Working For Her

A knock at my door wakes me out of an almost dead sleep. I've been on edge since I shot and killed my ex on the front steps of my current marefriends house. For the past two weeks after I was released (And was allowed to go back inside my home since the murders and the carpets were extracted and intense cleaning of the crime scene) I've been having nightmares. The nightmares were about if I had gotten off work at an early time to pick Scootaloo up from school. I'd probably be six feet under instead of my parents. That's how I imagined it. I'd be dead. My sister would be screaming and pissing herself in the arms of my mother while my father tried to keep me awake. That nightmare was always cut off by the same thing. A knock at my door. Same as tonight but no nightmare. I thought it was gonna be a calm peaceful night. But no. I got up from my bed wearing nothing but my boxers and an undershirt. I clicked my light on and opened my door. Scootaloo came in and hugged me sniffling. I could feel her damp Pajama bottoms press up against my bare legs. "...Again Scoot?" I asked hugging her. She nodded into my stomach. I gave a sigh and took her hand before going out into the hall. It was dark and quiet other than my sisters soft crying. The moonlight shown through the window downstairs just behind the couch. I could see my parents bodies laying there, the door wide open, hearing the rain, crying and Scootaloo calling out for me. Although that being just a flash back it just seemed this nightmare didn't end in my head. Its like it spilled out and onto the floor.

When I got to my sisters room the thick smell of urine hit my nose. Scootaloo's grip on my hand tightened a bit. "...I... I miss mommy a-and daddy..." She said as I flipped her light on. She released my hand and allowed me to strip her bed. First few times I had to change her clothes while Dash or AJ would change her sheets. She never wanted to let me go when she was crying. I looked to her as I started stripping her sheets.

"...I do too..." I replied. "...Why don't you go get some new clothes and hop in my bed... I'll be there in a minute..." She nodded hesitantly and grabbed some clothes from her dresser. This was the one thing that always woke me from my hellish nightmare of death. Before waking up from the nightmare I was looking either down the barrel of Big Mac's shot gun, with a mirrored version of myself holding it or Berrie with her pistol to the head of Scootaloo, tied up so she sat almost even to my mom and dad. I wasn't sure if one bullet would do it but... that's what I believed. That scootaloo and parents triple murder was only about three times out of the entirety of the dreams. The other times I was shot BY Berrie. "...I gotta get a new bed for Scoot... This one is starting to smell..." Not long later Scootaloo came back into her room as I started to flip her mattress.

"...R-ryder..." She said making me look back at her. This time she had sweat pants and a tank top on. "...Why did Ms. Berrie do that to mommy and daddy...?" I sighed coming back over to pick her up. I almost didn't know what to say.

"...Berrie... Berrie had a lot of problems... One being she thought mommy was keeping her and I apart... I never wanted to be with her in the first place..."

"...So she... She had to kill mommy and daddy...?"

"I don't mean to scare you like this but... If you were here instead of at Rarity's you could've been with mommy and daddy... You should probably be glad I wasn't the one picking you up from school..." I started tearing up saying that. She sniffled just as I turned out her light.

"...Y-yeah... Maybe.... Can.... Can we just go back to bed...? I don't wanna think about mommy and daddy anymore..." I didn't even answer verbally. I just put her in my bed and lied with her. She just snuggled up to me. I lied awake for a while but not for too long. Passed out.

The next morning I woke up first. Scootaloo was facing the other way sleeping away. I reached over and grabbed my phone before getting up and going out of my room. I closed my door and started looking through what notifications I missed last night. Few texts, some game notifications and a missed call. Texts from Applejack and Rainbow Dash checking in on us. They checked on us almost every day making sure we were okay. The missed call was from Shining Armor. He just was out drinking with Big Mac. Probably called to want me to call back. Either that or have me join them after dropping Scootaloo off at Rarity's or some stupid stuff like that. He didn't even bother leaving a message. I swiped my screen on the texts. Applejack's said:

'Hey sugarcube how ya feelin'? U know if'n you ever need some company in that empty house just give me a call and I'll hurry right on over.'

I sighed and smiled replying: 'Yeah I know baby... Maybe you can bring Applebloom over tonight... Scootaloo had a bit of an accident and slept in my bed.... Maybe it's time to bring friends into this... Gotta have something to occupy her while I try and find a job.'

After I sent it off and went to Dash's text. It said the same thing except she was pretty much being a dick about it. Just as I got back to my home screen with all my apps and stuff I got a call from Big Mac. I answered it and walked down stairs. "Mornin' Ry." Big Mac said. Heard a sound of a TV in the background. "Shinin' n I tried callin' ya last night and didn't answer! Is everythin' okay over there?"

I sighed a bit. "Yeah... Everythings okay-ish...." I replied. "...Didn't have that nightmare... and sorry about my dang phone... Goes to silent mode at around eleven and I was just out of it at ten thirty."

"Ah just fine then! Listen Ry, Rarity's agreeing to take Applebloom to Manehattan with her to give us a break. I did put in a little word for Scoot but you'd have to ask her if she wants to go. Besides her being in that house hurts her more than you don't it?" My heart dropped a bit.

"...I... I'm not sure... Scoot... Scoot's been scared and hesitant on coming inside the house when I was bringing her home from school at first... She had an accident and.... I'm not sure if AB or Sweetie would wanna see that...." Big Mac sighed a bit.

"...Well I wouldn't worry about 'Bloom... She had a nightmare where she came home to the same thing there cept... It was me n AJ... SB stayed over and she seemed like a perfect bunk mate for her n helpin her calm down... Just ask Scoot, tell her what I told you and get back with me. I gotta get back to work in the orchard. I hear AJ coming."

"Before you go tell AJ I love her man!" I heard Big Mac chuckle before the phone clicked. I sighed and turned around. I stopped seeing Scootaloo about half way down the stairs rubbing her eyes. "...Hey sis you doing okay?" She nodded a bit weakly yawning. "Listen Scoot... I just got a call from Big Mac and... Well he told me Applebloom is going with Rarity and Sweetie Belle to Manehattan... You... You think you wanna go with them?"

Scootaloo gave a sigh stopping where mom and dad were killed. "...Maybe..." She said. "...Rarity told me I can do what ever with her as long as it was okay with you but... I... I kinda need you.... Mommy and daddy would've been there for me if I needed them..." I gave a sigh walking over and knelt down next to her.

"Scootaloo..." I said. "...I have to work soon to put out for you... Give you food, clothes and keep this house in a good condition... Mom and dad already paid the mortgage off... Good on that... What I'm saying is if I have to work late you might need to sleep at a friends house... I know what happened to mom n dad happened while I was at work and while you were with your friends but I cant just leave you at home alone.... Someone could break in and kidnap you... Or even worse..." I shook my head and hugged Scoot. "...Point is... I just don't wanna lose you.... If you got hurt while I wasn't here.... I just wouldn't forgive myself if I had to leave you alone... That's just why I punched that guard in the face when he was trying to take you away..." Tears came to my eyes. "...I don't like seeing you cry... And I don't like crying... You... Just... Just go spend time with your friends... Get away from this nightmare house... I'll be here when you get back though... Okay?" I sniffled as Scootaloo nodded still dry eyed. I didn't now how she'd be all dry eyed but... She was stronger than I was in that moment. Either that or she was still too tired to even cry. "...Now... Why don't you get dressed and let me get breakfast ready... And... Call Rarity... Just... Just go upstairs scoot I'll call you when stuff is ready..." Scootaloo nodded again and I released her. She almost immediately ran upstairs just as I broke down crying.

I took my phone and unlocked it going to my texts to where I started texting Rarity. 'Call me now!' I said. I went over to the couch and sat there holding my phone in my hand as I clutched a pillow. About a minute of me sniveling my phone started to go off. I didn't need to look at the screen to know it was Rarity. I hit the answer button and put it up to my ear. "Ryder darling!" Rarity said in my ear. "I take it you've heard from Big MacIntosh about me taking Applebloom with me and Sweetie belle to Manehattan?"

"Yeah... I... I need you to take Scootaloo with you... I honestly love her but waking up four nights out of the week to change my sisters sheets is kinda driving me crazy... It's like... It's like she's trying to keep me at her side at all times not letting me out of her sight... Its supposed to be me not letting her out of my sight and I don't know how I can find a job if she's doing this to me..."

"Ah no worries there Ryder! I'll be there for her as close as you were for her. I would say work out of the house but a mechanic working right out of his home garage looks a bit.... What's the word I'm looking for?"

"Sketchy?"

"Oh that's it! That's the word! Sketchy! It looks sketchy! Perhaps try going back to the garage in town?"

"No... They aren't even gonna let me near that damn garage... If my car breaks down I gotta fix it myself because scrapping that beauty isn't an option... I put too much hard work into it.... Um... If I ever obsess about my car just send Big Mac over to smack me a few times..."

"Alright Ryder have Scootaloo pack her things. We're gonna head out in about an hour so and I want her to be ready when we get there. Bye now!"

Rarity hung up the phone and I set the pillow down standing up. I went into the kitchen and stopped at the door. Another flashback. Saw me and my mom at the table with Scootaloo on my lap. It was just a few years before I had to move out. This was a good memory for me because it was my sixteenth birthday. And it was the first day my dad didn't have a beer in his hand. First day I had a car of my very own. My mom made him buy my first car. Little two door coupe. That soon faded away as my stomach growled. All I could do was grab a box of cinnamon sugar squares. Yeah it was that stupid generic crap. I didn't want Dash spending too much on us. She's gotta eat herself. Of course... Most of the food me and Scoot ate ended up in the can the first few days. Well... The first week after. Just as I got the bowls from the cabinet Scootaloo came in wearing jeans, high tops and a tank top. Her wings flipped a bit as she climbed in her chair. She looked at me as I poured the cereal. "...Are we having that cereal again...?" She asked. "Why cant we have any pancakes or at least go out...? Eating the same thing gets boring..." I sighed grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"I'd take us to Sugarcube Corner for donuts but I need money for that!" I snapped. "If you don't want this then you might as well spend this time to go and pack some stuff for Manehattan! Who knows Rarity could grab something before you go out of town!" I poured the milk into my bowl and set it down. "So you gonna eat what we got here or make Rarity spend money on you that I would have to pay back??" Scoot sighed hanging her head.

"...Just give me my cereal please..." She said. I set my bowl down in front of her and grabbed a spoon for her.

"Good cause that was the last of the milk. I'll eat mine dry." I grabbed the other bowl and a thought crossed my mind. "Wait... Where's my phone...?" I started looking around the kitchen. Nothing. Everyone must get panicked when they lose their phone right? Not me. I uh... I don't stay calm I start freaking out. I looked in the fridge, the cupboard, under the microwave, under the fridge and even my shorts. No pockets but the waistband was tight enough to fit and to hold something without it falling out or leaving a mark. Scootaloo cleared her throat causing me to look over at her. She had my phone in her hand dripping with milk.

"You glad you paid extra for the waterproof version?" I gave a nod taking it back. "How'd you manage to lose it in my cereal?" I gave a shrug grabbing a towel.

"...I guess I'm just distracted... Just... Don't worry about me..." I went to the door but Scootaloo tripped me. Yeah. Tripped by my own little sister. She got up and pinned me.

"What were you distracted with?" I averted my gaze. I thought how could I lie to my little sister without having her cry. I didn't wanna make her cry but I didn't wanna lie either. "Well? It wasn't naughty pictures from Applejack was it? You know how mommy and daddy feel about you looking at naughty pictures!" I could hear a weakness in her voice as her eyes glossed over a bit.

"...Scoot you know I don't ask mares to do that. Besides... I still have to listen to mom and dad even after what happened... I'm not gonna even TRY that when i'm with you... or ever...."

"Are you gonna tell me what had you so distracted or do I have to run away?"

"Scoot do you really have to threaten with me with running away? Mom and dad would-"

"JUST ANSWER ME DAMMIT!" I quickly sat up and forced her to her stomach and started to spank her. After a few swats I stopped. She whimpered as I sat her on my lap more shocked than she actually was. No one ever spanked Scootaloo. Not even mom or dad did anything.

"...I-i'm sorry I don't know what came over me... Please don't be mad at me Scoot..." She sniffled and hugged me.

"...N-no... You were right to s-s-.... you were right to hit me.... I... I shouldn't have yelled at you... or cursed.... I'm sorry..." I sighed.

"... It's okay... We're both going through a lot and we cant help but snap at each other... I'll let that slide for now but next time please try not to swear... okay?" Scootaloo nodded into my shoulder. I honestly felt bad. Stress makes each and every one of us act differently when under it. I did end up telling her what distracted me and surprisingly she didn't cry. Well... Not until Rarity came to pick her up. And by that time I had her all ready to go, and had my pants on.

After Scootaloo left I was sitting around the living room. I could swear voices were going through my head as I sipped from a beer I had to keep hidden from Scootaloo. It was the last of Dad's and I didn't want it to go to waste. Everywhere I looked I saw something that reminded me things old and new. I looked to the door. I saw Mom and Dad coming home with Scootaloo for the first time. I look at the stairs I see me as a ten year old boy standing there crying in wet pants with my mom comforting me. I was on the verge of crying but then came the ringing of the doorbell almost making me drop my beer. "Ryder!" A familiar stallions voice said knocking on the door. "C'mon open up! I don't wanna have to tow your car for being parked near a fire hydrant!" I got up giving a sigh knowing it was Shining Armor. I opened the door and sipped my beer seeing the armored stallion before me.

"What do you want?!" I snapped. "Cant a guy have a drink in peace and not be startled almost wasting a beer?" Shining sighed a bit.

"Sorry Ry but you might need to put that down. I cant have you drinking and driving. You could really get yourself killed!" I grinned and chugged the rest of my beer.

"Good. You're driving! Just wait here and let me get some shoes on and then we can go!" I left Shining standing there at the door as I went upstairs. Yeah I did realize I was just being a dick to my friend but at the time I just didn't wanna give a shit. After a few minutes I came down in sneakers, jeans and a jersey shirt. We hopped in his truck, me in the passenger seat and obviously him in the drivers seat.

"What's got you all screwy today? First it was from staying up all night playing that dumb fighting game, then it was a TV marathon you cared nothing for." I sighed leaning on the middle console.

"....Its just... Scoot had nightmares about mom n dad, I did too and... Its just all the fucking memories...It's messing with my mind... I cant move out, we'd have to take everything out and where else would we move? I cant take Scootaloo away from her friends... I don't even have the money to rent a house in the area..." We pulled away from the curb just as a few cars passed.

"Ah c'mon dude you're strong. If those memories get Scootaloo down you can bring her mood back up. If you could grab a gun and shoot somepony point blank without flinching that's what I call strength!" I looked over at Shining.

"...But I puked after... how does that sound like strength?" We stopped at a red light and he chuckled.

"I did that first time I killed someone. It was during my cadet days. My dad kept his decorative shields in the house. Someone ended up breaking in and I used one of those shields to keep myself from getting shot. Gave him a good hit with it and grabbed the gun just as my mom and dad came in with Twilight crying and wet. The guy tried getting his gun back but once in the face was enough to make me just lose it and spend the next few days bedridden with a bucket between my legs and a ginger ale next to my bed. All you did was put a murderer and a crazy obsessed mare out of her misery."

"And boy did I just fucking lose it with her... I wanted to get rid of her but I didn't think I'd be doing it on the front step of my current marefriends residence.... And in front of her too." I started to tear up and my stomach gurgled. "...You think we can get something to eat? All I wanted to do was drink my pain away..."

"I'll drop you off at Sugarcube Corner. Talk with Mr. Cake and Pinkie see if you can work for them again. I'll even give you forty bits to buy something to eat and to share with Scootaloo. You good with that?" We stopped at a red light and we met each others gaze. I nodded.

About a few minutes later I was just given forty bits. I watched Shining drive off with the siren going. Must've been a bit late to something. Either that or he got a call. He always had an earpiece in so no one would ever know a guard was around looking for a criminal. I turned around to the sweets bakery and looked inside. Saw Pinkie glancing at me without making it seem like she was looking. Mrs. Cake was working with her but I didn't see Mr. Cake. I didn't step foot here since the night mom and dad were killed. I felt if I did Mr. Cake would throw me out thinking I was trying to rob him. I took a deep breath and entered the establishment and Pinkie hopped over the counter looking worried. "There you are!" She said like she hadn't seen me in a month... Well... She kinda didn't... I tried to stay away from her. She hugged me and I hugged back shaking nervously. "I've been trying to get in contact with you for weeks! Dash didn't wanna say anything, Applejack was busy with work, Fluttershy doesn't know who you are, neither does Twilight and Rarity just kept not answering her phone and you just didn't come in and visit at all I was getting worried!" It felt like what she was saying would never END.

"Pinkie! Pinkie!" I said stopping her from talking. "Look sorry for not coming in but I've just been.... Well mourning.... With Scoot..."

"...Oh yeah that's right... You killed your parents murderer huh...?" I gave a nod shoving the bits in my pocket. "...Rarity told me you had to hit a guard to keep him from taking Scootaloo away... Is that why you got arrested?" I nodded hesitantly seeing Mrs. Cake looking at me. Cant lie. I pushed her away breaking the hug.

"Well... I did get the charges dropped... No felony and.... I'm kinda dying to get a job... Literally every month or so we run out of food and I have to drive to Sweet Apple Acres to ask for someone to buy food and if I can get some gas money. It's all I need but... it'd be nice to buy Scootaloo some new clothes or get her a new Scooter for Hearths warming! Or even her birthday but I cant do shit at the moment!"

Mrs. Cake came around the counter and approached me. "Well you might be in luck." She said. "Right now my husband is upstairs sick in bed. We pretty much need all the help we can get. I'll have Pinkie pay you something for your work!" I thought a moment.

"But... What if he comes downstairs and sees me working at the counter? I feel like I'd be getting my ass thrown out!" Mrs. Cake gave a laugh a bit.

"Please in his condition I would beg to stay in bed. He's still lucky he's getting paid!" My stomach gurgled a bit.

"...Can I get some food before I get to work? I cant focus on an empty stomach..." Pinkie smiled and nodded going back to the counter. I followed.

"What'll you have?" She asked.

"Two chocolate twist donuts and a chocolate milk... A soda and donuts don't mix, trust me I've tried." Pinkie smiled brightly as Mrs. Cake went around the counter.

"Two donuts and a milk! Cooooooming up!" She rang me up as Mrs. Cake gave me the food I ordered. I paid pinkie and sat down at a nearby table with my food.

About an hour after I ate my food I went and started working behind the counter serving patrons. A few of which I knew like my sweet heart AJ who just wanted a few cups of sugar for her apple fritters. Big Mac was just waiting out front with his truck but I gave him a wave as AJ got back in. Honestly I was still a bit freaked out thinking Mr. Cake was gonna waltz downstairs and see me at the register. My fears were kinda realized because he WAS coming downstairs. I didn't have time to hide anywhere good but I just ducked under the counter where you basically couldn't see while standing up. "...Honey? Pinkie?" Mr. Cake called out sounding weak. "...C'n someone make me some soup...? Please?" I saw his feet and sweat pants coming through the door to their personal kitchen.

Mrs. Cake went over to him and hugged him a bit. "Awww okay sweetums just go sit at the table and-"

Just then the shop door opened making the little dingle bell sound. "ALRIGHT NO-PONY MOVE!" Someone yelled cocking a gun. Sounded like a shotgun. The memory of Big Macs gun going off in my hands sounded in my head. "You three stay where I can see you! Pink one give me the money!" Pinkie screamed and ducked down with me. The guy with the gun shot out a window. The shot from the gun woke the cake twins. Heard them crying upstairs. "ALRIGHT BITCH YOU GET ME THE MONEY!"

Mrs. Cake whimpered and I took my shoes off as silently and as quickly as I could. I gave them to Pinkie and shushed her. She nodded and I started crawling under the counter. "...P-please.... Don't hurt us..." Mrs. Cake said frightened out of her mind. As I got to Mr. Cakes feet he subtly looked down at me. I shushed him too. He nodded. I came to the side of the counter still out of view for the robber. I peeked around the counter and saw him still aiming the shotgun at Mrs. Cake who was fidgeting with the register. He wore a bandana over his face, black hoodie and a pair of camo shorts. I stood up just as Mrs. Cake shoveled money into a plastic bag. She saw me and ducked at the same time I rushed the robber grabbing his shotgun, taking it from him and used the butt of the gun to knock him out.

"Stay down bitch... No pony fucks with my friends like that..." I said. I kept the gun aimed at him as I looked over to the cakes. Mrs. Cake hugged Pinkie, both crying. Mr. Cake wasn't there. He went back up to his kids. "Pinkie. Call the guard! Get Shining over here NOW!"

Pinkie nodded before pushing Mrs. Cake away into the back. After a while I was sitting with Pinkie hugging her. The guards that came with Shining were carrying the still unconscious stallion out. Shining handed over the shotgun to another guard and came over to us. "Hey you guys okay?" He asked. Pinkie held me close as I nodded. "Ryder I have to say that's what I call bravery! That's the second time you stopped a criminal..... Well... DURING the crime this time but... Maybe I'll talk with Celestia again. I could tell her you're all sane and that we could use you in the force!" I gave a smile.

"Thanks Shining..." I said. "...Did you call AJ and Big Mac like I asked?" Shining nodded. "Thanks... You should stay here while I check on the cakes upstairs..." He nodded again as I got up. Before I walked away Pinkie grabbed my arm.

"...C-can I come with you....?" She asked. "....I think I tinkled in my tights under the counter...." She blushed hard averting her gaze. I pulled her up and pushed her along. The seat of her pants were soaked. Of course I had to follow.

Once I got upstairs Pinkie ran into her room. The door next to hers was open and I could hear crying from their foals. I came in and saw Mr. and Mrs. Cake caring for their frightened foals, Pumpkin- a little unicorn filly- and Pound -a little Pegasus colt. Don't ask me how two earth ponies can conceive a unicorn and a Pegasus. It's like asking how I can do a handstand on a cloud. (I say sarcastically as I flutter my wings a bit) Mr. Cake looked up at me. "...R-ryder...." He said. "I... I take back everything I said about you.... To your face and behind your back... You can have your job back... I wont object to it... You can have anything to take home for free!" I smiled.

"Thanks Mr. Cake but... How about I just pay half price for a cake for my little sister?" Mr. Cake nodded and went back to his foal.

Mrs. Cake got up setting Pumpkin down. She came over and hugged me. "...Thank you...." She said nuzzling me. "....Th-things could've been much worse..." She was right. Things could've been much worse. Mrs. Cake or Pinkie could've gotten shot. That guy could've fired a shot through the ceiling hitting one of or both of the twins. If I hadn't hid I'd've been pissing myself frozen until I got shot. Someone could've died. Pinkie. One of the cakes. Me. Me... All she has left...