This time when I woke up I was alone. Out of habit I looked at my watch trying to get an idea of how long I had been sleeping even though I knew it wasn’t working. I slid my feet out from under the covers and stretched my legs over the edge letting my feet slide over the smooth wooden floorboards. Every part of my body was sore, but I got up regardless driven by curiosity. By now my eyes were well adjusted to the dark and I could make out most of the room fairly well. Right above the bed was a window, opened just a crack, from which I could see it was still night, or at least I think it was night before. I really had no idea. On the far side of the room was a door, light shining from the gap below, and next to it was a sink with a mirror which I walked over to, the floor creaking as I moved.
My eyes widened in surprise as I came into view in the mirror. Boy did I look a mess. Wrapped all the way around my chest and back were blood stained bandages that covered wounds that I don’t even remember getting. A cool breeze rolled in through the open window making me shiver a bit. I wish I hadn’t ruined my shirt, but on the other hand if I hadn’t the yellow mare would have surely died.
I turned on the sink and let the warm water run through my fingers and used it to wet my hair. I always thought my hair looked nicer wet; it was a nice hazelnut brown and matched my eyes. I washed my face and hands the best I could, but avoided the areas around my bandages in fear of loosening them. Turning of the sink I let a grim smile tug at my lips. At least now I didn’t look like a monster.
I took a few steps towards the door and placed my hand on the knob. I couldn’t help wonder how they could even use a doorknob with hooves. I started to turn it then hesitated. I could hear voices on the other side. Instead I put my ear against the door and listened.
“Now Fluttershy you never did tell us why the hay you were out so far into the Everfree forest.” A thick country accent rang out from the other side of the door.
Fluttershy. So that’s what her name is. When she responded I had to strain my ears to make out her quiet voice, “Angel was sick and the cure called for a herb that only grew deep within the forest.”
“Common Fluttershy,” A tomboyish voice burst into the conversation, scolding Fluttershy, “Even I know that it’s dangerous to go that far into the forest.”
There was no response this time, or if there was I didn’t hear it.
Time seemed to slow as I waited for something to happen, but nothing did. Taking a deep breath I put my hand back on the knob and gave it a slow turn before pushing the door open. No one was there. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. They must have moved to a different room.
I walked through the room, not really paying attention to it. My attention was focused on the next door. It was open and I could hear laughter coming from the other side. Stopping at the entrance I peered in. They were all facing away from the door, seated around a table drinking what looked like tea.
Now was as good a time as any. I decided to speak up. “Hi. I’m uh awake now.” My voice was a lot quitter that I meant it to be. I was just nervous and this whole thing was just kind of weird. A flash of pink dashed across the room and an energetic pony jumped up in front of me, blowing a noisemaker into my face. “Surprise!” she cried out enthusiastically. I took a step back in alarm and almost fell over. I didn’t really respond because really how are you supposed to respond to something like that? Just as quickly as she appeared she was back in her seat. “I umm” I started to talk but was cut off by the elegant voice of the White mare. “Why don’t you have a seat dearie?”
Nervously I pulled up a chair, sitting myself between Fluttershy and the purple mane’d mare. They all looked at me, and I stared back. Alright if they weren’t going to talk, I was, “Listen I,” But I stopped, not really knowing what to say. Lowering my gaze I continued, “I’m not from around here, and where I come from magic doesn’t even exist, and... I need help getting home.” Looking up I saw the lavender mare scribing on a piece of paper, or scroll of some sort. I had a feeling she was writing down everything I said, and I said as much, “Did you just write that down?”
She looked up, blushing “Oh it’s just nothing like this has ever happened before, and I wanted to document it.” She paused for a second, as if thinking, and set the scroll and quill aside before continuing. “I can write it down later. I’ll be doing some research about this when I get home, why don’t you tell us what happened from the beginning, I’m sure it will help us get you home.” She offered a reassuring smile as she finished.
I returned a weak smile and began, starting with the call I got from Dave, and how I snuck out, to when I heard Fluttershy’s pleas for help, and ending with me in this room right now. Throughout the story I was interrupted several times with questions, all of which I answered happily. It felt good to finally be talking and being able to share what had happened to me.