//------------------------------//
// The End of A Short but Worthwhile Journey 
// Story: My Life in a Nutshell 
// by Dylan Scraton 
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	A lot happened in the time E was sick...we never did come to a conclusion as to what it was or how she contracted it. What we did know however, was that she was barely clinging to life for the first few weeks of it all. I never left her side during those trying times. Midnight tried everything he could to cure her.

After that first night at Midnight’s house Eternal and I grew closer. Even more than we had been before. I was always there for her, doing whatever she needed done. I did my best to help Midnight treat her. It might have been because I wanted to help. As if I somehow thought it was my fault she was in this state. 

It might have been because I knew now I loved her. It might have been a lot of things. But I knew there was a reason I was so compelled to help. I just didn’t know what it was. So, one day Aura wanted me to do a bit of shopping. Of course I immediately said yes to the request. He gave me a list of things he needed and I ran off.

When I got to the market I started looking around for some of the things on the list. Milk, grain, hay, cereal, wheat flour, etc. As I was grabbing the last thing on Aura’s list I was approached by a rather familiar looking mare. “Hey! Psyche!” She called. I turned to face her and to my surprise, it was Violet. 

My mouth dropped. “V-Violet!? What are you....where have you...” I began to speak but she stopped me mid-sentence. “Where have I been?! I could ask you the same fucking thing!” She screamed. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere for weeks!” My ears folded back in embarrassment. 

Then I noticed the engagement ring on her horn. It wasn’t the one I had given her. “Well first off, you have been in and out for months without even speaking a word to me. And second, I wait for you to come back from “business” for months. I’m gone for a few days and you get remarried!?” 

She took a few steps back. “We-well I...I didn’t...Psyche...I have needs too ya know!” She scoffed. I was appalled. “Well you know what? I don’t even care.” I said. “Because do you know who was there for me the whole time you weren’t? You know who was more of a friend to me the last couple of months than you have been since we met?” 

She turned away from me and began to laugh. “I couldn’t care less, Psyche. I have things to do, ponies to see, place to be.” She said as she galloped away, leaving behind only a trail of tears. I sighed and grabbed a box of cereal, went through checkout, and ran back to Aura’s place as fast as I possibly could.

        I just wanted to never see Violet again, or have to worry about her for as long as I might live. If only things had ended up that way.

I got back to Midnight’s house and ran inside. Aura was tending to Eternal as per usual. I made my way into the kitchen and started to put away groceries. Before I could finish I was joined by Midnight in the kitchen. I turned to face him and forced a smile as best I could. He looked very tired and in need of a nap at the very least.

        “How is she?” I asked. He shook his his head and sighed. “Not too well..her fever is getting worse every day and there isn’t much I can do to fix it. I’m doing all I can for her Psyche...but I fear there’s not much more I can do to prevent her from getting worse...All we can do now is wait for the inevitable.”

My fake smile quickly left my face and I looked to the ground. I couldn’t bear to face him after that, less I break out into tears. Finally I spoke. “C-can I see her?” He nodded and I ran into the living room. I made my way over to Eternal and knelt beside her. I couldn’t help but smile when I was near her.

        “Hey E...” I said softly. As she turned to face me I felt myself melt a little inside. I was so happy when I got to talk to her. Then I began to remember what Aura had said...”All we do now is wait for the inevitable.” The words ran through my head a dozen times. Maybe more. I wasn’t about to let her go. I couldn’t. I knew I was in love with her...but I was unsure if my own feelings were true. 

        Finally she opened her mouth to speak. “Hi Psyche.” She said with a smile. Oh that smile. There was never a time when I thought it wasn’t beautiful. I loved making her smile, and hearing her laugh. It was one of things I loved about her. Of that, I was sure. “How are you feeling?” I asked. 

Her happy expression quickly faded for a moment. “I’ve been getting worse...at least that’s what Aura was saying...but now...” She hesitated.”I feel better now that you’re back.” She said with a smile. Hearing her say that made me forget all about her illness, Violet, and Aura. It was just us. Here in this moment.

I wanted to tell her I loved her. I wanted to ask her to always be with me. But...I was afraid of losing her as quick as I got her. Finally I worked up the courage to say something. “Eternal...I love you...and I want to stay by you through all of this...and hope we can...start a life together.” I said. Eternal’s face lit up like a firework.

“Psyche...I...I don’t know what to say!” she exclaimed. “I’m so happy that you feel that wa-” she began to say, only to be cut off by a sudden coughing fit. Of course this was a normal thing...but not with so much blood... Of course this caught me by surprise and I jumped up and panicked. I looked around the room, scanning for something that could possibly help. 

Finally, the coughing came to a halt. I turned back to Eternal. “E?” I said...”E?!” Still no response. “ETERNAL!” I screamed. I rushed over to her as quickly as I could. “E! Please don’t joke around like this! Please, open your eyes! Something!...Anything...” 

Tears began to fall. I grabbed hold of her lifeless husk, crying more then than I ever thought I would. 

I’m leaving it there. For the sheer fact that...I have nothing else to tell...she died in my hooves. And that was that. It’s been five years since then...and I felt the need to jot this all down so that at least someone might hold her memory after I’ve left. She had no family. She had no friends. She had never gotten to know love. And now I doubt she ever will. Maybe one day we’ll see each other again. Maybe we’ll have our chance at eternity. I don’t know the answer...but I’m sure I’ll find one. Thank you all for reading. I only ask you to hold on to what you have in your life. And cherish it. Don’t let it slip away like I did. And when it does, chase it. Don’t let it go without trying to protect it. Keep it safe. Don’t let anyone tell you it isn’t worth fighting for. Don’t let anyone fool you and make you think there’s no hope. Cherish whatever you hold sacred. Love it. Keep it alive for as long as you are physically able to. And when it slips away with no hope of you getting it back, get lost in the music.


With Regards,

        Psyche D. Scraton