To Find the Light

Chapter 5

Right by Your Side

My eyes slowly open at the first rays of sunlight beaming in through my kitchen window. My head is throbbing and as I stand up I start to remember the events of last night and how it is important that I visit Cleo in the hospital.

I grab a couple of snacks from the cupboard and shove them into my saddlebag before rushing out the door. Cleo needs me more than anypony else right now and I want to be there at his side.

I hurry down my peaceful street before turning onto Mane street which is going about its usual business. In front page headlines of every newspaper is the event of last night. I hear everypony gossiping about it, but nopony seems to realize how I was one of the victims.

I board the tram and watch as puffs of steam trail behind. I am leaning on the door frame watching the ponies going about their business and I wonder; Why did all of this have to happen to me? It is some mere coincidence that I was at the Wilsnoff Opera House last night? Or is there more to the events of last night than I first thought?

The tram soon approaches the hospital and I get off. I quickly enter the hospital and without a moment's hesitation walk up to the front desk.

"Hello. My name is Wallflower. I`m here to visit my friend, Cleo. He came in here last night after the fire at the Wilsnoff Opera House. Would you be able to tell me where he is please?"

"I`m afraid you're going to have to wait awhile. The doctor is currently speaking to him. Why don't you have a seat?"

I take a seat as a wave of relief washes over me. Thank goodness he's okay. Hours fly by as I sit here in the hospital waiting room thinking about how glad I am that Cleo is okay.

The doctor soon comes out and notices me sitting just outside Cleo's room.

"Are you waiting for Cleo?"

"Yes I am."

"Well you can go in now and don't worry he's just fine."

I enter Cleo's hospital room and he turns at looks at me. He's sitting on the bed with a grin on his face and a bandage around his head. He couldn't look more pleased with himself.

"Hey Wallflower. Im glad you came and visited me. The doctor said that I'm just fine and that Im free to go whenever I want. I`m really sorry about last night I didn't know that was going to happen I -

"Don't worry about what happened last night. Neither of us knew that such a horrible disaster was going to occur but I`m just glad your okay. Look, there's something really important I have to tell you about but I think we should leave the hospital first."

"Good idea. Why don't we talk about it over coffee? Say...Costello's perhaps?"

"That's sounds great, let's go sign you out."

Cleo signs himself out of the hospital as we make our way back onto Mane Street.

As we sit down at one of the tables outside of Costello's I start to find that maybe things will be okay but then I remember the phone call from last night. We order two coffees before I start with my story.

"Remember how I told you that I never got any time with my parents? You know because they were away on their classy business trips?"

"Yeah, you told me that you lived with your aunt and uncle and that they never spent time with you."

"Well I`ve never actually met my parents or I just don't remember because I was just foal. But you see, I got this phone call last night as soon as I got home. It was my father and he told me that he has been kidnapped and is been held in a warehouse in North East Manehatten."

"So...you're telling me that you're going to go to Manehatten to rescue your father from one of the most dangerous warehouses in Manehatten? You do realize that particular warehouse is heavily guarded and nopony can get within hundred feet of its perimeter?"

"Well..no actually. I kind of thought that I would be able to just stroll in there, rescue my father and get out."

"Look. That place is not safe for anypony. Nopony goes there because it's a very well known fact that a notorious

organization of ponies holds residence there. I would know, I`ve lived in Manehatten."

"Who is this notorious organization anyway?"

"Nopony really knows. But everypony knows one thing and one thing only about them. That they only come out of that warehouse at night."

"Well perhaps that would be the time of day to try and break in. I mean if some of the organization's members come out at night then maybe there will be less of them inside!"

"That's where your wrong again. What I meant was that they only guard the perimeter at night and that's why they only come out night. Otherwise they'll be seen. Nopony knows what they look like because they never show their faces."

"So what does this organization do exactly?"

"Well, that's the question on every pony's mind. Like I said, the only thing we know about them is that they only come out at night."

"How might I be able to get to Manehatten in the shortest time possible?"

"By train of course. There's a new train line running from Canterlot to Manehatten and you can probably get there in a few hours. Are you still sure you want to go through with this? I mean, I can see the sense in rescuing your father and all, but you're  crazy even to consider going anywhere near that warehouse."

"I know but my father's life is at risk. I can't just stand by and do nothing! Even after his plea for help!"

"Calm down Wallflower. All I`m saying is that is it really necessary to put your own life at stake for the sake of a father you've never even met before?"

"Well...I can see your point but...I still feel that this is something I should do."

"Then I`m coming with you."

"What?"

"Look, I can't let you do this alone. I mean it's best if somepony goes with you. Plus, I don't want to lose you Wallflower and besides I'm pretty certain that I have the building plans for that particular warehouse, or at least others like it. That way we can come up with a plan."

"Sounds like a great idea. So when do we leave?"

"How about we leave at midday that will give us plenty of time to come up with a plan and to get there. I think the train ride will take us at least six hours so make sure to bring along some food and water."

"What if I take charge of the food and you take care of any equipment we might need. Remember we want to look like any other passenger going to Manehatten on regular business. We don't want to look like some ponies about to break into a warehouse now do we?"

"Good point. I`ll keep that in mind when packing. It's almost 11'o clock, we've got one hour to pack and meet at the train station."

"But what about the plan?"

"We will figure something out on the train. Don't you worry. Meet me at the train station in an hour got it?"

"Ok. Bye Cleo."

"Bye Wallflower."

And with that we go our separate ways in order to prepare for both the long journey and dangerous mission ahead of us. I continue to think about my father as I make my way onto Mane Street. I`ve never done something as crazy and stupid as this before, but it's for my father and that's what's most important right now.