//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: Christmas Company // by LightDoinStuff //------------------------------// It was a strange sense of deja vu to be driving this road again. The trees on the side, the snowbank beneath, the small dots of snow decorating the windshield - it was all too familiar. The greatest task at that point was to not relive the fears. "Are you okay, Mark?" Came a voice from the back seats. Mark glanced behind him at the large quilt covering his pegasus friend. The two had decided this would be an adequate solution for the time being to ensure she wouldn't be seen. She'd assured him earlier that it was comfortable as well, which helped to ease worries he didn't know he'd had. He rapidly shook his head, trying to re-engage with the present moment. "Still a bit nervous, but yeah, I'm okay." As the destination neared ever closer, a troubling thought entered Mark's mind. What would happen if he was wrong? What if Sheila was actually dangerous? If he ever made it out safely with Fluttershy, would she ever trust him again? He glanced once more back at the quilt-covered mare, resting ever peacefully through the car ride. He hoped to never find out. The sun once more descended beneath the distant mountain ranges as Mark's car pulled into the familiar parking lot. He actually never recalled coming there before, wondering if he ever would have had Fluttershy appeared. Remembering her cutie mark, he couldn't help but think this was a "Butterfly Effect" moment in more ways than one. The two waited inside his car as the sky grew darker. The outdoor lights shut on, making Mark wonder if he'd perhaps missed this mysterious woman. He wasn't sure whether he felt relieved when he saw a figure step outside the building, locking the door as she did. He was close enough to recognize that it was indeed her. The meeting was still on. Mark left his car and approached her. "Hey Sheila." "Hey Mark," Sheila greeted with a smile, "good to see you made it." She glanced around in back of him, looking for something. "Did your friend make it?" She asked. "She's on her way." Mark answered, thinking it would be best to keep Fluttershy's location hidden until he knew Sheila could be trusted. "Alright," Sheila replied with a shrug, "well I do have some stuff to show both of you - stuff I think your friend will find especially interesting - but I'm afraid we'll have to go back to my place for it." Mark tried to keep a calm look, though he could tell this wasn't working. "I'm afraid this just isn't the best place to talk about it," She continued, "but I don't live too far from here. I'm actually right beside the preserve, just a minute or two away. It's a really pretty cabin, and it's not too far from civilization that way, either. "If you're comfortable with it, you can just follow me and I'll take you there." She offered with a smile. Mark's fears returned anew. He hadn't planned for this possibility, and he certainly wasn't sure how Fluttershy felt about it. He quickly reached for his phone and faked surprise. "I need to take this really quick, is that okay?" "Sure, just let me know if you want to head out." She replied. Mark strode quickly into his car and pulled out his phone, putting it to his ear. "Fluttershy, I'm pretending to talk to someone right now, but I'm talking to you." He explained. "The woman just invited us over to her place to show us what she was talking about. What should we do?" Beneath the blanket, he could almost hear the pony thinking. "Well, do you trust her?" "I still don't know quite what to think." He replied, "She seems earnest, and she definitely knows something judging by what she showed us yesterday. Even still…" He trailed off, leaving Fluttershy to fill the silence. "It's up to you, Mark." He glanced around at the surrounding parking lot, taking in the new information. He glanced over at Sheila's car, a Jeep that she'd just entered a few moments ago. He tried to get a reading on what she might want to show them, and more importantly, what he would do if things went south. His free hand fell to his left pocket, where the same can of mace from yesterday remained safely hidden from sight. He nodded to himself, making the decision right then. He needed to know what this woman's tie was to Equestria. Turning on the car, Mark pulled up beside Sheila, rolled down the window, and gave a thumbs up. He could see her nod before pulling out, and after rolling the window back up, Mark proceeded to follow her. When she'd said she lived nearby, Mark didn't realize she meant only a mile or two down the road. Just a short drive away from the preserve bounds was a chain link fence that stretched for a short distance, leading to a dirt driveway partially covered by foliage. Upon turning in, Mark was greeted with a two-story wooden cabin. It wasn't a log cabin, per say, but it did seem a few decades old. The porch was covered, and held room for a bench and patio swing. Off to the side of the house was a small metal playset, consisting of a see-saw, swing, and slide. The latter most brought Mark a bit of comfort. While the place seemed very welcoming, the presence of something for children likely meant they'd had kids, or were planning to have them soon (or perhaps were even preparing for grandchildren). It helped to humanize this relative stranger, diminishing some of the mystery and fear surrounding her. Both Sheila and Mark got out of their respective cars, meeting in front of the house. "Here it is." Sheila stated simply. "Not too shabby, huh?" "It's a nice place." Mark complimented, "I saw the playground stuff over there, do you have kids?" "Oh, they're all grown up." Sheila waved her hand with a reminiscing smile. "We kept it around in case we'd need it later down the road. "Though it probably could use a touch up in the future." She added, her face growing thoughtful briefly before she shrugged. "So, is your friend on the way?" "She's very close." Mark replied. "I'll signal her and meet you inside." "Will do." Sheila stated, "I'll get the stuff ready for you both in the meantime." She turned to walk back to the cabin, soon passing behind the front door and allowing it to shut behind her. Mark walked to the back seat of his car, opening the door. "Okay 'Shy, this is it." The pegasus stuck her head out carefully from the quilt. "We're here?" "Yeah, we are." He confirmed. Fluttershy allowed herself to come completely out from the blanket, then carefully climbed out of the car. Taking in the sights around her, she expressed much the same conclusions Mark did: It was a quaint place, and wouldn't be out of the ordinary for a family. She certainly felt good about it, which helped Mark to feel the same. With courage peaked in both of them, Mark and Fluttershy walked into the cabin. The inside was very much similar in tone to the outside, as well as the brief look Mark had gotten into Sheila's office. There was the usual furniture around, as well as an open kitchen separated by a long counter that split the place mostly in half. The sound of distant rummaging caught their attention. "Just one sec," Sheila called, "I just need to find one more thing. Make yourselves at home!" Taking the invitation, Mark and Fluttershy both seated themselves on one of the couches, set across was a small coffee table and another smaller couch. Eventually, the rustling stopped, replaced with the sound of footsteps. Sheila emerged from around the corner with a book in hand and a gentle smile on her face. The latter changed to an expression of surprise, though she tried to keep her cheery demeanor. "So…you're her, then?" Sheila asked. Fluttershy nodded. "The one you saw on camera? Yes." Sheila seated herself on the couch, placing the book on the table. "I'm Sheila, though you might already know that." "I'm Fluttershy." She greeted, trying to appear confident. "Good to meet you Fluttershy." Sheila replied before turning her attention to Mark. "You're probably both wondering what I wanted to show you. Well, it's right there on the table." She indicated the book, which Mark carefully took in his hands. Judging by the wear on the cover and pages, as well as the particular smell, he quickly deduced it was an older volume. What exactly it contained, however, was a complete mystery, as no label existed. "A book?" Mark asked. Sheila nodded. "A journal." Turning the book on its side, Mark noticed a few colored tabs on the side. "What you're looking for is under the red tab." Sheila instructed. Mark glanced once more at their host before directing his attention back to the journal, and specifically the tabs. He gently opened the book to the page indicated by the red tab, and began reading aloud, Fluttershy reading at his side. March 17, 1957 What a bizarre time to be alive! It seems such a scant time ago that we'd ended off the war, then only a few weeks ago that I caught wind of a large bomb testing project that apparently has gone on for over a year now, and suddenly we're expected to build entire shelters? What insanity is this? Ah, but I've written of this before already, so why mention it now? Well, despite the many events we've seen over just the start of this decade, I've found something which so boggles the senses, that you may well think me insane for even daring to document it. Nevertheless, I will tell the truth. Whether my posterity believes it or not, I testify with every fiber of my being that it is true. While I was ensuring sufficient supplies were available in the bunker, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I initially thought it a rat, and so prepared my rifle. Upon uncovering the creature, I instead discovered it to be a small horse of the most unbelievable design. In contrast to our world's horses (for I now perceive that there must surely be other worlds), this one had a coat of bright green and a dark green mane. She was also the smallest horse I'd ever seen, and as if that wasn't enough, she talked! She introduced herself as Melody Heartstrings, and asked me where she was. After telling her the name of my city, she replied that she had never heard of that place in "Equestria". With further discussion, I realized that she was farther from home than anyone I knew had ever been. I've since given her food, drink, and a place to stay. As she rests, I can only imagine what more may be ahead. At the very least, I hope this dear Melody finds safety despite the many things happening in our world. Mark glanced up from the book at Sheila, who was waiting patiently. "Now turn to the page marked by the blue tab." Mark did so, revealing another entry in the saga. December 19, 1957 Alone. All alone. I had started today with breakfast for Melody. As we were finishing, I heard a sharp knock at my door. I was then greeted by two peculiar looking ponies of the adult variety, who swiftly informed me that Melody had been brought to my world by mistake, and she was to return immediately. I was not shocked by their appearance, nor their request, but I was very surprised by the almost hostile approach they took. One of them, a unicorn, pointed her horn at me as a glow surrounded both it and myself. I found myself unable to move as the other pony sought out Melody. He found her, brought her back to the main room, then had his wife (or who I presume to be such) throw me against the floor. There was a blinding light, then all were gone. Now I sit alone in my bed, thinking over not only the last few hours, but also the last few months. Melody was such a bright little being, and she taught me so much about being a gentle and kind man. But now, I can't think what I'll do next. Perhaps some rest will help me. Good night. Mark and Fluttershy glanced at each other, then at Sheila. He wordlessly handed the book back over to her. Sheila carefully set it to her side, her gaze remained on the bound record. "He was a very good man, and one that went on to live a good life." She glanced at Mark once again. "He was shell shocked from his time in World War 2. Though he hadn't sustained any major injuries, what he saw out there made him a cold and paranoid man. That's why he valued Melody so much - that little soul taught him how to be a gentle and loving person again. She helped him find room in his guarded heart for others." "What happened to him?" Mark asked. "He went on to have a family and children" Sheila explained, "something he had sworn off of after his time in duty. Eventually, his children grew up, and had children, and their children had children…and that's where I came in." Both Mark's and Fluttershy's eyes went wide. Sheila quickly confirmed their suspicions. "That man was my great-grandfather."