The Dreamwalker

I woke up in bed- my bed. I opened my eyes, and knew exactly where I was: home. How this was possible, I didn't know. I clearly remembered Starlight, and it still felt real. She still felt real.

Could it really have been a dream? I asked myself.

I don't think so. Toned that all-too familiar voice of a certain pink pony. I looked around, but quickly realized I wasn't going to find her. She had swapped places with me, and now she was the one without a body.

You're here too? I asked.

Looks like it, but how does this make sense? She returned.

I don't have the slightest clue, but since you're here, welcome to Pennsylvania. What do you think?

I think I know how you felt when you woke up in my bed.

But not in the way one would think. I prodded.

Wow. I hadn't even though of it like that.

Obviously.

Shut up.

You said it, not me.

That's not what I meant!

I know. I'm just trying to be funny.

You're not giving me a very good first-impression of this pencil-vana place.

It's Pennsylvania, and I'll stop now.

I flipped the covers down, again being sure to leave them cut on the forty-five, and tossed my legs over the side of the bed. I wore nothing but a pair of shorts, not having been expecting company. I walked over to my closet, and grabbed a shirt to toss on quickly, before turning my attention to the alarm clock. The buzzer had just started to chime, indicating that my trip to Equestria had only lasted around eight hours.

How long does the average day last in Equestria? I asked.

The day is the standard twenty-four hours, but we only get sunlight for around sixteen. She stated.

It's the same way here, so how is it possible that eight hours passed here, but twice that went by in your world?

She hesitated, thinking my question over.

I don't know. My guess is that it has something to do with time-relativity.

That could make sense. We should look into that later.

What should we do for now? Starlight wondered.

I'm planning on finding ways to pass the time until sundown, because I don't intend to fall asleep after I just woke up.

So I'm marooned here for the next few hours? She prodded.

At least you're not alone. Is there a problem with being here?

I just don't like not knowing how to get home.

I probably just need to go back to sleep.

But you don't know that, and that's what scares me.

I wasn't sure what brought on the sudden change in mood, but I figured I should just leave her to think for a little while. When she was ready to talk, I would see if I could be there for her. The problem was, I didn't know how to comfort a human, let alone a pony.

I walked to the door, and reached to twist the knob. Just as I began to turn the metal, I felt a sharp pain in my wrist. It was tolerable, but only just. I had forgotten that my wrist was injured- probably sprained. Enduring it wouldn't be fun, but I would live.

Oww! What was that? Starlight blurted, referring to the searing pain we had just felt.

I took a fall yesterday. Sprained my wrist pretty bad, but I'll manage.

Your wrist? I had forgotten that she had hooves, and was unfamiliar with human anatomy.

This thing. I used my left index finger to point to my right wrist.

You mean you have a sprain, and you're just going to push through it?

If I have to.

I wish I could get you to Equestria. I have a few spells that might help.

If the opportunity presents itself, I might just have to take you up on that offer.

Duly noted.

I wasn't entirely sure what I would do today. Maybe I could show Starlight my mountaintop retreat? I went down the stairs, and into the garage, putting my shoes in as I went. I hit the opener, and squeezed past the two cars in the garage, and picked my bike up. When I had tossed my leg over the seat, the door had reached it's apex. I rolled just past the now-open metal door, and punched the 'enter' button on the exterior keypad, which caused the door the begin sliding back to the ground, resealing the garage from the rest of the world.

Hey, Starlight? How would you feel about taking a trip to a mountain summit? The view there is gorgeous.

Do I have a choice? She muttered.

We don't have to go there, if you don't want to. There's other places I can go.

No, the summit is fine. She let out a mental sigh, still worked up over her previous breakdown.

I'll make sure you get home. Don't worry. I assured her. When she responded with nothing but silence, I took it as my queue to pedal.

The ride was tiring and painful, but I had finally managed to reach the railroad. I rode along it, past the abandoned boxcars, and found my turn-off. I made a left onto a slightly overgrown hiking trail, which hadn't been used for it's intended purpose in years. This took me straight to the summit. Along the way were some old signs, mostly unreadable. There was one metal sheet on a pole that was still semi-legible: 'SENIC OVERLOOK AHEAD,' it read in white text.

Just as promised, another two minutes past the sign, and I could see the entirety of York County again. While I was used to the sight, Starlight was completely enthralled.

What do you think? I queried.

It's captivating. What're the buildings off in the distance?

That would be York City. It's not very impressive up close, but from here it looks neat.

What's wrong with it?

It's just not the best place to be. It looks like it's falling apart, and the people living there aren't much better.

Why?

Because humans are slowly loosing their humanity. People are forgetting what kindness and friendship is. Nobody knows how to be nice anymore.

Then why aren't you like the rest of them?

I've never been like the rest, nor have I ever wanted to. I live by my rules, not theirs.

That sounds lonely.

It couldn't have been any worse than what you went through.

I must have struck a sensitive topic, because her response was silence. Fortunately, her silence was timed just right for me to hear something in the woods. I tensed up, and slowly turned my head. I was greeted by two hungry eyes, staring right back through the brush. I was no nature expert, but I knew what I saw: a lone wolf.

Usually a single wolf wouldn't be willing to take on a human, but wolves never traveled alone. I took my time standing up, avoiding sudden movements. I spun my body to face the woods, and scanned through the trees. I could see at least six, but I could hear more moving, somewhere beyond my vision. There could have been a whole dozen of them, total.

I ran through my options. My bike was too far away, meaning escape wasn't a possibility. There were too many of them to fight. My back was to the cliff, with a drop that would likely be fatal. In a standard situation, there is always a fight-or-flight response. When neither of those are an option, you freeze up. That was what I did now. I tried to think of anything I could do, and I remembered something I might be able to use.

Starlight!

We're trapped here, aren't we? She mused.

Not entirely. You remember that Book Of Dreams?

Yeah, why?

One of the sections in that book explained dimensional travel. I don't remember it word-for-word, but it said something about possibly being able to bring things with you when you jumped dimensions. I need you to see if you can do that, and take me with you.

What?! That's you're plan?! I don't know how to do that!

I trust that you'll be able to figure it out. You're smart.

That's very reassuring. I can't possibly fail now! She remarked.

You have to at least try.

And if I can't do it?

Let's not think about that right now. I have more pressing matters.

The wolves had begun to advance. I backed to the very edge of the cliff face, and stood my ground there. They had clearly anticipated easy prey, but I showed them no fear. Inside I was terrified, but I couldn't let them see that. Upon realizing that I didn't plan to go down without a fight, they halted with about five feet to spare, forming a rough semi-circle.

Any day now. I pushed, anxiety taking over my voice.

I'm trying!

After a minute-long standoff, one wolf wound back, preparing to pounce. When it lunged at me, it hadn't taken the cliffside into account. I felt my shirt being torn, a sharp pain my shoulder, and the ground disappear beneath my feet as the force sent us both tumbling over the edge. I braced myself for the impact from the ground that rushed up to meet me, and everything went dark.