Three weeks roll by without much incident. Aria and Sonata, however, had both become excellent cooks. It was nice to see them bond over cooking as well. It seemed like the one time they could get together and not go at each other's throats. Adagio had become quite the smarty-pants during that time too. Ever since she had learned that school would be starting soon she had been starting, she had been going on the internet and reading random fact sheets, as well as reading the books in Anon's study. She would come down every now and again to tell him some random facts, all completely from memory. Anything from space to art, she wanted to learn about it. She was just a sponge for knowledge.
The first day arrived in no time at all and the girls were more excited than ever. Anon, however wasn't nearly so much. The day started early with Anon making them chocolate chip pancakes. For the first time, all the girls, even Aria, had gotten up right at six in the morning. They couldn't seem to contain themselves. But Anon had a deep gnawing in his chest, a pain almost. He couldn't quite figure out why. He walks them out to the bus stop and watches them climb aboard the long yellow car.
"You girls have a great day alright?" he said
"Aye, sir!" Adagio said
"Aye!" Sonata copied
"I will, Dad." Aria smiled
Anon stayed on the sidewalk and watched the bus drive into the distance. Once it passed over the horizon a wave of sadness hit him. True, they were growing up and getting a start on their life, but now he was all alone again. It was selfish. They couldn't stay with you forever. But part of him felt like he was losing something dear, even knowing they would back less than nine hours. After standing at the bus stop for nearly fifteen minutes, he heads back home. He walked as slow as possible, the pain in his chest growing worse with each step.
Once home, he hopped on the couch and turned on the TV. His cute, innocent little girls were finally growing up into fine, independent women. It filled him with so much pride but also an equal if not greater amount of sadness. It also dawned on him that one day they wouldn't ever be coming back, that one day they would have lives of their own. Anon's phone buzzed and he lazily looked at it. It was a text from Rarity.
Sunset, Fluttershy and I are getting together and we were hoping you could come
He almost instantly replied yes. Anything to get his mind off of this loneliness.
Great. We'll be at your house in a few minutes.
They weren't exaggerating. In only three minutes a red truck was sitting outside, one of Applejack's old pickup trucks. She must have loaned it to them. Anon walks and sits in the back seat next to Fluttershy.
"Darling, is something the matter?" Rarity asked
"No, why?"
"You look awfully depressed. Where are your girls?"
"At school. Today is their first day."
"You miss them don't you?" Sunset ask, reading him like a book
"Can we just not talk about this right now?"
"Well if you need anything just let us know." Rarity said "Now where shall we go?"
The group thought for a little while before Sunset's belly roared with hunger, much to her embarrassment.
"Well I guess that means we're getting something to eat first." Rarity giggled
"Want to go to that old burger place we'd always go too as kids, Rarity? I haven't been in years." Anon said
"That sounds like an absolutely wondrous idea." she said "What about you two?"
"I don't mind it." Fluttershy said meekly
Sunset didn't say anything, instead just grumbling to herself
"Sunset?"
"Yeah, fine, whatever Rarity. Let's just go there."
What had gotten into her? Was she mad that they poked fun at her for being hungry? Rarity put her foot on the gas and drove to the restaurant. It was not nearly as good looking as he remembered it being. Paint was peeling from the walls, only half the lighting worked, and the place reeked of days old garbage. Rarity and Anon had both gone to it throughout their childhood and must have been viewing the place through nostalgia goggles. Hopefully the food wasn't as bad as the place looked.
They walked out of the car, went inside to and found the appearance no better. There were strange stains on the floors and walls, one of the lights was blinking like crazy and the counter was manned by some fat, gross, forty year old man. They all walk up to the counter and order some standard burgers, retreating to a booth as soon as possible.
"That is so exciting that your girls have started their first day of school." Rarity said "You must be so proud."
"That I am. I'm sure they are going to do wonderfully." Anon said
"You don't seem all the happy about it." Fluttershy observed
"It's not that. I'm more proud than you could possibly imagine. It's just... I'm not really fond of being alone again."
"But you're not alone, Anon. You have us." Sunset smiled
"I know I do. It's just that you all have your own lives and you can't always be with me, not like they can anyway."
"I'd like to always be with you..." Sunset muttered under her breath
"What?"
"N-nothing. Nothing."
"Alright."
Anon. So, so very oblivious.
"Well we'll be with you as much as we can Anon. You have all of our numbers don't you?"
"I do. Let's just change the subject alright? I know Rarity is making dresses now, but what are you and Fluttershy doing?"
Sunset rolls her eyes
"Nothing special. I'm just working at a bakery and trying to find better work."
"What did you get your degree in?"
Rarity shoots him an angry look and makes a cut it out motion with her hand.
"I sort of flunked out of college. But it's not easy learning an entire other world's history and curriculum."
Anon looks at Fluttershy, noticing this was a touchy subject for Sunset.
"I'm a Certified Veterinary Technician. I work at an animal shelter."
As if he couldn't have seen that one coming from a mile a way.
"What about you Anon?" Fluttershy asked
"I'm not doing anything at the moment. Just raising my girls. Turns out being a single father is a full time job in and of itself."
Sunset got a little bit fidgety at this statement but luckily salvation from this awkward conversation arrived in the form of food. And just like most thing looked back on fondly with nostalgia, it was not nearly as good as Anon remembered it to be. In fact he didn't even know how he stomached it in the first place. They ate the meal quickly and in complete silence before getting on the road again.
"So where should we go?" Rarity asked
"We could go the park." Fluttershy said "I know a lot of good ones, animal friendly of course."
Anon put his hand to his chin, trying to think of some interesting areas to visit
"Hm." he said "What about the recreation center? We could play tennis or something."
"What about the art center?"
The whole group groans at Rarity's suggestion
"hmph" she says "It's not my fault you all chose to remain uncultured."
"How about that ghost town a little past the city limits?" Sunset asked
Fluttershy shivered
"G-ghost?"
"There's no actual ghosts there, darling." Rarity giggled
"It sounds like fun to me." Anon said
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Sunset said
Rarity put her foot to the gas and traveled past the city limits, about a hour long drive. They listened to Rarity's awful pop until they got to the edge of town. It was very quaint and still. Long blades of grass covered the ground and a cool breeze swept over it. The buildings were still in good shape thanks to the fact that the state maintained it.
"So where should we go first?" Anon asked
"I say we should split into groups." Sunset said
"Why?"
"Uh... cover more ground."
"Any apposed?"
Silence
"Well then I guess we're going in groups."
"I'll go with Anon." Sunset said, trying to sound as casual as possible
"Well then I guess I'll take Fluttershy." Rarity said
Fluttershy couldn't get by her side fast enough. Poor girl was so skittish. The two groups separated, Rarity and Flutters heading towards the saloon and Anon and Sunset towards a large farm atop a hill.
"It's so big." Sunset said
Anon giggled. That's why she said.
"What are you giggling about you dork?"
"Oh, nothing."
They walk around the empty farm, the wind quietly brushing up against the outside. Sunset points to the latter that leads to the second floor.
"Want to go up there?" she asked
"Are you sure we're allowed?"
"Since when did you become such a chicken?"
"You say that as if you've known me for years."
"I have."
"Hardly. Sure we went to school together but we didn't really talk much."
Sunset looks a bit offended by this but stiffens her upper lip.
"Come on, chicken."
She starts to climb the latter, Anon following up shortly afterwards. The top was covered in what appeared to be saw dust and at the far end was a small window. They both go towards it to see the amazing view. Clouds had started to gather over the sky, lending the view and aura of quiet beauty.
"It's really calming isn't it?" Sunset said
"I suppose so."
"What's go you so down?"
Anon says nothing
"You're still worried about your little ones aren't you?"
Anon remains silent, not wanting to admit that his thoughts hadn't left the girls since they left for school. Sunset holds his hand.
"You're a good father you know that? I don't think I've ever seen a dad more dedicated than you."
"Thank you. I've been needing to hear that."
"Do you worry about that?" she asked "Not being a good father?"
"I had a terrible father, a terrible family." he said "It's just been ingrained into me to be as least like them as humanly possible. I would do anything to make sure those three don't have the life I had to suffer through."
"You worry too much. Like I said, I've never seen a father so dedicated. You seem determined to make sure they have a happy life."
"Well you've got me pegged there."
"So..." Sunset's voice shrinks down "Any plans on a mother?"
"A mother? No, no plans. I gave up dating a long time ago."
"Why?"
"The last girl I gave my heart too cheated on me for my best friend after leaving me at the alter. Let's just say I've never been to much a fan of dating since then."
"That's awful. But most women are not like that."
"But some are. And I can't tell who. So it's better just to keep my distance. Plus I'm happy with what I do have. These three girls are all I need."
"But are you all they need?"
Anon cocks his eyebrow
"What are you saying?"
Rain starts to fall outside, seemingly almost instantaneously. It pitter pattered hard against the barn. Clearly they were going to be stuck here for a little while.
"Well..." Sunset pauses for a moment "Never mind, it's not important."
"Do you think they need a mother?"
Now Sunset is play the silent game.
"I've honestly thought about it too. But I'm hard to get along with, even harder to get love out of. It's just an emotional weight I can't afford to carry."
Sunset looks down sadly
"I understand."
They both quietly stare outside, thunder sounding in the distance, watching as the rain fell heavily against the ground. They were content to sit there for what seemed like all of eternity, until a loud, bone chilling scream of terror rang through the entire town. And it came directly from the saloon.