Breathtaking

Now boys don't start to ramblin' round
On this road of sin are you sorrow bound
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
You started rollin' down that lost highway

The streets of Appleoosa were almost deserted. Shopkeepers hadn't quite woken up to open their businesses so the only ponies to be seen were part of the caravan I was leaving with. An older stallion and elderly mare climbed up in two of the wagons; my guess was they would be driving. Then, a dozen or so younger stallions started to hitch themselves to the three wagons. Dusk was checking the packs lashed to the side of the wagons, lost in thought and fumbling with a knot. I slung my bag over a shoulder and moved to help. I barely had my hands on the strap before she shoved me roughly with her shoulder. I smiled slightly.

"Just givin' you a hand."

She tied it quickly and moved to the next one. "I don't need help."

I started checking the rest of the knots.

"Sorry. Just figured I'd make myself useful. By the way, I'm here on time, so I'm sure the old barkeep will be happy to hear about you paying for the room and the tab from last night." She rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Guess you lucked out, huh?"

"Nah," I said. "I just do my damnedest to make a good first impression." She shook her head.

"Yeah right." I stood silently for a second.

"Look, I'm sorry about last night, I just-" I didn't get another word out before she turned quickly towards me. The fire in her eyes was evident.

"If you ever bring up last night again, I'll tie you up and leave your flank on a hot patch of sand." She stared angrily into my eyes, begging me to reply. I nodded.

"Yes ma'am." She stalked off and started yelling at the group of ponies at the wagons.

"IF YOU'RE NOT PULLING, YOU'RE CARRYING! WE LEAVE IN 30!"

I sighed heavily. When was the last time I carried anything of any weight? Six years? Eight? I approached a relatively large pack and hoisted it onto my shoulders, straining my injured hand.

"Fuuck..."

"WAS THAT A PROTEST?!" She started moving in my direction. I shifted the pack on my shoulders, wishing for a backpack with straps that sat a little closer. It wasn't like it was too different, just a little wide for a human. Quit yer bitchin', John. You used to march with more than this in the infantry. What is this, 60 pounds? Hump and grunt. I tightened the straps and straightened up. Dusk was eying me again.

"Ready to quit?" I spit out some dust and shook my head.

"No ma'am."

"Well, you'd better figure it out quick. There's no quitting after this and you won't get paid if we have to carry you." I adjusted my boots and took a few steps towards the rest of the ponies. Some of them seemed indifferent, but a couple looked up and scoffed. One stallion on the lead wagon spoke up.

"Look at this! The human wants to make the Desert Run. What's a greenhorn like you know about this, boy?" I lit a cigarette and squinted at the stallion.

"Greenhorn? Where I come from, them's fightin' words." The stallion laughed at me and straightened his harness.

"We'll see what happens, human. Just know that there won't be anyone to pick you up when you fall!" I turned away from him and walked to the rear wagon. Pricks exist everywhere, John. What're ya gonna do? Yeah yeah.

The crisp morning air slowly gave way to warm. It was upper 80's by 1100 and even more when we broke for food and water at noon.

"ALRIGHT EVERYPONY," Dusk called out. "FIFTEEN MINUTES! WE'VE GOT A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER STILL BEFORE NIGHT!" I turned to look in the direction of Appleoosa.

I don't know what I expected to see. We'd already gone about 12 miles and the last stand of shade trees probably would have blocked it if I could even see it. What's the matter, John? Regretting some decisions? Like leaving the closest thing you've had for a home in years? I shook my head and leaned against the wagon while I took a drink from one of the bottles Sonny filled up for me this morning.

Dusk started her way back towards us to check up on the caravan's status. She looked at Cookie, the elder mare and jerked her head towards me.

"Well? Two legs better than four or what?" I heard a chorus of laughing from the lead wagon. Cookie shrugged and spit out a sunflower seed shell.

"Almost as good so far. He's actually pretty quiet. I like 'im."

I smiled at the elderly mare and Dusk stalked off. It was gonna be a long trip.

I shrugged the pack off and lit a cigarette. My knees weren't sore yet, but I had a feeling that would change by tomorrow. I heard Cookie clear her throat and shift in the driver's seat.

"So young sir, what made you wanna come out with us? I'm not sayin' ya shouldn't, I'm just sayin' its mighty peculiar you comin' along and just signin' up like this is all." I shrugged and puffed smoke out into the heat.

"Figured like it was a good idea at the time." The old lady cackled loudly.

"Oh hehehehehe! I supposed you ain't one for havin' good ideas all that often then, eh feller?" Got that right.

"It is what it is. I'm here now, huh?"

"That you are, youngun, that you are!" I looked her over. Not quite Granny Smith's age, but still getting up there in years.

"What makes you wanna do it, ma'am?" She leaned back and popped some more seeds in her mouth, pausing only in her story to spit out the hulls.

"Well ya see, Appleoosa ain't the only settlement out here in the west. There's a few other spots what don't have a train to bring in any goods, sos we ride around deliverin' em to other towns from our's. We stop in Las Pegasus to pick up things for the return trip, plus a little more to make money for the trouble and we head back to start it all over again. It's a good honest livin' and I think it keeps me young" She looked wistfully at the caravan. "Truth be told, I don't reckon I'll make many more trips like this, but them folks out there need their stuff and these folks right here need to eat, so I'm gonna stick around and fix 'em their vittles as long as I can!"

"I like that." I told the old lady. "Seriously. A lot of folks think the older generations just sit and need taken care of. You still take care of more ponies than most ever could." She smiled broadly at that.

"Well, I do try." I wasn't satisfied.

"No, it seems to me you do better than try. Heck, I'll bet this wagon train would fall to pieces if someone like you wasn't here to take care of it like you do. How long you been doin' this?"

"Oh, for about 20 years or so now. My husband did it with me 'til bout five years ago. Heck, all our younguns all growed up and hoofed it for greener pastures. They're all doin' good for theirselves, now."

"You're an amazing mare, Cookie. Glad to have you out here." She smiled again.

"I knew I liked you, boy."

It wasn't long before the call came out to get moving again. I shouldered the pack and moved out with the rest of the group. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

Twenty two miles.

We walked twenty two miles today before stopping for the night. My legs felt like jelly, but I had to keep it moving. The rest of the caravan looked tired as hell too, so maybe it wasn't just me.

A couple of ponies started making fires with some dried wood they found around the area. I threw my duffel bag to the ground and eased myself down slowly to relax. Damn, I need a drink. I barely had my eyes closed when I heard footfalls coming towards me.

"Eat up, youngun. We've got us another big day tomorrow." I opened an eye to see a plate of- Oh God, the smell. I hadn't smelled anything so heavenly in forever.

Cookie had walked over with a plate of beans and warm biscuits. No, the biscuits weren't fresh, but it was the principle of the circumstance.

"Now, I know it ain't nothin' fancy, but it'll fill you up." I took the plate graciously.

"Ma'am, I probably haven't had a meal like this in 8 years. It looks and smells amazing." It was true, too.

My aunt and uncle would always have the younger guys in the family come out every spring and work cattle. I hadn't gone back for that in forever, but I would always remember what Aunt Barb always made us for dinner after a hard day's work. Beans, biscuits, chicken fried steak and gravy. And it was always the most delicious thing I'd ever had. I could forgive the lack of steak, of course.

Cookie smiled and went off to serve anyone who was still waiting for food as I ate up every last bit of the spartan meal. It's not like she could have given me the worst food I've ever had. That was a tie between the Army and an ex-girlfriend of mine that fancied herself a Martha Stewart, but couldn't even boil water if she tried. She wasn't around for very long. Hell, the Army wasn't even all that bad. About the time I was getting out of the service, MRE's were getting pretty fuckin' good.

I scarfed down the beans and sopped up what was left with the biscuits. God, yes. I washed the corners of my mouth with a little water and set everything off to the side to settle down for a smoke and some sleep. Once again though, footsteps approached, but this time it wasn't Cookie. The old stallion trotted over and sat down across from me.

"Howdy." I said simply, acknowledging him briefly out of manners before drawing my knees up to my chin and closing my eyes. The night air was getting a little cold and I didn't think to bring a blanket or something. Apparently, the old pony was horrible at reading nonverbal cues, because out of nowhere he started talking.

"Young buck like you shouldn't have that kinda look in his eyes," he said with a smile. "I been all over 'Questria and heard a lot o' good tales, but when I heard 'bout some alien causin' a stir in Ponyville, I thought I was goin' crazy. Now, here you is, nice as ya please. I says to myself, I says, this seems to be somepony worth knowin'. So why don't ya tell me a little 'bout yerself?"

What? No.

No.

"Sorry sir, but I'm powerful tired and I don't feel like pullin' up all that shit at the moment. If you'd kindly let me sleep-" A snicker caught my ears.

"Don't expect him to say anything, Boxes. Just look at him." It was the same stallion from this morning. "Doin' things other than gettin' drunk and bein' stupid don't appeal to him." I smiled and closed my eyes.

"You sound like you know me. You're absolutely right. Goodnight."

I thought that would end it. Motherfucker decided to dump fuel on the fire.

"I mean look at 'im! He's weak. Can't wait to go to sleep so he doesn't miss his beauty rest."

Please, shut up.

"You're the most useless, lazy drunk I've ever seen. I'll bet your momma was so-"

"Please stop." He continued regardless.

"Oh? Did I touch a nerve? Your momma was probably dyin' to get you out of her house. I'll bet she was relieved when you disappeared seein' as no one could ever love a disgusting waste of space. Go back to Ponyville and drink your life away like you do all the time." Dusk stood silently to the side, her eyes flitting back and forth between the stallion and I unsure of what to do. I looked up at the pony's cold sneer and rolled onto my side away from him. No John, not tonight.

"Goodnight." The stallion scoffed at my reply.

"He doesn't even defend himself. You're pathetic."

Breathe, John. This kinda shit gets you in trouble. Don't say a damn thing.

Slowly, I felt the anger ebb away and I started to block out the jeers coming from the pony and his sycophantic asshole friends.

"Goddess, all he needs now is a cardboard box to sleep in and he'll fit right in with the rest of the refuse in Pegasus.

Don't listen to it, John. Think of happy times. Think of the friends you-

"Jeez, he's probably gotten his little heart broken by some tramp back in Ponyville. You know what guy? I'm sorry, but anypony that would love you is probably not worth it anyways."

That's done it. I rolled over to face the stallion. He looked at me with glee that he finally aroused enough anger for me to bite at the bait. He was looking for a fight. I stayed on my side while I spoke to him.

"I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want or what you have to gain from this exchange," I began calmly. "But I want you to know one thing. You can say whatever you want about me. I'm a big boy. I can take it. You can say horrible, nasty things about me all day, but if I ever hear you say anything about her again, I will bleed you. My life is my business. The things I've done and had done to me are over and done with and I can't change them. But she deserves better than to be used as an insult from your tongue. Now, goodnight." He started to say something else, but I rolled over again, ignoring him. Deflated and defeated, he turned away to leave, but decided to throw in one more jab.

"Whoever it was, she must be something. Let her know there's a real stallion out here waiting for her. Probably good enough for at least a quickie."

I stood up.

No.

No.

John, no.

I could hear Rarity screaming to me as I brought a closed fist across Silver Streak's jaw. A fist that was still swollen and hurting. I didn't have to speak loud. Everypony's eyes and ears were pointed at me.

"I killed my first person at the age of 24. They told me I did a good job. I killed my next person and six others a few months after that. I still see them in my sleep. Shortly after that, I played a part in killing a family. They said it was an accident. Oops. There were so many after that, I got good at it. So good in fact, I took a job where I could get paid a lot more to do just that." I reached under the back of my shirt and pulled the blade from its sheath. The razor sharp edge shimmered in the firelight.

"When I got here, my life took a turn for the best. I found a peaceful existence. I found friends. What's more is I found the perfect mare, I couldn't deal with my problems and didn't want her to deal with them anymore. She had someone else anyways. So I left. I took off in search of a new beginning and left my heart there. I don't care about anything anymore. I self-medicate with alcohol. I forget as much as I can whenever I can. Now, I'm going to tell you this one more time since you know how serious I am. Say another word about her and you'll get to see what your insides look like before you die."

The caravan was silent and still. Nothing moved but the sparse grass shifting slightly in the cool breeze. Blinking a couple of times, Dusk looked around and stepped between us.

"Okay, okay. Bed time. Y'all settle down there. Somepony kills somepony and I gotta do all the paperwork, so go to sleep."

I remained standing, staring down the stallion until he turned away and went off to his fire. Sliding the knife into the sheath, I felt myself calm and start shaking slightly. I was on the ground with my eyes closed when I felt a blanket get thrown over my shoulders.

Dusk.

She settled down at my back and propped her head up on a bag of fabric. At least she was warm.

"Goodnight, ma'am."

"Goodnight, Mr. Marshall." She replied softly.

Broadhoof was a small settlement a good forty miles from Appleoosa. It was a quiet lazy little town that looked like it needed a fresh coat of paint. We rolled in about four hours past sunset and quickly found the saloon. First things first, though, I needed to unload my pack and make sure the wagons were secure for the night. We moved them into a local barn that was expecting us and made room so we didn't have to post a guard. I still wanted to sleep in the back of one. Definitely a helluva lot cheaper than trying to find a room across the street. Hey, it's not like I've never NOT slept in a bed, right?

"Okay folks, go enjoy yourselves. We've made good time, so we're leaving at 9 tomorrow morning." Dusk called out. Her order was greeted with a raucous cheer as ponies staggered their way into the bar. "John, I'd like a word with you alone."

I was surprised. The mare was ready to jump my bones, then all of the sudden she doesn't want anything to do with me. Now, she's sleeping next to me and wanting to talk in private? Silently wishing for her to make up her mind already, I waited back until the rest of the ponies made it through the swinging doors of the saloon.

"John, I just wanted to ask you something." I turned to look at her expectantly. Her face was worried and drawn. "Are you okay? Honestly?"

I... I didn't know what to think. This was incredibly strange from Dusk. At least it was for me. I'd only known the mare for a few days and she didn't strike me as the concerned, caring type. I said all I could with a shrug.

"Seriously, John. You unloaded an awful lot of trouble last night. I don't think anyone should know that kind of pain." I shrugged again. "Is that all you can do? Just move your shoulders around?" I sighed.

"Dusk, I've been livin' this life for a while. I knew what I was doin' when I started it, I know what it's like to live it. I'm makin' it. Slowly but surely, I'm makin' it." She shook her head.

"It doesn't seem that way to me."

"No, it probably doesn't. Granted, it hasn't done me any favors recently either, has it? But I'll keep going. I don't wanna stop and I don't want to think about it anymore. What do you say about a drink? I'll buy this time." I smiled at her and got a small one back. "C'mon. If we're lucky, there'll still be a spot at the bar for us."

I put my hand on her shoulder and walked with her towards the bar. "The Rusty Kettle" it was called. Hopefully, the place wouldn't give anyone a nice case of tetanus. We were several yards from the door when I heard a faint yell.

"Did you hear that?" I asked Dusk and stopped.

"No, what are you talking abou-"

"THERE! There it is again!"

Slowly, a sound grew louder and louder until we heard a female voice piercing the air.

"JOOOOOHNN MARSHALLLLLLL!!!" Gee, that sounded kinda familiar, but where was it coming from? At the last second, I looked up in time to see a rainbow-colored streak swoop low overhead and start circling back.

It couldn't be.

"Someone you know?" Dusk asked curiously.

"Yep." Just then the rainbow came back in low and stopped right in front of us. A light blue pegasus mare with a rainbow mane hovered in front of me with a scowl on her face.

"Just what do you think YOU'RE doing?" She said to me in an accusatory tone. "And who's SHE?!"

"It's nice to see you too, Dash."