The Rasp

Was I infected? It was just a regular cough, wasn't it? I didn't feel particularly thirsty, and I didn't have a headache. I was frustrated, sure, but I wasn't going to start raging. Sick or not, I had to look after Twilight! I'm not going to fail her just because I get sick too! I decided right then and there, that I'll keep going as long as I can.

Its been a few hours now. We left the basement and left Rainbow Dash down there with Fluttershy. I don't know what she plans to do, or how she'll keep Rainbow Dash calm, but Fluttershy wasn't showing any symptoms and Applejack trusted her when she told us she felt fine. So she's downstairs with Twilight and Rainbow Dash, while Pinkie and Applejack and I figure out what to do next.

Outside, it's creepy. It's really really quiet. Not like a normal quiet, but like all the animals, and even the night itself was holding its breath like it were waiting for something. Sometimes I can see them. Other ponies. The infected. They lurch and stalk through the shadows of the town, searching for victims and hissing with that terrible sound. They're much more active at night than the day. They babble about infected blood, and lots of them look bloody and mutilated from trying to 'get it out.' I won't let Twilight stay like this. There must be something we can do. Something. ANYthing!!

Applejack says our best bet is to try and find Zecora. I think that's great, but she hasn't been seen since all of this began. I think she's in hiding or something. Maybe she's trying to figure out whats going on without being infected. But that's the plan that we've got right now. Fortify the tree, sneak out and search for Zecora.

First, we shut all the windows. They were staring at us. None of them were moving, but all the infected outside were staring at the library. Like they know we're inside. They don't move. They just watch. I think you have to be close to them to make them crazy. That's what happened when I got close to Twilight.

Applejack says next, we should start boarding up the windows. I don't understand how that will help, but Applejack says it's a very thick tree, and it's quite sturdy. I don't...I don't like where she's going with this. We should be out there helping ponies, not hiding from them!! I tried to tell Applejack but she said she'd talk to me about it later. Later, later, later. Why did it always have to be later?! I can help too! Sometimes I wish they didn't treat me like - We'll stick a pin in that, I hear something in the pantry closet.

Be right back.