Chapter 3

Dark Rooms, Voices and Hospitals

I slowly opened my eyes. As I laid on the ground; I could only look up at the sky. The sky had no color to it, no complexity and void of light. I couldn't see any clouds, no stars, no sun or moon; just black. I slowly turned on my side and looked around. As I continued to see only darkness; I made my way to my feet. As I stood straight; I slowly scanned my surroundings. My surroundings were void of any life, so I decided to walk forward.

"Hello?!" I yelled as I looked around for any sign of life. I shaped my hands like a cup around my mouth. "Hello, is anyone out there!? Can anyone hear me!?"

When I got no response; I continued to walk forward. I don't know how long I walked, but I can say it felt like an eternity. The air around me was cold and stale. It was like walking through a mass grave; nothing but silence and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. I looked around one final time and I realized; I was alone.

"Where the hell am I!?" I yelled as loud as I could. When I got no answer; I dropped to my knees. "Is this some kind of joke? Some kind of cruel fucking joke?..."

I looked at my hands for a moment. Suddenly a white mist started to ooze out of the ground. I got to my feet as quickly as I could and looked around. White mist was coming out of the ground as far as I could see. I looked to my feet and see the mist was starting to converge on me. It was like it was being pulled towards me. I bent down and started to brush it away. The mist started to advance much faster towards me. I quickly got up and swung my arms at the mist. It started to move up my legs and enveloped my body. I grabbed my head and closed my eyes as a sharp stabbing sensation shot through my brain.

"Get the hell away from me!" I yelled as loud as I could.

The ground suddenly jolted; knocking me to the ground. As the pain stopped; I let go of my head and looked up. The mist was hovering three feet in the air. I slowly stood up and the mist moved away from me. I watched the mist as I started to walk around. It seemed to stay about five feet away from me all around. I quickly stood still when I saw the mist starting to move again. This seemed different; it looked like it was starting to condense together.

I watched as the mist formed large circular objects. I slowly walked up to the closest misty form. It seemed to stay in place, so I continued to watch it. I looked closer as it started to condense in more complex textures. I looked up and could see smaller parts of mist form. The mist seemed to spider out in all directions. I looked at the other strange misty objects and they did the same. I took a step back and all of the misty objects started to take on color. They all seemed to start off blood red; they all quickly got darker. I looked closer at it and realized.

"These are trees?" I looked closer.

I slowly put my hand on the object and was surprised to feel that it was solid. I walked around it while feeling with my hand. It felt rough; porous even. I took my hand away and looked up. Small green objects started to condense.

"No doubt now; these are trees." I smiled in relief. "At least it's not all black now.

I started to walk through the newly formed forest. Soon after; I found a large clearing. I walked into the clearing to look around. When I was looking around; that feeling of someone watching me continued. I quickly looked up into the sky when something caught my eye. Dark clouds quickly formed and it started to rain. I held my hand out and I could feel the rain. It was almost like it was washing away my worries. I slowly got on my knees and sat down.

My rest was quickly interrupted by a loud popping noise. I quickly stood up and looked at the sky. White lights started to shimmer inside the clouds. I could only explain it as a white aurora. I continued to watch the sky and quickly saw a bright red light appear from nowhere. Soon after, a loud explosion echoed from above. I watched the red light as it fell through the clouds. Whatever it was; it was falling fast.

I soon realized it was falling towards me. I tried to run, but I tripped over something and fell to the ground. I looked up and I knew I didn't have enough time. I curled up into a ball and prayed. A few second passed and I slowly looked up. I was surrounded by large flames. I got to my feet and looked at my hands. I slowly brushed my hand through the fire.

"Why could I feel the trees in such vivid detail, but not able to feel the fire?" I slowly walked out of the fire. I turned around to look at it. "Why does this seem familiar?" I rubbed the back of my neck. Suddenly a large explosion in the fire made me fall to the ground. "Wow!..." I then heard someone yell. I quickly got up and looked around. "Hello! Is anyone out there!?" I continued to franticly look around me. I then see a dark shadow vanish down a small path into the forest. "Wait!" I quickly run after it. "Hold on, wait for me!" I quickly got to the edge of the forest; I then slipped on the mud, as I heard three loud gunshots.

I quickly crawled back from the tree line. By instinct, I tried to get to my gun. I soon realized I didn't have it. I slowly made it back to my feet and slowly advanced down the path. Continuing to be very cautiously; I soon noticed a man laying next to a puddle of water. I rush to his side.

"Hey buddy, you okay?" I quickly noticed a large pool of blood. "Hey! Wake up!" I yelled while trying to push him over. I tried my best to move him, but it was like he weighed a ton. "Why won't you move!" I lost my grip on the man and fell back in the mud. I slowly got up and walked around him. I was shocked at what I saw. "It's... me..." I continued to look at my counterpart. "Am I dead? How did this happen?" I dropped to my knees. "Is this hell?" I quickly stood up as I started to hear whispers. "Hello!?" I quickly turned around.

I froze as I saw three strange misty forms. I looked down at the small misty form. It looked human in nature. It looked like a baby, but it had some kind of Mohawk. I then turned my attention to the two larger forms. It looked like they were some kind of large dog. I quickly froze as the small baby like form walked up to my body on the ground. Soon after one of the larger forms started to approach.

"Twilight, it's bleeding." A whisper echoed from the woods.

"Hello?" I looked around for the voice. "Where are you?"

"Is it still alive?" A whisper said as I looked back at my body.

"I don't know." My attention quickly went to the baby like form. I watched as he started to poke my body.

"Wha... Get the hell away from me!" I tried to kick the mist away from my body, but it seemed my foot went clean through. "What the hell is happening to me?" I turned around and watched the mist.

I watched as my body seemed to float onto the back of the large misty form. I watched as the mist started to carry my body away. I was quick to follow them down the path. Soon after, they hit the edge of the forest and magically disappeared. I quickly stopped where they vanished; I looked out from the tree line, but didn't see anything. I slowly took the first step out of the forest and was brought to my knees by an enormous pain in my head.

I quickly jolted up from where I was laying down. I tried to open my eyes, but it seemed to be wrapped in some kind of bandages. I quickly reach up to feel my head. It seemed to be wrapped for some reason. I quickly turned my head to a soft gentle voice.

"Please calm down; you were just having a bad dream." The gentle voice said.

"Who are you?" I asked while feeling my body. "Where is my stuff?"

"I am Nurse Redheart; your clothed have been washed and placed on the chair next to the bed. Your personal effects have been placed in the drawer on the other side of your bed." Nurse Redheart said with confidence. "How are you feeling?"

"Not so good; I hate hospitals..." I slowly scoot my back against the headrest.

"I'm sorry to hear that..." I could hear the nurse walk away. "I will go get the doctor for you."

When I heard the door close; I started to feel my hands. I then felt something tickle my arm as I moved it. I reached over and felt an I.V. I slowly pealed the tape away and pulled it out. I bent the I.V. tube and brought my arm up so it wouldn't bleed.

"I don't think you are suppose to do that..." I female voice said as the door opened.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"My name is Twilight Sparkle." I heard steps come closer. "Can I get your name?"

"Twilight Sparkle?" She quickly cut me off.

"Twilight is fine." I couldn't see, but I could tell she was smiling.

"Okay Twilight, my name is James." I relaxed my right arm and felt it for blood. When I felt it was okay; I put my arm down. "So why am I in a hospital?"

"I was hoping you could tell us." A male voice said. "Do you remember anything from before you woke up?" I heard someone walking towards me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get your name." I heard him stop at my bedside.

"I am Dr. Stable." He waited for me to answer the last question.

"Well as a matter of fact; I do remember what happened." I scratched the back of my neck while trying to remember. "I was doing a training exercise. I was trying to fly above a storm; shortly after my engine exploded." I leaned down and tried to remember more. "I managed to crash my Hornet in a forest. I remember following a path and hearing a loud roaring noise. I fired my gun three times..." I laughed. "I shot myself..." I felt the top of my head. "Well I guess it's good that I am still alive, but why are my eyes covered?"

"You had some minor nerve damage in your eyes." I heard papers shuffling around. "It's nothing that we can't fix, so rest assured. By the way; Nurse Redheart hold me that you were having a bad dream. Would you mind talking about it?"

"Well," I tilted my head, "I don't remember much of it, but I do remember a lot of white mist."

"White mist?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, it was like fog. I don't know how else to explain it." I sighed. "Sorry I can't tell you much more, but I was never good at remembering my dreams." I laughed.

"That sounds like an interesting dream. Do you have any idea what it would mean?" Dr. Stable asked.

"Sorry doc, I don't." I slowly rubbed my hands together. "So when can I leave? I have to be honest; I am not a big fan of Hospitals..."

"Well, Twilight can do your last treatment now, but what you have told me." I heard papers moving around again. "I would like to keep you for one more day; just to be on the safe side."

"Sounds good to me." I smiled. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just relax." Twilight said. "This might feel a little funny."

"Oh...kay..." I relaxed against the headrest.

Soon after I heard a strange buzzing noise in my head. I did my best not to move. It felt like my brain was being tickled and it was hard not to laugh. The feeling faded in a minute or two. I rubbed the top of my head.

"What was that?" I asked.

"It's magic." Twilight said in an excited tone.

"Okay... So you don't want to tell me. That's fine..." I sighed.

"Huuu?" Twilight said in a questionable tone. "But it is..."

"Can I take my bandages off doc?" I started to feel around my bandages.

"Actually, I would like you to keep them on. Let's give your eyes some time to adjust." I heard the doctor start to walk away. "I will let you two be alone for a bit." I then heard the door close.

I relaxed in the bed and waited for Twilight to say something. I waited for about two minutes before she broke the silence.

"So, where are you from?" Twilight asked in a relaxing manner.

"Huston Texas. You?" I asked back.

"Well... I did live in Canterlot, but I moved here to Ponyville." Twilight said with pride.

"Ponyville?..." I took a deep breath to calm down. "Where is Ponyville?"

"It's in Equestria." By the sound of her voice; I could tell she was smiling.

"Okay..." By now I was betting my panic was visible. I took another deep breath. "I have never heard of Equestria. What planet am I on?"

"Planet?..." Twilight asked in a questionable tone. "It's on Earth... Where else would it be?..." Twilight giggled.

"That's a relief..." I laughed a little.

"What is?" Twilight asked.

"Well, I'm still on Earth..." I smiled. "I was a little worried about that Bermuda Triangle garbage."

"What's the Bermuda Triangle?" Twilight asked.

"It's just a myth... They say a lot of people disappeared in that part of the ocean." I waved my hand. "Nothing but a myth."

"If you say so..." Twilight sighed. "So why don't you tell me what you are." Twilight said in an excited tone. "I would love to know more about you."

"I am a Pilot for the U.S. Military." I laughed. "Enough said; I am serving on the USS George H.W. Bush."

"What is a USS George H.W. Bush?" Twilight asked.

"It's an aircraft carrier." I laughed.

"So you were flying an aircraft? Was it suppose to be on fire like that?" Twilight asked in a worried tone.

"No..." I laughed again. "I don't know exactly what happened, but the engine exploded when I flew above a storm."

"That sounds dangerous." I heard a tapping on the floor. "Why don't you tell me more about yourself."

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"Everything." Twilight said in an excited tone.

"Well; you are going to need to be more specific than that... You are not giving me much direction to go on." I rubbed the back of my neck.

"Okay, how about you tell me what you like to do in your spare time. I would love to know." Twilight said with excitement in her voice.

"Well, that's a tough one. I love to fly; I know that much." I rested my head on my hand to think. "I like drawing, painting is alright, I also like to read..." Twilight quickly cut me off.

"I love reading! What kind of books do you like!?" Twilight sounded very excited.

"Ummm..." She caught me off guard, so I had to think quickly. "I would have to say Science Fiction. Anything about space travel interests me."

"Space? Like the stars?" Twilight sounded confused.

"Yeah..." I laughed. "Starts, planets and more." I then heard the door open.

"James." Nurse Redheart said in a strange tone. It almost sounded like she had something in her mouth. "I have your lunch."

"You're not eating it are you? It sounds like you have something in your mouth." I chuckled a little. I then felt a tray being placed in my lap.

"Don't be silly James. Why would I eat your food?" Nurse Redheart laughed a little.

"I don't know." I could hear Nurse Redheart walking away. "I am starving; I haven't had anything to eat since yesterday." Twilight interrupted.

"Here, let me help you." Twilight said.

"No, I got it." I put my right hand up. "I am perfectly fine eating it by myself."

"But you can't see anything." Twilight sounded disappointed.

"Yes... I can't see." I felt around the tray and quickly found something. I picked it up and felt it. I held it up with pride and smiled. "This is a spoon." Twilight started to laugh.

"It is." Twilight said while laughing. "Now how are you going to eat?"

"Very carefully..." I slowly felt the tray and quickly found a large plate. "See, this isn't too hard."

I took a spoon full of whatever was on the plate. I put the spoon up to my mouth and I took a bite. I quickly put the spoon on the tray and cover my mouth. I quickly swallowed the disgusting mush and tried not to throw up.

"James? Are you okay?" Twilight asked.

I could only nod my head while I laid in the bed. I kept my hand over my mouth for a couple of minutes. When I felt I wasn't going to vomit; I removed my hand from my mouth.

"Are you sure you are okay, James? You look very pale." Twilight sounded worried.

"Yeah..." I paused for a moment. "I knew hospital food was bad, but I never tasted anything so awful before. It almost tasted like grass." Twilight interrupted.

"It is grass. You don't eat grass where you are from?" Twilight still sounded a little worried.

"What!?... No!" I said in an irritated tone. "I have never met anyone who eats grass." I toned down a little. "Why would you give me grass to eat? I though hospitals are supposed to give a healthy meal." I felt around on my right side; I quickly found something wooden. I picked up the tray and placed it onto the wooden stand next to me.

"Grass is healthy." Twilight sounded sad. "We eat it all the time here in Equestria."

"Well, then you are the first person I have ever meet that eats grass." I said in a slightly surprised tone.

"But I am a pon..." Twilight was quickly cut off as the door opened.

"How are we doing, James?" Dr. Stable asked as I heard someone walk close. "Are you not going to eat?"

"I'm sorry, but no. I am not a big fan of grass." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Well, you have to eat something." Dr. Stable sounded worried. "Is there anything I can get for you other that the grass?"

"Yeah, you can get my wallet and get some money out of it." I smiled. "I would love to get a hamburger."

"Hamburger?" Dr. Stable asked. "What in Equestria is a Hamburger?"

"It's food..." I stopped to think briefly. "Never mind; I guess you don't have any fast food joints here." I put my hand up to my chin to think. "How about some Wheat Thins?"

"Wheat Thins? I am sorry, James. I have never heard of Wheat Thins before." I could hear Dr. Stable walk over to the other side of the bed. "Ummm... James; did you take your I.V. out?"

"Yeah, I hate I.V.'s" I bring my left hand over to run where the I.V. use to be. "I could feel it inside my arm every time I moved, so I took it out. I will be more than happy to drink as much water as you need me to; just don't put another I.V. in me."

"Fair enough." I heard the plate I placed next to me get moved around. Soon after; my tray was gently taken from my lap. "I will be back in a second." It sounded like he has something in his mouth.

"Okay..." I scratched the back of my neck. "Twilight; could you tell me where the closest telephone is?"

"Telephone? What is a Telephone?" Twilight sounded confused.

"Never mind..." I bring my hand up to my forehead. "How about the closest airport?"

"I'm sorry, James. I don't know what an airport is." Twilight still sounded confused.

"Are you fu..." I quickly stopped myself and took a deep breath. I waited a few seconds to calm down. "How about a port?"

"A port? The closest port is in Manehatten." Twilight said proudly. Her proud tone quickly turned to a slight worry. "Are you going to leave?"

"Yes, Twilight. I have to get back to work." Twilight quickly interrupted.

"But we just met... Now you are going to leave?" Twilight sounded sad.

"It's not my choice." I chuckled a little. "Besides if I stay here; I wouldn't be able to fly again." Twilight was quick to reply.

"Well... Could I at least take you out to lunch before you go home?" Twilight sounded excited.

"I don't see any harm in stalling my trip back home for a little." I smiled.

"Okay!" I heard Twilight start to walk away. "I will pick you up tomorrow afternoon; that sound good?"

"Yeah. Sounds great." I smiled.

"Okay then!" Twilight said in an excited tone. "I will pick you up tomorrow!" I then heard the door close.

I patiently waited for the doctor to come back. A few minutes passed, so I decided to fidget with my bandages. I slowly pushed the side to give my eyes a little room. I slowly opened my eyes and saw a little light shining through the bandages. I was relieved to see that I wasn't blind. I adjusted the bandages back into a comfortable position. The door suddenly opened and I quickly dropped my hands to my sides.

"What were you doing, James?" Dr. Stable asked. It sounded like he had something in his mouth again.

"Nothing... Just scratching my head." I paused for a moment as I heard Dr. Stable walking towards me. "So doc; tell me how much this will cost me." I felt something placed on my lap.

"Medical treatment is free in Equestria." Dr. Stable sounded pleased. "I brought you some bread. It's not what I would like you to eat, but you have to eat something."

"Free medical?" I searched for the bread on the plate. "Please tell me you didn't take my kidneys out to sell them." I took a bite of the bread.

"Don't be silly!..." Dr. Stable laughed.

"Please don't mind my manners." I said while chewing the bread. "Thanks for the bread by the way."

"It's no problem at all." I could hear him shuffling through some papers. "After you finished; I would like you to get some rest." I could hear Dr. Stable starting to walk away.

"Hey doc; before you go. I have to ask you something." I stopped him before he left the room.

"Yes, what is it?" Dr. Stable asked.

"Please don't take offence about this." I took a deep breath; hoping he wouldn't take offence to what I would say next. "This country seems to be a 3rd world nation. What is this countries condition?"

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." The doctor took a brief pause. "What is a 3rd world nation?"

"Never mind doc. It's not important." I took another bite of the bread. "Let's just drop the subject. I will just head out tomorrow."

"Alright James; I will leave it at that." I could hear him start to walk again. "Before you leave tomorrow; I would like to talk to you. Is that alright with you?"

"Yeah, don't see why not." I smiled. "I guess I will talk to you tomorrow."

"Alright, James. I will talk to you tomorrow." Dr. Stable sounded happy. "Have a good rest."

I listened at Dr. Stable walked out of the room. Something seemed off; it almost sounded like it was two people. Something was off about this place. Who on Earth would ever eat grass? After all most grass on Earth is poisonous to Humans, but I have heard stories on humans eating tarantulas and other odd things. As I continued to think about it. I started to remember parts of my dream. I started to remember something about my body laying on the ground.

I quickly grabbed my head as a large pain shot through my head. I noticed my breathing started to get heavy, so I quickly tried to relax. As I started to calm down; I slid down into the bed and pulled the covers over me. I placed my hands behind my head and faced up at the ceiling.

"Why the hell would I act like that if I was only thinking?" I asked myself. "I shouldn't let this get to me. This place might be strange, but I am still on Earth." I relaxed and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

If you see any errors in my story. I would like to know, so that I can correct them. After I finish the corrections; I will be deleting the post. I would also like to hear your thoughts on the story if you have time. I am doing my best to keep the story flowing smoothly, so I hope you enjoyed reading this. I am having a lot of fun with this story, so I don't know when I will end it. If you have any ideas on how I can improve my writing. I would like to hear it.

P.S. This story is a rewrite of my last HiE. I hope that this version has better structure and depth. I would like to hear your opinion on the rewrite. Both good and bad comments are welcome, so don't be shy!