A shrill whistle pierced the ears of Fluttershy.
"Uhm.. Hang on one second.." Fluttershy stammered
The birds stopped their harmonious song and peered down at their director as she slowly took a few steps forward.
"Uh.. I think we have a flat note somewhere.." she paused and looked at a tall red feathered friend, "Terrance, i think you need to blow air faster to get a higher sound. Its not bad, but lets start from the beginning."
The red bird nodded and the chorus perched in a more straight posture, beginning the melody again. A leaf gently shook, and the small area by the forest was momentarily filled with sweet vibrations, giving Fluttershy a feeling of home.
She needed to get the song perfect for the Summer Solstice Celebration, Princess Celestia, out of so many, had chosen her to provide the music, it was her responsibility, but with the pace this was going, it should be perfection in no time. She was so proud of her friends, such sweet and small creatures, they brought her joy every day she spent with them.
Fluttershy arrived at the pond, the water was so crystal and still, reflections mimicked the true nature of the surroundings. She could see herself as she drew nearer to the edge of the water. She threw in a tiny pebble--a ripple formed, disturbing the serene image on the surface. For a second her face was distorted, showing not herself but a more hideous pony, it went back to normal after a short while.
There was but one dock, it stretched a few feet out over the pond, and on the end there stood a fishing canoe, prepped with fishing tackle and two oars.
On the dock sat a pony.
A pony?
Fluttershy jumped and let out a minuscule yelp before covering her mouth with her hoof. She had not seen a pony there, actually, she was almost certain that she had seen that dock empty a few seconds ago. She heard nothing, he just appeared, like a ghost in the night.
And Fluttershy heard nothing now, not even breathing, and she had sensitive ears.
It was the pony she had seen the previous day.
She wanted to run, but she didn't.
She wanted to say hello but she couldn't bring herself to face him.
A crying, a tearing, a screaming, she stood still. Frozen in wonder and fear, she knew nothing about this pony, what would she say, should she say anything? Why is he so intriguing? What is the story behind those black eyes?
Her hoof took a step forward, shy did she do that? A flurry of thoughts rushed into the mind of Fluttershy, she begged her hooves to stop as they slowly carried her closer to the silent stranger on the docks.
"H-hello?" Fluttershy stammered through that single word, and immediately regretted it.
The pony's ears perked up, he slowly turned his head around and locked eyes with Fluttershy once again. But instead of fleeing, he stood up in an apologetic manner, lowering his head.
"Hi.." He said in a hushed tone, scraping the wooden planks beneath with his hooves.
"Whats.. Uh... Whats your name?" Fluttershy said, avoided his eyes to not make it anymore awkward then it already was, but she wanted to look at them so badly, a feeling that she had never experienced before, it was bewildering.
"...I'm Hem." He reluctantly said
"H-hi, I'm Fluttershy, its very nice to meet you." She greeted.
"I'm sorry for running away yesterday, I sometimes kind of freak out when I'm near.. Ponies." Hem apologized, tilting his head downwards.
"Oh that's perfectly fine.." Fluttershy assured, "I freak out.. Too. I'm sorry that I stared, I don't think I've seen you before."
"I just moved in a few days ago," Hem replied, "I just don't live in any of the houses, I'm in a bit of a rough spot.. Financially."
"Oh no, where DO you live then?"
"For right now, under the bridge closest to the Everfree forest, but I don't mind it"
"You don't?"
"No, its actually probably the best place I've had to live for a while, its very warm here to I don't really need to have any walls."
A small bird flew past them both and Fluttershy suddenly was aware of the time, she had forgotten that she had promised her toucan that she would sing him to sleep.
"I'm so sorry, I've forgot, but i need to be somewhere right now.." She apologized
"Oh that's okay.." Hem answered
"It was very lovely to speak with you." Fluttershy turned back towards the path that led to her home, but then looked back, she hesitated, "..will i see you again?"
"If you wish," Hem replied, "I'm always at the bridge at seven in the morning."
"Okay."
She was exited, why? This wasn't natural.
Fluttershy had a vivid dream that night; she stood in a black void of nothingness, the only thing here was her, Hem, and a shallow layer of water that wetted their hooves. She stared deep into the dark pupils of Hem--they were overflowing with life yet so distant and estranged, a somewhat sleepiness seemed to be about him, and his head drooped.
She reached out to him.
His head snapped up. He grabbed her hoof, his grip was as strong as steel and as cold as ice. A feeling of terror was going through her and her mane froze over, turning a light yet piercing blue.
face it face it face it face it.
A rambling mutterings of virtues and morals skiterred through her head as his eyes --previously full of life--were now drained and were like a void of nothingness, sucking in her soul. It was blacker then black, so dark that their surroundings were nothing compared, it was like staring into the jaws of an unearthly entity.
He tilted his head and suddenly twisted his joint inward, snapping the bone of Fluttershy's front leg.
A screaming.
A bone pierced through the he skin and blood rushed like a river.
He let go.
She woke up, she was pale and so cold that the room shivered. It was night. Nothing was wrong. She laid back down.