//------------------------------// // Chapter Eleven // Story: For Lack of a Better Word // by Gunsmith //------------------------------// Cries of pain, cries I recognize. Panic. A yell of rage, from a voice I don't remember. Anger. Three hard kicks into my shoulder. Pain, not from the impacts, from something else. Pain. I jolt upright, nearly jumping clean out of my bed, my eyes snapping open. The light of the room immediately blinds me, causing purple spots to dance behind my eyelids when I close them. I look down at my hands; they are shaking. I bring them up to my head, pressing them against my forehead. They feel cold, clammy. I'm drenched in a cold sweat, and my heart is pounding like I've just run a marathon. I kick the blankets off of me, turning to one side of my bed and placing my feet on the floor. I sigh, my breath coming out shakily. Just a dream. It's okay...My mind drifts for a moment. It's okay, my memory, not my mind, repeats to me, in a voice not my own. I think back to the previous night, worry immediately filling my head. I don't want to lose a friend over a mistake like that. I ponder whether I should go find her, and apologize again, but I remember that she could be anywhere, most of that anywhere being up in the sky, where, sadly, I cannot reach. Sighing again, I stand up, walking to the other side of my bedroom and heading down the stairs. Walking through the room, I look around, seeing it is fairly empty, lit by yellow light from outside. I ought to invest in some lanterns, or candles, or something. I realize I slept with my clothes and weapons on, and with a shrug, I walk outside. The fresh air is nice, clears my head, allows me to think. I remember Twilight's conversation with me from yesterday, about going to see Princess Celestia in person. I brighten at the idea of a hot-air balloon ride, as well as going to see both the capital city and the rulers of Equestria. The feeling disappears after a moment as I look down at myself. My simple T-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, while still all in fairly good condition, if a little dirty, don't seem suitable for presenting myself before not only royalty, but a divine being. Maybe I can take Rarity up on that clothes offer...I walk back inside, grabbing my last few bags of coins to take with me. I get lost for a while, searching for Rarity's boutique, but eventually find it a short distance away from the town square. I walk up to the door, knocking a few times and waiting. After a minute, a white pony opens the door; she's a little too small to be Rarity, though. I recall that she is Sweetie Belle; I guess that the two are related, given their similar appearances. "Oh, Mister Mark!" the filly exclaims. "Are you here to see Rarity?" I nod, smiling down at her. She turns around, calling into the boutique for Rarity. After a few more seconds, Sweetie Belle disappears, replaced by Rarity. "Mark, darling!" I cringe inwardly at her mannerisms. "What brings you here?" She pauses, gasping dramatically. "Are you finally here for something to replace...those?" Rarity points a white foreleg at my clothing. They aren't that bad. I nod and smile anyways, removing my pencil and paper and starting to write. I'm going to be seeing Princess Celestia tomorrow, and I didn't think this to be suitable attire. Could you help? "Oh, my! A meeting with the princess? We simply must find you something more appropriate for an occasion like that!" It is at that point I wonder if I'll be able to hold on to my sanity today. *** Barely. I walk out of Carousel Boutique, quickly. Can't believe she spent a whole two hours just measuring me...I guess I can't really blame her, though. She seems to have OCD, plus the fact I have a body shape entirely different from that of a pony's. I just hope she at least tries to abide by the guidelines I requested. Simple, not tight-fitting, not overly fancy, and most importantly, not at all decorated by sparkles, gems, anything like that. She seemed a little put-off by that, but agreed. And she said I could pick it up later tonight, which is definitely convenient. So, now what? I question myself. I still can't find Rainbow Dash; it's usually her that finds me, anyways. Finding myself idly walking into the center of town, I look around. I see Applejack at her apple stand, as usual. My stomach rumbles, but...apples don't sound so good today. Neither do carrots, or even muffins. I know what sounds good. Where would I find any meat, though? They're all vegetarian...I could probably manage to get some eggs, but even those don't sound as satisfying as a nice steak. I can't eat the cows, they're all sentient. And that would be wrong. I rub my hand against my short beard, which I make a note to shave tonight. Maybe I could ask someone? Who would I ask, though? Most would probably go nuts if I asked where I could find some meat to satisfy my carnivorous needs. An idea pops into my head. Wait, isn't it...Fluttershy? She's the one that does all the animal stuff, right? I question no one in particular. I decide she's probably my best option; she probably deals with carnivores on a regular basis. I start off towards where I believe her house to be, going off of memory. *** I rap lightly on the door of Fluttershy's cottage a few times, stepping back and awaiting a response. After a moment the door creaks open, a timid blue eye surveying me for a moment. The door opens wider, revealing Fluttershy. "Oh, hello, Mark," she says softly. "Do you need something? Are you hurt?" she asks quickly. I shake my head, smiling as I kneel down, using my raised knee as a hard surface to write on. I show her my somewhat lengthy question after a moment. Humans, what I am, are omnivores, we eat both meat and plants. I haven't really been eating meat for the past few days, which isn't good for prolonged periods of time. Is there any place I might be able to find or get some meat to eat? Fluttershy frowns, moving back a few steps. "Y-you mean you...?" She trails off into a squeak. I shake my head frantically, writing quickly. We don't eat ponies. She sighs with relief. After a moment, she looks at me in question. "What do you eat, then?" she asks cautiously. I frown, wondering if the answer will offend her or scare her. Hopefully neither. Usually, cows, pigs, chickens, fish, deer, rabbits, etc. I immediately regret adding rabbits, and mentally smack myself for showing it to her. As expected, she lets out an 'eep' of terror. She nearly starts hyperventilating, but recovers after a moment, looking at the floor. "U-uh...oh my...please don't eat any bunnies...or cows...or pigs, or chickens, or deer..." Fluttershy stops listing, thinking for a moment. "Did you say you could eat fish, too?" I nod. She sighs, grimacing. "I...I suppose you could eat fish. They aren't very smart, anyways. But, please, don't eat any of the fish here, please," she adds. I raise an eyebrow in question, scribbling a note out. If I can't eat any of the fish here, where can I find fish to eat? "The..." She trails off, mumbling. I put a hand to my ear, signifying I can't hear her. "...the Everfree Forest," she whispers, letting out another 'eep' on just saying the words. My face contorts in some question, and I write some more. Where can I find this forest? "Oh, I don't know if that's such a good idea...the Everfree is wild, and unexplored, and...scary." I frown, tapping my question again. "Oh my...okay. If that's what you want to do...the Everfree is that way, nearby," she points out a window, and I notice a thick forest in the distance. "It's very easy to get lost, so stay near the path. It should take you by a river, and there are fish there. Please be careful." I nod to the yellow pony. Why is she so worried? Maybe this isn't a good idea...My stomach growls again, and I decide it's for the best. I stand up, smiling to Fluttershy in thanks. I turn for the door, placing a hand on it, when I feel something tugging on my pant leg. I look behind me and see the Pegasus pulling on my jeans with a hoof; in her mouth is a large net. I reach down and take it from her, smiling again to her. She smiles back, then lets me go. I walk out the door, net in hand, aiming right for the entrance into the forest. After a few minutes of walking, I enter the forest, ignoring the multitude of warning signs all about me. I realize this isn't a very smart idea, but my hunger is almost overwhelming, and the very idea of having some actual meat to eat makes my mouth water. I walk for some time along the path through the 'Everfree Forest'. At one point I pass a small shack, one which seem to have activity inside. I'm tempted to investigate, but decide I'll leave whoever lives there be. They probably live out here to get away from society in the first place, so I might not be a welcome sight. I spot the river a short distance ahead, speeding up my pace to get to it. Approaching the river, which I find to be somewhat small, and clear all the way through, I dip the net into it, holding still to await some fish. One starts to approach, coming along with the current; as it nears the net, I swing it towards the fish, catching it successfully. That was easier than expected. I hold the fish out of water for a minute, waiting for it to stop flopping so much. Once it goes almost completely still, I set it on the bank beside me, then begin the process again. After about fifteen minutes, I've caught three plain-looking, but good-sized fish. I figure I can skin one and eat it today, then save the others in my icebox. Need to get some ice, I add to my mental checklist. Deciding I am content, I stand, grabbing the three dead fish and one-by-one placing them into the net, then resting the net over my shoulder. Smiling with satisfaction and some pride, I go back to the path, starting off down it again in the opposite direction. As I continue to walk, I notice the forest seems to be getting steadily quieter. My pace slows to a halt, and I listen for a moment. Silence. Not a single sound. It isn't right. I slowly set the net of fish down, my hands moving towards my weapons. Turning around, I hear something; a low growl. Oh, hell...Continuing to withdraw my weapons all the way, I turn to face the source of the growl. My heart starts to beat a little faster as I see not one, not two, but five wolves, starting to fan out from the center wolf, who growls at me. Their eyes dart to my fish; I don't think so. My knuckles turn white as I grip the handle of the tomahawk harder in my right hand, stiletto-like dagger in my left. I crouch down a little, spreading my stance over my food. This is bad, I think as the wolves continue to fan out, attempting to circle me. Noticing this, I start to back away from them, dragging the net of fish with my foot to keep myself from being surrounded. One of the wolves starts to close in, breaking from the group. It snarls, lunging at me with open jaws, nearly foaming at the mouth. I both step and lean away from it as it lunges past me; once it is right in front of me, mid-jump, I bring the hand-ax down upon it. The tomahawk makes contact, sinking into the upper neck of the wolf. I hold the weapon in place, allowing it to be ripped out of the wolf by the creature's own weight and momentum. The wolf hits the ground with a yelp, skidding on its side. Immediately after this wolf hits the ground, bleeding profusely from the neck, a second charges at me. I jump to one side, avoiding this one as well; as it passes me on the left, I jab the blade of my dagger into it, connecting with its back leg. It lets out a cry of pain, but circles back and jumps for my face. I can't get out of the way in time, and it rams into my chest, forcing me to the ground I raise my right arm in front of my face, and the wolf's jaws clamp down upon it. My mouth opens in silent pain as the teeth pierce my arm. With my free left hand, I raise my dagger, slamming it into the wolf's side. It yelps, releasing its grip on my arm. I bring my knees up, ramming them into the wolf's chest and sending it over my head. I roll to one side and move towards it, raising my tomahawk and embedding it three-fourths of the way into the canine's neck. I rip the weapon out, my arm bleeding badly, but the pain not present, overcome by adrenaline. I spin to face the remaining wolves, ready to kill them all. The three wolves, including what appears to be the pack leader, watch me closely, eyes still darting to the fish every once in a while. Their eyes also move to their fallen comrades, though. After what seems to be a period of deep thought amongst them, the head wolf gives a low growl, then a whine, looking between the others. The others appear to nod in agreement. The wolves glare at me savagely, then turn away, running off into the forest again. I realize I am panting; all I can hear is my heart beating in my ears. I look at my net of fish, unharmed, then at the two wolves lying on the ground. One is certainly dead, a huge slice in his neck and a jab wound on his back thigh. The other still appears to be breathing, albeit very rapidly. Blood pools around his head from a wound in his neck; I think I severed a vein. I walk over to the dying creature, kneeling down beside it. It looks at me with a mixture of hatred and fear, mainly the latter. Its defiance is still present, though. Setting down my dagger, I reach out with my left hand, softly stroking the wolf's head. As I hoped, it starts to calm down, only fear in its eyes now. I continue to pet it slowly, feeling guilt welling up within me. I move back from the wolf, bringing up my tomahawk once more. The wolf's chest stops moving as I remove the small ax. I'm sorry. I grit my teeth to force down any emotion. I grab my dagger again, observing it. Dark blood drips off of it, running down the blade. I wipe it on the leg of my pants, then sheathe it in my belt loop. The tomahawk is much more gruesome in appearance, nearly completely painted a deep red. I carefully wipe it on my pants, as well, then slide it back into my belt loop. Pain starts to rear its ugly head again, present mainly in my right arm. I look at the bite wound; it's deep, and likely infected. I need to find help. I reach down, picking up my net full of fish, jogging down the path again. I spot the lone house in the woods again, and start making my way towards it. I bring my arm up to my face, realizing I'm actually losing quite a bit of blood. The wolf bit into an artery. My jog slows to a walk, interrupted by the occasional stumble. Black shadows are starting to make their way into the edges of my vision. Approaching the door of the shack, I hit my fist against it a few times. Blood, possibly my own, splatters against the door. I continue to hit the door repeatedly, hoping, begging that someone will answer. My legs feel weak, and start to give out. I keep trying to attract the attention of someone inside, near desperation now. The thought of death runs through my mind. I raise my hand a last time, finding that when I swing, I hit nothing. I lose my balance, falling forward onto a wooden surface. My vision fades, and I pass out.