The Sorrow series

CHAPTER 3 Anon tell me!

"Anon, I'm scared!" Ame said, tugging her brother's arm as the bus filled with shouting. The driver was gone, and the teacher had not returned for a while now. Both he and Reed were left in charge to keep the kids safe.

"Anon! What are we going to do?" a kid shouted from the back, making the 15-year-old look back, panting lightly. His heart raced as he scanned the chaotic scene. Through the clamor, he caught sight of the door, contemplating their next move. Suddenly, relief washed over him as he noticed the teacher limping back, a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil.

"He's back—" Before he could react, a kid pushed him aside and bolted out of the bus towards the teacher. Anon grunted as he regained his footing, observing the teacher shouting at the child.

"Get back inside now!"

"But you said it would be safe if you're back?"

"No, no, get back—AH!"

Anon and Reed both gasped as a wooden wolf leaped out of the trees, sinking its teeth into the teacher's leg. The kids screamed, and one was about to run but was abruptly halted as another wolf chomped on his arm, dragging him into the woods amidst his frantic shouts. Panic surged through the bus as Anon and Reed exchanged wide-eyed looks, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Oh, fuck…"

"Shit!" Reed exclaimed, slamming the door shut as the kids erupted into screams. More wooden wolves piled onto the teacher, drowning out his cries with their ferocious assault. Anon's breath quickened as he felt a wave of terror wash over him. A wolf locked eyes with him, its yellow gaze piercing through the chaos. He could sense the primal instinct within the creature, fueled by the fear emanating from him and the others.

Anon's pulse raced as he met the wolf's gaze, feeling a primal fear grip him tightly. The air in the bus became thick with tension as the realization dawned on them—they were trapped, surrounded by creatures that seemed to feed on their terror.

Reed's hands trembled as he struggled to find a solution. "What do we do, Anon?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the chaos. Anon's mind raced, desperately searching for a plan. But as he looked around at the terrified faces of the other children, he realized they were all relying on him and Reed for guidance.

"Anon? Anon!" Reed's urgent shout snapped Anon back to reality, his gaze locking onto Reed's worried expression. The sounds of children crying and pleading filled the bus, amplifying the sense of dread that hung heavy in the air.

Anon's chest tightened, his breaths coming in shallow gasps as he struggled to hold it together. His vision blurred, eyelids growing heavy as exhaustion and fear threatened to overwhelm him. But he knew he had to stay strong, for Reed, for Ame, for all the terrified kids relying on him for safety.

With a determined effort, Anon forced himself to focus, pushing past the suffocating weight of fear pressing down on him. There was no time to falter now—they needed a plan, a way out of this nightmare.

"We're going to die!" a kid's panicked voice rang out, echoing the collective fear pulsating through the bus. Reed's head snapped around, his eyes wide with desperation as he struggled to maintain control.

"No! We're not going to die! We need to stay calm and think of a way out of this," Reed yelled, his voice cracking with tension. But his attempt to reassure the frightened children was cut short as the wolves closed in on the bus, their menacing presence casting a shadow of dread over everyone inside.

"Now we gotta keep calm! These wolves are—ah, Anon!" Reed's voice rose in panic as he watched his friend collapse onto the ground. Ame's cries filled the air as she desperately tried to help her brother up. "This can't be happening..." Anon muttered, his voice barely audible amidst the chaos.

Reed's hands gripped Anon's shirt, hauling him up as he shouted directly into his friend's face. "YOU GOT TO STAY CALM!" His words were a desperate plea, tinged with fear and urgency.

"You can't solve anything if you start panicking!" Reed's voice rang out, a stark reminder amidst the chaos. Anon shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts, but the cries of distress only seemed to intensify.

As they looked over, Anon and Reed witnessed a heartbreaking scene—a girl embracing a motionless child. "He... he didn't have his medicine..." she sobbed, her words weighted with sorrow.

Anon and Reed exchanged a somber glance before approaching the pair. Recognition struck Anon like a bolt of lightning, and he blinked in disbelief. "This can't be happening!?" he muttered, the reality of their situation hitting him like a ton of bricks.

Gasping for breath, Anon felt utterly exhausted—dead tired, in fact. For the past three days, he had been running alongside his fellow ponies, preparing himself for the annual race known as "Running with the Leaves." Anon wasn't a pony himself, but that didn't mean he couldn't participate. Having been a helpful member of the town for a year, the mayor recognized his potential and allowed him to join the race.

With the finish line in sight, not too far ahead, Anon pushed himself to his limits. Despite feeling like his legs were on fire, he dug deep and propelled himself forward, his determination driving him faster. And then, with a burst of energy, he crossed the finish line first.

He flopped to the ground, panting so hard that he couldn't hear the world around him. Everything seemed to blur as exhaustion consumed him. Suddenly, he felt something grab his back, prompting him to turn over. There, he saw the bright hues of rainbow and cyan, and slowly the sounds of the ponies talking and the wind returned to him.

"Anon, that was so BUCKING cool!" a jubilant Rainbow Dash exclaimed, helping the human catch his breath. Anon gratefully accepted a cup of water, slapping it on his face. He then picked up another cup, drinking it eagerly, and finally bumped it against his head with a tired smile. "Yeah... best run ever," he chuckled weakly, feeling too drained to say much more.

As Anon stretched his back, feeling the satisfying pops that came with it, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. Running in the leaves was one of his favorite activities; he simply loved to run. There was something about it that felt so natural, so integral to who he was. It was as if running was a part of him, ingrained in his very being.

Watching the rest of the group of ponies continuing on the path, diligently finishing the job, Anon felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. Despite the exhaustion and challenges of the race, he knew that being part of this community, contributing to their efforts, was what truly mattered to him. With a contented smile, he joined the ponies, ready to lend a hand wherever he was needed.

"I see you outdid yourself again, Anonymous!" the mayor Mare exclaimed, a hint of pride in her voice as she addressed him. Anon rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a bit bashful under the spotlight. "Thanks, boss... I've always wanted to help the town in every way I can," he replied humbly, grabbing another cup of water to quench his thirst.

Rainbow Dash chimed in, praising the human's energy and endurance. "He sure does have the energy! And never seems to run out," she added with admiration. Anon felt a flush of embarrassment as more ponies joined in, cheering and applauding him for his efforts. Despite his discomfort with being praised, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the support of his friends and neighbors.

As the praise continued, Anon couldn't help but feel a warm sense of appreciation wash over him. It was moments like these that reminded him of the strong bonds he had formed with the ponies of the town. Their encouragement and support meant the world to him, and he was grateful to be surrounded by such a caring community.

With a shy smile, Anon nodded in acknowledgment of the kind words directed towards him. "Thanks, everyone. I couldn't have done it without all of you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. Despite his exhaustion, his heart swelled with gratitude for the camaraderie and friendship he shared with the ponies of the town.

"Okay... you deserve a drink for that, Dash," Anon said, offering the mare a friendly smile. Rainbow Dash pumped a hoof up high in excitement before bumping her hoof with his fist. "You bet! Thanks, Anon!" she exclaimed before bidding her farewells and dashing off to find her friends, leaving Anon to his own thoughts.

With the race behind him and three days left until his next two-week stint of downtime, Anon contemplated how to spend his time. Despite the exhaustion lingering in his muscles, he felt a sense of contentment knowing he had given his all in the race and had the support of his friends in the town. As he watched Rainbow Dash disappear into the distance, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the sense of belonging he had found among the ponies of the town.

As Anon strolled along, enjoying the calm atmosphere of the town, he couldn't help but reflect on the past week. Reconnecting with the Apple family had been a highlight, particularly his friendship with Applejack. He smiled at the memory of always getting her cider order just right, earning him the affectionate nickname of "the usual." It was moments like these that made him feel like he truly belonged in the town.

Lost in his thoughts, he suddenly bumped into Twilight Sparkle, jolting him out of his reverie. It had been days since they last spoke, especially after their conversation about past times. Anon felt a pang of guilt for not reaching out sooner.

"Oh, hey Twilight!" Anon greeted, waving at the book-loving mare. She smiled back, her expression warm yet tinged with a hint of uncertainty. "You, uh, wanna talk?" she offered tentatively.

Anon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering her offer. "Sure, I've got some time before I need to head to the office later today," he replied, nodding. He appreciated the opportunity to catch up with Twilight, especially after their recent lack of communication. Falling into step beside Twilight as they walked, her mention of the "Running in the Leaves" race brought back memories of the exhilarating experience.

"Yeah, Dash was cool enough to let me participate in the first lap. Man, I wish I could do the whole thing! But I'm not a pony," he chuckled, shaking his head at the thought. As they observed some groups of ponies continuing their run, Anon couldn't help but feel a twinge of longing to join them again. "You know, I could use magic to give you more energy. You always love running," Twilight suggested.

Anon blushed slightly at Twilight's suggestion, feeling touched by her offer. He rubbed the back of his neck again, a nervous habit, as he chuckled lightly. "Nah, no thanks, Twi, but I appreciate it," he said, giving her a gentle pat on the mane. Twilight snorted in response to the unexpected gesture, but soon melted into the sensation of ear scratching, emitting a contented coo.

"I'll figure out the science behind your fingers someday!" she declared with determination, eliciting laughter from Anon. Their lighthearted moment was interrupted as they spotted Rainbow Dash flying over to them, her usual confident expression replaced by a frown.

"Oh, Rainbow! What's the problem?" Twilight asked, concern evident in her voice. The Pegasus crossed her hooves, her expression furrowed as she stared at the ground. "I have to report to the weather patrol. We got a new captain," she explained, causing both Anon and Twilight to raise a curious eyebrow.

"Who? I thought Spitfire was the captain?" Anon asked, his curiosity piqued.

"No, that's the Wonderbolts. The weather patrol is different," Rainbow Dash explained, shaking her head. "The old captain retired recently, and the spot's been empty for a while now. But we have a new captain, and he's not even a Pegasus!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. Anon and Twilight exchanged surprised glances before turning their attention back to Rainbow Dash, eager to hear more.

"Well, who is it?" Anon pressed, his curiosity tinged with a hint of apprehension.

"His name is uh... Reed Trails... or Redacted," Rainbow Dash replied, her uncertainty evident in her voice. Anon felt a chill run down his spine at the mention of the name 'Reed.' He turned to the mare, staring at her incredulously, needing confirmation.

"Reed?" he asked again, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rainbow Dash nodded solemnly, confirming his worst fears. Anon's mind raced with questions and concerns, his heart heavy with uncertainty. Anon's expression darkened as he processed the information. Anon's stomach churned with a mix of emotions—anger, disbelief, and a tinge of fear. He and Reed had shared a traumatic experience as children when they were tasked with keeping their classmates safe during a chaotic incident on a bus. The memories flooded back, vivid and unsettling.

"Why? Do you know him—" Rainbow Dash began, but Anon cut her off with a simple statement.

"I have to go," he said abruptly, turning onto a different path and walking away. The ponies around them instinctively moved aside, creating a clear path for him to pass through. Twilight looked at Rainbow, then back at the departing human, her brow furrowing in concern.

"Uh, what did I say?" Rainbow asked, puzzled by Anon's sudden departure.

"No, no, I'll uh... I'll go talk to him. See you later, Rainbow!" Twilight replied quickly, her tone determined as she made up her mind to follow Anon. With that, she dashed off after him, leaving Rainbow standing there, bewildered and unsure of what had just transpired.

Anon's surroundings blurred as old memories flooded his mind, drowning out the present moment. The screams echoed in his ears, each one a painful reminder of the chaos and fear he had experienced. His chest felt heavy, as if weighed down by the weight of those memories, and he began to pant lightly, struggling to catch his breath.

"No, no, no," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of his thoughts. Leaning against a nearby wall for support, he looked around frantically, his eyes searching for familiar landmarks. But everything seemed foreign and unfamiliar, adding to his sense of disorientation.

Feeling like a lost child, he longed for the comfort and safety of home. With a deep sigh, he resolved to find his way back, to rest and try to escape the haunting memories that plagued him. Steadying himself, he set off in search of familiar streets, hoping to find solace in the familiarity of home.

"Anon!" Twilight's shout jolted him back to the present, causing him to flinch. He noticed the concerned expression on her face as she stood next to him. Anon managed a faint smile, but it quickly faltered as he glanced towards his house not far away.

"What... what is it, Twi?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he looked down at her.

"You, Anon? I've been trying to call your name for a whole minute. What's wrong?" Twilight asked, her concern evident in her voice. Anon hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He wasn't ready to confront the memories that had overwhelmed him moments ago.

"It's... nothing," Anon lied, trying to brush off Twilight's concern. But she wasn't convinced. She frowned at him before coming to a stop in front of him, blocking his path.

"No, there is something wrong, Anon. You can tell me," she insisted, her voice gentle yet firm. Anon felt a pang of guilt at the concern in her eyes, but the whispers of old memories continued to haunt him, making it difficult to open up. He shook his head, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of his own thoughts.

"No, no... I'm fine, Twi," Anon insisted, his voice strained with the weight of his deception. But Twilight wasn't buying it. Her patience wore thin as she watched him continue to deflect and avoid the truth.

"After all the talking and all that he had done was for nothing?!" she thought to herself, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Unable to contain her emotions any longer, she stomped her hoof on the ground and spread her wings wide, a display of her mounting frustration.

"Stop lying to me, Anonymous! I can't handle hearing you lie to me too anymore!" she shouted, her voice echoing with pent-up emotion. Anon felt a surge of anger rise within him, but he swallowed it back, allowing Twilight to express her feelings. He knew he owed her the truth, but admitting it would mean facing the painful memories he had been trying to avoid.

"It's been almost 3 years since you lived here! And I thought me and my friends have been helping you... But NO! You keep tossing us aside!" Twilight's words cut deep, striking a chord within Anon. He could feel his anger slowly growing, fueled by a mixture of guilt and frustration.

He knew she was right. He had been pushing them away, keeping his struggles to himself instead of reaching out for help. But admitting his vulnerabilities felt like exposing his deepest fears and insecurities to the world, and he wasn't sure he was ready for that.

As Twilight's words echoed in his mind, Anon struggled to find the right response. He wanted to explain, to make her understand, but the words caught in his throat, suffocated by the weight of his own emotions. All he could do was stand there, his anger simmering beneath the surface, unable to find a way to bridge the growing divide between them.

"I don't know why you hate Reed, from all I have heard from ponies is that he is a nice human! So tell me why? Why do you bucking hate him so much!" Twilight's words cut through the air like a knife, her frustration boiling over as she stomped her hoof once more. Anon could feel the pressure building, the dam of his emotions on the verge of bursting.

"You really want to know what happened? You wanna know why!" Anon struggled to keep his rage in check, his voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

"Yes, I do!" Twilight's response was immediate and forceful, her eyes blazing with determination. Anon felt the weight of her expectation pressing down on him, and he could no longer hold back the flood of emotions raging inside him.

"YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW!?" he shouted, his voice reverberating with anger. Twilight took a step back, startled by his outburst. Without another word, Anon turned and marched towards his house, his footsteps heavy with pent-up frustration. He reached the wall of his house and lifted a trembling hand, his gaze fixed on the surface as he struggled to compose himself.

Anon's fist connected with the wall with a resounding thud, his anger boiling over as he unleashed his frustration. "THAT FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ME BEING TRAPPED HERE!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion. The force of his punch reverberated through the air, causing ponies nearby to back away, startled by his outburst.

His hand stung from the impact, the bruised knuckles serving as a painful reminder of his pent-up rage. But Anon paid no heed to the pain. His eyes remained fixed on the wall, his chest heaving with each ragged breath as he struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging within him.

Anon's punches echoed against the wall with each strike, his fury driving him forward despite the pain. "I FUCKING TRIED TO KEEP MY COOL ON HIM FOR 20 FUCKING YEARS!" he screamed, each word punctuated by another blow.

His hand was now bleeding, knuckles broken and throbbing with agony, but he hardly noticed. The intensity of his rage consumed him, fueling his relentless assault on the unyielding surface before him.

punch punch punch!

He continued to unleash his fury, each punch a release of pent-up frustration and resentment. With each strike, he felt a fleeting sense of catharsis, as if somehow purging himself of the burden he had carried for so long.

"HE IS THE REASON WHY 20 FUCKING HUMAN ARE DEAD! HE IS THE REASON WHY MY LIFE IS SO FUCKING USELESS!" Anon's voice echoed with anguish and rage as he lifted his hand, his words a torrent of pain and despair.

"Anon, stop!" Twilight's voice broke through the chaos, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with him to cease his assault. But he couldn't stop. He had held it in for too long, and now he needed to let it out.

crack!

This time, a sharp pain shot through his hand, jolting him back to reality. Anon froze, his breath catching in his throat as he felt warmth trickling down his hand. He looked down and saw the extent of the damage—his hand was broken, fingers bent at unnatural angles.

With a grim determination, Anon grasped his broken fingers and pulled them back, wincing at the searing pain as he attempted to fix them. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to realign the shattered bones, his vision swimming with agony. But through the haze of pain, one thought remained clear—he couldn't let Reed's actions continue to control his life.

"Anon?" Twilight's voice broke through the haze of pain, drawing his attention back to the present. He looked up to see her and several other concerned ponies gathered around him, their faces filled with worry.

"That's why, Twilight," he managed to say between ragged breaths, his voice strained with exhaustion and anguish.

With a heavy sigh, he collapsed back onto the ground, his body trembling from the intensity of the emotions he had unleashed. More blood flowed from his hand, staining the ground crimson as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Anon!" Twilight exclaimed in alarm before swiftly lifting the human with her magic. "We need a doctor!" she shouted, her voice echoing with urgency. The ponies around them pointed in the direction of the hospital, and Twilight wasted no time in following their guidance.

As she ran towards the hospital, her mind raced with worry and regret. "What have I done?" she thought to herself, her heart heavy with guilt. She was so focused on getting Anon the help he needed that she failed to notice Rarity, who stood nearby, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. But Twilight's sole focus was on reaching the hospital as quickly as possible, her determination driving her forward.

Twilight kicked open the door of the hospital, her urgency evident as she burst into the crowded lobby. Patients and doctors alike gasped in surprise at the sudden intrusion, their attention drawn to the sight of the injured human lying on the ground before them.

"He needs help!" Twilight exclaimed, her voice ringing out with urgency as she pleaded for assistance. The group of doctors glanced at each other, their expressions tense with concern, before springing into action.

With a coordinated effort, they lifted Anon with their magic and swiftly carried him away, rushing him to a nearby room for treatment. Left alone in the bustling hospital lobby, Twilight watched with a heavy heart as they disappeared from view, her mind swirling with worry for her friend.

"Why... Why did I do that?" Twilight's voice quivered with regret as tears continued to stream down her face. She sank to the ground, her ears flattened against her head in a gesture of anguish, as she struggled to make sense of her actions.

She had acted on impulse, driven by concern and frustration, but now all she felt was guilt. She had pushed Anon too far, causing him to hurt himself in the process. She had tried to help, to pry open the walls he had built around himself, but instead, she had only caused more pain.

Feeling utterly defeated, Twilight wiped away her tears and rose to her hooves. She knew she should stay and wait for news of Anon's condition, but something deep inside told her that he needed space right now. With a heavy heart, she turned to leave the hospital, her mind swirling with uncertainty and regret. She didn't know what to do next, but she knew she needed time to process everything that had happened.