The Town That Feared Nightfall

Suddenly all the fear and unsettled feelings that Rosey had felt intensified. Bubble Rain’s words echoed inside her like a bell chiming far off into the distance. Poisoned? Murdered? Rosey could never had imagined that those words would be possible answers to her suspension. Reacting as if she had took a blow to her chest Rosey took a step back. She couldn’t believe this nor did she want to even consider it. But the look in Bubble Rain’s eyes told her that she was not lying. There was just no way to fake the grief in her eyes unless she was a cold hearted predator.

“H-How can you be sure?” Rosey asked, her voice stuttering as she took another step back.

“I have a very keen nose, sweetie,” returned Bubble Rain. She had expected the red mare’s reaction, it was exactly the one she hoped for.

“You have an sweater over your nose!” Rosey said in a loud outburst.

“Yes, but I can still smell” Bubble Rain responded, her voice sounded like she had took an insult. “I’ve also worked with poison before, believe it or not. But I need the food itself to prove my theory” Bubble Rain turned back to the iron bed where Fritter Belle laid. Then she said, quite calmly, “Rosey. I want to ask a favor from you”.

“What is is it?” Rosey asked. The room felt like it should had iced over by how much she was shivering now. What was the purpose of keeping this room so cold? Did Bubble Rain just prefer the cold? Could she have that rare disease where you’re allergic to the sun? If so could it explain why she wears that sweater at all times?

Bubble Rain spoke, saying “I need you to go to Fritter Belle’s house”.

Rosey had expected that answer and the green mare saw her uncertainty. “I couldn’t possibly...” Rosey mumbled, her senses became jumbled and she was unsure how to progress what she had just heard. “What would the others say if they catch me?”

“Don’t tell them anything” replied Bubble Rain. She knew that her request was one that should never befall a stranger but she needed to see how the red mare receive take it. Trusting a stranger to investigate a crime scene, she wasn’t stupid. Bubble Rain knew that the red mare before her is a prime suspect. But the grieve in her eyes was enough to risk giving her the task. “I don’t want them to feel worse than they already are” Bubble Rain took a step forward as she spoke, “Not until I can prove my theory. Rosey. You are the only pony that---”

“What about Speedy?” Rosey had interrupted loudly, she almost screamed it. “Or Axl? Silver? Pinkie Pie! Why me?” Bubble Rain had motioned to answer but just then Rosey gave a mighty “No!” as she bolted backwards. She stumbled, crashing down with a loud metal thud. She had, in her sudden gallop, rammed head first into an iron laundry hamper that had rolled back and toppled over.

The next few seconds were filled with the type of pain that rivaled that of a toothache. Bubble Rain had helped Rosey stand, guiding her towards a tiny brown desk that the red mare was propped on.

“Keep that cotton swab pressed on the wound” Bubble Rain had told her, having just applied alcohol. “Your mane should hide the bandages. You’re lucky that hamper was padded”.

“I’m sorry..” Rosey sighed, flinching as she pressed down as instructed. “It’s just...”

“I know” Bubble Rain interrupted, sharing the sigh with her red patient. “It was too big to ask. But when I saw your eyes I could tell, I knew you weren’t lying”. Bubble Rain took the left over bandages and swabs, stuffing them back into a black saddlebag that she had pulled from the brown desk.

“Is that why you wanted me to promise not to tell anypony else?” Rosey asked, watching as the green mare stood up from the floor.

Bubble Rain remained silent. She stared off across the room before she moved back towards to the iron bed where Fritter Belle laid. Bubble Rain placed a hoof over her deceased friend’s head, stroking the mane behind her ears. Then she finally spoke, saying “Fritter Belle spoke fondly of you. Like you were an old friend”.

Rosey glanced over at the green mare. She saw part of Fritter Belle’s face. She looked peaceful, almost enjoying the friendly mane stroke. But she was dead. She couldn’t be enjoying it yet there was a smile on her face. Rosey found it unbearable to look, it made her feel more terrible yet she looked anyways.

“I know what you’re doing..” spoke Rosey. She glanced away with her eyes shut, her grip on the bandage tightened which felt like a hard pitch. Her limbs twitched as she bit down on her bottom lip. Then, with a mighty sigh that would had been otherwise unnecessary, she reluctantly said “I’ll do it..” Bubble Rain had turned around in a quick motion, she was surprised at the sudden change of heart. “But” Rosey had said, interrupting the green mare. “If I get caught, I’m going to buck you so hard”.

“And I very much will accept that!” replied Bubble Rain who then took a drawn out sigh. “I know this isn’t something that I should ask of you, but if my suspicion is correct..”

“If it’s not, I’m going to buck you anyways” Rosey replied, almost growling.

Bubble Rain nodded, bowing to the red mare who had jumped down to her four hooves. “If anypony were to catch you” Bubble Rain spoke, helping Rosey who had slipped on the floor upon landing. “Just tell them that I asked you to fetch something of Fritter Belle’s to dress her in”.

Rosey thought on her available options but found that her mind was very blank. She was being asked to go into the home of a pony that might had been murdered. What if she was caught? Was if she gets framed? What if she’s next or what if Bubble Rain’s theory was wrong? Rosey was greatly found of mysteries but should she actually do this?

The red mare gave a quick nod, shoving the green mare as she took a couple steps forward. Then she stopped. Staring at the empty door frame she pondered before she turned at Fritter Belle’s lifeless body. “...You really think she was...murdered?” Rosey asked, her heart very heavy at that moment.

Bubble Rain shared the same watery eyes as she placed a hoof atop of Rosey’s shoulder. “We won’t know for certain until we look at that option” she spoke, moving her hoof to hold up the red mare’s chin. “Pray to the princesses that I’m wrong, but if I’m not...”

“Luna I hope you’re wrong, too” Rosey replied, exhaling. She broke away and began trotting for the doorless hallway. “So, where’s her house, then?” Rosey knew that was a pointless question so why did she even ask it? She didn’t even wait for an answer, only having heard half of Bubble Rain’s reply as she trotted through the hallway and made her way around the waiting room and back outside.