I had no dream, just the image of Alex's death replaying over and over again, right in front of me. I felt immense sadness whenever it got to the part where he told me how he felt about me. When it finally ended, I slowly sat up, not wanting to live another day of this misery. I looked carelessly at the tree in front of me, and-
Wait, a tree?
My half closed eyes snapped open, and if you asked me how, I wouldn't be able to explain it, but there I was, in some sort of forest. There was foliage everywhere, and the constant sound of birds joyfully singing to each other.
Joy. There's something I would never feel again.
I also noticed that I was completely naked, and, not knowing where the heck I was, this made me very uncomfortable. Along with the feeling of horrible loss, I was also on display to whatever, or whoever lived in this unknown place. Honestly, this was the last thing I needed in my current situation.
Then I heard a rustling in the bushes, and I couldn't describe what I saw next.
A small, almost toy-like yellow pony with light pink mane had emerged, eying me frightfully. I could see its fright through its large blue eyes. Since I had no idea where I was or what I could do, I stupidly said "Hello?"
Wow, look at me, talking to a pony, how ridiculous.
"Um.. hi." the pony said in an almost inaudible voice.
Oh my God, did that pony just, talk? I must have been imagining this, but it felt too real. I decided to just keep going with whatever was happening.
"Hi, my name's Daniel, and I have no idea where I am or how I got here. Could you please explain to me where I am?" I asked desperately.
It looked at me carefully, and I saw the doubt in its eyes. Its wings opened slowly, as if it were about to fly away.
"No! It's okay, I won't hurt you, I just need to know what is going on." I pleaded.
The pony, which I was guessing was female, slowly made eye contact with me.
"Hi, I'm, Flu, Fluttershy, and you're in a small forest just outside of Ponyville." said Fluttershy carefully, confirming my thought that she was female.
"Ponyville? I'm afraid I've never heard of it." I said.
It was now obvious to both of us that I was hopelessly clueless of where I was.
"Oh dear, I don't know where you're from, but you're definitely not from anywhere here in Equestria." said Fluttershy, obviously starting to get a little freaked out.
Having never heard of such a place, I agreed with her, and told her where I was from.
"New York? Please forgive me sir, but I've never heard of that."
I was now sure that returning to my hometown was hopeless, even if I didn't want to.
"That's, that's okay." looking away sadly. Just thinking about the town where I had lost my family made me want to cry.
"Are, are those tearmarks?" Fluttershy asked as she examined me closer.
"Um, yeah, It's a long story. Look, I'm sorry for wasting your time." I said sadly, expecting her to go.
To my surprise, she had actually come closer, and she said.
"Mister, I shouldn't have been so afraid of you. No non-peaceful creature is so polite, or cries."
"Thanks Fluttershy." I said. She thought I was polite, and she was the one calling me sir and mister!
"Mister Daniel, I see that you had nowhere to go, and, I wanted to know, if you would allow me to take care of you, at least until the rest of your family find you. I take care of animals after all." she said with all of the courage she could muster.
"Um, thank you very much." I said as I relaxed slightly.
"Okay, my house is this way" she said as she started walking.
When she saw that I wasn't moving, she said, "Is something wrong, sir?"
"Oh, it's just that I'm used to wearing clothes, if it isn't too much trouble." I said nicely.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I could make a simple outfit for you when we arrive." she offered.
"Thanks, that would be very kind of you." I said as I slowly got up.
"Your welcome, mister, I won't look, I promise!" she told me.
"Again, thank you, and Fluttershy, you can just call me Dan, don't feel the need to be so formal." I said with a smile, cringing slightly as I remembered that's what Alex used to call me.
At least now I had something that cared about my well-being. I thought to myself, this is definitely a change for the better.