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"Why did you do this to yourself, Bruno?" Princess Luna asked me, as we stood in a middle of white nothingness.

"First of all, why are you here? And what... And what did you see?" I asked back, being confused. Of course, I already knew the answer. I was unconscious, and inside a house with two musicians. Obviously, Princess Luna already saw everything, as soon as she got inside my head. And of course, Princess Luna knew, that I knew.

"You know, what I saw, Bruno. And you know, that it's my duty to visit minds and keep them safe during the night. Your case, however, is really something," She said with sadness in her voice.

"I... I know. I'm just a typical lowlife with addiction that sometimes made vehicles for rich dudes, though. I don't think that someone like princess should look after me," I grimaced and sat on the ground. Princess Luna sat near me. "I did this to myself because I know that nothing good will ever happen to me after this. I'm lonely, I'm miserable, I barely make money for a living, and I... I hate myself."

"You hate yourself? Why so?"

"Because of my addiction... I don't want to talk about it."

"You NEED to talk about it," Princess Luna said firmly. "What will happen if you somehow survive this? You'll hate yourself even more, because you'll think that you didn't finish the job. And now, you have a chance to turn everything to the better. All that you need is just talk to me."

I looked into Luna's eyes. I saw how supportive she was, and how she honestly wanted to help. So, I sighed and started talking.

"Everything began... I believe, three years ago. One 'friend' of mine invited me to a party. It was pretty similar to what happened recently, if you ask me. There was music, there were girls. And then, she showed me meph."

I felt how tears began to form in my eyes. Luna asked me to dig deep, but if that could somehow help me, then I should do it.

"It was a magnificent feeling. You know, bright colors, euphoria, sex... Yeah. And after that party I began to hang out fith that 'friend' more often. I paid her to get the stuff, and we were usin' it. However, soon I learned that the only thing that she needed from me was money for drugs. She secretly hated me. So, when I kicked her out from my life, I thought that it's over."

"So much for a 'friend'..." Princess Luna hummed. "Please, continue."

"Yeah, she was a bitch... And then, I started to feel myself lonely. Even her company was better, than the void. There was only my dark room and me. Probably, you've heard a lot of stories like this..."

"You won't believe how many, Bruno. Though, every case is unique in some way. Can't say that I like it, though," Luna nodded.

"After that, I started usin' alone. You know, what a life of a drug addict looks like? You always run. Run from soberness, because your brain knows -- when you're sober, you feel bad. When you're high -- you feel good. Really, really good. Brain cells make new connections, and it tells you 'Hey, it makes you feel good, why you're not high yet'? And you always run from yourself, because when you're high, you simply don't think that you didn't wash yourself, or that you have work to do. When you're sober, you see the shit that you've become and think 'Fuck it, I'm out' and you simply use again. I want... I want to break this circle. That's why I wanted to kill myself via overdose."

I felt how tears were falling from my eyes. This was a short speech, but it was honest. I was tired of my mad life, and just wanted to end this. I didn't feel sadness, and I wasn't happy. I finally was honest with someone. I guess, being honest was a good decision, knowing that it was uncertain, would I make it or not. But at that time, I didn't care much.

Suddenly, I felt how Princess Luna took my hand. I looked at her. Her eyes were soft, and she was gentle.

"Bruno... I can't count how many souls with situations similar to yours I've met. I'll be honest -- not all of them made through. Some of them are dead, some lost their mind. However, I can say, that you still have a good chance to rehabilitate. As far as I can tell, the initial cause of drug abuse was your... Loneliness?" Princesses' voice was soft and caring. I nodded in reply. "See? You understand it yourself. You had one toxic relationship, and you've covered your soul from the world. Be brave and honest with yourself -- not that 'friend' of yours forced you to consume your first dose. YOU did that. But, your life shouldn't end here -- just because you don't have any friends yet, that doesn't mean that you won't meet any in the future."

I thought about Vinyl and Octavia. I wondered, how they act in their everyday routine. They both seemed nice, but more I thought about them, the less I wanted to see, how their pupils got bigger. I looked at my own hands -- the skin was pale, my fingers were shaking. I exhaled. My shape wasn't good, either.

"Princess Luna... I really want to get better. But I am scared. What if the world will not accept me? I'm scared of myself, dammit, what others will think of me? They'll point their fingers at me and say 'Hey, that's a filthy junkie!'... I am scared. I am scared..." I said, while my voice cracked.

"You must be brave, Bruno. Think of that logically -- you're not afraid to kill yourself, but you are afraid of someone's words?" asked Luna. I shook my head, bein shocked. She smiled at me. "Now, that's the spirit! Though, if you really want to get better, you need to work hard. There is no magic pill that prevents you from starting over, and you can't find new friends the very second you open your eyes. But I can assure you -- with enough determination, you will get better."

"Wow, I... It really seems that you talked to a lot of junkies like me, Princess Luna," I exhaled and smiled a little. "You don't know how grateful I am for this talk. And... Why are you so informal with me? Sorry about bad language, by the way..."

"Everyone needs their own approach. What's the point of fancy talk, if it does nothing?" Princess Luna chuckled. "In real world, though, should we encounter each other, please show some respect."

"Of course, Princess Luna. Sorry for all this..." I replied and chuckled, too. After that, I noticed, how the pony beside me was starting to fade. "Oh well, guess our time's up?"

"Yes, Bruno. Do you want anything to tell me, before I leave?" Princess Luna asked seriously.

"Yes. Thank you, Princess Luna. I'm sorry for all this... But I won't let you down."

"Glad to hear that. Now... Farewell, Bruno," Princess Luna smiled, and faded away.

After that, I was blinded by the bright light.

***

"...And that's how I found the courage to stop this madness. Thank you all for listening," I finished the speech in front of our small 'Narcotics Anonymous' group. I saw cheerful smiles of Vinyl and Octavia, and chuckled.

"Thank you, Bruno. That was a nice responce to today's topics," the group's consultant said and looked at his wristwatch. "Unfortunatly, we have to finish here. Goodbye, everyone. See you next week."

As we were collecting our stuff, I looked through the window. The rain was intensifying.

"Octavia, Vinyl! Looks like the rain is getting heavier, maybe I can give you the lift?"

"Sure, why not?" Vinyl responded.

"How nice of you, Bruno," Octavia giggled.

As we came out of the building and sat into my car, I noticed that Octavia and Vinyl were discussing something in a quiet tone. They saw that I noticed it and giggled.

"You know, Bruno... Today is THE day, after all. We never thought that we'd be better without drugs," Vinyl scratched her chin.

"Yes... One year has passed. Still wonder how'd be, if you took us back then."

"Octy, know your manners! Where's that fancy-elitarian-musician Octavia Melody, that we all know and love?" the DJ laughed.

"Oh come on, you can't deny that the scene was hot."

"Yes, but one year has passed already, leave it in the past!" I interrupted the girls with a chuckle.

"I'll still remember it. And also I will remember that you like doing it with two girls, horny motherfucker!" Octavia exclaimed and burst with laughter. Vinyl followed on her, while my face became red.

"You say it like you weren't making out with Vinyl yourself..."

"Oh, Bruno, you don't even know what I am capable of..." the musician whispered into my ear with a grin. "I won't show you, however. Not now, at least... Still got to recover from all this drug abuse. Don't want to trigger myself, you know."

As Octavia's voice became serious, I smiled. "That means that you take your rehabilitation seriously. That's good. You know, it's actually nice that you decided to recover from this shit right after me. Together the better, eh?"

"Oh, come on. We're friends, Bruno," Vinyl said softly, "And you showed us the way. It was just a right decision to follow after you."

"Thank you, girls."

As I drove through the streets of Canterlot, I saw how sunrays were shining through the rainclouds. It was a nice sight, and I thought that it was somewhat symbolic. And while we were going to the girl's house, we discussed all sorts of things.

I finally could exhale in relief.