I moved through the dense fog, my vision all but faded in the heavy mist. I felt my hooves hit the ground, compressing the dirt underneath and kicking up the soil as they were lifted, slipping ever-so-slightly. I didn't run, but neither did I intend to dally in this obscure environment. As the dry, but mostly reliable ground gave way to wet mud, I grimaced at the cold, disgusting feeling. I felt my movement further hampered by this new ground as I sunk further with each step. It felt like I was walking through quicksand.
The glow of my horn was barely pushing back the fog, but as I continued I noticed that my vision was penetrating the mist more and more. After what felt like hours, I could make out my surroundings. All around me were dark, twisted trees. No leaves, as if the forest were burnt before I arrived. No, not burnt, decayed, twisted. No life was sustained here. Even the ground around me was nothing but mud. These trees were long dead, leaning in the unstable ground. this part of the forest long abandoned. Beyond the trees, the sky was visible. Or rather, the emptiness was visible. No stars, no moon, no sun. Nothing. As if this part of the forest was trapped in some void and I were hopelessly gone from my world. It was unnerving. Intensely so. I felt a shudder run through my body and the realization of how alone I truly was started to sink in as I felt more slowed. A careful walk became a slow trudge between the mud below and my new found fear.
At last, I heard a small whisper pervade the darkness. “Coward.”
I very nearly jumped, quite literally, at the sound. A young colt. I searched my surroundings for the source, but found nothing.
“Keep running.”
It continued, more aggressive this time, taunting. What in Equestria is going on? “Who are you! Come out, I can help you,” I pleaded. Looking around, I noticed the forest around me growing more twisted, the branches running together, forming barriers to keep me on this path. They even seemed to be leaning over me, creating a sort of tunnel out of branches.
“Liar,” another voice spoke. A young girl. She spoke the word in a sing-song way, as if she were mocking me.
“What do you mean? I’m lost too, but we can find a way out together,” I tried to sound encouraging, but my fear was betrayed as I stuttered through my words.
“There is no way out,” the male voice rang out loudly, as if it were right in my left ear. I turned toward that direction, expecting to see the boy, but nothing greeted my eye. The fog began to roll in faster, the dark forest disappearing. In a way, I felt comforted not having to look at my hopeless, depressing surroundings. That comfort quickly gave way to anxiousness as I realized I had no idea where I was walking. I could only continue forward, albeit very slowly in the now-thickening mud.
“Of course,” I hesitated, unsure. “Of course, there is. I got into here, didn't I? I can get out of it!”
Both of the voices rang out now, gleefully and just as disgustingly smarmy as before. “No one leaves here alone! You’re alone! No one will ever help you! Keep running, coward!”
“Stop it!” I tried to run, but the mud grew ever thicker and deeper. For a moment, I became concerned it really was quicksand! “I’m not alone, I have my friends!”
“They’ll never understand. No one ever would have and they never will. You’re alone, truly alone.”
I kept trying to move, but the mud grew too deep. I could barely move. I barely lifted my front right hoof out of the mud and pressed all my weight on it to move it further. The weight was too much, however, and I fell forward, the right side of my body collapsing into the dark slime. “Please, help me,” I pleaded weakly. I was greeted with nothing but laughter.
“She’d hate you forever and she'd be right to.” The children continued their chorus of mirth as several others joined in. I shut my eyes and pressed my ears further in to shut out the noise. I couldn't handle it! It was too much! It hurt so badly!
“Please, no more,” I screamed, sobbing loudly. My wish was granted as the voices finally ceased. I opened my eyes and saw nothing. The void was all that was left. I was truly alone. Alone, save for the young girl’s voice speaking one final time.
“This is what you deserve.”