She Took a Midnight Train
The twins spent a few hours catching each other up on the events in their lives. Eventually, Tide Dancer looked her sister full in the face. "I didn't tell you why I came home, did I, sis?" She sighed. "Two reasons."
Dawn rolled over and plopped her head into her hooves, squishing her cheeks together and making her lips puff out. "Nope."
The green unicorn sighed and looked down. "One, I got fired. There's no more money. I can't help this family anymore." She peeked at her sister out of the corner of her eye, but she couldn't read her expression. "Second, I- I- I've got problems", she whispered. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes and she didn't try to stop them.
"What kind of problems?" Dawn asked worriedly, nuzzling her sister.
"I'm not going to last much longer type of problems", Tide Dancer admitted. "I'm sorry."
Dawn's Glow began to cry. "You have to be mistaken!" she yelled. "You can't die!" She buried her head in her hooves. "You can't."
"I know this comes as a shock to you, but I've known about it for a while", Tide told her. "I just couldn't tell you guys." The green unicorn stood and looked back at her sister. "I'm more sorry for you guys though. How will you cope when I'm gone? I'm the only one that makes money. I worry for you guys."
Dawn held her gaze. "I'll work." She stood. "Yes, that's what I'll do. I'll leave here and get a job in the city. The money I make will come here. I'll get two jobs and pay for a doctor for you!" Her eyes teared up. "I won't sit around and do nothing."
"You've never been off this farm!" Tide Dancer retorted. "You don't know anything about the city. Our family needs you to do work here. You know that. I can't let you throw away the farm life for me", Tide complained.
Dawn shook her head sadly. "I don't like this life anyways. I'm all alone while you're in the city and all the others hate me. Early Bird can start picking up some of my jobs and the twins can help out a little more. They'll have their cutie marks soon. And Swifty can do some work for a change. You'll get by without me." Without further ado, she began to pack.
"You're leaving now?" Tide said in shock. "But, but you haven't told anyone anything!"
"I've told you", Dawn countered. "You can tell the rest of the family. There's no time like the present after all", she half-laughed.
Tide's jaw dropped open. "But...but...it's almost midnight!"
Dawn's Glow sighed. "There's a midnight train. I've gotta go now if I'm gonna catch it." She hurriedly threw the last few things she might need into her case and then levitated it out of the door. Dawn hugged her sister goodbye and then she was gone.
The cream unicorn dashed to the train station, half a mile away. She made it just in time. With a quick glance at her old hometown, she bought her ticket and boarded the train. Dawn did not realize that she had left her suitcase on the platform. Nor did she realize that she had boarded the wrong train. This one was not going to the city.