//------------------------------//
// To Burn... 
// Story: Dear Journal 
// by Not 
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I woke up as early as I had grown accustomed. It was scarcely six am as I showered and went down stairs. Breakfast was hash browns and pancakes. I remember because that was the highpoint of the day.

After finishing up I went to my front porch to flip the sign. Before I did however I noticed something sticking out of the small mailbox near the door. A letter with a red border. It was addressed from my old doctor from Canterlot. Knowing him I thought it was just asking me to come in for a check up.

I was mistaken. Very sadly mistaken.

I took it inside to read at the kitchen table. I opened it carefully, and began to read. I don't remember the words so I'll write what is still legible.

Dear Salieri,

I regret to inform you that your mother is very ill. We don't quite know what it is so both of your parents are under quarantine as well as their Canterlot home. The quarantine will end in two weeks at the earliest. We~~

The rest is blurred from tears. If I could cry any more, I would.

I decided to make a new sign. I had what I needed. I moved in a fog. The new sign was simple. Closed: Personal Reasons.

I put the new sign outside the door quickly, and locked it on my way in. I got back to the kitchen table before sobbing again.

It could have been minutes or hours before I heard a knock on the door. The table was wet under my face. I stood slowly and went to the door. I was glad that they were patient. I put the chain on the door and opened it the few inches the chain allowed.

My voice was weak. "I'm sorry. The workshop is closed today."

The mare's voice on the other side was unmistakeable. "Ah' saw the sign. Ah' just want to talk to ya."

"I'm closed too." I moved to close the door.

Her hoof stopped it closing. "Wait. Come on Sal'. What's wrong?"

A tear hit the floor as I spoke. "I'm sorry, but we're not close enough for me to tell you."

"Pardon?"

I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, but it was there. "I don't care if you're the element of honesty. I. Don't. Trust you. We've spoken, what? Twice? I've had ponies I've thought I could trust hurt me before. I... I just can't trust you yet." My knees were trembling. I calmed myself a little before speaking again. "I'm sorry. Have fun at your girls night. Say hi to Pinkie for me. Don't let me ruin your plans."

There was a slight amount of shock in her voice, but she still sounded quite caring. "Sal. Ah don't know what's wrong, but if you need somepony Ah'm here for ya." She paused for a moment. "Should I go get Pinkie?"

"NO!" It was louder than I had intended it. My voice quieted again. "I mean, no. I'll tell her tomorrow. I... I just need to get my head straight. Okay?"

"Alright. Bye-"

I shut the door and locked it again. I didn't mean to cut her off. I'd apologize later. I went upstairs. I turned the shower on. The hot water always calmed me. I was hopeless. Somepony I loved might be dying, and I couldn't do anything for her. My dad might be sick too. I didn't even know. I heard knocking later, but the window proved it wasn't Pinkie. I don't know how much time passed while I was there. I don't think the tears stopped. There was more knocking, but I would only open the door for one pony in town. I tried to sleep, but at best it was fitful. How could I sleep when I felt like this? It was just too much. It didn't help that my pillows were wet. I put them in them in the hamper and grabbed a few good pillows from the closet. At some point it had gotten dark, but there was no way I would sleep tonight. I did what I always did at times like this. I wrote down my past few days to look for the good. If the next few days are good then I'll keep this one. If not... it will be the same as the rest. Hopefully this won't just be another Journal to burn.