“I’ve found something in her room, doctor. She let her guard down while she was sleeping. This was under her mattress. Take a look,” Nurse Coldheart nudged a tattered looking book towards Doctor Stable. Tattered was an understatement. The book had tears, discoloration, water damage, and what looked like bite marks all over it. Doctor Stable flipped open the cover.
“Could this be? Her diary? I’ve always wondered how it all happened, hers is such an interesting case… Let’s take a look.” He began reading.
“Day one: Dear Diary, I have decided to start a diary after finding the most wonderful little book for sale in ponyville marketplace. Work on the repair of town hall has been difficult. I just can’t seem to get those beams screwed in tight enough. Luckily, the boss understands and has put me on lunch duty. I think I’ll go pick some flowers in the Everfree Forest later today while I think about what to make. Our team would probably appreciate a flower petal sandwich. Well, I’m off then!
Your loving owner, Screw Loose.”
“This must be from the time before she went mad,” Nurse Coldheart said. “Kinda makes you feel sorry for her, doesn’t it?”
“Sorry, maybe. More intrigued how an everyday pony could become so messed up? Definitely.” He kept reading.
“Day one, nighttime: Dear Diary, today I found something incredible! I went a little farther in than anypony I know has ever gone, and there was this beautiful field full of yummy looking flowers. They smelled so good. I made a sandwich with them and ate it for dinner and it was delish! I should start a restaurant. But I’m tired now, so I’m done for today.
Your satisfied owner, Screw Loose.”
“Everfree forest huh? Nothing good ever comes out of there.” said Nurse Coldheart.
“Day two: Dear Diary, I just had the most interesting dream. I had just finished constructing a beautiful mansion when I heard a knocking coming from within. I went to open the door, but there was nobody there. I walked inside and the door shut behind me. I meant to look in some of the rooms, but I woke up. I wonder what it could have meant.
Your puzzled owner, Screw Loose”
“I’ve never really taken much interest in dream psychol-” Nurse Coldheart started but was cut off when the intrigued Doctor Stable turned the page. On this page, the first sign of water damage.
“Day three?: Dear Diary, I have been fired from my job. Somehow I managed to sleep the entire day away and never showed up for work. There was a whole groupful of hungry construction workers that I had promised food. I don’t know what happened. What will I do with all their lunches now? It looks like I’ll be eating flower petal sandwiches for a long time.
Your depressed owner, Screw Loose
Day four: Dear Diary, I had the same dream, with a small change. I opened one of the doors in my mansion, and there was a small puppy inside. He was so cute, it took my mind off of my job for once. But then he talked! He said ‘I have three siblings. We’re playing hide and seek. If you’ll help me find them all, I’ll make sure you are rewarded. I am tiny dog. You still need to find small dog, medium dog, and big dog. As a reward, I make sure you will no longer need to worry about finding a job.’ I remember that last line especially. How did he know I needed to find a job? I thought it over for a bit after waking up and decided to play his little game. After all, what harm can a dream puppy do?”
“I’m starting to wonder just what kind of flower she’s been eating,” Nurse Coldheart mumbled, slightly concerned.
“Day seven: Dear Diary, It seems I’ve been sleeping for days at a time now. My doctor says it is nothing to worry about, probably just stress from losing my job. My front yard’s plants are all overgrown. I should probably trim them. But I have fantastic news! I found small dog hiding behind a flowerpot! The dogs have been busy since I left and put furniture into the mansion. Can’t wait to go back to sleep, this all feels so real. On a side note, more good news: these flower petal sandwiches don’t seem to ever go bad. Tastes as delicious as ever.
Feeling a little better now, Screw Loose
Day twelve: Dear Diary, I’ve been asleep for five whole days. My Boss checked in on me, concerned I haven’t asked for my job back, but I shooed him away. I don’t need him anymore. I just found Medium dog yesterday (or was it the day before)? Just one more and I’ll be finished. I won’t ever need to deal with him or my old job again. Medium dog was actually more difficult to find than small dog, even though he was bigger. I searched the entire house and only finally found him. He was hiding in the greenhouse behind an enormous potted plant. Time to go back to sleep.
Almost there, Screw Loose
Interesting. She seems to express a firm belief in the powers of her dreams.” Doctor Stable said and turned the page.
“Day twenty-something: Diary- I can’t find him! I can’t find big dog! I’ve looked everywhere. I sleep extra every day just so I can find him. But I can’t. It doesn’t matter how hard I try, there’s nothing there! I think Tiny was lying to me. There’s only two rooms left to search now, and no sign of a big dog. A room full of construction tools and a room full of draped furniture.
Searching hard, Screw Loose.”
“I’ll have to take a look at some dream psychology textbooks later.” Nurse Coldheart said. “The dreams of this pony are starting to confuse me.”
Doctor Stable turned the page. This page bore some bite marks and water damage. “Dear Diary, I’ve lost count of the days. This is a cruel joke. The draped furniture room is endless. I look into it and cannot see the far end. I just ate my last flower petal sandwich and fear I have lost. I have no money, no job, and no dreams. I am going to commit suicide tomorrow if I cannot find him tonight.
Why are you talking to me, Screw Loose.
Interesting. This next page is in entirely different handwriting.
Diarydiarydiary, I’ve found him WOOF! I don’t need to kill myself WOOF! Last night, my dream was crystal clear! I went into the draped furniture room and met tiny dog. He barked. I barked, as customary greeting. We have been seeing each other for months now. He asked if I was tired. I said I was WOOF. I said I would kill myself because nothing was left WOOF. And he said he knew where big dog was hiding, but needed my permission to bring him out. And I screamed at him Woof. Screamed… woof. To bring out big dog. So I could have my prize. So I would never need to worry again. And Tiny pulled the drape off of a shadowy figure and there was a big dog WOOF. I didn’t recognize her at first, and always thought big dog would be a male. But now I see WOOF. I got closer. Closer. And saw what Tiny had undraped. It was a full body mirror WOOF. I am big dog WOOF. I am writing this in a hospital. They are taking care of me WOOF. Tiny dog was right. I never need to worry about a job again WOOF. I am the big dog now.”
Doctor Stable closed the book and a pressed flower fell out. He went over to pick it up, but it crumbled to powder. "Wait. I recognize this. Dream Eater. Named so because of the intense sleep effect it causes on your body. And I suppose for what it does to your dreams in the real world."
“It’s a shame, isn’t it?” Nurse Coldheart said, shaking her head. “I’ll put this back where I found it. Hopefully she won’t notice the flower’s missing.”