Dwindling Light

Dwindling Light

Prologue - A Day That Never Comes

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014 A.D. 7:20 A.M.

North Carolina, U.S.A.

        The morning was the same routine as usual, wake up, take a shower, get dressed, then eat. Today was as normal as most any other day, other than the two hour delay that was announced the previous day. What a great way to start the new semester. Was all I could think to myself.

        The only idea that made today worse was that we were trying to cram all eight of our classes into an even smaller schedule and still include lunch. I don’t know how other high schools do it around the world but at LHS, we didn’t miss any classes. Even if we are delayed by a couple hours.

        The only thing that made my morning brighter while I waited for the time to pass was being able to write. At the start of my school year I started getting into writing, no longer was I just bound by the visual art forms but able to put my stories to word now as well. I usually wrote in a Journal or as weird as it may sound, fan fictions for the TV show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

        I first started watching when the show first came out back in October of 2010. I was bored and looking around YouTube for something interesting to watch, and knowing me I was always on the weird side of the website. I started to see these random commentaries about the show, at first I was a little skeptical on watching one of the commentaries but eventually found myself watching the actual first two episodes of the show.

        I had actually liked watching them, soon enough I found myself waiting for every Sunday so I could see the next episode in the season. The reason for Sunday was because me and my family were stationed on Okinawa, Japan so I wasn’t able to catch them on TV as much as I would have liked to. I considered myself a Brony for a while but I kept it to myself in fear of what others would think of me for liking a show that was supposedly for little girls.

        In the summer of 2011 I had moved to California as it was where my family was stationed. I had stopped caring about what others thought of me shortly before I arrived, mostly because I was tired of hiding who I was from the world. A lesson from my old friend Zachary, he was my best friend from my first day of pre-school up until my 7th grade year.

        His death was sudden and shook me to the core and darkened my heart. My Little Pony helped me get through a tough spot in my life honestly, and it still does to this day. I digress though, during my time in California I embraced the fandom openly no longer letting myself be a “closet brony” as some would call it. I found a group of friends at my high school there who enjoyed the show and other stuff that I did as well.

        Yet our time together was to be cut short. In the summer of 2013 we had moved again, this time to where I reside currently in North Carolina. My days since I got here were slow, just as they were when I lived here before I moved to Okinawa.

        I was brought out of my thoughts and hasty typing by a meow from my cat, Max, who was trying to get my attention, no doubt he wanted food. I took a glance over at the alarm clock sitting on my wolf and art filled desk at the right of my bed to see it was 8:57. I had enough time left to feed him and get my morning coffee.

        I closed out of chrome and closed my laptop, leaving it there on my bed along with the mouse pad and mouse. I grabbed my phone from the charger it was on in the closet and plugged in my headphones, placing them around my neck as I strung the cord through my shirt and placed the extra wire around the back of my neck and zipped up my jacket. I unlocked my phone and pressed play on the music widget, the song playing was DotA by Basshunter.

        I turned the volume up and continued to the laundry room where the cats food bowl is and scooped some of the cat food into it before making my way to the kitchen. I grabbed my usual coffee cup from the cabinet and placed it next to the coffee maker. The coffee cup was from Okinawa, it had a map of the island on it along with the Japanese symbols for Okinawa, Japan.

        I grabbed the creamer from the fridge opened the cap and put a small amount into my coffee before replacing the creamer into the fridge. I took a spoon out of the nearby drawer and stirred it then proceeded to place the lid on the top of the coffee mug.

        After I had my coffee settled I took my beanie and gloves out of my pockets, put them on and put my headphones on over the beanie. After I adjusted everything I grabbed my coffee and left out the front door, by this time I had gone through a few songs and was now listening to The Changeling (Twitch Remix) by Twitch.

        The walk to school was just as uneventful as every other day with the cold air flowing against my neck. The only difference for today was that it was snowing ever so lightly, hardly enough to even call it snow for a matter of fact. I tried covering my neck because the ‘snow’ started to feel like sand being blown into me while at the beach or in the desert, which if you haven’t felt before is more annoying than anything else.

        The school day went by normally, except for the hectic schedule they induced. At least this time they had the common courtesy to take away the first two periods. I went to each class just as bored as ever as the teachers went through what we were going to do this semester, new and old classes alike. It was all just a bore.

        Just as I walked to school I walked home. Alone and unaccompanied by anybody, mostly because I was antisocial when it came to walking. I find peace and solitude in walking, it calmed my nerves and relaxed me. Want me to go to a place out in town? I’ll walk more than 80% of the time just because I want to. I prefer walking to any other form of transport bike, train, or car.

        The world is calmer and I’m able to relish in it’s beauty as the sun pokes through the leaves above the canopy of trees along the pathway away from the school. Another reason I walk alone to and from school everyday though is because I don’t know many people who do walk to the school. The one kid I do know usually leaves before me to school and after me from school.

        Sadly my day chose it wanted to take a weird turn. Now on Okinawa this would’ve been very much expected and I would have thought nothing of it because it became so common it didn’t even get to me anymore. What happened was a shadow out of the corner of my eye started moving. At first I thought it may of been just a squirrel or something and kept on walking.

        It didn’t bother me at first as on Okinawa the shadow would leave when I got home, or to my destination. Yet when I reached my front door I could still see it in the corner of my eye, just waiting there not moving in the slightest. This is really starting to bug me. I had thought to myself as I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. I opened my eyes and looked over to where the shadow was.

        Just as it had mysteriously appeared that day, it was gone. Without a trace. I looked around and found nothing but the rare kid walking along the street or on the sidewalk across the street. It wasn’t even present in the corner of my eye anymore. “Weird…” I mumbled.

        I turned back to face the door, opening the screen door and pulling out the key from my pocket. I put the key in the lock and unlocked it. The rest of my night went by uneventfully.

        I did a couple of projects, one for Algebra 2 and one for my new Public Speaking class. The rest of my classes it was either a syllabus that my parents had to sign or work that wasn’t due until friday. Ater I was finished the projects I went to my computer put on some music and pulled out my journal from my backpack along with a black pen.

        I wrote in my journal for the rest of the night putting down thoughts and ideas for future art and writing projects I wanted to do. Occasionally sketching an idea with the pen to show a direction I wanted to go with it. When I was finally done writing it was around 10 at night, so I decided I would put my journal up and get some shut eye.

        Got into my pajamas and turned off the light and slithered into my bed, slowly drifting off to sleep as thoughts plagued my mind. The endless curse of your greatest ideas coming to you when you want to sleep. Of course.

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014 A.D. 2:40 P.M.

North Carolina, U.S.A.

Another day, another welt on the forehead. Was what I thought to myself as I slowly walked from the school grounds. Today in particular was not one that I enjoyed as my patience was put to the test upon the highest level. Once again I was stuck in the computer class where none of the students knew anything on what we were doing, let alone follow simple instructions.

        “For criminy sakes, by the time I’m done with my senior year I’ll have a welt large enough to be a second head.” I said quietly as I rubbed my forehead. The last class I had was my computer class so the welt I had obtained was fresh, where as I normally facepalmed today it was all too necessary to hit my head as hard as I could against the wall in hopes to knock myself out.

        Extreme you say? Not even close. One of the girls who is in my class doesn’t know how to use or pretended to not know how to use a mouse today. Even if it’s a joke to her, which I highly doubt it is considering how much of a snob she is, it had forced me to my limits for the day. Luckily for me it was almost the end of the period before it happened.

        I was already finished with what we were supposed to do today for the class so I was just minding my own buisness and listening to some music on Luna Radio on the Hoofsounds application for chrome. That’s when she tapped me on the shoulder and started asking me for assistance. “Um, you look like you’re done so could you help me?” she asked.

        “Sure” I replied taking off my headphones and placing them on the desk next to the computer's keyboard. I walked over to where she was sitting, “What do you need help with?” I asked flatly as she leaned back in her chair.

        “How do you move the arrow thing on the screen?” she asked as she pointed to the mouse pointer. I gave her my best, ‘Are you freaking kidding me?’, look I could muster. “What? I’m not a tech geek like you.” She stated poking my arm with her bony finger. It took every ounce of my being not to break it off and shove it where the sun don’t shine.

        “Why don’t you try moving the mouse, that might work.” I said through clenched teeth. It wasn’t so much her insult that angered me, it really wasn’t, what actually got to me was that she had the audacity to ask me for help on such an easy task then proceed to be rude to me. She looked at me quizzically.

        “Move the what?” That’s when I facepalmed and slid my hand down the length of my face. Of course I get stuck with another idiot. I thought to myself as I returned to my seat, unwilling to answer her stupid question. She could fail for all I care.

        “Hey! I asked you to help me!” She exclaimed, causing half the class to turn towards us. I turned to face her.

        “You’re asking for help on such a menial task that is common knowledge. The thought that you could be so dumb that you don’t know how to use a mouse is unbelievable considering this school is based around computers. You will not be getting any help from me.” I retorted angrily. Silence had fallen across the classroom, the air permeated by the light chuckling of other classmates.

        After that she didn’t bother anyone again, that was until they had all returned to their work. She got out of her chair and went over to one of my friends to ask for help. They went over to her seat and “helped” her out.

        “Oh my god! Thank you!” I heard her exclaim from behind me. I turned around to the noise to find that my friend was sitting in her seat.

        “What are you doing?” I asked him. He got up from the seat and let her sit back down in it.

        “I helped her out unlike you.” He replied cockily. I rolled my eyes.

        “How much?” I asked with a pondering gaze. I crossed my arms, waiting for an answer while he nervously scratched the back of his head.

        “I umm…I did her assignment…” He said almost inaudibly. I put my hands to my side, turned towards the wall and ran into it with my head as hard as I could in the hopes I would sustain enough damage to knock me out. Everyones attention was now on me as I staggered backwards from the wall and faced my friend.

       I looked up to him trying to contain my anger as I slapped him across the face. “No. Just, No. She needs to learn on her own. I don’t mind if it were answering her idiotic questions, but doing her whole damn assignment. You’re a moron!” I stated angrily as he brought a hand up to massage his now red cheek.

        Before he could respond the bell went off to signal the end of the period, and for us the end of the school day. I packed what little belongings I had out and made my way hastily out the front doors of the school building. Leading up to my current time.

        Despite me running into the wall, it hardly hurt as much as I would have expected it to. The main pain was the throbbing. Today was a nice day again and I knew it wouldn’t last so when I finally stopped rubbing the welt on my forehead I walked home and put my stuff away. Today I had no work to do around the house or for school so I could do what I wanted.

        This was a rare occasion for me to say the least, I actually wanted to go outside. Where was I going to go? Honestly I had no clue and just let my legs take me where they wanted. The shadow in the edge of my vision had appeared again on my way home but I paid it no mind. Mostly because I was too happy to let it scare me.

        I walked into the woods near the school and just explored it. Letting my body take me where it wanted to go, not consciously thinking about where I walked. With how I portrayed the world in my mind this was a nice relief, seeing the world through brighter eyes. The gentle breeze flowing through the trees, the birds high above chirping, the ground rustling as a squirrel darted across the ground here and there.

        I usually saw the world through a dark gaze that saw only what is wrong. The pain and misery that life brings and the truth that lies beyond the sight of those around me. The world was gray and depressing, hardly a light would shine through into my dark world. In seventeen years of life I’ve seen more than some would like to, but I will not say life is pointless and meaningless.

        I’m still young and I have a lot ahead of me. I live day in and day out with grim outlook, letting the world pass me by as I keep myself huddled in the shelter I built around me. Never once peering out to see the world in a better light, allowing only the small cracks of light shine through which I quickly patch with another reason this world is cruel.

        Slowly my thoughts got to me and I found that I had stopped in the middle of a clearing in the forest I was wandering in. Still naive as ever, bane of my existence is what this is. I chuckled at the thought. Young and naive.

        “I’m always looking for the day to come in which I don’t find something wrong with the world.” I started talking to myself. “Yet without the imperfection, what point would there really be to life? To just stand by and watch it go by as everything you want is given to you? Pfft, fat chance I would even accept that.”

        I looked down to my right thigh where I had my knife that was given to me by one of my best friends for my 16th birthday. I made it a habit to carry it with me whenever I go on expeditions as I like to call em, or when I went out in Oceanside and didn’t plan to get back home until after nightfall. To me it was less of a safety measure, but a reassuring nod that I didn’t have to resort to unless the situation was dire.

        “If only I were as optimistic and happy as you Michael. If only…” I trailed off as I grasped the knife tightly. I stood there for a few seconds, unmoving. That’s when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye, no doubt the black orb was still there so I didn’t try to make eye contact with it.

        “What are you?” I asked aloud, hoping in some ungodly way the thing would answer me. I stood there in silence, the only sound that traveled the air was the breeze rustling the nearby leaves. “I won’t ask again, what are you?” I demanded this time.

       I looked up at it finally, this time however it did not fade from view or move in the slightest. It just hovered there about 4 feet off the ground. I managed to get a good look at its features in the light now, it was a orb yet there was something foreboding about it. The orb was indeed a deep black, but it gave off an almost white glow and in the very middle I could make out a yellow spec that seemed to beat.

       My heartbeat rose and my mind started working at a million miles per minute taking in the sight before me. Coming up with various hypotheses as to what it was, but quickly discarded as the ideas of each one were more inane than the last. I circled around the orb to see if there was anything else to it. The first thing I noticed was that no matter what angle I looked at it, the yellow spec that was beating didn’t move an inch, almost like the orb was translucent and the spec was on the very inside of it.

Kinda creepy but kinda cool. I thought as I stopped my circling and put my knife back on my pocket. Despite my better judgement I started to slowly approach the orb, leaves crunching under each step I took. When I was only a few inches from it I lifted my right hand up and placed it on the orb. At least I tried to.

       When my hand made contact with the orb it simply went through it like nothing was there in the first place. I brought my hand back up to inspect it, seeing if there were any oddities that I didn’t have before I tried to touch it. There was nothing. So I decided to try and touch it again, and again, and again before giving up after my fourth try.

        The orb radiated no heat and it wasn’t cold when my hand was inside of it. The air around it was mysterious and lit up by its white glow. “Well than…I’m just gonna leave now…” I stated aloud as I started to walk away from the orb, slowly turning around to face the woodline at the edge of the clearing.

        I took a look over my shoulder to find the orb was still there in the middle of the clearing. At least it’s not following me anymore. I thought as relief washed over me and I continued to make my way out of the woods from where I had come.

        Every now and again I made sure to look in the corner of my eye to make sure the orb was actually gone. I still had the nagging suspicion that it wasn’t just something random though. I also don’t think I have any enemies that would go to that extent to watch me, let alone use a pretty obvious item to spy on me.

“Be wary young one for it is not of this world…” A voice whispered in my ears as I walked past the edge of the woodline and back onto the sidewalk near the high school. I spun around to see where the voice had come from to find nothing. “Hello?” I asked into the empty air as if expecting an answer.

        I waited for a minute before waving it off as my imagination getting to me. This will definitely make for an interesting journal entry to say the least. With that I made my way home slowly as the sun set over the rooftops of the small houses in the housing area I lived in. The air was bitterly cold now but all I could think about was the orb in the woods.

What is that thing? Where did it come from? Why couldn’t I touch it? What was that voice? Was that all real? All questions that I wanted answered. The only conclusion I could come to is that it was an anomaly in nature because I had never seen anything like it before. I didn’t want to research it because it was probably too rare to ever be photographed, let alone researched.

        I stopped at my front door and look behind me in hopes, odd enough that I’m hoping, to see if the orb had followed me and I just didn’t realize it. Those hopes were crushed as all that stood behind me was the large tree in the yard and sidewalk leading up to the stairs of the porch. I stood there for a minute pondering if I should go back and see if it was still there. Fat chance it’d still be there.

        I sighed, turned around and opened the door greeted by the familiar scent of my home. Immediately following the scent were two rambunctious puppies, one a yellow labrador retriever and one a miniature pinscher. Both of them knocked me down, working together to get the job done. The lab jumping at me and the min pin trapping himself between my feet, causing me to inevitably fall backwards narrowly missing the wall behind me.

I chuckled a little bit at the sight, it always made my day better when they greeted me like this. “Okay okay I get it y’all missed me.” I said aloud as I pet both of them as they licked my face fervently. I tried pushing them off of me but the lab simply put more pressure so he could continue to lick my face. I quickly gave in to the wet hell they were adamant in giving me.

“Oh hey bubby, where have you been?” My sisters voice reached my ears. I pushed the lab and min pin off, shooing them away as I stood and dusted the fur off of my sweatshirt. I gave her a small smile.

“Just wandering around the woods. Nowhere special.” I replied, she shrugged and went about what she was doing. The rest of the night went by fast considering it consisted of mostly writing and playing some games with my friends.

I climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep.

Wake up…

Who…who’s there?

Please…wake up…

W-what?

Wake up…for the love of god…please…

I-I can’t move…why can’t I move?!

Robbie please wake up you can’t do this!

Steven? Is that you?!

…Come back…you can’t! You just can’t!

Steven, help me I can’t move!

I should have been there…

Steven I-I’m Scared, please help me!

I’m so sorry Robbie.

I can’t see Steven! Please help me!

COME BACK! PLEASE!

Steven please help me! Please! Please! Please! HELP ME!

Friday, January 24th, 2014 A.D. 5:38 A.M.

North Carolina, U.S.A.

       “HELP ME!” I screamed as loud as I could, jolting upwards in my bed. I immediately grasped my chest feeling as my heartbeat pounded ferociously against my chest. My breath was fast and shallow and I was drenched from head to toe in sweat. The dogs were barking in the other rooms and my cat had jumped to the safety of my dresser.

        I heard loud footsteps running towards my room. My door shot open as my mom darted into the room, ready to attack what had caused me to scream. “What’s wrong?! What’s wrong?!” She demanded as she looked around the room. When she found nothing but me looking terrified out of my wits she sat down on my bed next to me.

        Despite me being as old as I was I still had nightmares. These weren’t the normal nightmares of there being a monster under my bed or my closet or getting scared. These nightmares were about either losing those close to me, or having to listen in the darkness as they mourned over me. Yet even these nightmares weren’t my greatest fears, they were up there but they weren’t the number 1.

        As my mom sat down on the edge of my bed I hugged her as tight as I could. “It’s okay, it was only a nightmare bubby.” she cooed soothingly. I know it sounds childish but her being there was a great comfort to me, and never will I deny that I love my mother to the ends of the earth. I spent most of my life without a father, so she was the prominent parental figure in my life.

        I sat there for a while holding her tightly, not letting a tear drop from my eyes or a single snivel from me. The only sound my slowing heart rate and steadying breaths. “I’m sorry…” I whispered to her as I pulled away from the embrace finally allowing my senses to fully return to me. She gave me a small smile as she got up and left my room, closing the door behind her.

        Leaving me in silence as I shook the remnants of the dream from my mind. Why is it always a nightmare… I thought to myself as I put my head into my hands. Taking a few more moments to gather myself. I lifted my head from my hands to stare at the alarm clock in front of me. 5:53…might as well get in the shower now.

Luckily today's Friday. Hopefully some good will come of today. I thought to myself as I opened my dresser drawers and pulled out boxers, pants, and a pair of doctor whooves socks. I then proceeded towards my closet and pulled out my princess Luna nouveau shirt and put it on top of the folded pile of clothes then grabbed my towel and made my way to the bathroom.

        After I was done with my shower I went about the rest of my morning as if nothing were wrong. Mostly because this had started becoming a daily occurrence with the reoccurring nightmares. Most of the nightmares though wouldn't have me waking up in a cold sweat while hyperventilating. What made it worse is that my brother had moved out months ago, so it made it harder to bear than normal.

I hope you’re alright Steven. Of course I knew he was alright but I found myself saying that to myself more often than not.

        I had finished my normal morning routine with about 20 extra minutes to spare. So I did as I have normally been doing with each dream, I wrote it down in my journal. I know you’re supposed to write it down right after it happens but I choose to wait a while before writing it down. I do it later because my mind works weirdly, I can’t remember what happened just two seconds ago but I can remember something from forever ago in vivid detail.

        I looked up from my journal to find that it was time to leave so I closed my journal and placed it in my book-bag, adamant on finishing the log  during E.L. this morning. I got my coffee, put my headphones on and played the first song that I saw which was Can’t Stop by Red Hot Chili Peppers, then I made my way out the door and started my walk to school for the morning. The morning was calm and the world was covered in a thick fog, a sight that pleased my eyes.

       As I made my way through the fog I saw the shadows dancing in the corner of my eye. Hopefully I can see it again today, maybe get some photos of it. I thought to myself as I kept my brisk pace.

Friday, January 24th, 2014 A.D. 4:44 P.M.

North Carolina, U.S.A.

       School had ended more than two hours ago and now I was on the road with my mom, dad, and sister. I hadn't got to see if the orb was back in the clearing today as when I got home it was decided that we would go out as a family for the day. I didn't have any objections to this, but was a little bummed I couldn't see it again.

        Although my hopes were still high because I could still see the shadows in the corner of my eye. The part that aggravated me though is that the shadows had grown in the corner of my eye now almost obscuring my peripheral vision entirely. I was looking out the window of the car idly watching as the world flew by in a blur.

        “Robbie are you okay?” My sisters voice broke the air of silence I had built between me and everyone else in the car. I turned away from the window to face her with a solemn expression.

        “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.” I replied warmly as I turned back towards the window.

        “About what?” My sister continued probing.

        “Nothing.” I said flatly, hoping she would stop asking.

        “Tell me!” She demanded, making it evident she wouldn't stop asking.

        “Alisa, stop asking. It’s nothing.” I growled through my teeth at my older sibling. She rolled her eyes and went back to messing with her phone. What, am I not allowed to have my own thoughts now? I thought to myself as my eyes found themselves placed on the now barren sky above us.

        “That’s odd…” My mumble trailed off. The sky not a few seconds ago was full of cumulus clouds. It didn't make any sense to me. I rubbed my eyes to see if I was just seeing things, yet as I put my eyes on the sky again I found I wasn't. That’s when the car came to an abrupt stop causing me to slam my head into the back of my moms seat.

       “Ow! What was that…for…” My voice trailed off as I saw people getting out of their cars ahead of us. “What in the blazes?” I said aloud. My dad who was driving simply shrugged his shoulders and honked his horn. Soon a large crowd of people started appearing around a single open area in the middle of the road.

       Being just as curious as the other people in the crowd I got out of the car despite my parents and sisters protests to stay in the car. I ignored them. I tried to look over everyone to see what was going on to find that I couldn't see over everyone as what they were viewing was obscured from my vision by their mass of bodies.

       So I did the next best thing and stop on top of our car to get a better view. What I saw there in the middle of the opening made my heart skip a beat, both in fear and happiness. In the middle of the large group was the black orb I had seen in the clearing yesterday, yet what caught my attention was that the yellow spec had grown into a sphere the size of a baseball.

       “Watch out!” I shouted as I ran to the edge of my car and hopped to the next, and the next, and the next before I stood over the inner circle of the crowd. A few people behind me had shouted at me for accidentally hitting them. It was your fault I told you to watch out.

        I saw no one else was trying to approach the orb, probably too scared out of their wits to even think about it. Some people were taking pictures, some were taking videos, and some were even calling the police. While everyone was preoccupied I jumped down into the clearing and walked up to the orb standing a mere foot away from it.

       The area around me fell silent as all eyes were on me and the mysterious orb floating in front of me. I ignored them until a voice broke the air.

       I turned around to find my mom at the edge of the circle with a worried expression on her face. “Robert Kenneth! Get away from that thing and get back in the car! It could be dangerous!” She yelled. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the orb.

       “You, Dad, and Alisa all keep treating me as if I’m still a kid.” I started turning to face her again. “I’m not. You've protected me my entire life, but I've seen things that no one should have seen anywhere near my age.” I was now facing her and my family fully.

       “Yes I know, it could be dangerous but nothing fun is ever gained by standing by and just watching as the world passes on by. Everyone,” I gestured my arm towards everyone in the circle, “ is too afraid to even approach this thing. Why? I don’t know. Why do I think they don’t approach it? Because they’re afraid of the unknown.” I put my arms to my side and stood next to the orb lifting an arm up above it. “Whereas I am not.” I finished by slamming my hand on the orb, expecting it to phase right through it like the day prior.

       As I felt the solid thud on the orb my eyes widened in shock. Screw my couch… I thought to myself as I tried to lift my hand off the orb, finding that I couldn't. “ROBERT KENNETH! GET OVER HERE NOW!” My mom yelled. I looked over to see she was almost crying now.

       I tried to lift my hand off of the orb again but found my hand sinking deeper into the orb. “Ummm, I kind of can’t.” I said with a tone of worry. I lifted my foot up and placed it on the orb in the effort to pull my hand out. I didn't take into account that the orb liked human appendages. Don’t know why I didn't expect anything less.

       The orb had sucked up my entire right hand up to my birthmark on my wrist and my foot. I refrained from trying to remove them by using m other limbs so I waited there calmly as my mother scolded me on why I should listen to her. “Yes mom. Okay mom. Yeah mom. That’s nice mom. I’m hungry mom.” Was the basis of what I replied to her with.

       About 3 minutes later news teams, police, firemen, and ambulances were surrounding the area. With me stuck in the middle of everything. My mom and dad were both freaking out as I had put the rest of my appendages on the orb. Mostly it was to shut them up, but it backfired. Majorly. I was now dangling by my hands and feet upside down underneath the orb.

       Both my forearms and calves were now fully in the orb. With me inside of it, the orb grew more than twice its previous size. My mom had tried to help me out by pulling me downwards but only made my stomach hurt by doing so. She then tried doing what I did but instead of being sucked into the orb, she fell right through just as I did the day before.

       The police asked me some questions, and so did some of the bystanders as they watched the undoubtedly hilarious scene. I could see the headlines already, “Idiot teenager gets stuck in strange orb!”, If I survived this I would either A, never hear the end of it, or B, hopefully die from it. Path B seemed a better choice to me so I wouldn't have to live with the shame of it all.

       Although it will make for one heck of a story to tell my grandchildren, “Hey sonny, how would ya like to hear the story about how I got stuck in a strange orb for a day or two?!” I thought jokingly, shaking my head.

       I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt a rumbling from the orb as the world around me started shaking violently. “HELP!” I exclaimed as the orb started to engulf my neck, leaving my head the only thing still out of the orb.

“Oh my god!”

“You have to help him!”

“Officer! C’mon you have to do something!”

“Hehehe he’s shaking.”

       Cries came from the bystanders around me as the world around me shook violently. Aw crap… this is going to ruin my weekend. I thought to myself as my mom and dad ran over started to try and pull me out by the head. “Ow, ow, ow! Stop!” I yelped in pain.

       My mom was crying, what she was saying was incomprehensible and my Dad tried keeping a calm facade. I could see past it though, in his eyes he was torn up that he couldn't do anything. As the orb slowly encroached on my head I built up my courage to speak.

      “Mom and dad…I love the both of you dearly…please don’t cry for me. This was my own undoing. Dad, I will miss you I just want to know, even though you are my step dad you have been more of a father to me than my real father could ever wish to be. I love you to death I want you to know this. I may of never been the one to show it to you but you know me. Please protect my mom, Alisa, and Steven. They’re going to need you more than ever now, just like you needed them when Duke died. Mom, please stay strong. It’s going to hurt for a while, but I know you can get through this. You were always there for me when I was a child, heck even to now. Thank you for being my mother, thank you for being my family. I would never choose another family even if I had the chance. Dad, please take mom home. Now. If she sees the ending to this, she will never be able to rid the images from her mind.”

      I finished my eyes clenched tightly as I failed at holding back the tears. The sound of my moms kicking and screaming against my dads grasp was drowned out by the silence of the orb as the final part of me was engulfed in the orb. I was gone at last.

Time and Date Unknown

Location Unknown

*THUMP* Was all I heard and felt as I landed face first into something solid. I resisted the urge to say anything though as I couldn't see, hear, taste, or smell anything just yet. A flood of feelings washed over my body though. The first and most apparent one was pain from landing on the still healing welt on my head and a sharp pain shooting through my left leg.

Well this sucks. I thought to myself as I let a wave of nausea and exhaustion wash over me. This day can’t get any worse. I tried grasping something, anything with my hands only to grab a handful of grass. At least I’m not in the middle of the road. I thought hopefully.

        It took a couple of minutes for any of my other senses to return to me. The first one was my hearing. I was greeted by the familiar sound of crickets chirping into the night air, causing me to give a happy smile. I had always enjoyed the night mostly because I loved the beauty of the starry night sky. The other sounds that were offered to my ears were the sounds of the trees leaves around me rustling from a slight breeze.

        What I found odd was that the world around me wasn’t as cold as I would have expected it to be, especially since it was still winter time. I shook off the thought as my smell and taste buds came back to me. My mouth was full of dirt, so I immediately spit it out and struggled to try and stand up. I found myself falling to my left as my leg protested me using it with a pain that shot through my body like lightning.

Crap! My leg must be broken or it might be a cramp. Either way I’m not going anywhere right now. I thought to myself as my eyesight came back. I rapidly opened and closed my eyes, trying to get them to adjust as the world was a blur. I could make out a nearby treeline to my left and right, underneath me was a dirt path. Even though I could hardly see, I was still thankful that I could.

        I crawled my way over to the treeline and sat my back against one of the trees. I hope somebody comes by and helps me out. I thought to myself pitifully. Then again, who would help somebody like me… I gave a small chuckle at the thoughts as I shook my head. The pain in my leg made itself known again causing me to wince.

        I ignored the pain as my eyesight slowly started to adjust itself to the night. I could see a treeline and a dirt path in front of me. To my left the path continued past the edge of the forest and into an open valley with rolling hills, the moon just above the horizon of the first hill. To my right the path continued deeper into the forest, eventually becoming so dark that I couldn't see anything in it.

        Once I was done taking in my surroundings I looked down to my leg. Visibly it looked completely fine, but that didn't make me any happier considering the pain it was giving me. I rolled up my pant leg as far as I could to see if anything was wrong under the pants and found nothing. My leg was fine causing me to conclude it was just a really bad muscle cramp. At least something is working out in my favor. I thought as I rolled my pant leg back down.

        I gave a long drawn out yawn as the previous exhaustion made itself known to me again.“I’ll try and find somebody down the path tomorrow morning, I won’t be going anywhere tonight with how tired I am and this leg giving me trouble.” I stated calmly. No one was around to hear me anyways, so why keep my thoughts to myself?

        I unzipped my jacket and took it off. I folded the jacket and placed it behind my head to use as a pillow. The night was nice enough so I didn't really need it, my shirt and pants were both enough to stay warm.

        I sat there against the dream for a few minutes trying to think of where I was. From what I could tell I wasn't in North Carolina anymore, how I could tell was because it was way too warm for it right now. The temperature in NC was around 1 degrees Celsius, the temperature here was easily 27 degrees Celsius and up.

        I tried to stifle another yawn unsuccessfully. With that I let myself drift off to sleep.

Date Unknown, 7:08 A.M.

Unknown Forest, Unknown

        My eyes fluttered open just as the first cracks of sunlight broke over the horizon of the hill beyond the path. I found I was laying on the ground, sprawled out my upper body on the path and my legs on the grass. I pushed myself off the ground and got to my knees stretching as the pain in my back made it apparent that I had slept wrong.

Bleh mornings. I was never a morning person, especially on the weekends let alone not having coffee to wake me up. I sat there glaring at the sun as it rose, despite my hatred for the morning I let the warm rays of the sun embrace my body. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back as it warmed my clothes.

So warm… I thought to myself. The day was nice with few clouds in the sky, and luckily for me the pain in my leg had gone away while I slept. “Might as well be getting a move on. No point in staying here.” I said as I grabbed my jacket and slipped it on as I stood up.

        The world around me was peaceful and alive with the sounds of birds singing above me. I started my trek down the path. I looked to and fro as I walked, taking in the beautiful and serene atmosphere in awe. Never in my life had I seen such a nice forest.

        The world around just looked better to me, why? I had absolutely no idea but I wasn’t going to be the one to complain. “Think I might move here when I’m out of high school. Live as a hermit in these woods.” I smirked at the thought.

        “What the…” I heard a voice say from behind me. I stopped in my tracks.

        “Hello, I’m just admiring the scenery don’t mind me.” I said as I kept my eyes on the woods.

        “It can talk?!” The voice exclaimed. My face screwed up in confusion, What does he mean IT can talk? I turned around to face whoever was speaking to me. I was about to ask what they had meant by that but I quickly went slack jawed.

        To say the least, this was the second time in under a day I was left speechless. The creature stared at me raising its eyebrow in confusion just as I was. The creature wasn't a human or anything that could make any sense to me. It was a pony.

        I stood there for what seemed like an hour analyzing him, and him I. He had a light brown mane with a tan coat, his eyes were a light blue and he wore a green tie. I rubbed my eyes making sure I wasn't seeing anything.

        “Ummmm… Hi?” I said with a sheepish smile and wave. The pony didn't budge an inch but returned the sheepish smile.

        “So you can speak…” He stated almost disappointed. I gave a nod.

        “Can you tell me something ummm…actually first, what is your name? If you have one I mean.” I asked. This time instead of just staring out me in confusion his ears perked up and he gave me a warm smile.

        “My name is Dr. Hooves, and you?” He stated. I stood there for a second taking in the information. This can’t possibly be… I thought as I shook my head fervently.

        “I’m sorry, but did you say Dr. Hooves?” I asked surprised.

        “Yes. Why?” He replied. I couldn't possibly tell him the truth. Oh you’re a pony from a TV show I watch back where I’m from! Oh and I’m wearing socks of you! That wouldn't go too well in my favor. First I die and now I’m here. This week will definitely be one for the history books.

        “No reason. As for who I am, I am Robert. What I wanted to ask is where exactly am I?” I stated, bowing slightly raising an eyebrow as I did so.

        He walked over to me and started circling around me his head moving up and down as he inspected me. “Where are you? That’s kind of a weird question to ask.” He replied finally as he started poking me.

        I didn't budge. “Sir, please just answer me. I need to know.” I retorted harshly as he stopped poking my body with his hooves. He returned to his spot in front of me.

        “You’re in Ponyville. I don’t know how you don’t know, for someone like you I’d expect you to know.” He said pointing a hoof at me. I smiled and shook my head.

        “This can’t be real. This just isn't possible. Not possible at all!” I exclaimed as I threw my hands up into the air and slamming them down on a nearby tree. “This has to be a dream…yeah a dream…I’ll wake up any minute now in my bed. This isn't real!” I started shouting. I felt a hoof poke my side. I looked over to see a very confused pony looking back at me.

        “Sorry to disappoint you Robert, this isn't a dream.” He said with a sympathetic smile. I glared back at him.

        “Dr. Hooves you have no idea how impossible it is to believe that.” I said angrily through clenched teeth causing him to back up a little.

        “Than tell me why it’s impossible.” He said flatly. His face going from a scared look to one of anticipation.

        I shook my head. “You’ll never believe me, but if you’re right about this being Equestria……” My voice trailed off as the full realization of what it meant made itself apparent to me. The first thought that came to me is that I may never be able to see any of my family or friends ever again. I quickly grabbed at the dog tag hanging around my neck, holding it firmly in my right hand.

        The dog tag wasn't mine, it had belonged to my friend Zachary and was given to me when he died. Wake up…just…wake up…this isn't funny… “JUST WAKE UP!” My thoughts turned into a yell at the end as I put the dog tag to my forehead.

        “Are you okay Robert?” Dr. Hooves asked as I let the dog tag drop to my chest with a small thump. My demeanor immediately growing serious and my face going hard.

        “Frankly I’m not Dr. Hooves. Either this is a really cruel and messed up dream, or I’m really here and I've lost everything I've ever known. First off I don’t know anything about how I got here, second I more than likely will never see any of my friends or family again, third I have nowhere to go other than deep into the forest.” I stated flatly. The world really was grey now for me, despite the beauty that surrounded me.

        I turned as soon as I finished and started walking back down the path I came only to have Dr. Hooves run in front of me. His face was now serious and his stance told me he wouldn't budge.

        “Listen, I don’t know what you are or what is going on but the last thing I want is for any pony to be lonely.” His voice changed from angry to a friendly tone at the end. His face grew dark, “I've known loss as well. Maybe not as great as yours as you suggest, but no pony should ever feel that way. I also think I might know some pony who may be able to help you. The Ponyville librarian Tw-” I cut him off.

        “Twilight Sparkle, am I correct?” I finished his sentence as straight faced as I could.

        “How did you know?” He replied, giving me a quizzical look as he did so.

        “As before you wouldn't believe me if I told you, and besides its a really really long story.” I answered as I looked away and put my hands into my sweater pockets.

        “Well we have to walk to Ponyville so why not tell me on the way?” He replied. I looked over to him, he was giving me a coaxing smile. I sighed in defeat.

        “Alright Dr. Hooves, but don’t say I didn't warn you.” I stated as we started walking down the path towards the hills.