David's Nightmares

Chapter 1: It Begins

“Aw, come on David, put another steak on the barbie!”

“David! Watch it! You’re going to burn the steak!” A rough hand pushed David’s out of the way. “Gees, David, you still in fairyland?” The grizzled man turned, smiling. “Tell me, what did the unicorns say?” A drop of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. A keening sound filled the air. David whipped around. He whipped back. His father wasn't there—only darkness. The keening came closer. What was that sound? It sounded like…

David woke with a start. He brought his hands in front himself, examining them. They were free from any grime or dirt, but covered in coarse hair. The hair of an adult. He sighed. It was all a dream. Only a dream.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Daaaaaaaaavid," an ominous voice permeated the room. A cold sweat broke out along David's forehead and trickled down his shivering contours. It was her. She had found him.

"To be fair," he called out. "That was totally an accident."

A rasping chuckle filled the room.

"I know, David," the voice replied, softly… calmly…

The room went silent again. David kept vigilance with wide eyes scanning the room. It didn't appear to have anyone else in it. His eyes swept along the jagged contours of the furniture.

She wasn't gone, was she?

David shook his head. No, after what I did she wouldn't let me go. She's in the room, I'm sure of it. He edged to the end of his bed, swinging his legs over the side. His feet hit the carpet as he sidled over to the light switch. As his hand brushed the switch, he hesitated.

His eyes widened.

I don't have carpet.

With a jerk, his head tilted down and he flipped the light switch. Twilight's pupils shrunk to pin-pricks as light flooded the room. David gently eased his feet off Twilight's back. Twilight stood up as David stumbled backward.

"W-Wait," he stammered, trying to reason with the deranged mare. Twilight shot forward until her muzzle hung inches from his mouth. She gave a long, slow lick to the side of his face.

"I. Taste. Your. Fear," she whispered in his ear. David let loose a choking whimper.