Chapters Daylight streamed through the window behind Pinkie’s bed, hitting Pinkie squarely in the eyes.
I don’t usually sleep this late, she mused, rubbing her eyes. I hope I didn’t miss breakfast!
“Morning, everypony!” She cheered.
“About time.” Limestone grunted.
“Manners, Limestone.” Cloudy Quartz admonished gently. “Thy sister is tired from yesterday’s journey.”
“It’s still no excuse to keep me up half the night talking in her sleep.” Limestone grumbled. “I need all the energy I can get if I’m going to harvest the the North-West field today.”
Limestone was always that way in the morning, and Pinkie bore her no grudge.
“Sorry, Limestone,” She said apologetically. “I hope harvest goes well.”
Limestone grunted in response, signalling forgiveness.
Pinkie frowned thoughtfully, vaguely remembering her dream from the night before. Something about Rainbow...had that what she’d been mumbling about in the night?
“Tis good of you to visit us, Pinkamena.” Igneous Rock broke interrupted her thoughts, placing a plate containing two hotcakes in front of her.
“How goes it in Ponyville?”
“Superific!” Pinkie answered happily.
“Ummm…” Marble leaned in.
Pinkie chuckled. “Yep, he’s fine.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Marble agreed heartily.
“You two are so cute together...I wish I’d caught Maud before she had to run to get her Geology classes.” Pinkie sighed.
“‘Tis a pity the classes start so early in the morning.” Cloudy Quartz sighed, finishing her bowl of barley and pebbles.
“Maud is diligent, and in time she will reapeth the rewards of her labor.” Igneous Rock pointed out.
“Tis true.” Cloudy Quartz conceded.
Igneous stood up. “I should be assisting Limestone. I hope to see you all at noon-high.”
“Sure thing!” Pinkie said.
“Mmm…” Marble said, slinking out of the room to do the accounting.
Cloudy Quartz grabbed a feather duster. “Would thy like to keep me company?” She asked around the handle.
“Of course!" Pinkie grabbed a duster, allowing herself to fall into a trance as she swished and nodded the duster...
Nod, Nod, Swish, Swish, Nod, Nod…
Ratatatat.
Pinkie’s trance was broken by the sound someone at the door.
“I’ll get it, Ma.” She said, setting her duster down.
She trotted to the door and pushed it open to reveal Twilight Sparkle.
“Twilight! Good to see you!” Pinkie smiled.
The alicorn looked out of breath. “Oh, thank goodness.” She breathed. “Pinkie, I hate to do this, but you have to get to Ponyville now.”
“Huh?! Twilight, I haven’t even gotten to see Maud!”
Twilight was distraught. “Pinkie, please-this is urgent! Rainbow Dash! She’s hurt-we need to hurry, Pinkie. I’ll tell you on the way. Please.”
There was no time to say goodbye to Limestone or Pa. Ma and Marble had been sad to see Pinkie go, but they understood the situation.
Twilight, true to her word, had told Pinkie everything.
“There was a rogue tornado.” Twilight said on the train bound for Ponyville. “It came from Everfree…”
“Oh Celestia! Rainbow Dash? Sugarcube corner? The Cakes?! Talk, Twilight, talk!”
“Hush! That’s what I’m trying to do!” Twilight snapped. She hung her head.
“I’m sorry...there’s been so much going on…” She took a moment to regain her composure. “The twister didn’t hit ponyville, thankfully,
“But you found her, right?!”
“Yes-”
“Oh, thank-”
“Pinkie, she hasn’t woken up yet.” Twilight said. Pinkie stared at her. She could feel her mane slowly deflating, and a slow numbness spreading through her heart. She could see the pain in Twilight’s eyes.
“We don’t know if she ever will.”
Pinkie and Twilight had barely talked since they got off the train. The normally energetic earth pony felt like her hooves were made of stone.
“We’re back!” Twilight said urgently to Nurse Red Heart as they arrived. “Has there been any change?”
“None whatsoever.” The white earth pony answered with a sigh. She yawned loudly. “Excuse me. The staff have had a rather busy shift, what with the tornado and all.”
Twilight’s hoof flew to her mouth. “Oh my goodness...I was so busy thinking about Rainbow Dash...I just…How is everypony else?”
Nurse Red Heart smiled weakly. “They’re mostly just tired and cold from spending the better part of the night on the town outskirts. A few cuts and bruises and such...one poor pony got a concussion, I believe…your friend truly got the worst of this…”
“Can we see her now?” Pinkie asked quietly.
“Of course.” Said Red Heart, leading them down the hospital corridor.
Pinkie grew more and more nervous by the second. Easy Pinkie, it’s just Rainbow Dash...She told herself repeated, but it was no comfort.
“Well, here we are.” Red Heart announced, intruding on Pinkie’s thoughts, slowly pushing the door open.
The room was quiet. Pinkie could see Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy surrounding a hospital bed. They all turned around to see her.
“I’m here!” Pinkie shouted. “I came as soon as Twilight..."
" 'Bout time, sugarcube." Said Applejack quietly, stepping back so Pinkie could get a better view of the hospital bed.
It was indeed Rainbow Dash, but not as Pinkie had remembered her. The pegasus was motionless on the hospital bed. Her body was covered with gauze patches covering cuts where the cyclone had ruthlessly battered her. A slash here, a bump there, what seemed to be a nasty gash on the head.
She made no sound, save for the long, labored breaths, amplified by an oxygen mask positioned over her face.
Pinkie was speechless. “I-I-” She whispered, stepping closer to her friend. “Rainbow...How long will it take? For her to wake up, I mean?” She asked desperately. “She can’t be like this forever...C-can she?”
Red Heart shot Twilight a helpless look.
“I tried to tell her on the train.” Twilight whispered.
The nurse pony sighed and turned to Pinkie.
Ms. Pie.” She said. “Rainbow Dash’s body took a lot of damage in the tornado. And when somepony takes that much trauma, And even if she does awaken, she may never be the same. Too much damage,” She repeated, staring at the ground. “Too much damage...”
“Everypony,” Fluttershy squeaked through tears streaming down her face, “There’s something I’d like to-”
Red Heart went to open the door. “Who are you?” Pinkie heard her say.
“I’m sorry to bother you but I believe my sister Pinkie is in here.”
Pinkie turned around slowly. “Maud?”
“Never mind.” Said Fluttershy softly.
“I came as soon as I heard. I’m sorry about Rainbow Dash.” Maud said. “We were never good friends but she didn’t deserve something like this. I just wanted to send my sympathy. Are you alright, Pinkie?”
“Yes-” Pinkie began, but then- “No. No, Maud, I'm not.” The next thing she knew she was in her sister’s embrace, and the tears began to fall. She hated making a scene in front of her friends, but she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Applejack mumbled something about needing to tend the orchards and left hastily.
Rarity turned to Pinkie. “Oh, dearest, this just-I-I-” She hung her head. “I honestly hope this all passes over quickly. That nurse-” Rarity checked the nurse, who was checking Rainbow’s heart monitor. “Such a pessimist.”
Pinkie looked up from Maud's hold. “Yeah. That nurse is such a frowney-wowney, I b-bet she wouldn’t know hope if it bit her in the flank.”
Twilight gave them both a sad look. “I think she knows what she’s doing, guys.”
“Cheer up, Twi. Rainbow’s real tough.” Pinkie said. “She’ll wake up. She has to. Right, Maud?”
“She seems badly hurt.” Said Maud, looking over Rainbow Dash. “I don’t know. My specialty is rocks, not injured ponies. Boulder sends his condolences.”
“But-But she’s alive, isn’t she?” Rarity asked, grasping at straws. “I mean, that’s what’s important, right?”
“I-I need to go, girls. I-I have something in my eye. And th-the animals, they’ll probably wondering where I am-if-if it’s OK. Isn’t it, girls?”
“Of course, Fluttershy,” Said Rarity. “I’d better be going myself, Sweetie Belle will be wondering why I haven’t met her at the boutique yet.”
“Does Sweetie know?” Twilight asked.
“No,” Rarity said swiftly as she hurried out the door.
“I’m going to keep trying to get in touch with Rainbow Dash’s family.” Twilight announced, exiting as well.
“I have about an hour. They gave me some time to leave but then I need to get back to do make up work. I’ll be right outside if you need me.” Said Maud, quietly stepping out the door, leaving Pinkie alone with her sleeping friend.
The room was silent except for the ever present Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep... of Rainbow Dash’s heart monitor.
Pinkie knew that she only need to call for Maud’s company and comfort, yet she couldn’t. This wasn't something Maud could help with.
“H-Hey, Rainbow Dash,” She said after what seemed like ages, taking her friend’s hoof in her own.
“It feels like years since I’ve last saw you.” She whispered. “You silly-filly, you shouldn’t have gone so near the twister.”
Twilight’s words echoed in her mind. They think she lost control in the winds…
“Why, Rainbow Dash, why? Did you know that the big mean twister had it in for you? Or were you showing off...or…or were you caught off guard?” Pinkie asked. She could feel her eyes moistening, but not a single tear fell. “Silly-Filly.”
Silence fell on the room again.
A hundred scenarios of the incident played out through Pinkie’s mind. In some, Rainbow was immediately knocked out by a piece of wood, others, she was strewn out like ragdoll, in pain, pleading for her life. Pinkie hated those ones, the ones where Rainbow was helpless. She knew Rainbow would hate it too, so immediately after apologizing to Rainbow, she would think up one where Rainbow was fierce, defiant, fighting like a lion.
After thirty long, long, long minutes, Pinkie finally managed to ease her eyes from Rainbow Dash's still form.
Gently slipping her hoof out from Rainbow Dash’s, Pinkie began to turn for the door-
Listen.
“What?” Pinkie said aloud.
A dream. Just last night. A memory flickered through her mind.
Pinkie closed her eyes, concentrating. A dream...Rainbow Dash sad…
Pinkie Pie’s eyes flew open with realization.
What.
What. Had. She. Done.
Bad Pinkie, Bad! Pinkie sank into a seat near Rainbow's bed resting her head in her hooves, suddenly sobbing, unable stop, unable to move.
Five minutes later, Twilight entered, levitating several scrolls before her.
“Rainbow’s family is practically nowhere in the records! I’ve got zilch on her father, a name for her mom, but apparently nobody’s seen her in years-Pinkie?”
Concerned, she gently nudged the shoulder of her friend.
Pinkie lifted two red-rimmed eyes to meet Twilight’s concerned ones. “This is all my fault, Twilight,” She whispered.
“...How?”
Pinkie got up from the bed and began to pace. “I had this dream-Twister, but not the game-and-and there was Rainbow Dash-I thought it was just a dream-and what do you do when there’s a bad dream, you try to wake up, so that’s what I did-Oh, Twilight, I’m such a bad friend!”
“Wait, wait…” Twilight said, waving one forehoof to silence Pinkie. “Let me see if I’m following. You had a dream about Rainbow Dash last night, and she asked you for help, but you said no, because…?”
“Because I didn’t like seeing her sad, but I thought I was dreaming, and I hate bad dreams, so I didn’t want to see her sad, and so I wanted to wake up…”
“Pinkie,” Said Twilight kindly, “It was just a dream. And anyway, Rainbow Dash was rushed to the hospital late evening, you would still have been on the train to your parent’s house, not asleep.”
“But she might have come later...I just...Twilight, I should have been there for her. She CAME to me, and I let her down.” Pinkie hung her head.
“It was just a dream, Pinkie.” Twilight repeated. She stroked Rainbow’s mane briefly before turning back to dejected earth pony.
“Now, I have some detective work to do.” She stared down at her saddlebag of papers, frustrated. “If Rainbow has any next of kin around to handle her affairs, they sure are making it difficult for me to find them.” She sighed and left. “Oh! Tell me if there’s any change. It can’t hurt to hope a little, right?”
“Sure.” Said Pinkie flatly. Affairs?! Is that all you care about?! How’d about you sit here with your FRIEND, Twilight, instead of-Oh, what am I thinking? I turned my back on Rainbow, but I WON’T do the same to Twilight. She’s my friend! They’re both my friends! Why did this have to happen?! Why?!
Pinkie hung her head. “I wish you were here, Rainbow.” She whispered.
Listen…
“And I’m so sorry.”
Author's Note
Anger and guilt...unpleasant yet important.
Rarity trotted through town absentmindedly, her thoughts focused primarily on Rainbow Dash.
She wished that Twilight and Fluttershy would perk up, despite the injuries, Rainbow seemed well taken care of.
Now it’s only a matter of her waking up… Rarity mused as she opened the door.
“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle cried, immediately before her. “Rarity...you got...home...quickly!”
Should I tell Sweetie Bell?
Rarity stared down at Sweetie Bell intently, causing the filly to shrink back in fear.
“Rarity...we’ll clean it up, we swear!”
Wait a second…
“Clean what up?”
“Rarity-Umm…” Sweetie stammered awkwardly, shifting from one hoof to the other.
Rarity pushed past her sister and rushed into the kitchen, where Scootaloo and Applebloom were frantically scrubbing a huge chocolate stain on the table cloth.
The instant say saw her they dropped their cloths and ran to grovel at her feet.
“Please don’t get mad-”
“Candy-Making Cutie Marks-”
“My friend Twist was gonna come help-”
“But Twist has the stomach bug-”
“So we tried, but-”
“We’re really sorry!” Scootaloo wailed.
Rarity groaned. She wanted to give these fillies a good talking to right then and there, but alas, a proper lady did not lose her temper in front
“Let’s get some cold water.” She said decisively.
Five Minutes later, the tablecloth had been hung up to dry, and Rarity, having shepherded the crusaders out of the boutique, sat down with exhaustion. With the crisis taken care of, her thoughts returned to Rainbow Dash. Again Rarity wondered how her sister (Or, Celestia forbid, Scootaloo, for that matter) would react.
Oh, Sweetie Bell...is this something you need to know? Is it silly of me to wonder? Rarity felt a twinge of guilt keeping things from Sweetie Belle...but really, was this something Sweetie needed to know? Was it something Sweetie wanted to know?
Rarity shook her head and sighed. Nothing to be done about it now, Sweetie Belle and her friends had gone off to town.
She needed someone to talk to. That was what. Rarity still wasn’t quite sure what she was upset about...Rainbow Dash probably had it better than their friend Twist, who, rather then lying peacefully in her bed was probably vomiting all over the place...ugh.
Now, let’s see. Pinkie Pie said she was going to stay at the hospital a bit longer, Twilight’s busy tracking down Rainbow’s kin, Fluttershy -well, much as Rarity adored Fluttershy, all those animals-spilled food, and droppings -definitely not Fluttershy’s, at least not at feeding time.
“Well, I guess that leaves one pony to go to.” It wasn’t her ideal place, but...it was still something better then brooding in her studio all afternoon.
So she set off.
"It’s terribly kind of you to entertain me on such short notice.” Rarity told Applejack as she was given a mug of cider.
“No problem, Rarity,” Applejack responded, pouring a mug for herself. “So, what’s on yer mind?”
“Well,” Rarity said quietly, “Um, I, you see, Um,” Rarity said, playing with her mug a bit. “It’s about our friend-”
“Friend?” Applejack asked. “Is somethin’ the matter?”
“Well-yes-no-I don’t know, dear, I-I-I that’s the problem.” Rarity finally said, taking a lady like sip of her cider. (A hard feat considering the huge mug)
Applejack frowned a bit, looking slightly confused. “Ah’m listenin’, Rarity.”
“O-Oh...I see,” Rarity said. “I suppose you feel the same way. I don’t know-Twilight told me about a stage of grief called Denial, but-I don’t know if that’s what I’m feeling about Rainbow Dash’s-Um-injuries. Is something the matter?” Rarity said. “You look a bit faint.”
“Rarity! Rarity-Um, could ya not?” Applejack whispered, pulling back her braid.
“Please?”
“Not...what?” Rarity asked in confusion.
“Not...not…”
“Oh, dear, now things are getting awkward,” Rarity fretted. “Well, darling, I guess I want to get your opinion on…er...ah-hah!” Rarity shouted.
“Eh…?” Applejack asked.
“There!” Rarity pointed over Applejack’s should at a framed picture of Rainbow Dash.
Applejack hastily flicked her tail so Rainbow Dash’s picture so that it was face down.
“Applejack…”
“Now, now, Rarity,” Said Applejack. “L-let’s t-talk about something else.” She sounded upset as she wrapped her hoof around Rarity.
“I-I-I-oh…” Rarity groaned in defeat, suddenly feeling very tired, allowing herself to be supported by Applejack’s shoulder and sighing in frustration.
The Next Day
Twilight sighed and was about to turn another page when she heard a very soft knock-knock on the door.
“Hello?” Fluttershy whispered softly. “Twilight, are you in?”
“Come in, Fluttershy.” Twilight called to her. “How are you? What’s the latest on Rainbow Dash?”
“Well, you see, that’s what I wanted to see you about,” Fluttershy whispered. “That is...if it’s not a bad time...see...Twilight...one of Rainbow Dash’s wounds is infected. They’re treating her with antibiotics, but they aren’t working as well as they’d like.”
Twilight dropped the yearbook. “Oh, Celestia,” She murmured. “Should I-” She glanced at the door.
“I think so.” Fluttershy whimpered.
Twilight nodded, gulped, and followed Fluttershy out the door.
“Well, she’s hanging in there.” Said Nurse Red Heart, when Fluttershy and Twilight arrived.
“The one right there is what’s scaring us.” explained the nurse, indicating the bandaged area near Rainbow Dash’s shoulder. “It developed very quickly and it’s being very stubborn.”
Twilight sighed. “Poor Rainbow Dash.”
“Indeed,” Agreed Nurse Red Heart. She lowered her voice. “How long are you going to keep her like this?”
Twilight shook her head. “I don’t know.” She admitted. “I’m trying to find her family. It’s only fair that they should get a chance to say good bye, but at the same time I’m positive they wouldn’t want her to suffer...”
Pinkie sat bold upright. “Wait a second, what are you talking about?” She looked confused. “What do you mean, 'Goodbye' ?”
Twilight’s heart skipped a beat. “Pinkie,” She said gently, regaining her composure, “You’ve seen how Rainbow’s been going on a downhill slide, right?”
Pinkie looked to her right at the comatose mare. “Yes…” She said slowly.
“Well…” Twilight’s eyes darted to the ground before meeting Pinkie’s, “Um...I told you that there was a very slim chance of Rainbow making a come back, right?”
“Y-Yes,” Pinkie answered.
“Well…” Twilight said, “Pinkie...It’s been...it’s been a day or so, and, wh-what with the infection and all, that chance has become...slimmmer…”
“So…” Twilight stumbled on. “We really shouldn’t...well...drag this out.”
Understanding flashed through Pinkie’s eyes, followed by horror and disbelief. “So you’re going to kill her?!” She hissed.
“No!” Twilight recoiled. “No! No! Oh, Celestia, no…Pinkie, you don’t understand, I’m just saying Rainbow’s too far gone.”
“You’ve given up on her.” Pinkie whispered, voice heavy with accusation.
“Pinkie, look,” Said Twilight desperately. “Nobody wants this. But this isn’t fair to Rainbow.”
“I’m not being fair to Rainbow?!” Pinkie demanded. “What about you?! You’re the one who wants her to die!”
“What are you talking about?! I don’t want Rainbow to die!” Twilight shouted, growing angry. “Try to look at the bigger picture here!”
“What are you talking about?! At least I can see the possibility of Rainbow Dash being just fine! Right, Fluttershy?” Pinkie turned to Fluttershy, desperation creeping under her tone.
Fluttershy shrunk back. “W-Well,” she whispered, “It certainly would be nice if Rainbow got a second chance...r-right?”
“Yes!” Exclaimed Twilight. “Of course! But...I just don’t think that’s the way it’ll be.”
Pinkie glowered at her silently.
“Pinkie, you don’t understand-”
“I do too understand!” Pinkie insisted. “You don’t understand!” She told Twilight.
For a few seconds, the two mares glared at each other.
Twilight finally dropped her gaze and and rushed out of the room without a word.
Fluttershy looked at Pinkie Pie, then the door, then Twilight, then Rainbow Dash, then the door.
“Tell me if there’s any change.” She finally whispered. With that, she slowly backed out and away.
Pinkie paced back and forth at Rainbow’s bedside. “I don’t understand,” She muttered. “I just don’t understand, why would Twilight want to do that to you?”
Rainbow Dash was as quiet as ever.
“Don’t worry,” Pinkie said softly, patting the top of Rainbow’s mane, “I won’t let her do that to you. You’re the toughest pony I know. You just need...a little time.”
Silence.
Pinkie sighed. “It’s getting awfully late.” She said. “But don’t worry, I’ll be here for you.”
She picked up a blanket that she’d brought from her bedroom and set it out on the floor. “It’s not a problem.” She said to the silence. “The nurse said I could, she even got this out for me, see?” She explained, pulling out a small couch designed for lying on.
“Who knows? Maybe I’ll see you.” She said hopefully as she she curled up under the blanket, and settling her head on the pillow. She yawned.
“Good night.”
Now the only thing that remained was getting to sleep.
She wanted to see Rainbow Dash again. She owed it to her. She clenched her eyes shut tight, and willed herself to think of Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow Dash, Rainbow Dash, RainbowDash, RainbowDash, RainbowDashRainbowDashRainbowDash-
It wasn’t working. Pinkie sighed and stared up at the ceiling in defeat.
Be patient.
Pinkie perked up-Was that Rainbow Dash...or her imagination? She wasn’t sure.
She sighed again, which morphed into a yawn.
Where are you, Dashie? She wondered as her vision began to blur and her mind began to fade.
She was standing in a small clearing. She could hear the tornado’s rage. She knew what was about to happen next. She wanted to find Rainbow Dash, but she did not want to see this. But at the same time- Rainbow Dash flew by wings spread full length, fighting for control- Time froze. Pinkie looked away-
Her eyes flew open. Her blanket was on the floor, and she was curled up into a ball.
Rainbow Dash was still asleep.
Carefully folding up her blanket and placing it into the corner, Pinkie turned for the door. If she she hurried, she could get to Sugarcube corner for breakfast (She was still on paid leave since her visit to her parents had been cut short) And back in less than five minutes.
“I’ll be back soon.” She promised.
The heart monitor being her only reply, she quietly pushed through the door and promptly crashed into someone else.
“My bad-” Pinkie began.
“No, no, I should have-” Twilight began. “Hello, Pinkie.”
“Twilight.” Said Pinkie coldly.
Twilight sighed. “Pinkie, look-”
“Twilight, can’t you just let her heal?” Pinkie asked, a touch of accusation in her voice. “I don’t understand why you’re trying to do this.”
“Pinkie, I don’t think she can-”
“Is that why you came? To pull the plug?”
“I don’t know why you’re doing this, Twilight! Don’t you want-”
“PINKIE!” Twilight roared. “I am here to pay my friend a visit! Nothing more! Okay?!”
Pinkie shrank back for a second at the surprise outburst. “Okie, dokie...lokie.” She said suspiciously.
Twilight sighed and continued into the room. Pinkie stared after her intently, then followed her back in.
Dashie’s not going to die on my watch , She vowed.
Author's Note
Apologies for the late chapter. Betweeen trying to pack for a China trip, studying to get my driver's permit,
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Dark. Not quite pitch black, but definitely dark. Pinkie blinked drowsily, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. “What?” She wondered, feeling around with her hooves. She couldn't feel the soft mattress or the blankets that she had gone to bed in. In fact, she couldn't identify the surface at all.
"...Where?"
“Pinks?” Pinkie Pie got up to spot Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash's hair was mussed, she looked like she’d been running for a long time.
“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing here?” Pinkie asked curiously. "Do you-"
“Pinkie Pie, this is really important.” Rainbow Dash began quickly. “There was this twister-”
Twister? “Sounds fun!” Pinkie chirped. “Who won?”
“No, you don’t understand! Not that kind-”
“Oh…” Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened with realization. “I must be dreaming!”
“Pinkie, you don’t get it!” Rainbow Dash insisted.
“Go to sleep, silly-filly, I’ll see you in a few days.” Pinkie said.
“No! No! You don’t understand!” Rainbow Dash pleaded.
“That’s what you keep telling me.” Pinkie sighed, completely confused. "This dream is weird.
“Just listen, Pinkie! Listen!” Rainbow Dash called, tears filling her eyes.
Pinkie Pie hated seeing her friend so upset. She decided that she didn’t like this dream at all.
'Cause that's all it is, a dream, silly-filly, no reason to frown, she told her self. She turned and began to run, away from this sad, confusing Dashie.
“Wait!” Rainbow cried out.
“Good night, Dashie!” Pinkie called hastily over her shoulder.
She kept running, focusing on the darkness ahead of her. Silence, now, but Pinkie thought she could hear one last, quiet sob.
“Listen…”
