HEAVY MANE

Rainfall: 0.272 inches

Hotel Everfree was a run-down shithole. There really was no other way to describe it. Drug deals and murders happen every few days here. Unfortunately, somepony in this hell of a place had information that I needed. Another colt was abducted. I had to find out more, before it was too late. Facing me was the lobby. The trickle of a drizzle was faint as I neared closer towards the front. The light pink ‘open’ sign flickered as I proceeded to push open the glass door.

The clerk at the desk glanced up at me, then continued reading her book. “What room you staying at?” she asked, rather angrily.

“Miss, I’m not looking for a room, I’m looking for a certain pony.” I replied straightforwardly.

“I can’t help you there, mister.” she said in a depressed tone. I glimpsed left and right. On my left was a soda machine with a note posted that read ‘out of service’. On my right was a window, which was a portal to the constant rain outside.

“And that’s where you’re wrong,” I responded as I extended my hoof, full of bits.

“Well, who ya looking for, handsome?” she eagerly said. I chuckled.

“Lauren Winter.”

Stairs creaked as I headed upstairs. Room 212. I checked down the hall, intently searching for the right one. Three doors down on the right was Lauren’s room. I lifted my right hoof and knocked on the oak door. “Come in.” a voice said.

“The price is $50. Ten minutes. No weird shit, ok? I’ll start to undress.”

“We kind of don’t wear clothes... Besides, I’m not here for that.”

“Then why the fuck are you here?”

“My name is Scott. I’m a private investigator and I’d like to-” Lauren backed away, fear striking her eyes.

“Please don’t lock me up...”

“I’m not here to arrest you Lauren. I just want to ask you some questions about your son, Johnny.” Lauren’s expression changed from fear to anger.

“I will not talk about my son.”

“More kids have been abducted, I need this information, Lauren."

“Sigh. Fine. Well, Johnny is...” She paused and her eyes seemed to drift off as she obviously reminisced of better times.

“Johnny was the best thing that ever happened to me. I still think about him every day.”

“Okay, Mrs. Winter, tell me more” I inquired.

“No, I don’t have to tell you anything.” Sigh. Well, this wasn’t gonna get me anywhere. I reached in my coat pocket for a business card and placed it casually on a table..

“Call me if you want to talk.”

I headed out, but something felt off. That’s when I started to stumble. Shit! I frantically searched the rest of my pockets for my inhaler. Where the fuck was it?! I almost didn’t hear the screams coming from Room 212 as I gasped for air. A familiar object graced my hoof as I checked my back coat pocket. I grabbed the inhaler and started to return to the room.

I looked inside and holding Lauren was a dangerous-looking horse. “Why don’t you leave her alone, plothole?” I shouted.

“Why don’t you buck off?” he sneered at me.

I tackled the piece of shit and started throwing hooves around. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a pushover. He grabbed a bottle off the table and swung it at my face. I barely dodged it as it cut my nose. Ouch. Now it was my turn. Another hoof to his face and I lifted him and started galloping towards the wall, splitting that same table in two in the process. The pain must’ve been remarkable, as he laid nearly motionless on the floor.

“Now get the fuck out of here.” I yelled. The lowlife proceeded to limp out the door, no doubt he’ll never come back.

Lauren remained silent as I walked out of the scene.