Automatic Doors and Linoleum Floors
If she turned her back to the sun, her body would be a jet black outline; a moving form against the mountain ridge. And if someone squinted, they just might be able to see her form against the sun.
But she didn’t. It didn’t matter much to her anyways. Rainbow Dash was never one to have cared about the scenery. She landed gently in the parking lot and looked around her, feeling like an island in a blacktop ocean.
With an indifferent shrug, she trotted forwards, past the parking signs and onto the sidewalk. The courtyard was vast and empty, adorned only with a solitary fountain in the middle. Concrete benches lined the sides, worn down from time and weather. Not unlike herself, she reasoned.
The automatic doors opened with a low hiss, and Rainbow Dash shuddered as she entered the building.
From the speakers played a lonely love song, the singer’s voice floating over a chorus of drums and acoustic guitars. The words were muffled by the mall’s speakers, echoing down the empty halls. The words floated up and away, meandering down the corridors before disappearing completely through cracks under the doors.
Empty stores stood at attention on either sides of the corridor, the ponyqueins in the windows staring forwards eyelessly like they always had. Posters plastered all over the smudged glass advertised low prices, displaying their deals in bright, fun colors.
The translucent lights overhead reflected on the perfectly mopped tiles, bathing everything in an inviting white glow. Above the central foyer was a skylight, and stray beams of sunlight passed through the glass undettered.
Rainbow flapped her wings, and in a few beats she landed on the second floor. From her perch on the atrium, she could see a large, open space, with a few pop-up booths scattered around. Tables and chairs littered the area as well, offering rest to those who needed it.
The entire mall was still, except for the escalators moving up and down robotically. The music paused, followed by an indistinct public service announcement reminding shoppers that they could be saving more with a membership card.
She took it all in from the balcony, her eyes lazily sweeping the floor. Rainbow stood for a few seconds more, taking it all in, before hopping over the glass railing and gliding back down to the first floor.
She landed gracefully on the polished tiles. With another sigh, she set off in no particular direction, her eyes skimming over advertisements without taking in the words. Through the shop windows, a sea of perfectly organized clothes stared back at her.
Rainbow paused as her eyes came across a large poster mounted on the wall next to the bathrooms. It showed a mare and a stallion hugging each other, laughing, while two foals played in the foreground. She wondered for a second what the advertisement was for before deciding she didn’t care.
The next store sold furniture. It had sofas and beds that were supposed to be soft and comfy, but the employees would never let anyone sit or lie in them. The store after that was a discount store, touting off-brand knockoffs at low, low prices.
Eventually, Rainbow came across the mall’s food court. Most of the vendor stalls were closed; their iron security shutters drawn and their lights off. Their signs and digital menus were still illuminated, the neon almost hurting her eyes. But on the far right side was a light, and Rainbow could see a pony moving behind the counter.
Rainbow hesitated, her gaze flicking to the rows and rows of empty chairs and booths, before she took a deep breath and headed towards the stall. Behind the counter was a familiar face, wiping down the top with a towel in hoof. Applejack looked up and smiled. “Hey, you.”
“Hey,” Rainbow replied awkwardly.
“Didn’t think I’d see you so soon,” Applejack replied. “You doing alright?”
Rainbow shuffled on her hooves. “I’ve been better.”
Applejack let out a low hum. She walked around the counter to stand at Rainbow’s side, before gently guiding her to a nearby chair. “Come on. Sit down. Let’s talk for awhile.”
“Okay.” Rainbow let her friend guide her, although her eyes never left the shining tiles. The pegasus eased herself into the chair and finally looked up at Applejack. “I, uh…” she trailed off, dropping her eyes again.
Applejack sat patiently and attentively, watching her with that same veiled curiosity she had when they first met.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Rainbow finally said. Her eyes studied the polished table carefully. There wasn’t a single crumb or stain marring its surface, making it seem almost unnatural.
They sat in silence for a long time after that statement. Eventually, Rainbow finally mustered the courage to look up and meet Applejack’s eyes. “Well, you’ve made it this far. Why quit now?” Applejack replied.
“No. You don’t understand. I…” Rainbow trailed off again, frowning.
Applejack hummed again, drawing a circle on the tabletop with her hoof. “What was the last thing I told you, Rainbow?”
Rainbow cringed at that. Her wings rustled nervously. “That if there’s a will, there’s a way. But--”
The mare laughed. “Dashie, you’re too hard on yourself.” She stood up, adjusting her stetson. “Walk with me?”
Rainbow nodded, and Applejack led her out of the food court. They passed the stores again, and Rainbow could feel the ponyquiens watching her move curiously. They seemed to be whispering amongst themselves, trying to identify this new intruder. She shivered as a cool breeze from the air conditioning hit her coat.
They paused in front of a circular reception desk, littered with papers, pamphlets, and coupon books. A balloon cart sat nearby, its colorful cargo stretching up towards the sky, fighting for release from the weights that held it down.
Rainbow stared up at the balloons, and a smile finally crept onto her face. It reminded her of something, but she couldn’t quite place it. The feeling faded quickly though. Rainbow turned away from the cart with a sigh.
“What’s on your mind?” Applejack asked.
Rainbow thought hard for a second. “I dunno. Just feeling lost, I guess.”
Applejack nodded. “You’ll get there,” she reassured. “I have faith in you.”
“Maybe,” Rainbow answered. “But… what if I don’t?”
They fell silent again, standing in the silent hum of the air conditioning and the ambient noise of the music.
“I won’t patronize you,” Applejack finally said.
Rainbow bit her lip. “... well, can you? Just for a second?”
“Why?”
“I just… I just want to hear it,” Rainbow whispered.
Applejack reached out and put a hoof on her shoulder. “Well, alright then. You’re strong, Rainbow. You’ll get through this. You’ve been through a lot already, but this isn’t any different. You’ll find your way.”
Rainbow didn’t like hearing those words. But hearing them come from Applejack made her feel better. Because if Applejack believed in her, then maybe she could believe in herself. “Thanks.”
Applejack nodded, and the two kept walking. Soon, they came across a set of automatic doors that smoothly slid open as they approached. The two paused on the black carpet, glancing at each other and smiling. “Feel any better?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah, kind of,” Rainbow answered. She stared outside, at the endless expanse of black asphalt, and at the mountain range that sat behind it. “Thanks.”
“Any time,” Applejack replied with a tip of her hat.
Rainbow closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “... see you soon?”
When there was no response, she opened her eyes to find that she was alone. There was another chime from the public address system, and a chipper voice announced that the mall was now closed. Rainbow sighed and passed through the doors, out into the parking lot.
The sun was setting over the mall now. The doors slid closed behind her, and Rainbow Dash stifled a yawn. She rubbed her eyes and sighed, a strange feeling brewing inside of her. She didn’t know what it was, but she held onto it.
It didn’t matter. Tomorrow was another day.
Eventually, she spread her wings and took off into the sky. Behind her, all of the lights shut off in the mall, and the building disappeared into the night.
