Since the interview with Michelle and Stacy, I was often checking the e-news for any updates about their work. From what they presented themselves with, it sounded as if there was a big breakthrough anytime soon that would change the whole world’s view of how e̶q̶u̶i̶n̶i̶-̶ ponies, should be regarded. However, after what could have been about half a year, nothing had changed. True, I did see an article about Michelle’s research on Infowars but no mainstream platform has ever even mentioned it.

Unlike me, Sasha and Mary watched a lot of television, so I also asked them if they could tell me as soon as they heard anything about the said topic. As you can guess though, they didn’t learn anything either and I tell you, those people watched news every single day. My brain hurts just from thinking about all the bullshit that their ears must have heard over the years.

Anyway, it was spring again, more than 9 months since I met Stacy and Michelle, and by that time, I sort of stopped actively looking for any news about them. It was mostly just luck that I happened to be in the kitchen next to a TV, making myself and Suzzane some dinner, when a short report played out on the news in the background:

“A woman named Michelle Broz, has been found dead in her apartment. The cause of death has been identified as suicide.”

I dropped the knife that I was holding in my hand at the time when I heard it. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and seeing: She was dead. Just like that. In mere two sentences.

I refused to believe that she would do it herself, especially not after the Epstein affair which showed to the whole world just how exactly secret agencies deal with inconvenient people. From this deduction, I deemed it could only mean one thing: She was on the right track the whole time; The woman must have learned too much.

The news report mentioned Stacy too, although not being dead as well but simply missing. It could have meant anything, from being quietly taken care of as well, or actually getting away.

Hearing all of that not only filled me with deep sorrow towards the two but also with fear. After all, she did interview us too. They could have been after me and Suzzane too.

I picked up the knife again with a slightly shaky hand and rinsed it with water so I could finish preparing the food. Just a day ago, I thought I’d welcome any kind of news about the duo but when I actually learned about Michelle’s grim fate, I wished I never heard her name again instead. While making the food, I tried to force my mind to concentrate on something else but it was not quite possible. Especially not, when a few moments after that Suzzane wandered in.

“Need help Anon?” She smiled sweetly at first but then she must have noticed the stress inside that I was feebly trying to hide. “...You okay?” The mare’s smile sank just a little.

“Um, sure! Completely okay!” I scratched my head, tried to fake it, but it was already a lost battle. Suzzane could always read me like an open book, that’s one of the reasons why we were so close after all.

“Okay…” She furrowed her brows, studying me. “But do not look okay. Look not okay. What happen?”

I didn’t really want to tell her, I didn't want to trouble her with it but I didn’t want to lie either. White lies are still lies, so I spilled the beans:

“Michelle is dead, Suzie.”

“Michelle, interview lady? Dead?.. Gone?” She glanced at me with initial disbelief.

“Yeah…” I hung my head and bit my lip.

“But,.. I like Michelle…” Suzzane’s head hung down as well as she sat herself down on the ground. I sat right next to her and wrapped my arm around the pony. However, when she glanced back at me after a few seconds, I saw that her eyes were wet and a few tears were rolling down her cheeks. Yet, she wasn’t crying with all the sobbing and snuffles. That just wasn’t her. “...Why?” The mare asked me eventually with a bit of rasp to her voice.

“I-...I think they murdered her to stop her from finishing her work.” I spoke hesitantly. I didn’t want to imply that we might be next, even though it was exactly what I thought.

Suzzane didn’t say anything about it, only looked away, piercing her gaze towards the ground; about the same spot where I was looking. However, after a few long seconds, she raised her head and glanced at me. I also raised my head, thinking that she might break the silence but the mare simply stared at my face instead. She studied me for a few seconds, until her expression changed to a slight shock:

“You fear,.. we next?”

“What? No! I uh-... maybe?” I tried to hide my emotions without much success. “...Just because I fear it, doesn’t mean it has to be true though!”

“Yes…” Suzzane remarked agreeably and put her hoof on my head in a similar manner I’d often do to her. That was when I realised that it was her, trying to comfort me and not the other way around. “Is okay…” She cooed into my ear.

I didn’t want to succumb to it at first but eventually, I let her seat my head on her lap and stroke my hair. As strange as it felt, finding myself in this reverse position, I realised that I actually might have needed that. I really was afraid.

“...Is okay Anon. Dead not scary.” The mare whispered after a while, as if telling me some sort of secret.

“Hmf…” I chuckled somewhat forcibly without really moving. “...How come?”

“Because we meet again. Even if Anon not Anon and Suzzane not Suzzane.” She smiled. I didn’t see her expression from where I was but I knew from her tone alone.

“Huh, I almost forgot the thing you mentioned before.” I turned my head around to glance at her face, right above mine. “…You really do believe it, do you?”

“Yes.” The mare nodded as if it was utterly obvious.

“Well,..” I scratched my chin, unsure what to say. While the idea was comforting, I wasn’t sure if I could believe it just like that. I knew that Suzzane would not lie to me about something so important but it was just so hard to take her word as a proof. “Well I’d still prefer to stay Anon and you to stay Suzzane for as long as we can.” I said eventually.

“I like be Suzzane too.” She replied with a warm smile. “Why ruin our time with worry?”

“I dunno, it just happens on its own.” I laughed a little bit. The question felt almost absurd somehow. “As if I could control it.”

“But you can. Do you worry now?” She grinned.

“I dunno.” I chuckled as her mane tickled my face. I wanted to reach my hand towards her cheek but she leaned in instead and kissed me as deep as she could. I wasn’t prepared for her tongue almost completely filling my mouth but I wasn't about to complain either. I had to admit that Suzzane became an excellent kisser over our time together. We practised plenty after all. The delivery was even more flawless.

As she was almost choking me with her tongue, it almost felt as if she was giving me something from her at the same time… Or taking away something that didn’t belong. At some point, it felt as if there was a faint purple light coming from her forehead but I didn’t care about it that much because there were other things on my mind at the time.

Either way, when she was done, she asked me: “And now?”

And all I could say without lying was “Nah…”, grinning from ear to ear.

…

We didn’t talk about the said topics a lot after that, even though I’d still occasionally worry a bit. It wasn’t so easy as to say once: “I don’t care if I die, I’ll just be reborn.” However, having stoically calm Suzzane almost always around helped a lot. Eventually, some of her calmness started to rub off on me too.
After a month or two, I began resting easily again. And, a little spoiler alert: Michelle’s killers never came looking for us.
It could be that Michelle got rid of the original recording and kept only the written copy where our names were censored. Could be that a first name was not enough to find us while well hidden in the forest. That, or we simply weren’t posing any threat and killing us would only raise more questions. Looking back, it probably was the last thing, because if they should kill every single interviewed person and their pony, it would probably be quite a list. Back then it wasn’t so obvious though, so I really felt blessed in life.

Then the spring season started and my main concern was mostly work again. It was a bit of a shame that I was missing out on some of the most beautiful days of the year but we’ve had plenty of free time before that. So much, that I actually welcomed the work, knowing that I was doing something that made sense and I was also making money at the same time. Those were my last months at Sasha’s hotel because after that, I was to return home and the next day: to school. Ugh.

Those two months flew so fast with all the routine work that I almost wished I could stay a little longer. However, the time had come and we had to say goodbye to the old hotel, the endless forest and all the invisible creatures which Suzzane claimed it housed. Most of all though: Sasha, Mary and Svetlana. They’ve been really good to us and I wished I could do more for them. Stay longer at least. Also, it was a shame that we had to part, just when they stopped lisping at Suzzane and started taking her a little bit more seriously than they did when they first met her.

Anyway, it was time for me to face school again and for Suzzane to start earning her reputation with my parents instead. Neither of us felt sad though, -back then I still thought that I’ll see the Russian family once again. I felt ready instead. Ready to see my parents, ready to see my sister, my old room and some of the prettier parts of the city. Like the park!

I wasn’t so ready for school though. Sure, it wasn’t as physically difficult as working all day but I was supposed to join the class that was a year younger than my old one. I barely knew anyone there and it was likely that people still remembered about the ‘scandal’ that I had caused in the neighbourhood. Nonetheless, I wasn’t going to back out at that point.

Eventually, I found myself in front of the doors to my parent's house and Sasha’s car was speeding away in the distance. Suzzane was right next to me, taking the opportunity to preen her wings before we'll enter. However, before I could even lay down my luggage to press the doorbell, the doors opened themselves.

“Big bro!” My sister was the first one to welcome me. “You’re back! And Suzzane!” The girl hugged the pony first and then me, just as I knelt down a little.

“Hayy, great to see you sis.” I grinned. “Damn, you grew taller too.”

“I did? Yay! You didn’t though but that’s okay I guess, you were already pretty tall. Neither did Miss Preeny.”

“I think I not grow anymore.” Suzzane quickly spat out a feather from her mouth and smiled.

“Wowza, but you talk a lot better now! I’ll come fetch mom and dad, they’re gonna be so surprised! They’re in the garden I think, come on!” The girl rushed away. ..She really did grow quite a bit since I last saw her. Back then, she was still in those years when a single year can make a world of a difference.

I entered inside and laid all my stuff on the floor to move it later and followed after my sister with Suzzane by my side.

Just as the little girl said, my parents were outside. My mom was sunbathing and my dad was watering the lawn. He was the first one to notice me walking out from the house so he turned the hose off and laid it down before approaching me.

“Hey Anon, about time you showed up.” He smiled a little and firmly shook my hand. “How have you been, son?”

“Pretty good I have to say. Aside from that one time in the winter when Suzzane and I almost froze to death.” I chuckled back.

“Froze to death?” My mother got up from the sunlounger in the meanwhile. “Honey what have you been doing there? I thought you were working in the kitchen.”

“Hi mom.” I smiled and made a small side step for them to see the pony behind me that was catching up with my sister in the meanwhile. “I went to rescue Suzzane from a blizzard but she can tell you all about it herself. -Suzzane, would you tell mom and dad about that time in the winter?” I asked her.

“Yes!” The mare exclaimed and nonverbally excused herself from my sister with a nod. Then she approached my parents with a smile: “Hello again mom and dad. In winter, I always gow for walks because Anon working. But one day big wind! And Suzzane not make it home. Hit with a falling tree! Could die but my Anon find me and bring all the way home. Very brave.”

Hearing all that left my parents standing there baffled and surprised with slightly opened mouths. Suzzane’s speech wasn’t yet perfect but it was already several levels higher from what my parents knew. They still lived in the impression that she’s merely parroting and cannot actually express herself like a normal person can.

“That is… very brave indeed.” My mother finally said after a few long seconds of silence. Then she whispered to me: “Did you teach her to say that Anon?”

“What? No, just ask her anything!” I laughed. “I told you we’d be practising speech together throughout that year. You should hear how beautifully she can sing too!”

“Hey Suzzane, what’s your favourite colour?” My father quickly took the initiative to test her out.

“Purple!.. And green too! Trees green. I like trees a lot.” Suzzane didn’t hesitate to answer. No longer did she need to think about her cutely flawed sentences.

“What’s 5 + 10?” He continued.

“Uhh. Do not know.” Suzzane admitted hesitantly. “Do not know math, numbers scary.”

“Fair. And uh, what did you do the whole year?” Just to be sure, dad immediately fired another question; although I could visibly see that his world has been greatly shaken already.

A question like that lighted up Suzzane’s mood and confidence. She immediately began: “Many things! Explore, speak with Sasha, Mary and Svetlana, play games, meet trees, meet fairies, watch sunset, learn to speak, learn to sing!” The mare had to inhale again to continue. “Learn to draw, preen, cuddle with Anon, make love with Anon-”

“Alright that’s quite a lot.” Dad stopped her and sat down on a nearby chair, processing that he might have been wrong about her the whole time.

“I say something wrong?” She glanced at me.

“Nah Suzie, you’re amazing as always.” I grinned and knelt down to cuddle and give her a shameless short kiss. When I stood up, my dad had collected himself enough to stand up as well.

“Anon, so she’s really been like this the whole time?” He asked somewhat hesitantly.

“Well, yeah. I tried to tell you. I know she still speaks like an illegal immigrant but in time, she’ll be just like us. …Be it for better or worse.”

“Well, of all the things that I expected to happen upon your return, I did not expect this. I did not expect you to-...”

“...Speak the truth?” I chuckled.

“Yeah.” He glanced at me, looking sincerely ashamed for those few moments. Then he composed himself a bit. ”I’m still not entirely sure of how to feel about your relationship because she’s still a four legged horsey thing but…”

“That’s okay Dad.” I smiled, then glanced at my mom too. “I have a little request though; for both of you. For Suzzane’s sake, if you could try to stop treating her like an animal from now? Just,..let her sit with me at the table, stop shooing her away,.. stop trying to control what she does when you’re not looking… I mean, she’s her own person. I know that she doesn’t have hands but she does deserve to be treated with the same respect as anyone else.”

“Well,.. I guess I can do that much. She’s basically yours now so it’s your responsibility if she breaks anything.” Dad said.

“No couch though because sentient or not, she still loses hair and it’s a pain to get rid of it .” My mom added. “...Unless she’ll learn how to vacuum.”

“Deal..” I grinned.

“What is vacuum?” Suzzane wedged herself between the two of us.

…

Later that day, when lunch was getting served, we had a chance to try the new rules for the first time.

Suzzane used to sit with me at one table on regular occasions at Sasha’s hotel but when we returned back home, it was different. At that place, so many things were completely taboo in the past, so it was no surprise that the pone was reluctant to climb up on the chair next to mine. The memories just kept surfacing.

“Is really okay?” She asked just to make sure.

“Of course, come on up!” I laughed and jokingly slapped her rump to hurry up.

While my mom was serving steak for everyone, I brought some fresh fruit and veggies from the hotel with me for Suzzane. Flavoured oatmeal too. It’s what she often ate there because I immediately ditched the granulate when I became responsible for feeding her.

Oftentimes we also shared a plate of fries and fried cheese, pancakes or some other vegetarian stuff that you can usually find in a restaurant. That wasn’t the case here though, I could only rely on what I could make myself.

Later on, I learned to cook many delicious vegan/vegetarian dishes but back then I wasn’t very skilled at cooking yet, so, the homecoming dinner for Suzzane was just salad and pasta. She didn’t mind though, she was always grateful for every little thing I did for her out of love.

“There you go, love.” I put the meal in front of her and sat down on her right side.

“Thanks.” she smiled and picked up her spork, using her hoof. The pony had gotten a lot better since she tried it for the first time, back at the café with Michelle and Stacy. My parents noticed it as well, staring with half open mouths as the pony seemingly defeated the laws of physics by firmly holding the utensil, using the frog of her hoof. I gotta admit, I couldn’t figure out how exactly it works either, maybe something similar to granular jamming, but I was sort of used to seeing it at that point. Everyone else though, including my sister, were completely baffled.

Suzzane managed to eat about two sporks of her food before she noticed how many eyes were watching her. That was when she dropped the spork.

“Sorry…” She whispered as the thing clanged on the floor.

“That’s okay Suz.” I quickly picked it up, cleaned it with a tissue and gave it back to her. “No stress.”

“How?” My dad finally broke the silence. “How are you holding that?”

“I don’t know. I um… concentrate.” Said Suzzane sheepishly, as if expecting to be scolded for it.

“Is this magic?” My sister turned towards my mom.

“Magic isn’t real sweetie.” She whispered back to her.

“This is actually amazing.” My dad exhaled and finally ate his first morsel. “I had no idea you could do that.”

“It is true that you’ve been underestimating her just a teeny tiny bit before though.” I squeezed an invisible pin between my thumb and an index finger.

“Fair enough, but this is incredible.” He held his open palm in the direction of Suzzane, who was just picking up another piece of food. “I mean look at that.”

“Just let her eat, dad.” I chuckled. “She can show you later how she does that.”

…

Although we’ve pretty much nailed the homecoming, that night when I was laying in my old bed with Suzzane by my side, I was having trouble falling asleep. Not only my mind suddenly started racing because of the old room that brought back all kinds of memories but mostly because the next day was the first day of school; once again, after a year-long pause. I couldn’t deny to myself that I was growing more and more nervous the more I was thinking about it. Not just because of the school itself but because I was going to be in class with people that I barely knew. Those few friends I had, they’ve already received their diplomas and I was going to be a total outsider with a possible negative reputation for a whole year.

What great expectations… I was just thinking to myself when Suzzane whispered:

“Worry about school?”

At that point, I probably should have been used to her, most of the time knowing exactly what was on my mind. To this day though it sometimes catches me a little bit off guard. Especially because she is getting even better at it. Anyway, I also flinched a little because I thought that she was already asleep.

“Um, yeah. A little bit.” I had to admit.

“Can go with.” The mare cuddled up to me.

“I’m not sure if that would be a good idea…” I tried to fake a little laugh.

“Why?” Suzzane slightly opened her eyes once more.

I didn’t want to admit to her that it is partly because of her that I feared going back to school, so I wanted to come up with a trick answer. However, I couldn’t think of anything good. Instead I recalled my promise not to ever lie to her, so I just flat out said:

“Actually, why not… You’re right. Can you make it all the way home on your own?”

“Yes.” The pone stated.

“You don’t even know where it is yet.” I laughed quietly.

“Will learn on the way. Very good sense uh… Sense of directicin!”

“There won’t be any trees to ask though.”

“No problém.” She winked.

“Alright then… You know, I’m actually kind of looking forward to it now.” I smiled, content enough to fall asleep a little bit later.

…

In the morning, we had a quick breakfast and just as promised, we ventured outside together. Me on a bicycle and Suzzane on her hooves. While pedalling through the waking up city, feeling a gentle breeze on my skin and watching my beautiful 4 legged wife run next to me, I really did quickly forget about my worries. It was just us and the road. An addictive feeling that ended up driving us through life in the future.

By the time we arrived near the school, I had my head completely clear and I was ready for whatever that was going to come my way. I didn’t even care that much about people seeing Suzzane with me because I was done being ashamed about her. I gave her a quick kiss and rushed towards the infamously familiar building.

The classroom was mostly full when I arrived because I was barely on time, so I picked one of the isolated desks and sat down without really minding anybody. Then the teacher arrived and everyone stood up. The usual routine. She greeted everybody, explaining some stuff which will the future year revolve around and then came the moment for the teacher to point out:

“Yes, and we’ll also have another student with us.” She glanced at me, then called me towards her with a gesture of hand. “Anon here, has been in the class above you a year before but he could not attend the school last year so he’s finishing it with us now! Any questions?”

“Was he sick?” someone asked.

“No.” I said before the teacher could speak for me. “I was working. There were also personal reasons.”

“I bet he just thought everyone would forget that someone saw him fucking an animal.” Some other voice said.

“Tyler!” The teacher yelled while I stood there, suddenly all red and nervous again. Just when I thought that I was over this kind of emotion. That was merely for a second or two though because the next second, I wanted to find whoever Tyler was and punch his face.

“Is it true?” Someone else asked.

Suddenly it was the main topic of the not-anymore quiet class that resembled a debate parlour instead.

“You know what?!” I raised my voice, enough for people to listen to me. “Yes, it’s true. So what? Suzzane might have four legs but she’s still more mature than half of you.” Then I walked back to my desk and sat down while the class went quiet again for a while.

Judging by the slowly rising murmur afterwards and occasional laughter, I judged that this was not going to be a pleasant year at all. What a way to start things off… I could have said something witty at least. That was so cringe…

I remember how people would occasionally stare at me when they thought that I wasn’t looking but for some reason, it wasn’t making me feel guilty; as it probably would in the past. It was making me rather angry instead. Is it so hard to mind your own business?” Went on through my head for on and on and eventually, I said it out loud to a nerdy looking kid with glasses that glanced at me.

“Sorry.” he said to my surprise, looking a little nervous as he continued: “...What was it like though?”

The question caught me a little off guard. “Sorry what?”

“To fuck an animal. I’m kinda curious.” He nervously scratched his head.

“Man, Suzzane isn’t an animal. I mean, she does look like one but she’s equally complex as you and me.” I tried to point out, half ready for a discussion.

“Oh okay. Sorry.” The guy turned away again instead.

I wasn’t sure if I scared him off, or if his only interest was the sex stuff but nonetheless, I found myself alone once more. I wasn’t really going to go after him to ask, just to have someone to talk to. I guess I was too proud for that.

The rest of my first day at school went just about as you can probably imagine. However, at least it wasn’t very long because it was the first one. Even though it was still way too long. The thought of the next one was excruciating. I longed to be back at work instead.

When the final bell rang, I rushed outside before anyone else, grabbed my bicycle and pedalled home. It was not a very gracious escape. However, finding Suzzane there was like a beacon of light in the darkness that I was sinking into throughout the day; even though it was her company why everyone gave me shits and stared at me weirdly. I didn’t blame her for it of course, I knew it was not her fault.

The next day started out pretty much the same as before. Suzzane ran next to me to school and left shortly before arriving.

What changed though was that this time she knew when I’ll be leaving again. So, just as I opened the double door, I saw the love of my life waiting for me nearby. I didn’t really care that much about people seeing me with her, since everyone knew already. I rushed towards her as soon as I saw her and didn’t even care that some kids behind me were laughing when I picked her up in my arms and hugged her. I made sure to kiss her on the lips too in front of them and flip them off.

…

As the days went on, I sort of grew numb towards all the looks and whispers. I wasn’t really trying to interact with anyone either, so eventually it felt as if people got tired of making fun of me. That, or I simply stopped noticing. So far there weren’t any attempts of physical bullying and the solitude wasn’t all that bad.

So it went, hour after hour, day after day. I almost thought that I’d get used to it. However, one day, about a week or two later, something new happened. When I got out of the school, I saw four kids in a circle around Suzzane. She must have been waiting there as usual, but some jackasses finally found enough courage to flex their ego on her. I cannot exactly remember the stuff they were saying but it wasn’t nice, so I grabbed the first one by his shoulder and pushed him away.

Saying “Back off asshole!” quite unsurprisingly escalated the situation even further and the second one pushed me back. Filled with the rage that was still lingering inside of me from before, I punched the kid. By no coincidence, it was Tyler from my class; the very one I wanted to punch since the first day.

However, you reap what you sow. I wasn’t even trying to de-escalate the situation and went straight for the violence, regardless of the odds. I was alone against four. The remaining three attacked me while Tyler was very, very slowly trying to stand up.

I managed to kick another one, then I got punched in the stomach. Before I could react, I received another blow. From then on, my situation was not looking too bright for a few long seconds. That is until one of the guys was suddenly sent flying forwards, falling straight on his face.

Suzzane never really was in an actual fight, besides our play fighting, but some kind of protective, animalish instinct must have kicked in inside of her. She turned around like a real horse and bucked the nearest guy with both her hind legs. She partly missed the second one because aiming behind you is harder than you might think. He only received one hoof, which was not enough for him to fly; Although it was enough for him to collapse in pain.

Baby’s got some strong thighs.

Naturally, the last one lost his wits and started running. When Tyler finally got back up, seeing his situation, he followed right after his friend. Not without sending a few curses our direction though. The other two did not seem in a fighting mood either, so I gently pushed a somewhat stunned Suzzane towards the direction of where I left my bicycle. I knew we needed to get out of there before even more people would come to see what the commotion was.

“Anon! You okay?! You hurt!” Suzzane suddenly snapped out of whatever she was experiencing.

“Yes, I’m okay sweetie, you were amazing. We need to go now though.” I sat on the bicycle and started pedalling.

While I was bleeding a little from my nose and the black eye on the right side of my face was starting to hurt, I actually felt kind of good. For me, it was important that Suzzane herself was not hurt and I finally got to punch Tyler.

We didn’t go straight back home, I headed towards a small park that was on the way. I stopped there and sat on an empty bench between the trees. Suzzane was right behind me the whole time and when I was laying down my bike, she was already sitting on the bench, waiting for me to do the same.

As I sat, she whispered the same thing again:

“...You okay, Anon?”

Before anything else, I took out a bottle of water from my bag and washed my face. It was only then that I finally calmed down and all the adrenaline subsided inside of me. Only then I turned towards Suzzane to answer her:

“Yes, Suzie I’m okay, I-...” I began but when I saw her expression, I had to pause. She still seemed to be really shaken, more than I realised before. “...Are you okay?” I said instead of whatever I wanted to say before.

“No.” She admitted immediately. “Why this happen?” The mare asked with a shaky voice and wet eyes. It wasn’t often that I’d see her so close to crying. “I do not want to hurt but-…but-” She tried to continue but couldn’t. Didn’t even have to.

“...I’m sorry, girl.” I put my cleaner hand on her back as a few of her tears hit the ground.“I-.. It’s my fault, Suzie. I thought that I was protecting you, but I made it worse…” My head hung down as well in realisation of what I had done. Back then, I said I wanted to protect her innocence but instead I was the one who took yet another piece of it away from her.

By getting into the fight, I only gave her a choice to watch me get beaten up or get her own hooves dirty for the first time. Both horrible choices for a gentle creature like her.

I didn’t know what else to say in my defence, I just felt horrible about myself. As if I didn’t even deserve to hold her in order to comfort her. So, I just sat next to her, thinking about how I could have handled that better.

When was Suzzane done crying, she glanced at me with red eyes:

“...Think I hurt them a lot?”

“They’ll definitely live.” I said, hoping it might cheer her up a little. “They’ll feel it for a few weeks though, I reckon. No permanent damage though”

“I remember, I feel bone under my hoof.” The mare pierced her gaze into the ground and shivered.

“Did-... did it crack?” I inquired. It was kind of important to know, because then it could have been a problem for us.

“Think not.” She said to my great relief. “But I feel it when I kick second boy in leg.”

“Yeah,.. he’ll walk it off. ”I tried to awkwardly smile just a little to lighten the situation up.

I didn’t even make the pun on purpose, but hearing it made Suzzane’s desperate expression shift into a slight smile for a brief moment.

“Walk it off.” She chuckled, then frowned again. “Suzzane horrible. Should not laugh…”

“No Suzie, you’re amazing.” I could not help myself not to chuckle. “Really, you're just so sweet that you actually pity them, even though they were so unkind to you. No one else I know would do that. Suzzane, you’re a saint.”

“But I still hurt.” She glanced at me with pleading eyes, as if I could take it away.

“If there’s anyone horrible, it is me.” I put my hand on my chest. “...And those kids too, to be honest. You didn’t ask for trouble, you just ended it. Suzzane I implore you, do not blame yourself.”

“I not want blame anyone.” The mare suddenly buried her face in my chest, as if trying to shut out the outside. “Why world like this?”

“I dunno, girl. World can be real pretty but it can sometimes be pretty cruel.” I put my hand on her head and softly stroked her mane.

“I not want be cruel.” She sniffled into my shirt, so I embraced her and pulled her closer, leaning my face on her mane.

“And you aren’t!” I whispered into her ear. “You’re brave. They would have beaten me even more if you didn’t help me. I didn’t even thank you, you saved me.”

“Because I love you…” She raised her head to look at me. Her mane was dishevelled, her eyes all wet and red and her expression reflected how she felt. Nonetheless, she was still beautiful to me. (I probably looked way worse too.)

“And I love you too, little darling.” I gave her a kiss, gently bumping my nose into hers. “We’ll be okay…”

We sat there softly cuddling and holding each other for a while longer. It was a beautiful day after all. We just weren't paying attention before. As we let the sun and the atmosphere of the picturesque park take hold of our senses, our problems started to feel smaller. Having at least this little piece of nature inside the crowded city felt like a gift from God.

Suzzane began quickly calming down and eventually returned to her usual stoic self in a matter of half an hour. While my black eye was getting progressively worse, I sort of accepted it as a price for my part in the conflict. I guess I deserved it for what I caused. If i wasn’t so proud, I might have avoided the whole thing if i just took Suzzane and walked away. Then again, maybe it just had to happen and we all had to deal with it somehow.

At some point, when the case seemed finally closed, we nodded at each other and finally went back home.

Thanks to my face, being a hideous proof of what happened, it was not possible to lie about the fight to my parents. However, while my mother was typically worried about me, my dad was actually proud of me.

“A man should not take any shits, Anon. You did the right thing.” He said.

I wasn’t 100% sure if I did the best thing but he wasn’t scolding me, so I didn’t try to change his mind about his verdict.

For a few more days after the incident, Suzzane had to wait for me a little bit further away from school, just to be sure that no one would try to take their revenge on her. However, soon we realised that it wasn’t necessary. She must have earned enough respect for Tyler and his friends to keep their distance.

I was also worried about having problems at school because of what happened but to my surprise, none of the bullies tried to play the victim. I mean, one guy did, but when they asked the others about their versions, two admitted the truth that they harassed Suzzane first. I did have to visit a principal a few times, but in the end, I came out clean.

After that, the bullying actually stopped too. They still didn’t like me but no one was openly making fun of me anymore. Which was enough for me.

As much as I hated to admit it, yet another piece of Suzzane’s innocence had to be sacrificed if she really wanted to live in a human world. To be fair, being able to fend for herself really did help her along our future journeys. And, it definitely wasn’t her last fight; although she never took pleasure in it.

What I’m trying to say is: As dramatic as it was, I guess it was only a matter of time before it would happen somewhere else, with different people. We were kind of lucky too, that it was just with some kids. And, you know what they say:

All bad is good for something. Sometimes you realise it years later…

Author's Note

As always, sorry for the ridiculous amount of time that it took to write this. There's a lot (of mostly good stuff) going on and I don't spend a lot of time on PC, now when it's summer.

I initialy wanted to close it up with this chapter but I'm finding that the amount of things I wanted to write about in bigger detail is just too big. Saying all of that in one sentence just doesn't feel right.
I know this has been dragging on for a long time and it still might take a some more but I'll get there eventually. ;)