Brain Scramble

‘Buck that drunk pony, buck everything’ I thought to myself while throwing what clothes I had left that weren’t ruined. While I was deciding whether to bring my boots or my stuffed animal, yes I still had one, when I heard a knock at my bedroom door. I pushed up my glasses, “Come in” I said.

My sis Puzzle came in and hesitating with each step, “Why are we packing” she asked me once she got to my bed. “And when is daddy coming home?”

I stifled a sob and forced a smile “Because we need to and dad is going to be late.” I said, I couldn’t tell her yet. We both sat on my bed, which was just a mattress and some blankets. “We just need to get packed, make a quick stop at the hospital, then off the train station.” I said ruffling her hair. She batted my hoof away, but I saw a small smile.

“Why do we need to go to the hospital?” she asked looking at me, I could see the sadness she hid in her eyes.

“I need to say goodbye to somepony important, okay?” I said trying very hard to keep my smile up, “Then we are on our way”

She nodded and walked back to the door, once she got to the frame she turned around and said “What should I pack?”

“Important things, clothes and blankets, maybe your stuffed bear.” Once I said that she ran to her room, “Meet me at the front door!” I yelled after her.

(At the Hospital)

“Ok Puzzle stay in here while I go find the room” I said sitting her down in the waiting room. Once she busied herself with a foal magazine I walked off to our father’s room. The hospital was so depressing, grey walls, grey floor and ceiling, but I had to keep walking, besides almost everything in Trottingham was depressing. I found my fathers room and when I opened the door I gasped. He was there in the bed with both his hoofs over his chest. I rushed to his side and held back my tears, “Dad?” I asked in a soft voice. I looked closer at his chest hoping to see any sign of breathing, I didn’t. I held his hoof and said in a quiet voice so the nurse ponies couldn’t hear me. “Dad, I know your gone, but listen please. I never liked you, well I did, but before mom died. You shouldn’t have blamed Puzzle and me. We did not kill her, neither did you, she died giving birth. Why did you hurt us Dad? Why? But, I promise I will never let anything happen to Puzzle ever again. You can’t hurt us anymore, and I swear if anything does happen to her I will come back here and bury her next to mom. Not you.” I let his hoof drop and I walked away silently.

Once I got back to the waiting room, I saw Puzzle upside down in the uncomfortable chair. I smiled and walked over to her, “Ok Puz, to the train station.” She smiled back at me and nodded. We both grabbed out suitcases and started walking.

(On the Train)

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are…..”

I shook my head and stared out my window. The little filly was running up and down the car, luckily no pony else was in this one. At least she seemed to be enjoying herself. This train ride was anything but fun for me. We almost missed it entirely, but we jumped on just in time. Though it was the wrong train, we were supposed to be going to Manehatten, but no we got on the Ponyville train. Maybe it will be better, I heard good things about Ponyville. My thoughts were interrupted by Puzzle jumping on to my seat and sitting on my lap “Fix my braid!” she said in a demanding tone.

“Excuse me?” I said in my famous disappointed/angry tone. This got her to listen, “Umm, c-could you fix my braid, please?” she said quietly.

I smiled at her and said “Sure, but you need to remember your manners.” And I started to work on her braid which had been coming apart all day.

“That voice is like magic” she said sitting still, which was a feat of magic if I saw any.

“Years of practice little sis”

“You could tame a bear with that voice” she said and emphasized it by holding up her stuffed Ursa Minor I made her one day.

I laughed and said “Ya, the day I do that is the day I finally get my cutie mark.” I looked at my side, nope not yet. Yep I still didn’t have my cutie mark yet, pretty sad.

“Maybe it will have something to do sewing?” she asked helpfully

“Heh, maybe.” I said thinking about it. I did sew all our clothes, but I have been doing that for years.

Again I was interrupted by Puzzle “Ouch!”

I drew my hoofs back “Sorry, I drifted away again.”

She looked up at me and smiled “Its fine,” she said and bounced her hair “Thank you” she said jumping down from the seat. “I am going to take a nap”

“Okay, I might as well” and with that I lay down and closed my eyes.