The "Princess"

As I stepped out of the house, the chilly autumn air hit my face, flushing my cheeks and fogging up my breath. I stood for a moment on the step, letting the breeze ruffle my untidy hair before turning to close the door. Before I could though, a voice shouted from inside. “Oi! An’ where do yer tink ye’re goin’?”

I flinched as Kaytlin’s slurred voice hit my ears.

Hand still on the doorknob, I called back quickly. “Oi’m steppin’ out for a bit of fresh air. What’s it to yer?”

“What’s it ter me?” came the reply. “Ye daft cunt! We ‘av ter go pick Iona up from the airport soon! She’s comin’ up fer uncle’s birthday, and yer know how long it takes ter git there!”

“I’ll only be a minute!”

“‘A minute’, me arse,” Kaytlin grumbled as she appeared in the doorway. Her red hair was done up in its usual messy style, the loose braid falling down about her right shoulder. She put her hands on her hips and stared down at me for a moment before harrumphing. “A’ight, fine, away with yer.” she sighed. “Oi still ‘av ter git Bridget an’ Claire up an’ about.”

“T’anks, sis,” I said before jumping down off the porch and heading down the dirt path that led out towards the woods behind our gaff. As I disappeared around the water barrel at the corner, I heard Kaytlin shout after me.

“An’ stay away from Clyde’s! We don’t need yer drunk on the way ter the airport!”

“Like ye haven’t had a few already,” I muttered under my breath. Pulling my sweater tighter around myself, I trudged down the path. The wind tousled my plaid skirt about, but luckily my socks were long enough to counteract the chill until I got into the treeline, and then I was protected by the trees.

Rocks crunched underfoot as I walked along, and I could hear the faint sound of birdsong in the distance. I inhaled deeply, and the hint of salt in the air stirred something in me. Without even really planning to, I found myself heading west, towards the seaside cliffs. I wouldn’t be able to reach them before I had to make my way back home though—if I was late, Kaytlin would most likely throw me off said cliffs herself. Ever since I could remember, she always wanted to show Iona that she could be just as good at taking care of the family and being late to pick our oldest sister up would definitely be a huge mark against her.

Rounding a bend in the path, I snagged a handful of raspberries from a bush as I passed and popped some in my mouth, only to wince at the slightly sour taste. Still, I continued to eat them, my hands and lips soon stained red from the juices.

I was sucking some of the juice off my thumb when I came upon a fork in the path. Pausing, I considered my options. It would probably take Kaytlin ten minutes to get both Bridget and Claire up, and then another ten for them to get dressed, and then another five for them to get their coffee. Although, they might just drink it on the way to the airport, so let’s say twenty minutes. I’d been walking about five, so I had about fifteen to go.

“Let’s see,” I muttered to myself. “Two ter get there, an’ seven ter git back. That leaves four ter deal with… yeah, this cud work.”

Having easily convinced myself, I took the right-handed fork. The surrounding foliage crept out onto the path more, and some parts were practically overgrown. Still, I pressed on, pushing bushes and brush out of my way as I headed deeper into the woods. It was rocky going, but I eventually emerged out into a clearing.

A small stone shack was set up beneath some low-hanging branches. It had an old, rickety porch that wrapped around the front and sides of the building, and an old rocking chair rested beside a crooked door. Off to the side of the house, just barely visible in the gloom of the trees, as a wooden lean-to, with several large copper drums beneath them, all connected with copper piping. Smoke rose from a crumbling chimney.

As I approached the house, I cupped my hands to my mouth and called out. “Oi! Clyde! Yer here, yet auld git?” No reply came, and I frowned. That was strange; normally he didn’t leave for town until the afternoon.

Climbing the steps of the porch, I peered through the window on the door. The inside of the shack was dark, but I was able to see enough to tell that Clyde wasn’t home. The bed was empty, as was the chair by the fireplace. However, there were still some smoldering embers present in the hearth.

“Ah, feck,” I grumbled. “Just missed him.” Sighing dejectedly, I turned and jumped down off the porch. I was just about ready to head back home when I noticed something hiding beneath the porch’s steps. Bending down, I saw it was a small wooden box. I pulled it out and, fighting against the rust hinges, I opened it. Inside was a small metal flask with a note sitting on top of it.

‘To Nora,
A new recipe, just for you,
Clyde’

Picking up the flask, I gave it a tentative shake, only to smile upon hearing the faint slosh of liquid inside. “Aw, Clyde. Yer da best!” Quickly stashing the flask inside my sweater pocket, I pushed the box back under the stairs before straightening up. One last glance around to make sure Clyde wasn’t coming back, and I started off back home.

Seeing as I had finished up my business earlier than I had previous figured, I decided to take a slight detour on the way back, passing by an old lough. The water was surprisingly clear today, the usual murkiness having faded to the point that I could see the weeds and reeds growing up from the lough’s muddy bed. A few flashes of blue and green indicated where fish were out hunting for skimming bugs.

I was in the process of climbing over an old fallen log on the lough’s shore when there came a loud splash. Glancing up, I saw ripples spreading out from the center of the lake. Normally, this would indicate where a fish had leapt to catch a particularly high bug, but this time felt off—the splash was too loud and the ripples too big to have been a fish.

Chewing on my cheek, I watched the ripples die down before, with a shrug, I continued along the shoreline. After a few steps though, another splash happened, this time closer. I paused again, watching the lough for any signs of jumping fish. There was nothing; even the colors of the fish underwater had vanished as if something big had frightened them off.

Growing uneasy, I turned to climb a small hill along the banks of the lough, only to stop when I caught sight of something… weird in the shallows. A faint silver light shone from within a tangle of weeds. It sparkled brightly, despite the sun being hidden behind a thick layer of overcast clouds.

All my previous thoughts of leaving were pushed to the side as I stared at the glinting thing. Unable to tell what it was from this distance, I jumped down the hill and moved along the shoreline, trying to get closer. Kneeling down at the water’s edge, I craned my neck as I tried to see through the underwater weeds without getting my shoes wet.

“What are ye?” I mumbled, squinting. It looked like a silver marble, but why was it glowing? Not taking my eyes off of it, I rolled up one of my sleeves before carefully easing my arm into the water. A gasp escaped me as the cold water bit my skin, but I persisted. Slipping my hand into the weeds, I ignored the slimy feeling of them brushing against my arm as I reached for the marble.

“Almost… got et,” I said, trying to keep my balance. The last thing I needed was to fall into the lough. Kaytlin would kill me if I came home soaking wet and covered in mud.

The water splashed at the tips of my shoes as I stretched my arm out as far as I could. Straining, my fingertips almost brushed against the marble—

SPLASH

Something large erupted out of the water right in front of me, and before I had time to scream, it latched onto my arm and pulled me into the lough. Water rushed into my mouth and nose as the thing dragged me from the shallows into the deeper depths. Disturbed by the sudden motion, silt filled the water, blocking my view. I could only catch flashes of what had me—boney frame here, sharp teeth there, and a silvery eye flashing in the murk.

I fought against whatever was holding my arm, only to scream in pain when I felt my wrist break. It came out as a large bubble, and I choked as water flooded down my throat. Frantically, I thrust my free hand into my sweater pocket and, after some fumbling around, pulled out my old pocket knife. Using my teeth to get the blade open, I stabbed at my assailant, accidentally stabbing my own arm in the process. I managed to get the beast as well because I found myself suddenly alone beneath the waves.

‘Help…’

Lungs hitching in my chest, I struggled, arms and legs thrashing wildly. Water churned around me. It was everywhere—in my eyes, clouding my vision; in my mouth, making me gag at the taste; up my nose, causing me to cough; rushing in my ears, blotting out all noise.

I had no clue how deep underwater I was, only that there was dark, murky water surrounding me on all sides. Long tendrils of seaweed loomed out of the gloom like giant tentacles. They swayed around me, tangling my limbs and hindering my movement. Any attempt to free myself from their grip only resulted in me getting more and more trapped.

Panicking, I lashed out blindly with my pocketknife, hacking and slashing at the weeds. Above me, through the blur of water and haze of silt, I could see the faintest glimmer of light. It was barely visible through the leaves of the seaweed, but it was still there, calling my name.

My lungs burned as what little air I had left in them was slowly used up. I fought back the urge to exhale, knowing that the minute I did so would spell my doom. Clamping a hand to my mouth, I fought back against my own body as it attempted to, ironically, save me. It needed air, but I wasn’t in a position to breathe.

‘Oi can’t die ‘ere!’ I thought to myself as my chest twitched and spasmed, my lungs begging to fill themselves with much-need oxygen. ‘If oi drowned, Kaytlin would kill me!’

Pulling on a particularly thick piece of seaweed that had wrapped around my leg, I hacked at it with the knife, trying to work myself free. I bit back a muffled scream as I cut through the weed and into myself, but I continued, not caring about the blood slowly filling the water so long as I got myself free.

I had almost freed myself when the water behind me shifted. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and a shiver ran down my back as something large slithered past through the weeds. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a bulky shape disappearing back into the veil of murky water. I didn’t see what kind of creature it was, only that it was bigger than me.

A lot bigger than me.

Peering through the gloom, I tried to figure out where the creature had gone. However, a moment later my chest gave a few heaves and a stream of bubbles erupted from my lips. Eyes widening in alarm, I grabbed at the seaweed holding me in place and began slicing at it with renewed vigor.

After a few good tugs, I finally managed to pull my leg free, only to have a clump of weeds begin to wrap around the arm holding the knife. Hurriedly shaking them off, I kicked my feet frantically, heading for the surface. Leaves tugged at my clothing while weeds snared my sneakers. Still, I struggled upwards and managed to somehow make headway. After one last, desperate kick, I freed myself completely from the weed's grasp.

My lungs were burning now, and darkness crept in around the edges of my vision. I fought to remain conscious as I clawed my way upwards, towards the light far above. Each kick felt like it took all my energy, each second felt like hours, and each meter I gained felt like a kilometer.

Finally, the surface was there, just a few strokes away. Right when I was about to reach it though, something long and slippery wrapped around my leg and yanked me back down into the depths. I tried to pull my leg free, but whatever had me was too powerful. ‘No… no… no no no no no!’

As the unknown force continued to pull me down into the dark, murky depths, a pair of blank, milky eyes suddenly filled my vision. From all around me, a bubbly laugh echoes through the water. “Miiiine.”

Blindly, I lashed out with my knife and somehow manage to hit something. A shriek shook the water around me, and my knife was twisted out of my hand. That didn’t matter though, because whatever had a hold of me had let go, and I kicked for the surface. The water churned and frothed around me, but I didn’t care. I had to get to the surface, to the air and light.

I had almost reached it again when it happened. My lungs, having been fighting to hold in what little air they could, finally forced out their contents. I could only watch in despair as my breath streamed from my mouth and noise, gurgling heavenwards in a burst of bubbles. For a brief moment, all was still… then… against my will…

My lips parted.

My lungs expanded.

And water came pouring in.

The pain that erupted inside my chest was greater than anything I could have ever imagined. The water burned as it rushed into my lungs, filling them. Icy daggers dug into my sides. The feeling shot upwards, and my head felt like it was being crushed in upon itself. The pain laster but only for a few seconds.

Then there was a blinding flash of light.

I gasped.

And air flooded my lungs.

Hacking and coughing, I threw myself onto the banks of the lough. My chest felt like it was on fire, and despite the fact I was gasping and wheezing for air, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Clawing at the muddy shore, I dragged myself the rest of the way out of the water. My clothing clung to my body, and my vision was blocked by my hair which was plastered to my face.

Peering around dazedly, my mind barely registered that I was no longer on the shores of a lough, but actually on the banks of a small pond. A rocky outcrop that had never been there before allowed several small waterfalls to cascade down into the churning water.

Uncaring about the change in scenery, I struggled to my feet. I needed to get as far away from the water as possible, away from that horrific monster. Stumbling about like a drunk, I tried to make my way towards the treeline, but I was unable to keep my balance. I kept falling over, only to struggle to stand once more. By the time I reached the bushes, I could barely crawl, and my chest was in agony.

Thorns tore at my skin and clothing as I forced my way through the brush, but I didn’t care. Holding my broken wrist against my chest, I pushed on, and after a few moments of fighting with the branches, I tumbled out the other side.

I laid in the middle of the dirt path, gasping for breath, my body shivering uncontrollably. Pain flared in my arms and legs, and it was only then that I remembered I was bleeding from multiple gashes—some made by me, others not. Dirt was getting in the cuts, but I had no energy to move. I could only lie there, struggling to breathe and hoping the beast wouldn’t come out of the water after me.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been lying there before the faint sound of running came from a bend a few meters away. Silently, I prayed that it was one of my sisters, coming to find me—to yell at me for being late. Or maybe it was Clyde, returning from wherever he went. Hell, at this point, I’d even take Annie and her sneering, insulting comments about my appearance. I didn’t care who it was so long as they helped me.

“Help,” I tried to call out, but it was so quiet that I barely heard it. “H-help… please…”

As the sound of running drew closer though, my hazy mind noted that something didn’t sound quite right. Not only did there seem to be a lot of people headed my way, but there was also something off about their footsteps.

‘Are… are those hooves?’ Straining, I turned my head slightly just in time to see a herd of… colorful pastel ponies come around the bend?

…

Wat?

There were dozens of the weird creatures, their coats practically every color under the sun. There were various shades of blue and green and red and orange. Some of them even had clothing on, as I spotted quite a few scarves and what looked like a cowboy hat. They all had papers stuck to them with different numbers written on them.

It took the front runners a moment to notice me, but when they did, the skidded to a stop. This caused a pileup as those in the back ran into those that had stopped.

There was a moment of silence as I stared at them and they stared at me with impossibly-wide eyes. ‘I’ve… I’ve got ter be hallucinatin’,’ I told myself as I tried to process what I was seeing. ‘There’s no way they’re real. Is… is hallucinatin’ a symptom of drownin’? Or am oi… am oi dying?’

The corners of my mouth twitched. Letting my head fall back onto the ground, I let out a weak chuckle that slowly dissolved into mad laughter. However, the water in my lungs made it come out as an odd gurgling noise.

This set the ponies off.

“What is it!? What is it?!”

“What does it want!?”

“The horror! The horror!”

“Run for your lives!”

“What’s it doing here? This is the White Tail Woods!”

“The HORROR!”

With shouts and screams, the ponies ran over themselves in a mad scramble of flailing limbs. Many took to the air, revealing that they had wings attached to their bodies, the sight of which made me giggle madly. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a lavender pony trying to push her way towards me through the throng, and orange pony wearing a cowboy hat right beside her. At the sight of the horn on the lavender one’s head, I truly lost it.

Pegasi and unicorns and talking ponies, oh my!

I gurgled and laughed, the world around me spinning as my lungs continued to burn. Each breath of air was a chore, and I felt like there was an elephant standing on my chest. ‘I’m dying’,’ I told myself. ‘I’m dyin’ and my brain is makin’ me see feckin’ prancing’ ponies!’

The bedlam continued until suddenly there came a burst of radiant light. A wave of heat and calmness washed over me, and I stopped laughing. I could only watch in awe as a large pony with both wings and horns stepped out of the light and glanced around. Her coat was as white as freshly fallen snow, and her mane floated on the breeze, the hairs glowing with the colors of the daylight.

She peered around, a look of surprise on her face. “Good heavens! Whatever is the matter?”

At her arrival, all the other ponies stopped running about.

“Princess, look out! It’s a monster!” one of them called from the back.

Instead of freaking out like the rest of them had, the tall pony just blinked. “Monster?” She peered around, only for her eyes to widen upon seeing me. I couldn’t really blame her though; I was probably quite the sorry sight, just lying there, soaking wet and shivering, with twigs and leaves stuck to me.

I had to give her credit. Unlike the other ponies, she didn’t scream. Instead, she tilted her head to the side. “Oh, hello there. Who are you, little one?”

What little breath I had in my hitched in my throat. I didn’t know why for a moment until it struck me. ‘Who’. Unlike the other ponies around me, this one hadn’t seen me as a monster or a freak right off the bat. She had asked ‘who’ I was… not ‘what’ I was.

Who, not what.

I could feel myself getting choked up for some reason about that.

…

Actually, I think I was getting choked up for other reasons. The pain in my chest was getting worse, and there was a strange twinge going on in my stomach. I heaved slightly, and I felt something rise in my throat.

At my sudden twitch, a concerned look crossed the big pony’s face.

“Excuse me, are you alright?” she asked, moving towards me. As she approached though, she seemed to take notice of all the bleeding gashes across my arms and legs. She gasped. “Oh… oh dear!”

The pony hurried forward at the same moment my chest gave another great heave. I barely had time to roll over onto my side before I retched up a torrent of water. Another spasm and this time a small bit of blood came up as well.

The world was slowly going black around me when I was picked up in a gentle golden light. The large pony was saying something, but I couldn’t make out the words. It was as if everything was fading away. There was a look of horror on her face though. She was shouting something, her lips forming frantic words even as the horn on her head glow brighter. In a few seconds, the world would shift, and I would be in a hospital, with strange pony doctors and nurses hurrying to get me on a gurney, all while I vomited again due to my poor reaction to teleportation magic. Then, once I was done throwing up all over the floor, they’d shove tubes down my throat and try and suction the water out of my lungs.

Hopefully, I’d pass out before all that happened though, as I recalled that it was painful.

…

Wait…

How… how did I know that’s what was going to happen? Why does it feel like I’ve been here before? What’s going on?

“Nora.”

I blinked, the world coming back into focus slightly. My chest no longer hurt as much, and I found I was able to breathe again. Oddly enough, there was now another pony next to the tall white one. This one was slightly smaller than the first and had a dark blue coat. Even stranger, the first pony didn’t even seem to notice the arrival of this second one. In fact, she didn’t seem to notice much of anything at all, given that she appeared to be frozen mid-head turn, her mouth open as she looked at the lavender unicorn that was hurrying towards us.

The new pony though was looking right at me, a warm smile on her face as her starlit mane flowed in the breeze.

“Nora,” she said. “I think it’s time to wake up.”

There was a flash of light.

And I awoke.