The events following that dreadful night consisted of detectives trying to get any details out of the young colt, though their attempts lead to no amends.
Cinder barely listened to any pony, he withdrew deep within himself, he just could not stop thinking about the events that led up to now. Cinder thought of his parents, the ponies that he loved so dearly, he remembered how they read him stories every night before he went to sleep and how his mother comforted him when he was younger when he thought that monsters under his bed, of course he now knew that was silly but all the same he remembered how his mother would sing him to sleep when he was scared.
This went on for what seem like ages. Cinder stayed at Cloud and Rose’s home for a week. Cinder barely ate or drank, he just tucked himself away.
~~~
The Star couple’s funeral was miserable. It was held on one of the coldest and rainiest days. Almost nopony showed up for the lonely couple’s burial. The most notable of appearances were Cloud Runner, his family, and some frequent costumers that had been friends with the Stars. After the ceremony each of the attendees approached Cinder to say how sorry they were, but Cinder barely heard them as he was lost in his thoughts.
Cinder was finally was roused from his trance to see a grey unicorn mare, she looked at him with a gentle smile.
“I sorry that all this has happened to you, Cinder, is it?” The mare asked.
All Cinder was able to do was nod, fighting back a new wave of tears that threatened to break free.
“Well Cinder, let me introduce myself, I am Miss Grey, I’m here with the Canterlot Home for Children.” She said. “You’re going to come live with some fillies and colts like you.”
Cinder looked up with his pain filled eyes, he finally said after a few tries, “Can I get some of my things?”
“Of course you can.” She smiled and she finally got through to the young colt.
~~~
A few minutes later they stood in front of the old Star home.
“Take your time, grab your belongings, I’ll be right here.” Miss Grey said.
Cinder nodded and slowly made his way toward his old home. He paused at the front door, but he slowly entered into to the home’s front room, as he looked about the room, memories flashed before his eyes.
He remembered how every night the small family would sit by the fire and relax. He looked to the small dinner table and remembered the many meals they shared while they talked about their day. He then turned his head toward the kitchen, while his memory flashed back to how he helped his mother in the kitchen. He loved to help his mom, all he ever wanted was approval and praise from his parents. He smiled as he thought of his parents, but that smile was destined to die as he remembered the state at which his parents lay. A tear fell from his eye as he walked across the house, towards the stairs to grab his belongings.
Cinder walked to the top of the stairs and laid eyes on a spot on the carpet stained red. It was where his father had taken his final breath. Cinder hung his head, if only he could have done something, maybe he could have stopped the mean ponies. It’s all my fault, he thought solemnly. He fought the urge to cry right where he stood. Cinder bit back the tears and walked next to his bed where he grabbed his saddlebags. He packed them with what little belongings he had and turned to leave. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a picture siting on his parent’s dresser. He walked over to the framed photo and saw that it was the family photo they had gotten a year ago. The small family had saved up money all year to get the picture. It was the last picture taken of Cinder and his parents together.
Cinder lost it at this point and broke out in tears. He sat down and hugged the photo against his chest. He sat there for a few moments until a thought seeped to the fore-front of his mind, a thought that burned with pure hatred. He wanted revenge, all against the pony with the dagger and his stupid friend. He thought about that for a moment longer, realizing the ridiculousness of the idea on a small colt, just on the edge of being called a big foal, getting revenge on a pony considered to be a young adult.
Cinder wiped away his eyes, put the photo into his bag. As he turned a glare blinded the colt, Cinder tracked the source to under his bed. He trotted over slid his hoof under the bed and swept the mysterious item out from under the bed. Cinder jumped back in surprise at the item.
It was a dagger, it had a short handle, with a long blade that was covered with teeth and hooks. Cinder just sat there, it was covered in dry blood. It was the dagger the he pulled from his father’s own side.
Cinder thought of bucking the dagger back under the bed never to see the light of day again, but before he did another thought surfaced in his mind, he would get his revenge even if he died trying, he owed it to his parents after doing nothing to help them, Cinder came to a decision. He grabbed the dagger and brought it to the bathroom of the small house. He washed the blade careful of its razor sharp teeth.
Just as he finished he heard the door of the home open, he heard a voice call out, “Cinder, are you alright?” Miss Grey said.
Cinder cursed under his breath, then thought of how he probably would have been grounded if his parents would have heard him. Cinder grabbed the towel from the bathroom, wrapped the dagger in it and rushed to put it into his saddle bags.
Just as he secured his bags buckle he saw Miss Grey appear.
“I was worried that you were taking a while, are you alright Cinder?” She asked.
“Yes, I’m fine, I just finished getting ready.” Cinder said with a forced smile.
“Great now we can get you moved into the orphanage. Then you can meet the rest of the children.” She said.