn't do it, I wasn't even in here!"

Rarity started getting visibly annoyed. "Rainbow Dash, a lady needs to remain clean at all times! I'm not familiar with how they operate things around here, you can't blame me for accidentally flooding the bathroom! I could have sworn the bath was shut off was I was stepping out. I don't appreciate you trying to push the blame on me, considering you were in here as I was stepping out!"

"Rarity, I DIDN'T run the bath! You had to have left it running by accident, maybe while you were leaving, you hit it with your hoof or something and accidentally turned it on!"

"I didn't even feel anything touch any of my hooves! Maybe you turned it on by accident while draining the tub!"

"Who said I went to drain the tub?! I'm not a tub-drainer-for-hire! Do you see this cutie mark? What's on it? A cloud and a rainbow lightning bolt! NOT a bathtub!"

Of course. I had a minor flood to clean up, woohoo. The entire tile floor in the bathroom was soaked, and most of the carpet by the bathroom door was seriously drenched. It was around 7:30 A.M. by the time me and Pinkie returned. I was sure it would have been 7:30 P.M by the time I had finished drying everything. Keep in mind, there were also some objects on the floor in there, such as scales, stools, rugs, toilet paper rolls...you get it. As I let out a heavy sigh, I heard Pinkie bounce to my side. She lent a caring hoof onto my leg. She wanted to reassure me that this mess could be done quickly, and to keep a smile on my face, because frowning gets you nowhere. Smiling and keeping your head up helps you feel much more confident. I can do this.

Pinkie grabbed some towels. I guess she wanted to help, too. Rainbow let out a sigh, and grabbed some towels as well. Rarity made a remark along the lines of "We caused this mess, we'll clean it up" then grabbed the oldest and most worn out towel she could find. I guess she didn't want to possibly ruin such fine towels that I could get from any store for five bucks? I was still thankful that they were pitching in, nonetheless.

one hour and thirty minutes later

Well, I don't know how we did it, but we did it. We dried the whole floor, the carpet, the scales, everything. The toilet paper rolls couldn't be salvaged, though. Thankfully, I had an extra pack in a cabinet.

"Well," I said. "Good job, girls! You really helped me a lot with this mess. If you didn't help, I'd probably still be working here. Thanks a bunch."

"You're welcome!" said Pinkie with an adoring smile. She was happy to have returned the favor for someone who helped her and her friends survive here by giving them a place to stay.

Rainbow said "Anytime, I just hope Rarity doesn't have another germ-fit." as she flew back out to the living room.

"No problem, dear. Very sorry for troubling you with this mess," said Rarity. "I surely hope you can forgive me."

"It's not your fault, Rare," I said. "Just be a little more careful next time."

And so, the rest of the day was spent lounging around, making idle chit-chat with the party. I had gotten to know quite a bit about Equestria that day, such as how Twilight once overpowered some monster called an Ursa Minor, though she didn't overpower it per-se; She just put it to sleep and sent it back to the forest it came from. Apparently Twilight also had a brother, whom was married. Lucky him. I also learned that if it had not been for Twilight, this evil queen named Chrysalis would have taken over the town where the marriage was being held. It seemed that Twilight was the biggest hero and perhaps the leader of the party. After all, she was the mare who knocked on my door.

We spent the rest of the day (By the time the talks finished, it was about 2 P.M.) surfin' the television channels. "Meet the Robinsons" was on, so we watched that. Pinkie and Rarity had a good cry, and everyone except Rainbow was deeply moved by the ending. Perhaps Rainbow had seen a film like this before?...

...Then it hit me.

What if she went through the same thing Lewis did?

What if Rainbow Dash was an orphan?

It's a question I would surely have to get the answer to, but not today. After "Meet the Robinsons" ended, Twilight resumed studying. The rest of the party and myself just continued finding movies to watch all day long. It was boring, but tolerable. Tomorrow would come, and I knew just who I'd spend that day with; Rainbow Dash.