The Nightmares

NIGHTMARE FOUR

The next day or so passed by quickly. My dreams were nothing more than the usual, and I paid them no attention.

It seemed that the haunting in my mind had stopped, that I was free. Was I going mad, or did Pinkie actually invade my mind? The possibilities are almost endless with magical ponies for Equestria, so I kept thinking on the factors.

Then, the bus stopped, arriving at school. I stood up, grunting quietly from my protesting side, which still had a painful bruise on it. I walked off the bus after the few people ahead of me, going about my business as usual. I couldn't keep my thoughts away from all the horrible ideas, and before long I bumped into someone. Looking up some, I saw it was Johnny.

He looked down, already probably mentally berating me, "Johnny, I don't have time for you right now." I tried to side-step him, but he merely shoved me back a bit, almost causing me to fall down the stairs.

I looked him over, frowning. Even if I wanted to beat his ass, I'm scrawny and no where near strong enough. Maybe if I had a weapon, but, still unlikely. I just rolled my eyes and said, "Johnny, come on, just give it up already i need to-"

I was cut off by a laugh. His voice rang in my ears, and it only infuriated me more. I kept a calm facade in order to not fuel the fire. He then said, "Where are you going, anyways?"

I sighed, "None of your damn business Johnny, now out of my fucking way." He chuckled at me, leaning down to 'my level' to annoy me, "Wow, a little brave today are we? Well, can you tell me what happened with those bruises, huh?"

I shook my head, "I was just my clumsy self and hurt myself, alright?" He grinned mockingly.

Its like he wanted someone to knock that grin off his face.

Talking once more, he said, "So you ended up hitting yourself in the eye? Damn, you are a clumsy bitch huh?" I almost let out a growl of impatience, then looked up defiantly, "No, I got hit when I was in a fight, alright?" He seemed slightly taken back, then said, "Who was it with?"

"Well it was P-" I immediately cut myself off, realizing I almost said 'Pinkie Pie'. I really needed to get more sleep, and did not want this jackass to have another reason to laugh at me, "-my brother."

He laughed, backing up some, "Wow, you're brother really taught you a lesson then. Good for him." Johnny and his lackeys walked off, joking about god knows what. I sulked to my locker, putting away my lunch and grabbing my science book. Today was going to be a long day.

It was about fourth hour, the whole day being flooded with information i deemed worthless at the moment. The bell rang, and I quickly got up, gathering my pack and book, about to get to lunch. The teacher stopped me saying, "Excuse me, Sam, about your sleeping in class..."

I rolled my eyes, then said, "I already got it, okay? I know, it's wrong." I tried to leave once more, only for the teacher to say, "Young lady, get back here. Do you want a detention?" I stopped a moment, then shook my head, dashing out the door. That old hag can go fuck herself.

Within a minute, I had my lunch and was walking to the cafeteria. My jacket slipped on, and my pack was zipped and ready for going outside and the next class. As I was walking, I tripped, falling forward. My lunch splayed over the ground, and I quickly moved to pick it up. However, a foot found its way to my sandwich, squishing it. I picked it up, putting all the other items away. Looking around after standing, I saw Johnny walking away with a grin plastered on his smug face, then he turned around.

I made my way to the cafeteria, sitting down at a table. I unpacked my lunch and began eating, scowling as I opened the bag containing the sandwich. My lunch was relatively quiet, then my two friends sat down, "Hey Sam, what's going on?" said Alex. I responded with a small shrug. James was leaning back in his seat, smiling, "So, how're you then Alex?" asked James, which Alex responded with a nod, "Pretty good, Mrs. Soumer was a bit of a nagger today, but eh, most teachers are."

They continued talking, and I sat quietly thinking with my own thoughts. After finishing my lunch, I threw away the empty bags and walked towards the school doors, "I'm going out guys." my friends nodded in understanding, and I was gone before they started talking again.

My feet took my to a side of the school that's usually quiet. Running a hand through my hair, I yawned, leaning against the wall and slipping down to take a seat on the hard cement. I folded my arms over my knees, hiding my face in them.

"Hello." Said a happy, giggly voice.

I looked up, jumping slightly. Nothing was there. No one, no pony. I set my head back down, sighing. Then, I heard something like footsteps, except louder, and I distinctly remembered them from somewhere. I looked up again, quicker this time. Nothing. Not a soul.

Hesitantly, I laid my head back down. Then, something rounded the corner, a gust of cold air following it. I quickly shot to my feet, looking over to the corner of the school fearfully. There, a laughing Johnny stood, "Wow, I knew you were jumpy but damn!"

I let out a growl of annoyance, leaning back against the wall, "What the hell do you want..." He stepped closer, laughing slightly still, "Oh, nothing. I just felt like talking, and for the most part, you're full of shit." I looked over, actually curious what he meant by that.

"What do you mean?" He responded with a insufferable grin, "Well, you're brother didn't get in a fight with you, he barely even knew about the bruises. So, you really did fall on your face didn't you?" I ignored his comments, looking off. Then I was shoved off to the side, nearly falling.

"Come on, just tell me. I just wanna talk." He said, obviously sarcastic. I had no idea why he decided to pick a fight with me today, or why he would ever. But so help me, if he does...

Then, I fell over, a hard shove making my face hit the cement. I got on my knees, rubbing my cheek where it slammed into the ground; a little blood. Of course. I got up, walking up to him, "Johnny, you could really learn something from me. At least I don't go around fucking with other people, like your god damn mother."

He then stopped smiling, narrowing his eyes, "Shut your dirty mouth, bitch. You have no fucking idea who my mother is." It was a tender spot, and I loved hitting it. If it wasn't going to be a fight before, it was now. Combined with my short temper and his tendency to bite off more than he could chew, this was going to get ugly.

"You know, maybe you should be more like your mother, you both like fucking with people." i said with a smirk. Until a fist hit my stomach.

I almost fell over, grunting in pain, "Shut you mouth! Or I'll shut it for you!" Then, I balled my fists, and turned around, walking away, "Yeah, that's what I thought! Just walk away, pussy! You're nothing, you hear me? Nothing!"

He started laughing as he turned around, and I smiled widely, turning around and charging towards him.

Within a second or so, I had tackled him from behind onto the ground, his bare face and arms scraping slightly against the grain of the concrete. I could hear a cough, and then I gripped his hair and pulled his hair back, essentially making it hurt. I then punched his cheek, letting his head hit the concrete again, "Shut the FUCK UP! You don't know me! You NEVER knew me! But I know you, oh I know you well enough to want to fucking smack that grin RIGHT OFF YOUR FACE!"

I stood up, rage burning inside, making my actions feel amazingly powerful, "Get up. get the FUCK up." Johnny got on his knees and hands, barely having enough time to get ready for another blow to his stomach from my foot, sending him onto his back. I sat on his chest, my feet planted firmly on his arms.

I should have done this a long time ago.

I sent another fist to hit his face, his eyes looking slightly dazed, small drips of blood from the scrapes on his face. I gripped his cheek, pulling his face up painfully, "Do I need to break your jaw, huh? Do I?!" I pulled my arm back for another punch, but then something stopped me.

A voice. Someone calling out to me, "Sam...what're you doing!"

James. My arm started descending slowly, and I looked over to where the voice was heard. James was looking at the scene, wide eyed at what I had done. I blinked, looking down at Johnny. His face slightly bloodied with bruises. I moved my feet off his arms, seeing shoe marks on his arms and a purple tint to the areas there. Then, I looked at my hands, my knuckles smeared with slightly dark liquid.

I felt my anger falter, then break down as I scurried to get off the beaten boy. I pushed myself against a wall, a shuddering gasp leaving my lungs. James rushed over to me, putting a hand on my shoulder, "Sam, Sam are you okay?" I didn't responds, only nodded slightly as I felt the rage be replaced with fear and anxiety. I looked around, seeing no one, I lightly pushed James away and started walking back towards the school, putting my hands in my hoodie.

Eventually, I found myself in the school bathroom, the sink on and my weight resting on my hands, which where gripping the sink tightly. I put my hands under the cool water, letting the dirt and smears of blood wash off my hands. I shook slightly, starting the scrub my hands, as I then grabbed a paper towel and put it under the water spray, getting it wet.

I raised the rag to my face, trying to cleanse myself of whatever blood or dirt that had accumulated on it. I tossed the paper towel away, yanking another free of the dispenser to dry my hands and face with. When I was finally done with this, I looked up at the mirror, staring at myself. Then, I saw something move in the reflection. I turned around, "Who's there?" I said into the empty bathroom.

There was no answer, just the running water, "I said who's there..?!" My anxiety kept building. Was I asleep? Did I pass out somewhere? Then, someone rushed into the bathroom. I jumped slightly, trying to scrambled away from them, but a hand tugged on my arm, pulling me back, "Sam!"

I swung a fist blindly, like a frightened animal in a corner. I felt it scrape against something soft, and finally looked to find James panting slightly, "Sam, just...calm down...who were you calling out to?"

I lost my words for a few moments, then said, "I...I saw something- or, someone, I think. In the mirror, the reflection I-" He shook his head, "Sam, there's no one in the bathroom."

I, again, failed my words before saying, "I saw someone James, I did, really-" He gripped my shoulders tightly, "Sam. No one came in here but me." I finally felt my body and mind starting to calm. I shook slightly, then sighed shakily, shrugging his hands off my shoulders, "I'm..fine...just...leave me alone right now."

He stood there a few moments, probably deciding what to do. I shot him a slight glare, and with a tinge of fear he backed up, walking away, "Alright, fine, I'll go. Talk to you later."

And like that, I stood alone. As I felt it should be.

Within ten minutes, I was in the principles office, barely thinking about my situation. More or less, my mind was blank, not even thinking at the moment. I had just done something that I wished to do for years, but now, after doing it, I don't feel any better. I feel lonelier, and even more distraught.

The door opened, and Mr. Harling walked in, sitting down in front of me, "I take it you know why you're here?" I nodded, looking up expressionless. He sighed, leaning on his desk, "Sam, I have no idea what provoked you to do that, but things like that are intolerable here, understand?" I nodded once more, staring blankly.

He gave an irritated look, saying, "Sam, I understand that you two have been at odds since you met, but you can't just beat someone on the sidewalk, let alone at all. And you can't just smile and nod. Talk." I rolled my eyes, finally gaining back some words, "...he deserved it."

Mr. Harling shook his head, "No, he didn't, Sam. Johnny is a, while somewhat obnoxious student, still peaceful from what I've seen-" I cut him off, saying, "Yes, from what you've seen. Not from what I've seen."

He held a finger up to stop me, and I complied, "Sam, don't try to make yourself the righteous here, harming other students, or people for that matter is wrong." I shook my head, saying, "Mr. Harling, with all due respect, I don't care. Just hand me whatever slip you want to hand me so I can go already."

Mr. Harling opened his mouth to speak, before closing it once more, taking out a slip and scribbling down words on them. He handed it to me after a minute or so, and I stuck it in my pocket as he said, "Get it signed by your mother and give it to me by tomorrow, understand?" I nodded, standing and opening the door before he said, "Would you like to apologize to Johnny?"

"No." I was out of the office within seconds, already walking to my next class. I found a small grin on my face after school, looking out the window of the bus.

TO BE CONTINUED