The Rasp

Everything hurts. It hurts so bad.

I didn't know what to do, or what to say. A wave of panic washed over me. It felt like everything in the world was happening in slow motion, and I threw up. I think it was the stress. Just all over the floor. Applejack was screaming. Everypony was screaming. I thought they were screaming at me. I'm sorry, things are all messed up right now! I don't know why I got so mad all of a sudden. Why were THEY so angry at me?! It wasn't my fault!

I tried to sputter something rude, but I couldn't. I dropped to my knees, gasping for air, while Applejack charged into me, sending the two of us tumbling to the ground. I tried to yell, but I had a mouthful of sick. All I knew was Applejack was attacking me, and I wouldn't stand for it! She was infected! She must have been!!! I began to thrash and kick violently. I'm so sorry Applejack. I'm so sorry. I caught her in the face with a firm kick, and she let go of me. I rolled onto my belly and looked around in panic.

My blood froze. Applejack hadn't been attacking me. She was pushing me out of the way. Out of the way of Vinyl Scratch. They hadn't been screaming at me. They were trying to warn me of the pony behind me. The infected in the house. The one that had climbed up the rope. My rope. My fault. I felt sick again.

Applejack hauled me onto her back, and I surveyed the room. Vinyl Scratch had gone from pouncing at me, to wildly assaulting Octavia. I didn't see what had happened, but Octavia had a large gaping wound on her neck. She was oozing blood from it. Was...Was Vinyl trying to suck at it? Octavia was screaming and trying to fight Vinyl Scratch off with one hoof and keep pressure on the wound on her neck. From out of no where, Pinkie Pie barreled into Vinyl Scratch, sending them toppling to the floor. Applejack was at Octavia's side immediately.

"SPIKE!! GET FLUTTERSHY!! NOW! You're gonna be okay, darlin, yer gonna be jus fine. I know it hurts, but she missed the artery! Calm down!! SPIKE!!" She screamed. I stumbled to my feet and threw myself at the basement door, throwing it open as fast as I could.

At the top of the stairs stood Fluttershy. I immediately pointed towards Applejack and Octavia.

That was before I noticed all of Fluttershy's feather's had been lost and she was covered in bite marks and bandages. She gave an animalistic hiss, and lunged for them.