Keeper of the Night

I knocked on Riley's door only once and Nightmare Moon and I walked in. I never had to worry about Riley's parents being around, because they worked with mine. Both our families go back to around the 1910s, where, according to family history, both the Owens and the Ambromicvis lived in tenant housing. They were able to live by pooling their money, and both families have been on the same page ever since. Riley was waiting for us in the living room. You can easily see the front door from there, and I wished I had been quicker with my phone, because the moment Nightmare Moon stepped through, Riley's eyes totally bugged out and he nearly crushed the glass he was holding while watching the mid-morning football game.

Nightmare immediately strode into the living room and looked down at Riley. I sorta felt bad for him, but I envied him at the same time, because she bent down so far that her cleavage was level with his eyes. She smiled menacingly and said, "Owens has informed me of you position as his commander, and I have bested him. He gave no fight, and you won't either, if you have any sense in you." She stood up again and walked back into the front hallway. She said to me, "Do not think we are done yet. I'm going to stay here and keep my eye on you and your associate. What you lack in strength, you make up for in cleverness and wit. I will make sure to never leave you alone for a minute."

"Fine by me," I said raising my hands in a surrendering position. I walked over to the couch where Riley was and sat down. He still seemed shocked, but he had gotten over most of it.

"Wanna play videogames?" I asked.

We were playing Street Fighter Four while I explained what happened to me not too long ago. I didn't have to worry about Nightmare Moon hearing us, because she was curiously exploring the kitchen and how the devices worked.

"Damn. I wouldn't believe it if she wasn't right here in front of me," Riley said when I finished.

"Yeah, no kidding," I replied. "I thought she was gonna kill me for a few seconds."

"It was quick thinking, what you did."

"For what?"

"For getting her to keep the sun goin'," Riley said.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm still not all that proud of it," I muttered.

"Oh, relax," Riley told me. "You did keep her out of the spotlight. Can you imagine what would happen if the government found out about her?"

"Pssh. They'd start a World War Three. The world versus Nightmare Moon," I scoffed.

Riley laughed. "No kiddin'.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nightmare eyeing us suspiciously. I cringed and nudged Riley. "We should talk about something else," I whispered. Riley looked at Nightmare Moon and nodded.

"So did you hear about what my girlfriend's doin' on Friday?" he asked.

I looked at him and told him, "Your main squeeze doesn't tell me anything, you dummy."

"Well," he began, "She said she's getting a bunch of kids from Purple Mountain together and having a dance party in the parking lot of the high school. She told everyone she knows to bring their friends, even if they don't go to Purple Mountain."

I asked him if that was a good idea, since being outside meant we'd be disturbing the public peace. He said, "Nah, you know the school is surrounded by trees. The sound'll get tangled in the pine needles."

"Anyway," he continued, "Any one can come if they can make it. You gonna go?"

"Oh, hell yeah," I said. I looked at the clock. It read 8:30. I was going to be late for my part-time retail job at GameStop, which starts at 9:25. I have never been late yet, so I told Riley thanks for understanding my dilemmas and letting me play games. I ran out of the house and back to mine, with Nightmare Moon following close behind. She was yelling at me, but I didn't notice until halfway up the hill. I stopped and turned around and saw her chasing me. I knew I was gonna get it.

"What is wrong with you!?" she yelled.

"Listen, Nightmare," I explained, "I have to go somewhere for about six hours. It's my job. I need the income to go to college this fall, so I can't stay at home."

Nightmare Moon stopped her enraged breathing and scratched her chin, looking at me. "Which days of the week?" she asked with concern.

"Only Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday," I said. She looked confused and I remembered that the Equestrian calendar probably didn't match the Gregorian calendar, so I clarified, "Only three days. Will you grant me that?"

She was silent, but slowly nodded after awhile. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, ma'am."

"However..."

Bah, I knew there was a catch, I thought.

"I overheard you talking with your partner about a dance on Friday..." she said. I dreaded what she'd say next.

"I will be coming with you." Great, I thought. This is gonna be embarrassing.

"...Your wish is my command," I sighed. I ran back up the hill and hopped into my car. I made sure Nightmare Moon went back inside before I drove off.