Chapter 2: Desperate Departure
I’m not sure how much time had actually passed. My body, stricken with shock, remained frozen under the archway, one hoof still on the doorknob and my hind legs both still lingering on the outside. A dozen? No more. A room filled with Ponies, the forefront of which was the aerodynamic blur from earlier.
“Well, don’t just stand there like a silly stilly static Stu” she blurted out as she danced on over to me, a party horn hanging from her mouth and producing confetti from seemingly no-where. This, Pinkie Pie, was now mere inches away from my face. “It’s time to PARTY!”
I backed out the door and slammed it behind me, upon which I spun and slammed my back against it. I just stayed there, eyes tightly shut. Chest heaving. All the while the sounds of restless and slightly bedazzled party guests niggling their way through the wooden cracks. I had to stay calm. Think clearly and carefully about what I was going to do next.
So, I have a dead body lying in my wagon. A burning gash in my side barley held together by a leather saddle. And a room full of ponies between me and the tools I need to fix both of those things. If anypony finds the body, I’m done. If anyone sees my wound, I’m done. And if anybody stumbles across my little collection of tools, I’m done.
I clasped my head in frustration. The inventory wasn’t exactly reassuring. Gritting my teeth, I slumped forward and leaned myself over the balcony, trying my best to stay focused.
Option 1.
Run. Saddle up, drag the body out of town and deal with it once I’ve put a good distance between myself and this personal hell… no, that’s not an option. Even considering I make it out without being stopped or passing out, it raises far too much suspicion. “Why come to town and just leave?” And “what are all these sharp pointy objects doing under his bed?”
Option 2.
Get them out of there. Cause a scene, throw a tantrum, start a small fire. Anything to flush the room clean and compose myself in private. It could leave a lasting negative impression, but what does it matter if I’m not planning on sticking around. Then again, if I force everyone to leave at once, there’s a chance one of them could notice the body.
Option 3.
I… I was staring into a pair of cyan eyes.
“Hey!”
I jolted back, almost falling right on my spine. But somepony caught me, and I was now hanging between their fore-hooves. Looking up, it was the same set of cyan eyes.
“But you… you were just down their… how could you be there?...and… how did you even get out here?.. the door didn’t—
“You ask waaaaay too many questions. The only important one though, is what are you doing out here, when you should be outside shakin’ dem haunches?”
“Listen… Pinkie Pie. I appreciate this… wonderful surprise welcome, but... I would really like it if you could leave.”
“What?” she whimpered.
“Yeah, just… go. I really don’t want this right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because…” I stumbled, letting out a small cough… wait! “I’m… Ah-choo!.. feeling under the weather.”
“Oh my, with what?”
“I *cough* don’t know. I think *cough* it might be the Pony-pox.”
“Oh no!” she gasped, before darting back inside.
Slightly confused, but still committed, I leaned in and shouted inside. “I would just, ah-choo, really hate to spread it so if we could just—
My words were cut short by a jettison of water.
“There we go” giggled the gleeful gumball haired pony “you should be better in no time.”
“What?” I queried through my teeth.
“Cold water. The only treatment for Pony-pox. I heard so somewhere anyway… anyway anyway, come on inside Dexter. There’s so many ponies inside for you to meet. There’s no need to be shy.”
“Shy? Pinkie I’m not shy, I just… I would really…”
“Look… Dexter
Sometimes you feel like you are all alone.
“...What are you doing?”
All by yourself, but there’s no need to groan.
“No, really. What are you—
Cuz there’s ponies all around you.
Just waiting to connect.
Come on now Dex, get mingling,
Cuz here you can expect—
And with perfect rhythmic timing, she had yanked me right back into the thick of it.
To laugh it up in Ponyville,
so many folks to meet.
At sugar cube corner, you’ll find the Cakes,
They’ll whip you up some tasty treats.
And if you get some mail, you just might run right into Derpy.
Just don’t mention muffins, or she’ll get a little slurpy…
Zecora may seem scary,
But she’s as friendly as can be.
You could read some books with Twilight,
In her library,
That is a tree.
Go buckin’ with the Apples,
Or sit in the park with Bon Bon.
Rainbow Dash, Cheerilee, Rarity, Can’t you see.
The list goes on,
And on,
And On!!!
So now,
Get ready Dexter,
For what comes next, A
Very special,
Super thrill,
Mega-awesome,
Welcome to,
Poooonyyyyy-Viiiiiiiiilllle
YEAH!!!
… Option 3. Endure the party, blend in, and later on try to slip out this hell hole without anyone noticing.
*** *** ***
It must’ve been hours before I found a window of opportunity, as I was pulled from circle to circle of ponies, all eager to meet the new colt in town. Having to make small talk and fain raunchy party fever was difficult enough without having to suppress the fire-some pain in my side. But I carried on, pushing through.
“To meet a new face is always a treat. And what a lovely party for us to meet.”
They talked, I replied. They spoke of themselves, and I asked chirpy follow-up questions about how their flower stand was doing, or how many push-ups did they have to do to get them that big. Eventually they all just started to blur together.
“And so the mule says to the donkey, you're B-Eeyore-ing me to death… get it..?”
Pinkie Pie had gone to get more streamers or something, so now the only acquaintance I was familiar with was Cheerilee. But I couldn’t seem to find her either. At least with someone I knew it would be easier to direct the bulk of the conversation towards them.
“One-hundred and Fifty-Six a day. YEAHHH!!!”
It wasn’t until I found myself talking to a grey haired mare wearing a pair of half-moon spectacles and her blue and pink maned friend that the heat finally started to die down. Everypony seemed to have finally made their way into their own social groups. Now all I had to do was get away from mine.
The mayor couldn’t stop relishing in the economic growth of her town. Every other phrase that came out of her mouth was dripping with pride, and she was constantly making thinly veiled attempts to get me to extend my stay in this ‘town of opportunity’. Even when the yellow one managed to get a word in, mentioning something about how her girlfriend being ill recently, the mayor managed to swing it right back around.
“Well let’s hope she gets better in time for the grand opening of the new concert hall. We need plenty of talented musicians to fill that stadium. And Dexter, I’m sure you’re a music lover. If you stick around maybe you could get tickets to the opening of what I’m sure is to become one of the greatest concert halls in all of Equestria.”
“I’ll have to get back to you on that. Could you two lovely mare’s excuse me. I have to use the little colt’s room.” I slunk past the two of them before they had a chance to say anything. This had gone on long enough. Every second I wasted up here being polite was another second anyone could find that body. I had to deal with it. Quick and precise. Surgical like Foster taught me. To stay safe, and to stop my dark passenger from beating on the inside of my skull.
I ducked down under the bed. My bags were still there. Good. Now I just had to—
“Excuse me darling?”
Crap.
“Um, yes?” I replied, nonchalantly pulling myself from under the bed.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you all night, um, Dexter. That… saddle” asked the pearly white unicorn, making a menagerie of disconcerted squints with her eyes, “isn’t it, a girl’s dress?”
“…no.” I replied bluntly
“Are you sure? Because I’ve never heard of a designer who would decorate a colt’s saddle with such a frilly rim. And those swirls that are etched into the back. Really darling you’re not doing yourself any favours by strutting around in such a feminine garb like that.”
“It’s fine” I said, trying to cut the conversation short, “I only wear it indoors. I just wasn’t expecting company.”
“Oh dear, you should always be dressed to impress. A stallion of your figure needs something much bolder. You really must come visit me at my boutique. I could tailor something that would fit you just right. Perhaps a white shirt to get things started--
I could tell this mare liked to talk. Everything seemed to be working against me today. Usually I don’t believe in bad luck but this town was certainly giving me pause for thought.
“You know maybe you’re right.”
The mare stopped.
“I’ve never had a discerning eye for fashion, so, if I can find time, I’ll definitely give you a visit.”
“Oh splendid. We’ll have plenty of--
“Sorry, I’d like to talk about it more, and, we can at your boutique” I stammered apologetically, while trying to sneakily pull my saddle bags from under the bed, “but right now I have something I need to do.”
“Oh, of course dear. How silly of me.” The mare proceeded to throw her arm around me, and hoisted me to the middle of the room, upon which I was blindfolded and spun on the spot repeatedly. My side erupted into spasms of pain so viciously, I had to grit my teeth to stifle my shouts of agony.
“Go ahead Dexter” laughed somepony who shoved a needle into my mouth. “Pin the tail on the pony.”
That’s what this was all about. A game?!
I had to grit my teeth again. This time to prevent myself from shouting out in rage. I just galloped forward as fast as I could, until the pin met it’s end with ‘something’.
*ping*
Pulling down my blindfold, I could see I had indeed hit the pony. Right through the chest.
“Good try Dex” smiled the pony from earlier. She levitated the tail out of the board. “Better luck next time I guess.”
“Alright everypony” yelled an orange filly with a cowgirl hat, as she trotted to the side of the room with a large wooden barrel hoisted to her back. “That’s enough games for now. Who’s up for some Apple family berry wine?”
Her call was answered with a hearty response from the party-goers, as every single one of them crammed into a throbbing crowd of thirsty ponies, like pigeons flocking around a spread of bread crumbs. For the first time since I had got back, there was a clear path from my bed to the door. Whoever this mare was, she was now the least irritating of my little intrusive guests. I scooped up my saddle-bags, opened the draw, and quickly grabbed all of my tools out of my chest while no one was looking. I grabbed my blood slides for good measure too. Then, I darted for the door.
*** *** ***
Finally I was out. All of the annoyances and obstacles were tidily occupied by a cowgirl and her drink dispenser, I had my bag of tools and the whole night to pull myself back together. Despite all the trouble that cannibal from across the street had caused me, I was really looking forward to seeing her again. I really had to let off some steam and she was just the stress reliever I needed, and damn if I hadn’t worked for it. I almost started to giggle with anticipation as my mind pondered the possibilities of the events to come, all the way from the first cut, right to the last clump of dirt filling her hole in the ground.
This only made my blood freeze all the colder once I had burst through the door to see that once again, I was not alone.
He was a burly stallion. He had a dark blue coat like the night sky, and a brightly coloured orange mane with yellow streaks running through it. He regarded me with his stern and calculative amber eyes, his expression neither that of warmth or aggression. “Hello” he said, with a very subtle nod towards me. He turned his head back around and resumed gazing out over the balcony as he once had.
I wasn’t sure what to do. Or what to say. I couldn’t go back in straight away. Or could I? If I just acted like I was looking for someone, it wouldn’t be odd. Yes. Just give a few looks to either side. Then maybe ask him if had seen a Pink pony with a purple mane. But then… then I’d be back inside, and undoubtedly get stuck in another conversation I didn’t want to be having.
Worst of all, this time they’d be drunk. I had neither the time nor the patience for that.
But my bags. Something told me I couldn’t bring them out with me. What possible excuse could I make? I tucked them inside before shutting the door behind me as I stepped outside.
Then, I joined him. I swung my fore-hooves over the railing just as he had, and looked down into the ally below. There was nothing down there. Nothing in sight anyway. We both just stayed there in silence, the only noise being the muffled sound of party music coming from behind us. The seconds dragged, on and on. I just shut my eyes and tried to let the gentle breeze soothe me, that maybe for an instance no matter how brief, I could forget where I was or what was happening. Maybe I could just drift away from it all.
“Come out for some air?” came a deep gentle voice.
My eyes peeled open. “Yeah. Just needed some space. It was… getting a little suffocating in there.”
“Aren’t you having fun in there?”
“…Of …” I just couldn’t seem to make the words. “Of course I am. It was very kind of Pinkie to throw a party just for me. But, I just needed a break.”
He chuckled. “It was kind of her wasn’t it. She does it for every newcomer she meets. I still remember mine. Just a few weeks ago I came home to find nearly the whole town in my home. It was startling of course. I hadn’t planned on getting to know many ponies here.” He lifted his head and looked to me. “But y’know, it was nice” he smiled. “Sometimes you spend so much time focusing on the darkness in life, you forget about the light.”
There was something un-nerving about the way he spoke. “Darkness?”
“Yes. Everyday bad things happen. Some small. Others unimaginably big. You must have heard of all the missing ponies around here. Many choose to ignore it, but some just can’t help but see it. It can get overwhelming sometimes. But with a party, you can somehow shake yourself free. Laughing. Drinking. Singing. Dancing. The woes of the world becoming distant specs in a vast ocean of pure bliss. So Dexter. Why are you out here?”
I didn’t so much as twitch with the serious look he was giving me. “Like I said. I just came out for some air.”
He turned away. “Alright.”
“What about you. Why are you out here?”
Taking in a big sigh he gave the slightest of shrugs. “Not sure. Maybe just on the lookout for… something.”
“Darkness?”
He remained silent. “What’s your name?”
“Dawn Rising” he eventually replied.
“Look Dawn. They’re serving berry wine inside. Why don’t you go and get a cup?”
“Hmm” he started to shuffle. “Maybe I will.” Dawn trotted to the door. Just as he began to push it open he turned back and asked “aren’t you coming?”
“I’ll just be a minute.” He proceeded to enter. As he did I managed to get a look at his cutie mark. It was a cage locked shut with a pad-lock. I had a very bad feeling about that Stallion.
Anyway. It didn’t matter. I started to count backwards from 15 in my head. I had to wait just a little longer.
3… 2… 1!
I went over to the door and snuck in to grab my bags. Quickly, I reached down and…
They were gone.
No.
~NOOOOO!!!~
*** *** ***
Who took them? Where did they go?!!!
“Hey” squeed Pinkie Pie crouching to my level. “Whatya looking for? Is it a spatula?”
“Pinkie, have you seen--”
No! Wait. I couldn’t ask for it. What if someone took it and looked inside. Would they scream? What would they think it they found all of those knives? Would they immediately assume the worst? If not what would they think of the blood slides? Damn it, they were in there too! I couldn’t actively ask for them, and let Pinkie . Then maybe at least I could deny they belonged to me. But Cheerilee saw me with them earlier. Would she remember? Could she… oh damn it!
I just shoved right past Pinkie and went into the crowd.
“Oooo, can’t wait to dance eh? Have fun Dex. Cut a rug. Aren’t we just super best friends now?”
I made my way through the crowd of dancing ponies as best I could, the air thick and heavy from all the movement and sweat. Bass-heavy party music was throbbing in my ears and through my skull. I looked around. Everywhere. Trying my hardest to keep my vision in focus. I searched and scowered the whole room. In the draws. On the bed. In a corners. On the shelves. In the cabinets. Nothing. I couldn’t find them anywhere!
I was searching around the berry wine crate when a pony doing some sort of shuffle dance manoeuvre knocked me flying forward.
Then I got a kick in my side. This time I did yell. All the way down to the floor as I fell, until I was just a little scrunched up lump of misery. The purple pony responsible gasped and tried to lift me off the floor.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Are you OK?”
I was not OK. Whatever first aid I had managed to scramble together from that waitress’s house had been obliterated, and now I was even starting to bleed. I could feel it oozing down my side and into the cracks of the embroidery on the saddle. I had to press it into my side just to make enough pressure to stop it from being visible. I wanted to scream so badly, but I wasn’t even allowed that luxury. With every ounce of strength I had remaining; I stood up and brought myself up to the counter.
“Just peachy thank you.”
“Are you sure, it was a nasty—
“Mistakes happen! I’m… just fine thanks. Just keep dancing, I need a minute to catch my breath.”
“Well, if you’re sure…”
“I am!”
And off she went again. Thank fuck. The last thing I needed now was another pesky conversation. I steadily lowered myself onto a chair and swivelled around to look my favourite mare in the eye.
“Hello. Could I have a cup of berry wine please?” I needed a drink. Just one. To dull the pain. I had given up on getting my tools and doing the job properly. I had to just get my cart, and leave immediately. This place was poison. I should have just trusted my instincts and turned around the moment I entered this town.
“Can I just say” spoke the cowgirl as she grabbed a beaker “ah think you were real mean to Twi just now.”
“What?” I strained.
“She just gave you a little bump and you had to go off on her.”
In pure unbridled frustration I slowly leaned in. “She did kick me to the floor.”
“Taint no reason for bad manners.”
“I wasn’t even mean to her. I just asked her to leave me alone. It’s not like I yelled at her or anything.”
“The look you had on yer face you might as well have.”
I’d had enough of this. I just stared her right in the face and asked “could I have a drink… please!”
The cowgirl shot me a look of distain and yanked on the handle on the nozzle of the barrel. It spat and sputtered for about 5 seconds, and then, nothing. Slowly I cranked my head back up to face her.
“Looks like we’re all out” she uttered coldly. “Sorry I guess.” She didn’t even stop to see me growl at her. She hopped on right past me calling out to her friend. “Hey Twi! Y’ever seen my Draconequs style?”
My head hit the counter jaw first in sullen defeat. So this was it was it? Not that I wasn’t expecting it to happen someday. My life was a tower of cards just waiting to collapse the instant one was removed. Only, I didn’t think it would be like this. So soon. No dramatic bang. No race to the finish or daring escape. I was just falling into pathetic bloody mess in slow motion, waiting for someone to break the news to me that it was all over.
“Umm… excuse me?”
I didn’t even bother looking up. But I felt some one leaning in closer to me. They patted my back gingerly with their hoof.
“If you’d like, you could have my cup of wine.” The voice seemed to echo in my head, managing to pierce through all the pollution of the dance music until it was just a distant echo. “I’ve already drunk some, but it’s nearly a full cup. Since this is your welcome party, you could have the rest if you like. I was probably going to waste it anyway.”
With my left leg, I pushed myself up, and looked at the beaker of wine. Then up. At the pink haired filly, averting her eyes from looking at me through the bangs of her mane. I didn’t say anything. I just picked up the cup in my teeth, tilted back, and guzzled it all down in one go, dropping the empty beaker once I was done. Tilting back down, I starred at her until she made eye contact, and I managed to utter “Thankyou.”
“It’s… OK” she murmured back.
She wasn’t talking anymore. In fact she spun and face away as soon as she could. The conversation was over. I must have been supremely delirious at that point, since some part of my brain actually wanted to say something else to her.
Luckily, before I could, some green coated stallion clutching a bottle of beer in one hoof came over and shouted “Fluttershy!” at which she squeaked in surprise. “Can I talk to you in private?”
She got up and turned back to look at me one last time before she left. She was gone now.
The wine, as little as it was, was starting to have some calming effect. I sat down for a few more seconds to let it get in my system. Before I left, I went to my draw and pulled out a roll of duct tape. Hastily, but discreetly, I layer as many as I could over the cut in my side. I fastened the saddle even tighter and trotted right out the front door.
*** *** ***
I was alone this time.
Finally.
My plan was currently uncertain and vague. With so many issue and obstacles, I wasn't sure which course of action was best.
As I started down the steps, I came to the conclusion that in any case, there was one thing I definitely needed to do. Get rid of that body. I could figure out what to do from there.
I also had to think about whether or not I left any evidence of being in that house. I didn't want to chance anyone relating me to the missing cannibal. Then again, she was a cannibal. Would anyone even consider she had been killed? Once they find the evidence of her misdoings, who would even care?
As I approached my cart something felt off. It became extremely apparent once I got straight behind it.
The body was gone.
…
No… it couldn’t be gone. She was dead… she was here… WHERE IS IT?!!!
I let out a primal roar of infernal fury and punched the base of my cart, splinting the wood and cutting my leg. I couldn't stop heaving. My chest was expanding and contracting aggressively, like all the pressure that had built up inside me was giving way. I clutched my skull between my hooves and sporadically flung myself around before landing face first in the dirt. My rage was exploding but I had nothing to vent it onto. And it was driving me insane.
Just then, I heard a distant scream, and down the alley-way, in the open street, I could see the yellow Pegasus from earlier. She was slung on the floor, holding up a hoof, as if protecting herself. And looming over her was the green pony from earlier.
Him. He’s the unfortunate one who gets to be my chew toy. Perhaps it wasn’t fair. I’m sure he wouldn’t want it. But I knew better than any in that moment that things just don’t always get to go your way.
I burst into a gallop, heading straight bolt for him. I didn’t even care that I was opening my wound again. Unhesitant I tackled him to the ground, and pushed my fore-hoof right up to his throat. He squirmed and panted in shock, flailing all of his legs around, trying to free himself. I pushed down harder and harder, revelling in his gasps for mercy. I was sure he was on the verge of giving out, but then something hit the side of my head and shattered. I had failed to notice he still had his bottle from earlier. A shower of glass flew into my face and beer ran into my eyes. He manage to throw me off of him, and before I could even regain my sight he stomped on my chest. I tried to roll away as he took swipes at me with his freshly broken bottle. He only manage to slash me a couple of times, but now I was struggling to stand.
Before I could get up, he was on top of me. My head was spinning and my vision was blurred. I could barley see him raising a hoof to strike me with the bottle. With my last conscious breath, I tried to hold him back, but it was a losing battle. The glass edged closer and closer to my throat. Then I heard a piercing screech, and saw colours. Something passed by so fast it rolled me onto my stomach. The last thing I heard was voices.
“Fluttershy are you OK?”
“Quick, get a cart we have to help him.
And then I passed out.
__________________________
Author's Note: I know it took a while, but I’m a very busy man... well, lazy is the word really.
Feedback is appreciated :D