The Rasp

I handed Applejack another nail and watched her beat it into the wood. It was evening by now. Applejack had insisted she come over and spend the night. I don't know why. I think she wanted to keep me company and help me look after Twilight. I can't tell you how relieved I was. I wanted to ask about Twilight again. I wanted to know what was going on in the basement, and outside, and why everypony was suddenly so serious about everything.

"Ain't nothin' ta be worried 'bout. I reckon this here's just a...routine precaution! Yessirree! Just a normal everyday medical drill. " Applejack had tried to explain. I handed her another nail and she hammered it into place. The look on my face must have spoke volumes because she bit her lower lip and gave a ragged sigh.

"Things are gonna be okay, Spike," she said softly. But she didn't make eye contact. She put the hammer down and turned towards me.

"Ya'll...ya'll understand you can't go downstairs, right? This is real important, Spike," she said. I stared at her. A sudden burst of anger rippled through me. Why couldn't I go downstairs?! Why couldn't I see my sister?! What was everypony trying to keep from me?!

Applejack couldn't tell me what to do. Who was she to decide where I could and couldn't go?! I turned and stared at the basement door long and hard, while AJ put another board into place.

"It's just until we can figure out how ta help her. Err it's just that Twilight might be..." she growled, paused and sighed again.

"What?!" I snapped. Applejack's ears peeled back against her skull at my tone. I could tell she was stressed out. I was too. I had a right to know what was happening to my family!!

"Everything is going to be...It'll...Everything is gonna be okay, Spike," Applejack stammered quietly. I could spit fire!

"So it's not okay, now?! Is that what you're saying?!" I snapped. I watched tiny curls of smoke rise from my nostrils and dance in angry ribbons in the air. I could feel the heat radiating in my throat. Fire. I wanted to spit fire at her. I had expected her to start yelling at me again or at least firmly tell me why I was too young to understand. Or some other horseapples older ponies use when they want to avoid talking to me about something. I'm not stupid. I pick up on these things.

But Applejack surprised me. She didn't start yelling. She didn't even look angry. It was only then I noticed how misty her eyes had gotten. Like she were holding back tears for my sake.

"Spike. Please? Trust me?" Applejack asked me quietly and shot me the most apologetic look I've ever seen. My anger melted away immediately. I sighed and I nodded my head. Lost in thought, I reached down into the bucket and handed her another nail. Silently, she went back to boarding up the basement door.