Love In The Adjacent Corner

Chapter 8

Fluttershy became consumed with rage. Her eyes glowed red. She lost everything that she had, and everything that she was. She was a pony with nothing more than her vital signs. She was living, but without a reason to. Fluttershy thought, what makes up a pony's soul? Love? Morals? She already lost both. She lost her daughter—her last remaining love. She broke her morals—by committing crimes and sins that will haunt her until her death. She lost her best friend, her dignity, and her faith. She didn't care about her ex-husband or her home anymore. What is there to care for? All the pegasus wanted—all she could think about, was vengeance.

Fluttershy plotted how she will perform what she last vowed, but she had so much determination that she couldn't think rationally. All she could plan was: find something sharp, take it, and slide it in each of the Flim Flam brother's throats. Now where can I find a weapon? she thought. She picked up her saddlebag from the ground and looked through it—just a good sum of money, and an empty box.

Her eyes locked on a house in the neighboring area. It had no outside or inside lighting, but somehow it stood out more than any other house in the darkness. It had a large pile of newspapers in the driveway. Of course,Fluttershy thought, what kind of neighbor wouldn't offer any hospitality to a fellow neighbor who's house just burned down? Fluttershy already knew the answer. One that's been out-of-town for the last couple weeks.

Fluttershy limped her way along the driveway. The mailbox was overflowing and the trash was empty. Every sign pointed to the house being vacant. Fluttershy walked around the backside of the house until she came across a window on the ground floor that was within her reach. With a solid kick, the glass shattered into tiny fragments of broken glass that looked like a fine dust.

She used her hoof to clear off the broken glass that stuck to the edges of the window frame. Because of her weakened legs, and loss of flight, It took her more than one try to hoist herself through the window, but eventually, she got in.

Fluttershy felt around for a light switch, and flicked the switch into the on position. The lights came on. She was in a kitchen. The kitchen was neatly arranged. It even reminded Fluttershy of her own kitchen back before the fire. Her hooves tracked in mud along the floors. After spending mostly all night outdoors, it felt nice being out of the heavy rain.

She looked through every drawer until she found the one with kitchen utensils, and cutlery. Their were about a dozen kitchen knives of varying sizes. Fluttershy placed the two longest knives in her saddlebag. One for Flim; One for Flam. The knives rested in her bag with the blades pointed to the ground. These will do nicely. What else could I use?

Fluttershy wandered into the bathroom, and opened the medicine cabinet. Inside were pills, bandages, sterile wipes, and more. Fluttershy grabbed a bottle of antiseptic and used it to wipe out the open cuts on her body. As the antiseptic passed over even the smallest cuts it burned and stung with a relentless pain.

The pain didn't bother Fluttershy though. For the first time ever, she was glad that pain was as uncomfortable as what it was, because she knew Flim and Flam were about to get their dose of it, and whatever she's feeling now will only be a fraction of what they will. While she wrapped up her wounds with bandages, she said out loud with a hushed tone, "You're gonna like it Flim and Flam. You're gonna love it."

Fluttershy took one of the bathroom towels to dry her hair on. She knew that it would just get soaked with water again as soon as she stepped out in the rain, but she felt that she could at least enjoy the next two minutes without her cold hair hanging in her face.

Fluttershy's right-wing was in too much pain to bandage or treat. She couldn't extend it all the way out, or all the way in. Her broken wing just limply stuck out in an awkward fashion. Any pony could tell that it was broken just by looking at it. It carried itself in a completely unnatural position. Fluttershy's wing still throbbed with any sudden movements she made. It clearly needed treatment, but she thought that treatment was one of her lower priorities at the moment.

Fluttershy felt like she could walk a little better now that her wounds were properly dressed. She still wasn't able to run, and was nowhere close to being able to fly, but it didn't hurt her as much to walk. Fluttershy went to the front door. She emptied her saddlebag of everything except for the two knives. Over a hundred bits fell out on the floor. "Perfect," said Fluttershy, "A few for the window, a couple for the knives, some for the bandages, and still a little more as a gift."

Fluttershy opened the front door and stepped through. She was back in the rain. The cold water reminded her of just how warm it was inside the house. Almost instantly her mane became ruined in the water, and was back to hanging in her face.

Fluttershy stood in the rain for a moment. It gave her one last chance to think. This is all that's important now. Killing Flim and Flam will finally even the score. They took away my daughter, my morals, my way of life. If vengeance is suitable for anypony, why not a pony with nothing of value left to lose.

Before Fluttershy proceeded to find Flim and Flam Fluttershy whispered quietly under her breath, "I'm ready for you. I hope your ready for me. Don't you two worry now; I'm a pony of my word—and I'm coming for you."