//------------------------------// // Ch. 26: Vex // Story: Sin // by MemoryLane //------------------------------// I don't know how long I've been going. And I was starting to get a little nervous. I've never been this angry before. Never in my life. Something inside of me almost shifted, believe it or not. Although I have no idea what. I knew I wasn't running on adrenaline. It felt like something more, something that I can't really explain. After a while, I started to feel myself weaken immensely. I barely had time to react. I found myself not even attacking the Changelings anymore. I was more dodging their attacks than anything. I found myself clutching my chest after a while. It was at that point that I realized that I needed to take my pills. I knew and felt that I was just near moments away from a heart attack. I had to calm down. Now. The Changelings mocked me while they were in flight. Only provoking me further. But I stayed calm. I looked for my bag, which held my pills and groaned when I realized that it was right next to the door that led to the stairs. I had two options. Deal with the pain and have a potentially fatal heart attack. Or make a run for it, grab my bag, and jump inside the castle before the Changeling's can get me. I tried to calculate a few things in my mind. In my condition, running isn't a very good thing to do. But luckily, my pills are extremely effective on my body. It could take away the pain within mere moments of ingesting them. So maybe I could run for it, and jump inside before the heart attack(I'm 95% sure that running will give me a heart attack. Literally) and take the pills. Hm, or, I could just lie down and die. No. That was out of the question. I was never a quitter, and I'm not starting now. My father would be disappointed in me. He maybe not be here, but he would know. I decided to go for it. I caught the Changelings off guard as I suddenly bolted for the door. My heart was not agreeing with me, and almost handicapped me as I was running. I felt like collapsing, but then I felt the feeling inside of me that I missed and loved so much: adrenaline. Oh where have you been? My sweet , sweet adrenaline.... I made a beeline for the door, and the Changelings swiftly flew after me, and boy are they fast. I grabbed my bag and opened the door in one swift motion and disappeared inside, slamming the door behind me and pressing my back up against it. I heard a few THUMPS afterwards. I'm pretty sure a few of those dumbass' flew straight into the door. Before doing anything else, I almost jumped inside of my bag and pulled out my pills. I didn't even properly measure how many I needed to take. I just brought the container to my lips and downed as many as I saw fit. The pain almost immediately went away, and I let out a great sigh of relief. That was a close one. Probably wasn't a good idea to be out there all alone. That Warble kid seems pretty strong. Maybe he could've gave me a hoof, but it's obviously too late now. I grabbed a piece of wood and broken the door handle so no one could get in, or out, through this door. Which was fine by me. I'm sure the Princess could get some pony to fix it for her for cheap. The staircase was much more darker than I remembered. It seemed that the power had been cut to this area of the castle. Odd. I made my way down and immediately heard a CRUNCH under my feet. There was glass and debris everywhere. Luckily, the glass didn't pierce through my foot. I was going to have to keep an eye out. I hoped no one else actually got hurt. I'm not sure but I did think I heard a commontion when everyone ran down the stairs. I wasn't really paying attention though. I noticed that I still had my cigar in my mouth. I blew on it, only making the end shine brighter. Which gave me an idea. I blew into it as hard as I could until, eventually, it began to light up my way. I didn't know that a cigar could light up like this. I walked down the stairs, which only took a few moments until I reached the door at the bottom of the staircase. I opened it slowly, only to see a...strange sight. "Stay away from me you fat pig!" I heard a voice squeal. I kept the door cracked a little bit so I could see through it properly. It was Covette. She was on the ground, wearing a large bandage around her stomach. I couldn't help but notice that foot long piece of glass right near her that was stained with blood. Now I know what that commotion was... Warble was...wait...what?! The poor boy looked absolutely insane. His face was limp, and he looked like a damn zombie the way he was staring at Covette. He was literally drooling on the floor like a dog. He let out a small smile, showing what appeared to be...sharp teeth? Since when does a pony have sharp teeth!? I know he wasn't like that before! What the hell is going on here!? Warble was making his way towards Covette, who was incapable of moving. "Come on, Covette. It won't hurt. Just a bite?" He asked in a sickly playful tone. Covette looked absolutely terrified. A part of me wanted to sit back and watch Warble ...eat her? Is that what he's trying to do? What the hell? Well, Covette does deserve it. She's been a jerk to everyone. And when I say everyone, I mean it. Warble was almost on top of her now. Covette tried to push him away, but the boy way fairly strong, and heavy. "Get away!" She screamed. I opened the door and screamed at him. "Warble what are you doing!?" I shouted at him. He jarred his head over in my direction, and grinned. "Hi Kindling!" He softly rubbed the fleshy part of Covette's neck, making the mare shiver. "You want a bite?" "Hell no I don't want a bite!" I retorted. Warble just shrugged and, completely disregarding me, lowered his head and licked Covette's cheek, getting a full taste of her. Covette let out a disgusted groan, and I had had enough. I charged him and, using as much might as I could muster, ran into him. I barely fazed the boy. He was very big, and I felt as if I ran into a brick wall. I think I got whiplash... While my attack hardly moved him, he did lose his balance, and he toppled over off of the mare. I helped her to her feet. She definitely had trouble standing. It only took a few moments for Warble to be back up on his feet, his lips still wet, and his eyes full of longing. "But Kindling! Haven't you ever want to try it?" He asked me, smiling insanely. I didn't even have to think about the question before I answered it. "Hell no!" I replied. He started to walk towards me, baring his....fangs? I still don't understand that. What the hell happened to him? "Haven't you ever wanted more?" He asked me. I felt Covette snap to attention. Oh God, this has "jealously" written all over it. I just hope that Covette won't go for it. He was trying to trick me. Something I would never expect this kid to do. He was such a nice boy when I had met him earlier. This just wasn't like him. "Well, who hasn't?" Covette asked. I glared at her, silently telling her to shut up if she wants to get out of here. She rolled her eyes at me rebelliously. "Exactly." He took another step towards me. "Everyone wants more. More love, " He looked at me, I let my guard down and looked at the ground guiltily. I don't know how, but he was right. "More power, more money and respect." He looked at Covette this time. "More food!" He suddenly screamed. I could hear his stomach rumbling from here. This wasn't going to end well. "Look, Warble. Just calm down! We'll get you some food!" I replied. I'm currently out, but I don't know about Covette, or Twilight and her friends. Warble just shook his head. "That's not going to be enough. I need something that's going to fill me up. And more!!" He growled. He kept his eyes locked on Covette as he suddenly charged at us. "GIVE HER TO ME!" Before I knew what was going on, I pushed Covette out of the way, sending Warble flying over us, and tumbling on the ground. Covette was in pain on the floor. I forgot about the consequences of pushing her, but she's alive isn't she? If Warble would have ran into her he'd have broken her neck just by the force of the tackle. The kid's a damn tank. I would know. I used this opportunity to our advantage and put Covette on my back. She wasn't very happy about it though, as she tried to wiggle out of my grip. Luckily, she couldn't do much and I succeeded in putting her on my back. "Let's go!" I shouted as I ran down the nearest hallway with Covette in tow. "COME BACK! PLEASE!" He begged desperately as he got up and began to give chase. "I'M SO HUNGRY!" The kid was surprisingly fast, considering his size, and was able to keep a steady pace as he chased after us. I was however having trouble making sure that Covette stayed on my back. I tried to think quick about what I could do. I doubt I could lose him, even though the castle hallways were like a maze. Warble's so hungry I wouldn't be surprised if he could smell us. I nervously looked left and right, there were many rooms that we could hide in, but I didn't know where to start when it came to choosing one. I heard Warble shouting behind me. "I haven't eaten in SO long! Please!" Without thinking, I almost tossed Covette into nearest room and closed the door. She yelped as she hit the ground. I hopped into the adjacent room. It appeared to be a bedroom. I hopped under the bed and waited both patiently and silently. My heart pounding, unfortunately I didn't have pills for such an occasion. I almost stopped breathing as the door opened, and I saw four, cheese colored hooves in the doorway. Warble walked in, and I heard him furiously sniff the air. "I know one of you is in here." He chuckled. I wondered why he said "one of us", but that's when I realize that I probably have Covette's scent on me when I was forced to carry her. He walked to the side of the bed. There were only two other things in this room: A nightstand, and a closet. There was only so many places he could look. If he checked the closet first, I could make a run for the door. Maybe lock him in. But if he checks underneath the bed first... He hesitated before making his next move, and I was ready to have a different kind of heart attack. He opened the closet door. While he was distracted, I emerged from under the bed and ran for the door. It only took him a second to realize it was me, and ran after me. Luckily I was more agile, and swiftly ran out of the room, closing the door behind me. The kid furiously beat on the door, trying to get out. I could still hear his stomach growl. "LEMME OUT! I'LL STARVE IN HERE!" He shrieked before resorting to literally ramming the door with his large body. Even though I was on the other side of the door, it wouldn't take very long before the door was busted down. I needed to do something, fast. I considering doing what I did when I ran from the Changelings. I wasn't sure if it would work, because Warble might just break down the door. So, in the end, I said screw it. I moved away from the door for a moment and kicked off the door handle. Warble screamed in fury as he tried to open the door, but was unable to. Feeling safe, I backed away from the door. He was locked in. I walked over to the room where I stashed Covette and opened the door, making her shriek. When she realized that it was only me, she huffed in an annoyed matter. "KINDLING! LET ME OUT! PLEASE!" I heard Warble scream. "JUST ONE BITE" "I locked him in. We're safe." I told her, and she gave me an approving nod. It's obvious that she was very frightened during the whole ideal, although she didn't want to show it, at all. "Now can you please tell me just what the HELL HAPPENED!?" I yelled, remembering about my anger and swallowing a single pill. "I don't bucking know!" She cursed, scowling at me. "He was ordered to help Cashmere with my wound. He left me here with him. The bitch laughed at me when I tried to stand up. That's when shit went down alright!?" She screamed. I don't know about her, but I think I'm going deaf with all this constant screaming. It's either Warble, or Covette. I mean really. I sighed and sat down on the bed. "PLEASE! I'LL DO ANYTHING! I'LL DIE IN HERE!" Warble's shouts were getting less and less frequent. Maybe that meant he was calming down. I don't know but I hope that was the case. "Go to Hell..." Covette muttered to herself. I found myself chuckling. Covette and I sat in there for what seemed like ten minutes before I heard a familiar voice come from the room Warble was in. "Guys? Hello? Is anyone out there?" The voice asked softly. I raised an eyebrow and jumped off the bed, walking over to his door. I decided to humor him. "I'm here. And so is Covette." Covette seemed pissed that I mentioned her presence to the stallion who had just tried to eat him, but I really didn't care. "Why am I in here? Why won't this door open!?" He was starting to freak out as he tried to fiddle with the broken door handle humorously. "Let me out of here!" I wasn't too sure about this. Was Warble back to his usual self? Or was this another one of his tricks? I took a step away from the door. I'm not stupid. It's obvious that he still wants to eat one of us. This was just plain insane! Covette looked at me as if I was stupid and pantomimed to me from the adjacent room. "What're you waiting for? Open the damn door!"