//------------------------------//
// Day Eight 
// Story: Fifteen Days 
// by UnluckyReaver 
//------------------------------//

After spending two days sitting in a cave, Dash was ecstatic to find the rain had stopped some time during the night. Strider seemed to be equally as pleased as his steps seemed lighter, filled with an optimistic energy. Even the Everfree itself seemed different, no longer dark and oppressive, but filled with a vibrant energy.

Today is going to be great. Dash told herself, pumping hoof into the air.





“Today sucked.” Dash groaned. 

Strider let out an annoyed huff between picking burrs out of Dash’s mane.

“I can’t help it if it sucked.” Dash protested. “Because it- ouch! Hey that one hurt!”

Saying nothing, Strider gave the pegasus a stern look as he tossed a burr with several long rainbow hairs still attached aside. 

“Seriously, be careful. I may not fuss over my mane like Rarity does, but doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt when you pull it out.”

Strider muttered a few angry words and pointed to his arm.

“Look, I said I was sorry for getting you stung by those hornets.”

Strider sighed and went back to his work, occasionally wincing as he did. 

Dash turned to face Strider, placing a hoof on his knee. “And about the river. I didn’t mean for that to happen. I just… I don’t know.”

Placing his hand on Dash’s hoof, Strider gave the mare a sympathetic look.

“It’s been eight days. Eight days. I never imagined that this forest would be so big. I always thought that when I got in trouble my friends would be there to save me. I don’t know if they can, or are even trying to find me at this point.”

Dash’s gaze dropped to the ground. “I must sound pathetic.” She continued. “Here you are in the same boat a me, but you’ve been nothing but helpful; and the one time I try to help you I just end up making things worse. I just want to be back home, back with my friends. I just… I just don’t want to be here anymore.”

Strider lifted Dash off the ground and cradled her. Gently rocking the pegasus, Strider began to sing a soft lullaby. Dash found Strider’s actions oddly comforting, being held in the strange creature’s arms gave her a sense of security. As if it didn’t matter what she did, Strider would always be there for her.