The air was cold… the night skies black over the city of London. Many of the citizens slept on high alert (Or not at all), the rest rioting the streets due to the horrid events of recent months. Starting in September, a series of gruesome murders had come to be known as the ‘Autumn of Terror’. Five victims viciously murdered, mutilated within only three short months. Five horrible acts that could only be described as the stuff of nightmares.
The police of Scotland Yard and the City of London had been hard at work trying to uncover the identity of the notorious killer who committed these heinous crimes, but they always come up empty-handed. The only evidence they had were a series of letters that supposedly came from the killer. Whether they were truly written by the murderer or not, they gave the police one thing: A name that would strike fear into the hearts of all London and would later become legend…
Jack the Ripper
The first of the Ripper murders began with a prostitute by the name of Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols. Her throat slashed down to the bone; her abdomen ripped apart. A majority of her internal organs were also removed. The very same horrible mutilation occurred on another woman by the name of Annie Chapman only a mere few weeks later. Sometime after, in an episode known as the ‘double event’, two women, Elizabeth Stride and Katherine Eddows, were murdered that very same night. After the double murder, the whole month of October had so far gone by without a single murder and the people of London hoped the nightmare was finally over.
How wrong they were…
<>
That cold night, the air filled with thick fog blanketing the dimly lit street of Miller’s court, a young red-headed woman, by the name of Mary Jane Kelly, walked down this very street following a rather difficult night. Forced to sell her own body just to sleep in a bed in one of the many old lodging houses that make up Whitechapel District, a life ill-fitting for a lady. It made her very nervous to be out in the streets this late at night. While the murders took place over a month ago and everyone assuming the killer was gone, Kelly was not convinced. Thankfully, she made just enough to afford a room and would no longer be out in the streets at night. Mary walked through the front door of the lodging house, right toward the owner.
“You bring me my money now, Mary?” He asked, in a thick English accent.
“Aye,” Mary responded, in her own Irish accent. “I sure did.”
“Well, you best hope so or you’ll be sleeping with the rats,” The owner threatened.
She handed the man a few silver coins, as he studied them up and down to make sure they were legitimate. After concluding they were real, he nodded and handed her a key to one of the rooms.
“You’ll take the lodging room on the far left,” He instructed.
“Thank you sir,” Mary thanked him.
She took the key from his hand very quickly, working her way to the lodging room down the far left. The window to the room had been broken with a crumpled paper blocking the hole so no wind could get in. Shaking her head and unlocking the door, she made her way inside. Taking out a box of matches from her corset, she lit a single candle along the bedside table. Now having a bit of light in the room, she removed her evening ware and placed it along a chair in the corner. Until she was just in her under dress, as she sat upon the bed.
“Boy, isn’t this a right fine mess I’ve landed me-self in.”
Like the many women littering the streets of Whitechapel at night, Mary Kelly’s life was not one that would be classified as ‘good’. In the early parts of her life, she lived fairly well as her family was moderately wealthy. Her father John Kelly, however, for reasons unknown disowned her and cast her out into the streets. She met and married a coal miner, Davis, when she was sixteen and they lived happily until his death from a mining accident three years later. Soon after the death of her husband, Mary relocated to London and worked the streets ever since.
Now here she sits, at twenty-five years old and having sexual relations with complete strangers for coins. Generally, this is how many women of their time ended up working the streets all for a warm meal and bed to sleep in. But even so, a single stray tear coursed down Mary’s face as the awful memories of her upbringing flooded back through her mind. Quickly wiping off the tear, she laid upon the bed and doused the candle’s light. Soon the entire room was shrouded in darkness, as Kelly fell asleep. She figured tomorrow would bring forth new opportunity and possibly a new life.
Sadly, she would not live to see tomorrow…
<>
Later that same night, as the cold night air swept across the dark streets of Whitechapel, a shadowed individual quietly stalked the streets. The sound of heavy foot falls are heard, as the tall dark figure walked down the dark alley. Nothing could be seen of this person due to the dark of the night, like a walking shadow slowly approaching the broken window of the lodging room. With a single gloved hand, he pushed the crumpled paper through the hold and reached its arm through the broken glass over the lock on the door. Slowly and quietly, the figure clicked the door unlocked and retracted it’s hand back out.
Within another minute, the door to the room slowly creaked open allowing the figure passage. Closing the door, relocking the bolt, he slowly approached the bedside watching Mary sleeping soundly. For several seconds, he just watched the woman with cold dead eyes before noticing the box of matches along the night side table. With a single hand, the figure lights a match and lit the candle for a better view of what was about to be done.
Then, reaching out with his gloved hands, the individual grasped ahold of Mary’s neck and began to strangle her. The sensation snapped Mary awake, the girl tried desperately to scream but to no avail. The force of the manner he choked her made it impossible for her to utter a cry for help. All she can see before her life slowly slipped away was the very image of her attacker.
The attacker, clearly a man judging by the height, was very tall, dressed from head-to-toe in faded black pants, boots, and a matching trench coat. She couldn’t see a face, as it was completely covered by what appeared to be an old burlap sack with two eyeholes cut out and a faded black top hat on top. Though she could not see his face, Mary saw the eyes behind the mask. The dark eyes rejuvenated with life, glaring at her with cold hatred and an un-callous rage. She knew immediately that this was the infamous ‘Jack the Ripper’ and she was his next victim.
Slowly, the life began to fade away from Mary Kelly’s eyes, her movements slowed until she was completely still. Releasing his clutch from the girl’s next, revealing severe bruise marks around the neck, the man reached into the pocket of its faded black trench coat and pulled out what appeared to be a long, jagged knife.
And then… the real work began…
<>
It took half-an-hour when Jack finally finished his latest, most gruesome work to date. The notorious killer stepped back to admire his work in full, the manic in his eyes staring through the mask. Mary Kelly, for lack of better terms, had literally been ripped completely apart. Her face hacked beyond all recognition, her throat slit right down to the bone, and her abdomen disemboweled with most of her internal organs removed and placed around her body. She had also been practically skinned entirely to the point her legs were completely skeletonized. Jack even gone so far as to rip out both her heart and uterus and placed them along the bedside table.
After admiring his work, Jack silently knelt toward the ground before reaching into his coat pocked revealing what appeared to be an old book. He flipped through a few pages before stopping along a certain page displaying a series of weird symbols and cryptic writing. A single gloved hand brushed that very page, admiring it as if he had fulfilled the deeds from the instructions of higher power. And now… it is time for their part to fill an end of the bargain.
Picking up the bloodied knife, the very tool he committed this horrible crime with, he raised it over the page allowing her blood to slowly drip onto the page of the book. Once doing so, the book shook and vibrated before lifting itself out of his hands. As it levitated into the air, the book glowed brighter and brighter by the moment. Jack silently observed the strange ritual, before extending his arms out and his cold eyes gazed upon the glowing book. Ready to be cast into the oblivion, fulfilling his purpose as his master’s greatest instrument of an ongoing war against the light and all who bask beneath it.
And the next thing he knew, the blinding light flashed through the room and engulfed Jack the Ripper with its power. Jack felt himself falling to the abyss, to parts unknown, but his body never fazed. He knew what he had done; this is what he had been working for. Why he killed as he had was his secret and his alone. And Jack continued to fall for the longest time, before finally landing smack dab onto a hard surface.
Then everything went black…
<>
A pair of dark, soulless eyes snapped open before Jack the Ripper fully regained consciousness. He slowly sat up from the hard ground, slowly studying his surroundings. He appeared to be in what resembled a forest, a large number of dark trees littered the grounds he currently sat upon with a mass array of shrubs and bushes in every direction. The man stood back on his feet, dusting the grass of his coat. He picked up his hat, which had fallen off when he landed, and placed it back along the top of his head.
Though Jack the Ripper had no idea where he was now, quite frankly he did not care. He survived, he got away with his murders… and he’ll live on so long as he had the final word. The only sound in the quiet wood were the voices calling to him in his head. The voices serving as instructions to do ‘his’ bidding…
“Find another victim! Rip them! Find them!”
Jack walked through the dark forest seeking another victim, or the very least someplace to hide out. As he walked, he thought back to all his previous victims and the torture he inflicted upon them. Everything about it turned him on… the sensation of his hands crushing the life of their throats, the feeling of cold steel slicing through soft tissue, and the thrill of ripping their very livelihoods from their corpses. He loved it… he loved it all.
Jack was so busy reminiscing he failed to notice a light in the dense darkness of the forest until he came right upon it. Following the light, Jack peeked through the brush and spotted a log cabin resting in the midst of a clearing in the forest. Jack’s eyes widen toward the lighted window, glowing like God’s gate in the dark of the night, as he slowly crept toward the window and peeked through.
Inside, his eyes catch what appeared to be a boy and a girl, both in their late teenage years. The girl had what resembled pale amaranth skin, moderately raspberry hair with a crown of flowers, and light green eyes. The boy had light tangelo skin, dark aquamarine hair, and grayish green eyes. They both sat at the table enjoying cups of tea, as Jack’s eyes studied them under his mask. After a few seconds, he crept back to the dense foliage, waiting for an opportunity to strike, as the voices in his head kept echoing…
“Rip them! Rip them! Rip them!”
<>
Gloriosa Daisy sipped her cup of chamomile tea, as she sat with her younger brother Timber Spruce at the dining room table. She loved any chance she and her brother could spend quality time together. Since moving into this cabin, deep within the Everfree Forest, she didn’t see much of her family often. Not to mention her job running Camp Everfree took up basically most of her time. It was nice to talk to her brother again after so long.
“So, how have things been as of late?” Timber asked.
“You know how it is,” Gloriosa sighed. “The last camper went home just a few days ago. Camp Everfree is closed for the season.”
Timber felt bad for his big sister because he knew running the camp meant everything to her. She fought like hell to ensure the camp would always remain, even transforming herself into a demon to make it so. Being the good brother he was, he sat alongside his sister and pulled her into a light hug.
“Don’t worry about it too much,” He said comfortingly. “Camp Everfree will open again in the spring, and that means a whole new batch of fresh campers will be waiting for you.”
Gloriosa shrugged, while leaning upon her brother’s embrace. For all the effort, it didn’t do many wonders to cheer her up.
“But what am I supposed to do for the remainder of the year?”
“You could always take that job as a teaching assistant at Canterlot High. The offer’s still open.”
“No…” Gloriosa shook her head. “I don’t think I could, Timber. It’s just not the same as running Camp Everfree.”
“Well, don’t worry about it. We’ll find something else to do before camp starts up again. In the meantime, you can always hang out with me.”
Gloriosa turned toward her brother and couldn’t help but giggle.
“Since when did you get all soft and mushy-gushy?” Gloriosa teased.
“Must be all the time spent with Twilight over the last few months,” Timber chuckled.
“You guys have been getting pretty serious for a while now. Have you introduced her to mom and dad yet?”
“No, not yet. If there’s one thing I know about mom and dad, they always know how to embarrass me.”
“I’ll bet you anything that mom’s just dying to bring out the old family album and show her your baby pictures.”
The two siblings chuckled loudly, as they sipped their tea. Eventually, Timber turned toward his watch and noticed how late it really was.
“Oh boy, I better get back home,” He said urgently. “Don’t want mom and dad sending out a missing person’s report.”
“Didn’t you tell them where you were going to be tonight?” Gloriosa asked.
“Yeah, but you know mom. If I’m a minute late, she’ll immediately assume the worst and call the police.”
“Well, at least let me walk you to your car.”
Timber nodded, and the two walked out the front door toward Timber’s car.
“It was really fun getting to hang out with you again little bro,” Gloriosa smiled.
“Yeah, we should try getting together more often,” Timber agreed. “Now that you’ve got some time off.”
They both hugged for a moment or two before separating, as Gloriosa watched Timber climb into the car. He waved goodbye to his sister, which she returned as she watched him drive away into the night. Gloriosa takes a deep breath before walking back into the house and closing the door behind her.
In the kitchen, Gloriosa took the teacup and dishes and placed them into the sink to clean them. As she started washing, scrubbing with a sponge and soap, she thought she heard a weird noise from outside. Her ears picked up what resembled heavy footsteps, as she slowly turned toward the side.
“Timber?” She called out. “Did you forget something? Timber?”
But answer there came none. Slowly, Gloriosa walked back toward the front door and opened the door. She peeked out to see if her brother had returned… but nobody was there. Taking a few steps outside, she looked around, but her eyes caught nothing. Shrugging her shoulders, she chuckled to herself before closing the door.
“Must be my imagination playing tricks on me again,” Gloriosa joked to herself.
Shaking her head, she went back into the kitchen to finish the dishes. As soon as they were all dry, she made her way into the living room area and plopped herself onto the couch. Sighing, she picked up a book along the counter and read for a while. As the time passed, seconds turned to minutes and minutes into hours. Before too long, Gloriosa released a great yawn and turned toward the fireplace clock seeing how late it is.
“Guess I’d better get to bed,” She yawned.
Shutting the book and putting it back on the counter, Gloriosa started walking down the hallway toward her bedroom. She just reached out to open the door until…
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Gloriosa froze in place the moment she heard a strange tapping sound. She slowly turned around, as if it had come from the living room window. This scared her immensely because she lived alone in a cabin, in the middle of the Everfree, and no one besides her family knew where she lived. Cautiously, she walked down the hallway toward the living room. Looking out, she heard the wind whistle a deathly moan as her bare feet stepped along the wooden floors. The fireplace was nothing but burnt logs, all other lights were dim, and the only source of brightness came from the moonlight through the window… which was opened.
Cautiously, Gloriosa made her way toward the window and peered outside into the night. As her eyes searched the area in fear, the girl was completely unaware of a dark figure standing in the corner and slowly stalking behind her. Seeing nothing in front of her, Gloriosa shut the window… and caught the figure’s reflection against the glass.
That was the last Gloriosa Daisy saw when she turned around and gasped at the flash of steel as a knife was raised over her head. She released a bloodcurdling scream as the figure swung the knife across her throat and her blood splattered over the window.
<>
Minutes passed, as Jack the Ripper stood over his latest victim. The girl’s blood covered the living room floor, some of which splattered along the walls. Her head, nearly decapitated, leaned to her left as the vertebrae of her spine was exposed along her slit throat. Her abdomen gashed open, all her intestines removed, and placed along her shoulder. Her uterus removed as well, along with one of her kidneys.
Jack looked upon the girl’s mutilated body, the fire in his eyes gleaming at the sight of his work before reassuming the dead-eye gaze. He turned toward the one part of the window that wasn’t blood stained, as if he were looking out into the distance where there still remained more work to do. But this was only the beginning, whatever his intentions were, and one thing was utterly certain:
Hell had been relocated…
The sun rose, high and mighty over the distant horizon, blanketing the sky in its warm, celestial glow. Another day dawned before the city of Canterlot. However, the gleaming rays of the brightest star in the galaxy could not penetrate the thick, dark foliage of the Everfree Forest itself. Deep within these very woods, within the cabin of the now deceased Gloriosa Daisy, a lone figure sat in the dark… Jack the Ripper.
Staring through the sole window in the living room, he used a dirty cloth to wipe the drying blood off his knife. The corpse of Gloriosa Daisy laid within a few feet behind the mass murderer. Its eyes milky and lifeless, its dried blood caked the floor and walls. As Jack silently looked out the window, his demented mind wracked with thoughts of his next work.
Rip them! Break them! Broken! Torture!
The sinister killer slowly rose from his seat at the window, slinking toward the kitchen. He reached for a single jar sitting along the countertop, a jar having not been there before his arrival. Inside was the freshly removed kidney he had taken from Gloriosa’s body. Then he reached into the cupboard under the sink, procuring a frying pan. Placing it upon the counter beside the jar, he talked back toward the fireplace. He placed a few more logs sitting along the side, placing them inside. Striking a match he pulled from his pocket, he threw it directly into the center of the wood and watched the fire blazed to life.
After a few seconds, he made his way back over to the countertop and removed the kidney from inside the jar. Placing the bloody kidney onto the counter, Jack grasped his knife and in one quick flash… slashed the organ in two. The first half he placed back into the jar, but the other half he slapped into the center of the pan. Walking back toward the burning inferno, he held the pan over the flames and watched the kidney slowly cook. Once the lump of fresh was just right, Jack removed the pan from the fireplace, placed it on a place he had found in the cupboard, briefly lifted his sack-mask above his lips…
And ate it…
Slicing the meat with his knife and grasping the pieces in his bare hands, Jack devoured the kidney that once served as a vital organ for the girl who had been alive. Was he hungry? Not even close. The only reason Jack ate the kidney was a matter of adding insult to injury. Once he finished, he stood from his seat, and wiped the blood of the knife before putting it back in his pocket. With the same dirty cloth, he turned the knob on the sink to wash the blood off his hands before placing the rag in his coat, placing his hands back into his black gloves, and adjusted his mask the bottom half of his face was hidden. With one last look toward his latest work, he made his way toward the door.
Outside, Jack looked toward the ground before noticing the tread marks of the odd vehicle he’d seen the young man ride off in the night before. Knowing the prospect of these tracks would lead him to more victims, Jack slowly followed the trail the tracks made with one thing repeating in his mind:
Kill them all! Kill them all! Kill them all!
<>
*RING!!!*
The ringing of the school bell signified the end of another day for Canterlot High. All the students made their way out the front doors of the school, making their way for home. As some took the bus or sat waiting for a ride home or made for their cars to drive back themselves, one particular student stepped out: Twilight Sparkle. The lavender-colored bookworm clutched her textbooks close to her chest, as she climbed down the front steps of the school.
As she made her way towards the student parking lot, she didn’t even notice a silent figure slowly sneaking behind her. All at once, it reached out in front of her… and placed its hands over her eyes. The girl squeaked in surprise.
“Guess who?” The figure said playfully.
Hearing the voice made Twilight’s hear flutter; a small giggle escaped her lips. She quickly turned and saw none other than Timber Spruce smiling down at her.
“Hey you!” Twilight greeted happily.
She leaned up on her tip-topes and planted a peck along Timber’s lips.
“And those are the lips I’ve been thinking about all day,” Timber sighed in bliss.
Twilight playfully punched his shoulder, as Timber wrapped his arm around her waist. The two walked towards Twilight’s car in the parking lot where the rest of her friends were waiting as well. Rainbow Dash bounced a soccer ball on one end of her foot, Applejack fiddled with something, Rarity reapplied her makeup, Fluttershy pet her bunny Angel, and Pinkie was being… well Pinkie.
“Hey guys, what’s up?!” Twilight called out.
The group of girls looked over and smiled toward their approaching friend and her boyfriend.
“Howdy there, Twilight!” Applejack greeted.
“Hey Twi!” Rainbow waved. “Just practicing for the next Wondercolts game. It’s the big championship, and I want to make sure I’m in top form!”
“And how’s the team getting along so far?” Twilight asked.
“Awesome now they’ve got their secret weapon… it’s me.”
Rarity rolled her eyes as she applied her eyeliner.
“Oh honestly Rainbow Dash!” Rarity shook her head. “I never understand why you enjoy sports so much.”
“Yeah?!” Rainbow shot back. “Well, I’ll never understand how you can enjoy makeup and fashion so much.”
Hearing this made Rarity snap her eyeliner case shut, as the two girls glared each other in the eye.
“I’ll have you know fashion and looking good is the core of any successful endeavor,” Rarity argued. “Playing sports is just sweaty, dirty, and not at all attractive!”
“Sports teach you some useful skills like hand-eye coordination!” Rainbow shot back. “That’s a lot more important than putting a whole bunch of gunk on your face that you’ll just wash off eventually!”
“Why I never!” Rarity gasped.
Before things could escalate any further, Fluttershy pushed herself between the two trying to calm them.
“Oh please don’t fight guys!” She begged. “You know I hate watching my friends fight! Please just stop.”
The two girls glanced toward their meek little friend, noticing the tears welling up in her eyes. They didn’t know how she did it, but anytime she pulled that move it always made them stop immediately and work it out. Both girls sighed, as they turned back toward each other.
“Sorry!” They both said in unison.
Then Pinkie popped right between them, wrapping her arms around them.
“See? Now that’s Wondercolt spirit!” She said excitedly. “We’re all best friends here; we love each other very much.”
Suddenly, a loud beeping drew Pinkie toward the wristwatch on her arm. She gasped loudly when she saw the time.
“Oh my gosh! I’m late! I’m late! I’m late! I need to get to Sugarcube Corner for my shift! See you guys later!”
Pinkie quickly took off down the street quick as a bullet, leaving a trail of smoke behind her. The force of her running created a huge gust of wind that nearly blew the others away. After regaining their footing, they all looked off in the direction the energetic party ran toward and shook their heads.
“Ah will never understand how she does that,” Applejack spoke, bewildered.
“What about you Twi?” Rainbow asked. “Any plans tonight?”
“I have to head over to the police station,” Twilight told them. “Today’s the day Shining Armor becomes the youngest captain in the history of the CCPD.”
She then looked down toward her own watch, noticing the time. It was only ten minutes away from the ceremony starting and she needed to get a move on.
“Oh boy, I really need to get going!” She said urgently. “I’ll text you guys later, and we can make plans to hang out.”
“Can do, Twi!” Rainbow nodded.
“And do tell Shining Armor congratulations for us, will you darling?” Rarity asked.
“You got it!” Twilight smiled.
Twilight turned back around and gave Timber another quick kiss before hopping into her car.
“See you tomorrow, Timber!”
“I’ll see you later, my little twinkling star!” Timber said cutely.
Twilight’s cheeks blushed a deep red, blowing another kiss before driving off.
<>
Later, Twilight pulled into the parking lot of the Canterlot City Police Department. She quickly made her way into the middle. Just in the middle of the precinct, a few rows of chairs were set, and a variety of folk were already in their seats. Up front, there was her mother and father, as well as her sister-in-law Cadence and her little toddler niece Flurry Heart. She smiled at the sight of her family, quickly making her way over to sit with them. Flurry’s eyes lit like a Christmas tree the moment she saw her aunt.
“Auntie Twily!” She cried excitedly.
Hearing her daughter yell out, Cadence looked over toward Twilight walking over to them. She smiled as she stood to greet her.
“Twilight! I’m so glad you could make it!” She said happily.
The two embraced in a big hug, eventually pulling away as they smiled at one another.
“There’s no way I’d miss this for the entire world!” Twilight responded.
Twilight looked down and saw her little niece bouncing up and down in her seat reaching out for her. Twilight giggled and knelt down to greet her.
“Hi there Flurry!” She cooed. “How’s my favorite little niece today?”
Flurry giggled, as she threw her arms around her aunt for a hug. Twilight was more than happy to reciprocate. After pulling away, Twilight hugged her parents as well before taking her seat. Her mother, Twilight Velvet, grabbed a tissue from a box in her lap to dry the tears forming in her eyes.
“Oh, I can’t believe it!” She cried. “My baby boy is becoming the youngest police captain in the city’s history! It seems like only yesterday I was tying his shoes before sending him off to kindergarten!”
Night Light grasped his wife’s hand, giving it a comforting squeeze.
“We did good honey!” He stated proudly.
The ceremony started to take place as the other members of the police force walked into the room and stood at attention. Commissioner Legal Law walked up before his men, standing tall and proud before the audience.
“Welcome everyone, today we are here to commemorate a very special occasion,” He announced. “Now as you all know, one of the most dedicated and determined members of our ranks will receive the great honor of captain. I was there when this young man first walked into this station with the intention of becoming an officer of the law. Since that day, he has proven himself as the best through his passion at keeping this great city of ours safe. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your newest police captain: Shining Armor!”
The doors to the left opened, as everyone looked toward Shining Armor walking before them. As he passed his family, he smiled at them all and they waved and smiled back. He made his way center stage and stood before Commissioner Law. The commissioner grabbed a big leather book and held it out before himself, which Shining Armor placed his hand upon.
“Shining Armor, do you solemnly swear to captain the brave men and women of the Canterlot City Police Department with honor, integrity, and perseverance?”
“I do!” Shining nodded.
“And do you also swear to keep the good people of Canterlot safe so long as you are the captain?”
“I do!”
“And to do so from now until death, whatever the cost may be?”
“I do!”
The commissioner smiled and grabbed a jacket with the stripes of the police captain embroider on the sides. He handed it to Shining Armor, who put it on with pride.
“Then it is my honor and privilege not only as the police commissioner but also as your friend to name you as the newest police captain for the precinct of the great city of Canterlot!”
The two shook hands as the audience stood on their feet and clapped with great applause. Shining also shook the hands of all his fellow officers, both men and women, who offered him words of congratulations. Once he was finished, he quickly made his way over toward his family.
“Yay daddy!” Flurry cheered.
Everyone laughed at the little girl’s excitement, as Cadence handed her over to her father, who spun her around and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
“Thank you princess!” Shining smiled.
“Oh, you are going to do such an amazing job Shining!” Twilight velvet praised.
“Thanks mom!” Shining thanked her.
“I’m proud of you son,” Night Light said, shaking his son’s hand.
Twilight ran up and jumped right into her big brother’s arms. Shining almost fell back from the force of the impact but thankfully he caught himself and hugged his little sister tightly.
“Congratulations BBBFF!” Twilight giggled.
“Thanks Twily!” Shining responded. “Glad you could make it!”
The two pulled away, as the entire family made their way for the exit of the police station. Once they got outside, the sun shined down upon them basking the family with its rejuvenating rays and the cool crisp air blanketed over them.
“You know what this calls for?” Shining asked.
Everyone looked toward him, waiting for his answer as he smiled brightly.
“Ice cream on me!” He laughed.
Everyone else laughed as well, while Flurry clapped her tiny hands excitedly. They began to make their way down the street toward Sugarcube Corner. As they walked, Shining hung back for a tiny chat with Twilight.
“So… how have things been with you and Timber?” He asked.
Twilight blushed over the question. For her, it was awkward to discuss matters like her relationship with her big brother.
“Oh you know,” She replied awkwardly. “They’ve been good.”
Shining chuckled over her obvious nervousness.
“Well just be sure he remembers that if he ever hurts you in anyway, I’m the police captain now.”
Hearing this made Twilight giggle again.
“I’m sure he already knows that!”
As the family continued down the sidewalk, Twilight turned toward the trees leading to the Everfree. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. Behind one of the trees, she thought she could see a figure looming in the shadows. As she tried to peer closer, what really spooked her was how the figure seemed to be… staring directly at her.
“Twilight!”
The sudden voice of her brother made Twilight jump and turn back toward her family. They all looked at her in confusion.
“You okay?” Shining sked.
Twilight turned back toward the trees, only to find that whomever or whatever she had seen was now gone. She shook her head and turned back toward her family with a nod.
“Yeah, I’m alright,” She responded.
“Are you sure?” Cadance asked worriedly. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Nah, it’s okay,” Twilight assured. “I just thought I saw something in the trees… probably my mind playing tricks on me.”
Everyone kept staring at her in confusion for a moment before they shrugged it off and continued down the road to Sugarcube Corner. Twilight, however, took one more glance back toward the trees unable to put what she had seen out of her mind.
<>
Jack the Ripper stood behind one of the tall trees littering the outskirts of the Everfree. He’d been watching the little family walk down the road toward the city. As he watched, he noticed the lavender-colored girl with glasses looking right at him. Staring back at her, his cold eyes gaze right into hers as though he could peer deep into her very soul. So pure, so innocent, so… perfect.
After a few seconds, he receded back into the darkness of the forest. All the while his thoughts remained upon the girl and her family. And the thoughts he were thinking were certainly not good at all.
Kill them! Rip them! Cut them!
