The Pink Mile

Chapter 8

Now, I want to tell y'all here a story about an experience I had back in the summer of 47. Those were tough years, back when folk didn't have too much to their name other than a farm and some family to keep em company.

I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself to y'all! The name is Jacqueline Jean-Claduette Appleline, but y'all can call me Jacky for short. Now where was I? Oh right, the summer of '47, dems where hard times indeed, back before I really found myself in the world. I was working a night time shift for about 2 1/2 years at the ol' Equestrian Federal Penitentary E Block. Now those of who know the place had a special name for that place. The Pink Mile. Not because it was the length of a mile, lord no, t'were it only be about 500 ft in length from back to front. We called it a Mile, because to those guests of our humble little office, our halls felt like eternity. A final stretch before a final breath.The Pink comes from the pink color of the wall, never really understood that part of the deco. Now, ah can assume you already know what mah business was on The Mile, and what me and my other colleauges had done. We executed criminals using a vile chair that would send an electric jolt throughout their bodies. Different times back then, much different times.

You see, back in the 40's, ponies didn't really care much about the sake of other ponies, even if they weren't criminals. None of us really cared what was our own personal circle of comfort, and it was much simpler. Men were men, women were women, work was kept at work, and home stayed at home. We kept our hearts tied up, and our emotions stoic, especially all of us at The Mile. We'd conversate every now and then, but we always kept it simple. Those inmates needed no less stress in what remained in their lives, as did we the ones who escort them.

That was the name of the game on The Mile. Keep it simple

But howdy, did one night change alla dat. I remember it like it was still yesterday

Sunday, June 22nd, 1947. 08:00

It was a particulary hot Sunday morning, dry swealting heat that cut down to yer very core hot. For a long time, my family and I were members at the Evangelatist Church of Celestia, and I didn't ever really see it coming to pass that we wouldn't. I even got introduced into The Mile through the church, as one of my co-workers also attends. You may notice her, she's the one in the fancy hat with the thousands of color feathers. Yup, that's her all right, Rarity "Perkins" Menowitz. Sounds Jewish? Nah, she just got married to one, thats all. I remember that day, because of certain events that would happen to take place off of a very key actions on Rarity and I's behalf. Lord knows if we had known what we were getting into, maybe we would've locked ourselves in our homes, and kept life simple. But that wasn't the case, it wasn't the case tat all.

"--For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Princess Celestia our Lord and saviour, praise be to Celestia." The elderly pastor droned on in a raspy voice.

"AMEN." responded the congregation, myself included.

"All please rise for the Eurcharist." the pastor echoed with his rattly old voice.

The rest of us all got to our feet, exceptin for one little filly who was being a lazy bones.

"C'mon Applebloom, ya gotta stand for the Eurcharist."

"I dun wanna, Jacky, its way too darn hot to be standing and praying, and my dress is way too hot, the stockins are stickin to my legs, and I gotta wedgie the size of Montana goin on!"

I chuckled nervousally, looking around, everyone seemed busy with their own circle of attention. I got quick and gritted through mah teeth.

"Don't you talk about stockins sticking or wedgies little lady, I'm putting up with it, so you better put up with it."

"I DUN WANNA!" Applebloom shouted, causing our older brother Francis Macintosh Appleline to give us a dirty look.

"Mac, you wanna help here?" I pleaded to him, trying not to lose my temper at the hollowed house of worship. He grunted and smacked Applebloom on the back of the rear. "Mind your behaviour in the house of the Lord, Abigail Bloom Appleline." he snarked at her.

"But Big Mac I-!" Applebloom began to say before I cut her off. "Not another word. Ya got it?"

"Yes'm," Applebloom sadly responded as she got to her hooves and stood with the rest of us. That's right, there we all were. A family, just like everyone else, doing the same thing, following the rules, keeping the faith. Keeping it simple.

I forgot to mention how long and drawn out eurcharists can be, especially when your preacher keeps on forgetting his line half the time. I look back on that day, and I wonder if I had listened to my little sister, maybe things may have been different, maybe I wouldn't be here today to tell you this story.

Applebloom swayed back and forth like a drunken sailor as the pastor continued to drone on. "And in the name of...The mother, and the Football Association, and of the Holy....holy...holy?"

I rolled my eyes, this was gonna take forever. I heard a loud "Phaaaaaawwwww" next to me, coupled with loud thud. Me and Mac both had the same thought, as we looked over. "ABIGAIL!" we shouted.

"Holy MOLY!" The pastor responded as the eurcharist was broken into two. Mac and I knelt down to fan off the little filly, but she was out like a light.

"Anyone, please anyone in the church a doctor?" I cried out. There was a small murmur of voices from the crowd as ponies started looking on. "Don't just stand there gawking! HELP!" Mac was fanning like crazy, if he had gone any faster, he'd pass out too with all that sweat coming off his brow.

"Move aside please! Oof! Watch it! Not the hat! Pardon moi! WATCH YOUR HOOVES MISTER!" I could hear amongst the crowded congregation of ponies. Ah knew that voice anywhere, and I was sure glad she decided to come along today.

Rarity made her way into our pew and readjusted her hat. "Did someone ask for a doctor?" she beamed.

Now I know what you are thinkin. 'How in thunderations is a doctor working somewhere as drab and morbid as The Mile?' Well, maybe I should clarify upon that. Ya see, Rarity isn't a doctor per se, well not at all really. She's got a doctorate in psychology, more of a mind doctor.

Now that probably raises even more questions on why a successful woman of the psychological arts is working as a prison guard for death row inmates. Well to be honest, I don't much of the details, but I believe that to be the fault of her husband of 2 years. He's a doctor, an actual medical doctor and has an ego to boot. Now remind y'allselves that these were different times, some men back then had troubles with women being more successful then them, and Lemmy Menowitz was one of dem men. Rarity, being the upstart she is, took a full time job to keep up with him, but what I'm thinking, it was to get away. I never asked, I kept it simple.

"First let's get that garish gown off of her." Rarity stated as she pushed me and Mac aside. She loosed Appleblooms blouse as some mothers covered their childrens eyes. Don't figure why, we're mostly nude most ta time.

AND DON'T GIVE ME THAT LOOK. Those were different times!

"Right, Francis be a dear and grab some water will you?" Rarity chirped as she began fanning Applebloom off.

"R-r-ight." Mac stammered as he ran up to the pastor, and took the Eurcharist chalice right from the pastors hooves with many a gasp from the congregation, myself included.

"Very good, now gently give her some to drink. Carefully." Rarity opened Applebloom's mouth, as Mac slowly poured the holy water down.

"Well I never! I can't believe this heresy! Those Applelines and their constant bickering..." I felt myself hearing more and more of the crowd turn against us in Mac unwittingly stupid, but life saving move. The pastor was still looking around for the Chalice, thinking he had misplaced it.

We certainly weren't keeping it simple, my brow began to sweat, and the stockings on my legs were swamped to the bone. Damn, damn damn it all! Why the hell are all these ponies staring daggers at us? Its not like it couldn't happen to any of y'all!

The crowd of whispers became venomous relatively quickly. "You know what I think? I think its retribution. You DO know what she does right? I heard she fries them and then fries them again. Don't even get me started on their 'sister'."

At it was right there, in that single moment that everything from there on out that everything changed. Ah look back, and I still chuckle about it, of course its funny now, but back then...hoh...was I serious.

"FUCK YOU!" I screamed. The entire congregation fell to a sudden shocked silence, Big Mac dropped the chalice in shock, which lead to its inevitable cracking on the cold floor. Rarity, however was still humming along as she was fanning Applebloom.

"FUCK YOUR RUMORS." I ripped my blouse off, "FUCK YOUR TIGHT WAD STUCK UP WAYS!" I tore my stockings from my legs. "AND FUCK THIS CHURCH!" I erupted out of my skirt and tossed them into the crowd. Many lady ponies fainted, and I heard the buzz of many angry voices. "GET DEM OUTTA HERE! THERE'S NO ROOM FOR SINNERS! GET YOUR DIRTY SINFUL FAMILY AWAY YOU MURDERER!"

"C'mon Mac, We're leaving!" I grabbed my brother by the collar."

"B-b-but Jacky, A-b-b-bigail..." Mac choked through my stranglehold on him. Shit, that's right. I let go of Mac, who gladly gasped for air, as I ran back to Rarity. "How is she?" I asked.

"Fit as a fiddle, aren't you dear?" Rarity happily chimed as she helped Applebloom to her hooves. "Y-yeah. Ah'm okay sis." she whispered weakly as she swayed back and forth.

"Good. Let's go." I picked Applebloom and put her on my shoulders, as Mac and I walked out of the church to a chorus of boos. We slammed both doors, and never looked back.

Chapter 9

Sunday, June 22nd, 1947. 09:30

It was a long awkward ride back home, I tried my best to keep the conversation at a stand still, hell I wasn't even really sure what to say. I mean, I just single handedly damned our entire family to eternity in the fire bowls of Hell with my stunt there. I tightened up the reigns of the cattle, as I felt the cool breeze start running. You know what? Damn that to hell, I actually feel pretty free right now, and its a beautiful Sunday morning, I've got my family, and Applebloom seems to be doing just fine, poor thing has said a word though.

"Jacky,Mac... Ah'm-." Applebloom begin to say before I interupted her.

"Don't be lil sis." I looked back and motioned her to sit with Mac and me. "In fact, Ah should be sorry, it mah fault that I acted so angry."

"Naw, it was mah fault for taking the Chalice out of the pastors hooves." Mac interluded.

The quiet silence fell over us again, as we all felt a pang of guilt strike at our hearts.

"Ah guess we'll all be burning in Hell naw, huh?" Applebloom broke through.

That little filly, Ah tell you what I dont know where she gets it from, but she speaks her mind no matter who the company is.

"Well, at least we'll be there together right Mac?" I chuckled.

"Eyup." he nodded as he began loosening his jacket. We all began laughing as I took us back to the farm. We felt free.

I pulled back on the reigns as Mac and Applebloom swayed forward a little bit. I smiled at them and embraced them with as much strength as I could. "Now run inside y'all, we'll be making Sunday brunch!" I hollered as Applebloom and Mac both cheered and jumped off the cart. I chuckled a bit as I led the cattle back into the barn. I walked forward a bit and found a nice haybale to sit on, I lowered my caboose and took a load of my feet, and before I knew it tears started running down my face.

It ain't right. It just ain't right. All those ponies staring and judging, instead of helping poor little Applebloom. People of faith, my left hoof! If it weren't for Rarity, lord knows what would've happened to her! I beat down on the haybale as my tears turned from sadness to anger. How the fuck can anyone call themselves Eqhrsitan and leave a pony to sod off and die? How could....how could I been so deaf to my little sister? This was my fault, it was all my fault.

"Nice day isn't it dear?" I heard from the barn door.

I quickly jolted up and wiped away my tears. "Y-yeah, but ya going to stand there and leave the door open? What were ya raised in? A barn?" I replied.

"Oh HAR HAR Jacqueline." Rarity sarcastically remarked as she made her way towards me and my haybale.

"Want to take a load off?" I scooched over giving her room to take a seat.

"Yes, thank you Jacqueline." Rarity said to me as she sat down like some dainty little princess.

"I hope you don't mind, YOUR highness, but this throne is a little prickly for your tastes." I snickered, nudging her side.

"Well, just because SOME of us cannot act like a PROPER lady, doesn't mean I don't have to." Rarity replied as she pulled out a mirror and began fixing her mane.

Ow, I felt that, right in the guilt trip. I chuckled nervousally and rubbed my hoof in shame. "Yeah...ya got me there."

"Sorry, too soon. That was rude of me." Rarity said as she snapped her mirror close.

"What are ya doing here anyway Rarity? Ain't you supposed to be home right now?" I asked, with very good cause. You see, Rarity was one of those, get everything done at the right time, kind of ladies. She had a schedule and she always kept it, I've seen her many times out in town looking rattled and overworn, especially when she with her husband of hers. She barely would even look my direction without looking jumpier than a jackrabbit in a snake pit. So for her breaking a schedule, was like Hell freezing over.

"Oh, I don't mind, I wanted to see if Applebloom was okay after her terrible ordeal, and how you were after your outburst. Luckily I was able to explain to the congregation that the summer devils had possessed you, causing you to go raving mad." Rarity chuckled.

I began chuckling in return, "Did...they buy it?"

"Yeah, and I told them... I told them that it was Princess Celestia's fault for making the day so hot." Rarity began bursting with laughter

"You didn't...." I couldn't believe my ears, did she really just blaspheme in a house of worship?

"And....and...THEY ALL STARTED PRAYING TO KEEP THE HEAT DOWN! AHAHAHAHAHA!" Rarity began slamming the haybale right before she fell right off the haybale and knocked the bucket of water right on her face.

I couldn't help it, the sight and the story made me burst out in laughter too. I knelt toward Rarity and extended my hoof to help her up. "So you and your family are welcome back, AS LONG AS YOU DONT BRING ANY SUMMER DEMONS WITH YOU AHAHAHAHA!" Rarity continued to guffaw as I helped her up. I opened my eyes to get a breath before I keeled over from laughter, and thats when I saw it. Rarity still continued to hold her sides in laughter, as her make up began running. A very obvious black bruise underneath her eye appeared, and glared in my direction. My laughter stopped dead in its tracks. So, that's why shes been so free spirited lately, I always had an inkling, but I dared not speak it out loud.

The water ran down her face like tears, mixing with the white coverup, Rarity was still laughing, but to me, it looked like someone crying out and desperate for help. Rarity noticed my forlorn stare, and raised her eyebrow.

"What? Its as if you never seen me laugh before Jacqueline!" Rarity noted as she stuck her tongue out.

"Y-yeah, its just been...a while, a long while actually." I decided to break the ice, and now when I look back at it, I wish I hadn't. If I would've known what would've happened the next evening, I would've left it go, and never spoke of it again. I would let that bastard beat her over and over again, if it were to stop that terrible incident that happened just one night later. If I went and kept my mouth shut, maybe we wouldn't have, well, I'll guess I tell you as it comes.

"Two years to be exact." I flat out stated, my face growing stern as I began feeling that same rage inside of me, like some kind of maggot crawling within the insides of my soul. A fowl creature, tearing away at my insides and causing my blood to boil.

"Jacqueline, whatever do you mean? I-, I've never been happier in all my years since I was married." Rarity broke away and slapped my hoof away as she turned her head.

I sighed and reached into her saddlebag, I rustled around a bit and pulled out her make up mirror. I'm so sorry Rarity, but I've got to do this.

"Your makeup is running Rarity." I said as I handed her the mirror. Rarity gasped as she quickly grabbed it and moaned. She quickly reapplied the coverup to her black eye, and turned back to me.

"Very well, Thank you Jacqueline. Let's not speak of this again." She quickly rattled off as she held her head up high.

My heart began swelling up, as a woman I know the sort of longing to not be alone, but this level of abuse, its not worth anything, especially not to a strong girl like you. "Rarity... how long has he been..." I began inquiring before Rarity began shushing me.

"Ah! Not another word. What goes on in my household, is my problem, and my problem alone." She opened her eyes and gave the fakest smile anyone could ever give. "And be-s-i-i-i-i-ides, he's my husband! AND he's a doctor! Whatever he is doing must be for the best!" Her head cocked as small tears began welling in her eyes. "And its not like.... he... means...it..."

I couldn't help it anymore, that rage inside me frothed over like hot cider on the kettle. I took wrapped my arms around her and held on so tightly, I thought I was going to suffocate her. I heard her muffled sobs, as I felt her tears running on my back.

"Every day Jacqueline, every day since the honeymoon...even the honeymoon too..." she was breaking through her sobs. I felt the fluid rage inside me turn into a solid mass of blackness in my heart, a tumor full of bubbling hate. "At first I thought it was just an accident, but then it happened again...and again...and again..." Rarity cried deeper and deeper into my shoulder,

"But he wouldn't stop, he just kept getting angrier and angrier every time, did you know I was going to leave The Mile once I earned my Doctorate? I thought it was going to be the happiest day of my life!".

Rarity pulled away and looked me right in the eyes, tears overflowing and running down her chin.

"Jacqueline, you must promise that these words that are coming out of my mouth will never leave this barn."

Now at this moment I had enough rage in me to poison several crops over, I stared back into her eyes and I got up. I made my way to the barn door and slammed it shut. I slowly went to my denim jacket and I pulled out a small knife.

"Jacqueline? What on earth are you doing?"

I walked over and lowered my seat right next to Rarity as I gripped the handle of blade.

I didn't think much of it at the time, but what I did I did with compassion.

Chapter 10

I grabbed one of her hooves, and I ran the blade softly, causing a small slit to appear as it began leaking blood.

"Jacqueline....why?" Rarity whimpered, I said nothing, as I took the blade to my own hoof and did the same. Sure, it definately hurt, but what I was doing, I was doing with my core.

I took my bleeding hoof, and I grasped her bleeding hoof with it. I stared at her with what was my most serious look I had ever given.

"Its a blood promise, no matter what, I'll always have your back Rarity." I muttered as I embraced her once more.

I felt the tears running down my spine again, "Thank you..." I could hear through a soft whimper.

"That night... I came home to tell him the big news. I had finally made it in this big world, and I was one of the very few women in the entire world to actually earn a Doctorates! He... didn't take it too kindly. He began roaring about how I thought I was better than he was, and that I was bringing in the big money now, that I was the master of the household..."

Rarity paused for a moment, and I could sense the dread in her voice. "He...tore the frame from my hooves, and hit me over and over again with it." She began clenching my shoulders tighter as her manner of speaking began speeding faster and faster. "Every blow followed by another one, over and over again, 'YOU THINK YOUR BETTER THAN ME BITCH?' 'NO WOMAN WILL BE BETTER THAN ME' 'GET ON YOUR FUCKING KNEES'". Suddenly her voice changed, and her grasp became cold. It was like ice had been poured through her veins.

"When he finished his assault, he told me...he told me...to...get on my knees. He forced...himself into my mouth...my bottom...and my..." she began cracking under the memory.

"Enough Rarity. I get the picture." I couldn't bear it anymore, nor could my heart.

"Jacqueline, I'm sorry I never told you, I just..." she began.

"Was trying to keep it simple?" I finished as it patted her back.

"Yeah."

We sat there for what seemed hours, holding each other and crying it out. In that barn I found out that the coworker that I had been running night shifts with, had been physically, verbally, emotional, and sexually abused by her husband for two years, and I didn't even know. All because of keeping it simple, and keeping work at work, and home at home. If things weren't the way they were...maybe, we could've have prevented it. But that was the age we lived in, but from that moment on, It was a rule that we sought to break at every given opprotunity. Thats the plain and simple truth, but wouldn't cha know it, life ain't that simple. There's a little thing called chaos in this world, and it takes a simple matter and complicates the living daylights out of it, maybe it was a force of a higher power, or maybe it was the sheer complexity of chance, but we weren't the only ones who decided to break that rule.

I stood up and opened the barn door, as the sun began shining through. "Your welcome to stay as long as you want Rarity." I smiled despite my dried red eyes.

"Honestly Jacqueline? You would take me in?" Rarity said slowly making her way by my side as we trotted back into the house. "Of course, besides, it'll make the carpool to The Mile alot quicker." Rarity chuckled as I poked her in the side, "There ya are, there's that smile." Rarity laughed even harder as I poked her again and again.

"Now come on in and eat, we've got a heck of a supper to plan." I said as I walked up the crickety steps, and held the front door open for her. Rarity embraced me once more, and whispered. "Thank you Jacky."

I patted her head and replied. "No problem, sister." We both smiled, as we walked inside, leaving the entire world behind us. At that moment we felt free.

Supper was alot more talkative that evening, as Rarity meshed really well with Mac and Applebloom. We all enjoyed a hearty dinner and soul freedom, our family may have gotten a bit more complicated, but it seemed pretty simple in the end. I remember all of us in that quiet moment of normality, and it felt simple enough for me.

I pulled away from the table, belching in the process. "Whoo wee I haven't eaten that much since the Catfish fry!"

"Now ain't that the one were you ripped your best dress and got ketchups stains on your boots?" Mac said tears of laughter running down his face.

"THE ONE AND ONLY!" I proudly stated as I jutted my hoof into my chest, "And I took home the blue ribbon for it too!"

Mac, Rarity and Applebloom all burst into laughter as I began walking around the table collecting their plates. Rarity got up and picked up Mac's plate as she looked at me. "Here, let me help, its only fair seeing on how gracious you've been to me this evening."

"Of course Ms Rarity, thank you for dining with us this fine evening" Mac said happily as he handed his plate to her.

"And we'd be plum happy if ya could do it again! Your like an auntie of sorts, cept your not old, wait are you old?" Applebloom began ranting, before I hurridly ran over and covered her big mouth.

"Well, ya see Applebloom, Ms Rarity is going to..." I began explaining.

"I would like very much little filly, in fact I'll be here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, well dinner on weekends of course, a girls gotta work right?" Rarity concluded while giving me a nod.

"ITS LIKE I GOT A NEW SISTER! OR AN AUNT, I DONT KNOW BUT I LOVE IT! STAY AS LONG AS YA WANT AUNTIE RARITY!"

" I may just do that Applebloom, now off to bed, little fillies need their sleep."

Applebloom looked at me and raised her eyebrow. " Seriously?" she asked me. I nodded in agreement, as I chuckled at Rarity. "C'mon lets go do the dishes, Mac, I can trust you to tuck Applebloom in right?"

"Eyup."

Rarity and I made out way into the kitchen as I dumped the dishes into the sink with a thud. I went for the faucet, but Rarity had already turned it on with her magic. Right, I forgot that Unicorns can manipulate everyday objects like a secondary nature, and that Rarity was a Unicorn.

She began levitating the dishes and washing them without getting a single hoof wet with soap. I decided to voice my opinion on the matter, "Rarity, I have never seen you use your magic before, hell I almost forgot that you're a unicorn!"

"Well... Jacky, I always had to play the lesser one to my husband, and he does not posses such skill..."

I slipped on my current dish and got my hoof soaking wet in surprise. "Wait, you married an Earth pony?"

"That I did Jack, that I did." Rarity happily chimed as she had finished 3 dishes, to my not even clean 1 dish.

"You could've done alot better than an Earth pony Rarity..." I said spitting on the plate and rubbing my hoof to make it shine.

"I agree and disagree, I could've done alot better... but..." she peered her head back to see Mac walking down the hallway, taking his time to stretch before heading off to his room for the night,

"Earth ponies aren't so bad..."

"Hohohoho wait a minute there sugerlump" I began to insinuate,

"Not another word! After all, I got the dishes done faster!" Rarity quipped.

"I didn't know it was a contest!" I sputtered, trying to keep an image I didnt want to think about out of my mind.

"Well it was, and I win. So there. Nyah." Rarity stuck her tongue out at me. We laughed for a bit, as we set the dishes into the cabinet to dry.

"You know Rarity, tomorrow is Inmate intake day." I said, just remembering it myself.

"I know, so I guess its off to bed with us?" Rarity questioned curiously.

"Right, we got a bright and early morning ahead of us, so get plenty of sleep!" I said as I walked upstairs and led Rarity to the guest room across from my bedroom.

I felt the sandman punch me right in the eyes, as I yawned loudly. "G'night Sis. Welcome to the family." Rarity ran over to me and gave me the tightest hug I could imagine. "Again. Thank you, so much."

"No problem, thats what family does. Plain and simple." Rarity welled up with tears in her eyes again, and bid me goodnight. I made my way into my bedroom and into my sheets. Tomorrow began a new day for the Appleline family, and for Rarity and I. I felt my eyes shut, slowly nodding off to sleep. Now, our house is old and has its creaks every now and then, the old groans when the door would blow open from a breeze. Rarity's room had it the worst, seriously, it was the oldest room in the house, it belonged to our Granny before she passed away four summers ago. The groans and creaks in that room were definately 10 times as worse than any part of the house, and it must've been a particulary windy night, but maybe thats just my way of putting it.

Chapter 11:

Monday, June 23rd, 1947. 19:00

Today has been weird. Like really weird, well hell, even yesterday was a big turn from normalcy. But at least, the night shift is here, and things can go back to a sense of simplicity. I adjusted my uniform and made my rounds for the evening.

I tipped my hat at The Shaman, who noticed me and nodded in return. Huh, that's odd... I've never seen her actually move. I shrugged it off as I continued to make my rounds, not like there was much to walk on The Mile. As I walk past Ms Sparkles cell, I see a sudden flash of moment, her ear twitches and she jolts up straight. She turns around and stares at me with her eyes, my God, they were like dinner plates, staring directly into my soul.

"You keep to yourself now ya here? No more causing trouble for you Ms Sparkle." I pointed my bullstick in her direction, she said nothing and continued to track me with those huge glaring eyes of hers. For whatever reason, I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine. "I'd best be off, got to make sure someone runs the Mile at night."

I began to continue my round when suddenly I feel my tail being held back. My body began filling with that same rage again, like some hot molten lava raging through my veins. "LET GO CONSARN IT!"

"Someone's coming Ms Jacky. Someone awful is coming. Please, be careful."

"THE LORD WILL BE COMING FOR YA IF YA DON'T LET GO OF MY TAIL!" I felt my chest beating with absolute rage, a feeling like a steam engine running inside my body.

Suddenly, I pull forward and trip. I guess she let go, I turned back and grunted at Ms Sparkle, who curled into a corner, yet still would not stop staring at me with those huge eerie eyes of hers.

.I brushed myself off, and made my way back to the bureau where Rarity was busy scribbling down on some manuscript.

"Careful of that Sparkle one Sis, uh-I mean Ms Rarity. She's a grabber." I said, quickly recovering from my mistake.

"Oh I know! I still have no idea what she had done to make Pinkie cry like that. Never in all my years knowing that girl have I ever seen her ever leak even one tear. But tonight..."

"Yeah.... it's like, normalcy is being flipped on its head huh?" I finished Rarity's statement.

How right that statement was, normalcy had completly flown the coop and decided to die in Albequercque. What we didn't know that in losing our normalcy, that we had opened the door to a great chaos, and a great magic that would change these walls forever.

Monday, June 23rd, 1947. 20:30

There was a knock on the iron door of The Mile. I looked up from the bureau and looked at Rarity as she looked back in a state of confusion. I got up and walked over to the door and pulled open the door hatch. "Who is it? Its way too late to have visitors you know?" I said through the peephole.

"Infirmary ma'am, I have a report for one of your guards." the voice behind the door said. Ah! That must be for Ms Fluttershy! I hope she is feeling better the poor thing. "Right then, I'll let you in". I began fustling with the door locks and the heavy handle. If my ears had been sensitive enough I could of heard Ms Sparkle whimpering in her cell. "Don't do it...please don't open that door."

"Howdy pardner!"

A thunderclap rang forth, and suddenly my vision became dark.

Chapter 12:

My ears began ringing like crazy as I began to hear screaming. My vision still incredibly hazy, I feel around. Oh god, it feels like....I'm going to vomit....I can't help it.

Wait...is that...blood? Am I vomiting blood? I feel my stomach and pull my hooves to my face...no... I'm bleeding...I've been shot.

My vision still incredibly hazy and my mind in clamor I could hear screams and yells in The Mile. "YOU FUCKING WHORE, HOW DARE YOU DISOBEY ME!"

"GET THE FUCK AWAY YOU BASTARD! I'M DONE WITH YOU!"

I begin crawling, stumbling trying to get on my hooves and do something. "ITS THAT FRANCIS ISN'T IT? YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN AFTER THAT INBRED HICK!"

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL HIM THAT YOU PATHETIC WHELP!"

"DON'T. YOU. EVER. CALL. ME. WHELP!"

I found my pistol in front of me and I grabbed it with my hooves. I could see him, I could see that bastard, I saw him raise his hoof to Sis.

Another thunderclap struck and he fell to the ground. "Ah......YOU SHOT ME! YOU FUCKING BITCH! YOU FUCKING SHOT ME!"

"Damn....I missed...the kill."

My vision began grower darker, as my rage subsided, sorry Sis. Looks like, I couldn't get your back...

I guess this is the end of my story, well, maybe in one way. I'm not particular about the fancy sciences of life and death, nor am I particular about esotheric beliefs of afterlives, but what I do know, is that I was dead, yet I continued to see, and I continued to hear.

"JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!" Rarity screamed as ran to my body, "Jack? WHO THE FUCK IS JACK?" her husband screamed bleeding on the floor. Lucky bastard, if I hadn't been bleeding out, I would've nailed him right in the head.

Rarity knelt down and began sobbing, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I shoud've never let it get this far."

"Ms Rarity, I can fix it. Ms Rarity." Ms Sparkle said from her cell.

"DAMN IT SPARKLE SHE'S DEAD! MY SISTER IS DEAD! YOU CAN'T FIX THAT" she screamed through tears.

"I can Ms Rarity. But we have to be fast, I can take it back, but we have to do this now." Ms Sparkle said, pacing in her cell.

Compelled by either tragedy, desperation, or lunacy, Rarity picked up my body, and carried it over to Ms Sparkles cell. At this time, I still can't tell you what my body went through at that time, all I know is the sight was miraclous, and horrifying at the same time. I saw my body floating in mid air, and a beam of light being shot into my stomach. My body began convulsing and twitching, and black worms began digging their way out of my bullet wound. Terrible, awful worms with dagger like teeth, and monstrous screams, they screeched when hit with the light of her magic, and faded away like ashes from a flame.

I felt something soft on my shoulder, hey...I can actually feel! I look down at my hooves, my god! I'm ALIVE! I'M ALIVE! PRAISE CELESTIA I'M ALIVE!

"Its a miracle." Rarity said in stupor.

"Cough.....that's fucking great. Now can someone please help the MAN WHO HAS BEEN FUCKING SHOT ON THE FLOOR?"

No, not this fucking time. I trot over and point my pistol right at the bastards head. I could feel it, I could feel that tumor of hate beating against my once more living heart! The pure seething anger of revenge and hate. I could hear all their voices in my head, "MURDERER, SINNER, HICK, HERETIC". I cocked the pistol and forced it into his mouth. "On your knees bitch." I whispered.

"What the fuck did you say to me woman?" he mumbled through the pistol.

"I SAID ON YOUR FUCKING KNEES." I pulled the gun out of his mouth and shot it right next to his head, telling him I was fucking serious. He slowly got up and got on his knees. "Hooves above your head." He complied, as he began crying.

"What...are you going to do?"

"I'm going to kill you. But first you are going to apologize." I coldly stated as I pointed the gun right at his forehead.

"What?"

"APOLOGIZE!" I fired directly next to him again, causing a puddle of urine to sprout forth underneath him.

"APOLOGIZE FOR ABUSING HER."

"I-i-i'm sorry for abusing you..."

"APOLOGIZE FOR RAPING HER."

"I-i-i'm sorry for raping you...."

"APOLOGIZE FOR BEING THE FAT SACK OF SHIT YOU ARE."

I-i-i'm..."

"SAY IT!" I cocked the pistol

"I-i-i'm...."

"SAY IT!" The fire in my heart felt like a thousand suns waiting to erupt in a fiery blaze of bullet smoke. My finger twitched on the trigger, and I began to pull.

Suddenly, I could feel something that I didn't think I could feel. Oh... it...feels...so light...

like, a weight has been lifted off my heart. I fell to my knees and dropped the pistol, as I started crying my eyes out, I don't know why, but I couldn't stop crying.

"I forgive you."

That. Those words came out of my mouth, I don't know why, or how they ever escaped my mouth but they did. I felt something at time was amazing, like I had been touched with the power of heaven itself, and in this, the hatred, the rage, and all I had inside my heart had faded away into nothingness. I turned around and smiled at my Sister, both of them, Rarity and Ms Sparkle, as they both smiled back at me, tears running down their faces. Suddenly, I felt a heavy jab right at my throat, and the air being cut to my brain.

"FUCKING BITCH, YOU THINK YOU CAN FUCK AROUND AND FORGIVE ME? WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?"

"Ngggrh....can't.....breathe...!"

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I see it. A horrible black tumor with 20 legs and awful gnashed daggers for teeth dashing toward my attacker. He couldn't have seen it, but I sure did, It stabbed him in the hindleg, and continued to stab him again and again.

"OH GOD WHAT OH MY GOD! OW! OW! FUCKING OW!"

The black tumor monster crawled across his chest and threw itself into his mouth.

Suddenly, the husband starts lifting the pistol while screaming. "What...what the fuck is going on?" He held it to his own head...." SOMEONE SAVE ME!" A thunderclap fell, and so did he. The black tumor monster crawled out of his mouth and looked up at me. I swear as much as my spine tingled, I almost saw a smile before it faded away like ashes in the air.

I got to my feet as I tried to contemplate what in the world just happened. I walked over, and yeah... that's definately a dead body... blew his brains out all over The Mile. Rarity came up behind me and began sobbing madly. "Jack...oh Jack... I can't believe it... "

I quickly stomped over to Ms Sparkles cell and I slammed on the bars.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TWILIGHT SPARKLE? WHAT DID YOU DO?"

"I took it away Boss, I gave it back, and then I took it away. Go to your sister Applejack, she needs you, and she needs your friendship. Protect that, and I'll protect it too. Feeling tired boss, feeling real tired. Twilight Sparkle stretched her wings and curled up in her cot.

I walked over to Rarity and we cried together in a small huddle. Even when the other guards from the other blocks came in and cleared the scene, we stayed huddled together, crying out eyes out.

Tonight, At 21:00 on Monday the 23rd of June, 1947 at The Pink Mile, something amazing and terrible happened. A life was given and a life was taken. Two ponies found themselves truly free, and found solace in themselves and in one another. It had been a first of many things on that Monday, and it only got stranger from there.

END OF NIGHT SHIFT. MONDAY JUNE 23rd, 1947.