Chapter Two
Well done, Wunderpferd. Can't even get falling off a cliff and dying right.
Not so say I deserve death, of course. I've always been told that nopony deserves death. I don't always agree, though.
I, on the other hand, have been chased from my own home, and off a cliff, by ponies who have found out and-
-want to take us back to our rightful home.
They probably heard about it. Everypony always finds out. I'm easy to read, and a horrible liar.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Well, the good news is my leg broke the fall.
Apparently the mob after me gave up. Must've just wanted me out of town. Most likely torching my belongings. It was all food anyway, no real loss. Not like I can go back anyway. Not on these worthless legs.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Well, I didn't bloody myself nearly as much as I'd thought. Just sprained my leg. Still meant it took me all night to get back to town. Hopefully I can get to what's left of my house before I'm spotted.
I guess it's a good thing I don't stand out. Even when I'm ragged and limping I may as well not exist. Everypony seems content that I've disappeared at least.
Oh, no, it's that pink nightmare again. Is she still looking for me? Figures, she set the whole thing up, of course she'd want to finish the job. Is she... lifting up stones? Wow. She gives me too much credit. Maybe if I keep moving, she won't see me...
You're kidding, that actually worked? All the good fortune I'll get in my life, and I used it avoiding somepony. Brilliant.
Loneliness is hardly difficult for you.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
So they didn't burn my home down. That's not a lot better. They want me to stay.
Not the first time that's happened.
Only thing worse than ponies wanting you gone is when they want you to stay.
Bits in my closet, food in the pantry, pink mare in the living room, books by my bed.
Wait a minute...
No. Oh, no. How did she find me?
It's your house, moron.
How did she get in?
You never bothered to get a lock for your door. Don't like 'em, right?
She's going to take me back. I don't want to go back. Leave me alone, please. I'll do anything, anything if just don't take me back.
Does she want me to beg? Small price to pay to not go back.
She probably knows that, though.
Does she just want to see me miserable knowing that she could take me back anytime? Could anypony be that cruel?
Last I knew, you've met several.
She's talking to me. Here's hoping begging works.
Never did before.
Oh, her name's Pinkie Pie. I forgot. Makes enough sense.
She wants to know why I ran off? I'm expected to go back, then.
What? A party? Why would anypony throw me a party?
My name? Why would she care? She's not going to let me go until I tell her, though. Guess I need to talk.
Hutch. I hate my name. It's everything that's ever been wrong with my life. And not only because it's my name.
She's smiling. Probably recognized the name.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
A second party? Why is she so persistent about it? What is there to gain?
More ponies around. You dropping your guard.
And why invite me? Oh, wait, it was a party for me. Something about meeting someone new. Not that I'm 'new'.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I'm not sure how she set up this party so fast. She probably didn't do it alone. Looks like they're all having fun. Where is she, though? Pinkie?
Looking for blackmail material?
Gah! There she is. How does she always sneak up on me? And what is she holding?
A host of honor crown? Why would she give me a crown? And a gold one at...
gold
clanking shaking
wrapping cold terrible
ca n't go
RUNdon'trun
won't let youthought you could escapenever
same as same as before
closed can't escape cannot run
worthlessworthlessworthlessworthlessworthless
hate me hate me more cold home shake my life nothing
belong hurt me hurt me ask me to die
can I call you homeTRUSTED HERwhy trust
decision was MADEwho am I to question who takes me
everyone takes
can't move don't feel don't hold back
I wasn't worth itonly to enjoy
laughinglaughterlaughatme
frozencold frozengold trapped binding blinding white liars
why do they let them lie
no one knows believes wants speaks cares
they speak
new truths new HUTCH
why am Itheythemusweme
I am told I am told I am cold I am told
follow the spoken
words clanking golden gleaming glaring snaring beating hurting crying laughing LAUGHING
run away you haven't done wrong you haven't been happy you haven't been bad
they want to lie
they want to hurt you
hurt you
run
run
run
run
run
they hold me stopping
bring me back to
place
remember the hurt themmake them stop
keep running ruining crying stop crying don't stop
nowhere is
happy
nowhere is safeshe lies golden shackles they want me back
favorite hurt favorite cry
smilingout gone free
keep running or they will take me back
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
I remember this feeling. Like a blizzard is creeping through your veins, blowing away your thoughts. The world feels like it's separate from you, like a book. Your body feels like someone else, doing things much better than you could if you were in control of yourself. The guy I had to see called it shock.
Personally, I don't see how something can define an existence and be such a generic word. 'Shock' is what you feel when something startles you. That actually feels like a shock. This... this isn't shock. This is... icy. Emotionally and physically cold. Hollowed out.
…
I can't go back. She's there, probably waiting for me. She's nothing but pain waiting to happen.
Good. She can't hurt you if she can't find you. Run.
Run.