A QUIET PLACE ~ EQUESTRIA GIRLS

PAX. C.S.P.B.

C.S.S.M.L.—N.D.S.M.D.

V.R.S.N.S.M.V.—S.M.Q.L.I.V.B.

Day 23

Eclectic: broad, a wide range of tastes, styles, or ideas. I guess you could say Beloved Rebel is eclectic, due to her various titles. Yesterday we remembered her as Lady of the Garden. I’m sure Wallflower appreciated hearing that one, considering how eclectic she may be with what she plants. I know, quit while I’m ahead.

Now we got that out of the way, let’s review the past four days:

We made it back to the refuge site and Church before dusk, the day before last. Thankfully, no more events throughout.

While we were resting in the cellar yesterday, Sparkler, Comet and the rest started hanging thick stage curtains all over the school gym. Grabbing them from abandoned and destroyed theatres and school buildings around town. They were also able to scavenge for supplies, including 50 lb. bags of sand for walking on pavement without shoes.

Some more stragglers were found and joined our troupe. There’s Bow Hothoof & Windy Whistles, parents to one Rainbow Dash known by Shimmer. They came with a few injuries and a high fever.

And then Zephyr Breeze, who came looking for his sister Fluttershy, another of Shimmer’s friends, after losing his parents. Not sure how much help he’ll become yet, since he prefers to stay in the cellar with the elderly and sick, if not with Mudbriar at the cameras.

Marble seems to be the one prompting him to offer a hand here and there, now that she’s back on her feet. Amethyst said she got motivated to help out and move, after growing too anxious waiting for Maud. Macintosh’s grandmother got better and walks around with the little ones.

There’s also an herbalist named Zecora. She came from the national park near Camp Everfree, joined by Applebloom’s friend Sweetie Belle, and her mom Cookie Crumbles. They went looking for Shimmer’s other friend, Rarity, before finding us. The dad, Hondo Flanks, didn’t make it.

I also found out that Flash Sentry is Shimmer’s ex. And Shining’s sister, Twilight Sparkle, also befriended Rarity, Fluttershy, & Sunset.

More refugees coming in, all the extra sand, rugs and curtains to absorb sound will make the gym and outside a better place to get situated. We can even start on the classrooms for shelter. Move the sick and elderly out of the damp cellar to warmer, drier spaces, and sound-proof a larger area for little ones.

But even that’s bound to get packed, at this rate. Rations are also harder to come by.

Which brings us to Bishop Cutlass’ letter. All that debris barricading the Cathedral and rectory were set by a mob trying to find a scapegoat. It was about a dozen people still living in the city. Any other survivors would’ve made noise trying to stop them, which is what happened.

Before they could burn the Cathedral down with Bishop and staff inside, the mob didn’t realize they grew louder as they progressed, drawing those animals onto themselves. Cutlass asked that we keep those people in our prayers too, since they were just acting out of desperation, pain, and outrage.

LORD, grant them Eternal Rest, and let perpetual light shine on them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Afterwards, the sacristan with headphones heard a message on the radio. The National and Coast Guards were setting up evacuation checkpoints. Since the creatures can’t swim, and can only travel on the mainland, there’ll be ships that can take people to small islands off the coast, then some later to Australia, the Philippines, Hawaii, etc.

Cutlass said that, for now, he and his staff could only prep for maps marked with locations and letters for the rest of the diocese and county. Because they were trapped in the rectory, they couldn’t risk removing the barriers from inside the windows. Not yet at least. Just enough off the rectory’s front door for an envelope to be dropped or picked up.

The city’s mayor fears facing similar circumstances, and only helped somewhat before barricading himself and his own colleagues inside the capital. Wonder if someone like that dropped the table from the hospital roof.

The closest checkpoint for us is westward, past the major city. Twice the distance of our recent roundtrip, which amounts to sixteen days getting there at least.

We didn’t hear about this over the HAM Radio. In fact, it’s gone silent for us while Pie, Mac, Blush and I traveled. Best we can figure, those in our range aren’t around anymore to spread the word. So, now we got two more issues: Is that radio message trustworthy, and who would risk traveling from so far inland after the checkpoint?

Answering the first part came in the officer’s name, rank, and G.I. number who made the announcement. Only someone with military background would use correctly. Thankfully, we got a veteran in one Karat to confirm it, after he read the looped message that’s written verbatim.

Shining Armor made it through boot camp before that day, so he understood enough to verify Karat’s assessment. Sentry joined Canterlot High’s training reserves program, as a side note.

The last question has some added caveats. Can we afford sending a scout party? Will the Guard still be around/alive when we get there? How many can travel at a time? Who’s willing to chance it?

Fr. Farmer and Madame Mayor decided to let these questions and info settle for the day, so that everyone can discern in a calm, quiet manner. Next day, we’ll see who’s wanting to try for a better chance of living, and who of us four are willing to travel again, provide escort, and come back.

“What will you do?” Cadence asked me after the meeting.

“Not sure,” I told her. “I can be helpful here. We might become another small checkpoint for survivors. Plus, the twins. No sense to risk them leaving.”

But they can’t stay here with me gone again for that long a stretch either. Pumpkin & Pound have been clinging to me the whole day I rested. Sparkler, Cadence & others did a great job, for sure. There’s just a more intense link between me and them before realizing it.

Even when outside for fresh air, they were keeping quiet just so they could stay with me. They’re learning fast, but still too young to risk taking them.

Cadence said she and her husband agreed it’s best to have Flurry stay with the twins too, since the three can be extra support for each other. Shining also pointed out how Maud and Big Mac already volunteered for the next trip.

Blush is still ruminating, same as me.

Writing all this down on my vestibule cot, I’m starting to make up my mind. But first, I need to pray on this, sleep on it, then pray some more at Mass in the morning. Like Father said, take time to recollect and figure out what decision provides deeper peace and resolve in me.

Still feeling restless after that first trip, I can get another cycle of the yarn Rosary in before bed. I’m gonna need it.

Faithfully,

Sheen, A.M.D.G.