Useless?

I opened my eyes, the dim morning light leaking in from the window. I felt immensely tired. The sheets of the bed encapsulated me, warming my body.

Was I home?

I sat up and looked around my... uh, the room. This definitely was not my room.

"Here's some food. I figured you'd be hungry after all that time you were out there."

A dark blue unicorn walked in through the open doorway, his hooves grasping a small meal of yogurt and a banana, and placed my breakfast on my lap on the bed. "Your time on the rope did some damage to your leg, so I don't recommend putting pressure on it." He sat down in a chair by the desk on the other side of the small room.

Silence settled around the room as I ate my food, only the mild rustling of the wild outside of the window accompanying it. I wanted to ask him questions, but I couldn't force them out of my mouth, mainly because my mouth was full of the food I was given. After I finished my meal, he took the plate and headed out of the room.

"By the way, there's some books under the table next to you if you want to read. I'll be back in a few minutes. "He took a few more steps before stopping."Also, my name is Peur."

I tried reading some of the books, but most of them were adult novels, and they contained content I didn't understand. Peur, true to his word, trotted back in several minutes later and again sat down in the chair.

"So, would you like to tell me why you were in the state I found you in earlier, or who put you there, or should I just tell you about where you are?"

"I... would rather... you talk about you." The words barely squeezed out of my mouth, but I felt a little more awake, and a bit better from when I blacked out.

"All right. Right now you're in my apartment in Manehatten, and your leg's muscles tore from the way you were hanging. I apologize, but I had to give you some painkillers while you were asleep, because torn muscles are very painful. Anything you want to ask me?"

"Uh, heh, yeah. Did the... uh... painkiller cause this tired... redness?"

"Actually, that's because you had blood pouring straight to your head for a while. "He paused. "By the way, do you have any parents that I should bring you home to?"

I went to answer, but I paused. Did I really want to go back to my parents? Did... I really want to go back to them in this condition? Hell, Mom would probably give me up too.

"No... I don't."

Peur sighed. "Well, that gives me some time allow your leg to heal." He paused. "Is it all right if I know your name? You don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

Even though he talked a lot, he seemed... like he wasn't that bad, I guess?

"...Not right now, no."

He nodded. "You need anything, just call." He got up to leave.

"Actually, can... can I have a few books? Please?"

“What’s wrong with the books you have?” He gestured to the ones he’d left.

"I don’t understand very much in those."

"Sure, I’ll get you some better books. Give me a minute." He trotted off, only to return a few minutes later with a few books which seemed more for my age. He also brought a glass of water, "in case I got thirsty." He walked back out before I could say thanks.

I woke up again, my face lying on one of the books I was trying to read. There was a plate of haywiches on the table next to me. I pushed myself up to the window and saw that the sun was close to setting. I heard a light snoring from one of the other rooms. I reached over and fumbled with the food, but I managed to grip it and hoof it down.

I must've made some noise, because Peur's azure blue mane popped in and he grabbed the plate with his magic. "You still hungry?"

I shook my head, and he went off to put the plate away. He came back and went into his room, but I was more comfortable with words again. "Uh, Peur, why did you decide not to put me in the hospital? I mean, you wouldn't have to deal with me...."

"1: Manehatten hospitals do barely decent work. I mean, they basically slap a bandage on you and throw you out. 2: Neither of us could pay for it. I mean, I'm doing better than minimum wage, and I could bring you there for one night, but they'd kick you out as soon as you could walk, without any extra help or rehabilitation."

"Um... rehabilitation?"

He sighed and veered into my room. "Basically, you'd be on crutches for a few extra months. They wouldn't help you strengthen your leg."

"And why did you help me?"

"Well..." he started, sitting down in the chair again, "I'm not the type of pony to leave someone else for dead just because it would be a burden on me. See, I'm a... 'traveling doctor,' I guess. I help ponies for a living. And you'd be no exception." He went to the side of my bed. "It's been about 24 hours since I last used magic on your leg to help heal it, so will you allow me to do so again?"

I paused before nodding. I did want to be healed quickly. His horn gave off a light glow, and there was a warm but slightly painful pull on my leg. "Um... Peur? You haven't said a word about my... legs, and that's normally the only thing people talk about when they see me. Can I ask why?"

"There's nothing to say. You're missing two legs, and you'd need help for that, but that doesn't make you below any pony, or less capable. There are plenty of things you'll be able to do, even in your state, and what reason is there to criticize you?"

I felt... happy.

Someone... accepted me for who I was.

Over the next few weeks or so, Peur helped heal me. I slowly regained my ability to walk. I talked to him more and more, and I felt he was more of a father and a friend to me more than anyone else. Most of the time, he said what he wanted to say, straight and clear, but in a kind way. Once I was able to walk by myself again, I assumed I was going to the orphanage. Even though he helped me recover, I didn't expect him to... be able to take care of me... as a daughter. But, before we left, he said to me:

"You don't really want to go, do you?"

I paused. This was... a new question. One that I didn't expect him to ask, but I knew my answer. "No... I really don't."

He kneeled in front of me. "Uh, how to say this..." he paused and sighed. "How about you stay with me, then? You know, as an adoptive father?"

I didn't even need to say my answer, as I was already crushing him with what I could manage of a hug.

He gave a small chuckle. "A cheesy, happy chapter for both of us, then."