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 24

Bilk: Describes a person choosing to avoid payment and giving someone the slip.

Sparkler heard my description of the flickering flashlights and spent the whole night working on a makeshift alert system. She determined that their means of hearing also involves some kind of sonar that disrupts electric currents.

With one earpiece, a portable power box, and an iPod Shuffle, someone can listen to music, or white noise while traveling. That way, they can know when those space monsters are getting close and listening. At night, people can take shifts with a flashlight. Extra batteries will be packed.

On that note, something I forgot to mention from yesterday.

The Bishop wrote in his letter how the military has been calling the creatures "death angels" over the radio. Makes me think of the story of Waterdrawn and the Great Departure from Egypt. Though these things don't just go after the firstborn. But like with the lamb's blood on the doorpost, anyone not making a sound is spared. I also heard a couple other nicknames for them, like "hearers" and "sound killers."

As you probably guessed, a decision’s been made.

Ten people are willing to chance the checkpoint. Way more than I expected. But it seems to be the right amount of safety in numbers, while helping each other’s silence in smaller groups. First, there’s Cookie Crumbles, her daughter Sweetie Belle, then Big Mac’s Granny and sister Applebloom, plus Clarity Cut and Karat. The escort volunteers are Mac, Maud, Mudbriar & Zecora. The latter would provide first aid and medicine, plus wildlife experience.

Mac would take the lead, having Crumbles, Bloom & Sweetie behind him. Zecora will keep behind Granny, Clarity & Karat in the center. Then Maud and Briar will escort from the back of the caravan.

If the Guard’s no longer there, they can either keep going or come back. Reaching that destination, Macintosh says he’ll stay with his family and try the boats. That means Maud Pie, Mudbriar & Zecora will be the ones traveling back to us. They’ll be set to leave first thing tomorrow morning, with them returning by Day 58, mid-late ~~Aug~~September, at the earliest.

Macintosh hopes Granny won’t push herself any further than the daily 6-mile trek, with Clarity and Karat to help each other with that. Those three being the only elders here, they’re showing how tough they are by traveling.

Apparently, Bloom says her Granny’s a great swimmer.

That leaves us with ~~23~~6728 staying here. Madame, Farmer, Cadence, Shining & Flurry, the Cake twins, myself, Blush, Comet, Sentry, Lily, Rose & Daisy, Cheerilee, Sparkler, parents Golden Harvest, Written Script & her sister Dinky. Then there's Pipsqueak, Marble, Zephyr, Hothoof & Whistles, Thunderlane & brother Rumble, Caramel, and one Cherry Fizz. I try not to bilk and leave out names.

Something else I forgot to mention: my cousins already took the first trip to scout the area. Polish Gleam, Shoeshine & Fine Finish left shortly after hearing Cutlass's letter. If they make it there, they'd turn back the next day to let the caravan know what they found.

Putting all these names down made me realize just how crowded we’re getting. Hopefully, these next 32+ days won’t be too eventful.

The rest of us will get more things set. Those classrooms for one, as well as start a garden for fresh produce, including Zecora’s herbs. Wallflower’s starting that project with Daisy, Lily & Roseluck.

Amethyst will have me help Thunder, Fizz & Caramel on the rooms, then make some type of warning system for creatures. When Whistles gets better, and Hothoof heals from his wounds by Zecora’s input, the two will help Armor & Sentry with more scavenging.

Marble’s getting better with watching the sick/injured and youth with Cheerilee, Cadence, Script & Harvest, as well as the cameras. Plus, she’s keeping Zephyr busy in small ways. At least till he adjusts to everyone here. Making sure he doesn’t behave a bilk to our community, while also staying patient with him.

For right now, Sparkler’s got me helping prep the troupe with supplies and small gear like we used for the city. I took that chance to visit with Macintosh, show my appreciation for his help, and wish him and his family the best. Not many words traded between us. Just a “Thanks,” then an “Eeyup, you too,” and a heartfelt hug around the shoulders.

Felt a nice pop in my upper back.

I’m just gonna pray extra hard for these people leaving tomorrow. Make a month-long novena for them. So much can happen out there without immediate or definite support. The stress of making a bad step, forced to take an off-road detour, exposure to elements, cross paths with unsavory characters.

But there’s also the dangers that can come to us. So many are living here already, we’re bound to have upcoming issues with food and medicine, rising tensions among refugees, and become a potential target for raids.

Saw Bloom & Belle play some checkers, and even one last quiet Monopoly game with Pipsqueak & Rumble while I did laps on the outside grass barefoot. Had the twins napping with pacifiers on pouches at my back and chest. Extra-wrapped in wool blankets to help muffle any sounds as a buffer to race back on the new sand trail. Shining and Cadence were doing the same with Flurry.

Can’t just keep ourselves and others inside forever. Especially the next generation.

Granny Smith & Clarity Cut finished up with wool-knit sweaters, socks, gloves and headwear they’d been working on while the former was sick. Definitely need as many layers as possible for people when Fall & Winter come rolling.

Let’s hope and pray it doesn’t last that long.

Then saw Sparkler on a picnic sheet reading a mystery novel, with Wallflower joining with literature on botany. Looks like she borrowed it from Roseluck. Marble & Maud were in the cellar making some sort of rock candy necklaces, with Briar gladly beside them at cameras. Mac, Thunder & Caramel worked on some role-playing scenarios and characters for an hour or two. Coming back inside, I set Pound and Pumpkin down and joined in their sweet siesta.

This was a day to really just try to relax and enjoy life for a short while, as best we could.

Faithfully,

Sheen, A.M.D.G.