I never knew how bright stars could be on a clear night. Or how much of a presence the full moon held along a sea of diamonds. The Night-Mare’s comforting rays provided a new found warmth that I had not felt in years. For a brief moment the stories of the night and about the Goddess that provided this lovely gift flooded my mind. I just had to smile, and for a moment I took it all in. Cold moisture met my grimy golden mane, and my ears twitched to the rhythm of my hooves meeting the damp ground. "Was this how freedom felt like?" I asked myself while giving one last look to the night sky, before the overgrown trees of the woods had overtaken the sea of stars.

The brief moment of tranquility faded away as I was engulfed in a familiar darkness once again. My dream-like state had turned into dust. The familiar shouting had pulled me out of my warm bed, and threw me into this cold reality once more. My trot had turned into a blind dash into the unknown.

It had been a little over an hour since my escape. I simply just ran straight. There was no real plan, I just knew I had to run. I hadn’t eaten in two days before this. My mouth was dry, while a burning sensation in my right knee began to grow. I did not know where to go, all I knew was that I had to keep running.

Each step I took, I repeated to myself in such a whisper that not even a mouse would be able to hear. “Anywhere but there… Anywhere but there…” with each forward movement pain would shoot up my legs and disperse throughout my spine. It was as if a sledgehammer was striking my back each time my hooves struck the ground. Obviously something was wrong, however I wasn’t exactly sure of the extent of my injuries.

But it was a sign that something was right. As the idea crossed my mind, the pain was real and I wasn’t dreaming. I would’ve woken up by now, I would’ve sat up within that cell that I once called home. All the while that bastard of a guard would be greeting me with that cold smile. Just before that moment where the guard would open the gate. Cracking open my shell, and destroying my only sense of security. No, I had to just run and not think about that in a time like this.

The shouts of those who once held me in captivity started to get closer. I picked up speed, but it was then my hoof struck uneven ground. Something from within twisted, then an audible pop followed that came from my right knee. I bit my lip to hold in the scream, within mere seconds the similar taste of copper filled my dry mouth. Tears began to run down my cheeks. I couldn’t see more than a hoof distance from in front of me. Damp branches struck my muzzle, while others struck my body. Each strike created a crimson gash upon my charcoal coat. Even through the pain, I picked up the smell of burning oil coming from their torches. Their words slowly started to become ever so clearer. They had plans for me, plans that I wanted no part of.

I could possibly handle two or three of them. But an entire company of those creatures would break my sanity. I’d rather end my life on my own terms. It would be better than having my neck meet one of their rusty daggers. As they toss my body into some ditch, like a piece of discarded meat. I just had to find a cliff to jump off of. Or Lake to drown myself in. Hell, I would rather even run into a meat eating monster. I will not allow myself to be captured by those things.

For only the briefest moment my vision cleared. I saw a clearing as a small light flickered in the distance. It was too small of a light to be one of their torches. There was no way that one of the members of the search party managed to get that far ahead. It was my light at the end of the tunnel. I picked up speed. Muscles twisted and I felt a few pull and tear. My joints roared in agony. This was the last push, I was going to give up whatever was left within me to get to that light. I prayed to Goddess, for her to lend me any strength they could spare. While queuing the prayer of mercy. I broke through the tree line, and my eyes widened in surprise.

The scent of tobacco assaulted my nose, as my eyes quickly met another pony's golden eyes. Then it was as if the void consumed me. My body went limp, I couldn’t open my eyes, and yet a strange warmth engulfed me. Had I had any recollection of time before I gained my full consciousness. I would say that this feeling was similar to the time where I was protected by my mother. It may be one of the few times where we all felt safe. How long ago that was.

What would I give just to go back. Then the scent of dry blood filled the room, and my eyes shot open. I couldn’t move, and my body ignored every command I gave it. My breathing quickened as I began to sweat. My neck stiffened and my mouth opened as I let out a scream.

The door shot open as two worried mares bolted through. They almost tripped over each other trying to get to me. One was unicorn and the other was earth pony. I was terrified and they knew it, the unicorn lit up her horn and slowly approached me. The air felt lighter as a tint of yellow engulfed the room. My body slowly went back to a resting position. Within seconds bliss came to me. The earth pony slowly approached my left side and her jade colored muzzle softly nuzzled my neck. She softly hummed, then the humming soon turned into a comforting lullaby. I’ve never heard anything like it, tears once again filled my eyes. My voice cracked with every breath I took.

The mares traded glances and both looked at me. In sync they reached for my bandaged forehooves. I wanted to recoil, but there was nowhere for me to retreat. They softly touched my forehooves and smiled. The unicorn’s sweet honey like eyes locked on to my eyes, and she softly smiled once more. “You’re safe now, no one is going to hurt you here.” She softy nodded and placed her cream colored hoof upon my mane and brushed it to the side. “Are you hungry? she asked. “I baked some fresh bread this morning...” The jade earth pony came to my side and added “I can get you some tea with honey if you like…” I was at a loss for words, my eyes quickly looked down toward my stomach, and all I could do is slowly nodded yes.

I didn’t know who these mares were, but a few things are for certain. I am alive and I am safe… for now...

Author's Note

This is my first attempt on writing a long winded story. I'm normally the one giving feedback on stories, and pitching ideas. The most I done was write short stories and a few poems. Some will probably never see the light of day, others might show up here in the future.