> Life of Cinder
>  by SandStorms
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was a chilly night on the outskirts of Canterlot, homes were lit as the families all settled down for supper. One home in particular was no exception. It wasn’t a very big home, it didn’t have the nicest furniture like the high ranking pony homes had. Never the less it was cozy all the same. The home belonged to the Star family. The Star family was a middle class family that made its living has a hobby shop. It is here were our story begins.


~~~


“Crystal, honey come to the table darling it’s time for supper,” a stallions voice called from the kitchen of the small two story home. The stallion walked from the kitchen with two plates and set them on the table. He was a dark red earth pony, much like the red of a late sunset when the sun has passed the horizon, with a black mane and tail the resembled the darkest of nights. He looked to the stairs with his bright yellow eyes as he tried to locate his wife.

“Be right down darling,” he heard a voice call from the second floor. It was a mares voice and was a smooth as silk. Sounds of shuffling sounded through the house as some pony got up and was shuffling towards the stairs. A minute later a mare, heavy with a foal shuffled towards the table. She was a snow white pony with bright blue mane and eyes bright like the summers day. The stallion’s eyes shone like the sun as he saw his wife and his unborn foal.

The stallion moved towards her to help her sit at the table. “Thank you Shining, our little foal is giving me a harder and harder time every day!” she exclaimed, “I just can’t wait until we are a family.” Crystal said as she sat at the table.

Shining walked around to his seat and sat down, “We are already a family,” he said with a smile. Crystal smiled at his comment, “You all ways know what to say to make me happy.”

They ate in silence for a while just enjoying each other’s company.

They finished their meals and Shining offered to do the dishes. “I’ll help; you have been doing them all this month.” Crystal said with a smile.

“No, you just sit there and rest.” Shining said. “We can’t have you overworking yourself.”

Shining did the dishes and cleaned everything up and walked from the kitchen. He helped his wife from the table and they both went and sat on the old worn sofa in the front of the house.

They sat for a while there in silence thinking of what their lives were going to become in the near future. The silence, however, was broken by Shining with a load sigh. Crystal looked over to him with a look of worry seeing her husband with a frown looking at the floor deep in thought.

“What’s wrong dear, you have been like this all this past week.” Crystal said, worry deep in her voice. “And before you say anything do not tell me it’s nothing, I know nothing and this is not it.”

Shining looked at her with unsure eyes thinking of his words, finally after sometime he said, “I guess I am just worried about our foal.”

“What about it? The doctor says I am healthy and the pregnancy is going perfectly normal.”

“I’m not really worried about the foal as I am worried about me being its father; I mean I have no experience raising a kid. My father left my mother and me the day after I was born. I’ve only known my mother. What if I don’t do a good job raising our kid? What if he gets into trouble?”

Crystal giggled, silencing Shining and causing him the stare at his wife in confusion. “You know I was having a serious moment here and you’re laughing at me.”

Crystal finally finished laughing and said with a smile, “It’s just that it’s always the mother that worries about her kid being a criminal being locked up by the guard, not the father.” She laughed again, causing Shining to smile.

It was one of the reasons he loved Crystal, she was always was able to find the good in any pony even if they couldn’t find it within themselves.

“Trust me when I say you will make out to be a great father.” With that she leaned in and gave him a kiss.


~~~
One Week Later
~~~


“They’re taking far too long in there!” Shining was pacing now. “I should be with her!”

Shining was pacing out in the waiting room desperately awaiting the news. There was a Pegasus couple with him, they were the neighbors and a great family friend to the Star family. They also had a child on the way though was due month later.

“Calm down Shining, you’re going to worry yourself sick!”  The stallion said. “And stop pacing you’re putting a grove in the floor,” he joked, then said more seriously, “Maybe they would of let you stay if you hadn’t started to panic and question everything the doctor was doing.”

“I know I am just so worried tha−,” he paused and snapped his head towards the sound of an opening door. 

The doctor stepped out of the room and looked at Shining with a straight face with sent a tremor of worry down Shining’s back, but then smiled and gave him a nod, “Come say hello to your new child.”

Shining walked into the room so silently, as if he made any noise the building might collapse. He saw his wife holding a bundle of blankets. She looked up and waved him in. 

She said while rotating the bundle, “Say hello to your new born son.”

As gently as he possibly could he took his son into his arms. The colt was a dark red earth pony like him with a blue mane and eyes like his mother. He was absolutely perfect in Shining’s eyes.

“A son,” Shining said with a smile.

It seemed like forever that they sat there with their newborn.

Shining broke the silence, “What are we going to name him?”

Crystal thought for a moment, “I think we should name him after your grandfather.”

Shining smiled, “Cinder, it’s perfect, welcome to the world Cinder Star.”

Crystal said after watching her husband a while, “Like I said, you are going to make a great father.”
	
> School Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Cinder, wake up it’s the first day of school.” Cinder opened his eyes sleepily, his mother standing next to his bed smiling gently at him. “You need to get ready for school sleepyhead,” she said to him giggling. She ruffled his mane playfully.
“Heh, mom stop,” Cinder giggled and hopped out of bed. 
He and his mother both started for the stairs to go eat breakfast. Downstairs they made pancakes together. Smiling and telling each other jokes will they worked.
Soon they had a small pile of steaming pancakes resting on the table.
As the two sat down they heard another set of hoof steps coming down the stairs. Cinder look and saw his father walking towards them. Cinder hopped down running over to him.
“Dad look we made pancakes!” Cinder exclaimed.
Shining laughed a little at his energy, “I can see that, good morning honey, any coffee?”
“It’s in the kitchen dear, strong just like you like it.” Crystal said with a smile.
Soon shining came back from the kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee and sat at the table.
They all enjoyed their meal in silence, which was odd for the energetic colt that usually always had something to talk about.
“What’s wrong Cinder you are never quiet?” Shining asked. 
The little colt froze for a second, and then looked up at his father, “Do I have to go to school? Little Wing doesn’t have to!”
Little Wing, Cinder’s best friend, and child of their family friend, was too young to start school that year.
“Yes, you have to go to school, it’s important for kids to get a good education, you know that.” Shining said.
“But I don’t know any kids in my class, what if there mean?” Cinder whined.
“Trust me, the rest of the kids are going to be just as nervous as you, just go and introduce yourself.” Shining smiled, “I remember my first day of school, I was so worried I faked being sick to try to get out of going to school.”
“Really,” Cinder gasped.
“Really,” Shining said, “But my mother knew I was fine and made me go, and I made so many friends, one of which lives right next door.” Shining said with a smile.
“Cloud Runner was your friend?” Cinder gasped.
“Yes, going to school not only makes you smarter but you also make friends there.” Shining said, “Right, let’s go get you to school.”
“Ok dad.” Cinder hopped off his chair and grabbed his saddlebag and met his dad at the door.
“Ready?”
“Ready dad.”
~~~
“So remember to listen to your teacher and don’t talk over her, ok?” Shining said.
“Ok dad.” Cinder said looking at the building. It was a red brick structure with a sign by the gate that read ‘Canterlot Elementary’.
Shining leaned down to whisper in his ear, “You better hurry or you will be late on the first day.”
Cinder rushed over and hugged his father, “Bye, I love you dad.” With that he rushed into the building before he was late.
Shining watched him run all the way up and into the school, shaking head the whole time, “I didn’t even get to say that I loved him too.” He murmured to himself chucking as he turned to head home.”
Cinder found his classroom and sat down quickly in the second desk from the front. The whole class stared at the Cinder for a few seconds because he came in slightly late causing him to cringe a little. Just then the bell rang and a sand brown unicorn mare walked into the room. She levitated a piece of chalk and introduced herself while writing her name on the board. 
“Hello class, I will be your teacher this year my name is Ms. Shore.”
“Good morning Ms. Shore.” The class said in unison.
“Thank you now I will go around and I want you to introduce yourself.”
She started around the room and before Cinder knew it she stood there next to him staring waiting for him.
He stuttered a bit, “M-my name is C-c-cinder.” Snickers and chuckles washed around the room as Cinder turned a few shades of red whiter.
He didn’t like school at all.
~~~
What seemed like ages as Ms. Shore went over what they were going to do that year, finally ended as the bell rang announcing the end of school. Fillies and colts all jumped up and out the door. Cinder followed behind a little more slowly. As he went through the door he saw some of his classmates in a group look at him and start to snicker. Cinder looked at the ground walking a little quicker.  He then felt something hit his head and he looked down and saw a crumpled up piece of paper. He bent over and spread out the paper. His heart dropped at what he saw.
It was a note the read ‘you’re a loner and a loser, that’s the worst they come’. He ran toward the gate as fast as his little legs would carry him. He ran all the way home, even when he was told by his father to wait at school so he can be picked up, he was too upset to care right now. As he got close to his home he slowed down and wiped away his tears, he put on a forced smile and walked the final block toward his home. He saw his house just around the bend and just then he saw his father walk from the house.
Probably to come and pick me up, Cinder thought. His father stepped on to the road turned and saw his son. Shining froze at the sight but recovered quickly and walked toward Cinder.
“I was supposed to pick you up today, did you forget?” He greeted his son with a hug.
“Yea,” Cinder lied, he hated lying, even more because it was his father, it made him feel horrible inside.
“Anyways how was school, make any friends?” Shining asked.
“School was great, all my classmates were nice.” Cinder said, he felt his forced smile faltering.
“That’s great!” Shining said missing the tear that fell from his sons eye.
They both entered the house Cinder quickly said, “I’ll be upstairs.”
Cinder ran up the stairs threw his saddlebags down and sat on the edge of his bed.
Cinder let out a sigh. He didn’t want to go to school ever again.
“Cinder, honey come down and say hi to your poor mother.” His mother’s voice rang through the house.
“Be right down mom.” Cinder called out, he put on a smile and walked down the stairs.

> Games and Tears
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2
It was the night of the first day of school and the Star family sat down to eat their dinner.
“So what do we want to do tonight?” Crystal broke the silence that had overcome the table.
“I think we should let Cinder decide, it was his special day after all.” Shining said with a smile.
Cinder thought for a while, “Can we play some games?”
Cinder ate the last bite of his dinner, smiled and looked at his father, and with record speed, tapped his father, “TAG!” with that Cinder bolted up the stairs.
Shining laughed, “Oh no you don’t!” and gave chase.
Crystal chucked, “I guess I got the dishes.”
The father and son ran back, forth, up and down, all around the house taking turns chasing the other.
Crystal finished the dishes and stopped the boys. “I’ll play if it’s something a little less active.” She said with a smile.
Cinder burst out, “I know, can we play hide and seek!”
Crystal said, “Now that’s something I think I can handle.”
“Ok, Cinder, Crystal go hide I’ll count.” Shining smiled.
He closed his eyes and started to count, “One, two, three…”
“Lets go Cinder,” his mother whispered. She ran and snuck up the stairs.
Cinder followed his mother up the stairs quickly and quietly.
“Cinder you hide under your bed. I’ll hide in the curtains.” His mother whispered.
“Ok mom, oh quick dad is almost finished counting!” Cinder whispered.
Cinder slid under the bed. 
“…Eight, nine, ten, ready or not here I come.” Shining called from downstairs. 
After what seemed like ages, his father began up the stairs. He walked right next to Cinder’s bed.
The little colt held his breath afraid that it might give away his hiding spot. He saw his father’s hoof reach for the blanket that was covering Cinder from view. Cinders heart was beating so fast now that he put a hoof on his chest as if to hold his heart in. 
Right as his father was going to tear the blanket away a loud bang sounded from downstairs. Cinder saw his father run to investigate. Cinder heard voices from down stairs. “Take anything that looks of value, scavenge any food while you’re at it--- HEY YOU! Grab him guys!”
Shining face went pale he raced away from the stairs two ponies, ruffled and could tell hadn’t gotten a bath in weeks, ran up the stairs, one of them a unicorn was levitating a dagger that had hooks and teeth all over it. They cornered Shining on the other side of the room. Crystal now stuck her head out from the curtains to see what the commotion was screamed when she saw the ponies.  The dagger wielding pony without hesitation flipped around and flung the dagger deep into her chest.
She fell to the ground the dagger was pulled from her chest. Cinder, frozen in fear looked at his mother. She looked back at him with a blank stare, the usual shine in her eye gone and replaced with a dull blur.
His father was yelling at this point. The strange ponies pinned his father to the ground and thrust the dagger into his side. Cinder watched in horror as his father slumped over on his side. 
The strange ponies stood up and ran down the stairs after some commotion down stairs the house grew silent once more. 
Cinder crawled out from under his bed in sped over to his father’s side.
“DAD!” Cinder cried.
His father coughed looked into his sons eye and whispered a single praise, “I love you too son.”
Shining eyes closed and he let out his last breath.
Cinder let out a loud cry and put his head by his father’s.
Cinder looked to his father’s side and saw the knife.
Cinder hated that knife he hated the ponies that brought it. He grabbed the handle in his teeth pulled it from his father’s side and flung it across the room. It slid across the floor and under his bed. He then curled up right where he sat by his father and cried himself to sleep.
~~~
Cinder woke with a start when he heard the front door open with a creak.
His mind flew to the worst conclusion. Oh no the bad ponies are back! 
Then he heard a familiar voice call out, “Shining? Crystal? Cinder? Is anyone home?”
Cinder flew down the stairs to meet the sight of a familiar pegasus. 
“Cloud Runner!” Cinder cried out, as he ran and embraced his father’s friend. “I’m so sorry.”
“What happened Cinder?” He insisted.
Cinder couldn’t speak however all he did was point a hoof towards the stairs.
Cloud Runner walked for the stairs with Cinder hiding behind him.
When he reached the top of the stairs he saw his friend lying there. He ran to his friends side but his head dropped when he felt that his friend had already gone cold. When he looked up, pain was visible in his eyes.
“Let’s go over to my home Cinder.” He said as he got up and moved for the stairs.
The both walked to the house next door to the Star home.
“Sit there Cinder.” Cloud Runner said, pointing to a sofa on the far side of the room, grief thick in his voice.
“What’s wrong dear?” a pegasus mare walked from the kitchen.
In a hushed voice though still heard by the young colt, “Rose, Cinder’s parents are dead, murdered, I’m going to go report it to the guard.”
“Oh great Maker,” Rose said.
Cloud Runner went out the door and took to the sky while Rose walked towards Cinder.
She sat next to him laid a wing over him and pulled him into a hug. She said in the softest voice she possibly could, “It will be ok.”
With that Cinder cried out and let the feelings he had dammed up inside himself break. He just let his feelings flow.

> Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

> New Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinder and Miss Grey had basically walked across the entire length of Canterlot when they arrived on the edge of the slums. It was early night when they had arrived. I guess time flies without parents, Cinder thought glumly.
Cinder gathered his surroundings the orphanage was a large (compared to the surrounding homes) brick building. The homes, or better to be described as shacks, were old and sagging under the weight of their own roofs. He spotted a couple of homeless ponies lying under tattered blankets next to the road. Cinder sighed, I imagine that’s what I’m going to become when I’m older. After all there wasn’t much left for him, as they only brought in enough income to put food on the table and a roof over their head.
“Let’s get inside so you can settle in,” Miss Grey urged. Cinder and the mare started towards the door.
In the next twenty minutes felt like hours, getting Cinder checked in consisted of a stack of papers, and issuing simple toiletries like a tooth brush. After the papers where completed, much to Cinder’s horror, they had to search through his bags. Cinder handed his bag to the rather large stallion that was called from the back. He was a light brown Pegasus pony with a dark brown mane. Cinder glanced at his cutie mark and saw it was some sort of shield. Must be some sort of guard, Cinder thought. Cinder pushed his urge to panic down as the stallion looked into his bag. He pushed a few things to the side as he looked at the bottom. Cinder almost jumped out of his skin when the stallion hovered his hoof over the towel containing the dagger. He reached down and grabbed the family picture. He held it for a moment studying the picture.
Miss Grey whispered into the stallions ear, no doubt telling him the current condition of my parents. The stallion looked up with sympathy apparent in his eyes. “I’m so sorry about your parents, Cinder is it?” The stallion said. His voice was nothing Cinder expected, it wasn’t deep and unwelcoming as Cinder had suspected, it was so sincere and comforting. The stallion’s voice reminded him of his father’s voice, always there to comfort him.
Cinder nodded, tears slowly forming in his eyes. The stallion could see that Cinder would not last long holding back his tears. He quickly buckled the bags shut and slid them towards Cinder. “If you need anything, don’t think twice before asking me, my name is Shifting Sands, but everypony just calls me Dusty.”
Cinder nodded feeling better that there was a least somepony that he could trust. He didn’t know why he trusted the stallion so much but he couldn’t help himself.
Cinder and Miss Grey then walked down the hall. They stopped at a door at the end of the hall.
Miss Grey looked down at him and said, “Welcome to your new home.”
~~~
“I want you all to make Cinder here feel welcome.” Miss Grey said looking down at the ponies in the room. They ranged in age from Cinder’s age to being close to being called young adults. Cinder tried to read the faces of the ponies around him. But the only thing he saw in their faces was uncertainty.
Cinder looked to the floor avoiding eye contact with everyone, he felt their eyes boring into him as they summed up the newcomer.
Time stretched on as everyone stared at him, after what seemed like an hour, Miss Grey showed him to his bed. It was a simple bed with a thin sheet and a wool blanket. Under his bed there was a small foot locker were he could put his things.
Cinder unpacked his things and laid down on his bed. Cinder lost track of time, because he snapped back into reality when Miss Grey was announcing lights out. Cinder crawled under the covers of his new bed. He was exhausted, due to the fact that he hadn’t been sleeping well, whenever sleep did come to him, he was always awakened by a dream of his parents on their last night together. Cinder sighed wishing he didn’t have to go to bed, scared about reliving that night all over again, but he knew that he need sleep.
Whispers around the room finally quieted down around him as the rest of the children fell into a deep sleep. All alone, was the last thought that went through Cinder’s mind before he fell asleep. Cinder sighed and his eyes fluttered shut as sleep came over him. 

> A Bully and a Brother
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinder awoke from his restless sleep by the sound of ponies moving around him. Cinder looked towards the window on the far side of the room. He saw that it was still dark out, Wow these guys wake up early..., Cinder thought. He considered falling back asleep but decided that it was much too loud to even try. Cinder sighed, sat up, and got off of his bed. He made his bed and went off to complete his morning chores. He brushed his teeth and combed his mane so it didn’t look like he had just gotten out of bed.
Once he finished his morning chores he walked from the bathroom, he walked over to his bed to put his things away. Cinder heard whispers and felt eyes boring into the back of his head. Without turning around, Cinder peaked behind him and out of the corner of his eye he saw a pegasus colt, who had to be close to be considered a young stallion, glaring at him with a menacing smile. Cinder shuddered and remembered that look from his first day of school.
It was the way bullies looked down at their newest victim, but this look was even darker. It was the look of a predator looked at its prey. 
Cinder made a note to stay as far from that pony as best he could.
Cinder looked toward the door as it was opened and saw Miss Grey walk through into the room. She called out about the chatter of the children, “Breakfast is ready!”
Cinder’s stomach rumbled at this, he remembered just how hungry he had become.
All the ponies shuffled out the door over into the next room. Cinder looked around as he entered into the room, it was a simple cafeteria with long tables spreading out across the room. Cinder made his way to the line of ponies and waited to get his food. The line moved quickly and Cinder laid the tray onto his back. He walked over to the far corner of the room where nopony else was. He placed the tray on the table and sat down. The tray held cold toast, water-logged oatmeal, soggy fruit and a small glass of milk.
“Bon appétit,” Cinder mumbled to himself and began eating. No longer than thirty seconds passed when he heard heavy hoof steps approaching him. Cinder risked a glance up and froze in horror. It was the mean looking pegasus from the other room. Cinder got a good look at him from the close distance. He had a red coat and a messy orange mane. He was flanked by two more pegasus, the one on his left was lime green with a black mane and the one on his right was blue with a yellow mane.
They reached the table and stared down at their newest victim. The middle pegasus tapped his hoof on the ground and looked at Cinder expecting him to do something. There was an unnerving silence, until the pegasus finally said, “Well?”
Cinder stumbled on his words for a few moments, “W-well what-t?”
The pegasus looked at his buddies and snickered, he looked back and stared deathly at Cinder, “They never give us enough food here, and you are going to give me yours!” He growled.
Cinder said no louder than a whisper, “I think I’ll keep my food thanks.”
“What did you say?” Impatience thick in his voice.
“I said I am not giving you MY food.” Cinder said, and then faltered when he realized that the larger pony saw that as a challenge.
“Well guys I think we need to teach this dork a lesion.” With that the two ponies on the sides of the red pegasus rushed forward and pinned Cinder onto the ground. Cinder looked with fear as the red coated colt walked over him and raised a hoof to stomp on his chest. Cinder shut his eyes and waited for the inevitable pain that was to come. But it never came, Cinder heard a thump and the hooves holding him down disappeared.
Cinder’s eyes flew open and saw a pile of pegasi lying against the wall. In between them a colt, even older than the pegasus group was standing in between them. He was an earth pony with a light brown coat and dark brown mane. He had a cutie mark of a pickaxe.  The pegasi recovered from their daze and looked at the new comer.
“Well look who we have here, the party crashers here.” The main pegasus sneered. “Is this your new friend? Because we were busy teaching him a lesson!”
The earth pony unfazed by their insults growled, “I’m getting real tired about having to stop you guys you know.”
“Fine have your loser of a colt.” The pegasus spat, “But you won’t be here forever to protect him you know.” He walked off with a smirk.
The earth pony sighed, “He can’t get really annoying sometimes,” he said to no one in particular. He looked down at Cinder and helped him up, “Are you okay?”
“Yea, I think so,” Cinder said, “Thanks for the help.”
“No problem.” The earth pony said with a grin. “I’m Stone Wall by the way. But you can just call me Stone.”
“I’m Cinder.” He replied, “Who were those guys?”
Stone frowned, “A bunch of idiots, that’s who,” He sighed, “The big one with the red coat goes by Fire Blitz, and those were his two idiot friends.”
Cinder chuckled at that. “They cause a lot of trouble?”
“Yea they think they run this place, and anyone who doesn’t listen… Well I think you know what happens,” Stone said, “I’ve had enough talking about them, what about you?”
Cinder looked at his hooves, “My parents were killed…” Tears slowly forming in his eyes, “I have no other family to take me in.”
“I’m sorry.” Stone’s voice barely a whisper. They both just sat at the table together, Cinder finished his meal and they both returned to the dorms. The rest of the day flew by a simple lunch and boring dinner passed. They were all in the dorms. Cinder laid down on his bed and let his mind wander.
He was brought back to consciousness when he heard things being dropped next to him. It was Stone with all his things putting them away under the bed next to him.
“What are you doing?” Cinder asked.
“Switching beds, what does it look like?” He replied with a smile. “Can’t have Fire Blitz bugging you in the morning.”
Cinder shrugged and laid back down on his pillow. Then a thought crept to the front of his mind.
“Hey Stone.” Cinder said looking to his new neighbor.
“Hmm.” Stone grunted looking up.
“What did Fire Blitz mean when he said, ‘You won’t be here forever to protect me’?” Cinder asked.
Stone sighed, “I’m about to age out of the system. I have about two months left.”
“So Fire is just going to wait until you’re gone before he does something to me, I see why now.” Cinder said flatly.
Stone was silent for a moment; he finally said after a long pause, “You need to get out of here Cinder.”
“What?” Cinder said in disbelief. “You want me to run?”
“When I’m aged out yes, I want you to run away from this place. I can’t think of what Fire will do to you when I’m gone.” Stone said stoically.
“Where would I possibly go?” Cinder asked.
“You could stay with me I guess, the orphanage will be giving me some starter money and a small apartment to stay in.” Stone said.
Cinder was silent after this. When he finally he said, “I’m going to bed.”
With that Cinder slid under his covers with his back to Stone. He pretended to sleep but he knew he wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight; he just had too much on his mind. 

> Relapse
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the next week Cinder and Stone barely talked. Stone still stayed close to make sure Blitz didn’t try anything, but nothing past that. When they ate, Cinder sat at the far end of the table from Stone and never looked up at his friend. Stone didn’t push Cinder at all to talk, or bring up the plan either. When they sat in the dorms, Cinder lay with his back to Stone and looked over the family photo with him and his parents.
This went on all through the week. Stone hoped that every morning when they awoke that Cinder would finally break the silence between them; but every time, Cinder just got up and trotted into the bathroom to get ready for the day. Stone didn’t bother trying to break the silence, for he knew that he just needed to give Cinder time to relax. 
After another week of silence, Blitz struck again. 
Cinder and Stone sat at their normal table with Cinder at the far end. Cinder kept his head down and ate in silence. The conversation from that night kept playing over and over in his mind.
“I’m about to age out of the system. I have about two months left.”
“So Fire is just going to wait until you’re gone before he does something to me?”
“You need to get out of here Cinder.”
“What, you want me to run?”
“When I’m aged out yes, I want you to run away from this place. I can’t think of what Fire will do to you when I’m gone.”
Cinder had stopped eating at this point and just sat their lost in thought, then the flashback took over again.
“Where would I possibly go?”
“You could stay with me I guess, the orphanage will be giving me some starter money and a small apartment to stay in.”
Cinder forced the memory from his mind as Miss Grey approached the table.
“Are you finished eating Stone Wall?” She asked.
“Umm yea I guess.” Stone replied.
“Great! Come with me we need to fill out some paperwork in preparation for you to leave.” Miss Grey said, then she turned and walked for the door.
Stone looked uncertainly at Cinder before he got up and followed the grey mare out of the room.
Cinder watched him leave and the door shut behind him. He then looked back at his food and continued eating.
Thirty minutes had passed when hoof steps announced a newcomer to the table. Cinder didn’t even bother to look up thinking it was Stone returning from filling out the paperwork.
He was wrong.
Cinder felt a hoof on his shoulder as he was yanked around and found himself face to face with Blitz. To his side his two henchmen (Cinder had found himself calling the two pegasi lately) stood there blocking the sight of Blitz and Cinder from the rest of the ponies in the room. 
“Where’s little Stone Wall to protect you now dork!” Blitz taunted.
Cinder pushed Blitz’s hoof off his shoulder, “Go away Blitz.” Cinder said emotionless. He wasn’t in the mood right now.
“Oh boys looks like we are going to have to show this dork here a lesson of respect, and we might as well give him his punishment from earlier that has been put off for way too long, and we will have no trouble doing that since Stone has left Cinder all alone.” After this was said Blitz grabbed Cinder and pulled him to the ground.
One of the henchmen put a hoof over his mouth keeping him from yelling for help, while the other held his front legs down. Blitz sat on Cinder’s hind legs to keep him from kicking and started to send out quick jabs to his gut.
All Cinder could manage was to grunt with each hit. There didn’t seem to be an end to the beating. Blitz looked happy like he had been waiting for this moment for a while. Blitz then aim a hard punch a little higher up. Blitz hit him just below the rib cage right on the diaphragm causing Cinder to lose his breath. The henchman holding Cinder’s mouth seeing that his job wasn’t necessary anymore, as Cinder had lost the ability to speak, took his place holding one of Cinder’s front hooves. 
Blitz raised a hoof to strike Cinder in the face, “Stone abandoned you just like your parents did, and I guarantee your parents didn’t even love you. Why else would you be in here?” 
Cinder went numb with that. Cinder saw Blitz’s hoof smashing into his face, with each hit, Blitz’s hoof came away a darker shade of red. But none of that mattered, Blitz’s words cut deeper than any knife could and chilled him to the bone. The beating went on for a while, though Cinder had no idea how long, he had lost track of time.
Suddenly Cinder saw Blitz ripped off of him along with the two henchmen. He saw them smash into the wall leaving dints as they slid to the floor. Cinder then shifted his vision to his other side expecting to see Stone there, but Cinder’s eyes came into focus on none other than Dusty himself, he was wielding a stick that looked like a cross between a baton and a bat.
It must have hurt to be on the dealing end of that weapon, Cinder thought. Cinder looked into the eyes of Dusty as he looked over the assailants. There was a fire in his eyes that might be compared to the sun. It was the look of a father who had watched his own child get hurt, Cinder shivered. 
Dusty then looked at Cinder and his eyes clear of the fire that once was, and was now holding a look of worry. Cinder saw his mouth moving but heard nothing. He looked at Dusty as he kept speaking. He read only one word off of Dusty’s lips.
It was his name, Cinder!
Cinder felt the world fade away as Dusty scooped Cinder up in his hooves and rushed towards the door.
Then the world went black as Cinder fell unconscious.

> Making Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Cinder finally came too, he found himself in a white room. It was a simple room with nothing on the walls, but a small window to his right. He was lying in a bed, far more comfortable than the one in the dorms. He was under a thick wool blanket. Cinder rubbed his eyes and felt his hoof brush something on his head. Cinder looked to his side and saw a mirror on the bedside table. He had a rather large bandage on his head. Cinder was confused for a moment, but his memory slowly returned to him.
Cinder understood where he was now, he was in the medical bay of the orphanage. Cinder lost track of his thought as he heard voices outside of the room. He looked at the door which was cracked open. Cinder heard a voice which he identified quickly as Stone, “How is he?”
“The doctor says he should be waking up soon,” Cinder recognized as Dusty, “but the doc doesn’t want too many ponies in the room when he wakes.”
“Makes sense I guess,” Stone grumbled, “I hope you’ll tell me when he wakes up though.”
“Of course I will.” Dusty said.
The door opened and Dusty exclaimed, “Look who’s decided to join the living!” Dusty looked back at Stone, “I guess it won’t hurt if you say hi,” Dusty said, “Just don’t tell the doc.” He smiled as he stepped into the room with Stone in tow.
“So how are you feeling?” Dusty asked.
“I’ve been better.” Cinder wheezed.
“You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, you took quite a beating back there,” Dusty said.
Cinder shook his head, “How long have I been out? Couldn’t have been long since the sun is only just setting,” he said while looking out the window.
“Yea, about that,” Dusty looking away rubbing the back of his head, “you’ve been out for nearly two days.”
Cinder looked up at the ceiling, he was stunned about what was just said. Finally after a few moments he looked at the ponies. “So what’s going to happen now?” Cinder asked.
“Well you’re probably going to stay in here for a few nights to make sure your fine, and then you will just go back to your dorm. Oh and don’t worry about Blitz, I had a talk with him after what happened.” Dusty said. There was a fire in Dusty’s eye that made Cinder shiver. Cinder couldn’t quite place it but he felt as though Dusty took it personally. Cinder shook the thought from his mind.
“Hey Dusty, can I speak with Stone in private please?” Cinder asked shyly. 
Dusty was confused as he looked at the two ponies, “Uh yea I guess,” he looked at Stone, “Don’t stay to long.” He said leaving the room and shutting the door behind him.
“Cinder, I’m so sorry, if only I was ther---,” Stone silenced himself as Cinder raised his hoof.
“Don’t you dare blame yourself,” Cinder said forcefully, “If this is anyones fault, its mine. If I hadn’t been such a foolish little colt then I would of listened to you in the first place.” Cinder said his face stoic.
Stone thought over this for a moment, then his face brightened slightly, “Does that mean---?”
“You were right I should have already run from this place a week ago.” Cinder said.
“Cinder this is great!” Stone exclaimed.
“Shhh, there could be a pony outside!” Cinder said with a forced whisper.
“Sorry,” Stone said, “ok so we are going to have to make plans.” Stone said.
Cinder nodded. They stayed in the room for a few hours speaking in hushed voices making plans.
They were both going to have a busy month to come. 

> Action
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinder nodded to Stone as they sat at the table for lunch. They were finally putting their plan into motion. It was two weeks after the incident involving Blitz and Cinder. They wanted to get this done quick.
Blitz had already made an attempt to get to Cinder. Cinder had woken up and gone to the bathrooms to get ready for the day. Luckily Stone had spotted Blitz following the young colt and stopped the pegasus before he tried anything. They both agreed that they needed to follow through on their plans. They knew Blitz would just be waiting until he had a chance to get at the colt.
Since the incident Dusty had been hanging out closer to Cinder during dining hours and even sat in the dorms during the day every once in a while. He always seemed to be near Cinder, Stone and Cinder noticed this and assumed the orphanage told him to hang around them.
This just made Cinder and Stone’s job so much easier. Cinder call out to Dusty, “Hey Dusty quick question!”
Dusty looked at the colt oddly as Cinder never started conversations with him. He walked over to the table and stood at the end of the table by Stone. “What do you want to know?”
“Well Stone was telling me about his cutie mark earlier and I got to wondering how you got yours,” Cinder replied, “if you don’t mind sharing.” He added sheepishly.
“Sure I guess, now when was it?” Dusty thought to himself.
“Excuse me but I need to use the little colts room.” He said standing; he bumped into Dusty as he passed him, “Sorry!” He said quickly with a weak smile and dashed off towards the bathrooms.
Dusty chuckled as he watched Stone sprint off, “I wonder why ponies are so intimidated by size so much, I bet that colt could over power me without trying.” He said.
“Well I assuming you know what my cutie mark is to start,” He said turning showing Cinder, “it’s a Shield, it appeared later then all my friends, I was maybe a year younger that Stone is now….” Dusty said. Cinder drowned out the story and nodded a few times during his speech, but his attention was focused on Stone.
The young stallion returned a few minutes later. Again he bumped Dusty returning to his seat, he flinched when Dusty looked at him, then his serious expression brightened, “Just kidding, look son you don’t have to be scared of me. I respect you, protecting this colt here.” He patted Stone on the back.
“Thanks.” Stone murmured.
Dusty returned his gaze to Cinder and said, “So that’s how I got my cutie mark, you like the story?”
“It was great thanks!” Cinder said smiling.
“You boys have fun!” Dusty said walking away.
After a moment Cinder turned to Stone and asked, “Did you get it?”
“Yea, I got it, piece of cake.” Stone said holding up a tin container filled with clay, Cinder could see an imprint of a key in the clay.
“Perfect!” Cinder said.
~~~
“Stone,” Miss Grey’s voice called out, she spotted him sitting on his bed talking with Cinder, she walked over to the pair, “time to go,” She said quietly.
Stone rose up put his saddle bags on, he turned to Cinder put his front leg around Cinder’s neck and pulled him into a headlock, then rubbed his free hoof in his mane. “I’m going to miss you bro.” Stone stopped his playful assault and pulled Cinder into a hug. “Remember what we have talked about, you have to stay strong.”
“I will,” Cinder relied returning the hug, “I’m going to miss you too.”
They broke of the hug and Stone turned to the grey mare. She looked at the two boys, smiled and said, “Stone you will always be allowed to visit Cinder here, now let’s get you out of here.”  Miss Grey walked him out of the dorms.
~~~
Cinder watched the two ponies leave the room and the door shut behind them. He laid down on his bed looking at the ceiling. He was alone once again…
Cinder turned his head and his eyes fell on his saddle bags. He rolled off his bed and retrieved an item he hadn’t looked at in while. He grabbed him family portrait and sat on the edge of his bed. He stared at the photo for a minute or so. Then he murmured to himself, “Mom, dad, if you’re out there somewhere just show me you’re watching…” Nothing, Cinder sighed he didn’t know what he was trying to accomplish by doing that. 
Cinder put the picture down on his bed. He reached into his saddle bags once again and retrieved the tin container. He opened it and inside rested and metal key. Cinder thought back to how they got it casted. A pony was brought in monthly for a sort of arts and crafts day. A few days ago the pony was a metal worker. He had all the kids making things like miniature ponies to a house all out of metal scraps. One foolish colt decided to try and make a knife. He was taken to the head administrator’s office and had to spend the day there. Cinder went up to the pony in charge of the crafts and asked him if he could cast the key, when the pony asked why, Cinder gave him a sob story on how it was the key to his old house and he wanted the key to remind him of his murdered parents. He even managed to add in a few tears to seal the deal. 
The stallion didn’t have a chance against the young colt. He soon had the key casted and returned it to the colt. He said the usual line of ‘I’m sorry to hear about your parents.’ Then Cinder said thanks and hopped away, now thinking back how that probably was a little too much. A colt who had been crying about losing his parents hopping away like he had been given a bag of candy. Cinder shook his head chuckling about his close call. 
He then turned and packed his things, he was leaving tonight after all…

> Running Away
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinder opened his eyes and flicked them across the room. Good no one is up, he thought. He jumped down from the bed quietly grabbed his saddlebags and slowly made his way across the room. He avoided spots on the wood floor weaving across the floor, back and forth, what was a ten second walk from Cinder’s bed to the door took a full minute. Cinder expertly dodged the squeaky boards, for he took the liberty of memorizing the location of everyone, he planned a path beforehand and had walked it many times in the night. While doing this, almost getting caught a few time when he missed placed a hoof. Some of the children where such light sleepers that  Cinder bet they would wake to a pen dropping from the other side of the room.
Cinder finally made it across and pulled the key out of the top of the bag and put it into the door leading to the lobby. It slid in and with a turn the tumblers unlocked. Cinder turned to make sure he had not awoken anypony, when he saw all was still he opened the door and walked out shutting it behind himself. 
Cinder’s heart was beating so fast that he didn’t notice the door click shut…
He walked into the lobby that he had come in when he first arrived. A single candle was lit on the front desk. Sitting in the chair was an older pony, probably into his late adult years. Though, much to Cinder’s relief was sound asleep. Cinder, almost at a crawl, moved towards the front doors of the orphanage. Cinder carefully slid the key into the lock once more and made a move to turn the key when he heard a voice behind him, and with the luck Cinder has had the past few weeks, it was none other than the bully himself.
“What are you doing?” Blitz asked forcefully.
Cinder whipped around and faced the pony. Great just what I needed! “None of your business! Now go away!” Cinder said in a hushed tone so that he didn’t awake the sleeping pony. 
“You’re running away aren’t you! You know I probably would get some sort of reward for stopping you, and you would be stuck here with me too, then we could have all sorts of fun!” Blitz said not worrying about the pony at the front desk. “Come here so I can turn you into the administrator!” He said walking over towards Cinder.
Cinder without thinking reached back to his bags and grabbed an item he hadn’t bothered to look at since he left his house for the last time. He wrapped his hoof around the handle of the knife and whipped it out, and pointed it at Blitz.
Blitz froze at the sight of the knife. Cinder growled, “Take one more step and there will only be one reward you will be getting.”
Blitz looked horrified, he even took a step back in fear.
Cinder then turned unlocked the door, swung it open, grabbed the key and ran for his life. He ran for a few blocks then turned down a dark alley and fell into a pile in the corner. He was frozen in fear of what he had just done. I just threatened to kill a pony… That thought passed through his mind a few time when he looked down at the knife he clenched in his hoof. He through it down in fear and it skittered across the stones. Cinder must have sat there an hour because the sun began to rise. Cinder rose grabbed the knife and returned it to his bags wrapped in the towel.
He then grabbed a slip of paper out of his bag and read what was written. It was given to him by Stone for when he made his escape. It contained the address of his apartment. Cinder put the note away and trotted down the road hoping no one would be up yet.
Cinder walked down street after street seeing more and more ponies every minute that passed. Cinder worried that he would soon be caught. Then again you don’t often see a young colt walking around with decently sized saddle bags on a Saturday…
Just when Cinder thought he was completely lost his spotted the street he was looking for. He looked down it and on the end he saw a large building. Cinder went to it and saw it was apartments. He went up a floor and found the room number that was written, then Cinder cautiously raised a hoof and knocked on the door. 
Silence….
Cinder waited a few seconds more and knocked again. This time Cinder heard movement within, there was a thud and some shuffling sounding behind the door. Then Cinder heard the bolt of the door click open. He heard a voice say annoyingly while the door opened, “I told you I would give you your money once I have it! I have only just moved in---“ Stone stopped when the door was fully open. He looked as though he had just gotten out of bed, judging by the sounds Cinder had heard, he thought that it was a logical guess. Stone stood there for a few seconds frozen.
Cinder broke the silence, “I could just go, if you want me to come back later…” he said turning.
“No Cinder wait!” Stone snapped out of it. “It’s great to see you!” Stone said pulling Cinder into a hug.
“Great to see you too.” Cinder said though it was muffled by Stones mane.
“Come in!” Stone said turning and walking into the apartment.
Cinder walked in and saw things cluttered everywhere, “Nice place I guess.”
“Sorry about the mess,” Stone said sitting on the sofa, “Sit here I want to hear about how the escape went!”
Cinder sighed looked at the ground and sighed, he made up his mind, he was going to tell Stone the whole truth. Cinder explained what happened starting from when Stone had left. When Cinder got to the part about the incident with Blitz the night before, he pulled the knife out of his bag. “…and I threatened him with this…” He said.
Stone was silent his face unreadable as he looked at the knife. He finally said after a minute. “Where did you get that?” He pointed at the knife. 
Cinder said picking up the knife and returning it to his bags, “It is the knife that killed my parents; I even was the one who pulled it from my father’s side…” Cinder’s eyes filling with tears.
“Why do you torture yourself with it?” Stone asked.
“I don’t ever want to forget the ponies that ruined my chances of having a normal life,” Cinder said, “Look I haven’t slept all night, do you have somewhere for me to sleep?”
“Yea I took the liberty of making up a small bed next to mine where you can sleep.” Stone said standing and walking from the room.
Cinder followed and saw the bed he was talking about. It was half the size of his original bed at the orphanage, but the perfect size for Cinder. He placed his bags next to it and laid down.
“Good night, or should I say good morning?” Stone joked.
Cinder laughed at that, he laid his head down and his eyes began to close. Cinder then fell into a deep sleep, he was safe.

> Stories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cinder’s eyes flickered open but immediately shut them to the blinding light shining through the lone window on the far side of the room. The clock on the wall opposite of the bed said that it was morning.  I’ve must have slept all day…, Cinder thought. He got up and stretched his legs and let out a large yawn. Cinder then straightened the blanket of his makeshift bed and slid the small bed under the larger bed. Cinder then moved to the small bathroom in the room and got ready for the day. When Cinder had almost finished, he heard Stone’s voice call out from the bedroom.
“Cinder? Where did you go?” He asked.
“I’m in the bathroom,” Cinder replied, “getting ready.”
“Take your time,” Stone said, “Breakfast is almost done.”
“Ok, I’ll be right out,” Cinder replied, as he finished his morning chores. He finished and walked out of the bathroom towards the front room of the small house. He heard noise in the room to his left; he entered and found a small kitchen with a table on the far side set for two. Stone was at the stove pouring steaming water into a bowl.
“What’s for breakfast?” Cinder asked.
“Toast, oatmeal, apples and a glass of orange juice.” He replied as he carried the dishes to the table and setting them down.
Cinder sat down and saw the food, and he stomach let out a growl. Stone laughed at this and said between laughs, “A little hungry Cinder?”
Cinder looked away embarrassed, “I haven’t eaten since the night before I left actually.”
Cinder began eating slowly as not to be rude but soon couldn’t help himself and dug in.
Stone slack jawed stared at Cinder, “You should really compete in a speed eating contest Cinder, I haven’t seen a pony eat so fast.”
Cinder finished his meal and felt so full that he was worried to move.
“That was amazing Stone, if you eat like this every day then I’m probably going to grow up obese.” Cinder joked.
“Yea sorry but this big of a meal doesn’t happen often,” Stone said, “This was a special occasion; it’s funny really, you get a perspective of things when you’re not in the orphanage.”
Cinder looked at him funny, “What do you mean?”
“This meal for example, when I went out to get I yesterday afternoon, it wasn’t very cheap.” Stone said, and then returned to eating like nothing was said.
Cinder stared at him blankly, “Stone, I don’t want you to spend any more on food or anything just because I am here; it’s enough trouble for you that I am here in the first place.”
“Ok fine.” Stone said.
They sat in silence for the rest of their meal, Stone finished his food and they both cleaned up and washed the dishes. After that was done they went into the small living room and sat on the sofa. Cinder finally broke the silence.
“So how did you end up at the orphanage?” Cinder asked.
“Where did that come from?” Stone asked.
“I told you my story, I’d like to know yours,” said Cinder.
“I guess that makes sense,” Stone said, “I guess it all started with my father, he worked in the Cantorlot quarries. My mother worked as an assistant to the head safety manager. They met for the first time when my father had to show the manager around. My father kept getting them lost so he could spend more time with my mother,” Stone smiled at that.
“They got together after that and they hit off, they got married and not long after I came along. I grew up and when I was about your age I got my cutie mark,” he said as he looked at the pickaxe on his hind leg, “it appeared one day when I was helping my father around the mine. Happiness was short lived though, a week after it appeared, my father went into the mine to see how things were going and the ceiling caved in trapping him and several other ponies inside. He and two other ponies were trapped in the section of the mine. They had little food and water between them that they had found in the small break room they had access to. My father gave up his portion of the food to the other ponies. When the rescue teams finally broke through the rubble; my father was dead from dehydration and starvation, the other two ponies however just barely made it. The doctors say my father saved their lives.” Stone said while a tear fell from his eye.
“My mother fell into a deep depression, she barely ate or slept; then one day when I returned home from school our family doctor was waiting for me, my mother died that afternoon, she had just given up on life.” Stone quit talking after this and sat there.
“I’m so sorry,” Cinder said.
“It’s fine, I know they wouldn’t want me to dwell on their deaths,” Stone said after a moment, “and I think your parents would want the same Cinder. You aren’t alone anymore, they wouldn’t want you to grieve over them.”
“I know they would want me to just be happy,” Cinder said, “I’m just glad that I am not alone anymore.”
Cinder looked out the window and saw that it was late afternoon. “Wow time flies when you’re not in the orphanage.” He remarked.
“So what do you want to do for the rest of the day?” Stone asked.
“I don’t know, what is there to do?” Cinder replied.
“There is a park not far up the road, we can go hang out there for the day,” Stone said.
“Sounds fun!” Cinder exclaimed, but the smile on his face disappeared, “But won’t ponies be suspicious if suddenly I’m hanging around you?”
“I’ve only been living here a few days, we will just tell them that you’re my cousin and you’re coming to live with me for a while,” Stone answered. 
With that they left the apartment and began up the street. They laid down in the grass, relaxed and even played a few games. They had lots fun and when the sun was beginning to set they returned to the apartment. Cinder sat on the sofa while Stone prepared dinner. Soon dinner was ready and they both sat at the table eating in silence. They both finished and washed the dishes. By this time it was getting late.
“I’m going to get ready for bed,” Cinder said, then began towards the bedroom. When he was in the room he heard a knock at the front door.
“I’m coming!” Stone called out.
Cinder continued getting ready and began to pull his bed out from under the other.
He heard the door opening and Stone call out, “DUSTY?”  

> Suspisions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“What are you doing here Dusty?” Stone asked nervously.
“Stone, where is he?” Dusty asked forcefully.
“Who are you talking about?” Stone said taking a step back.
“Cinder!” Dusty exclaimed, throwing his face towards Stones causing him to stumble backward.
Stone finally getting ahold of himself, said calmly, “What’s wrong with him, why are you looking for him?” Stone put a worried look onto his face, causing Dusty to calm slightly.
“He ran away from the orphanage a few days ago.” Dusty explained.
“That’s horrible in all but why come here?” Stone asked adding a hint of ignorance in hope to fool the larger stallion. 
“Cinder has no family and no one that cares for him, no one but you, you were the only pony that cared for the colt,” Dusty said stoically, “that’s why I think he is here.”
“Sorry but I haven’t seen him since I left the orphanage,” Stone lied, “You can even look around if you want.” Stone said the last part louder so that his voice carried through the apartment.
“I’ll be a minute.” Dusty said entering the front room. He then went down the hall. Stone started to worry when Dusty did not return immediately. He realized his hoof was tapping rapidly and stopped himself. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. Seconds later Dusty returned down the hall, and Stone let out another relived breath.
Dusty searched the rest of the small apartment finding nothing. He returned to the front room and stepped out the front door. 
Dusty said, “I’m sorry for bothering you.”
Stone replied, “It was nothing, have a good afternoon and please tell me if you find Cinder.” Stone began to close the door when suddenly Dusty threw out his hoof and stopped the door from closing.
Dusty then leaned in the said through his teeth, “If I find out you have been sheltering that colt, I will not hesitate to call the guards and have you arrested for pony-napping.” Then Dusty turned and walked towards the stairs and onto the street.
Stone watched him go all the way around the corner before he closed the door. He let out a sigh and slid down the door and sat on the ground.

~~~

Cinder froze at Dusty’s name being called out. He found himself by the door of the room with his ear held up against the door. He heard a muffled conversation passed the door. He could not make out what was said until Stone called out in a louder voice, ‘You can even look around if you want.’
Cinder began to panic when hoof steps sounded out as a pony was walking down the hall. Cinder whipped his head around as he looked for someplace to hide and his eyes fell upon the bed. Cinder ran and slid under the large wooden bed and looked back towards the doorway.
He held his breath when Cinder saw Dusty enter the room. Dusty stood at the door for a few seconds before he began looking around the room. He walked into the bathroom connected to the room, then walked out. He walked past the bed and look into the small closet.
Cinder look round under the bed and saw his makeshift bed and crawled towards it. Just as Cinder slid behind the small bed Dusty lifted the bed skirt and looked under. Cinder could only hold his breath a little longer. Just as he thought he was going to faint Dusty let the skirt dropped and walked from the room.
Cinder sat there for a moment before he slid out from under the bed. He tiptoed towards the door and peaked around the corner down the hall. Stone was leading Dusty out the door. When Stone began to shut the door Cinder saw Dusty’s light brown hoof catch the door. Cinder heard one line in a hushed voice from Dusty…

And it made his blood run cold…

“If I find out you have been sheltering that colt, I will not hesitate to call the guards and have you arrested for pony-napping.”
Cinder went back around the corner a sat down. He briefly heard a dull thump and assumed Stone was also sitting now.

~~~

Stone and Cinder were both sitting at the small dining table at the edge of the kitchen. They were eating dinner which consisted of a daffodil sandwich and soup. Stone had stopped making anything too fancy for the two of them, as to the request of Cinder. They ate in silence, but after they had both finished their meals Cinder broke it saying, “I can’t stay here.” 
Stone stopped and said immediately, “Yes you can, if Dusty comes back you can just hide again.”
Cinder sighed, “I think we both know we just got lucky today.”
Stone let out a breath, “I know, can we just not talk about this now?”
Cinder said after a moment, “Fine, but are going to talk about it later.”
Stone said “Ok, I have work tomorrow so I’m going to hit the hay early.”
Cinder said, “I won’t be long either.”
“Goodnight,” they both said.
Stone went down the hall to the bedroom, while Cinder just sat at the table. Time passed and soon Cinder heard snoring coming from down the hall. Cinder stood and walked down the hall and entered the bedroom quietly so he did not wake the stallion. He spotted his saddlebags next to his makeshift bed, which Stone must have pulled out for him. He walked silently over to his bags and retrieved them. He slid them onto his back and walked from the room.
Once he has gotten to the living room he found a piece of parchment and wrote something down. He placed the finished letter onto the table and started for the front door. The clock in the living room read ten o’clock. Cinder grabbed his front door key that Stone had made for him in preparation for Cinder to live with him, and opened the door. He stepped out the door looked back with a look of sorrow on his face.
He said no louder than a whisper, “Goodbye big brother.”
Cinder then shut the door, locked it and walked out into the night.

> Running
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stone awoke when light from the newly risen sun shone in through the window and fell upon him. He rolled over, stretched and rubbed his eyes.  He hated mornings but knew he had to get up and go to work. Can’t get a living being lazy, he thought to himself. He stumbled out of bed and went into the bathroom to get ready. When he was ready he walked from the room and saw Cinder’s bed empty.
He must already be up, Stone thought as he walked out of the room. He looked around and saw no sign of Cinder. Stone began to panic when he checked the whole apartment, and didn’t find the young colt. He ran into the kitchen and looked around, then his eyes fell onto a folded piece of parchment. He bolted over to the note and read.

Dear Stone,
I’m sorry about leaving without telling you, but I can’t stay at your place anymore.
I just can’t stay when you face going to prison because of me.
Please don’t come looking for me. I will find out how to take care of myself.
Love,
Your Brother,
Yours Truly,
Your stowaway,
-Cinder


Stone put the letter down and rushed out the door. He looked up and down the street for the colt, but saw only a few ponies finishing their morning chores. 
“Cinder,” Stone muttered.

~~~
Cinder awoke to the sounds of ponies moving out on the street. He was in an alleyway hidden behind a trashcan. The alleyway was cast into a looming shadow hiding Cinder from view. The alleyway was dark due to the tall buildings that he sat in between. The building on his left was a busy restaurant that even early in the morning was already serving ponies. The building to his left was a farmers market, it wasn’t overly busy, but Cinder could still here ponies going about their business inside. Behind him, the alleyway branched out and cut in between the buildings. Blocking the path to this alleyway was a chain-link fence. Though Cinder found a small gab just big enough for him to fit under.
Cinder’s thought was disrupted by the sound of his stomach growling. Cinder sighed, I should have grabbed some supplies from Stone’s apartment…

Cinder was shaken from his thought when a pony turned around the corner of the market building and started walking down the alley. He was taller, and had a light-green coat with a black mane. He was wearing an apron with the shops name sewed on. He was also carrying a large trash bag over his shoulder. Cinder was frozen in fear as the pony was walking down the alleyway. He stopped at the trashcan that was closest to the street. He tossed the bag over his shoulder into the can. When he turned to begin walking out of the alleyway.
As he turned he froze as he saw Cinder frozen halfway down the alley. He stared blankly at him, unsure exactly what he was seeing. This encounter lasted for a few seconds, when Cinder saw a look of recognition raise over the pony’s face. “You’re the colt in the missing posters!” He cried out, but stopped when he saw Cinder shying away from.
“No, it’s ok,” he said softer this time, “You don’t have to run anymore.”
Cinder still was backing away from the stranger. The pony seeing this insisted, “I bet your parents are worried sick about you, lets get you back to th---.” He stopped midway through his sentence as he saw tears form in Cinder’s eyes.
Cinder choked out, “I wish they could worry.” He then turned and ran towards the fence and slipped through the gap at the bottom. Cinder heard the pony’s hoof steps behind him and then the sound of hooves grind to a halt at the fence.
“Wait!” He cried out, but Cinder was already gone running between the buildings.

~~~

Stone trotted down the road looking down all the alleyways and every once and awhile called out causing many ponies to turn to find the source of the voice calling out. There were the couple of small families passing him that looked at Stone with a look of understanding, he was a pony who was looking for a young one. Many carried on with their business, but a few ponies stopped to see was Stone was doing. Though, Stone paid no attention to them and kept walking down the streets and worriedly looked for the young colt he had once cared for. He had no such look finding the young Cinder. Stone turned down the next street and began to walk down it. He had only taken a few steps down the street when he heard a voice call out from one of the alleyways.
“You’re the colt in the missing posters!”
Stone ran to the source of the voice and turned down the alley.  He saw a red blur fly out of view behind the fence and then a shop pony cry out “Wait!”
Stone ran up to the fence and pressed his head up against it and peered down the alley, but Cinder was already gone.
“No,” Stone fell back, put his head in his hooves and shook his head in disbelief, “I’ve lost him again.”

~~~

Cinder didn’t know how long he had run, but he had crossed many roads and entered a lot of different alleyways. He stopped at the edge of the market district to catch his breath. Ahead of him laid the slums, rows upon rows of old, and worn houses where laid out in front of Cinder. Cinder hoped that this would be the last place Stone or Dusty would look for him. Cinder hoped to find some spot to lay his head down in this dark and run down part of town. Gathering himself up he walked across the street and started down the street.

~~~

It was midday now, Cinder had walked up and down the rows of old homes, and finally came to a stop and a home that, much to Cinder’s disbelief, somehow looked even more rundown then the homes around it. It’s roof was drooping even more that the houses around it, all of its windows were broken, planks of wood covered the spot where a door had once stood, but now the door sat laying in the grass. The grass and what looked to be some sort of garden, was no overrun with weeds. The paint that had once been on the house was now cracked and peeled everywhere.
Cinder looked at it and thought back to how lucky he was with his parents. He sighed, thinking to himself that he could never have something like that ever again. Shaking the thoughts from his head he walked up the weed covered path up to the entrance to the broken home. He slid under the planks cover the front door, the splinters of the wood scraping his back. When he was in the house, he looked around the room and saw some shattered glass lying on the floor below the windows. There were a lot of holes in the walls showing the internals of the home. The floor creaked every step he took the breeze caused the house to tilt slightly. Cinder was surprised that the house was still standing after all the damage Cinder had found. He even thought about looking for another place to stay, but his legs protested and threatened to collapse under him if he took another step. Cinder spotted an old tattered rug at the edge of the room and went to it. It smelled terribly of mold, but it was the only spot in the house that wasn’t covered in broken glass or broken wood pieces of wood. Cinder put his bags next to the carpet and laid down, using his bags as a pillow. Even though it was midday Cinder fell to sleep immediately.

~~~

Cinder awoke in the early morning with the early sun shining brightly on his face. The light was coming though the broken windows and over to the corner where Cinder was now laying. Cinder rubbed his eyes in protest of getting up. Finally accepting defeat, Cinder rose to his feet and stretched his legs out causing a few of his joints to pop. Sleeping on the ground wasn’t one of my best decisions, Cinder thought.
He checked his saddlebags to make sure he had all his things and then made his way towards the door. He peeked out to make sure there wasn’t anypony on the street. When he saw the coast was clear he walked out the door.
The sun was only just coming up over the roofs of the houses. Cinder’s stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts, I need to find some food. Cinder began up the street back to the market area to find some food.