Ghillie in the mist

     I was leaning against the wall at the train station, waiting for the train containing the six and the CMC. I had convinced Luna to give me and Allen a set of radios, for the play of course. I heard the train in the distance, and stood up. "Michael, you there?" Allen came over the radio.

     "Yeah man, train's pulling in now. I'm going to escort them back to the castle."

     "Sounds good." He said. I still didn't understand how he was able to use the thing. When the train pulled in, the ponies started to pour out of the doors. Oh man, the looks I got were crazy. The train had some ponies in it still from stops before. I guess this play was a BIG thing. I eventually saw Rainbow Dash fly out of one of the cars near the caboose. I stood to full height and made my way towards her. Waving my hand.

     "Michael!" She flew over to me and grabbed my arm. "What are you doing here? I thought you were still in Ponyville?" I went to answer her, then I saw a orange blob jump out of the train.

     "Daddy!" She ran over to me. I scooped her up in my arms and began tickling her. Causing all the ponies to start laughing. She eventually wiggled free, then ran back over to her friends.

     "Michael, if you have some time, I would like to ask you some questions." Twilight had snuck up behind me. Kinda scared me.

     "Sure, I'm to escort you guys to the castle, we can talk there or on the way, whatever's easiest." She nodded and got the rest of her group together. I then realized I had little contact with yellow pony, Fluttershy, except for when we first met. That wasn't exactly the best first impression. I realized I had never really apologized. I walked over to her and tapped of on the shoulder. She let out a little "eep" and turned around.

     "Hey, I never did apologize for scaring you when we first met. I didn't mean to..."

     I couldn't really hear what she said, but it sounded like "Oh, it's alright." I nodded and smiled. She smiled a little, then went back to hiding behind her hair.

     "Alright, everyone ready?" Nods came from the group. "Alright, you guys know the way, I'm just here by orders." They started walking towards the castle.

     "Michael, are you alright if we talk now and at the castle?" Twilight asked. She had a quil and paper.

     "Sure, no problem." I said.

     "I have some questions, about you. And about your kind, humans." I knew it was only a matter of time.

     "Well first off, how old are you? You never told us."

     "Around twenty six. My birthday is sometime near the end of spring."

     "And what was life back on..." She trailed offed.

     "Earth, and it wasn't exactly the greatest."

     "What were your pare....." She remembered what I told her. "Ummm... What was it like when you first joined the military."

     "Everything you would expect. Absolute perfection was required."

     "And did you have any friends?" She looked up at me.

     "Next question." I felt chills run down my spine.

     "But I ne..."

     I cut her off "I don't care. Next question." She glared at me, I would regret it later that night, not telling her about my squad.

     "Do you usually have friends with you? In the military?"

     "Often times yes, but more recently I would go solo." She was writing furiously on her paper.

     We reached the castle, I could smell something I hadn't smelled in a long time. Meat.

     "Yes Michael, you can eat with the griffins, we told them you are security." Celestia said through my head.

     "Thank you. And while you're here, can I ask you something?" I might as well take this moment to ask a question that had been in my head for days.

     "Yes?"

     "I know it's just a play, what's with all the extra security? I know important figures will be there but still."

     "I have a hunch." I felt her leave. I went up to the griffins, at first they gave me weird looks, but let me join them when I had a chance to pleade my case.

     My dream that night was not normal. It was not lucid, I was just walking through a flat environment. Completely alone. Then, a purple flash and shockwave shook me. I looked around in confusion, then saw a small square with a purple outline. I heard a small voice, vaguely familiar. The screen was blurry. But I could make out the scene.

     "Michael, honey, it's time to get up. You have school today."

     "Mommy, I don't want to go!" I pulled the blankets over my head.

     "You can't stay home baby, you have to go. I'm sorry." She pulled the covers off my head. "Now, I'll get your clothes ready while daddy makes breakfast and you wash up." She said. I went to the bathroom and began to brush my teeth.

     I went to the bathroom and began washing my face. I felt a cold hand on my shoulder. I looked up in the mirror, a doctor, with a look of sympathy on his face. I turned, aging two years, and now in a hospital waiting room. A continuous beep coming from the room my father was coming out of tears on his face. I blinked.

     The scene changed. I was outside in a black suit. A preacher talking over an open casket. Friends and family all crying. I was tooo. I felt my father's strong hand on my shoulder. He looked down at me with tears in his eyes. He said six words. "I will do everything I can."

     I blinked as a glass bottle shattered on my right forearm, leaving a mighty big gash, and a nasty scar. "You little bastard, what did I tell you to do!" He screamed at me. He was on another of his drunk rampages. I guess I grabbed the wrong percentage of milk.

     "You lousy fuck, why don't you get it yourself? Oh that's right, you're always too damn drunk to do anything!" I picked up the glass shards from the ground and began chunking them at him. Hoping to cause some kind of damage.

     "You think you can talk like that to me?!" He charged at me, I sidestepped and kicked his legs out from under him. I then turned and ran out the door of the house. It was pouring rain. I ran for ten seconds before I tripped and was on the ground doing pushups.

     "Johnson! You call that a pushup?" A voice screamed into my ear.

     I stood up, the scene had changed again. I was in a small shed type building on top of a bank. I had a sniper tucked into my shoulder, it was small, but it packed a punch. I was looking down the sights when a suspicious looking man started walking towards the embassy. He pulled back his jacket to reveal a fairly large bomb strapped to his chest. I brought up the scope and took the shot. My first kill.

     I felt sick to my stomach. I wasn't ready to do that. But it had to new done. I grabbed the sniper in my hands and closed my eyes. Familiar voices filled the air.

     "Michael, you're the newest, you get it first."

     I sat down in the chair at the tattoo parlor, and took my jacket off. "I am immortal until proven otherwise" I told the artist as he got his gun and some ink ready. He already knew exactly what I wanted, but had to make sure.

     As the needles pressed into my arm, the environmemt once again changed.

     "'Ey Michael, you ever gonna put that thing down?" George, always put a smile on my face.

     "Yeah man, ever since you got it, you've been scared to let it get a little dirt on it." Josh, crazy bastard.

     "Fuck off, it's new, and I want to keep it that way." I recognized my own voice. I smiled at the scene.

     In unison, Ben and Ray came around the corner laughing. "Don't worry about it, we're just fucking with ya."

     "You guys are douchebags." I said, pulling my new Barrett towards me.

     We all sat there laughing. Then, a small *pop* rang through the air. "The hell was that?" Josh asked. We all stood to our feet. Ben however, fell to his knees.

     A voice from outside yelled "Contact!" Followed by multiple fully automatic weapon fire.

     Blood ran down the back of Ben's neck. I tried as hard as I could to stop the bleeding, with no success. His heart had stopped. I rolled him over, and shut his eyes. "Don't worry, no one can hurt you now." I said.

    "Michael! We need sniper cover! Now!" George's voice cried out. I ran outside, analysing the situation. Twenty U.S. soldiers pinned back in an abandoned town, about fifty Taliban raining bullets on us. And we already lost a soldier. I ran behind cover, and set up my new gun. Exhale... *BOOM* the shot found its target. I continued to pull the trigger nine more times. Not missing a single shot. George ran over to me. "We've got two choppers headed this way for pickup!" He screamed. I gave him a thumbs up as I popped in another clip. And began pulling the trigger again. After ten minutes, the choppers had arrived. I slowly started walking towards the choppee about to land. I was getting on the next one, but gotta make sure everyone is safe onboard.

     "See you back at base." The squad said in unison. The chopper started to lift off the ground, with mine setting down. Then, a scream. "RPG!" A rocked collided with the side of the chopper, bursting into flames. The debris rained down onto the other chopper, making it useless. Then I realized, my only friends were in the burning chopper! I ran foraward toward the chopper, only for the heat and flames to push me back. I stared in disbelief. Then, a voice behind me. "Michael...."

     I turned to see Ray laying on the ground, a large piece of metal protruding from his chest, with burn marks on his face and arms. "Ray..." I dropped my gun in the sand and ran over to my friend, that without a doubt, was about to die.

     "Apache helicopter.... two minutes.... another chopper...." He tried to get out. I knew what he was saying.

     "No no no no, RAY! YOU LISTEN HERE YOU SON OF A BITCH, DON'T YOU DIE ON ME!" He just smiled and coughed up more blood.

     "Michael.... I was proven otherwise today. Don't be proven otherwise Michael. Not today." He rolled up his sleeve.

     "I am immortal until proven otherwise." I said out loud. He smiled. His eyes closed. His heart stopped. "No, RAY!" I started screaming. Tears running down my face.

     "Michael, we have to go!" Another marine stationed there said as he grabbed my shoulder, he yanked me towards the chopper on the ground. I looked up to see an Apache giving the Taliban hell. I looked back at Ray. I knew his body would be collected, a medical team was hoping out of the chopper right as I thought that. The screen turned black. Then, opened, rows and rows of tombstones. Coffins in a line. We always said we would be buried next to one another. I walked by the caskets, looking at the faces if it was open. I felt a tear run down my face.

     Why was I having a dream like this? Why were my memories I tried to hard to suppress coming back? I didn't want it! It hurt! I formed a pistol in my hands amd placed it to my head. I had to end the dream. I pulled the trigger.

     I sat straight up in my bed, drenched in sweat. Breathing heavy. I saw a faint glow and hear a whisper. "How do you do it?"

     I looked over to see Twilight in a corner, curled into a little ball. He horn still glowing a little. "How do I what?"

     She stood up. "How are you able to act like it never happened?" I thought about it for a second, then realized what happened. She was messing with my memories!

     "Never go through my head Twilight. There are some things in there you won't enjoy. Even for your research." She was visibly shaking. I hadn't answered her question.

     I got up and embraced the purple pony. Sobs followed. "You are around so much death and hate. Youve experienced things some cant even imagine. And yet you are able to keep a level head and maintain yourself. How are you able to maintain yourself?"

     "I don't know." Then a thought popped into my head. "Pain is inevitable. But suffering from it. That's optional. I choose not to suffer from psst events. Because suffering can cloud your mind. It can make you think and do things you may not want to do. It can lead to vengence, which leads to stupidity, which in my line of work, could be the difference beteeen life and death. I don't look back, in fear I may take Lot's wife's place."

     She looked up at me "Who's wife?" I then remembered she had no idea about my religion. I told her the story, about how when they were leaving the city, Lot's wife turned back, and became a pillar of salt.

     "I fear if I look back at my past, then I will emotionally take her place in the salt prison." She seemed to understand more. She never tried to get into my head again.

     "Allen, those were the last on the list right?" I watched as a couple walked in through the doors, heading towards their seats.

     "Yes, everyone is accounted for. All seats filled. We're ready to go." I watched as he pulled the doors shut. Nobody was allowed to enter until after the play. If you left, tough luck. I was positioned so I could watch the play, check on Scootaloo, and a clear view of Celestia and Luna. And with Allen by the doors, we had this place locked down tight. I guess that's what happens when months before your arrival, the whole city is invaded during a wedding.

     I learned how to open my own links between me and Celestia, it was hard sometimes, but necissary. "Celestia, if you see anything shady, tell me." It was obvious she would, but it's insurance on my part.

     "Sounds like a plan." The curtains opened, and the play began. Just like the one in Ponyville, but much better. It went without a problem. Until the intermission.

     "Michael, ponies are wanting out to stretch, what do I tell them?"

     "Tell them no."

     "It's not that simple Michael, royalty, very rich ponies, ambassadors, they all have a greater rank over me. I don't know how much longer..."

     "Tell them to hold on for one minute." I picked up my sniper and began making my way towards the entrance. Allen really had no right to block their exit, but being an alien, neither did I. But I was a little more stubborn than the pony.

     "Michael, where did you go?" Celestia said into my brain. I got to love the soothing voice. Calmed me down.

     "I have to explain to these ponies that if they leave, they can't get back in." I was just around the corner. I heard Allen pleading with them to just be calm.

     "Do what you must." And I felt her leave

     I walked around the corner, only Allen saw me though. "Everyone, calm down, NOW." I screamed the last word. They all turned expecting to see another guard pony, instead, their faces froze in fear at the sight of the monster twice as tall as them. "If you leave, you will NOT be permitted back into the building. I have no right to prevent you from leaving, but I can stop you from getting back in."

     A white pony started approaching me. "And what would a beast like you do if I tried to enter after I left?" He had a look on his face that suggested that he already won.

     I leaned in until I was just three inches from his face "My orders are to prevent anyone unauthorised from entering this building. Once you walk out those doors, any authority you had is irrelevant. I will kill you if you try to enter this building." A look of defeat crossed his face.

     "I am reporting you to Celestia!" He said, before storming off towards the balcony they eere sitting in.

     "You've got company." I told Celestia. "White stallion, trying to report me for something. He's an asshole." I laughed to myself as Celestia acknowledged my report. I turned to the rest of the group. "Anyone else want to question me? You can walk around the building, but if you leave and try to enter, your life will be at risk." I turned and started walking back towards my post. No one left the building. When I got to my post, I saw Celestia talking with the stallion, hisneyes widened and he pointed a hoof at me when I took my seat and pulled my sniper into its proper position.

     "He says you threatened to kill him and you were rude to him." I met Celestia's eyes, well eye, one was always covered by her mane.

     "Yes and yes, he questioned me, I set him in his place." I had a half smile. This pissed the stallion off even more. I could almost understand what he was saying with his screams.

     "He says that you shouldn't even be permitted in the building. You are a threat to everyone in here."

     "He's not the first to think that." I said, as I winked at her. She tried to hide a guilty grin, while her face went as red as a ripe tomatoe.

     "How many times will I have to apologize for that?" She said. Oh the stallion was livid when he saw Celestia's smile. I started cracking up.

     "Until the day I die Tia, I will hold it against you." I kinda smiled. The play was starting in about five minutes, and Celestia sentte stallion back to his seat.

     "Michael, everyone is in their seats right?"

     I looked around, every seat was filled, the balconies had the correct amount of people, and no one was standing. "Yes sir, everyone is in their seats. I guess no one left?"

     "Nope, after your mishap with the prince, everyone backed away from the door." I kinda laughed to myself.

     Then I noticed something. "Allen, third row, fifth seat, it's empty, you sure no one left?" I brought my scope up, the pony in the seat next to it seemed confused. Like she didn't know where the pony that was there is either. "Allen, send a guard to check it out."

     "On it." A guard walked over to the seat and started talking. He went back to Allen after about a minute and a half.

     "And?" I asked. I was getting anxious, and started looking for anything out of the ordinary.

     "She said it was her friend "Lyra", she went to get a drink at intermission and still hasn't came back. I can see the store from here, no one is there. Exept the pony working it." He said, rather calm.

     "Description?" I was looking for any movement in the balconies.

     "Unicorn, teal, harp cutie mark. Average height." I looked for anything, nothing.

     "Allen, we need to find out wh..." I stopped talking when I heard a silent gasp behind me. I turned on my heels, pulling out my new pistol, aiming it straight between the unicorn's eyes. "Go to your seat, Lyra, now."

     "Michael, everything alright?" Allen came over.

     "Found our missing pony." I said. I looked back at Lyra. "You are to return to your seat. Now. No questions asked. Understand?"

     "You.... you're a..... you're a.... HUMAN!" Her eyes were giant. A smile started to spread across her face.

     "Yes, now, go back to your seat or I will contact security to escort you off the premisis." I still had a firm grip on my pistol.

     "I have so many questions! I want to know everything! What is your home like? How long have you been in Equestria? What's that?" She staryed firing off questions left and right.

     "Allen, send security up to many position, she isn't cooperating. Tell the worried one where she will be for when she wants to pick her friend up."

     "No! Wait! I just have a few questions!" She pleaded.

     "Don't care. Security is on its way." I turned back to the sniper. Nothing unusual happened, so I leaned back in my chair, and waited for security.

     "Mr. Johnson, is this her?" Two of Luna's personal guards asked in unison. Their voice very monotone.

     "Yes sirs." They grabbed Lyra, she was screaming at both the guards and me. The guards for being rude, and questions for me.

     Celestia gave me look that asked "What was that about?"

     I just shrugged my shoulders to say "Long story."

     "She's detained, and her friend is going to get her now." I looked down to see the pony get up to get her friend. It was made clear that she wouldn't get to finish the play. I almost felt bad for her. I stopped thinking about it though, I myself was enjoying the play.

     Celestia came into my head. "Michael, why did the three leave?"

     It didn't occur to me until shortly afterwards she said three, not two. "One came up to my position. Friend is off to get her. They had to leave."

     "Okay, I understand." And she went back to watching the play. I did too. I was watching as the magic used froze the ponies in artificial prisons of ice. The spirits or whatever above causing the ice. The ice covered them pretty quick, from their legs to their heads. It looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn't tell how. I was completely consumed and focussed on the play. I turned once, and right on time, towards Luna and Celestia. I saw a pegasus in all black sneaking behind Luna. I wipped my sniper sround and put a bead on its head. It drew a knife and was just about to plant it into her throat, when a deafening boom rang through the building. Luna was bleeding, but not because of the knife, my shot had hit some glass behind her, sending it into her back, right between her wings. Screams came from below.

     "Everyone, calm the fuck down!" I screamed at the top of my lungs, to no success. I really didn't care that children were in there, they would have been trampled if I hadn't of said something.

     "What the hell was that Michael?" Allen came over the radio.

     "Make sure no one leaves the building! An assassin almost got ahold of Luna." Silence filled the air. I said it a little louder than I wanted.

     "No one leaves the building. Roger that." I heard Allen screaming at guards to get everything back in order.

      I began my walk towards the balcony that the sisters were in. What happened next I was not expecting. "Michael, you saved me." Luna's voice wss almost as smooth as Celestia's. It gave me chills.

     "Not yet." A look of confusion crossed her face. I turned to Celestia "As far as we know, he wasn't alone. There coild very well be more than one assassin here." I thought to myself 'If there was more than one, why didn't one go for Celestia?' Then it hit me. 'Why didn't the one go for Celestia?' I hate to say it, but she has more power over the Equestria.

     "Michael...." Celestia tried to speak.

     "I have Allen on the doors, he's got plenty of guards with him."

     "Michael...." Celestia started again. This time a little more firm.

     "How could I have missed a black fogure crawling on the walls? My only job was to watch over the crowd and make sure the play didn't get fucked up..." A white hoof rested on my shoulder.

     "Michael, it's fine. There was only one. You did your job, you protected my sister and I from death. I don't understand why you are beating yourself up over this."

     I snapped back to reality. "Absolute perfection is required on my end of any deal, Celestia. My actions were less than that. That is why I am beating myself up."

     Luna pushed away the medic that was placing bandages on her back, she rested a hoof on my other shoulder. "Michael, I know that perfection is important to you and your kind. But you have to understand. Even though you were unable to be perfect, you were still able to keep me alive to see another day."

     "If I would have done my job correct, the play would still be ongoing. Instead, poor Allen is down there fighting off angry and scared viewers." I was starting to get angry with myself. Why?

     "Michael, you would have had to pull the trigger no matter what. Now, I may have less bloof on me if you would have pulled it sooner..." Luna trailed off.

     "What she's trying to say Michael, is that it was inevitable you would shoot the assassin. There would still be scared ponies, and the theater would still be locked down. But better late than never right?" Celestia gave me a week smile.

     I brushed their hooves off my shoulders. "I'm sorry, as much as I would like to agree with you, one second could be the difference between success and failure. I do not wish to talk on this subject anymore. I have to help Allen control the crowd." I turned to leave. But a slight resistance made me turn back to the Equestrian royalty. Luna's horn slightly glowing.

     "Michael, please, you saved me. Even if you see it as a failure, let me buy you a drink."

     "I'm sorry Luna, I don't drink. I never have, and never will." I wanted to leave, to help Allen, but her eyes had me frozen.

     "Please, just one. I have to make it up to you somehow." So a shot was the reward for saving lives around here? If that's all, I can live with that.

     "Luna... I have reasons I don't drink. Reasons that I'm not comfortable explaining, and Twilight will have a hard time forgetting." She gave me a confused look. "She rigged my dreams. Tried to snoop around in my past. She saw some things that no being should have to see."

     "Michael, please. Just one. A small one at that. It would make me feel so much better." Her eyes started to become glassy. It was really that important?

     "Luna, I apologize, but I can't do that. Now, I apologize for leaving in such a rush, but I have to make sure poor Allen is still in one piece." I turned and started a light jog to the doors. Allen was having a hard time holding the crowd back, and the guards weren't much help.

     "You!" The white unicorn yelled at me, pointing a hoof at me. "You are responsible for this chaos!"

     "I recomend you shut your mouth and show some respect to your superiors." Oh the look on his face was priceless. The whole crowd got real quiet. They wanted to see the conflict between the prince and alien.

     "You? My superior? That's hilarious!" He started laughing like he just won the lottery.

     "Prince, you are causing this whole crowd trouble. You have five seconds to return to your seat. Five..."

     "Oh that's rich! You think you wi..."

     "Four..."

     "Ooooooooh, the big bad ali...."

     "Three..."

     "What's that? He can count backwards? He's more intell..."

     "Two..."

     "Ha, how do you think you can make me return to my seat?"

     "One..."

     "Oh no! I wonder what he's going t..." He was cut short by a elbow to his jaw. It was obvious he was not used to physical warfare, he was out. I picked him up by his rear legs and carried him to his seat. When I got him to his place, I took a few zipties that I had got from the champer in Luna's room. I tied his hooves together, and his mouth shut. I began walking back to the entrance.

     "Now everyone, unless you want to end up like Prince asshole, I suggest you all head back to your seats." They all just stared at me, eyes wide and mouths open. "Five..." I started to say, they all dispersed, going directly back to their seats.

     Allen walked up to me. "Michael, you realize that was the prince right?" He had concern on his face.

     "Well aware. It had to be done though, and I'm glad it was him that challenge d me. Sets an example." I started walking past the rows of ponies. I made my way to Scootaloo and her friend's row. "Hey girls, y'all alright?"

     "Don't worry 'bout a thing, when there was the big boom..." She threw her hands in the air for a dramatic effect. "... Scootaloo told us it was just you, and that it would be safest t' stay here." Scootaloo and Sweetie nodded in agreement.

     "Rarity is going to go nuts when she find out what you did to the prince!" Sweetie jumped up with a smile on her face. The prince was still out, and a nice bruise was showing through his fur.

     "Well tell her not to kill me please..." I hadn't seen Rarity angry, but I didn't want to.

     "No, nuts as in she'll laugh at what you did. Two years ago at the Gala, he was completely rude to her."

     "Oh that's funny." I said smiling. Bastard called me rude, and he was a dick to Rarity? Oh that was the highlight of the whole play.

     A guard had snuck uo behind me. "Mr. Johnson, Princess Luna and Celestia wish to see you."

     I nodded, then looked at Scootaloo. I used my best terminator impression, and said "I'll be back." Of course, they didn't get it.

     I followed the guard back up to the balcony, what I saw actually pissed me off a little. Celestia and Luna had rather large glasses of wine, being held by their magic. And in the center, was a small shot glass with a clear liquid. I was about to turn and leave, when I was immobilized, once again, by the black aura of light. "Michael, please. It's all o ask." Luna pleaded.

     "No, Luna. You don't understand, I have a reason I don't drink." Since I had never drank alcohol before, I knew I was going to be very weak to it.

     "Please, Michael. It's all I ask." I looked straight into her eyes. They looked almost exactly the same way Scootaloo makes hers look. I was about to say no once again, then she did it. She stuck out a quivering bottom lip.

     "Dammit, just give it here." I said. I knew I was defeated. I grabbed the small glass and eyed it suspiciously. It didn't look right.

     She squealed in exitement that she won. "To Michael, may his shot always hit their marks." She said, raising her glass. Celestia and I followed. I tipped my head back and let the liquid run down my throat. It burned worse than I expected. But tasted delicious.

     "That was actually good.... Can I have another?" Victory shot over Luna's face as she poured another.

     My mind woke before my body did. My head was pounding like a drum. "That's why I never wanted to drink..." I thought to myself. I started to open my eyes, only to be met by an evil sun. I squeezed my eyes tight together to keep the light away. There was a burning sensation on my left peck. I ignored it and just lay in the bed. Then I realized something. My bed wasn't near this comfortable. I shrugged it off and tried to go back to sleep, maybe the hangover made everything seem more comfy. Then, I felt something. I felt something move. My eyes shot open, ignoring the deadly sun. I wasn't in my room. Instead of a dark brown wood ceiling, it was black, with all different stars dotted around it. I looked to my left to be greeted by a wall with maps, charts, a balcony, a telescope, and the sun. I was scared to look to my right. But I did. I slowly turned my head. I saw a mound of covers, covering whatever was under them. But I didn't need to see, I already knew. I started to inch my way out of the bed, hoping not to waken the sleeping pony. I looked down at my chest where the burning was coming from. It looked like someone had branded me like a cow. A crescent moon was burned into my chest. I slowly got out of the bed, and looked around the room. I was only in my underwear. My boots were on the floor, my shirt and pants on the end of the bed. And my pistol, knife, and Barrett beside the door. Socks, nowhere in sight.