Author's Note

Okay, I couldn't really wait much longer for this chapter to come out, so here it is! I also am introducing a new favorite character in Script's backstory.

Day 4: Progress

The next day, I woke up feeling a bit better. The journaling had helped me process some of my emotions, and I was starting to feel a bit more in control of my anxiety.

I continued with my day-to-day activities at the psychiatric facility, attending therapy sessions and group support meetings. Over time, I found myself opening up more to my peers and my therapist, slowly allowing myself to be vulnerable about my past. I started journaling more, using it as a safe space to process my emotions and unpack the trauma that I had been holding onto for so long.

I sat at my desk after the SASS group, writing in my journal when I heard a knock at my door. I looked up from my journal, surprised by the sudden knock.

"Come in," I called out, setting my pen down. The door opened and I found Nurse Tender Heart standing in the doorway.

“Script, you have a visitor,” she said. “Should I let them in?”

I looked up from my journal, taken aback. "A visitor?" I asked, my anxiety flaring up again. "Who is it?"

Nurse Tender Heart smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, Script. It's your sister, Portrait." she said.

I blinked in surprise, my heart skipping a beat. Portrait? Here? I hadn't seen my sister since... well, not since everything happened. I hesitated for a moment, my anxiety warring with my desire to see her.

"Um, sure, you can let her in," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. Nurse Tender Heart nodded and stepped out of the way, allowing Portrait to enter the room.

Portrait stepped into the room, her eyes immediately finding mine. She looked just as I remembered her - a dark orange coat with a light blue and purple mane and tail, her cutie mark a silhouette pony with a paint stroke and brush. She was a bit taller than me, and her eyes held a warmth that I had always found comforting.

"Hey, Script," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so glad I could see you."

I stood up from my desk, my heart pounding in my chest. Portrait closed the distance between us, her eyes scanning me from head to hoof. I could see the concern and worry etched into her face.

"You look... you look like you've been through Tartarus, Script," she said, her voice heavy with emotion.

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat. "Yeah, I have," I managed to choke out.

Portrait stepped closer, her hooves gently grasping my shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Script. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me most. I should have been there to protect you, to keep you safe." Her voice broke, and I could see the tears welling up in her eyes.

I shook my head, my own tears threatening to spill over. "You... you're not mad at me...?" I whimper.

Portrait shook her head, her grip on my shoulders tightening slightly. "Mad at you? No, Script, never. I could never be mad at you. You're my little sister, and I love you more than anything in this world." She pulled me into a tight embrace, her warmth enveloping me like a blanket.

I melted into her arms, my tears finally spilling over as I clung to her desperately. "I thought... I thought you would hate me after..."

Portrait held me tightly as I cried, her own tears dampening my mane. "Oh, Script, no. Never. I could never hate you, you’re my sister." she murmured, stroking my back soothingly. "I'm just so sorry I wasn't there for you. I should have protected you better." I clung to her, my sobs wracking my body as the pent-up pain and guilt poured out of me.

I cried for what felt like an eternity, my body shaking with the force of my sobs. Eventually, my tears began to subside, and I pulled back slightly, wiping my eyes with the back of my hoof. Portrait looked at me with such love and concern, her own face streaked with tears.

"I'm sorry, Portrait," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I'm so sorry for everything."

Portrait shook her head, gently wiping away a stray tear on my cheek. "Shh, it's okay. You don't need to apologize, Script. None of this is your fault. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, always. No matter what happens, you can always come to me, and I will always be on your side. I love you, and that will never change."

I nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "I love you too, Portrait," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "More than anything."

Portrait smiled back, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I know, Script. I know." She pulled me back into a hug, holding me close as I buried my face in her mane. "There is a question I've been wanting to ask you though, Script."

I looked up at Portrait, my brow furrowing in curiosity. "What is it?" I asked softly, my voice still slightly hoarse from crying.

Portrait hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the floor before meeting mine again. "I... I was wondering..." she started, her voice wavering slightly. Portrait took a deep breath, seeming to steel herself before continuing. "I was wondering if... if you would be willing to talk to me about what happened. I know it's probably hard for you to discuss, and I completely understand if you're not ready or don't want to. But I... I just want to understand, if you're willing to share. I want to be there for you, in whatever way you need."

I looked at Portrait, her eyes searching mine, waiting for my response. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "I... I don't know, Portrait," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's... it's hard to talk about. I've never told anypony the whole story, not even the doctors here."

Portrait nodded, her expression softening. "I understand, Script."

"But I think... I think maybe it would help to talk to you about it," I continued, my voice trembling slightly. "You're my sister, and I trust you. And I... I want you to understand, I guess. What I've been through, what I'm going through."

Portrait's eyes shone with a mixture of relief and gratitude. "I'm so glad, Script," she murmured, gently squeezing my hoof.

"I know it won't be easy, but I'm here for you. Whenever you're ready, I'll listen."

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "Okay," I said softly, my voice quavering slightly. "I... I can try to talk about it. But I... I don't know where to start."

Portrait gently led me to my bed, and we both sat down. She turned to face me, her eyes warm and encouraging.

"Take your time, Script. There's no rush. Just start with whatever feels right to you."

I closed my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. "It... it started about a few months ago," I began, my words quavering. "I was walking home from a night out. I decided to take the shortcut to get home faster since it was so late.”

Portrait let out a gasp. "Oh, Script," she whispered, her eyes wide with concern. "Why did you go that way? You know it's not safe."

I opened my eyes, meeting her gaze. "I know, I know. I was just in a hurry, and I thought no one would be out at that hour, but I was wrong." I paused, taking a deep breath. "I saw somepony lurking in the shadows. I tried to run, but he was too fast."

Portrait's eyes grew wide, and she grabbed my hoof tightly, her body shaking slightly. "Oh, no, no, no. That's awful, Script." Her words wavered, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I can't imagine what you went through. I'm so sorry this happened to you."

I felt the tears threaten to spill down my face once again, but I pushed through. "It... it's okay, Portrait." I took another deep breath, my voice steady despite the lump in my throat. "He dragged me into an alley. He was... he was rough. He hurt me, Portrait. Badly. I don't remember much after that, just waking up the next morning surrounded by so much body fluids..."

Portrait listened intently, her expression a mix of horror and sympathy. "I can't even imagine the terror and pain you must have felt, Script. I'm so sorry that happened to you." She squeezed my hoof tighter, offering what comfort she could. "I wish I had been there to protect you, to stop him somehow. I feel like I failed you as your big sister."

I shook my head, a sad smile on my face. "You didn't fail me, Portrait. You couldn't have known, and I never told you about the shortcut I was taking. Don't blame yourself for something that's not your fault."

Portrait nodded, but the guilt was still evident in her eyes. "I still should have been there for you, somehow. I can't bear the thought of you going through that alone." She paused, her brow furrowing. "What happened after you woke up? How did you end up here?"

I looked at the floor, my ears dropping back slightly. "Well, after waking up, I was in a lot of pain and shock," I explained, my voice trembling. "I barely remembered what had happened, and my body was... was covered in bruises and blood. I was shaking, terrified, and completely lost. I didn't know what to do." Portrait listened intently, her expression a mixture of horror and sympathy. Tears welled up in her eyes as she imagined the scene.

"I somehow made it home." I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone what had happened. I was too ashamed, too terrified. I just wanted to forget it all, to pretend it never happened." Portrait's eyes shone with unshed tears as she listened, her heart aching for her sister's pain. "I withdrew from everyone and everything. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. I was a mess, both physically and emotionally."

I took a deep breath, my voice quavering as I continued. "I was suffering in silence... it was... it was a few months later that I... that I tried to end it all. I couldn't take the pain anymore, the shame, the fear. I thought it would be easier to just... to just not exist anymore."

Portrait's face contorted in shock and horror, her body tensing as she processed my words. "Oh, Script," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

I let out a gulp, remembering my demon, Angel of Darkness.

"Hey, sis?" I asked.

Portrait's gaze met mine, her face reflecting a complex emotional state - horror, sympathy, and a deep-seated desire to understand. "Yes, Script? I'm here, I'm listening." She gently squeezed my hoof, her touch a comforting anchor in the storm of my memories. "What is it you want to ask?"

I took a shaky breath, steeling myself to voice the question that had been burning in my mind. "Do you..."

"Do I what, Script? I promise, you can tell me anything. No matter what you ask or how heavy it might be, I'm here to listen without judgment." Portrait's eyes held unwavering compassion, silently reassuring me of her unwavering support and understanding.

I gulped again, my hooves trembling slightly. The words were stuck in my throat, a weighty combination of shame and curiosity. Finally, I took the plunge. "Do you think… I'm crazy...?" Portrait looked at me with confusion and concern, silently urging me to go on. "There's... something I haven't told anypony, not even Lily..."

Portrait's eyes widened in surprise, and she leaned forward, her gaze intense. "Crazy? No, of course not, Script. I could never think that about you." She paused, her expression softening. "What makes you think that? Has somepony said something to you?"

I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "No, nopony has said anything. It's just..." I trailed off, my mind drifting back to the dark times. "It's just that sometimes, I see things," I admit, my voice barely audible. "Things that aren't there. A dark figure, like a shadow. It follows me, watches me. I call it... the Angel of Darkness."

Portrait's eyes widen, but she doesn't pull away. She leans in closer, her voice soft and steady. "Script, I've heard about these kinds of things before."

Portrait listened intently, her eyes fixed on my face as I revealed this deeply personal piece of information. She leaned forward slightly, her expression a mixture of curiosity, concern, and a fierce desire to understand and support me. "I'm so glad you trust me enough to share this, Script. It takes a lot of courage to open up about things like this," Portrait said softly. She gently stroked the back of my hoof with hers, her touch warm and reassuring.

I nodded, looking down at our hooves. "It's hard to talk about, but I think it's making things worse. I don't know if it's real or not, but it's there, all the time. It's why I tried to... you know." I gestured vaguely with my hoof.

Portrait's expression turned determined. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, Script. Together."

She gently squeezed my hoof, her touch a comforting anchor in the storm of my memories. I let out a shuddering breath, feeling a weight lift off my chest. "Thank you, Portrait. I... I don't know what I would do without you." My voice cracked with emotion, and I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over.

Portrait's eyes softened as she looked at me, and she reached out to gently touch my cheek, wiping away a stray tear. "You don't have to do this alone, Script. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you're dealing with, whatever this Angel of Darkness is, we'll face it together." Her voice was firm with resolve, but I could hear the underlying tenderness.

I nodded, leaning into her touch for a moment before pulling back. "Thank you, Portrait. I... I don't know what I would do without you." My voice cracked with emotion, and I blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. Portrait's eyes softened as she looked at me.

"You don't have to do this alone, Script. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

"But Portrait," I say, my voice trembling slightly, "what if it's not just in my head? What if the Angel of Darkness is real? What if it's... controlling me?" I look down at my hooves, my heart pounding in my chest. "I've been feeling so out of control lately. Like I'm not even myself anymore."

Portrait's expression turns serious, her eyes filled with determination. She leans in closer, her voice low and intense. "Script, listen to me. Whatever this Angel of Darkness is, real or not, you are in control of your life. You have the strength within you to overcome this, and I will be right there beside you every step of the way." She gently takes both of my hooves in hers, her grip warm and reassuring.

"Together, we'll find the truth of this Angel and understand what it really means for your life." She pauses for a moment, studying my face with a piercing intensity. "I know it seems overwhelming, but I believe in your strength and resilience. You've overcome so much already, and now, we can face this challenge together. Can you try to trust me, Script?" Portrait's face reveals a quiet firmness that contradicts its softness as she waits for my response.

I look into Portrait's eyes, seeing the unwavering support and belief in me. I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts in my head. "I... I want to trust you, Portrait. I do. But it's so hard sometimes, you know? To believe that I'm not crazy, that this isn't all in my head." I gesture vaguely to my temple, my hoof trembling slightly.

Portrait nods, her face softening as she listens to my words. "I know it's difficult, Script. But I need you to believe me when I say this: you are not crazy. Whatever you're experiencing, it's real to you, and that's what matters." She gently squeezes my hooves, her touch warm and reassuring. "We'll work through this together, step by step. I won't let anything happen to you, okay?"

I nod slowly, feeling a small measure of comfort in Portrait's words. "Okay, Portrait. I... I'll try. For you."

Portrait's face lights up with a warm smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's all I ask, Script. Just try, one day at a time. I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

She leans in and gently kisses my forehead, her lips soft and reassuring against my skin. I close my eyes for a moment, savoring the feeling of her closeness and the comfort of her presence.

"I have to go now," Portrait says reluctantly.

"I understand," I say softly, reluctantly pulling away from Portrait's comforting embrace. "Thank you for coming, Portrait. I... I don't know what I would do without you." I look down at our still-joined hooves, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I know it's not much, but... thank you for being here for me. For believing in me, even when I can't believe in myself."

Portrait smiles warmly, giving my hoof a gentle squeeze before releasing it. "That's what sisters are for, Script. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. Remember that, okay?" She stands up, smoothing out her coat and adjusting her mane. "I'll be back soon. And in the meantime, I want you to keep writing in your journal, okay?"

I nod, looking over toward my journal on the desk. "I will, Portrait. It helps, you know? To write it all down."

Portrait smiles, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good. That's good, Script. Writing can be a powerful tool for healing. Now, I want you to promise me something." She leans down, her voice dropping to a soft whisper.

"Promise me that you'll keep writing, even when it's hard. Even when it hurts. Because it's through that pain that you'll find your strength again. Can you promise me that, Script?"

I look up at her, tears in my eyes, and nod. "I promise, Portrait. I'll keep writing. Even when it's hard."

She smiles, her eyes filled with pride and love. "That's my girl. Now, I have one more thing to ask of you." She pauses, her expression turning serious again. "I want you to try and talk to the doctor here. They're here to help, Script. They have experience with things like this, and they might be able to provide some tools or techniques that can help you cope."

I look up at her, a small spark of hope kindling in the midst of the fear and confusion swirling inside me. "I... I'll think about it, Portrait. I know you're right, but..." I trail off, unable to finish the sentence.

Portrait's face relaxes, and she gently pats my shoulder. "That's all I ask for now, Script. Just consider it, okay? You don't have to do anything right away." She pauses for a moment, studying my face with a piercing intensity. "I know it seems overwhelming, but I believe in your strength and resilience. You've overcome so much already, and now, we can face this challenge together. Can you try to trust me, Script?"

I look into Portrait's eyes, seeing the unwavering support and belief in me. I take a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts in my head. "Okay..." I say softly.

Portrait leans in for one last hug before saying goodbye, her warm presence comforting me. As she walks out of the room, I feel a sudden chill in her absence. I pick up my journal, the pen still clutched in my hoof, and I start to write. The words flow slowly at first, then more quickly as I pour out my feelings onto the paper.