If I Could Sleep

     "Delta, honey, it's time for your daily visit with the psychiatrist!" It was Beta.

     "Alright, mom! I'm getting ready right now!" Delta called back. She was in her plain white room, looking for her baseball cap that she liked to wear to the visits. She saw it, and put it on in her normal foward-facing-but-slightly-sideways manner. She trotted to the door leading outside. "I'm ready, mom!"

     "Okay, hun! Be safe!"

     "I will mom!" She opened the door. Trotting outside into the bright crimson light, she smiled. She loved these moments, where she's alone in the sunset. There was somepony she wanted to share it with, but that's a different story altogether. Anyway, Delta trotted to her psychiatrist's office. It was off to the North of Delta's home, but it was a relatively short walk. When she got there, she knocked on the door.

     "Now, who could that be?" she heard a voice from inside call.

     "It's me, Ms. Chology! Delta!" Delta always thought Ms. Psy Chology's name was odd. Perhaps because she didn't know exactly what the meaning of psychology was.

     "Oh, if it isn't my favourite patient, Delta! How are you today, Delta? Are the dreams getting any shorter?" The door opened to reveal a grey furred white maned mare. She wore a blue blazer and glasses.

     "Yes, Ms. Chology! They have!"

     "Well that's good to hear. Come on in!" Ms. Chology opened the door wider to allow Delta to pass through.

     Aa Delta trotted in, she surveyed the little house like she did every time she visited Ms. Chology. It was an odd little place, with bright colors compensating for Ms. Chology's lack of spectrum in her fur and mane. The drapes were blue today, the same color as her blazer. Delta smiled. "New drapes, Ms. Chology? Something special happening today?"

     Ms. Chology lauged. "No, Delta, nothing special is happening today. Just getting into the Winter spirit."

     Delta cocked her head. "But it's Autumn...? Right?"

     "Yes, Delta, it is."

     Delta was a completely and utterly confused. She wisely decided not to divulge any deeper into whatever Ms. Chology was thinking. "So, what're we doing today, Ms. Chology?"

     Ms. Chology smiled. "We're going for a walk, Delta. Just you and I. I asked your mother if she wanted to come, but she told me she had work to do."

     Delta understood that her mother was a busy mare. She went to work early and worked late at night in her office at home. Delta nodded.

     Ms. Chology smiled, then trotted to the door. "Shall we?"

     Delta followed her out into the brisk autumn air. She shivered a small bit as the wind blew the chilly air onto her face and body. They walked along a smooth path that eventually led them into the woods. Now, mind you, readers, that this is not the Everfree Forest. Thus, no crazy manticores went after them. They trotted along, peaceful and calm, when Delta decided to ask a question. "So, what's this walk for, Ms. Chology?"

     Ms. Chology just kept walking, enjoying the light breeze on her face and in her mane. "Don't worry about it, Delta. It's just a simple trot in the woods."

     Delta frowned a bit. She didn't like the idea of not knowing where and why she was going. This is also the reason she hated the dreams she had. She had no idea what was going to happen, why, and when. Everything had to be in a set order, or else-

     A stick cracked off to Delta's right, interrupting her thoughts. "Did you hear that, Ms. Chology?" Delta looked left, where the psychologist should've been. She was gone. "Ms. Chology? Where'd you go?" She trotted to the edge of the path. "What in the..." Delta thought aloud. She started trotting back the way she had come. She heard more sticks crunching in the trees. Delta flinched at every single Crack!! Slowly, she came to a fork in the road.

     She stood there for a few seconds, then she heard someone call her name behind her. "Delta? What're you doing? Is it happening again? Snap out of it, Delta."

     Delta turned around. "What?" She came back to reality. She saw Ms. Chology standing behind her with a slightly confused and concerned look.

     "Delta, did it happen again?"

     Delta sat down, blinking away fearful tears. "Y-yeah... it happened again... sorry." Delta sat there, tears streaming down her cheeks.  "I'm scared, Ms. Chology..."

     "I know, Delta." She trotted over to the filly and hugged her.

     Delta sobbed into Ms. Chology's neck. "I'm sorry, Ms. Chology! I don't know why I have this problem... I want to get rid of it. I want to get rid of it now..."

     "I know, Delta." Ms. Chology comforted the weeping filly. "I know, believe me, I know."

     "Why do I have this... this disease? What's wrong with me?" Delta asked, still sobbing.

     "Delta, you'll get through this. I know you will. We'll get through this together."

     "But why must I go through this?"

     "I don't know, Delta. I don't know."