Insanity caused by sanityby Chaos EclipsedChaptersFirstThe secondThe third chapterThe story's fourth chapterFirstI stared at the slightly smoldering wreckage of my once home. One of the grocery bags balanced on my back starts its descent. I stop it with a quick wing, but an apple falls out. Tracking its seemingly endless fall through an infinite amount of space from the corner of my eye, I feel as if it represented how much time I had left before my control waned. All too soon, a small thud emanates from the apple as it contacts the ground. My eyes snap to the front of my face, the pupils dilated to mere pinpricks. The bearers of the elements of harmony are all staring at me, none of them willing to speak. Together, these six mares had just stopped a rogue hydra, but my home, along with several others, were lost before they arrived. Calmly, almost too calmly, I began to make my way to what was left of my house. It took me mere minutes to find everything that was salvageable. An old lock box I kept a few spare bits in in the event of an emergency. Dial the Celestia damned number, because emergency occurred fifteen minutes ago. Gathering up the box, I took it and my groceries away from the wreckage. Except for the apple. It remained as a lone defender, guarding my path from any of the six foolhardy enough to follow it. Five out of six, it worked. Not bad. I'll need to give that fruit a raise sometime. However, it seemed that one 'Rainbow Dash' was not a doctor, so the apple had no effect. "Hey! We just saved your sorry flank and you just act like we're not even there?" She asked, annoyed. Oh, please. She had nothing on how extremely -- and legitimately, mind you -- pissed I was at that approximate moment. I ignored her, stepping around on my way to the train station. I had enough bits for a ride and some more for a while's worth of food and rental. I hear Trottingham is quite nice. It wasn't a constant Armageddon, so it must be doing something right that Ponyville isn't. Without even giving her a glance, I know immediately that Rainbow must be shocked. Her? Ignored? This couldn't stand! As if on queue, she's in front of me again. "Hey! I'm talkin to you!" "I know." I answer coldly. My stare was unblinking, unwavering. Unyielding. She was in my way. "I don't care." For some odd reason, she seemed to back off. Finding this out of character, I huffed, but continued on my way. Don't look a gift... what was that phrase again? Whatever, don't take a blessing for granted. Without warning, a pink and yellow pegasus is in front of me. Odd. I've lived in this town for most of my life, but have never known Fluttershy to be so... direct. "How could you be so mean?" She accused. "We were just trying to help!" "I know. You did. But these incidents keep happening. So I'm leaving." My logic was irrefutable. I could only take so much. I felt like I was dead on the inside, but I didn't care. She narrowed her eyes at me. Some part of me shriveled a little, but the rest was so enraged that I didn't notice at the time. Odd. You'd think I'd have lashed out, yelled, done something other than take what was left of my possessions and begin walking off. But despite how utterly sick I was of dealing with this sort of thing over and over, I was calm. My mind was clear. I was thinking more logically than I ever had before. If Ponyville couldn't stop having these... episodes I suppose the proper word would be, I could leave. Trottingham does sound nice. It is with faint curiosity that I notice that the sun hasn't moved, despite it feeling that this pegasus and I have been staring at each other for hours. I notice my eyes are dry. But I didn't care. I had gone full circle. I had become so angry that I just... wasn't, anymore. I was done. And I didn't care. She slowly began to realize that I wasn't being affected by her stare, but I don't see how it was so powerful anyway. In spite of the small part that whimpered and scampered away when she was using it. Maybe it was just my new way of thinking at the time. I don't know. By now it would be cliche to say that I didn't care. She backed off. I heard several gasps come from the others. I turned my head slightly, scowling at them. My gaze ended up lingering on Twilight Sparkle. This started when she moved here. I didn't blame her. I couldn't, really. She did a fine job keeping everything at bay. She was a blessing. But that didn't change the fact that ever since she arrived, I had constantly been driven mad -- a different sort of mad than I was at that moment -- by the constant chaos. And that was before Discord. Despite the irrationality of it and my own clear head, I still had her tagged as the harbinger of all this. My home was destroyed for the fourth time in half as many months. And I couldn't take it anymore. I turn my head back to my path and follow it to the train station. Once I arrived, I looked at the sign. Next train to Trottingham left in twenty minutes. At least something was with me in this mess. Once I bought a ticket and boarded a train, my limitless anger subsided. Just dissipated in a matter of seconds. I looked out the window. As I looked out the window, I smiled. As I smiled, I chuckled softly. As I chuckled, I thought that it was over. I'd start again, in piece, in Trottingham. I remember thinking that. Now, I laugh at how foalish I was on that day. The secondIt didn't take long for the train to arrive at its destination. Luckily, I still had more than enough time on it to prioritize. Roof, source of income, getting to know the town. Food was in there, but I had enough with me to last a week. Maybe more if I rationed. Income was second. I already had some that I brought with me to hold over until i found a job. I didn't need to get to know the town until I got myself organized and settled in properly. That left finding a house in first place. Setting off from the train station, I decided to start with Trottingham's town hall. Provided I could find it, that should be where notices for houses that are up for sale or rent are located. If nothing else, I'd find a hotel. I only had around twenty-five hundred bits, so I probably won't buy anything just yet. The buildings around me were different, for starters. Rather than the thatch roofs so common to Ponyville, most buildings had shingles or tiles on top. Similarly, buildings of brick and concrete were much more common. It reminded me of when I visited Canterlot, but somehow managed to add in some of the charm that had kept me in Ponyville until very recently. Overall, it was nice. Running various scenarios in my head in the event needed to ask for directions, I ended up bumping into an aqua unicorn mare with a bright yellow mane. I hadn't gotten a look at her cutie mark yet, but later i'd learn that it was a long, thin sword. She was actually a professional fencer. "Sorry." I apologized quickly, about to continue on my way. She smiled. "Don't worry about it. Wait, are you new in town?" I stopped. "Uh, yeah. Looking for town hall, actually." "Looking for a house?" "How'd you--" "We get a lot of that." She waved, cutting me off. "Most everypony who's got something up for grabs posts it on a board in that cafe over there." She pointed at a building just across the street. "Don't really know why they started doing that. Anyway, come on. I'll introduce you to some of your new neighbors." My next few seconds were spent doing what I believe to be a spot-on goldfish impersonation. The mare giggled. "I get a lot of that, too." <><><> "So, Flick, how'd you know I was new in town?" She shrugged. "Most ponies around here don't apologize until they've gone and bull-dozed you over. They're still nice, just not as quick on the draw with it." "Why?" I asked, looking over the board she had shown me. "Just the way the town started. It used to be a mining town, so lots of big, gruff earth ponies were living here. They weren't so easily knocked around, even considering how sturdy earth ponies are normally. The attitude hasn't really left the town since." "Huh." I said, still scanning through the possible houses. I have to admit, their were more than I could have hoped for. Eventually, my eyes settled on on apartment complex that had a few areas up for rent. Most for about two to three hundred bits a month. "This looks promising." I said, grabbing the paper. Looking it over again, I let Flick take a look. "What do you think?" She blinked at the paper, followed by a grin. "I think we're going to be neighbors. I live in apartment one-oh-four." For a second, I contemplated the thought of putting the paper back. Not to be rude, but I wasn't so sure I was up to having friends in this town just yet. It was starting to make me think back to how Pinkie became instant friends with whoever she bumped into. Nevertheless, Flick didn't seem to mind, if she even knew what I was thinking. "Just don't get any ideas, mmkay? I've already got a stallion." "What?" I asked in confusion. Truthfully, I hadn't even heard her, being a little wrapped up in trying to sort out my schedule for the rest of the day. If the apartment worked out, it wouldn't take too long to complete and I'd have the rest of my day. Since it was just now two o' clock and I hadn't yet found a job, that was a rather long day. "Playing innocent, huh?" She joked, though at the time I thought she was serious. "Keep that up and the other mares'll be all over you." I groaned inwardly. Thanks to that comment I just knew I'd spend the rest of the day looking around and noticing stares that probably weren't even there. Whatever. I still needed to lock in that apartment. I glanced around the cafe, noticing a menu above the cashier register. Apartment in a little bit. First, a coffee. The third chapterCashier at a superstore. Well, at least it wasn't a fast food joint. Three days have gone by since I came to town, this being my fourth if you included the day I stepped off the train. The apartment's been decorated a bit, mostly thanks to Flick's incessant demands that I do so. Granted, at first I wasn't too keen on her sticking around, figuring that I'd be better off running through this on my own for a time, but she'd actually been a great help. Other than that there was little to note, other than the high flying nose that the mare across the counter from me had. Trottingham did have some Ponyville traits, yes, but it also had a good helping of Canterlotism. That's a new word, by the way. "That'll be sixteen bits, ma'am." I said, looking at her. She frowned and raised her snout. "These prices are exorbitant! Surely we can come to a better agreement?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye. I gave her a borderline glare, trying to contain myself. Nonetheless, my wings ruffled a bit. "You've got a bag of twelve apples and a shirt." I responded evenly. "That's pretty darn low compared to everywhere else in this city. Besides, lady, I don't set the prices." "Well, I never!" She said haughtily. Geez, I hated stuck-ups. "You could at least pretend to have manners!" Don't punch the customer, don't punch the customer, don't punch the-- "Hey, you haven't paid for those yet!" I yelled when she began to walk away. She turned around sheepishly, quickly dropping sixteen bits on the counter. "Ho-lee Celestia. Somepony actually paid for that?" I heard somepony say. Turning, I saw another cashier leaning over their counter. Even from here, I could tell he was staring at the... 'swag' shirt the mare had purchased. I facehoofed. So much for being a higher class member of society. I should have been tipped off by somepony like that being at a superstore. Still, my shift was almost up. I couldn't wait to leave here, for some reason. It's kinda odd, but there's just something niggling in my mind. Whatever. Knowing my luck, I've got PTSD or something. If the problem persists, I'll talk to Flick, see what she thinks. Checking to see if there was somepony waiting, I tried to return to the task at hoof. There wasn't a line or anything, though, so I simply waited until five rolled around and left, stopping to inform the manager as I did so. Exiting the store, I find myself thinking. Nothing specific, just the standard ramblings of a mind with very little to do. It was pleasant, even if I wasn't going to my own home and was instead trudging onward to an apartment that had only a few pieces of furniture in it.. Wow, I can depress myself. I sighed, thinking I could really use a milkshake. <><><> Seven o' clock. Day was winding down, with me looking over my mental checklist of what I have done today. It was looking good, so far. I must confess, I had kept my doubts up to now, thinking that there was surely some way this would fall apart. Instead, things were looking up. I had a job, if a less than glamorous one, a roof and assurance that everything will turn out okay. So what was that annoying feeling in the back of my mind? It's like I've forgotten something, but what? I had left Ponyville in a hurry. Maybe I left behind some kind of picture or something? Something sentimental? Ugh, this was going nowhere exceedingly quickly. If I had forgotten something, it was likely buried in rubble along with the rest of my old house. I should have gotten that milkshake. The story's fourth chapterI sighed inwardly, careful not to let any of it out. What was with that odd stallion in the corner? I swear, it's like he's leering at me. What did I do? No matter that every time I look around he was busy in a conversation with a mare. No matter that whenever I had him in my sight he wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to me. I could feel the physical force of his gaze. It made my coat stand on end. I stepped up to the counter, ordering my usual coffee, paying and quickly leaving to enjoy the rest of my day off. Coffee at three may seem odd, but it's better than falling asleep in your home and ruining your sleep schedule for who knows how long. The stallion didn't follow. I guess he was just trying to scare me off. Not like I was even on his mare's radar, though. Maybe he just didn't like the way I looked? He was a pegasus, too, so it wasn't a racial thing. Could it be? I shook my head, trying to clear it of thoughts. Walking down the street with my coffee balanced between my wings may seem unusual for a pegasus, but I liked the ground. It was direct and solid. It was a constant. I guess it's just something I grew to cherish while living in Ponyville. I soon found myself walking into a park. Nice, sunny day. Not too many others around. I should have brought a book or something. I trotted around the park, looking for a bench or something to sit on. I soon got that niggling feeling in my mind, though. you know, that one where something feels just slightly off? I tried to think it over, making sure that I had locked the apartment and kept my bits all on my person. I had, but there was still that feeling. The two big points were through, so I decided to pass it off as something minor. I didn't feel like worrying with it anyway. Now was the time for not being a downer! Only problem was I had no idea how to not worry about something. I'm used to worrying about everything that wasn't planned, because in Ponyville, those things turned into a disaster all the time and then some. Why do I keep thinking of that town? I came here to get away from it. Blowing air through my nose, I found a bench I liked and sat down. It took all of five seconds for something small, round and fast to rattle my brains. Rubbing my head and looking down at the ball, I kicked it back at the colt who had missed his shot. He sheepishly grinned at me and left with his friend. At the time, I hadn't noticed, but the feeling in my head had left when that unexpected thing happened. It was brilliant, really. Something happens that I didn't plan on relieves my worry. Despite my intense desire to express my lack of knowledge as to how that would even work, I shall return to the story at hoof. I sat back down sipping coffee and relieved to be enjoying my day again. It wasn't really a setback, just a minor annoyance I flicked away without so much as a casual thought. Ah, yes. Trottingham was good. <><><> I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep on that bench, but I certainly realized it when I woke up. It was just getting to sundown, with shadows slowly stretching across the ground. So much for avoiding a ruined sleep schedule. My stomach growled, clearly becoming aware that it had missed supper by an hour or two. My coffee was empty, so I left the cup in a trash can by the bench and flew off, intent on getting back to my home. In the few hours that I had been asleep, the odd feeling in my mind had returned, but it was only at the strength it was back at my job a few days ago. Small victories, right? Anyway, I could almost swear that certain shadows were stretching just a bit faster than the rest. I really had to look to see it, but it must have been there. Didn't help that a turned a corner and saw the pegasus from the coffee shop flying in the opposite direction as me, just a few feet higher than I was. We glanced at each other, but he soon looked away and so did I. Still, that couldn't have been coincidence. Okay, it could have been, but I didn't think it was. So, I made it to my home and locked the door behind me when I went in. Small victories against the outside world, locks. Able to keep all but a few things in or out with but a small click. Unless it was either kicked or broken with brute force, in which case, buck. I let out a breath, assured that whatever else was happening, I was safe.
FirstI stared at the slightly smoldering wreckage of my once home. One of the grocery bags balanced on my back starts its descent. I stop it with a quick wing, but an apple falls out. Tracking its seemingly endless fall through an infinite amount of space from the corner of my eye, I feel as if it represented how much time I had left before my control waned. All too soon, a small thud emanates from the apple as it contacts the ground. My eyes snap to the front of my face, the pupils dilated to mere pinpricks. The bearers of the elements of harmony are all staring at me, none of them willing to speak. Together, these six mares had just stopped a rogue hydra, but my home, along with several others, were lost before they arrived. Calmly, almost too calmly, I began to make my way to what was left of my house. It took me mere minutes to find everything that was salvageable. An old lock box I kept a few spare bits in in the event of an emergency. Dial the Celestia damned number, because emergency occurred fifteen minutes ago. Gathering up the box, I took it and my groceries away from the wreckage. Except for the apple. It remained as a lone defender, guarding my path from any of the six foolhardy enough to follow it. Five out of six, it worked. Not bad. I'll need to give that fruit a raise sometime. However, it seemed that one 'Rainbow Dash' was not a doctor, so the apple had no effect. "Hey! We just saved your sorry flank and you just act like we're not even there?" She asked, annoyed. Oh, please. She had nothing on how extremely -- and legitimately, mind you -- pissed I was at that approximate moment. I ignored her, stepping around on my way to the train station. I had enough bits for a ride and some more for a while's worth of food and rental. I hear Trottingham is quite nice. It wasn't a constant Armageddon, so it must be doing something right that Ponyville isn't. Without even giving her a glance, I know immediately that Rainbow must be shocked. Her? Ignored? This couldn't stand! As if on queue, she's in front of me again. "Hey! I'm talkin to you!" "I know." I answer coldly. My stare was unblinking, unwavering. Unyielding. She was in my way. "I don't care." For some odd reason, she seemed to back off. Finding this out of character, I huffed, but continued on my way. Don't look a gift... what was that phrase again? Whatever, don't take a blessing for granted. Without warning, a pink and yellow pegasus is in front of me. Odd. I've lived in this town for most of my life, but have never known Fluttershy to be so... direct. "How could you be so mean?" She accused. "We were just trying to help!" "I know. You did. But these incidents keep happening. So I'm leaving." My logic was irrefutable. I could only take so much. I felt like I was dead on the inside, but I didn't care. She narrowed her eyes at me. Some part of me shriveled a little, but the rest was so enraged that I didn't notice at the time. Odd. You'd think I'd have lashed out, yelled, done something other than take what was left of my possessions and begin walking off. But despite how utterly sick I was of dealing with this sort of thing over and over, I was calm. My mind was clear. I was thinking more logically than I ever had before. If Ponyville couldn't stop having these... episodes I suppose the proper word would be, I could leave. Trottingham does sound nice. It is with faint curiosity that I notice that the sun hasn't moved, despite it feeling that this pegasus and I have been staring at each other for hours. I notice my eyes are dry. But I didn't care. I had gone full circle. I had become so angry that I just... wasn't, anymore. I was done. And I didn't care. She slowly began to realize that I wasn't being affected by her stare, but I don't see how it was so powerful anyway. In spite of the small part that whimpered and scampered away when she was using it. Maybe it was just my new way of thinking at the time. I don't know. By now it would be cliche to say that I didn't care. She backed off. I heard several gasps come from the others. I turned my head slightly, scowling at them. My gaze ended up lingering on Twilight Sparkle. This started when she moved here. I didn't blame her. I couldn't, really. She did a fine job keeping everything at bay. She was a blessing. But that didn't change the fact that ever since she arrived, I had constantly been driven mad -- a different sort of mad than I was at that moment -- by the constant chaos. And that was before Discord. Despite the irrationality of it and my own clear head, I still had her tagged as the harbinger of all this. My home was destroyed for the fourth time in half as many months. And I couldn't take it anymore. I turn my head back to my path and follow it to the train station. Once I arrived, I looked at the sign. Next train to Trottingham left in twenty minutes. At least something was with me in this mess. Once I bought a ticket and boarded a train, my limitless anger subsided. Just dissipated in a matter of seconds. I looked out the window. As I looked out the window, I smiled. As I smiled, I chuckled softly. As I chuckled, I thought that it was over. I'd start again, in piece, in Trottingham. I remember thinking that. Now, I laugh at how foalish I was on that day.
The secondIt didn't take long for the train to arrive at its destination. Luckily, I still had more than enough time on it to prioritize. Roof, source of income, getting to know the town. Food was in there, but I had enough with me to last a week. Maybe more if I rationed. Income was second. I already had some that I brought with me to hold over until i found a job. I didn't need to get to know the town until I got myself organized and settled in properly. That left finding a house in first place. Setting off from the train station, I decided to start with Trottingham's town hall. Provided I could find it, that should be where notices for houses that are up for sale or rent are located. If nothing else, I'd find a hotel. I only had around twenty-five hundred bits, so I probably won't buy anything just yet. The buildings around me were different, for starters. Rather than the thatch roofs so common to Ponyville, most buildings had shingles or tiles on top. Similarly, buildings of brick and concrete were much more common. It reminded me of when I visited Canterlot, but somehow managed to add in some of the charm that had kept me in Ponyville until very recently. Overall, it was nice. Running various scenarios in my head in the event needed to ask for directions, I ended up bumping into an aqua unicorn mare with a bright yellow mane. I hadn't gotten a look at her cutie mark yet, but later i'd learn that it was a long, thin sword. She was actually a professional fencer. "Sorry." I apologized quickly, about to continue on my way. She smiled. "Don't worry about it. Wait, are you new in town?" I stopped. "Uh, yeah. Looking for town hall, actually." "Looking for a house?" "How'd you--" "We get a lot of that." She waved, cutting me off. "Most everypony who's got something up for grabs posts it on a board in that cafe over there." She pointed at a building just across the street. "Don't really know why they started doing that. Anyway, come on. I'll introduce you to some of your new neighbors." My next few seconds were spent doing what I believe to be a spot-on goldfish impersonation. The mare giggled. "I get a lot of that, too." <><><> "So, Flick, how'd you know I was new in town?" She shrugged. "Most ponies around here don't apologize until they've gone and bull-dozed you over. They're still nice, just not as quick on the draw with it." "Why?" I asked, looking over the board she had shown me. "Just the way the town started. It used to be a mining town, so lots of big, gruff earth ponies were living here. They weren't so easily knocked around, even considering how sturdy earth ponies are normally. The attitude hasn't really left the town since." "Huh." I said, still scanning through the possible houses. I have to admit, their were more than I could have hoped for. Eventually, my eyes settled on on apartment complex that had a few areas up for rent. Most for about two to three hundred bits a month. "This looks promising." I said, grabbing the paper. Looking it over again, I let Flick take a look. "What do you think?" She blinked at the paper, followed by a grin. "I think we're going to be neighbors. I live in apartment one-oh-four." For a second, I contemplated the thought of putting the paper back. Not to be rude, but I wasn't so sure I was up to having friends in this town just yet. It was starting to make me think back to how Pinkie became instant friends with whoever she bumped into. Nevertheless, Flick didn't seem to mind, if she even knew what I was thinking. "Just don't get any ideas, mmkay? I've already got a stallion." "What?" I asked in confusion. Truthfully, I hadn't even heard her, being a little wrapped up in trying to sort out my schedule for the rest of the day. If the apartment worked out, it wouldn't take too long to complete and I'd have the rest of my day. Since it was just now two o' clock and I hadn't yet found a job, that was a rather long day. "Playing innocent, huh?" She joked, though at the time I thought she was serious. "Keep that up and the other mares'll be all over you." I groaned inwardly. Thanks to that comment I just knew I'd spend the rest of the day looking around and noticing stares that probably weren't even there. Whatever. I still needed to lock in that apartment. I glanced around the cafe, noticing a menu above the cashier register. Apartment in a little bit. First, a coffee.
The third chapterCashier at a superstore. Well, at least it wasn't a fast food joint. Three days have gone by since I came to town, this being my fourth if you included the day I stepped off the train. The apartment's been decorated a bit, mostly thanks to Flick's incessant demands that I do so. Granted, at first I wasn't too keen on her sticking around, figuring that I'd be better off running through this on my own for a time, but she'd actually been a great help. Other than that there was little to note, other than the high flying nose that the mare across the counter from me had. Trottingham did have some Ponyville traits, yes, but it also had a good helping of Canterlotism. That's a new word, by the way. "That'll be sixteen bits, ma'am." I said, looking at her. She frowned and raised her snout. "These prices are exorbitant! Surely we can come to a better agreement?" She asked, a twinkle in her eye. I gave her a borderline glare, trying to contain myself. Nonetheless, my wings ruffled a bit. "You've got a bag of twelve apples and a shirt." I responded evenly. "That's pretty darn low compared to everywhere else in this city. Besides, lady, I don't set the prices." "Well, I never!" She said haughtily. Geez, I hated stuck-ups. "You could at least pretend to have manners!" Don't punch the customer, don't punch the customer, don't punch the-- "Hey, you haven't paid for those yet!" I yelled when she began to walk away. She turned around sheepishly, quickly dropping sixteen bits on the counter. "Ho-lee Celestia. Somepony actually paid for that?" I heard somepony say. Turning, I saw another cashier leaning over their counter. Even from here, I could tell he was staring at the... 'swag' shirt the mare had purchased. I facehoofed. So much for being a higher class member of society. I should have been tipped off by somepony like that being at a superstore. Still, my shift was almost up. I couldn't wait to leave here, for some reason. It's kinda odd, but there's just something niggling in my mind. Whatever. Knowing my luck, I've got PTSD or something. If the problem persists, I'll talk to Flick, see what she thinks. Checking to see if there was somepony waiting, I tried to return to the task at hoof. There wasn't a line or anything, though, so I simply waited until five rolled around and left, stopping to inform the manager as I did so. Exiting the store, I find myself thinking. Nothing specific, just the standard ramblings of a mind with very little to do. It was pleasant, even if I wasn't going to my own home and was instead trudging onward to an apartment that had only a few pieces of furniture in it.. Wow, I can depress myself. I sighed, thinking I could really use a milkshake. <><><> Seven o' clock. Day was winding down, with me looking over my mental checklist of what I have done today. It was looking good, so far. I must confess, I had kept my doubts up to now, thinking that there was surely some way this would fall apart. Instead, things were looking up. I had a job, if a less than glamorous one, a roof and assurance that everything will turn out okay. So what was that annoying feeling in the back of my mind? It's like I've forgotten something, but what? I had left Ponyville in a hurry. Maybe I left behind some kind of picture or something? Something sentimental? Ugh, this was going nowhere exceedingly quickly. If I had forgotten something, it was likely buried in rubble along with the rest of my old house. I should have gotten that milkshake.
The story's fourth chapterI sighed inwardly, careful not to let any of it out. What was with that odd stallion in the corner? I swear, it's like he's leering at me. What did I do? No matter that every time I look around he was busy in a conversation with a mare. No matter that whenever I had him in my sight he wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention to me. I could feel the physical force of his gaze. It made my coat stand on end. I stepped up to the counter, ordering my usual coffee, paying and quickly leaving to enjoy the rest of my day off. Coffee at three may seem odd, but it's better than falling asleep in your home and ruining your sleep schedule for who knows how long. The stallion didn't follow. I guess he was just trying to scare me off. Not like I was even on his mare's radar, though. Maybe he just didn't like the way I looked? He was a pegasus, too, so it wasn't a racial thing. Could it be? I shook my head, trying to clear it of thoughts. Walking down the street with my coffee balanced between my wings may seem unusual for a pegasus, but I liked the ground. It was direct and solid. It was a constant. I guess it's just something I grew to cherish while living in Ponyville. I soon found myself walking into a park. Nice, sunny day. Not too many others around. I should have brought a book or something. I trotted around the park, looking for a bench or something to sit on. I soon got that niggling feeling in my mind, though. you know, that one where something feels just slightly off? I tried to think it over, making sure that I had locked the apartment and kept my bits all on my person. I had, but there was still that feeling. The two big points were through, so I decided to pass it off as something minor. I didn't feel like worrying with it anyway. Now was the time for not being a downer! Only problem was I had no idea how to not worry about something. I'm used to worrying about everything that wasn't planned, because in Ponyville, those things turned into a disaster all the time and then some. Why do I keep thinking of that town? I came here to get away from it. Blowing air through my nose, I found a bench I liked and sat down. It took all of five seconds for something small, round and fast to rattle my brains. Rubbing my head and looking down at the ball, I kicked it back at the colt who had missed his shot. He sheepishly grinned at me and left with his friend. At the time, I hadn't noticed, but the feeling in my head had left when that unexpected thing happened. It was brilliant, really. Something happens that I didn't plan on relieves my worry. Despite my intense desire to express my lack of knowledge as to how that would even work, I shall return to the story at hoof. I sat back down sipping coffee and relieved to be enjoying my day again. It wasn't really a setback, just a minor annoyance I flicked away without so much as a casual thought. Ah, yes. Trottingham was good. <><><> I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep on that bench, but I certainly realized it when I woke up. It was just getting to sundown, with shadows slowly stretching across the ground. So much for avoiding a ruined sleep schedule. My stomach growled, clearly becoming aware that it had missed supper by an hour or two. My coffee was empty, so I left the cup in a trash can by the bench and flew off, intent on getting back to my home. In the few hours that I had been asleep, the odd feeling in my mind had returned, but it was only at the strength it was back at my job a few days ago. Small victories, right? Anyway, I could almost swear that certain shadows were stretching just a bit faster than the rest. I really had to look to see it, but it must have been there. Didn't help that a turned a corner and saw the pegasus from the coffee shop flying in the opposite direction as me, just a few feet higher than I was. We glanced at each other, but he soon looked away and so did I. Still, that couldn't have been coincidence. Okay, it could have been, but I didn't think it was. So, I made it to my home and locked the door behind me when I went in. Small victories against the outside world, locks. Able to keep all but a few things in or out with but a small click. Unless it was either kicked or broken with brute force, in which case, buck. I let out a breath, assured that whatever else was happening, I was safe.
