I watch as the mare falls away from me, the knife still embedded in her back. The blood keeps pouring, the crimson liquid leaving dark blotches and staining the bright yellow coat. The knife, too, is covered in her blood. I stand and stare. A dark figure looms over the body, congratulating me on my "accomplishment", before leaving.
It is no accomplishment. I remain neutral until he leaves. Then I let all the emotions come out. Anger. Fear. But mostly sadness.
I walk over to the body, sobbing, my heart wracked with guilt. I did this! I could have saved her, but I was too scared. I could have done something. Why didn't I? I didn't have to lead him here! I didn't!
I whisper into her ear. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Please be alive. Please be alright. Please! Please..."
I check around for any signs of life, anything that could release me from this mental torment. Then, a thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
It is faint, but there is a heartbeat! Shaking, I talk to the semi-conscious mare.
"Sunny Lemon, if you can hear me, I need to say, I'm sorry. It was me. I led him here. I was scared, I didn't know what to do..."
"I know Silver Shine. I know." Sunny Lemon says faintly. I can barely catch the words. "I don't blame you. You were scared. Just know it wasn't your fault."
It wasn't my fault? But how could it not be? I had the choice between helping somepony to murder, or...probably be beaten again. My cheek was still smarting. But there was a life on the line, I could have done anything to stop her from dying. Yet it was me who brought him here. It was all me!
"Silver, I need you to promise me something. And then I need you to do something for me."
"Y-Yes? I'll do anything to help you."
"Promise me you'll never go down the same path as him."
"That I will always promise."
"Now I need you to take the knife out of my back."
"What?! No! I won't end your life while you still have a chance!"
"That's the thing. I don't have a chance. I'm in pain. I'll die anyway. So do it now. Please."
The tears flow more freely now. Sunny Lemon had been my guidance, the one pony who kept me from straying away to darkness. And in one fell swoop, I had taken that away from me, and her.
I capture the knife in my aura. Closing my eyes, I pull it out. I make it quick, not wanting to hurt my best friend more. I want to save her, but there is nothing to be done.
I open my eyes again, and the tears start anew. I fall to my knees, my screaming piercing the air. I can't comprehend what I've just done. I can't even function at this point. I can't...
I look over the now dead Sunny Lemon. Her unseeing eyes are open, and a content smile is spread across her face. I gently close her eyes. I hope she is in a better place, a place where nopony could ever hurt her or betray her like I did. I don't know if I'll ever be happy again. I don't know if I can ever live with what I've done.
I soon stop crying, for there are no more tears to shed. There is nothing more to feel. I pick up a stick, and dig a shallow grave for her. I gently lift her into it. I cover it back up, and lay a few random flowers I find on it. I find a big stone, and use my magic to carve an inscription on it.
HERE LIES SUNNY LEMON
BEST FRIEND AND GREATEST OF CONFIDANTS
SHE WILL FOREVER BE REMEMBERED BY THOSE WHO LOVED HER
I carve only the truth, for I loved her like I loved my mother. Nopony could ever replace the part that Sunny Lemon had in my life.
I leave.
I look up into the sky, and realise it is past midnight. It is my birthday today. I am now fifteen.
But what is there to celebrate?
I feel numb. There is nothing more to feel. I don't even try to feel anything. I am not angry. I am not scared. I am not even sad anymore.
But then an idea strikes me.
I go and collect what little belongings I have.
I will run away.
It will be my birthday present.
