I've been here for about two weeks going on the amount of times days changed to night. It's a strange world. Every time I sleep I'm consumed in nightmares that I can never awake from. All of the painful times in my life relived, all of the emotional pain re-experienced.

I blink my the tears from my eyes after just waking up from one of the nightmares.

'This fucking place is ruining me. This forest is breaking my will. I need to get out before I lose myself completely.' I think to myself as I push myself onto my feet.

"Nathan?" A voice I recognise asks.

"Back here again? I keep telling you. Go home Scootaloo. This place is evil." I say with a sigh.

"But you're all alone, you need someone to be here with you." The little filly says with a nod.

"I'm here to be alone. Well.... Since you're here, how are the other two?" I ask as I wipe some sweat from my forehead.

"They're great! Apple Bloom keeps wanting to come visit! So does Sweetie Belle! That's why I'm here. They wanted to know if they could come visit some time? They wanted to see where you lived." Scootaloo says.

"Where I live? I live under the tree I decide looks comfortable and sleep among the bugs. It's not really worth looking at is it? If they really want to come visit they can, I won't stop any of you." I say as I take my shirt off and start heading towards a pool I discovered in my first week here.

"Mind if I join you? I got a load of leaves in my coat and it's bugging me." Scootaloo asks with a smile.

"Sure you can. I don't own the lake so use it all you want." I reply with my own smile.

Scootaloo then runs ahead towards the pool and a splash can be heard shortly after.

The pool then comes into view and Scootaloo can be seen in the pool scrubbing at herself with her hooves.

"Is the water okay?" I ask.

"Yep! It's actually quite warm! Here! Have a feel!" Scootaloo says as she flicks water at me.

The water hits my belly button and below causing my trousers to become wet.

"I see how it is." I smirk.

"Oh no." Scootaloo says as her smile drops.

I run forward and dive into the pool of water and keep myself under the water line as I slowly swim towards Scootaloo. Through the water I see Scootaloo looking around the water with a nervous expression on her face. I then swim upwards and grab Scootaloo's rear hooves, causing her to scream in shock.

I start laughing as my head leaves the water and I use my arms to keep myself above water.

"You're such a meanie!" Scootaloo says as she blushes.

"You got my trousers wet." I say with a shrug and a smirk.

Scootaloo then splashes me again.

"Fine then!" I say as I start splashing her back.

We played like that for what felt like hours, just us two splashing, racing and laughing.

"Scootaloo it's getting late, let me walk you to the bubble. It's too dangerous with the creatures here. Especially after last time." I say as I climb out of the pool.

"I can handle myself! I'll kick the butt of whatever wants to try it!" Scootaloo says as she starts kicking the air like an action movie character,

"Sure you will, now come on." I say as I pass her my shirt to dry herself with.

"Won't this make it smell again?" Scootaloo asks as she holds it in her hoof.

"How do you think I dry myself? For some reason it doesn't make it smell. Must be the pool or something." I say as I shake my hair to dry it.

"If you say so." Scootaloo says as she starts to dry herself with my shirt.

After 20 minutes of drying and conversation with Scootaloo we start our journey to the edge of the forest.

"How do you manage it? Living in a place like this I mean." Scootaloo asks.

"It's not much different then a forest where I'm from. Besides the big creatures who aren't that friendly of course." I answer.

After traveling for what felt like half an hour we finally arrive at the edge of the forest.

"Hey Nathan!" Scootaloo says.

"Yeah Scootaloo?" I ask.

"Why don't you come with me to go see Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle? They want to see you again!" Scootaloo asks.

"I can't, remember?" I answer with a shake of my head.

"Oh yeah." Scootaloo nervous giggles and blushes.

"You guys are always welcome to come visit me. Just make sure to tell me what day so I can meet you here. It's not safe for three ponies to be traveling in here." I say.

"It's not safe for you here either." Scootaloo points out.

"You're right, but you get a choice, I don't." I remind her.

"I guess." Scootaloo says with a sad look on her face. "Can I come back tomorrow with the Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?"

"Of course you can. I'll meet you here in the morning." I answer with a smile.

"See ya tomorrow Nathan!" Scootaloo says as she climbs onto her scooter.

"See ya." I reply with a wave as Scootaloo rides away.

*Hooooooooooowl*

'I've gotta get back to the tree pretty quickly.' I think to myself as I start running back into the forest. 'I had fun today. I hop tomorrow will be just as fun.'

Author's Note

What did you think? Make sure to write a comment so I know that you're enjoying the story so far and want it continuing!