The pink mare moved closer to the griffon.
"Gilda, are you okay?" she called out.
After waiting for five seconds for a response, Pinkie Pie shuffled in closer to Gilda. She reached out with a pink hoof and placed it on the sobbing griffon's shoulder. Gilda tensed up at this gesture, but slowly calmed down as Pinkie Pie pet her on the back.
Gilda couldn't believe it. She had kidnapped, beat up and even tried to murder Pinkie Pie, yet in Gilda's time of need the earth pony still tried to comfort her. The thought just made Gilda cry more.
"You're not helping you know." Gilda said to the pony, trying to push away the comfort.
"You could just tell me what's wrong." Pinkie Pie stated, her voice comforting.
Gilda looked at Pinkie through her yellow eyes and saw the smaller pony. While her body was weak from not being fed enough in her make-shift prison, her face was full of concern.
Gilda closed her eyes and sighed. The least she could do for Pinkie Pie as an apology was to tell her what was going on.
"Fine I'll tell you." she muttered out in defeat. "You know that I was friends with Rainbow Dash in flight school right? Well, I never told anyone what happened after flight school.
It was a great day for everyone. End of school. No more homework. No more deadlines. No more detention. After all goodbyes were said, most of them tearful, everyone parted ways. Going back to their homes. Back to their lives. Back to their family.
But I didn't get that joy. I flew home, excited as ever. Our house, where we both are now in fact, was on the edge of the Everfree. It's close to the border of Griffinia, but still in Equestria. But when I got to the house, something seemed different. Where were the smiley faces of my siblings? Where was the smell of cooking that always wafted out of the kitchen that time of late afternoon? Where was everyone?
I entered the house through the side door because the front door was locked. I went from room to room, checking for everyone, anyone! But I couldn't find anything. Nothing but eerie silence.
There was one room I hadn't checked. The living room. I opened the door. I couldn't believe my eyes. There, in the middle of the floor, were the bodies of my parents and three younger siblings.
I backed away. I couldn't believe it. Who could do this? I dont even know now what would have been running through someone's head to make them do that. Especially to my youngest brother. Who would be so heartless as to murder a four year old?
I didnt cry. I was too sad for tears. I got out of the house as quick as I could. I ran away. Flew away. I went to the only place I could think of. My friend Jasmine's house. She's a griffon like me. Maybe a bit nicer and more level-headed. She let me stay with her. She was the only comfort I had left because all the old comforts in my house now haunted me and I had no friends besides her.
But one day, the worst happened. She committed suicide. I should have seen it coming, but I was too caught up in my world of horror to notice. Who doesn't notice their only friend becoming depressed anyways? An idiot that's who. I left one day to get more material for her paintings and came back to her covered in her own blood, clutching a knife.
I had no one left. But it was then I remembered someone. Somepony to be exact. My best friend from flight school, Rainbow Dash. I sent her a letter as soon as I could asking if I could stay over hers for a few nights. I didn't want her to worry for me just yet. My worrying is what made me too late to save Jasmine.
I went over to her house. I tried to get the time to tell her what had happened, but never got the chance to with all her talk of life in Ponyville and how awesome the Wonderbolts are. While I was happy she had had a better life than me in the year or do we were apart, I still felt the desperate need to tell her what happened and ask if I could stay with her for the time being.
I was just about to talk to her too. But that's when you showed up. I just... Hated you for interrupting. Hated the sound of your voice. Hated the way you laughed. Hated the way you were close to Dash when I needed her for myself. Hated you for being happy when I couldn't be.
I tried to get away from you, but you were persistent. That pissed me off even more. My anger got to the point where I had to get you away with whatever means possible, even if it meant physically hurting you.
But even after you were gone I didn't get the chance to talk to Dash. I had gotten the idea of tricks into her head and she didn't stop chatting about it until she had to leave to take care of the weather.
I was full to the brim with anger, but tried to keep my cool just like Jasmine would have. But look where bottling up emotions got her. It wasn't until I bumped into the yellow Pegasus that I let it all out. I yelled at her, not because I wanted to yell at her, but because I wanted to break down and cry in a corner.
After I flew away from that scene, I ended up breaking down and crying in a corner. I lay there for a few hours. I hadn't cried that much for months. Everything came rushing in at once. My family. Jasmine. Rainbow Dash. The annoying pink pony known as Pinkie Pie.
After my little sob-fest, I got my act together and went back to Dash's house. All I wanted to do was sleep and cry some more, but she had other plans. She informed me of the party you were throwing and asked me to come. Of course I said yes. I couldn't disappoint my only remaining friend.
That was the worst decision ever. I once again let my anger get control over my actions and I ruined everything. I no longer was friends with Dash. I no longer had a friend. I was a nobody.
And it was all your fault. You and your stupid party. Your stupid happiness. Your stupid friendship with Rainbow Dash. You ruined my whole life. Everything!
And so for the next year and a half I plotted my revenge. I would kidnap you and do whatever I could to make your life hell. Sometimes I asked myself if it was the right thing, but I shook off the question as quickly as it arrived in my head.
I stalked you, getting whatever information I could to your whereabouts. It was the only thing I had to occupy my time, and it did a good job of occupying it. Before I knew it, it was the date I had set to execute my plan.
You might be wondering why I chose the Summer Sun Celebration as the date to capture you. With the crowds to witness you being kidnapped. But the crowds also served as a distraction. While everyone was chatting to others, it could take hours for a single pony to be noticed as missing.
I was lucky with the location being once again in Ponyville, after being in Ponyville only the year before last. I just had to wait for you to be alone for a moment.
But then she saw me. A young yellow earth filly with a bow in her hair. I regret what I did to her. I didnt need a little foal ruining my plan. I didnt need her throwing my last few years work down the drain.
She asked what I was doing with all those ropes and bags. I hit her. Hard enough to make her unconscious. I didn't try to help her. I just left. Left the small bleeding body in the dip in the hill.
And that's when you came and ruined my plans again. I bet you knew what I was doing. I bet you heard the little girl's scream. I bet you ruined my plan on purpose. How was I supposed to capture you if you knew I was there.
You know what happened next. I tackled you and tied you up. I guess I really had nothing to worry about seeming as I was stronger than you. Nothing to worry about except for that one pathetic scream of help when you realized what was happening.
You were unconscious when I flew back over the Everfree with you on my back. I guess that was a good thing, because once again my hard shell broke and I cried once again. I can't believe I'm such a crybaby sometimes. But the flight was long enough for me to get my act together and put back onto my face the emotionless expression that hid my emotions.
When I got here I already knew where I would be keeping you. I had been planning this for almost two years remember. This room is my little sister Violet's room. She was 13 when she was murdered. I cleared the room of all objects that could be used as weapons. All that remained was a desk and a bed. Lucky for me, the room is connected to its own bathroom, much like a master bedroom, so I didn't have to worry about that.
When you woke up, I heard you moving around. Trying to find an escape route. I guess what I did wasn't necessary. I guess I could have just let you know you were my prisoner. I didn't have to hurt you.
But I did. And you know I did. And even though you flew halfway across the room before hitting the ground, I think it hurt me more than it hurt you.
What had I become? A monster. That's what. When I brought you your food the next day, I knew I succeeded with my plan. I wiped that pathetic smile off of your face. But it didn't seem right.
The days continued on like that for the next week. Feed you, feel horrible, let my anger get the best of me, feel horrible.
I guess I could have just let you free. I guess I should have let you go. But I couldn't. I couldn't let everyone think I was weak and helpless. I had to get rid of you though. One way or another.
I guess I shouldn't have given myself so much credit. How could I have the guts to kill you? I tried anyways. But then you looked at me with those big blue eyes. Did I tell you my youngest brother had blue eyes? The same shade as yours. You reminded me just of him. I bet that was how he looked when he was about to get murdered to.
I couldn't do it. I still can't. I had you pinned down and held the knife above you but still couldn't. I guess I didn't want to. I guess that you reminded me too much of everyone who died. Death never solved anything before, so how could it now?
When I left that room, leaving you laying on the ground, still in shock, I didn't want to see you again. This was all your fault. I told myself that but it didn't matter. The loss of a friend against the loss of a life. I was obviously on the bad side here.
And I didn't see you again for the next week. I stayed to myself. I barely ate. I barely slept. It was like a nightmare that didn't make sense.
When I finally did come to check on you. I saw an image that will haunt me the rest of my life. You about to kill yourself.
It was all my fault.
I was the one who wasn't there to save my family. I was the one who couldnt see my own friend slipping into depression. I was the one who made Dash hate me. I was the one who made you try to kill yourself.
And I guess that's why I stopped you just now. Because I couldn't let you die because of my stupidity. When I took the knife out of your hooves, you actually looked sad. Like you wanted to kill yourself. Like death was better than life.
And those blue eyes.
They were the eyes that made me cry"
Gilda looked at Pinkie, tears running down her face. She brushed some of Pinkie's hair out of her eyes with her hand. To look once again into her blue eyes.
"Please don't kill yourself Pinkie." Gilda sobbed. "Not because of me."
Gilda didn't expect what happened next. Before she realized what was going on, she was embraced by a warm hug. Unable to think of a better response, Gilda put he arms around Pinkie and hugged her back. It had been forever since she had gotten a hug, and she wasn't going to let it go to waste.
After what seemed like an eternity, but was closer to give seconds, Pinkie pulled away and looked Gilda in the eyes. Pinkie had no clue what Gilda had been keeping inside.
"All you really wanted was a friend." Pinkie stated, forcing a smile onto her face. "I'll be your friend."
Gilda couldnt believe what she was hearing. That was the last thing she expected Pinkie to say. She even believed it could have been a cruel joke. Why would Pinkie want to be friends with her anyways?
But why fight the friendship when she could embrace it. No longer be alone.
"Thanks." Gilda muttered out. While her voice was full of misery, she couldn't help feeling happy on the inside.
Pinkie leant against Gilda. Her warm coat brushing against the brown fur upon Gilda's side. The two sat there in harmony, each thinking their own thoughts.
Gilda watched as a cool breeze blew in through the window, ruffling Pinkie's curly mane. She watched as a spider slowly made its web in the corner of the dark, dusty room. She watched the sun slowly set over the horizon. She watched as tears rolled down her new friend's face, despite there being a smile upon it. She watched the rise and fall of Pinkie's chest, gradually getting slower and slower. She watched as Pinkie's eyelids drooped lower and lower, until her blue eyes were finally closed. She watched as the stars shone brightly in the night sky.
Gilda slowly got up, so to not disturb the sleeping pony. She moved Pinkie's restful body onto her back and walked across the room to the bed. Gilda placed Pinkie down on the mattress and moved the sheets to cover the fragile body. Right before she was about to walk away, Gilda leant down and kissed Pinkie Pie on the cheek. Maybe she would let Pinkie go back to Ponyville tomorrow. Where she will be happy.
"Goodnight,", Gilda whispered, ", friend."
As Gilda slowly walked out of the room, Pinkie opened one eye.
Just as the door was closing, Pinkie Pie whispered back to Gilda, "Goodnight,"
And as the door was slowly closing, Gilda got to peer once again into Pinkie's blue eyes.
"Friend."
