The following article was printed in the Canterlot Express on the 12th January 2012:
A small, brown unicorn was found dead in his house last night after several months of solitude. The city guards became alerted as they heard screams coming from the Victim’s house on one of their routine patrols. When they gained entry to the house the victim was found with his horn removed and “ A look of sheer terror on his face” , one of the guards reported. He went on to add “He had his chest and stomach sliced open, his ribs pulled back and some missing. His internal organs were laid out on the bed in what appeared to be an organized manner. Some of the others left the room and one guard fainted!”. Upon Inspection of the scene a note was found on the bedside table. Princess celestia requested that the note be printed in an attempt to find out the cause of his death. Please be aware that the you may find the following disturbing.
My name is Starlight Charner. By the time you read this I will be dead. They’re coming for me. I can’t stop them. Every Night is spent listening to the silence in hope that I might hear them coming and... ‘end’ it before they do. I’m sorry for any grief I may cause to anypony. But I have no choice. I’ll be dead either way. To the pony who found this note, I can only apologise. For in my insanity I have no way of knowing how my body will end up. I can hear the rain on my window. I suppose that’s better than silence! I like the rain. It’s calming to watch through the window. sorry, I’m rambling. I’m just... scared. So, so scared. There are things, down in the Everfree forest. things that can drive ponies insane from a mere look at their face. Perhaps that’s what I am, insane. What’s the definition of insanity? Who’s to say which pony is normal and which is insane. Oh look, my mane is beginning to fall out! All this stress isn’t good for a pony’s appearance! Just look at my eye’s! They’re so red! I haven’t slept for about 3 days now.To scared. If I close my eyes they come.They invade my dreams. They can see me all the time. They know where I am. I need to get rid of my horn. They trace magic. Maybe it will give me time.
(The next few lines were covered by splatters of blood)
I keep cutting myself. I need to know this isn’t just a nightmare. The wind is picking up. It might be them. No. My paranoia is getting worse.Every creak and groan from the house is making me jump out of my skin. I’m not ready. I don’t want to go. If they take me then i’m gone. Notthing will be left of me. Forgive my spelling. It’s a wonder I can even write. I’m staring at the door now waiting for them to come through. To take me to... wait. Where do they take you? I’m shaking now. I can’t stand the wait. What’s taking them so long? Where are they? So many BUCKING QUESTIONS! I’m sorry.The front door just opened. It's them. They're here! I guess this is good bye then. Wait, why are they leaving. They're gone. does that mean I'm not going to die? That it's all going to be fine? I can't think straight. My horn. Why did I cut it of? The pain. I'm going to try and sleep now. NO, THEY'RE STILL IN MY DREAMS. THEY STILL HAUNT ME. I CAN HEAR THEM. THEIR VOICES! THEY'RE HORRIBLE! THEY'RE SCREAMING AT ME. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME!! WHY WON'T YOU JUST KILL ME!? WHY?! Sweet Celestai! Did I write that in my sleep?! I can here footsteps coming up the hall. Maybe they're back. I can feel some thing inside me. something moving. OH CELESTIA! THEY'RE INSIDE ME! I NEED TO GET THEM OUT!
(The note becomes an illegible mess of scribbles and blood at this point, however one sentence can be clearly seen)
THE PAIN MEANS I’M ALIVE. HA. I’M NOT DREAMING!
(The note becomes more legible at this point)
I've been through them all. My stomach, my intestines. They're not there. Why does this not hurt as much as it should? I got them out. That's why. I've done something good for my body. It won't hurt as much. The footsteps are still there.The door is opening. They're back. just stood there. They're doing something. There bodies are...
(The ink trails of the page. A symbol was drawn but experts have requested that it not be reprinted for the safety of others)
The city guards are asking anypony with information on what may have happened to come forward. Investigations into what may have drawn the unicorn to suicide have begun but nothing, as of yet, has turned up. Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have decreed that nopony is to enter the everfree after dark and must never venture further than Old Ruins during the day. Starlight Charmers's family and friends have been informed. A pegasus (Who asked to remain anonymous)
stated, "Starlight was always a happy unicorn. You were never sad around him and he'd always help with anything. Money, food, shelter, you name it. He began acting strangely a few months ago, but his mare-friend had just died, so we all thought it was because of that. We hadn't seen him for about 3 weeks before we heard then news. None of us took it lightly."
The citizens of ponyville are being urged to take care and be vigilant for any unusual activity in and around the Everfree forest.
Article by Parchment Scrolls.
Nopony ever found out what happen to Starlight, and to this day he remains an unsolved case. The curfew on the Everfree forest is still in effect.
