Airtight

AJ kicked and screamed in her sleep, yet again dreaming of the nightmare known as her childhood. She could feel the kicks and punches, the rare bites on her back, the tugging of her mane, but most of all the hurt inside. Tears trickled down her cheek as she waited in the nightmare for the reliving daylight.

AJ was crouched low to the ground, crying her soul out as ever pony around her key her bleed. Though the outer hurt was done, the inner hurt was not. Teachers laughed and laughed, poking her in the spots that hurt worst and yelling in her ear she would get an F in advancing to anything. The miserable filly ran for the door as Granny Smithed walked in. When she saw the havoc the other fillies and colts had wreaked, Granny said the school was to be not only shut down, but it was about to lose one if it's students. AJ felt it was comfort and relief, but no matter where she went next, she would still be bullied. The only thing the AJ if the present felt was a tiny bit if relief that it was only bullying with words.... But still bullying.

AJ woke with a start as the rooster crowed. She was panting and sweating, her hind legs felt exhausted and achy. From outside birds tweeted and ponies slowly awoke. AJ herself still felt sleepy, but she would never put herself through such a nightmare when it was daytime, or the only time when she was free from the prison of her fearful dreams. She swished her tail and rise her head up to the sun. As she stood, her heart slowed. The fear was over. She made her hammock bed, returning the twisted and upturned blankets into normal form. She slid the pillow back into the pillowcase and set it neatly on the bed. She was careful not to awaken Winona as she silently cantered by. She bucked some trees to clear her mind, then fired away at her job. Over 90 apple trees had been bucked just by her when she was done. But the thought returned. The memories came back to her. The nightmares. The fitful sleep. The faces of those merciless bullies. The long shadow she cast arching in pain. She stood there blankly with tears slightly dripping from her eyes. She was suddenly startled awake as her friends entered the grove. RD teased Twilight of only getting her wings because of pity on her weakness. "Oh no, why today?" AJ muttered. Once a year, RD punched and teased and kicked to remind her she was strong and fast. If today was that day, she wondered why there wasn't a sign that said "Welcome to Living Hell."