Little Child: A heartfelt story
Nightfall had just arrived at Canterlot. It's glistening stars blanketed the city as they twinkled majestically above the streets. For many it would mean time to turn in for the night and wake up the next day, For one girl it meant the end of her shift at the animal shelter. That girl was non other than Fluttershy. While on her drive back, she had passed by an alleyway only to see a small figure from the corner of her eye as she zoomed by. Her heart jumped a little and she gasped. What was that?!. She pulled herself over on the side of the road and tried to process what she had just saw. Curiosity got the better of her and she turned back. Stopping the car right infront of the alleyway, she got out and called out into the darkness. "Hello?! Anyone there?!" No answer, only the sound of night silence and the occasional cricket chirp filled the air. Just as Fluttershy was about to turn back she heard something that made her freeze in her tracks. A small crying coming from deep within. She looked down the dark pathway and felt fear inside her, but she was more curious than afraid. Needing to know exactly what it was, she took one step forward and was already having second thoughts. but the quiet sob she had heard was now more audible. It didn't seem like it was too far away. Gathering enough courage, she slowly walked deeper into the alleyway. The sound of her breath louder than her footsteps. When she turned across a corner, what she saw made her gasp in shock and fear. At a dead end with only the dumpster was a young child. Someone who looked like he was only three years old. He had light gray, almost white hair and wore a small blue jacket with gray shorts. Fluttershy gasped and put her hands over her mouth. As soon as he saw her, he gave a small yelp and ran behind his only defense: the dumpster. Fluttershy wasn't about to give up that easily. The poor child started to whimper as Fluttershy walked closer to him. The kind-hearted girl felt her heart break as she tried to reach out to him. "Please come out. I won't hurt you," she pleaded. The child refused to come out and as she approached closer near him he curled up in a ball his tears flowed freely. The child was terrified of Fluttershy and he was at a dead end.
"Don't hurt me please," He said so softly Fluttershy could barely hear him. She scooped him up in her arms and held him in a cradle. "HELP!" he cried. He was scared of being in the arms of someone he doesn't know. Fluttershy gently pressed his head against her breast and spoke to him in sweetest of voices.
"It's alright. Shhhhh I'm here." She said sweetly. She looked down at the crying child and smiled at him. "Hi there, sweetie. What's your name?"
"Cain...Colten," Cain said nervously. He continued to whimper still being somewhat afraid of her.
"That's such a lovely name, Cain. My name is Fluttershy."
"H-hi Miss Fluttershy."
The girl felt her heart melt. He's such a polite little one!. "Sweetheart, you don't need to call me miss. Just Fluttershy is good enough." She said kindly. "Do you live nearby?" she asked. Cain sobbed harder which Fluttershy took as a no. Does he not have any parents? "Do you know where your parents are?" Cain shook his head and looked down. He suddenly gave a painful yelp and started wailing. This caused her to flinch a little then she noticed something underneath his shirt. She carefully lifted it up and what she saw made her almost faint. She felt tears of her own about to leak from her eyes. She wished she was just seeing things but it was right there. On Cain's stomach were welt marks. Welt marks that looked like it came from the buckle end of the belt. Her heart completley shattered as she stared in horror at his stomach. When she gently placed a hand on his stomach, he screamed causing her to yank her hand back. What kind of person would do this to a child? but that question would have to wait. Right now she needed to help him. "Sweetheart, how about you stay with me tonight until I find out where your parents are at. How does that sound?"
"O-okay," he sniffed. He held on to the gentle teenaged girl as she made her way back to her car. Unfortunatley she didn't have a car seat in her veichle but her house wasn't too far away. She gently placed him in the backseat and helped him buckle his seatbelt, then she got in the driverside and drove home.
After arriving home, she placed Cain down on the ground and used her keys to open the front door. She set her keys on the front table and decided she needed to do something about those wounds on Cain's stomach. She went into the bathroom and came back with a bottle of rubbing alcohol, some cotton balls, and a box of bandaids. Cain's eyes widened in fear as he saw the alcohol bottle but before he could move away, Fluttershy held onto him and placed him on her lap as she sat down on the floor. "Cain, sweetheart. I know this will hurt but I promise it will be over soon." She dabbed one of the cotton balls with alcohol and began to rub it on his welt marks. He shrieked and his eyes welled up. It really hurts! The girl flinched but continued to wipe the cotton ball on his belly.
"NO MORE!" He wailed. His eyes started to well up on how painful it was. Fluttershy's heart shattered seeing but she knew this had to be done. After cleaning the last wound, she put on the bandages on his stomach but Cain was still crying. Fluttershy gently held him close to her soft chest and whispered in his ear.
"Shhh it's okay, sweetheart. It's all over now shhhh". She gave him a tender kiss on his forehead and he buried his face into her chest and cried. "Tomorrow I can give you give you a nice warm bath. How does that sound?" Cain looked up and sniffed.
"Really?" He whimpered. Fluttershy nodded.
"Of course. But tonight we should eat something." She went into the kitchen and began to make dinner. While she was cooking Cain went to the sink to wash his hands and went towards the dining table. However he was having trouble reaching the chair so Fluttershy helped him up. She went to the kitchen and came back with a bowl of fish fingers and steamed vegetables for him.
"Thank you," he said kindly. Fluttershy smiled sweetly.
"You're welcome, sweetie." She was glad Cain was warming up to her. After they ate she decided to get the little one ready for bed. After he was done, she carried him to the guest bedroom and tucked him under the covers. Fluttershy pulled him for a hug. "Sweet dreams, Cain." She whispered. "Ill be over the next door if you need me." She started to walk torwards the door but Cain's voice stopped her.
"Fluttershy?"
"Yes?" she responded.
"Thank you for taking me in."
Fluttershy felt her heart melt. "It's no problem, Cain. No one as cute as you should ever be left outside." Tomorrow she'll take him to her friend Rarity's to get new clothes and even a pair of sleepwear. "Goodnight little cutie." She left the room leaving the door slightly opened.
Little Child: A heartfelt story
Comfort and Painful memories
Cain started to become thirsty at around 2 in the morning so he got out of bed and went to the kitchen. He was just going to get a quick sip of water and get back into bed. When he creeked the door open he quietly went to the kitchen. Not wanting to wake Fluttershy up he took his time getting there. When he got there he went to the fridge and opened it. Luckily the bottles were on the bottom shelf so he grabbed one and took a sip. After he was done, he started to walk back to the bedroom but he accidentally knocked a vase over the ledge making it shatter. His eyes widened in fear: Fluttershy was sure to wake up and he was terrified she was going to be furious at him. The lightswitch flipped on and he heard her voice.
"Hello?! Who's there?!" Fluttershy saw the shattered vase on the floor and gasped. She saw Cain cowering behind the sofa with tears streaming down his cheeks.
"I'M SORRY. PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!" He screamed. He curled up in a ball and started to cry. "IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" He was so afraid that he couldn't even look at her. Fluttershy got on her knees and tried to get him to come closer torwards her.
"Sweetheart please come out. I'm not mad. I just want to make sure you're okay," she said gently. But Cain refused to come out. He was terrified Fluttershy was going to beat him for breaking something of hers.
"No! You're going to beat me!" He whimpered. "I don't wanna get beat with the belt!"
"Cain, I promise I would never do that. It was only an accident." Fluttershy said. She went up torwards him and picked him up. Cain let out a yelp of fear almost certain he was going to get severely beaten. "Shhh it's okay, baby. Don't cry, don't cry." She said sweetly. She held him in a cradle hug and noticed the waterbottle on the floor and guessed what had happened. "Were you thirsty and needed a drink?"
Cain nodded. "Uh huh. I-I needed a d-drink so I g-g-got out of b-b-bed and went int-to the k-k-k-kitchen."
Fluttershy looked at his sad eyes. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I d-didn't want to w-wake you," Cain muttered.
Fluttershy held him close as she whispered, "Oh, baby. I would never be mad about that but next time if you need something just tell me, okay?"
Cain nodded. "Okay, i-i-it's just that w-whenever I-I-I m-m-make a mist-t-take m-m-my Auntie Eliza h-h-hits M-m-me with t-t-the b-b-belt e-even f-for no reason AND IT REALLY HURTS!" He shrieked. Fluttershy put her hand over her heart. Now she knew why Cain was terrified of her. He thought she was going to beat him with the belt. She held him in an embrace to calm him down. "I-I-m sorry," Cain apologized.
"Sweetie you don't need to apologize. Accidents happen," Fluttershy reassured him. She kissed his cheek and shushed him softly. She thought to herself. If she ever met her his aunt she would give her a piece of her mind.
"Can I sleep w-w-ith you please?" He asked giving her the puppy eyes. The kind-hearted girl looked at his sad face and kissed his forehead.
"Of course you can. In fact I think I might have something that'll cheer you right up." She went to her room and came out with a yellow stuffed duck plushie. "This used to cheer me up when I was younger. His name is Quackle McSnuggles. Can you say hi to Quackle?"
"H-hi Quackle McSnuggles," Cain sniffed.
"Hi there, Cain. It's so nice to meet you. I just wanna snuggle with you!" Fluttershy said in a funny voice. She was making it look like the plushie was talking. Cain started to giggle and felt a little better. He was starting to calm down. "Feeling better?" She asked. Cain nodded and Fluttershy gave the plushie to him.
"I-i-is this for me?" He asked. He was uncomfortable taking something that wasn't his.
"It's yours to keep, sweetheart. I insist." Fluttershy said kindly. Cain hugged the plushie towards his chest
"Thank you," he said softly. Fluttershy giggled.
"You're very welcome, Cain. You just needed something to cheer you up." She picked him up and made her way back to her bedroom. She got under the covers with Cain and he snuggled up to her stomach. She blushed and wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer torwards her. "Sweet dreams, little pumpkin," She gave him one more kiss on his forehead before drifting off to sleep.
"Goodnight Fluttershshy" Cain said. He too was starting to fall asleep when as Fluttershy held him in an embrace.
Little Child: A heartfelt story
Morning and Meeting Fluttershy's friends
The next morning came as the sun's rays shoned through the windows. Fluttershy groaned a little as she strugged to open her eyes. She felt something around her waist and saw it was Cain who was snuggled against her. Fluttershy gently stroked his hair.
"Cain, it's time to get up, baby." She said. Cain made a cute yawn and looked up at Fluttershy.
"Good morning, Fluttershy."
"Good morning, Cain. Did you sleep well?"
Cain nodded. "Mhm. Thank you for letting me sleep with you." Fluttershy kissed his forehead and giggled.
"Don't mention it buddy. Now let's go eat some breakfast okay?" Cain took her hand as they went to the kitchen. "Wait here, I gotta do something real quick." She got a broom and dustpan and sweeped up the shattered vase. After she was done, she threw it in the trashcan and started to make breakfast. She got out some eggs, a frying pan and a utensil for cooking.
ed. He took Fluttershy's hand as she led him to the kitchen and started to get a pan out and some eggs. However Cain had to tell her something. "Umm Fluttershy?"
"Hmm?" she replied looking at him. "Is something wrong?"
"A-a-are you going to be mad?" Cain was starting to cry. Fluttershy saw this and tried to reassure him that she wasn't.
"Cain, you can tell me anything. I won't get mad."
"It's just that I-I don't r-r-really like e-e-eggs b-because t-t-t-they make my tummy hurt and my Aunt-t-tie says I'm a freak b-because she s-s-says I-im not normal!" He wailed. Fluttershy put down her pan and eggs and picked Cain up to calm him down. She sat down on the dining chair and rubbed his back and gently bounced him up and down on her lap.
"Cain, I want you to listen to me. You are not a freak. It just means your tummy can't handle certain foods like other people's. Everyone is different."
"Really?" Cain whimpered. Fluttershy held him close to her soft chest and whispered,
"I'm sure of it. I'm glad you told me because you would have gotten very sick. Would you like some pancakes instead?"
Cain nodded. "Yes please," he said politely. Fluttershy went to the pantry and grabbed a packet of pancake batter and started to cooking. When the pancakes were ready, she put a few on Cain's plate and offered some syrup to him.
"Thank you," He said cutely. Fluttershy couldn't help but giggle.
"You're welcome, sweetie." She kissed his forehead and got herself some pancakes. While they ate Cain realized how good they were and Fluttershy was happy he liked them. After they were done, she put the dishes in the sink and washed them until they were clean. When she put them up she noticed Cain was gone from his chair. She found him on the living room sofa curled in a ball with tears streaming down his cheeks. Fluttershy was worried and sat down next to him. "What's the matter?" She asked.
"Y-y-you b-b-been so nice to me and y-y-you d-d-don't e-even know me!"
Fluttershy frowned. "Oh sweetheart, just because I don't know you doesn't mean I can't show you any kindness."
"A-and *sniff* I m-m-miss my m-mommy and d-d-daddy!"
Fluttershy pulled him for a hug. "I promise we'll find your mommy and daddy as soon as we can."
"No we can't because they're d-d-dead!" Cain wailed and buried his face on her breast. Fluttershy's heart broke as she wrapped her arms around the poor child. Now it all made sense. His parents being dead and his Aunt taking him in and abusing him to tears. She truly hated his aunt for being so cruel to him. Whenever she thought about it she got angry and couldn't help but wonder if his aunt had anything to do with his parent's death.
"You poor sweet baby," Fluttershy said sadly. She gently rested her chin on his head as he cried. She thought of something that could cheer him up. "How about you meet my friends today?"
Cain started to become scared of meeting new people. "Are they mean?"
"Of course not. They're very nice and one of them is a clothing designer and I'm sure she'd be happy to make you some new clothes." After a few more minutes of calming Cain down, she decided to get ready and take him to meet her friends. Starting with Rarity.
On the way over to the Carousel Botique. Cain hid behind her legs as people looked at him. Although they didn't show any signs of aggression. He was still scared nontheless. Fluttershy put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. "It's okay. We're almost there." When they arrived at the botique they went inside and were greeted by a teen girl with violet hair. She wore a purple skirt, boots, and a light gray shirt. She also had a three diamond hairclip in her hair. She looked happy to see Fluttershy.
"Well hello, Fluttershy darling. What brings you here today?"
Fluttershy smiled at her friend. "Hi Rarity. I just wanted to know if you wouldn't mind making a few outfits."
"I certainly wouldn't mind at all!" Rarity replied. "What kind of style are you going for?"
"Actually it's not for me." Fluttershy admitted.
"Oh, then who if I may ask?" Rarity looked down and noticed Cain hiding behind Fluttershy's legs and blushing nervously. "Awwww who is this adorable little guy?" She asked as she went towards him. Cain let out a terrified yelp and ran behind one of the clothes rack and shook like a leaf. He whimpered as Fluttershy explained to Rarity.
"I'm sorry. He's really shy." She said as she went to get Cain and pick him up. She carried him over to Rarity so she could get a good look at him. He was starting to get scared and buried his face onto Fluttershy's breast and whimpered.
"Oh my, he's so cute!" Rarity gasped in awe. Fluttershy put Cain down and gently stroked his shoulder to assure Rarity wasn't going to hurt him. "Rarity, I'd like you to meet my new friend, Cain Colten. I just took him under my wing last night. Cain, this is Rarity. She's a very good friend of mine and a fashionista as well as clothing designer."
Cain nervously looked up at Rarity. "H-hi It's nice to meet you M-miss Rarity."
Rarity gasped at how sweet and polite he was being. She knelt down and gently stroked his cheek with the back of her hand. "Darling, that's so sweet of you, but you don't need to call me miss. Just Rarity is fine, okay?" Cain nodded and hugged her waist.
Fluttershy d'awwwed at this. "He likes you, Rarity."
The fashion girl put both hands on his cheeks. "You really are so adorable!" She cooed causing him to blush. "Are you the one who needs new clothes?"
"Yes please," Cain replied. Rarity smiled and started to take his measurements. When she was done, she told them that it was going to take a few hours before they were finished. Fluttershy and Cain thanked her and went on thier way out. Once they were gone, Cain made a comment. "She's really nice like you."
"She is," Fluttershy agreed. "And there's six more who you're going to meet who are very nice like her."