The youth of Jack Sparks

Jack Sparks galloped home; happy knowing that he finally had somepony, besides his mom and dad, to talk to.  The young colt was not paying attention to where he was walking. He ran right into a tree near his house. Jack blinked in a daze, trying to see clearly. When he could see well enough, he trotted upstairs with a big smile on his muzzle. Jack did not hear Aura calling from downstairs or when his father, Clad Stone, yelled angrily around the house.

When it was suppertime, Jack Sparks made his way downstairs, hearing strange sounds coming from his parent's room.Huh, best to not get involved as long as father is home Jack thought to himself. Jack had discovered that it's better not to get involved around one of his parent's fights. Last time he had gotten involved, he had come out of it with tears in his eyes and a bruised eye. Aura had calmly told Jack Sparks to not show up if Clad Stone was yelling, as she healed the black and blue eye of the saddened unicorn.

When Jack entered the kitchen, he noticed that Clad Stone was not at his spot at the table.There's some good news, at least I do not have to listen to him Jack thought with a small smile. I'll have to go check on mom soon. But not until I get a bite to eat. After a salad and juice, Jack slowly made his way to his parents bedroom. Sweating slightly, he knocked on the door. For the first few minutes, he heard muffling and sighing. When the door opened, he felt his heart beat into his throat. What he saw was a crippled and worn out Aura Cali sitting on the end of the bed.

"M-mom? Wh-what happened?" Jack quickly ran in and comforted the mare with all of his heart.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, did you hear all that?" Aura Cali asked with a weak grin. She was a mess. Her usual rustic color mane and tail were a sickly brown color, and her coat was pale, instead of green.

"No, I did what you told me, a-and ignored it...." Jack Sparks was nearly in tears, blinking fast to keep them dry. The young pony knew a big fight had just gone down. But after awhile, he figured out that Clad Stone just needs some time to himself. In two hours, the stalion would be back, apologizing. "I just finished with dinner. You should get something soon, too."

"Oh, right," Aura slowly got to her hooves and made her way out the door. "You can go to your room, I can get my own food."

"Okay, good night mom." Jack said as he trotted up to his room.

The morning air was cool and damp. A slight breeze ran through the streets of Clotstown. When Jack Sparks awoke the next morning, he felt ready to tell his mother about his friend. The colt slowly got out of his bed, still half asleep. He yawned loudly, stretched, and walked to his parent's room, after a trip to the bathroom.

Jack knocked on the door, cautiously not to wake his father. It was quiet on the other side of the door. Slowly, he opened the door, not knowing what he might find. He let out a breath of relief when he saw that Clad Stone was in the bed, beside Aura Cali his mother. The colt went downstairs, unknown to him his father was watching him.

"So you're up early," Clad said, scaring Jack. "Good timing, too. Your mother and I were talking last night about what a discusting friend you made yesterday."

Jack looked up in surprise, "Y-you were watching me?!"

"Of coarse. On first days, parents are allowed to watch." Clad said with a slight smile. "That 'friend' of yours is the colt of a really unusual sheriff. The creep is hardly ever seen alone. His family has never been seen during new moon cycles. When the next day comes, after the new moon, they are back. I have a theory, that those ponies are vampire ponies."

"So what am I supposed to do?" Jack asked with a raised brow.

"I'm not saying to ditch him, I mean just be careful," Clad said with a frown, "You might just be that colt's next meal."

"So, does mom know about Zach Roy?"

Jack Sparks was thrown to the floor. "Don't ever say that name!" Clad Stone yelled. Jack Sparks was shaking, in fear.

"I-I do not care!" Jack yelled back. He had been thinking about this since he had gotten out of school. Zach and him were friends, no matter what anypony said. "He is a good pony. I can't describe how I know, but I do. When I looked at him yesterday, he looked like me. Somepony who is unique, special."

"V-very well..." Clad turned around to walk out of the kitchen. "I am sorry about pushing you... I'll try to be more patient." Clad then, walked out of the room.

"Nopony can change my mind," Jack said under his breath before eating his breakfast.