> Fourty Four > by FlaireFlutterSky > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- five months earlier... "Spits, can you get the door please?" Misty yelled from her bedroom. I was resting on the sofa, watching a TV show about these idiotic ponies who lock themselves in abandoned hospitals and prisons, trying to find evidence of 'paranormal activity.' Mostly this show made me laugh at their stupidity, but ever so rarely, sends shivers down my spine. It was around teatime, so i thought that it was High Winds, Misty's coltfriend. I trotted to the door and swung it open. I sighed loudly, Then i jumped back. It wasn't Windy. "Hey, Spitfire." Dr. Launter said, smiling. I blushed ever so slightly in embarrassment. "Sorry, i thought you were somepony else." He chuckled, and shook his mane. "Well, im glad im not whoever you thought i was." He stood at the porch, his eyes were bright and vibrant, with slight wrinkles around them, caused by smiling. The snowflakes were embedding to his hair. Making him look slightly happier. "Please come in." I smiled, and shut the door behind him. "I was recently in the neighborhood, so i thought I'd check on my favorite patient. If that's okay with you?" "Of course." Dr. Launter had gotten into the habit of stopping round frequently to check up on me. He worked night shifts in the ER, and even though he saved my life, I feel so uncomfortable around him. Its like hes constantly studying me. He took his jacket off and held it in an orderly fashion. "Can i get you a drink of anything?" I asked. "Glass of water, please." I was silently hoping for my sister to come down and talk to him, as I am not particularly good with making conversation. Plus, I am still holding out on that romantic spark between them. He was perfect in every way for Misty. He is handsome, young, good-looking, and has a nice personality. But, she hasn't come down yet so its just him and me. I headed back into the kitchen and handed him the glass. "Thanks." He said, before taking a large swig. Dr. Launter looked rather tired. It must be from his midnight shifts, I presume. "How are you feeling lately?" He asked. "Okay, i guess." I replied. He looked at his stilled beverage and around the room for the moment. I let the silence sit. Eventually, his eyes glued back onto mine. "How are you getting around, anyway?" "Pretty good." I answered. "... And flying?" "Lets just say i make a pretty good mascot." I laughed casually afterwards. "I suppose it's just not working out for me this year." Intentionally, Captain Thunder And the team were exited that I was back... That was, until they saw me fly. Or rather, my zombie interpretation of it. Ill never forget the look of sheer horror on my Coaches face when he realised his star-flier was gone, as well as the teams chance of getting into the Thundaway 5000. Now, i just sit on the bleaches during training. "Must be tough." Dr. Launter said, looking guilty. "Its okay. Ill get over it eventually. I really don't mind anymore." We both focused our attention at the TV. It was still playing, but muted. I flipped the station back onto the news channel, as Misty would kill me if she missed anything before she got back. "You look like you have been working alot lately." "Yeah had a really tough time last night. A man in hes 30's had a heart attack, and a foal was mauled by a dog." "That's terrible." I said. He took another sip from his glass. "So, how about your classes, any progress?" "They're okay," I said, "I still have some problems. But, im slowly getting there." Truthfully, my programs was in the gutter, and i know it. It didn't matter what the counselor's thought or did, i won't be out of my programs soon. "I know we've talked about this before, Spitfire, but drowning victims take a long while to recover." He sighed, empathy edging into his tone. "Yeah. I know." I sighed, too. Dr. Launter always told me the same story at least a dozen times, yet it amazes me how i cant remember anything about it. Well, last winter, I fell through thick ice at a lake and the rescue team took me to Canterlot General Hospital, they said i was clinically dead. No pulse, no breathing. They 'called it' and told Misty she could stay a little longer to say goodbye. She was crying bu my bedside. Then a miracle happened. I woke up from death. Misty saw my eyes open and screamed. I knew Dr. Launter carried around a heavy guilt over it. He was sure the water shut down my system, making it appear that i was dead. "All I'm trying to say is, you are still recovering. You have no idea what you can do from a year from now. You are still healing, that's all i meant." He cleared his throat, he always got serious when it comes to my death. It is probably the guilt of burying me alive. "I guess we will have to see what happens." I said. "So, is that foal okay, the one that was attacked by the dog?" "Twenty stitches across the face. I'm afraid it might leave a scar." I was so relieved to see Misty walk in. "Oh, Dr. Launter, I didn't know you were here!" She said warmly, and slid her phone into her bag. He stood up and they hugged. The room seemed to light up. Although I came back from death, I didn't come back the same. The biggest change was that i don't see colors anymore, that everything in my world is different hues of black, grey and white. I also became super sensitive to other ponies' emotions. A soft, glowing light surrounded Dr. Launter when Misty walked into the room. That's how i know that he is in love with her. "It's so good to see you! how's everything?" Misty asked. "Great. Really great." He said. Misty walked to the door and put her scarf on. "Where are you going?" I said, glancing outside to look at the snow. "The police have said that they have found a body at the old mill. They think its a suicide attempt, I need to check it out." I sighed. I wanted Misty to stay, Windy would be over soon. "Can't you just call one of your contacts or something?" I said. " I could, but i need to be there." She said. "Can i come?" "Nope." "Probably best to stay out of this weather in your humble doctors opinion!" He chuckled, putting his jacket on. I walked to the door. "Abby seems to be doing well, right?" Misty asked, studying me like a glass case at the museum. I hated it when ponies give me that look. A cold gust of cold air and snow blue into the house. "Bye Abby." "Bye." I gave Dr. Lander a quick hug. "Take care." He said, Following Misty outside. I watched from the window as he opened her car door. He was trying to linger, but misty is all about buisness. That's how she is when a story comes up, and there was even a small chance to advance her career. Right now, she has CNN and New York on her mind, and will try to find a way to become a national success. I locked the door, and watched the doctor in the street with snow whirling around him.