“Your name is Posey, correct?”
“Yes?”
“You’re file says that you have high amounts of paranoia?”
“Correct.”
“Let me ask, do you have hallucinations?”
“Yes.”
“What of?”
“Him.”
“Who?”
“The stallion.”
“Which stallion?”
“The one in the suit.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Yes.”
…
“Will you describe him for me?”
“He’s… tall. Very tall… taller then Celestia.”
“And?”
“He… wears a suit… a black tuxedo.”
“Can you describe his face?”
“His face is hidden… he has no face…”
“What do you mean ‘He has no face’?”
“He knows we’re talking about him.”
“Excuse me?”
“He’ll come again. As soon as I leave the office, he’ll come for me again.”
“Miss, you have nothing to be afraid-”
“He’s already here.”
“Excuse me?”
“He holds me now… I can’t stop him.”
“What-”
“I’m sorry doctor.”
“Miss Posey, what are you-!”
Screaming followed. Screams of pain.
________________________________________________________________________________
The tape ended there.
Fluttershine’s father popped the tape out of the recorder and put it in a small bag. He stood up and proceeded to the door.
“Daddy,” Fluttershine asked, “where is Mommy?”
“Mommy… is gone for a while…” he replied, “She’ll be home soon.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m… going out for a little bit.” He looked sad for a moment, but smiled at his daughter, “I’ll be back by tomorrow morning, okay?”
“Okay Daddy.” The filly hugged her father, then rushed off to bed.
‘I’m so sorry Fluttershine.’ He thought as he walked out the door…
_______________________________________________________________________________
“Fluttershy?” Twilight’s voice woke me from my thoughts.
“Oh, um, yes, Twilight?”
“What was that?”
“What?”
“You just kind of… looked off into space and didn’t say anything.”
“Oh, umm, sorry, I just, uh, I started thinking too hard. If- if that’s okay with you.”
“Riiiiiight. Anyway, what do you think about this resteraunt?”
“Oh, uh, well, I think it’s, umm, very pretty.”
“Me too! By the style of architecture, I’d say that the owner is from Canterlot!” Twilight proclaimed, happy with her knowledge.
‘I’m lucky to even have a sliver of happiness.’
“Your orders, please?” I turned to the waiter and fell out of my chair in shock. He has the suit!
“Fluttershy are you alright?”
“But…” I looked between Twilight and the waiter a few times, before I noticed he did indeed have a face. A face full of confusion. “Oh, um, sorry, um, you just, um, scared me a little.” ‘I’m glad I took those acting classes in school. Otherwise, I’d be sweating and have a very awkward smile.’ Rule fifteen of survival: make it appear that you are innocent and know nothing of HIM.
“Quite alright, miss. Your order?”
“Oh, um,” I looked down at the menu, “I would like the daisy sandwich with hard boiled eggs please.” The waiter wrote down my order, then glanced at Twilight.
“And you, miss?”
“The same, please.” Twilight responded. He nodded and wrote a small ‘two’ next to the first order, and proceeded directly to the kitchen.
“Fluttershy, are you sure you’re alright? That didn’t look like your usual ‘freak out’?” Twilight proclaimed.
“I’m fine.” I snapped. Then I realized my mistake.
I broke character.
‘Oh, crap, Fluttershy doesn’t SNAP at ponies!’
Twilight looked at me as if I were a different being.
“Sorry, Twilight, I’ve had some stress lately.”
“What happened?”
“It’s nothing. If I told you… you could… I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Are you sure? You can talk to me about anything.”
“Not this… you would be hurt more than me if I told you.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight inquired.
“Nothing. Can we just drop the subject, please?”
“Alright, I won’t press you. But if you need help, just ask me.” She smiled kindly.
I flakily smiled back.
“Your food.” The waiter set down a daisy sandwich with hard boiled eggs in front of each of us.
“Thank you, sir.” Twilight said. I simply nodded to him, smiling. But the suit still haunted me.
We ate our lunch quietly. I knew Twilight was pondering what was happening to me.
‘If she found out…’ I sighed mentally, ‘She could be killed or… changed…’
I shuddered at the thought.
‘Would I have the guts to make myself fight, or even KILL Twilight?’
“Twilight,” I said after we had finished our lunch, “I just want you to know, do not look into my… dilemma… it is dangerous.” I leaned across the table and set my hoof on her shoulder, “If anything ever happens to me, don’t try to figure out why, how, or what happened. Ever.” And with that, I flew into the sky, leaving her yelling questions to me.
I don’t care that I didn’t pay. I’m probably going to leave Ponyville soon.
‘I’ve grown too close to them. MUCH too close.’ I returned home.
‘I broke character, and she’ll try to find me when I’m gone. They all will.’
One night. One last night in my cabin. Then I’ll pack up and leave.
‘But where would I go? Definately not Everfree or Whitetail!’
Thinking about it, there were few towns or cities that are not either wooded, or highly populated. I only chose my grandmother’s house near Everfree because I was supposed to care for her animals after she went missing.
But I know she’s dead.
They’re all dead.
I’m the last one left in my family. And the plan? Survive and stop HIM at all costs.
As I opened the door to my house, I noticed a letter on the front door, nailed in.
‘As soon as I open it, he’ll be behind me.’ I opened the door, not bothering with the letter, and headed to the kitchen. I grabbed a sharp knife. I didn’t know if he was mortal, and I’ve never seen him attack a pony.
Might as well find out.
I returned to the door and retrieved the letter. I opened it and began to read:
Dear Fluttershy,
I have heard from a trusted source that you are… interested in the ‘Stallion of the Woods’. I would like to speak with you soon about your… interest. Meet me at Sugarcube Corner tomorrow morning.
Signed, a friend who knows how it feels.
Were there more ponies? Was there another who had felt this pain? Only one way to find out. I’d have to go to Sugarcube Corner tomorrow morning. I headed to my room upstairs after making sure the animals were fine, and lie in my bed looking at the ceiling, thinking of what I should do. ‘I AM leaving tomorrow, that is for sure. But to where…?’
