Chapters Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
I - Every End Has A Beginning...
I awoke slowly.
I twisted my head to see the small clock, quickly glancing at the time before rolling back and groaning.
Laying there for what seemed like an eternity, I finally decided I had had enough, and slowly clambered off of my mattress and onto the hard, wooden floor. My front hooves stretched out in front of me, and my rump raised itself into the air, and three very distinct 'pops' were heard. Without even thinking about it, I repeated the process, but changing which limbs did what, letting my back legs stretch out and my weight support itself on my front legs. I yawned and looked around as if my surroundings were new.
They weren't, of course. Just horribly filthy. I really should clean this place up, but I already know how this mess is organized, and cleaning it would ruin everything. I take a step forward, but searing pain instantly floods my being, and I reel backwards, landing on my bed once again. I look over myself, frantically searching for the source of my immense discomfort, and find several small shards of glass embedded into my front-right hoof.
"Damn", I mutter under my breath, beginning the process of carefully removing the shards with my mouth, careful not to cause any more damage.
Minutes more of careful extraction, and I'm finally ready to try leaving once more. I stand myself back up from the bed, walking forward, trying my hardest to remember where the glass was hidden under all the filth of my room.
I finally reach the door, taking a look back at the disgusting room, sticking my tongue out at it, knowing that I conquered the room, and that means I've almost conquered yet another day.
I walk down the hallway, taking the left towards the stairs, and contemplate the rest of the day.
"What to do? "
I reach the bottom of the staircase, and take a right into the kitchen. I walk just a few feet inside the small room, and then I stop.
It took me a moment to realize what my brain had registered in mere seconds, and when I located it, my whole demeanor changed. I take a few steps forward, stating intently at a spot on the fridge. This is no regular spot, though. Not one you can simply clean off with a wipe. No, this is a spot that no matter what you do, where you go, it will always follow you. This is a spot with memories contained inside of it.
A lone picture sits on my refrigerator door. This is the spot. I get close to the photograph, and quickly pluck it off the white door with my teeth, rush over to the small dining table, and release it from my mouth, watching it slowly descend onto the green table.
I stare at it, remembering everything about that horrible day. The woman that was pictured went by the name of "Miss Court". She was a very pretty Earth Pony, with a cherry-red mane, and an all-white coat, with her cutie-mark being that of a closed book. The trip had started off wonderfully, but quickly took a turn for the worse...
***
It was our one-year anniversary, and I had taken her to Las Pegasus. Not the most romantic place to take a girl, especially one like her, but it was all I could afford.
We went and saw the sights, as tourists normally would. After a couple of hours, she decided it was time to head back to the hotel, and I, not being a total idiot, knew better than to argue with her, especially when, throughout the entire day, she had been giving trying to expose herself to me, so I had a pretty good idea of what was coming when we got back to the room.
Sure enough, we get back, and she tells me to cover my eyes. I do, now almost certain of what was going to happen. After a moment, she allowed me to open them back up, and the sight that laid before me was incredible.
There Miss Court was, lying on her back on the bed, hind legs spread, exposing her marehood, and it was all for me. The head that rested on my shoulders was not the only one enjoying the sight, and I quickly felt a swelling sensation between my own hind legs.
She tempted me closer with a forehoof, and I silently obeyed her wordless command. As I reached her, she sat herself up on her haunches and pulled me in for a kiss. She slowly reclined, our lips still connected, forcing me to crawl on top of her, or risk breaking the connection.
The night was full of passion, and by the end, both of us were exhausted.
We slept in the next morning, Miss waking before myself.
I heard a loud click come from my side, and I pulled my hooves closer to me, expecting Miss Court to be pulled in closer too, but she did not. I opened my eyes, confirming that she wasn't on the bed. I silenced myself, trying to listen for any sound coming from the bathroom, but alas, there was none. My heart began to race. Where could she be? What could she be doing? What if she's hurt?
Questions continued to race through my mind, and I began to quickly scan the room, stopping moments after starting, my eyes spotting a little card. Curious, I got up and inspected it.
Nothing special, just a white card. However, what was most interesting was on the inside. I flip it over, holding one side down with one hoof, and the other with my other. Scrawled on the top side was a note, and it read:
My love,
Last night was wonderful, more than I could have ever imagined! After telling you this great news, it is with a heavy heart that I must now deliver bad news. I have found another, and we are currently residing at his house. Thank you for everything, and I hope this doesn't ruin anything between us!
Anger, the likes of which I had never felt before, welled up inside of me. How could she do something as intimate as have sex with me, thank me for it, tell me she's run away with another man, and then hope we could still be friends?!
I tried to contain the fury within myself, but I simply could not. I reared up on my hind legs, something I rarely did, and shot my front-left leg through the air, striking the wall in front of me, leaving a dent and tearing the wallpaper.
"Fuck you, you stupid bitch!", I yelled with all my might, not caring who heard.
I gripped the chair in front of the work desk with my teeth, and swung my head violently to the right, causing the glass from the window to shatter and fall to the ground, much like the chair was doing as it dropped from the third story of the Mare-iot Hotel.
I searched for something else to destroy, and bellowed out, "I don’t need this shit, you stupid, fucking whore!"
I tried my best to calm myself down, slipping the note into my saddlebag as I walked out of the partially destroyed room, hurriedly making my way to the lobby and out the front door, and then continuing to walk until I was far away, trying my best to forget about that room and all the horrible memories it now with held within itself.
Days later, I arrived back in Ponyville, eyes puffy and red, with two very noticeable lines coming down from the corners of my eyes, revealing the path that my tears had traveled down my face. I went into my room, laid myself down, and tried to sleep.
When I awoke from my slumber, I realized that my saddlebag hadn't even made its way off of my body. I slipped it off and looked at what it held inside.
I found the note, and rage swelled up inside of me again, but I was able to control it, and I saw that there was more to the note down below. I moved my hoof to the side and stared, her smiling face staring back at me. The picture was taken while we were out observing the sights. It felt like a punch in the gut, that note coupled with that picture.
The same question I asked myself days before returned, but now wondering why she would then attach such a happy picture to a note that basically said, 'Fuck you, thanks for the sex!’ I couldn't wrap my head around any of it, so I ripped the note in half, keeping the picture of her face, and tossing the actual note portion into the trash, hoping I'd never have to see it again.
***
The memories of those few days still hurt as I stood there in front of the fridge, continuing to stare at her face, and having her stare back, almost as if we were in a never-ending staring contest. Eventually, she won, and I shook my head, releasing myself from the trance I was in, and continued my morning.
I opened the fridge, trying my hardest to make a selection from what little I had. Why did it always seem that whenever I'm hungry, nothing seems appealing? I brush the thought away, grabbing a carrot and some lettuce from the bottom shelf, the amount of time they'd spent trapped in my fridge extremely obvious as the cold vegetables chilled my teeth when I picked them up. I walked back to the table, dropping the food down over the Picture of Miss Court.
I took no time in preparing the orange and green food, deciding that if nopony else was around, nopony would care about the state of my breakfast. I balanced the carrot on my hoof and very carefully took a bite. There was a loud crunch as a chunk of the food broke off in my mouth. I chewed slowly, still wondering how to spend the day. An idea popped into my head, and I swallowed the mush, walking away from the table and my meal.
I quickly headed up the stairs, turning right down the hall, and making it to the door of my room. I slowly push it open, once again greeted by the filth, and walk to my desk. I sit down in the chair, the cold metal sending shivers up my spine as it greeted the warm flesh of my haunches. I pulled back the handle on the front of the desk, opening a small storage space, and marveling at the book that rested in the center of it. It was nothing special to look at, as it was just a black, leather-bound journal, something akin to what the schoolfillies and colts would use for their studies. This is what made it special, though. Since it was such an unassuming little thing, nopony would dare look at it if they were to find it, but that would be an impossibility for many reasons, the largest one being that I never allow other ponies into my house.
I grasp the journal a hoof on each side, carefully lifting it up out of the drawer, and finally placing it down on to the desk itself. I slammed the drawer shut and began to search for something to write with.
I found my pen, the black shell almost making it invisible in the dark. I quickly pulled it over to myself, opening the journal to where I left off with my other hoof. I read the last few sentences I had written, and I tried to get myself prepared to write more of this story just like the last time.
We flash forward from an enjoyable night on the town, to the end of an argument the next day.
"Wait!", she calls out to him as he leaves. He reluctantly turns back to her.
"What do you want now, Amber?", he asks, annoyance obvious in his voice. She looks at him, desperately trying to find words.
She gives up, hanging her head, looking down at the floor.
"Nothing. I'm sorry. You can go."
He says nothing and turns away, using his magic to close the door behind himself as he leaves. A single tear rolled down Amber's cheek as she stood in silence. She wanted so desperately to tell him how she felt, but the words always escaped her.
She didn't want to live her life knowing that she had feelings for him. But would never know if he had feelings for her. She needed closure, and began to formulate another plan in her head.
I nodded as I finished reading my most recent work, picking up the pen in my mouth and leaning over the journal, preparing to continue the tale. The pen touched down on the page, and the beginnings of a word were written.
This was going to be fun.
Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
II - A Misplaced Argument
Crow walked alone through the streets of Ponyville. He had always found the name to be completely uninspired, as if someone had just made it up one day without putting much thought or effort into it. He passed by Sugarcube Corner, the odd design setting it out amongst every other cookie-cutter building in the town. The smell of treats found their way to him, but no matter how deliciously they smelled, he wouldn't give in.
He had someplace to be.
As the smell of assorted pastries and cakes faded away, he began to think on his actions from earlier, back when he was at his house with Amber. He felt regret for the way he treated her, and he now knows in his mind that he shouldn't have, but he was just so angry at her.
As he thought more and more about the recent incident, he had trouble remembering one tiny, little thing: His reason for being angry with her. He tried and tried to remember, but he just couldn't. He stopped his walk through the town, sitting himself down on his haunches, and began to replay the event in his mind...
***
Amber walked into his bedroom at about 11:30 that morning, a smile on her face.
He had looked up from his book, placing the open tome down onto the sheets as he swiveled out, letting his hind-legs dangle off the side of the mattress. He noticed Amber's smile, and tried his best to return it, but what formed on his face looked more like a sneer. Amber quickly frowned, but went back to being smiley when she thought back to why she came into Crow's room in the first place. She did not say anything, however. Finally, Crow broke the silence.
"Can I help you with anything, Amber?"
She shook her head, replying, "No, Crow. I'm quite fine at the moment, but I would like to talk to you about some things."
He raised an eyebrow at her, suspicious, as he could never expect what Amber was going to do or say. He patted the spot on his bed next to himself, saying, "Alright then, Ambs. Sit yourself right here, and I'll talk about whatever you want."
Her smile grew wider than both he and herself had expected it to have been able to, and she hurriedly trotted over to where Crow was, lifting herself off of the ground with her wings to fly the extra few feet, then slowly letting herself descend on to the bed next to him. She adjusted so that she lay on her side, staring at Crow as he opened his mouth to begin their conversation.
"So, what's on your mind?"
She looked away from him for a moment, staring in to "space", as she thought about how she wanted to phrase everything she was about to tell him. She inhaled deeply, then began to speak.
"Well, as you know, I am your guardian. I was sent her to watch over you by Celestia herself, as she believed you had great powers. You remember this, do you not?"
Crow nodded his reply.
"Good. As displayed in the past, you do have formidable powers. You remember these instances of magic as well, do you not?"
Crow nodded once more, remembering both times where he had to save Equestria from certain doom. It seemed like something only a character in a story could've accomplished, but he'd managed to do it in real life. He twirled his hoof in the space in front of himself, signaling for Amber to continue.
"Great. As you may also know, as a result of both of the previously mentioned things, we've known each other for write sometime", she said, pushing her right hind-leg straight out behind herself. Crow noticed this action, but thought nothing of it, simply thinking that she was getting more comfortable. She, on the other hoof, knew exactly what she was doing, and was glad that he took notice.
"Yeah, quite a while..."
"Anyways, this is what I've come here to talk to you about; myself."
Crow was confused, the topic of conversation never before coming to him or her as beings. He listened on though, wanting to know where she was going with this.
I smile as I pull away from the journal, pen still in between my teeth. I can't believe that I had finished off the last part of my writing without showing this argument first, and curse myself for doing so. I couldn't turn back now, though.
No, now I had to play through and see where my mind wants this to go. I lean back in close to the book and begin to write again.
"Y-You-Yourself?” Crow managed to stutter out.
"Yes, myself. Don't fret though, it will not take very long", she said, putting the smile back on her face.
Crow looked her over once, allowing his eyes to quickly travel from the hoof at the end of her extended hind-leg to the tip of her nose. She still looked like the same Amber, and still sounded like her too, but he could never be too sure. His curiosity finally got the better of him, and he admitted that he was ready for the questions to Amber, who let out a small squeal of excitement. She took a second to calm herself before continuing.
"Thank you. First question: Do you think that I am fulfilling my duty as a guardian?"
Crow took a moment to think, but ended up nodding his head, saying, "Yes, you've done very well."
"Oh, excellent."
Her other hind-leg stretched out, joining the first one. Crow could not help but watch as she did so, and Amber noticed.
She smiled to herself before clearing her throat, causing Crow to snap back to attention, a small blush on his cheeks.
"Second question: What do you think of my personality? Annoying? Cute? Funny?"
She eyed him as he thought about each option. Even though Amber had always been there for him, she could get extremely annoying, but at other times, she could be the most amazing of people. He ran both scenarios through his head, first telling her she's annoying, the other telling her of her excellence. He didn't even need to guess which one was better.
"I think you're wonderful, Amber. I wouldn't change a thing about you."
She blushed, looking down and away from him, mumbling, "Oh, stop it you..."
"I'm serious. Every day, through light and ark, you've been by my side. When I felt that I couldn't defeat the Juggernaut from killing everyone in Ponyville, you were there, and I don't know how, but I was able to win that fight and save everyone. I can't pick out any one thing about you, but there's definitely something special."
These words told Amber exactly what she wanted to hear, and she pressed forward in her questioning. She was going to hear what she wanted to hear.
"So, how are things going with...her?"
Crow took note of the way Amber let out the last part of the question. He knew that she hated his marefreind, but he didn't know why, and he never felt like questioning it.
'Mares are mares', he thought. He knew he still had to answer.
"Who? You mean-"
"I don't ever want to hear her name."
He held up his hooves in front of him as she finished, seeing the hate in her eyes at even the thought of his marefriend.
"Things...things are going good between us."
This was not unlike a punch in the gut for Amber. Why couldn't Crow see that she had feelings for him, yet he continued to date that whore? She would never understand the mind of a stallion, and decided that know was the time to act. She prepared herself for what she was about to do.
"You know, I've been doing some thinking about...us..."
Crow's ears perked up, never before hearing both Amber and himself as "us". He grunted his reply, and she continued.
"Yeah. I think that we've known each other for a long enough time now that we try something new."
Crow's eyes widened as she said this, and gulped hard, beginning to panic at what "something new" would entail, and whether or not he would go through with it or not.
"Uh....yeah?"
"Yes. I think...", she began, slowly lifting up her hind-leg, revealing the slit in between the appendages, flicking her tail back and forth as she did so. Crow could do nothing more than watch as one of his best friends revealed herself to him. "I think it's time that we try something very different."
She released the words from her mouth in just the right way to not only keep the attention of the head between his shoulders, but also grab the attention of the head between his legs. He could feel his shaft slowly slipping out of its sheath as Amber continued to stare at him seductively. He knew he shouldn't be enjoying the sight, but there was just something so...alluring...about her. Was it the fact that they were such good friends? Was it the fact that he already had a marefriend?
"Wait", he thought, eyeing Amber as she crawled her way over to his un-sheathed member. "I have a marefriend. Shit! I have a marefriend! I can't do this!"
He began to back away, but Amber had gotten close enough to give the tip if his shaft a quick lick. His body wouldn't let him suppress a shudder, but he continued to try and leave.
"Where are you going, sweetie? Don't you wanna try something?"
Crow had to choose his words carefully. "I do want to, but I'm already with Feather, and-"
Amber stopped what she was doing, the smile instantly leaving her face. Her right eye twitched slightly as she looked up at Crow's face.
"What did you say?"
"I said, Feath-"
He was silenced as a hoof struck him in the crotch, the pain quickly spreading from a single area to all over his body. He felt as if all the air had just been knocked out of himself. He curled up into a ball, slowly slumping forward on to the mattress as Amber stood herself up, looking down at him, her frown now replaced with a look of panic.
"Oh, shit! Sorry! Please be alright!"
Crow's breathing returned to normal, and the pain subsided, but not after minutes of listening to Amber apologize. When he felt he could stand again, he stood up, beginning to walk out his door.
"Wait!” she yelled as he passed her. He continued to walk, not even looking at her as she continued to wail. He could see the front door from his spot at the end of the hallway. He began to walk the home stretch, Amber continuing to beg in the background.
"Please! Please stop! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
***
Crow shook as his memory finished with him slamming the door behind himself, bringing him to where he sat now. He still felt bad for Amber. After all, she was a being created by Celestia to watch over himself, and she probably just didn't know what she was doing. He brushed the thoughts off, standing back up on all fours. He knew where he had to go, and he knew what he wanted to do.
He slowly resumed his walk back to Feather's house.
I pull away from the journal for the final time today. I look up from the now-filled pages to see the sun about to set over the mountains. It looks beautiful, and I wish that I could stay to watch the event, but there comes a knocking on my front door.
I stand up very quickly, rushing downstairs, flinging the door open to see the mailmare waiting for me.
"This is for you, sir!” she says, saluting me as she hands over the letter. I wave a thank you, closing the door and walking back to the kitchen, sitting down at the table. I grip the note with my hooves, tearing a side off with my teeth. I dip the open side of the letter, letting the note within fall out.
I open it up, and what I see both shocks and amazes me:
Greetings,
It's been quite a while since we've seen each other, and I feel that I owe you both an apology and an explanation. I will be coming by tomorrow at noon. Can't wait to see you again!
Signed,
Miss Court
I sit still for a moment, letting the note's words process in my brain. I looked down at the piece of paper, and know what I must do. The next time Miss Court sees me will be her last time seeing anything.
I have to prepare.
Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
I sat patiently the next day, waiting by my front door. She was coming over today, and I made sure that I'd be able to accommodate her. I've been sitting here, on the floor, since early in the morning, finding myself unable to focus on anything other than her arrival. The best part about all the waiting was thinking of all the ways to make her meet her end.
I, being the old-fashioned stallion I am, had already dug a hole in the backyard. It would accommodate her quite nicely, with some room to spare. It was also located underneath the shade tree, so, even in death, the filthy whore of a mare could feel relaxed.
However, there had to be much more fun ways to finish a pony off. Suffocation would be nice; making her watch as I restrict her airways. Going right out and stabbing her could also work or forcing her to watch as I make the incisions that let her own life drain out of her. So many terribly great ways, so few chances to implement them all. My eyes close for a moment, but shoot back open when I hear a knock come from the door.
I start shaking, a mixture of both fear and excitement washing over me. Adrenaline begins to flow through my veins. My heart feels as if it's about to explode. I hid most of this on the inside, of course. I stood myself up from my sitting position on the wooden floor, and slowly walk over to the entrance door.
I push my head real close, bringing an ear to the door, listening for her. Sure enough, she calls out to say who she is. I waste no time in opening the door, greeting her as if we were the best of friends.
"Hello, Miss Court! Though I received your notice, I must say that it is still such a pleasant surprise to see you!"
"And you as well! How have you been?"
"Just fine, aside from the fact that I spend every waking moment of my life trying to forget the absolute hell you put me through!"
"Wonderful, and you?"
She begins to work her way to the living room, hoisting herself up on to the couch. She lays herself down, replying with, "Oh, absolutely wonderful, thank you for asking! Richard and I are starting to plan a wedding!"
"A wedding, you say? But, he hasn't even—"
I stop myself mid-sentence, noticing the ring she wore around her neck, itself suspended by a chain. It was quite impressive, I'll give this "Richard" that. It had red jewels surrounding the centerpiece, a small blue gem. He must have spent quite a large amount of money.
It was unfortunate that it would all have been a waste within the next few minutes or so.
I had to try my best to suppress the absolute glee I felt inside at the mere thought of giving this bitch what she had coming to her. I successfully hid my excitement, and she still sat there on the couch, completely unaware of the danger she was in. She turned her head back towards me, asking, "What have you been up to?"
I considered my words, deciding it best to not just let my brain dump all over the place.
"Well, I've been living here, as you know. Other than that, not much at all has happened since our trip to Las Pegasus."
The words stung like a smack in the face as they left my mouth. It was bad enough having to remember the event, but having to bring it out from inside was complete and total torture. The room fell silent, save for our gentle breathing. I silently excused myself from the room, seeing her watch as I turned and left, heading for the kitchen.
I knew that I had no reason to be in here, but she didn't, and that made the next phase of the plan easier. I grabbed a small bundle of rope from off the dining table in my teeth, turning back to head towards Miss Court. I silently re-enter the living room, seeing Miss Court staring down at her hooves.
"It's now or never."
I get behind Miss Court, the rope tied around each of my hooves. I pull my front legs apart quickly, snapping the rope, causing her to look back. I plunge my legs forward, her shocked expression giving me enough space to get the rope in between her jaws. I pushed back as far as I could go, pushing back her cheeks, probably more than they should have been. She instinctively bites down on the foreign material, but it's too late; she's trapped. I tie the rope behind her head, disabling her ability to speak.
She kicks out desperately with her hooves, thrashing around every which way, but I don't miss a beat. I reach down for another piece of the rope, holding this one in my mouth as I try to control her front legs.
I eventually manage to gain control, but not without suffering a few blows. They sting, of course, but none of them will matter soon. I wrap the rope around her front hooves, pulling as hard as I could to make sure she couldn't escape her bond. Her hind legs mean nothing, as almost everypony is vulnerable without their front legs. I clench the portion of rope behind her head in my teeth, getting some of her mane in my mouth as well. She screams out, but the rope makes it come out muffled. I drag her to the center of the living room.
She's sitting upright, eyes wide with fear. I could hear every breath she took as I slowly circled around her. She tried to speak, but it comes out muffled. I smile as I prepare to speak my final words to her.
"Do you know what's going on, Miss Court?"
She shook her head, giving up on trying to talk.
"Do you want to know?"
She nods vigorously.
"Remember our little trip to Las Pegasus all that time ago?"
She sits perfectly still for a moment, not even breathing as I watched. Slowly, she shook our head.
"What?! "
"Stop joking, Miss. Remember when that bird flew down and stole your hay sandwich?"
She shakes her head again, now looking down at the floor.
"So, you don't remember the night we shared?"
She looks up at me. She looks me right in the eye, then shakes her head. All previous plans of saying "I'm sorry" and "Goodbye" are quickly purged from my mind.
"You stupid fucking whore! Think, god dammit!"
She flinches when I raise my voice.
"How can you not remember it?! I spent a fuckload of my own money just for you , and you don't remember any of it! We had fun, we saw everything! We went back to the hotel and had a passionate night! The next morning comes, and how do you repay me? You fucking leave!"
Tears stream down her face as my shouting continues. She whimpers as I continue my story.
"I come back here by myself. I lock myself away from the rest of the world! You tore me apart!"
I get up next to her face, bringing my voice down to a whisper, then let out the final part of the tale, bringing her to what's about to happen to her.
"Then, just yesterday, you send me a letter. Just out of the blue. What does it say? "I'm coming over, so be ready!" No, that wasn't gonna work. I've made sure to accommodate for you though. Let's go check out the room."
I grab the portion of rope behind her head, dragging her on her rump to the backyard. I see the brown mound of earth, and the gaping hole next to it. The tree shades most of it, but what does that matter? I'm not the one going in.
I sit her down in front of the hole. Her muffled cries for help intensify as she stares down at her new home.
"I'm going to let you speak now, so hold still."
I grip one end of the knot with my teeth, pulling away from her, and the rope falls to the ground.
"HELP! THIS PONY'S A FUCKING MANIAC!"
I hit her in the back of the head with my hoof, the sharp crack echoing through the air. Her head rolls to the side, and continues to wobble as she tries to refocus herself. I begin to speak.
"So, here you are. Your new room. I started to prepare it as soon as I heard you were coming."
A weak moan of "No" escaped her lips.
"I knew you'd love it, just like you love that other stallion."
She must've regained her bearings quicker than I thought she would, as she begins to scream out, but not for help; she screams at me.
"Please! Don't do this to me! This isn't like you!"
"How would you know?” I say, calm as I'll ever be. "When the fuck did you ever take the time to get to know me?"
"NO! Please, just let me go! I'll do anything!"
I think on what she says, but realize that I would be the only one feeling emotion. I look at her, the tears continuing to roll
down her face, her legs curled up into her body, almost as if she were trying to turn into a ball and escape. I shake my head, and she screams out.
Her time has come. Perhaps she'll know better in her next life.
"My pain can only end with the commencement of your suffering."
She looks at me, unmoving as I inhale, preparing to finish my job.
"Shall we begin?"
She screams out as I get behind her, gripping her mane in my mouth, snapping her head back. A pop is heard, but that's probably the least of her worries.
"No! NO! PLEASE, GODDESS NO!"
"GET IN THE GROUND!"
I thrust my head forward, causing her to tumble. She is caught off balance, and I finish the deed by using my front-legs to push her in to the hole. She flails violently as she falls the short distance to the bottom. She tries desperately to stand up, but is unable, thanks to me for tying her front-legs together.
I begin to push dirt back into the hole, the shade from the tree covering me as I worked.
Then, I heard a knock at the door.
My eyes snapped open, and I hear another knock.
"What?! It was only a dream?!"
I stand up, walking to the door, opening it to find Miss Court's bright and smiley face staring back at me. She was very much alive.
I welcomed her inside, and we both went to the living room.
Today was going to be a long day.
Fear Through the Eyes of Madness
IV - Setting Events in Motion
Crow could see her house in the distance, the interior lights casting a faint orange glow over the surrounding area. He saw a figure move around through the window, and knew that it was his lover. He imagined how the next few minutes would play out in his head.
First, he'd arrive at her front door. After answering, Feather would invite him inside. The two of then would make it to her living room, wherein they'd sit together on the couch. She would initiate conversation, asking him how his day had gone. He would smile and reply "Just fine!", leaving out what almost happened with Amber. He knew better than to lie to his marefriend, but also knew that she wouldn't like to hear about his almost-sexual relations with a close friend. After their chat, she go fetch drinks. He'd ask for something heavier, but she'd come back with water. From there on out was anypony's guess.
He smiled, knowing where his mind wanted things to go with Feather, but had to repress the feeling as he reached her door. A moan came from the other side of the wooden door. Crow took a step back, confused.
'Is she...no. Why would she start without me?'
He raised his hoof to the door, giving it three raps before taking a step back. He heard Feather call out "Oh shit!", and he smiled once more, knowing that she had been caught. Moments later, the door swung open, and Crow was greeted by a red-cheeked Feather.
"There you are!", he exclaimed, happy to finally see her after the day he'd been having.
"Yeah...here I am. Woo."
She looked over her shoulder, looking as if she were panicking, and Crow took notice.
"Is everything alright? You look worried."
"NO!", she blurted out. "No! I mean, no. No, I'm alright. Thank you."
He continued to stand still for a moment as she breathed heavily, but resumed shortly after.
"So, do you mind if I come in?"
"Yes."
"Well, thank you very mu–what?"
"Yes, I do mind if you come in. I don't want you around right now."
She had taken on a rather serious tone, and Crow wanted to question her further, but decided he be better off not risking making Feather more angry at him. He took a few steps backwards, and she mirrored him exactly, the only difference being that she ended up further inside her house.
"Well, bye."
She didn't give him another look as the door slammed behind her. He looked down at the ground. Why wouldn't Feather want him around? Was he not good enough? Questions and feelings of self-doubt continued to swirl around in his head as he made the slow walk back to his own house.
He didn't want to go back, especially if Amber was still acting like a sex-crazed maniac, but he didn't see the point in paying to stay somewhere if he already had his own place. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he reached the front door.
He reached out and pushed, bracing himself for whatever lay inside.
***
I showed Miss Court out the door, a smile on my face.
"You take care, now!", she called out.
"And you as well!", I called back.
I slammed the door as I turned away, heading back into my living room. I hopped up on the couch, nestling my head down on top of my front-legs, closing my eyes, hoping that the horrid memories of today would be washed away in my sleep.
***
Crow looked around the living room for any sign of residence. He hadn't been able to find Amber anywhere, and it had begun to worry him. He should be used to it by now, what with her leaving on her own from time to time for personal reasons. No matter how many times she left though, he always felt as if a part of him had died.
He skulked back to his room, dragging his hooves along the floor with every step he took. A sudden crash came from the kitchen, and he perked up instantly. It had to be her.
He ran into the room, and wanted to let out a shout of joy, but nothing came out when he saw her body laying on the wooden floor. He rushed to her side, picking up her head in his hooves. Her eyes rolled in his direction.
"Oh...it's you..."
Her breaths were shallow, and she shook like a leaf. He didn't see any cuts or bruises on her body when he searched, but instead found the fur on her neck was matted down, with a rope lying a few feet away. He looked from her throat to her eyes, wondering who could've done such a thing to her, but stopped when a drop of water touched his hoof.
He looked up at her face once more, several more drops of liquid running out from under her eyes. She sniffled, and let out a weak wail.
"I'm so sorry...I didn't mean it..."
He wondered what she had meant bu that, but remembered the events from earlier. He pulled her close to himself, wrapping his front-legs tightly around her back as she awkwardly sat up. More drops of liquid ran down her face as he whispered to her, softly stroking her mane with one hoof.
"Shhhh...don't worry. It'll be alright. I'm not mad. It'll be fine."
She continued to shudder as tears rolled down her cheeks, and he repositioned her so that her head rested upon his shoulder. He also continued his soft stroking of her mane, still whispering his calm words to her. It was several more minutes before she finally composed herself, pushing herself away from him. She ran a hoof across her face once more, wiping away any stray tears.
"I'm so sorry, Crow", she said weakly.
***
I awoke rather abruptly, hearing a knock at my door. I bolted up from my spot on the couch, and bounded towards the entryway, opening it to be greeted by the mailmare.
"Package for you, sir!", she said, holding a small box out infront if herself, saluting me with her free hoof.
I smile, then wave my own salute, taking the package. She turns around, taking off into the blue sky as I shut the door behind myself. I place it down on the table on the kitchen and read the label, wondering who could've possibly sent me something. I read over the label.
It wasn't for me. It was for my neighbor.
Damn him.
I let out a sigh, turning away from the box, and head up to my room. I take note of how filthy the place is, but I pay it no more mind as I make my way to my desk.
I open the journal to where I left off, picking up the pen in my mouth, and beginning to write.
***
"Don't worry", Crow says. "I promise, I'm not angry."
Amber released a sigh, that statement calming her fears that had hung over her for the past few minutes as the two of them talked.
"I do want to know one thing, though."
"What would that be?"
He wasted no time in replying, releasing the question he'd been keeping in his mind since he'd left their house earlier.
"Why?"
Amber sat, stunned, not knowing how to answer the question. Even she herself had not thought of any reason as to why she did what she did. It had felt as if she wasn't in control of her body, but she actually was. She shook her head once at her roommate.
"I don't know, Crow. I woke up, and I just had an urge."
Crow nodded, accepting her answer. He turned away from her, making his way back to the front door.
"I'm heading back out now. Don't wait up for me."
With that, he walked through the doorway, and began the long walk back to Feather's house.
***
I pull my head away from the book. How did I want the story to go from here? I pondered the choices I had, the. finally came to a conclusion.
I leaned back in, and began to write, a smile across my face.
This is where the characters begin to feel my pain.
***
Crow stood on Feather's front porch minutes later. He raised his hoof and knocked five times, not too hard, but not too soft. He heard Feather's voice fromt he inside, and mentally prepared himself to tell her everything that happened with Amber. The door opened, and saying that he was suprised would be the understatement of the year.
A drunk-looking stallion greeted him at the door, his mane ruffled and coat filthy. An incomprehensible slir came out from his lips, and moments later, Feather walked up beside him. She gasped when she saw Crow.
"Oh, uh...hey, Crow. What's up?"
Words escaped him as he continued to stare at what stood mere inches from himself. His marefriend was with another stallion? How? Why?
The unknown stallion spoke again, and Crow was able to decipher some of his speech this time.
"Babe....fucking....bothering you?"
The rest was still jibberish to him, but he was able to piece together what little he had made out.
"Am * I** bothering her?", he said through bared teeth, his body shaking from the amount of rage he was trying to keep bottled up.*
The drunkard spoke one again, his speech, while still slurred and broken, much clearer than before.
"Yeah, dumbass. You fuckin' wit my bitch?"
This sent Crow over the edge, as he sent a hoof flying towards the stallion opposite himself. It strick him square in the jaw, knocking him back, and causing Feather to let out a shriek.
"LEAVE! JUST LEAVE!", she screamed at him as he stood motionless, staring down at the body of his opponent.
Crow turned away with a grin, the body on the floor not moving. He knew that a hit like that couldn't kill somepony, but it would have at least been able to knock somepony unconcious. He walked away from Feather's house casually, as if the whole thing never happened, when on the inside, he felt like killing something.
Anything.
***
Good.
I greatly enjoy the way this section has played itself out. The twist at the end was so great, that even somepony as great as myself wouldn't have been able to see coming! My excitement died down shortly after I realized what my recent writings meant for the characters.
"Where do they go now? "
***
Crow arrived back at his own house later on in the night, having taken several detours through the alleyways of Ponyville. The sun had set long ago, leaving the dim glow of the moon in its place. He slowly opened the door, a squeaky hinge sounding like nails on a chalkboard.
The light in the living room was off, but the kitchen light remained on. He walked over to the light, being careful not to step on anything that would cause too much commotion in the dark of night. He reached the room, giving the panel a light hit with his hoof, shrouding the room into a darkness almost as great as the one outside. He silently made his way back around the living room, walking down the hallway that led to his and Amber's bedrooms. A sound came from the room opposite his, Amber's, causing him to stop. He pleaded with himself for permission to investigate, and eventually willed himself inside.
The door slowly swung open, causing a shriek of suprise to come forth from the female pony lying on her back, hind-legs splayed. She quickly adjusted herself so she was sitting upright, curling herself to try and hide evidence of her recent activity. It was too late, though.
"Enjoying yourself?", Crow asked, a smirk on his face.
"S-shut up!"
She tried reaching out and throwing something at him, but instantly recoiled when doing so left her body exposed.
Crow chuckled, and she looked away, cheeks redder than a beet.
"Why don't you get some sleep? It's really late right now, and I think we both need it."
She nodded slowly, still not looking his direction, then stood up, making sure to keep her privates facing away from him. She backed her way towards the bed, but stopped when Crow cleared his throat.
"You know...if you want...you can, uh...you can come sleep...you know, in my bed...."
She nodded, still not looking anywhere near him. The two of then walked side-by-side across the short distance that seperated their doors. He crawled into bed first, with her folowing shortly after. She hadn't made a sound since he caught her, and the idea of her not wanting to talk upset him. An idea formed in his head.
'I'll just tell her that I'm not mad, and that what she did was normal', he thought, nodding his head as he prepared to put his plan into action.
He rolled over in bed, opening his mouth to speak, but instead, seemingly against his will, shot his hoof under the blankets, and on to Amber's marehood.
She let out a gasp, something that was a mix of both suprise and pleasure as he rubbed his hoof over her moist lips.
A faint 'squelch' was heard as he dipped his hoof a bit more forward than he expected himself to. She let out another moan as he continued to rub. His mouth was still hanging open, and he looked on as she turned her head to face him for the first time since she was caught masturbating. Her eyes were half-lidded, and she was breathing through her mouth.
"Come on, relax."
He placed his other hoof over his mouth, not knowing why he said that to her, but quickly put it back down to his sidewhen she let out a deep, throaty groan as he continued his ministrations.
He rolled closer to her and gave her a kiss, himself coming on strong while she lazily moved her tounge around as waves of pleasure continued to wash over her body.
***
I can't believe myself.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Oh well, what's done is done. I close the journal, place my pen down beside it, and get myself up from my chair. I walk over to my bed, avoiding the glass.
"I really need to pick that shit up. "
I climb into bed, pulling a cover over myself with my teeth, then laying my head against the pillow.
Sleep slowly overtook me as I plotted out the rest of the story, each tragic detail appearing in my mind as if it were happening in real life.