There are many ways to wake up. Alarms, going to bed early, maybe a bit of coffee for good measure. All of these are fine and reliable methods. None of those were how I woke up today. In fact, I didn't even remember falling asleep at all. One minute I was in the lodge's lobby, a warm and cozy fire illuminating the room. Then, the next thing I knew, the room was dark and cold! There was no fire, no sound. There was just... nothing. How long was I asleep for?
It was so cold, I couldn't feel my hands or my feet. My whole body felt odd. Is this what hypothermia is like? Wait, was it hyperthermia or hypothermia? I pondered.
"Agh, not important, Martha," I said aloud to myself, the sudden sound of my voice echoing through the halls. It sounded kinda off. Not crazily off, just cuter I guess is the word? Much higher than my voice usually is.
I attempted to stand, only for my body to outright refuse my request and resulting in me being sent tumbling face-first into the floor. I groaned in pain and again tried to stand, but just fell again.
Was I at such a late stage of the hyper... err... hypo (whatever it's called!) thing that I couldn't walk? I wondered. If that was the case, there was only one option.
I got on my numb hands and knees - which also felt off - and crawled my way over towards where I'd remembered seeing a light switch. It would be hard in the near-pitch darkness, but I'm sure I could find it.
Good news: I found the light switch! Bad news: they made these for giants! I went back to my chair and slowly pushed it over as best I could and crawled up onto it. With the added boost of the chair, I was able to flip the switch and get the lights on.
With some light now, I nearly fainted. Where my hands should be were flat stubs! I was practically drowning in my clothes, now much too big for me. Being too freaked out to care about modesty, I squirmed my way out of them to get a better look at myself. All over my body was dull light-blue fur, stubby legs at my backside matching the things that replaced my hands, and a grayish teal tail. One might chalk this up to being very very drunk or high. Problem was, I was as sober as a pastor on Sunday right now.
You know how I said I almost fainted? Well, that was a lie. I fainted at least two times I think. I guess the shock wore off enough after that second time. Not that I was calmed down at all though.
"This... this can't be real. This has to be some sort of prank, right?"
Except pranks didn't turn you into a tiny horse! I hit my hand - hoof - on the floor to confirm again that this was real. There was no feeling of any fingers. Just a solid hoof.
I took a deep breath. I needed to not freak out right now (even though I had every reason to!). I needed answers. More importantly, I needed to find out where everyone went. I closed my eyes and retraced my steps to earlier today.
~0O0~
I was on break from college and had been heading up to Niagara Falls with my friends. Course, I would have preferred to just stay at home and spend time drawing, but Jenny practically forced me to go. We've been friends since we were kids and she's always been pushy. Though, I guess I shouldn't be so mad. I've never been to the Falls.
Other than Jenny, there was Sam. She was our driver for the trip up. More than that, she's been up here before, so she knew the area a little bit. She told us that there's much more than just the Falls to see. Haunted houses, a few wax museums, a Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and a place called the Great Wolf Lodge, which is where we were planning on staying at.
After some time, we arrived, checked in, and got our room key. Jenny kept them on hand saying that "You two would lose them." I didn't want to argue with her. This was supposed to be a fun getaway.
Anyways, we made it to our room, got unpacked and decided to do some exploring. Turns out the lodge had a giant water park inside it, to which we took great advantage of. It was mostly young kids and families there, but there wasn't an age limit. Or if there was, none of the workers seemed to care enough to tell us to leave.
After we were done there, Jenny and Sam decided to head back to the room. I told them I'd catch up with them in a bit and took a look over at the lobby. Most people were in their rooms at this time of night, so it was pretty empty. I found a seat by the fire and got my drawing tablet out.
~0O0~
I opened my eyes again. Back to reality, even though it sure didn't feel like it. With my eyes open again and some light to help me see, I noticed something else unusual. Dust, dust just everywhere. As if nobody had been here for months. That couldn't be right. I looked at my clothes. No way I could fit in them normally now. Maybe I could borrow some children's clothing from the gift shop.
I needed to get there first though. Apparently, walking like I usually did was not on the table.
So, if I was a tiny horse, I just need to walk like one, right? Shouldn't be too hard, the confident part of me declared inwardly.
---⬦⟢⬦♢⬦⟣⬦---
The universe just loved proving me wrong today, didn't it? It took many unsuccessful faceplant-ridden attempts at walking (trotting?), before I managed to finally make my way to the gift shop.
Unfortunately, when I arrived at the gift shop, no one was here either. For once, I was somewhat relieved about that. No one around to see me steal (I mean borrow) and no one that will see me without clothes. Though, they probably wouldn't even know it was me. In fact, they'd probably faint like I did.
There wasn't much to choose from, but I managed to find some child-sized sweatpants and a red hoodie. It probably wasn't meant to fit a... whatever I was. Pony? Yeah, let's go with pony. However, meant to or not, it would have to do for now. I also got a single-strap backpack so I could carry stuff around with me.
I stumble-walked out and back to the lobby. Maybe I could use my phone and call someone. My hopes were dashed, though, when I found out that my phone was dead. Strange, it was almost fully charged before... this. I probably wouldn't be able to use it anyway with these bulky hoof things. My drawing tablet was also dead. That was the most pressing concern.
I coughed. Okay fine, finding my friends, figuring out what happened to me, and finding out where everyone else went was pretty high up there too. But I needed to draw!
I shook my head. Thinking rationally was also important. Jenny and Sam said they'd head back to the room, meaning that maybe they were still there (and as a bonus, my phone and tablet charger should be there too). So, after putting my clothes and devices in my new backpack, I headed off to the room.
I hoped to see someone, anyone, on my way to the room, but the halls were just as quiet as the lobby and gift shop. The only sound was my hooves on the floor. Normally I'd be terrified of abandoned buildings at night. But I knew my friends were definitely still here. Everything would be okay as long as I kept those thoughts in my head. Jenny could probably figure something out and Sam would tell a funny joke. We'd all laugh this off.
Right?
When I arrived at the door to our room it was locked. I expected this, so I knocked.
"Jenny? Sam? It's me, Martha! Don't laugh, but I turned into a mini-horse! I need your help."
There was no laughter. There was no sound at all. Just my voice echoing through the empty halls.
"Guys? This... this isn't funny. Please, unlock the door."
I waited, and waited. No answer. Okay, it's fine. Maybe they're both sleeping. I ran with this logic (no, not literally. I wish I could still run) and went back to the lobby. After some digging, I managed to get a spare key for our room and again went back. I was surprised I wasn't tired yet. Normally so many back and forth trips would exhaust poor unathletic me.
With a bit of trial and error, I got the key in and turned the handle with my mouth (I know, unsanitary, but what choice did I have?). The door unlocked and I pushed it open, a smile on my face ready to see my friends. However, it almost immediately turned to a frown when I saw an empty room. Empty of any living being anyway.
I slowly entered, looking around. Jenny's laptop was open, but it was dead. Guess I'll need to charge that too. Both of the keys were here too. They wouldn't leave without those. Unless... they were taken by someone. Could that be what happened? I didn't see any signs of a struggle (as best I could tell. I'm no detective). Or maybe... maybe...
"Maybe what? Aliens invaded? You're surely going crazy now. You're already talking to yourself," I said to myself.
I sat there on the bed, unsure what to do for I don't know how long. Must have been a while, cause I could start to see the sun rising outside. I could see snow as well.
Wait, snow? I shook my head and took a second glance out the window. Sure enough, it was snowing. Not very hard, nor was there much on the ground. Snow in May was definitely one more weird thing to add to the growing list of weird things. First things first, though. Breakfast. I hadn't eaten anything at all this whole night, and I guess even pastel ponies need food too.
I looked through Sam's bags and got out some granola bars. I had two of them and put the rest in my backpack. I'm sure she won't mind. Probably. After that, I went to the bathroom to get a better look at myself in the mirror. I may not have my tablet or my hands, but I would not let that stop me. And the first thing I was going to draw was myself. Or, well, pony me.
Well, it turned out a little rough, but I tried. I swear I'm a good artist! Just... kinda hard to draw with only your mouth, y'know? Anyways, after my drawing session, I felt much better. I was going to figure out what was going on here. I was going to find my friends. And most importantly, I was going to find a way to use my drawing tablet again.
Oh, and I guess maybe find some food and water too. See? I can handle priorities.