The Laws of Life.

Chapter 7: Life lived on the edge.

The shattering glass, the yells from outside. Light starting to pour in from the rising sun. I could be asking several questions. Why is this happening? Whats going on? Questions like those. But, I already know the answers. The only question I ask myself is. “What now?” I scream over to my mother. We had feared this day. The day the fear of others would grow to large, and they would cast me out like my father before me. “Run. Run as far as you can. And, promise me Fantasm, for your safety, do not look back. Can you do that for me? I’ll be fine. So don’t worry. Just promise me that you’ll be fine.”

“I promise. I’ll stay safe. I swear.” I say as I start to tear up a little bit. I give my mother one last hug, and run for the back door to the house. Before I can go, mother grabs me one last time. “And Fantasm. Please, try to have a happy birthday, even if it will be far from home.” I smile, and give my mother a small kiss, as I rush out into the morning, the morning of my birthday. And I keep running. I run as far as I can from home, till I reach the field I normally sit in at night.

I know I promised my mother, but, some part of me needed to look back. To get one last look at what I’m leaving. And, as I turn to look back, I can’t help to feel happy. Sure, I’ll miss mother. . But, I can finally start a life. Before, I was stuck in that village. If I had left at night, that would’ve only caused a huge uproar. But, now I’ve been cast away. I can go somewhere else without the fear of being known as a runaway. I see the village, the edge of it barely visible in the morning light. I turn away again, and keep walking.

Eventually, after walking along the long field, I come across a small dirt path. The farthest I've ever been from home, was just one edge of this field. Now I am on the complete other side, home isn’t even in sight anymore. I don’t know where this path will lead. I don’t know if it will bring me to a new home. But. it’s the only thing I’ve got for now. I place my hoof on the dirt path. It doesn't feel like that dirt paths from the village. This feels more rough, not as well kept. . .It feels more natural. I think I love this feeling.

So, I walk upon the dirt path. I walk for hours, and hours. I watch as the sun slowly crosses the sky. The day does have it’s merits. It sheds a different light upon things. But, I still keep a fond belief that the night is a million times more beautiful. But, the night also carries dangers that the light does not. And as I watch the light die as the sun sets, I realize that those dangers are only drawing nearer. “Fantasm!” I turn around on the dirt path, to see my father standing there. “What happened? Why are you so far from home?” He gives me a look of concern. “What do you think happened, father! They cast me out like they did to you!”

I yell at him, and start to stomp away. Seeing the edge of a new town, barely lit by candles. “I had a fear that would happen. But, now you can come with me, back to the nest.” I shake my head, as I stop in my tracks. “No. I will never be apart of the nest. I barely fit in with the ponies back at home.” He steps up to me, placing his hoof on my shoulder, only for me to shrug it off. “Fantasm, I already talked to Queen Hydra. You are free to live in the nest.”

“No. I don’t want to be a charity case. Look, I have the chance to live a true life now. There.” I point to the distant town, silhouetted by the setting sun. My father looks past me, with concern. “No. Fantasm. You can’t live their.” I glare at him. “What? You can’t control me. Why not anyways?” He sighs. “It’s just that. . . I won’t allow it.” I laugh. “Won’t allow it? What a joke. You may be my father. But you have no power over me! I’m on my own, and I want to keep it that way. Do you know how much damage you caused in my life? What makes you think you can control it?”

He lets out a long sigh, dragging his hoof across his face. “Fantasm. Please. I’m only trying to. . “ I turn away from him, and run towards the town. I hear his hoof steps close behind me. “Just stop!” I call back to him. “No! Please, Fantasm!” I finally reach the town, I feel myself trip barely as the dirt path turns into a cobble stone one. I steady myself, and keep running. “Fantasm. Stop!” I skid to a stop, turning to face my father again. “Listen here. Fa-” I start to shout, but he puts his hoof to my mouth. “Shh.” I glare at him, and smack his hoof away. “Stop it! Just stop trying to control me!”

“Fantasm. Be quite. Some ponies are trying to sleep.” He says through an angry whisper at me. “Do you think I care! What do they have to do with our problems, Fa-” A voice from behind me cuts me off again. “Father?” I turn to see a small, unicorn, foal standing in the open brightly lit doorway. Eyes wide and confused. Eyes that share that seem green color. “Oh. I see now.” I say, finally speaking in a whisper. “is that it?” He shakes his head. “Dear, head back inside. Daddy will be in for dinner soon.”

I feel my face twitch in anger. “Really? So, it wasn’t a coincidence that I met you while walking here on that dirt path? You were coming here too. What about all those times that you said you loved mother? All the times you said you loved me? All the times you said you just wanted to be with us again!” I start out in a quite, low growl. But as I talk, I grow into another yell. “Fantasm. It’s true. I have another family. But, I still love my first all the same.” I sigh, and shake my head. “I know what you are father. And, you should know it doesn’t work that way. Love isn’t something that can easily be shared. Not between two families.”

“Fantasm. . Please.” He reach out his hoof, but I only step away from it. “No. I won’t hear it.” I want to run away again, but as I watch the moon rise, I realize I have no where to go. I step close to him, and whisper.  “Let me stay the night here. You owe it to me. I’ll be gone in the morning. I just need a place to sleep. I wont tell them anything about the life you had before them. But, I want you to promise me that you’ll stop trying to be my father. That ship has sailed.”

“I can’t just stop loving you though. But. . . If you really think that this is best for you. Then . . “ It looks like this is hurting him to say, but he says it anyways. “Then fine. I’ll leave you alone.” He lets out a sigh, as he walks past me, head hung low, up to his door. “Please, come in.” I hear the solid tone of sadness on his voice. The sound of a broken stallion. Of a broken father. At least he has a another family to fall back on. Unlike me, his dear, beloved, old daughter. Who apparently can be easily replaced.

After calming down, I walk up the small steps, and walk through the open door. It’s a small place, almost quite like my old home. But, it’s a lot. . . Brighter. I mean, my house was lovely. It had nice darker, calming tones. This house is so brightly colored. It’s giving me a headache. “Oh! Who’s this? You didn’t mention any guests for dinner, Obsidian.” Well, he uses the same name as before. Anyways, I look at a pegasus mare who just spoke. She seems only a few years younger than my mother. “This is Fantasm. She’s from out of town, and only need a place to stay. I was good friends with her. . . Father, before I came here.”

He stumbles over his words slightly, but the mare doesn’t notice. She only gives a wide smile. “Well then, we always have an open guest room. And, an open seat at the table. Feel free to stay as long as you like.” I shake my head politely. “Oh no. It’s just for the night. I’ll be leaving in the morning.” She frowns slightly. “Well, ok. But, really, if you ever need a place to stay. Oh, and where are my manners. My name’s Cotton Melody. Please, just call me Cotton.” I give a nod. “Well, thanks for letting me stay here.”

“It’s no problem.” I hear father say. “Anything to help.” He smiles. He’s trying to be nice. To show me that he can help me. But, it ain't working, dear old dad. “Well, Fantasm, was it? If you don't mind me asking, what brings you to this town, and why are you leaving so soon after getting here?” Cotton sure seems to be curious. Might as well oblige her. “Well, my father recently passed away, bless his heart.” I happen to only give a small glance at my father, seeing him grimace slightly. “But, he lived pretty far from home. So, I’m traveling to get to his funeral.” I hear Cotton gasp.

“Oh, poor dear. I’m sorry for your lose.” I shake my head. “No need to be sorry. Me and my father weren't very close. . But. . . It’s only right to say a proper goodbye.” I give a sad smile. My mother always told me I would make a good actress if I tried. But, that would only make me more like my father. A life that’s just an act. “I’m hungry. . Can we eat now?” I hear the little foal from earlier call out. “Yes. We’ll be right out. But, I need to quickly fix up another plate.”

“Thanks, but I can make it myself.” Cotton shakes her head. “Nope. You’re our guest. It would be my honor to make your plate.” She laughs, as if that were some kind of joke. I give a small chuckle as well. “Fine, fine.” I give a small smile again. “Obsidian, bring her to the dining room.”  My father gives a nod, and motions me to follow him. We walk in silence, and reach the small dining room. They have a pretty big table for a family of three. “Take a seat right there, Fantasm.” He points at the spot right next to his other daughter. “Who’s this daddy?” She asks, as she looks up at my, her dark green eyes shining, almost like she’s in awe of me.

“This is Fantasm. Fantasm, this is Onyx Heart.” Cute name. “Hello.” I say down to her, giving her a wide smile. “Hi.” She says, shrinking slightly into her seat now. “She’s kind of shy.” Father chuckles out, as he takes his seat. “So. . Why were you and daddy arguing outside?” For a shy kid, she sure asks big questions. “Well. . “ I start, but I hear Cotton call. “You two were arguing, what for?” She peeks into the dining room. “Well. .It’s just that.” I stammer, looking between all of them. “She asked me to come to her father's funeral because-” I was panicked, so I cut him off. “Because they’re brothers.” I speak my words quickly.

All three of them just stared at me in silence. Cotton looks shocked. Onyx looks . . Like the confused little foal she is. . Oh, sweet innocence. And Obsidian, my father. . . He just looks slightly amused. “Yes. brothers. But, with how my work has been recently I can unfortunately not make the funeral.” Cotton shakes her head. “Oh. Nonsense. Family is more important. You should go.” Onyx finally speaks up, in her confusion. “Does that mean we’re related?” She says, looking at me with those green eyes. “Yes. I guess. . . . I guess that does.” I give her a smile.

“Cotton, I don’t think my boss would appreciate me taking time off to-” She cuts him off, holding up her hoof. “It’s family, dear. I know he will understand. . . Speaking of family, I should’ve known earlier, you have those same green eyes, Fantasm. And you’re a unicorn” Again, here I am, being defined by my eyes and my horn. “Yes. The family traits.” I laugh out, slightly. My plate is half finished, and I’m starting to feel sick to my stomach. “If you could excuse me, where's the bathroom?” Cotton points down the hall. “Down there, to the left.” I nod, and rush away from the table.

I close the door behind me swiftly, and lock it. I glance in the mirror as I rush by, seeing those green eyes staring at me. I’m sickened even more at the sight. I reach the toilet, and my stomach empties all that I had just eaten. The taste is horrid. After my fit of sickness, I walk back over to the mirror, and sink. I keep my eyes closed, and turn on the water. I lean in, and wash out my mouth.

There is a soft knock on the door. “Fantasm, are you ok?” Cottons muffled voice speaks out. “Y-yeah. . Just. . Just. . Under the weather slightly.  I’ve walked for a long time.” I hear some more hoof steps shuffle outside the door. “She ok?” I hear my father ask. “Yeah. just exhausted. . The poor dear. . . Well, your rooms just right across from the bathroom. You should rest up.” I hear Cotton call back. I hear her foot steps shuffle away. “Fantasm. . We need to talk in the morning. After we leave.” I finally open my eyes, and stare into my reflection. I glance back as well, at my cutie mark. My mother says its a spark, just ready to burst into flames. I tend to believe that it’s a dying ember.

Either way, it represents change. It shows my talent of illusion, of change. It shows my father, a changeling. No matter how I look at myself, I see him. It’s only what the others saw as well. I feel myself starting to get sick again. I look away from the mirror, and step across the hall slowly. I look around the small room. It’s a small gray room, pleasantly kept. The bed is average sized, with blue sheets on it. I walk over, and lay on the bed. I look out the window, out into the night sky. “I missed my walk.” I mumble to myself as I start to doze off into sleep. “I hope you can forgive me, Luna.”