Kirkyard Rest Halloween Event

Breathe.

Step.

Breathe.

Timing was everything. Misstep, breathe out of sync, and the prey would catch on they were not alone. My hooves felt cold against the dark cave floor, the roughly hewn stone carved by millennia of rain and rivers sharp against the sensitive tips. I knew these caves as well as I knew the sound of my own heartbeat, and that was all I could hear in the darkness.

I'd been following her all day, ever since she’d stepped hoof into the nest of caves I called my home. She was lovely and plump, walking primly in obviously new spelunking clothes. She stood no hope in the labyrinth of caves, but her determination to reach the fabled Mirror Pool drove her into the darkness.

Step. Breathe. Don't lose the synchronisation. The pony ahead of me walked carefully into the cave, lifting her lantern high as she explored the beautiful crystalline carvings etched into the walls. She muttered to herself as she took notes, completely oblivious to my presence. I paused, hiding behind a stalagmite. Counting my own heartbeats as she wandered around the cave, close to my space. The light of the lantern was bright and painful, but I forced my eyes to never move from the mare. She passed by, never noticing me.

Prey. I could smell her in the dark. These caves were my domain, I knew each curve of stone intimately. Those who entered always smelled of the outside, of sunshine and cotton candy, just like the pink mare who’d brought me into the world. She had the scent of flowers, sweat and dust. Good smells, healthy smells. The mare paused in front of a passage, holding her lantern as far as she could down it.

“Unnatural darkness.” She was still talking to herself. “Probably shouldn't go alone, but I don't want to turn back. Who knows what lies ahead.”

Yes. Go down the pathway, go deeper into the cavern. I knew what lay down there, a pool of glistening brightness, iridescent and swirling with malicious magic. My birthplace, my home. Irresistible temptation for such a nice, scholarly looking pony. The mare shook her head, letting out a trembling sigh before taking off down the passage. Silly mare. This was the only way out of the cavern. Moving quietly, I stalked down after her, staying just out of the reach of her lantern's light. We walked together, keeping in time with her meandering hoofsteps, until the cool glow of the pool met the warm lantern’s glow. Her hooves moved quicker now as she ran into the cavern, letting out a gasp of pure awe and joy.

From the cavern walls grew out glowing blue crystals that glittered with every colour of the rainbow, dripping from the ceiling and sprouting from the floor. They were everywhere, framing the jewel of the cave. A large green pool, glowing faintly with a pulsing magic, sat nestled in the centre. Spirals of sparkling magic swirled invitingly in the depths, mesmerising and bewitching to the untrained mind. Mist seemed to hover over the surface, billowing gently with the disturbance by the mare. I crouched at the entrance, waiting.

The mare stepped forward, her eyes wide at the enchanting sight. “The Mirror Pool! It exists! I found it!” She squealed, dancing in place. Setting down her saddlebags and lantern, she began lifting out magical devices, test tubes for samples and small strips of paper. She was close to the pool now, so close.

Like a flash I sprung from my hiding place, racing across the cave and pummelling into the mare. She fell forward with a shriek, her front hooves landing in the water. The magic within the water swirled away from the intrusion, and I grabbed her mane in my hoof, shoving her head in as well. She scrabbled to get purchase, trying to push herself out of the water, but my weight on her back had thrown her off balance. Now was the hard part, they would always fight the hardest when they couldn't breathe. Steeling myself, I braced a hoof against a nearby crystal and held on for the ride of my life. The mare bucked beneath me, struggling for air. Still I held on, not allowing her to rise. Bubbles floated up around her head as she screamed under the water, wasting precious air. I shoved my hoof harder against the crystal, giving more leverage to fight against the panicking pony. I could feel the muscles in her body heaving and roiling beneath me as she gave the last of her life to the unyielding cruelty of the Mirror Pool. her hooves thudded against the ground in her desperation, bloodying themselves against the sharp crystals. Still I did not yield, pressing down as hard as I could.

Her struggles eased, but I wasn't fooled. Prey had escaped me before by feigning death, so I held her head down and counted backwards from a thousand. There was no sound in the cave any more, simply dripping water and my whispered breathing as I counted.

“Zero.”

No movement. Relaxing, I climbed off her, dragging her corpse from the water. Her face was swollen and blue, her eyes bulging and bloodshot. My mouth watered, the eyes were my favourite. As I lifted her head, I caught sight of myself in the water, lank pink mane on dirty pink fur with cruel blue eyes, so much like the original me. I stared for a moment before shaking my head. Ever since she’d left me here, I'd thrived in the dark, feasting off those who wandered too close.

Tugging my prize, I made my way to the back of the cave, mumbling lyrics to a half forgotten song.

“Giggle at the ghosty…”