The Stalker (The Midnight Series)

Chapter 4: Unforgiven

1

There was a knock at the front door of the Apple residence. It continued. To the point the knocker became desperate and annoyed with no one coming to open the door. Big Mac dropped down the stairs as he barely got up from his bedroom. Somehow, he barely managed to hear the knocker, and was the only one up to know.

Big Mac opened it up, and it appeared that Rarity was at the door. She was dressed as some sort of Babushka woman with a pair of sunglasses and a decorated scarf that covered her hair. Big Mac opened the door wide enough to let her walk in.

"Big Mac?" Rarity asked, as she stepped through into the living room. "Where's Applejack?!" Rarity took a seat at the couch, but her tone was fierce. She crossed her legs, and sat up straight waiting for Big Mac to wake up.

"Am sorry to keep ya waiting..." Big Mac said, keeping a low tempo to avoid the others from knowing. He sat on the couch, he sat a seat away just to keep the distance.

"That's quite alright." Rarity said, as she settled down and took off her glasses. "So, what's been happening?"

Big Mac told her the story, and how Applejack wanted Apple Bloom to move in with them to give them some space and protection. Rarity was a little surprised by how quickly things erupted from a small mishap weeks ago.

"I see." Rarity commented, as she was saddened by Big Mac's dilemma. "And you're alright with that?"

"Yeah, it's just gettin Apple Bloom used to the idea, but how are ya feelin about it." Big Mac asked.

"I will be alright with it, in all honesty." Rarity admitted. "Are you?"

"Ah think." Big Mac was unsure of how it will be. He also told her about Granny Smith. Rarity was starting to feel the amount of pressure that was on Big Mac's shoulders, which made her sympathetic.

"I apologize, if I was a bit selfish with Applejack. I didn't realize how much she actually had to do on a daily basis." Rarity said sincerely, as she pouted, feeling guilty even.

"That's alright. Am just glad she's happy. Ah believe it happens in most relationships." Big Mac said, he smiled which made Rarity smile as well. "Especially with all the drama happenin between yer family..." Rarity's smile went away, as she was reminded of it.

"I'm afraid you've touched a nerve." Rarity said, as she ran her hand through her hair. However, the thought of it made her miss a step about something. "Wait, how did you know about that?!"

"Oh, am sorry, but ah overheard Sweetie Belle talkin with Scootaloo when they were over the night before." Big Mac admitted, as he was scratching his head.

"Oh that girl!" Rarity scoffed. "I'm afraid there has been tension with my side of the family as well. I highly doubt it will get resolved any time soon!"

"Ah see." Big Mac nodded his head in agreement. "Hard everywhere, huh?"

"Indeed." Rarity said with a smile. They both were silent for a few moments.

"Ah got to ask... why the scarf an glasses?" Big Mac asked, as it was unusual to see Rarity wanting to be hidden for some reason.

"I didn't feel like getting dressed or fixed up today, so I wore this, to kind of... not be seen." Rarity admitted.

"Really?" To Big Mac's surprise, because she still looked like she did. "Ah can't tell, if am bein' honest."

"Thanks. If I had to blame for my laziness it would be Applejack's." Rarity chuckled. Big Mac chuckled as well, it seems after moving away, Applejack started to get a little more lazy. No wonder she feels off her game. Big Mac thought.

Moments later, Applejack came from upstairs, and she stopped once she saw Rarity sitting on the couch with Big Mac. She was stunned, unable to move a muscle.

"R-Rarity?!" Applejack questioned. Big Mac looked away, as she walked toward the living room. "What are ya doing here?!"

"I was just about to ask you the same thing, but Big Mac had already told me everything!" Rarity said, as she pointed at him. He tried not to be seen. Applejack flared up inside, ready to combust into flames. She couldn't think of what to do. "Come, sit." Rarity suggested, in which Applejack came to sit between Big Mac and Rarity. Her attitude showed when she slammed herself into the couch, making it scoot back a couple of inches.

"Ah better go... check on Apple Bloom..." Big Mac whispered under his breath. Applejack grabbed his arm and twisted it as he got up, making him sit back down. She looked at him, he couldn't feel his arm and saw her eyes, they were filled with anger which he could not describe.

"Applejack?" Rarity said softly. She looked at her, and saw that she was not happy.

"What are you doin here?" Applejack asked. Her tone was the sound of annoyance. Which Rarity was not dealing with.

"I'm here for you, obviously!" Rarity puffed, crossing her legs again, and sat up some more in an uncomfortable stance. "Keeping things from me won't do! I'm afraid I know everything!" Applejack grunted, and she did not let go of Big Mac's arm.

"Ah didn't want ya to know!" Applejack countered.

"Why?!" Rarity argued. "You agreed that we would make every problem our problem!"

"Ah was going to tell ya myself!" Applejack yelled, as she crossed her arms and closed her eyes in disgust. Big Mac looked at his arm, the fist clenched his arm so much it left a red mark on him. He felt numb. "After ah get Apple Bloom to come with us!"

"Well, from what I heard, she seems reluctant to move." Rarity pointed out. "And calm down, darling. I know you're a little upset, but you don't have to raise your voice at me!"

"Am upset, because ya don't trust me!" Applejack blurted out. Big Mac was taking in deep breaths and letting them out slowly, feeling how awkward it was to be in the same room.

"I do trust you, but I didn't know what to expect after last night!" Rarity replied. "Besides, don't you think that Apple Bloom would feel a little better if I was involved, letting her know that I'm okay with her coming along with us? I can be quite persuasive."

"Fine." Applejack said, she still had a bit of a temper in her voice as she got up from the couch. "Let's just get Apple Bloom and go!"

"Alright." Rarity responded, she rolled her eyes as she got up from the couch. She pointed her finger at her. "She won't be convinced if you have an attitude!" Rarity crossed her arms, as Applejack looked at her with a mean look, but Rarity was smug and knew she was right.

2

Apple Bloom was still asleep. Even when Big Mac got up for the door, she didn't awake. She went to sleep late in the morning, all the thoughts and feelings running through her head made her restless. That woman, she thought, was horrible to her, to her brother, and her friends. She thought it was her first test to prove herself if she was capable of helping those in need, but the woman was not seeking help, she was trying to put Big Mac in jail. Maybe they all were right? Maybe it was just a stupid idea? Helping someone as deranged as her was impossible. Apple Bloom thought. Even when she pleaded, she was weak against her, her emotions were array and couldn't focus on the pressures they felt. Nothing more she could have done for that woman.

It was around the time for the sun to rise up, and Apple Bloom saw the light in the distance. She realized she wasn't asleep yet, so she closed her eyes and tried. Just the thought of trying to sleep was difficult. Even with Big Mac at her side, she couldn't feel that comforted feeling like before. If only Granny was here... she thought.

Somehow, she managed to sleep, but that was when Applejack and the other's showed up in the room.

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack yelled, as they all walked into the room. Applejack was already feeling salty about the fact that Apple Bloom was resting in Big Mac's room, as if she wanted to prove a point to her without realizing it. "Get up!"

"Applejack... calmly." Rarity whispered, as she was getting sick of her attitude. Applejack rolled her eyes. Big Mac was there just to see if they could actually make Apple Bloom move out of bed.

Apple Bloom got up, and was irritated. Her hair was in her face, and she was sweating almost as much as Big Mac. She squinted, and didn't want to deal with whatever they wanted her to do besides sleep.

"Apple Bloom, darling." Rarity said softly, as Apple Bloom sat up to hear a familiar, yet different voice in the room. She looked up and saw Rarity, she sat beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." Apple Bloom words were cold and raspy, as she let out a loud yawn. "What are ya doin here Rarity? Are ya tryin to convince me too?"

"Well, I did come to let you know that I'm delighted to let you stay with us!" Rarity enlightened. "Even Sweetie Belle would be excited to have a roommate!"

"She would?" Apple Bloom eyes widened, as her voice cleared up. "But, ah thought she would be upset?"

"Sweetheart, why would she be upset?" Rarity asked.

"After yesterday..."

"She's not upset at all, dear. She actually was feeling a little lonely." Rarity interrupted, but continued to speak at a higher register. It was comforting to Apple Bloom, like she was being taken under her wing for guidance. "She would like to have someone there with her too, you know? Have someone to talk to, or someone to play around with, like how you have your sleepovers."

"Ah suppose so." Apple Bloom said. "Big Mac wouldn't be upset at me, right?"

"Of course not." Rarity said. "Right, Big Mac?"

"Like ah said, ah want ya to be safe." Big Mac assured. "Ah trust yer friends, remember?"

Apple Bloom looked up at Big Mac, then to Rarity. But after she saw Applejack, not looking like she wanted to be there. She became aware of their little scheme.

"But... ah already made my decision." Apple Bloom raised her voice. "Ah want to stay home with Big Mac an Granny!"

Rarity blinked her eyes and was shocked that her charm and charisma was not working, Big Mac was surprised that Apple Bloom didn't try to reconsider. Applejack just about had it. She pushed the other two out the door.

"Am gonna need a minute." Applejack demanded, her tone was calm, but from her closing the door behind Big Mac and Rarity, this was not going to turn out well. They thought. They held their ears up to the door to listen in.

3

"Apple Bloom!" Applejack yelled, as she walked up to the bed. Apple Bloom hid under the blankets to avoid her. She snatched the blankets away, and Apple Bloom hid under the pillows. She grabbed them, but Apple Bloom had a tough grip. Applejack yanked it away from her, slightly ripping it. Apple Bloom felt the anger in Applejack's eyes, and the cotton burned her fingers as it was ripped away from her. "Apple Bloom! You're leaving with us, an that's the end of it!"

"No!" Apple Bloom argued. "Ah want to stay here with Big Mac an Granny!"

"You don't get to say anything!" Applejack said, as she was wrestling with Apple Bloom from an emotional standpoint.

"Ah don't care what ya say, am stayin!" Apple Bloom responded.

"You are just a child!" Applejack continued. "Am the one who is takin care of ya, it's been that way since!"

"Since what?!" Apple Bloom asked rhetorically. "Since mom an dad!"

"Don't you dare, bring them into this!" Applejack yelled. "Yer my responsibility!"

"Granny is the one takin care of us, not you!" Apple Bloom fought with her, and she brought up somethings that Applejack was starting to lose control in. "You wouldn't know, 'cause yer not here anymore!"

"Am here now! An am tryin to make it easier for ya!" Applejack argued.

"No Applejack! Just stop!" To Applejack's surprise, she was taking over the conversation. "Why Applejack?!!"

"Why what?!" Applejack replied.

"Am confused!!!" Apple Bloom admitted. "Ah don't know anymore!!!"

"What?" Applejack stopped, and listened.

"Everythin ya told me, or didn't tell me... it ruined everythin!!!" Apple Bloom yelled, and it echoed into Applejack's eardrums, which made her aggression stop almost instantly. "Because of you... ah-ah can't sleep at night! Am afraid to walk outside the door! Just why did you try to hide it from me!"

"Sweetheart..." Applejack began to cry. "Ah just wanted to protect you... ah didn't want ya to worry... nor be thinkin you were in any danger... because ah was there for you..." Her tears sprinkled down, and she felt her heart shrunk.

"You're not anymore..." Apple Bloom cried. "Yer tryin to make up for it, ah understand... but ah don't wanna leave! Ya should have just told me! Ah would have at least known... Big Mac said that it's better to know than to walk out blind!"

"Sugar... ah trusted you..." Applejack cried.

"Now ah can't trust anyone!" Apple Bloom concluded.

"Apple Bloom! Please... you can trust me... a-am your big sis..." Applejack tried her last effort to earn her trust.

"Am sorry... ah can't. Ah still love you... am happy for you an Rarity... but ah don't think ah can..." Apple Bloom cried.

4

Big Mac and Rarity still had their ears at the door, they couldn't hear a thing other than the thumping of Applejack's heels on the carpet.

"Well... ya gave it yer best Rarity..." Big Mac admitted in a whisper.

"Yeah... I'm just worried about what comes next..." Rarity replied.

The door opened, and they both stood straight, trying to not look suspicious. Applejack was the only one to walk out, and she briskly walked down the stairs. She had her hat, laying low to not see her face as she walked past. But, Rarity heard a faint "let's go" from Applejack. Rarity didn't even try to question it, and just walked down with her. Big Mac was confused about the two of them leaving without Apple Bloom. The last thing he saw was Applejack throwing something on the floor before she left out the door.

He went down to pick it up, and it was the keys to the truck.

5

"Applejack..." Rarity gasped, as she walked down the street, a few feet away from her. She didn't take the truck like she would, and just left it parked in the barn. Applejack kept her pace all the way to Rarity's house. Rarity was slower, having to walk in sandals all the way there was making the rubber rub against her toes, which was burning within each step.

Applejack walked through the door, and didn't stop until she reached their bedroom. Rarity barely came in, and shut the door.

She walked over to their bedroom, and Applejack immediately launched herself onto her, as if she was unable to walk, hanging down by her waist. She was dripping with sweat and tears, completely drenched. She threw off her hat to the closet doors. Rarity was able to see her. She couldn't stop crying. She was saying something under her breath, and Rarity went down to hold her closer.

She brought her up to her shoulders, it was difficult as Applejack was going limp. Applejack held herself up, but fell down to her waist again.

"Applejack... what happened?!" Rarity asked, as she was beginning to tear up, seeing how broken Applejack was. The pain in her body was unable to lift Applejack up, she didn't have the strength.

"She hates me... she hates me..." Applejack cried, unable to speak clearly, with the guilt filling her throat, and snot was gushing out. She didn't think she was ever going to see Applejack cry as much as she did when they had their recent fallout. She just kept muttering the words 'she hates me,' Apple Bloom said something to her that broke her heart. After not being able to go back, after not being accepted, and her not regaining trust with anyone they love, was crashing down everything they had tried to make their relationship seem meaningful. Rarity sat with her holding her close, and tried to regain control of the situation. But, nothing worked... nothing ever worked for them.

6

Big Mac entered his room, and Apple Bloom sat at the edge of the bed. Looking tired, frizzled, her eyes were red, and looked like she regretted anything she could have said to make Applejack leave without another word.

"Apple Bloom?" Big Mac asked. "What happened...?"

Apple Bloom silently looked up at him. She got up to hug Big Mac, her grip was tight even though she was exhausted. She started to cry again. Big Mac was unsure of how to take it, but he would try to not let Apple Bloom down with her decision to stay. He worried for Applejack, and assumed she would not want to talk over the phone about anything else, considering she gave up the truck.

Rarity was right about worrying of what may come next? Big Mac thought.