3. For Benefit
The air was warm outside and the forest provided shade to survive the heat. Not many came this way, Fluttershy knew she was safe here. She was said to be guilty for the murder of her dear friend Rarity. Even though her friend told her she planned to make a dress from animal hide, she could not murder her, although she deeply cared for the animals. She would simple tell them to run and hide so Rarity wouldn't find any, although Fluttershy hated to do that to Rarity, sometimes it needed to be done.
However being accused she had to run, most people just claimed they didn't do it. but had no proof to show to the court. If she tried to prove not guilty, they would slam the evidence in front of her and she would be behind bars where she didn't belong. She knew she had to wait until nightfall to go to the crime scene Something made her worry about going there, she had to know, but what if they had cleaned it and not a shred of dirt remain, she doubted it, but it was possible.
"I can't go to my friends, I am alone." Fluttershy said in her usual hush voice.
I have to keep myself busy. Maybe I should make shelter and find food, I don't know how long I will be here, it could be a long time until I am proved not guilty. Fluttershy thought as she sighed. She began to pick up tiny sicks, debating weather or not she would make a fire. She struggled moving the larger sticks to form her shelter.
Fluttershy already knew life out here was going to be very tough, and it was possible she may not live out here, however Fluttershy knew she had to prove herself innocent so the real criminal would be behind bars. Yet she wondered why she was accused, she was sweet and kind, had nopony noticed how she did she good deeds. She felt somewhat betrayed thinking about why, she soon decided to ignore the why.
She decided to go find some food, she was quite hungry and needed to eat something. Her stomach felt empty and it made her feel a little sick. She began to wonder, her hooves just grazing the top of the grass as she stepped clumsily. Her feet pretty much shuffled against the ground, for she was still feel glum over Rarity. The forest had many bushes, but not all had berries, just making her hunger more for the delicious treat.
She didn't pack much in her saddle bag, only a few things, like a few bags in case she did find something at the crime scene, a small bottle of water, so she could take her time finding water. She sighed as she walked down a small hill area and soon she could see blue berries.
They were purple colored and looked ripe, the bush was also nice and there were birds eating off the bush. Fluttershy knew they were safe, the birds looked fine and she was very hungry. She trotted over quite fast, craving the dark purple berries. She began to plop them in her mouth and she could taste the lovely burst of flavor. Fluttershy ate a little more then her fill and grabbed some for later.
She knew she had to head back to her base camp, besides it was getting dark, it was time to go take a look at the crime scene. She flew back, so she didn't have to pass the trees, besides, most ponies were heading inside. Mostly since the murder had happened at this time. Fluttershy places her saddle bag in the roots of a tree, it was an old fox den, perfect for hiding her stuff.
Fluttershy went just outside the forest and then began to fly high in the sky where she hoped she couldn't be seen. She landed in front of the boutique, remembering Rarity. She was holding her breath until she noticed and huffed out. She opened the door slowly and began to look around.
Little did she know a pony had seen her and was calling the police. However Fluttershy's focus was on the unclean bloodstained house. She looked, under sofas and chairs and she had to admit the criminal did a good job at keeping it clean. All Fluttershy wondered was, where is the weapon? Perhaps the murderer took it, but the police described it as quick and that the murderer wouldn't bother bringing the weapon along, it would slow him or her down.
That was when she heard hooves on the ground coming this way, she turned to the doorway to see the police were coming. Fluttershy gasped, surprised someone had seen her and now one exit was blocked. She went threw the window, knowing that she would have to run, if she flew now they would see her for sure. She ran fast, and she knew the police were close behind. Although her legs burned she picked up her speed, she wished to fly, but Pegasi were in the air, waiting for her to take off so they would finish it.
She could see the dark dense forest, Eeverfree Forest, although she was scared of it, she knew it was the only way that she could make it. She didn't hesitate and ran full speed into the dark forest. It was hard to see as Fluttershy dodged trees and jumped over fallen ones and the roots of others. The trees seemed to loom, making faces just to make it scarier. She slid to a halt, still hearing a few hoof prints, she made a quiet sharp turn and hid in a big den, where not many could spot her.
Her heart was still accelerated, she knew she had to breathe calmly, she couldn't be hyperventilating, they would only find her faster. Her legs burned from the long run and she soon began to sooth. Her breathing slowed and she laid in the abandoned den, waiting for all of the searching to end.