Woman in the Woods

Sweetie Belle scrambled up the clubhouse ramp, through the door, and dove under the table inside. It was an old wooden table with flaking blue paint that the three had bought from Applejack last year. She was going to get rid of it anyway, so she parted with it for a couple of bits and a peppermint.

The flaking paint peeled off in spirals. Flashes of the dry, dead skin from the creature’s bloated legs danced across her eyes.

“Sweetie! Sweetie open the door, quick!”

It was Scootaloo’s voice. Clear and filled with adrenaline.

Sweetie Bell stuck her head through the window and saw the little Pegasus galloping towards the clubhouse. Apple Bloom wasn’t in sight. “Yeah, come on! Where’s Apple Bloom?”

“She… I think she’s right behind me, isn’t she?” Scootaloo slowed down to a trot and looked over her shoulder. There was nopony in sight.

“I can’t see her from here,” Sweetie called, scanning the horizon.

The light from the downstairs windows of the Apple family’s Barnhouse bathed the field in a soft orange glow set against October’s blue night. Crickets and bullfrogs argued, and branches of the orchard sighed as the wind caught upon their leaves.

“I think Applejack is inside, Sweetie! I’m going to go get help!” Scootaloo called.

Sweetie Belle took a worried glance at the horizon again. This was the best view of the orchard. If anything came from the forest, she would be the first to know. The idea of running home and hoping the thing didn’t wander up to her bedroom window was a hot coal that burned her skull from the inside out. Sweetie would rather stand lookout until the morning, or until someone gets rid of the thing.

“Ok, but please be quick. I don’t want to be alone!”

Scootaloo ran off towards the house. She grew smaller in view and became a speck as she brought her hoof up to the door. Once Scootaloo went inside, Sweetie Belle turned back towards the forest. Just as Sweetie’s heartbeat began to slow, a knock of a hoof at the clubhouse door made her jump.

“Scootaloo? That was quick. Is Applejack getting the others?”

The door stood silent.

“It’s me. Let. Me in.” Apple Bloom spoke from the other side.

“Apple Bloom?” Sweetie Belle walked to the door and cracked it open. Apple Bloom was just outside the door frame, standing so close it was like her nose was pressed to the door. Her face was hidden in the darkness, but the moonlight caused the sapphires of her eyes to sparkle.