Wolfscent

Fluttershy stepped off the train as it skidded to a halt, taking in the grim surroundings. This was Canterlot of course, but not how most ponies pictured it. No, this was the "uncouth side" of Canterlot that nopony spoke of; the slums.

"Your bags Ma'am," the Porter approached her, plopping down a small suitcase.

"Thank you," the timid pegasus replied, before picking them up.

"You better be careful around here, miss. A pony went missing the other day; investigators are still scouring the area."

"That's sad..." Fluttershy's gaze trailed down the street ahead, where cardboard boxes and other trash littered the ground.

"It is a shame, well you better get to where you're going. Be safe," with a final nod, the Porter left and Fluttershy made her way down the steps.

Dead silence blanketed the street from all around as Fluttershy made her way. Ok Fluttershy, you can do this. All you have to do is find a place before it gets...dark. She gulped, looking up at the sky; the sun was slowly making its way towards the horizon, dipping lower by the second.

"Hey gorgeous!"

Fluttershy whipped her head around in shock as a brown stallion stood several feet from her, smiling somewhat maliciously.

"What's a pretty mare like you doing out at this hour alone?"

"I..." the pegasus in question began to back up. "I was on my way...home."

"Oh really?" The stallion took a step closer, causing her to back up more. "Cause from the looks of it, you didn't know where you were going."

"I'm..." it took every ounce of energy to keep Fluttershy from lowering herself to the ground and curling up in a ball.

"Lost?" The stallion took another step towards her, his smile growing more malicious. It was then that the pegasus noticed the knife cutie mark that adorned his flank. He followed her gaze. "Looking at my flank are ya?"

Her face flushed. "NO! I mean yes! I mean, your cutie mark!"

He wolf smiled. "Well..."

"Hey!"

The two ponies startled as a gray unicorn mare came running up to them at full force.

"Get the hell away from her!"

The stallion rolled his eyes. "Really?"

The unicorn stopped in front of Fluttershy. "Causing trouble as always? No wonder Pink Wolf stays away from you."

"I wasn't doing anything."

The unicorn hardened her gaze, "You were frightening this poor mare."

He held up his hooves in defense, "It was playful teasing! Gosh Heart, haven't you heard of humor?" he lit up his horn, sending off small sparks.

She narrowed her eyes. "Not when it hurts other ponies. C'mon dear."

Before Fluttershy could comprehend, the unicorn mare had draped her hoof over her shoulders and was leading her away.

"Thank you," Fluttershy shakily mumbled when they were out of earshot.

"Anytime dear," the mare shook her head. "He's a trouble maker if I've ever seen one. Keeps coming around my apartment and harassing my inhabitants."

"Oh my..."

"Yeah, so were you headed to?"

"Oh umm...nowhere particularly," the yellow pegasus shrugged, lowering her head as she felt a familiar pang in her tooth.

"Oh dear," the mare put a hoof over her shoulder. "I can't let you stay out here, not with a bunch of homeless ponies that would do anything to make a bit."

"Thank you...but-"

"But nothing, you can stay at my apartment complex. There's an inhabitant there that I'd recommend a roommate for anyway."

"Oh my...h-how much will it cost?"

"Well, the rent overall is 500 a month, but if you two split it it'll only be about 250."

"Wow that's...I couldn't possibly accept..."

"Well, I'm afraid you don't have a choice. Come along dear, we're almost there."

Fluttershy almost smiled, but stopped as she felt two fangs penetrate her mouth.