Trixie cautiously followed Starlight as they looked around the market for notes that the mysterious voice left behind. Trixie still shivered in fear about how the voice sounded. Scary, violent, and maybe deadly. She was thankful that Starlight was with her. She didn't have to worry about her getting hurt as long as she was around. She would set the attacker in their place.

But what if she failed? Trixie thought grimly.

The duo stopped when Starlight turned to her. "I just realized." Starlight said to the blue mare. "That there was a key along with that note."

Trixie was confused for a moment. Then she remembered that they had discovered a golden key, and they were too terrified by the event to remember it.

"I think we left it behind." Starlight said. "Let's go back."

Just then something caught Trixie's eye. A note appeared under one of the shelves. Convenient.

Trixie grabbed the note with her magic and read it aloud to her friend.

You have found the first note of the night, and that brings me great delight.

I recall a key that you left behind, well don't look for it because its now mine.

For the pony who is bad at threats, you will soon leave behind a little debt.

The other note that you will seek is where all the blood leaks.

Hurry now before its too late, and you soon need to find eight.

Trixie's heart almost stopped when he saw the word "blood" in the note.

"Ponies have been m-m-murdered here?" Trixie quivered.

Starlight stood in silence, comprehending of what was in the note. "So we need to find eight notes and we can get out of here?"

"Seems so." Trixie said, still quivering.

Starlight grabbed the note and read it again. "What does it mean by 'you will soon leave behind a little debt.'?" Trixie saw the concern in Starlight's eyes. "Is he saying I might do something bad?"

"You? Do something bad? Pfft." Trixie scoffed. "He's calling his bluff, and if was so smart he should back off."

But Starlight wasn't convinced. "We just need to be wary." then her eyes narrowed. "If he even has the gut to face us."

Trixie was once again amazed by how brave her friend sounded, but she could tell that Starlight was terrified too. And was actually really terrified of the fiend. But as long as we're together, we will defeat him once and for all.

The duo then encountered a metal door with only a tiny window at the top. Trixie felt nervous, but Starlight was content to be here, for some reason.

"Why are we here?" Trixie asked.

"I think I figured it out. 'Where all the blood leaks'. I believe he is talking about the kitchen, where animals are slaughtered for meat, and we better pray to Celestia that we find no pony bodies in there.

Starlight magically broke the lock for the door and swung it open, letting out a blast of cold air. "I wish you told me you were gonna do that!" Trixie shivered.

"We don't have time to be cautious." Starlight looked outside. "The night may be young but I want to get out of here as soon as possible." she walked inside. Trixie hesitantly followed her.

Starlight looked inside the freezers and saw a collection of meats hanging from hooks. The two tried not to throw up. But then they saw another note was crammed in inside. Starlight levitated the note and had to pull the paper so it wouldn't stick. She eventually got it, but was still unsettled with the meat and dried blood on it.

"Let's get out of here." Starlight shivered. The two mares left the room and slammed the door shut. Just then Trixie looked at her side and saw a shadowy figure down the isle. It was staring at them with bright white eyes and with a big grin. Trixie freaked out and nudged Starlight vigorously.

"What?" Starlight looked at Trixie with confusion and nervousness.

"I saw him." Trixie pointed down the isle. "He was right there and-" Trixie turned her head and the figure was gone. Just then they heard a low whisper that sent chills through the two mares.

I'm coming.

Author's Note

To all of those who are wondering, yes, meat is canon in this universe. And don't ask why ponies buy the meat ;-;