The Ribbons

"Hold still! Please! Please hold still!"

I could barely hear over my own screaming. The pain had shifted from my leg, which was now cold and numb. It had travelled upwards into my stomach. It grew in intensity when I looked down; was that a bone? I shrieked as I felt white-hot flames engulfing my lungs, bile rising forcefully up my throat. I was burning, like a shriveled piece of paper.

Something repeatedly touched my leg, briefly bringing back the legion of needles surging into my skin. I tried to kick whatever it was away, but the action made my bones feel like they were twisting and knotting even more.

I crumpled back down, the thumping of my head on the ground launching dirt into my eyes and mouth. I sobbed, muddying my face; the fiery sensation melted away in a matter of seconds, and soon I was freezing. The color returned to my vision, and I tried blinking my tears away.

It was hopeless; the grey fuzziness was already being replaced with darkness. I wasn't dying, was I? I really didn't want to die.

I was already a shell. I was empty. Maybe then it wouldn't hurt just to shut my eyes.

That morning...

"Good morning, sunshine."

I rubbed my eyes. Mom was sitting next to me on my racecar bed, rubbing my arm. I yawned.

"What time is it?"

"It's 9:00, sleepyhead. Breakfast is ready."

With that, Mom got up and left my room. Much to my annoyance, she left the door open. I stretched as I swung my legs over the edge. My blanket had slipped off me sometime in the night, and was now on the floor.

I groaned, successfully popping my back. I threw my blanket back onto my bed; that was the closest to making my bed I ever came. I shuffled out of my room, reaching the cool hard surface of the wooden plank floors in the hallway.

The sudden coldness on my feet kind of made me want to turn back and go get socks, but I shoved the urge down. I stumbled down the stairs, my nose following the scent of food. I licked my lips as I plopped down in my seat at the table, a plate of greasy bacon and scrambled eggs waiting for me.

I quickly began shovelling the delicious serving into my mouth. Mouthfuls of steaming eggs, promptly followed by crunchy bacon. So amazing. I don't know how Mom does it, but no one's cooking can compare to hers.

I finished just a few minutes after digging in. I felt pressure rising inside me. Before I could stand up, I let out a huge belch.

"Excuse me, what do you say, Rainbow Dash?" Mom raised an eyebrow at me. I grinned innocently.

"My compliments to the chef!"

Mom cracked a smile, just like I thought she would. "Honestly, your father is bad enough," She ruffled my hair as I walked past to put my plate in the sink. "Go shower and brush your teeth, little lady."

"Why? Are we doing something today?"

"You should clean yourself every day," Mom gave me the stink-eye. "But yes, we are going out later."

"Why?"

"We have to go pick out a birthday gift."

"A birthday gift?" I perked up a little. I like going to parties. "Who's it for?"

"The daughter of an old friend of mine. She's about your age, too. Her tenth birthday is today, and their family just moved back here."

"Moved back here?" I frowned. It's a small town, I should know everyone.

"They moved before you were born, honey," Mom kissed my forehead as she read my mind. "Now go. And do not take a spit-bath. I will know."

"Hmm, I can't pick out anything. Do you see anything that really stands out?"

Mom tapped a finger on her chin as she slowly pondered the selections on the shelf. I don't understand why she thought I could help; it's not like I know what some kid I've never met likes or doesn't like.

I shrugged my shoulders, still gazing longfully at the Nerf aisle just across from us. "I dunno. Girl stuff is lame."

"Ruby said she likes art and nature. Maybe there's a doodle-pad, or a little picture book somewhere."

I rolled my eyes, grabbing the first thing I saw. "Here. An art kit thingy. She'll like that."

Mom accepted the small package from my hand, inspecting it front and back. "Well, it'll have to do. Let's go pay."

"We can't check out the card section really quick?" I stuck out my lower lip, putting on my best pouty face.

Mom smiled, leaning down to my level. She brushed my cheek with one palm, and said in the most sugary tone imaginable, "No."

I slumped. "Geez, fine. Suck all the fun out of everything."

"Ruby! Hi!"

"Windy, it's so good to see you!"

I looked around the park while Mom greeted her friend. I had never seen her before.

She was kind of short. She wore a green sweater and a tan dress skirt, and had red curly hair.

"And is this precious little thing the Rainbow Dash I've heard so much about?"

...And she talked in that too sweet and gentle kind of voice.

Mom reeled me back to her side. "Yes, indeed."

"Oh, look at you!" I shrunk down as Mom's friend pinched my cheek. "Oh, you're such a doll."

"You know, she's only a few months younger than your daughter."

"Really?" The lady looked back down at me. "Fluttershy and Zephyr are over by the playground if you'd like to go play."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Uh, I'm still looking around right now."

"Go look around over there," Mom chuckled as she nudged me towards the playground. "And give Fluttershy her present."

I sighed, knowing better than to resist Mom. "Fine."

"So, Bow couldn't make it?" Fluttershy's mother asked Mom.

"No, he had work today."

I grumbled to myself as I took the gift bag and dragged it unenthusiastically after me while the mothers kept chatting. I trudged over the wooded ground of the park. It was pretty nice here. Good weather. I was just too lazy to really enjoy it.

I blew my hair out of my eyes as I approached the two kids sitting on the swings. The boy was smaller, so Zephyr must be Fluttershy's little brother.

"Hey." I gave a short wave to Fluttershy. She looked up at me nervously. Her teal eyes were flecked with gold and steel, giving her a sharp, pointed look underneath her uncertain exterior.

"Um, hello?"

I shifted, her awkwardness infecting me. "Uh, I'm Rainbow Dash. Our moms are friends, I guess."

"Oh," Fluttershy gave a fragile smile. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Fluttershy. That's my brother, Zephyr."

"Sup?" I jerked my chin at the boy.

Zephyr looked me up and down, before huffing to himself, "This is so boring."

"Ooo-kay then," I coughed. "Uh... nice dress. Is that a birthday outfit or something?"

Some girls do that sort of thing. And her white and blue dress sure didn't look like something she'd wear any day of the week. The matching ribbons holding up her pink hair gave it away, if there was any doubt.

Fluttershy looked down bashfully. "Um, it's usually for Sundays."

"Ah. Gotcha," Not sure what else to do, I dumbly held out the bag for Fluttershy. "Well, this is for you. So, happy birthday."

Fluttershy smiled, and for a split second she didn't look terrified of everything.

"Thank you."

"Hey, no problem," I stuck my hands in my pockets, casting one more look around me. "So, is nobody else here for your party?"

Fluttershy shrugged. "We just moved here, so we don't really have a lot of friends. Mom and Dad decided to just have a picnic."

"Uh, cool. I guess," I drummed my fingers along the sides of my pockets, rocking slightly on my feet. I decided I should probably skedaddle. It didn't look like we'd be talking much, and I felt stupid just standing there. "Well, see ya."

I waved again, then began meandering back to Mom. I barely got a few steps in before I heard a short scuffing of feet in the gravel, followed by rapidly receding footsteps.

"Zephyr! What are you doing?"

I turned around. Zephyr Breeze had nabbed the bag I gave to Fluttershy, and hastily scrambled up a nearby tree.

"I want to see what's in here!"

"You wouldn't like it." I called up to him.

"Zephyr! Be careful!" Fluttershy scurried to the base of the tree, a worried look on her face.

I stood for a minute. I kinda wanted to go back to the bench area where Mom was. But I didn't really want to listen to them talk. Plus, a man showed up with them, dressed in a sweater vest and khakis. I guessed that was Fluttershy's dad.

I rolled my eyes.

"Alright, dude! Let's see you get away from me!"

I got a good running start, then leapt up to grab a branch. Fluttershy squeaked in surprise when I clambered up.

"Wait! Please, be careful!"

"I'm always careful," I grunted dismissively as I hauled myself up. "This is a snap."

Fluttershy's brother must not have wanted to go down that easily, as he held the bag by the strings between his teeth, and scaled upwards. I shook my head.

I was up for a challenge.

I climbed after him, hands seeking grasps that occasionally got them sticky with sap. Just when I thought I had him, Zephyr disappeared.

"Huh?"

I gaped as Zephyr jumped across, catching a hold in another tree, causing Fluttershy to gasp below. He looked both dumbfounded and impressed with himself. I groaned.

"Spider-monkey, huh?"

I positioned my feet on a branch below me. I tensed, ready to pounce. This kid was not gonna beat me.

Target in sight, I sprung. Just as I did, I heard a crunching sound, and felt my footing give out. I yelped once, air whooshing all around me as I fell for one, two-

"AAAAAAGGGHHH!!!"

"She's waking up."

"Oh thank God. Rainbow? Are you alright, honey?"

I moaned as light came pouring in.

Please don't be heaven. I'm not ready.

"Don't sit up. Take it nice and slow."

I rubbed my eyes. "Mom? Dad?"

"We're here, sweetie."

Sure enough, they were. Both of my parents leaned over me, their faces paled. I was in a plain white room, on a stiff bed. I tried stretching, then winced when I felt a pinching in my leg.

"What happ- what's wrong with me?"

"You broke your leg."

I squirmed to look over to the man who said that. I grimaced when I saw he was a doctor.

"My leg...?"

"You suffered a clean fracture in your lower left tibia. You came quite close to permanently damaging your tarsals, but thankfully you have nothing more than excessive bruising."

I what? I broke my leg? But... I couldn't have.

"I... I can barely feel anything."

"We put you on pain medications before we started operating," The doctor removed his glasses, running a hand over his tired face. "You are extremely lucky your friend was smart enough not to attempt setting the bone when she fashioned your tourniquet. Keep that in mind the next time you jump from the top of a tree."

"I didn't jump," I grumbled sourly. I looked up at Dad with hopeful eyes. "Wait, will I still be able to play soccer?"

"It doesn't look like it, kiddo. At least, not until you've fully healed. Which, could be for a long time."

My hope crumbled. I slouched back into my bed, feeling all the life sucked out of me.

"Great."

"You should have known better," Mom groused. "You really scared us, Rainbow Dash!"

Guilt washing over me, I turned away. "I'm sorry. I was just messing around."

After a few moments of silence, the doctor cleared his throat. "Alright, let's give her some space now. We still have a couple more tests to run to make sure she didn't receive a concussion."

I whimpered slightly when my parents shuffled out the door. I silently begged them to come back, for them to stay with me, even though I didn't deserve it.

As I watched them go, my eyes shifted slightly downwards to the steel trash bin by the door. I squinted. A few dirty sticks stuck out of it, with velvety blue strands all ripped and bloody wrapped around them.

With a lump of ice in my stomach, I squeezed my eyes shut, knowing full well where they came from.