My Little Willow

I had difficulty sleeping that night. Willow's warm body was pressed up against me. Her fur felt like a pile of hot rocks piled on top of my legs. Every time I tried to gently push her away, she would worm her way back in as soon as I closed my eyes. Around 5:00 I just gave up, I left her beside me and I tried to sleep the best that I could, sweating like I was trapped in a sauna. She would be handy come in the winter, but as far as the middle of the summer, not so much.

After a grand total of 2 hours of actual sleep, I awoke to the sound of my alarm. I quickly turned it off as sure as not to wake Willow. It was 8:45 a.m. on a Monday, which meant I had to go into work today. I quietly got up out of bed, gently pushing the sleeping Willow on to her blanket. I walked across the room towards my drawer and quietly slid it open, grabbing my black pants and red 7/11 polo shirt. I kneeled down to the drawer below and grabbed a pair of socks along with a pair of boxers. I then walked out of my room towards the bathroom, where I took a shower, brushed my teeth, and put on all my clothes. I didn't normally eat breakfast since it often made me feel sick later on in the day, which meant I was all done with my morning routine. Except for one thing. What in the world was I going to do with Willow?

I couldn't leave her out all day unsupervised. Although she listened remarkably well for someone who probably only had the mindset of a 3 or 4 year old, I would still fear all day if she got into something that  seriously injured her. I looked around, searching for anything that I could put her in. That's when I found it, Gracie's old cage placed beside the TV. Gracie had recently outgrown it and due to her stoppage of chewing everything in her path, I had been letting her have free reign around the house when I'm gone. I looked inside, it would be pretty spacious for the little filly. I pulled out the old blanket inside and replaced it with the baby blue one that laid on the couch from yesterday. I then went into the kitchen and pulled out two small white bowls. The first one I filled halfway up with water and the other I filled to the top with apple bites I had prepared. I placed both inside the cage before walking back towards my room and gently waking the sleeping filly.

"Willow, its time to wake up sweetie." I whispered as I gently stroked her mane, causing her to open her eyes slowly, staring at me with tired rose eyes.

"I know. Waking up isn't much fun, but you really need to wake up."

Willow rubbed her face along her hooves, groaning and yawning at the same same. She really did not want to be up right now.

I don't know why she's so tired. I'm the one who didn't sleep at all while she slept like a baby last night.

I picked her up, placing her in front of me while I gently booped her muzzle with my nose, causing the grumpy filly to smile. I carried her out in the living room, placing her in front of the cage as I sat on the floor beside her.

"Alright, if I had the choice to do something better for you, believe me I would, but I have to go to work, which means you have to be in here..all day."

Willow looked inside the cage then back towards me. She continued to look at me with the same sprout of confusion she had yesterday about the bath. I picked her up, hugging her to my chest, causing echos to flow out from her lips. Hesitatingly, I slowly placed her inside the cage. Once she was in, I closed the door, locking the latch placed along the side of the barred door. She stared at me, her rose pupils now widen, smile gone, and the same look of confusion along her face. I placed my right index finger through the bars, gently rubbing the side of Willow's now bent back ears. I forced a smile, trying my hardest to reassure her that everything was going to be fine.

"Its okay Willow..I'll be home as soon as possible..be a good girl..okay?" I whispered, forcing back the tears. She looked so sad..

She continue to stare at me, a small echo making its way out of her mouth. I slowly got up and grabbed my car keys placed on the kitchen counter. I walked to the front door, looking back at the black cage with the little cartoon filly placed inside. I felt guilty. She didn't deserve this. I gave a deep sigh as I pulled back the door and walked out, locking the door behind me. I then got into my car and drove off.

W-Whats going on?

What is this place?

Where is that strange creature going, why won't he come back?

I want out of this place.

Help.

All I see is darkness.

These tight walls are cramping up around me.

It smells like that yellow thing.

Please strange creature let me out.

I'll be good.

Does it hate me?

I don't want it to hate me.

Everypony else hates me.

I just want to be loved.

Why don't you love me strange hairless creature?

I'm not good enough.

Just like she always told me.

I really hope the strange creature loves me.

I love it.

It's taken better care of me than she ever had.

I hope it doesn't send me back to her.

I don't want to go back.

The hairless creature is my family now.

At least, if it even wants me.

It probably doesn't.

I'm sorry I'm not good enough stranger.

I'll try.

I promise.

Please love me..

It's okay if you don't..

Nopony else loves me.

I don't  even love me.

I'm as worthless as they come..

Stranger...Please come back...