//------------------------------// // Infection... Contained // Story: Grounds for the Dead: A L4D2 Story // by SCP Pinkamena //------------------------------// Grounds For The Dead: Chapter Eleven By the time Twilight had ran into her library, night had fallen Equestria and most residence were just going to bed. With this in mind, the eight infected looked at there surroundings. The dark, in their world, had been their friend and hid most of them. They say most because it either be Spitter or Witch who gave them away. But the look around Ponyville was beautiful and when they looked up the couldn't believe it. The moon was HUGE! They could see the craters, the mare in the moon, and it was like they could reach up and touch the surface. Smoker looked at it wide eyed and smiled. 'It's gonna be just fine here...' He thought. Jockey, out of amazement and awe, stopped laughing and giggling all together. It took a little while for the other seven to take notice, but when they did he began to giggle again but softly. A shuffle was heard upstairs and one name called out. "...Twilight? Are you here?" Pinkie called as she walked down the stairs. Charger grabbed Jockey and put a hoof over his mouth, effectively quieting him. Twilight ran to her friend and looked her over. She still had a droopy mane and tail, but she had a small smile that told everyone 'I'm okay'. She glanced over at the group and her eyes fell on the neon white Earth Pony that had a hoof over his mouth. She stared at him with wide eyes, and he the same. Jockey, with what strength he had inside him, pushed away Charger's hoof and everyone gasped. Jockey no longer had the eternal smile on his face, and he was no longer giggling, laughing, snorting, not even a chuckle. He looked at her with a frown, and made his way to her. While she was still wide eyed, she began to back away slowly. "Stay away from me..." She whispered. He stopped moving and only cast his gaze to the floor. She heard a sniffle come from Jockey and a small tap of water on the floor. Jockey sat on his haunches and began wiping his eyes away. "I... I never meant to hurt you... I-I just wanted to play a game or something," Jockey admitted as his voice began to waver between guilt and humiliation. More tears began to fall from his eyes as he looked up from his position, he stared at Pinkie with a sneer. "Be happy! Be happy, damn it! When you walked in through that door you hadn't so much as a bad twinge! And what did I do?! I messed you up!" He yelled and cried at the same time. The other infected stared at Jockey with awe. When did Jockey become so... bold? "That's not all," Jockey continued. "I was forced to smile! All the time, and it hurts every waking minute! So, how do you do it?! HOW DO YOU SMILE EVERY DAY WITHOUT FEELING PAIN!!" He screamed, and after his rant he fell to the floor in front of her and began to cry into her hooves. He wrapped his front hooves around hers while still on the ground. He hiccuped, choking back tears that already came. "P-please... be happy..." He pleaded. She looked at him before putting on a sincere smile and patted his head. He looked up with red eyes, and tilted his head. She sat down, and pulled him up to her lap. He hiccuped again before a more steady set of tears fell from his eyes. "Shhh... it's alright... shhh..." Pinkie soothed him petting his head telling him it alright. The other infected and Twilight looked down at the small pony and Pinkie in small amazement. "Has... he done this before?" Twilight asked Smoker who only shook his. Jockey was beginning to calm down, and soon drifted to sleep. He snored softly and Pinkie put him on her back started for the door. Before she opened the door, her mane and tail poofed up, and was now curly. She turned to the other infected. "By the way there's a party for you guys tomorrow afternoon. If you'd like to join you can. Who am I kidding? Of course you'll come, it's your party after all!" She said before giggling and walking out the door with Jockey still on her back. Charger perked. "Hey! Lassy, were you takin' Jockey? Back home with ya?" He asked and Pinkie only nodded before bounced to Sugar Cube Corner to go to sleep. Twilight still stood and tried to process what just happened. First Jockey becomes a raving lunatic, then he begins crying about how Pinkie should be happy, now he's on her back going to Sugar Cu-. She stopped her thought right there. What does that mean? She's taking to Sugar Cube Corner so what? The words Smoker said to her still rung in her head. No, he wouldn't because he was JUST crying over who she should be happy. So why would he? "Okay, all you ponies probably need a place to stay. So with that said, I have a guest room, and the basement. So who wants what?" She asked with a small smile. Tank, Smoker, and the other four took the guest room, leaving Witch to the basement. When Twilight opened her mouth to say something Tank cut her off. "Trust us... is better," he said before walking up the stairs. Only to have the third stair up break under his weight. "....Uh...." He said has he moved from the stairs and curled in the middle of the room. "Down here fine..." He said with a small sheepish grin. The other five infected made way to the living room while Witch stood by the basement door waiting for Twilight. As the infected all drifted to sleep, a giggle was heard in the silent town and anyone who could hear it would also find a tone of anguish and despair in it.