Author's Note

This is a major Trigger Warning for everyone who is about to read this. What you’re about to read will feature male on female violence. Reader’s Discretion is advised.

If you like this chapter, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 32: An Unexpected Reunion

Bella had come outside after seeing Sunny leave with tears on her face. She walked over to the bench where Sprout was still sitting. She saw that he also had tears on his face too. However, what really concerned her, was the look of shock and disbelief as well.

When Sunny left, she didn’t say anything to Bella. Not out of any disrespect or anything. She was just clearly having an emotional moment. Telling Sprout something that made them both feel that way.

“Sprout? Sweetheart?” Sprout turned his head after Bella got his attention. She came and sat down next to him.

“What happened?” She asked, clearly sounding worried. “What did Sunny say?”

Sprout began to wonder if he should tell her what Sunny had said to him. Was it really his place to tell her about something that happened to his mother over 40 years ago? She and Vinny had known Phyllis for as long as they could remember. She was practically family to them as well.

“Sunny told me everything that her and Hitch found out. About that mare on the beach who was murdered. And….and now I know why Mom gave up my brother all those years ago.” He told her, as she rubbed his shoulder in comfort. She nodded, urging him to keep going.

“Bella, I’m still mad at my Mom. Everything I wanted to be in life, it was based on lies and ignorance and…and prejudice. And she straight up abandoned her first child.” He said, anger rising on that last statement, which made Bella whisper “it’s alright” to him a few times to calm him down a little bit.

“She didn’t care where she put him. As long as she got rid of him…..but…..after what Sunny told me, now I know why. I get it.” He said, breathing in and out slowly.

Bella was scared to hear this. She’s known Phyllis Cloverleaf for years. Even before she met her husband Bright. Could Phyllis have been hiding a horrifying secret from her and Vinny all these years? Why would she do this?

“Sunny told me that, when my Mom was 14 she….she was raped.”

Bella felt as if a bolt of lightning struck through her. The shock was so big, she almost fainted upon hearing that statement. She almost didn’t believe it at first, but knowing how smart Sunny was, and how close her and Sprout were growing up, there was no reason to believe either of them were lying.

“Oh sweetheart.” Bella said, embracing Sprout.

Sunny knew that was one of the hardest things she ever had done. She remembered the day she decided to ultimately take her father off life support. That was ABSOLUTELY the hardest day of her life.

She also remembered, when she was still a filly, to stop getting Sprout to open up after his father had passed away so suddenly. It was both Hitch and her father who told her that, if he didn’t want to talk about it, no pony could make him. She didn’t want to. Really, she didn’t want to. However, she eventually realized that they were right. So, she stopped. That was certainly a hard decision for her.

And just now, telling Sprout everything that she and Hitch discovered, regarding the Mother Mutilator murders, was also a hard decision for her to make. She almost chose not to do so, after seeing the incredibly good mood he was in. Something she didn’t see too often with him growing up.

“Sunny!” She looked up and saw Zipp flying fast toward her. The look on her face concerned Sunny. Zipp looked like she saw something bad happen just now. What was going on?

“What’s wrong, Zipp?” Sunny asked, now that the Pegasus was right in front of her.

“Where did you get those photos you found? Of some of those Lexi Orphanage guys?” Zipp asked, looking sort of intense.

“I just looked through old archives of yearbooks from Clopton from 20 years ago. And looked at some old photos as well. Why?” She asked.

Zipp looked left and right, making sure no pony could hear them. She didn’t want to start a panic. “That police pony from Clopton? Officer Winthorpe?” She asked, making Sunny nod her head.

“I swear, he looks like one of the names you found. Dodd Winchester. Like, literally, almost to a tee.” She said, sounding kind of afraid. Which made Sunny look scared too.

“Are you sure, Zipp? Are you ABSOLUTELY sure?” Sunny asked, making Zipp nod her head.

“I told Hitch I needed to step out for a minute to get a smoothie.” Zipp told her. “So, let’s go to your stand, and maybe tell me some things you found out about Dodd. So I’ll know for sure if it’s him.”

“Okay.” Sunny said, now looking and feeling nervous. “But Zipp, if you’re wrong, please try not to make a big show of it. But, if you’re right…just please be careful. This guy is from Clopton. They’re either REALLY tough, or VERY bad ponies.”

The Pegasus mare nodded. “I will.”

“Zipp!” They both heard a familiar voice coming up the road they were on. It was the lovable unicorn, Izzy. She was running towards them, and almost tackled Zipp into a hug.

“Welcome back, friend.” She said, now letting go of Zipp. She laughed a little bit.

“Hey Izzy.” Zipp said with a chuckle. “Good to see you.”

“Hey, where’s Pipp? I wanna see her too.” The happy unicorn said, sounding even more excited.

“She took the Pippsqueaks to Mane Melody to get their manes done.” Sunny said.

“Ooh. I’ll go see her. But first, I need to get my smoothie on, Sunny.” Izzy said in an over the top, but hilarious way. Which made Sunny and Zipp chuckle.

“Sure. Let’s go.” Zipp said, as the three took off.

It took only a few minutes for them to get to her stand. Izzy and Zipp waited patiently for Sunny to set everything up. While they did that, Zipp noticed that Izzy was looking at her with an excited look. As if she wanted to tell her something, but was waiting for her to ask what was up. Zipp chuckled again.

“Alright, I’ll bite. What’s up, Izzy?” Zipp asked.

The unicorn mare jumped up and down with glee. “Sprouty and I went on a date last night.”

Zipp looked surprised to hear that. “Really? You and Sprout?”

“Uh-huh. Uh-huh.” The unicorn said, looking as if she was ready to burst.

Zipp raised an eyebrow. “And how was it?”

Izzy sighed in ecstasy. “It was wonderful. We had a nice dinner at the Firepit Pizza. We talked. And we found out we both have a few things in common. He looked so handsome. And…” She let out a giggle with a blush on her face.

Zipp grinned. “And what?”

Izzy squeed in delight. “I kissed him.” She sighed again. “It was so romantic.”

“You and Sprout, eh?” Zipp asked, still finding it hard to believe that somepony who once hated unicorns, was now apparently dating one. And both seemed very happy with it.

Izzy nodded. “I can’t wait to tell Pipp. Oh, she is gonna love to hear this.”

“I’m sure she will.” Zipp said. “I’ll be honest, I still think it’s weird seeing you two together, but I’m still happy for you, Izzy.”

“Oh, thank you.” Izzy said, sounding super happy. A super happy Izzy.

It was then they both realized that their smoothies were done. Izzy’s Dreamy Greenie smoothie and Zipp’s Peanut Butter and Banana Bomb. Then, Zipp thought of something.

“Sunny, make Hitch and Pipp a Super Citrus and Strawberry Ripple. And maybe, get a….Triple Berry for our Winthorpe.” She said, which made Izzy look confused.

“Who’s Winthorpe?” She asked.

“It’s nothing, Izzy. Here.” Sunny said, giving her the Dreamy Greenie smoothie. “Go on over to Pipp and chat with her. Don’t leave out any details about your date last night.” She said, making Izzy flush in her cheeks, giggling as well.

Sunny quickly made a Strawberry Ripple smoothie for Pipp. Izzy then took both in her magic and trotted away.

Since Sunny had just opened up her stand, no pony else had come by yet. So, it was just her and Zipp for now. She looked to the left and right to see if no pony was looking.

“Okay. So, there are a few things I learned about this Dodd Winchester.” Sunny said, making Zipp nod her head with intensity.

“Both he and Bud Bloomington got into fights with other students when they were in school. And actually, I think Dodd was more of a bully than Bud was. He picked on a lot of students back then.” Sunny told her.

Zipp became interested in hearing that. “Bullies are naturally insecure ponies. So, maybe, if I made him angry or did something that pissed him off…”

“Maybe he’ll let something slip out.” Sunny said, getting to where Zipp was thinking of.

“Also, there’s this too: Bud Bloomington, Dodd Winchester and Sanguine Sauvignon technically never graduated high school. The Lexi fire happened about 2 months before graduation. Bud was 18, Dodd was 16 and Sanguine was 15.”

Zipp looked surprised when Sunny said that. “And nopony went looking for them? They just disappeared?” She asked.

Sunny shrugged. “I guess Clopton police officers were too busy with something else. But after the Lexi fire, two years later, was when the Mother Mutilator’s first victim died. Nova Jasmine.”

Zipp thought that was pretty interesting. If she thought that this Winthorpe was indeed Dodd Winchester, then she needed to know how long he’d been a police pony. If the Lexi fire was 20 years ago, then that meant that Dodd was now 36 year old. When did he officially start as a police pony?

And how has he been helping Bud murder all those mares?

Zipp grabbed the 3 smoothies, which were in a carry box. “Alright Sunny. Thanks.” She let out a big breath. “Wish me luck okay?”

Sunny nodded. “Please be careful, Zipp.” She said, making Zipp nod her head, before she took off.

She almost felt the need to shut down her smoothie stand for today and go help Zipp as well. But, this was now was Hitch and Zipp’s case. She was happy to help while Zipp was gone, but now the rest was up to them.

Little did she know that after today, nothing would ever be the same for her and her friends again.

Hmmmm. This place is pretty state of the art. It’d be nice if I owned this place.

Bud Bloomington thought as he walked through the Canterlogic. Sanguine wasn’t with him now. He sent her off to the bathroom with the bag she had with her. When he sent her a text on his phone, that’s when her part came up next.

He looked around at all the employees here. They certainly looked like they were hard working ponies. After all the jobs he’s worked at in Clopton, he truly respected hard working ponies like these.

Shame that this would be their last day here.

He walked upstairs to where he would be interviewed by Phyllis Cloverleaf. His birth mother. With his good looking suit on, his briefcase, and good looking mane that he brushed really well before coming here, his excitement levels were off the charts.

He couldn’t wait to see her. He couldn’t wait to catch up with her. He couldn’t wait…

“Alright. Have a nice day, Phyllis.” He heard a voice say from inside her office. He stopped in his tracks. He swore he thought he knew that voice.

The door then opened, and out came, with a janitor cart, a dark purple coated, light brown maned stallion, who looked about in his mid fifties. When the two saw each other, everything went quiet for about a minute.

Bud knew who this was. It was Reggie. The former police pony, who came by the Lexi Orphanage before he and his accomplices set the cursed place ablaze. He almost felt the need to kill him right here and now. But, that would interfere with his plan. So, he regained his composure and put a smile on his face.

“Hello good sir.” He said in a happy voice, while patting his briefcase. “Going in for an interview. Maybe, we’ll be working together.” He said, as he walked past him and into Phyllis’ office.

As for Reggie, while he walked away, he just couldn’t shake the feeling that he felt he’s seen a ghost. He swore he thought he recognized that stallion. Why does he look so familiar?

If he hadn’t had another bathroom to do, he’d have asked that stallion about it. It was almost killing him now when he saw that stallion.

In the future, this would be something that Reggie deeply regretted not doing.

Back in Phyllis’ office, the two ponies greeted each other. “Ahh, Mrs. Cloverleaf. Pleasure to meet you.” Bud said in a fake friendly tone.

Phyllis sat up from her chair. “Nice to meet you as well. Your name is Burgeon Barren, correct?” She asked, shaking his hoof.

“That would be me.” Bud said, with that fake smile he’s used on his victims over the years. Truth be told, when he felt the touch of his mother’s hoof on his, he almost wanted to bring her hoof to his muzzle and smell it. Take a big whiff of what this bitch smells like. Thankfully, he let go of her hoof and then the two sat down.

The tension was there for Bud. He knew he had to time his reveal just right. Let her ask all her questions. Then, he’d drop the bombshell on her.

After Sprout had calmed down a little bit, Bella had now felt it was time to calmly and gently tell Sprout how she felt about this situation.

“Sweetheart, I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. I am so sorry that you found this out. I know that you must feel…angry…scared…confused…believe me, I understand.” Bella comforted him as best she could.

Sprout shook his head in disbelief. “Why would my Mom lie all these years? Why would she keep this from me? Why didn’t she make sure my brother was in a good home, instead of those ponies who did raise him?”

Bella looked sad. She knew that Sprout wanted these questions answered. But, questions like that were complicated to answer. And if they were answered, would it matter if he didn’t like what he heard?

She gave a sigh. “I wish I could answer all those questions, sweetheart. And to be fair, I’d like to know them myself.” She said, as Sprout looked at her again.

“However, if I had to give an answer, I’d say it as simple as this: your mother was in a bad place. She didn’t know what to do, and I guess didn’t have support from her family. She was a young filly, and made a quick decision to get herself out of it. Looking back, maybe it was wrong of her to do that. But, again, she was 14 and didn’t know what else to do.”

Sprout heard her words and thought about the situation his mother must’ve been in. She was raped and impregnated by somepony at 14 years old. Her family doesn’t believe her or support her during her pregnancy. When she brings his brother into the world, she now has a child she didn’t choose to have or want. No pony helps her. She obviously won’t kill him, because she’d go to prison. So, she just quickly looks up orphanages on the internet, and chooses the first one she sees.

Then, her family kicks her out of the house. And, apparently, erases her from the family altogether. As if she never existed. And she was 15 by that point as well.

When all that went through his head, he started to wonder…..”Why wouldn’t she do all that stuff?” Who could blame her after everything she went through? Yeah, it still wasn’t right of her to just get rid of her child like he was nothing. But….she was only 14.

She was scared. Alone. Confused. What else could she have done?

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, sweetheart. I’m just saying, knowing what you know now, doesn’t it all make sense?” Bella asked him. Sprout couldn’t say anything.

“And there’s this too:” She put her hoof on his shoulder in comfort again. “After everything you and your Mom have been through, do you really think you can’t love her anymore?”

Sprout thought about that. He closed his eyes, thinking back to the days of when he was a little Colt.

There was the time when, after Bright passed away, the two of them went camping at a local campground. Something that Bright lived to do when he was still alive. He got a little scared at night, and his mother promised to protect him with her life. He knew then the monsters wouldn’t get him with her by his side.

Then, there was the time when, a nice looking shirt he owned didn’t fit him anymore. He was freaking out, because he was going on a date the next day with a pretty mare who agreed to a movie date with him. No questions asked, she bought him a nice looking shirt. Just like that. Too bad the date he had didn’t lead to anything. But, he was always appreciative of that.

Then, after he aced his first test, she took him out to the Firepit Pizza, where he met Bella and Vinny. And to this day, they’ve been like family to them ever since.

When he opened his eyes, he knew what he had to do. He knew that, even if it would turn ugly, even if there would be things said between them, he knew now what he had to do.

“You’re right Bella. You’ve always been.” He said, now standing up from the bench.

“And now…I know I have to talk to her.” He said, while Bella stood up as well. The two then hugged each other.

“No matter what happens between you and Phyllis….Vinny and I….we love you, Sprout.” Bella said.

“And I love you guys.” He said, now letting go. He then walked toward the screen door, which would lead to the front door of Bella and Vinny’s home. When he walked out of their house, he thought in his head that, he had no idea how he was even gonna talk or react to his mother. What would he even say? What would be said between them?

He didn’t know. But, he was gonna sit down and talk with her about this. Little did he know that, when he would get there, he would not only see his mother….but his brother as well. And it would change his life forever.

“So, that’s how I’d strip and wax the floors.” Bud, as Burgeon Barren, said, finishing a question he was asked by Phyllis.

“Hmmm.” Phyllis said, very impressed with this stallion’s skills as a janitor. However, that wasn’t all she was thinking.

During the interview, Phyllis kept looking at her paper of questions she usually asks whenever hiring somepony. When she’d look back at the stallion, she kept getting a weird feeling in her gut. She didn’t know why or how, it was just there.

She couldn’t shake the feeling…that she knew this stallion from somewhere. She swore she recognized his face. She just didn’t know where and why.

“I’m also available to work weekends, if you need me to.” Bud said, still keeping that fake smile on his face. He only wondered when he’d reveal himself to her. It should be any minute now.

Phyllis couldn’t take it anymore. The feeling was just killing her. She had to ask.

“Do you mind if I ask a personal question?” She asked him.

“Not at all.” Bud said, now feeling a slight tinge of excitement. What was she gonna say?

“Do I….know you from somewhere? I don’t know why, but…I just feel like I recognize you?” She asked him.

That was it. Now was the time. Time to finally put his plan into action.

Bud started to chuckle a little bit. It went on for about a minute, before Phyllis started to get a little confused.

“What’s so funny?” She asked him.

His chuckling stopped, regaining his composure. “Nothing. It’s just…I’m a little surprised you say you recognize me. I mean…why would you?” He asked.

The tone in his voice felt like a red flag in Phyllis’ head. It sounded a bit…sinister. Why did he say that?

“After all, we haven’t seen each other in ages. Though, you probably never wanted to see me again, right? All these years, why would you want to?” He asked, his voice becoming more sinister.

Phyllis had no idea what this stallion was talking about. She had never seen this stallion before. Sure, she thought he looked familiar, but she doesn’t remember him.

“I mean….you did leave me. On the porch step of a random orphanage in Clopton. Just like that.” Now Bud’s voice was starting to show signs of anger and bitterness.

Phyllis felt a chill run down her spine. How did he know about an Orphanage in Clopton?

No.

No, it can’t be.

“Oh, I see you’re looking confused. Well, then let me show you something.” Bud said, opening up his briefcase. What he pulled out made Phyllis look at with fright and horror.

It was a little blue baby blanket. It had holes in it and looked worn and torn, due to years of wear and tear. She knew this…because she left that with Bud when she left him at the doorsteps of Lexi Orphange in Clopton 40 years ago.

She looked at Bud again. Now she knew. She knew EXACTLY who this was.

“B-B-B-Bud?” She asked, with the most terrifying tone in her voice she had ever heard.

“That’s right, Phyllis. Or should I call you…..Mom.?” He asked.

Then, for the next minute, the two just stared at each other. 40 year ago, Phyllis threw Bud away. Like he was nothing. Nothing but a piece of trash. Not caring who he was put with. As long as she was rid of him.

Now, 40 years later, the two were face to face. Alone. In a locked room. Together.

Phyllis made only the smallest move possible. She had to get out of here. She had to get Sheriff Hitch. What a mistake that was.

Bud saw that coming a mile away. When she moved, he lunged towards her. He grabbed her by her mane and, while she let out a blood curdling scream, he threw her against a wall. He slapped her very, VERY hard. Sending her to the ground.

He then kicked her about 4 or 5 times, very violently in the ribs, which made her almost lose her breath, and cough up blood. He grabbed the chair he sat in during his interview, and then wedged it in between the door handle. His phone was as then taken out, and he texted his other accomplice.

Do It.

Send.

He’d let her have her fun with all the other employees. He knew what he was gonna do.

He walked back over to his mother, who was now on the floor trying to get back up. He leaned back and punched her. Right in the jaw. Down she went again.

“Let’s spend some time catching up….Mom.” He said, before taking out years and years of anger out on her violently. Even if pony’s COULD hear her screams, no pony could help her. She was trapped. Trapped with this evil monster that she brought into this world.