Myocardial Infarction
July 9th, 2014
My drive back to Ponyville was rather exhilarating. With Night Hunter now getting the most help I could possibly imagine, I felt confidently positive in taking on this mystical monstrosity. I didn't know how we would all be able to secure or neutralize it, but I knew we would think of something. As I pulled up to Twilight's castle, I quickly shut off the engine and barged right inside the castle.
"Twilight, are you in here?" I called out, checking the nearby rooms.
"I'm in here... You should come in here." I noticed there was a brief silence before Twilight uttered a reply, her voice coming from the throne room.
I then ran over to throne room and walked in on Twilight and Spike, both reading a letter. The expressions on their faces was pure shock and Twilight covered her mouth with one of her hooves. Spike was the first to look at me before quickly looking up at Twilight, almost as if he was wanting a hint of reassurance. Twilight then took her attention off the piece of paper and placed it on the Cuite Map.
"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" I asked, unsure of what they were reacting to.
"Caleb, I would like you to prepare yourself for what I'm about to tell you," Twilight empathetically began while both her and a downhearted Spike got closer. I truly wasn't expecting what Twilight had to say. "Your friend Night Hunter had a heart attack not long ago. They've already transported him to the hospital in Canterlot."
My mind went blank as I processed this sudden, terrible news. I couldn't even think of a clear and cohesive response.
"What?" I muttered in disbelief. "But I was just talking to him forty minutes ago. He-- he was fine. Did he die?"
"No, but he's not doing very well. He's unconscious, but still alive. It's hard to say if they'll be able to save him, but I can't really assume the worse this quick." Twilight said.
My way of thinking continued go blank as I sat down on a chair with a thousand-yard stare, not even realizing that Twilight was consoling me at first. Once my mentality came back, doubts and fears started racing through my neurons, creating a feeling of anxiety. Was it a coincidence that Night Hunter gets incapacitated when I asked for his help, or no? I sure hoped that it was the latter.
"Does the hospital allow visitors?" I asked in a daze.
"Probably not for a while since he's being worked on and examined, but you will eventually be able to visit. Two hours at the least." Twilight replied.
"Okay. I just have to see if he's okay... Oh, man." I said, pushing my hair back before receding back to its original position.
"Are you going to be fine for now?" Twilight asked.
"I think so. All that matters is that Night Hunter's still alive and under medical care." I said, followed by a sigh.
"Well, I hope he'll pull through, Caleb. Situations like these suck." Spike said.
"It does. Would you two mind if you'd come with when I go to see Night Hunter. I mean, I don't think it'll happen, but if he passes on, I don't want to be alone." I solemnly requested.
"Of course. But you're never really alone, Caleb. Everypony cares for one another." Twilight replied.
"Sure. Just doesn't feel like that lately." I said.
"Why?" Twilight asked.
"I... I don't know. I guess its just a temporary mindset thing, y'know." I said.
"I see. If you ever need help and want to talk about a specific situation, just let me know." Twilight said.
Although I nodded to the alicorn's offer, I cursed in the back of my head, knowing that Night Hunter's plan is evidently postponed. If Night Hunter goes, I don't know what I'll do.
2:53 PM
Twilight, Spike, and I were the only occupants in the waiting room, aside from the receptionist. I just got back from talking with one of the doctors and took a seat next to my friends.
"What did the doctor have to say?" Spike asked.
"At this point, they have Night Hunter hooked up to an oxygen machine and is well awake. They just have to finish up in there and then we'll be able to go in to visit." I replied.
"That is such great news! Did they happen to mention the cause of his heart attack?" Twilight asked.
"They did. The doctor I just talked to said his heart was physically fine, but blood was somehow blocked from circulating through. He was lucky to not have a stroke as well and to have his heart attack just a block away from the hospital." I said.
"Wow. That is lucky." Spike emphasized.
"There were also a few good samaritans who brought him to hospital when he collapsed, so I thank whoever they are." I added.
"I would, too. Who wouldn't?" Twilight said.
"Good question." Spike said.
I waited with the two for a few more anticipating minutes until the doctors came out from the hallway and into the waiting room. I recognized one of the doctors as Dr. Trottier, the physician who looked after me over those weeks as my body transformed to my current stature. I guess he transferred to Canterlot's hospital over the past year.
"Is it all good to go in?" I asked.
"You're fine. Just be aware that he's a little out of it." Dr. Trottier said.
With the all good, the three of us walked to the room where Night Hunter was staying in. He lied on a hospital bed, the oxygen mask covering his muzzle while a heart monitor beeped to the rhythm of his normal paced heartbeat. I could see him grinning to the sight of us visiting him.
"Hey, Caleb. I was wondering if you would come when I woke up," Night Hunter quietly said, looking over my side. "Salutations, Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike."
"Hello, Mr. Night Hunter. I hope you're recovering well." Twilight said.
"I'll assure you that I'm feeling a lot better than when I collapsed on the streets." Night Hunter wittily replied.
"I can imagine. I've never seen Caleb so worried when he found out what happened to you." Twilight said.
"Seriously couldn't believe it, Night Hunter. You were all fine and healthy when we talked, like, three hours ago." I said.
"I guess it's just one of those moments; things that you can't entirely predict." Night Hunter said.
"You feel like you're gonna pull through?" I asked.
"Hey, like I said, I'm feeling much better." Night Hunter said.
"Right." I said.
"But thanks for coming to see me. You too, Princess Twilight and Spike." Night Hunter gratefully thanked.
"Our pleasure." Twilight said.
"Um, Princess, Spike... Would you mind giving Caleb and I some time alone? I need to talk to him about something personal, please." Night Hunter requested.
"Sure. C'mon, Spike." Twilight said.
"Your wish is our command, sir." Spike replied, following Twilight out the hospital bedroom and shutting the door.
"What is it? Is it pertaining to our plan?" I asked.
"You thought correctly." Night Hunter confirmed.
"So, is it going to be postponed until you fully recover, or should I take action while you recover?" I asked.
"Neither. The plan is-- is not going to work the way we want it to go," Night Hunter said, followed by a sigh. "I'm afraid I won't be able to help you."
"What happened to you, Night Hunter?" I asked, a deep, heavy feeling arising in my chest.
"The Figure got me, Caleb. It clearly has plans of its own because our plan interfered with them, but it let me live for a little while longer." Night Hunter said. "Caleb, there's so much I want to say, but I just want to thank for what you've done; for Ponyville, C.A.M.A, and myself. I would go so far to call you my own son."
"No, Night Hunter, please don't say goodbye like this. Y-y- we can still--"
"No, Caleb, you don't fully understand how powerful this being is. The best thing you can do for now is to stay with your friends and never let them go. The kind of friends you have are far too valuable to lose."
"But what should I do?! Am I stuck with this creature forever?" I asked, my eyes welling up with tears.
"Evidently. But do not give up on hope. Never do. And Caleb, thank you for being my...... Ugh, being...."
Night Hunter's lip quivered as his heart-rate on the monitor started slowing down and scattering in pace. He pathetically brought his forelegs up to the center of chest, trying to helplessly protect his heart as he was completely vulnerable. He obviously saw something that I couldn't see and the room started getting a pressing sensation.
"No, stop! HELP! I need help in here!"
Night Hunter let out a cry of pain as The Figure began harming his delicate heart, his facial expression defining the term agony that made me feel deep pity. Judging by the pace of his heartbeat, The Figure had to be squeezing it so tightly that blood flow was being restricted and backed up. Twilight kept Spike outside of the room as she barged in and ran to his side while I desperately cried for the doctors assistance in the hallway, my anguished voice echoing throughout the building.
"Hold on, Night Hunter. I know it hurts very bad, but just hold on a few more seconds!" Twilight said, wrapping her right foreleg hoof around his left.
"I- Its killing me! I- GUH!"
The doctors sprinted down towards the room where Night Hunter lied in pain as he was inconspicuously murdered without anyone besides me even knowing it.
"He's dying! He's dying!" I cried out to doctors as they all rushed in.
"Princess Twilight, we must ask you to leave the room." one of the doctors urged.
"Okay!" Twilight complied, rushing out of the room and shutting the door.
As I looked over, Twilight immediately went to hug Spike, who was crying to the distressing scene that could still be heard on the other side of the door. As for me, I dropped to my knees with wide eyes and ran my fingers down my face as I heard the mournful sound of a flatline pierce my ears and Night Hunter's labored groans faded, followed by a feeling of extreme guilt and sorrow.
"Oh, Caleb..." Twilight sympathetically said.
With all these negative emotions being dispersed at the same time, Twilight and Spike embraced me for the tragic loss of one of my best friends, but I remained petrified through most of it all for a logical reason. The Figure spoke to me right after Night Hunter died, putting a scar on my conscious.
"If you tell a single soul in regards to my presence, I will slaughter them all without hesitation."