I've gotten used to hospitals. The smell of disinfectant around every corner, the constant nagging of the nurses.

"Do you need anything?" The nurse asks for the bazillianth time. I just smile at her.

"No I'm good." You could go away!

I didn't say that last part. Though I'm pretty sure she heard it anyway. She nods, smiling, and walks away.

This room is like all others. Bed by window, curtain separating Silver and I from the other pony in the bed. Little tray that can roll around, nightstand, EKG, me in the guest chair, flowers in the window. Those are from me, courtesy of Mr. Tangled Wires.

I sigh and look over at the unconscious Mr. Love me, love me not. Hey, I got flowers. Mabey I could turn to picking pedals.

The nurse walks in again. The one I'm about to throat punch.

"Ms. Reigns?" She asks looking at me.

"Yes?" I reply, getting up from my chair.

"I'm afraid visiting hours are over." She says, beckoning me over.

"He's unconscious, so technically I didn't visit at all." I snap back. She flinches, but hides it. She actually puffs out her chest a bit, like a defensive stallion.

"Well, you still have to leave. We're vacating all visiting ponies." She tells me.

'vacating'? Because you can't say kicking out.

I sigh, knowing I have to leave. I walk over to Silver and kiss him on his horn. Then walk away.

"Thank you." She says.

Your lucky I still don't punch you.

I still didn't say that.

Back at the lab, I look over the remains again. Looking at the skull and pelvis, I conclude it's female. I'm also taking note of where and on what I find the scavenger marks. So far, the most marks have been on the back femur. As if something was knawing on it before it at buried.

So far, the only culprit is a wild dog. Or maybe that mutt Applejack has.

The only evidence I have of it being a dog, is the fact that the remains were buried. All of them.

I got lucky.

Knock

Knock

"Come in!" I shout, looking over to the door to see who it is. Walking in with a mail cap on is a gray Pegasus. Cross-eyed and bubbles for Cutie Mark.

"Package for... Dr. Andrea Reigns?" She asks, cocking her head.

"It's: an-DRAY-uh." I tell her, walking over. "But thanks you, miss..."

"Ditsy Doo!" She almost shouts with a huge smile.

"Ditsy." I can't help giggling. I grab the small manilla envelope and thank her. She leaves and I walk over to the counter, placing the manila down.

Opening it, I pull out a packet I suspect is identity of the Jane Doe on the table. Secondly I pull out a lined piece of paper. It's a letter.

Dear Andreah,

Your back! Welcome back! I'm looking forward to working with you again! You were missed!

And regarding the flowers, I never sent any. I wasn't aware you were back until I received the request for an I.D.

Love,

Tangled Wires

I set the letter down. If he didn't send the flowers, who did? And why under his name?

To this I have no answer.

Setting aside the letter, I pick up the packet.

Thicker than it should be. Normally it's one paper.

Looking at the front, I read the name.

Name: Murky Sky
Sex: Female
Age:25

Description: Blue mane, blue coat, green eyes.

Cutie Mark: Gray clouds

Learning nothing that could benefit be here, I flip to the second page.

Offense: Misdemeanor Theft.

Description: On the night of 5/09/XXXX, Ponyville police received a phone call claiming stolen property. When officers arrived, Murky Sky was found fleeing the scene. Found on her person was six stolen 'Songbird Serenade' CDs, adding up to a total of 96 bits. 40.5 community service hours where sentenced and served.

Growling, hoping the rest of the ten page packet isn't just Misdemeanors, I flip through it.

"Hmm... Misdemeanor theft again; attempted assault; assault and battery; oooh here we go, felony theft!" I giggle to myself until I hit a dreadful charge.

Offense: Possession of illicit drugs.

Description: On 11/26/XXXX Ponyville police received a call claiming that four ponies were using illicit drugs in the apartment across from them. Ponyville police arrive and speak with the caller.
"I know their using the drugs because they were up all night yelling about it. Something called Oxycodone." The owner told the officers. They then proceeded to knock on the door of the suspected drug users. Responding to the door was Murky Sky. (See back of page for transcript) Once invited in, the officers managed to find traces of oxycodone on the kitchen counter. Murky Sky was arrested on a possession charge. As well as the other two in the apartment. Lucky Strike and Postal Card. All three were sentenced to 12 years in prison. They will be released on 5/02/XXXX.

"They were released two months ago." I tell myself. The gears in my head turning, I trot back over to the remains.

Putting on hoof gloves, I lift the skull.

"Hmm. The Forum Magnum is clear with no evidenceof anything. Not even scavengers. There is a-"

"You need somepony to talk to?" A voice cuts me off. I turn to the door.

"Agent Qwick." I say. He gives me a flirtatious smile.

"I heard you were back in town. Thought I'd say hello." He tells me. Walking over her puts on hoof gloves. Placing his forehooves on the table, he looks over the remains.

"Well, one thing is definitive." He says.

"What's that?" I ask. I shouldn't have.

"This pony is dead." He says looking up and half smirking. I roll my eyes.

"This one's name is Murky Sky. Though COD is inconclusive, I'm suspecting drug overdose. Sometime between a month to two months ago." I say. He nods.

"Substantial amount of scavenging. The bones are marred up quite a bit."

My turn to nod.

"She had to have died in the woods. A death in a house wouldn't let birds or dogs get her."

"Unless she was dragged and dumped. For money or drugs, ponies will go to extremes." He tells me. I sigh. Then my phone rang.

I trot over to the desk and lift the hoofset with my wing.

"Hello, RCIS Hippologist Andreah Reigns speaking." I say.

"Hello, Miss Reigns. Silver Colt is awake and requesting you."

Author's Note

Is this getting dry? I hope not. I love writing these.