It is dark. Celestia's seatbelt is unbuckled. A student runs from behind the statue in front of the car. Luna swerves hard. There is a crash.

The equipment beeps and hisses in rhythm as it has for months now. Sunset takes a pause from reading to look over at the alabaster-skinned woman on the hospital bed... a woman she doesn't know, yet knows all too well... a woman who didn't deserve what Sunset was resposible for. Sunset's stomach knots even tighter and she digs her nails into the book. "I'm sorry, Celestia," she whispers. She dozes, near to tears.

A hand folds high around the bruises at Sunset's neck -- patient, domineering -- and she is paralyzed with fear.

"Yet again you return to keep watch over my dear sister," says the familiar, icy voice. "Good."

"Moon," Sunset says, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"I know," Nightmare Moon says. "Stay that way."

Author's Note

Written for April 2022 'five year anniversary special' guest prompt, "The Haunting".