"Who's Out There?"

January 8th, Thursday
For the hundredth page in writing in this journal, I have decided to take this journal and show it to the Everfree Forest. I'm not sure what I could say other than the fact that it's completely hideous and menacing to look at. I already have everything check out: the orange light coming down, inventory's in check and my guardians are out of the town. It's really best if you take in the sights of the forest. It sort of brings a feeling of fear and curiosity. I'll explain that when I get there.

The breeze has begun to increase its waves, causing my mane flow with it. That's not the thing we're here for though. And like I said before, there's nothing to deduct about the Everfree Forest besides of its evergrowing features. I feel like it'll hit Ponyville soon in several years. I'm surprised a zebra lives there on her own! I know right, it's fascinating but come to think of it, it could be pretty lonely. Maybe I could visit her sometime and I could know more about the forest. Okay, enough chatting about occurrences that will probably never happen and let's take a step in the forest, shall we?

January 9th, Friday
I didn't have time to write what had happened in the forest... but it was terrifying. I was for sure I was going to get lost in there as I tried to escape. Uh, more on that later. I should have known something was dangerous in there. I couldn't even see who or what that was in the forest. Maybe I was seeing things; I did find some plants as I was venturing through a small gap that had lead to a clearing. Anyways, this thing almost appeared to be a part of the tree but it glared with neon-green eyes. It hung its head close to the coarse dirt and was crawling towards me. I need to know what or who this thing is.

I'm in the library right now, scratching away at some parchment for some notes and for this entry. I'm currently studying about this creature that I saw and thankfully, it is catalogued in some Biology book I found called Strange Encounters: Everfree. It's a pretty interesting book as I flick through the pages, trying to anything that could describe what I found. The creature is a Timberwolf. This thing would usually hunt in packs but I guess this one I found was a rogue or it recently lost its comrades or something, I don't know. At least I know what I'm dealing with: wooden-structured body, it can smell from miles away and it tends to ambush wandering ponies.

With the helpful information on-hoof, I trail back to the Everfree Forest as it nears dusk, the time I would usually be home. I'm thinking of how to lure these things out. I'm not quite sure how to do it yet but I can assure you that I will do it on my own... well, I might ask some ponies for help. Regardless, I have some experiments I would like to try: First, I need to know what it likes. In the field guide, it said that it liked meat but I had no clue what type. Would it have been pony, fish, beef? I don't know, but I'll find out soon.

The trap is now set and I shall wait for as long as it takes. I suppose I could pass the time by writing in this journal but what is there to write about? My boredom? No. My regretting for going outside in the cold? Maybe. The glowing night sky? I guess. But then, this would turn into a novel and I would have to rewrite everything into a story about my life. Huh, that actually doesn't sound half bad. I should do that soon.

My trap works! A group of Timberwolves sniffed their way out the forest and they gazed at the food I supplied. I was trembling though, hiding behind a translucent bush as the Timberwolves scavenged the lamb meat that I placed. Hopefully, I can bring a mountain of lamb to have enough time to sketch it. I mean, I have the Biology book I could use but I would like to draw it as it eats. It would be a rare sight.

January 10th, Saturday
I woke up late today but at least it's a weekend so it's all good. No one's here and I may have caught a cold while I was out but everything should be fine until I take note of any symptoms. I could use this to track it, I guess. But I'll probably treat it soon enough before I head into the forest again. I really want to find that lonely Timberwolf again and I hope nothing happens to me. I mean, I wouldn't be writing the next entry if I was dead right?

I'm here in the forest, just travelling through fallen branches and muddy swamps. It's a good thing I've got magic. This would be much harder if I couldn't write as I trekked through the dense forest. The smell was unique, a good type of unique and this isn't what your normal forest would be. I had my stuff at the ready: a small multi-tool that I could use to defend, small pieces of lamb to lure the Timberwolves away and extra aid kits I may use while I travel. I have some food as well but I doubt I'd be setting up a picnic while I'm in here.

I had to stop writing halfway through the previous passage. There's definitely something here watching me in the shadows. I'm being paranoid that it's a pack of Timberwolves after me. Maybe, they could smell the lamb I brought. Either way, I'm just sitting in a tree, writing about the experience. It's starting to smell strange now, it's disgusting. Raw meat mixing with bad breath and rotting teeth. Even the thought makes me shiver. I need to check my surroundings again. Wouldn't want anything to jump out now, would we?

I didn't even know that my heart could pump this quickly. A pack of Timberwolves chased me through the forest as soon as I climbed down the tree. I'm safe now, just outside the forest and near Sweet Apple Acres. I had no idea that I ran that far to make me end up in a different clearing. Unfortunately, my leg is bleeding from an accidental stab from the branches. It's fine but Apple Bloom decides to take me in and now I'm sitting in their barn alone in their dining room, writing. My leg is doing fine, I guess. It still hurts when I press on it but I think it's healing... I hope. This will probably be the end of today. I should get home soon. The sun is going down.

January 11th, Sunday
It's another wonderful day, a good day to venture into the Everfree Forest. From yesterday, part of me wanted her to come along but I fear that she could be a liability (she can handle herself sometimes but just to make sure) or she might get hurt. She has been in there a few times but I wouldn't want to be responsible for something I would not have planned (like injuries). Screw it. I'll tag her along someday, just not today. She's probably busy with the Crusaders anyway so...

So I gained the courage and I asked Apple Bloom to come with me. I thought the Crusaders would be with her but apparently, Sweetie Belle is in Manehattan and Scootaloo is with Rainbow Dash, pranking or something. Anyways, we're walking through the forest. She was very close behind me and I was just casually ambling, searching for any Timberwolves. She asks me why I'm looking for Timberwolves and I answer. She seems impressed but I don't think it's much. I just want to see them for myself. But then, she thinks it's really dangerous without any proper protection.

After complying, we ended when Apple Bloom wanted to stop and turn back. We were about to find the Timberwolves' habitat after we found some footprints but then she chickened out. I was mocking her for the behaviour and quickly regretted it as I try to dodge Apple Bloom's death stare. Maybe I should invite her again sometime. However, I managed to find some information about the zebra who lives in the forest. Her name is Zecora, a zebra who speaks wisely and in rhymes. So it should be fun talking to her soon... if I find her.