//------------------------------// // The Werewolves Came on a Friday pt 4 // Story: Short Scraps and Explosions // by shortskirtsandexplosions //------------------------------// The next morning, you found yourself walking towards the edge of town. You told yourself that it was just to pay a visit to Sweet Apple Acres. Your mouth turned bitter at the thought of what it was being named now, but you refused to call it by that title. Ultimately, you didn't go by the farm. Instead, you trotted towards the west end of town. You recognized every bend and bump and turn in the road. You spotted age-old “ramps” in the dirt where you once lifted your scooter off the ground at maximum speed. You used to get so much air, so much incredible height. Now, as you passed by the gnarled oak and thick bushes, you realized that you only ever rose as high as the middle of an adult's leg. For some reason, it made your hooves feel heavier. Still, you pressed on. With each curve of the road, your heart started beating faster and faster. You knew where you would be coming to, and furthermore you knew how much you were going to hate yourself for allowing yourself to go there. Still, you persisted. Like a rising sun, the red building appeared around the bend. Your heart skipped a beat. It was still as bright and cheerful as you had always pictured it. The place wasn't empty, too. What day was it? Was it Monday? Tuesday? Whatever the case, school was in session, and several fillies and colts scampered through the yard. Their giggles were both music and misery to your ears. You tried not to dwell on it. You looked for her. When at first you didn't see her, it was almost a relief. You started realizing that there were dozens if not hundreds of other things you could have been doing that day. In the end, all you wasted was a week and a few hundred bits. It wasn't like the original plan. There was no need to spend a month out here. You didn't deserve that vacation. There were places to go, duties to attend, a nation to protect. But then—like a flash of ruby fire—she appeared. You wanted to collapse, to giggle, to sob, to smile. All you did was stand in place. But that wasn't all she was doing. She was walking among the children, speaking to them, smiling to them. With a happy laugh and a chirping voice, she leaned over and nuzzled a few foals and shared in their joy and excitement of life. You couldn't believe how young she still looked. So young, so full of vibrant optimism and gentleness. You could have recognized her from a mile away. Could she still have recognized you? “Scootaloo?!” You twitched, realizing that a unicorn mare was gawking at you. Her bright golden eyes blinked and her long blonde mane hung over a sweaty gray coat. “Scoots?!” Her smile was half as rich as the happiness dripping out of her voice. “Scootaloo, is that really you?!” You ripped your eyes off of the schoolyard. You took a good, long look at the unicorn. You saw her short horn, her amber eyes, her bulky mailbag, and you put two and two together. “Hello, Dinky,” you said in a gentle tone, smiling for smiling's sake. “It's been a while.” “A while?!” She exclaimed and leaned forward unabashedly to hug you. “It's been ages! How have you been?!” “Oh, y'know.” You shrugged. “Alive.” “Well... heehee... That's certainly good to hear!” Dinky leaned back, clutching the saddlebag full of envelopes to herself. “Wow, look at you! You look like a marathon runner!” “I've been keeping fit these days.” “Cuz of the Guard, right?” “Nnnngh...” You sighed and eventually gave a relenting nod. “Yeah.” “Wow. I always wondered if it was just a rumor. Do they really send you to the Changeling lands?” “I haven't seen any changelings,” you murmured. “Not that I know of.” The sounds of children's voices were dwindling. You realized that they were being ushered into the schoolbuilding. You started to stir impatiently, but felt that it was best to maintain politeness. “Took your mother's job, I see.” “Heh. More or less. I'm the assistant to the mailmare,” Dinky said, then winced. “Only... he's not a mare. But a stallion.” “You sure about that?” “Heehee—It's just that so many ponies around town are still used to saying that they 'depend on Ponyville's most trusted mailmare.'” “She's left a fine legacy.” “Mmmmhmmm...” Dinky bit her lip, blushed, and smoothed a blonde lock back over her forehead. “I've been earning the both of us bits.” “You take care of her these days?” “Er... Kind of...” She fidgeted slightly. You weren't sure what to say to that. “But, I still have plenty of free time!” Dinky exclaimed, smiling brightly. “We should totally hang out! How long are you here for?” “I'm... staying for a while...” “Oh? With family?” You tried not to react too sharply. “There's a hotel in downtown where... uhm... where they used to—” “Oh, yes. Heehee. That place has a nice cafe,” Dinky said, smiling gently. “So, is it a week or...?” “Uhm...” You turned and looked at the schoolbuilding again. The foals were all gone. The door was being shut. You saw the hint of a bright pink mane, then nothing. “I figure about a month. I've been long overdue for this vacation.” “I'd love to chat and catch up on things!” You took a deep breath and looked Dinky in the face. She was younger than you and most of the fillies you hung out with when you lived here. If anything, she was the tiny blank flank that always wanted to tag along. Still... “Yeah. How about tomorrow?” “Heee! Sounds great!” She bounced, but tried to compose herself. “Uhm... Well. I've got letters to deliver.” You nodded. “And I've got some reading to do.” “Oh... Uh... Reading!” Dinky smiled nervously and waved a hoof. “Yaay! Uhm... Too bad you can't do that at the hotel anymore, huh?” “Heh... See ya, Dinky.” “It's... It's really nice to see you around, Scoots,” she said. “Scootaloo.” “Oh. Uhm... Alright. Scootaloo.” She waved one last time, swiveled about, and trotted briskly down the road. You were already trotting in the opposite direction. Your head was full of the school building. You clenched your eyes, walking blind, hoping that the darkness would wash away the image in your brain. It didn't. So, you found a park. You found a bench. You sat down, pulled out your book, opened it, and filled your brain with something else instead.