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// Chapter 2: What Had to be Done 
// Story: Howling Shadows 
// by 10 Florins 
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	My last few days before it happened were memorable. I did, in fact, have to keep the townsfolk from inquiring about my worsening vitality. Any time that a concerned pony would recommend a "knowledgeable" doctor they could send me to, I simply waved them off. "I'm fine, really. I just happened to catch the bug going around the next town over." Such excuses became commonplace for me, to the point where I took a morbid enjoyment in weaving new lies to every pony who asked.
"Oh, no- I can't visit a doctor, for you see... I've got a terrible magical illness! One that no professional has ever heard of! How I tried to find the cure, but alas! None were to be found!" Each story I told became slightly different than the last, giving me some amusement to distract myself from the pain.
But my time was indeed running short. On more than several occasions I found myself lacking the energy to stand. The pain felt like it does when you starve, but my belly was full. At least, the one that needed physical food. There was no more for me in that small little town.
I decided that I could no longer stay. I never even bothered to learn the town's name, let alone where it was on the map. All I really knew about it was the cold reception that had awaited me upon my first encounter with it. Now, though, they didn't know who I was. I could have, perhaps, taken their essence in secret, so that nopony would suspect me of anything. But in my gut, it just wouldn't feel right. I thought that it would make me a coward, and that nothing would be solved. I would become a leech, sucking away at their spirit until it was a hollow shell of the place it used to be. I didn't want to be that monster.
So, in preparation for my departure, I began with "borrowing" the book on Changelings from the library. After all, I could never again simply walk in and resume reading it. Next, I would need a map. I planned to head for Ponyville, for I had heard of a librarian there who may be able to help me research answers to my questions. The knowledge of that one book wouldn't be enough on its own.
Come twilight, I carefully tiptoed out of bed, for the landlord was a light sleeper, but a heavy gavel about curfew. I looked at my pony form in the mirror, and transformed back into my original self. "No need to lie anymore, I suppose." 
Making my way to the window, I checked my bag of supplies: Food. Canteen. Bedroll. All that was left was that book: The Equestrian Guide to Hostile Creatures. Standing at the window, I reflected about my choice. "Should I really go through with this?"... I winced, for a sharp pang ran through my stomach and out my mouth. This time, though, blood came with it. There was no turning back; this had to happen or I would die.
I firmly pushed on the glass, causing the latch to give way. The window creaked open, just loud enough to make me freeze. "Too fast!," I thought, "Definitely opened it too fast." Much to my avail, however, nothing stirred thereafter. The only sound to be heard was the faint whisper of the wind, singing the land to sleep.
Making sure not to fly too high, I glided over to the library. The door was bolted shut, as expected, but the chimney atop the roof was its downfall. Shuffling through the stalk of the chimney, the soot did nothing to my already black coat. If anything, it was me who was dirtying the inside of it.
At last, I was on the ground floor of that dusty library that I had become so familiar with. The atmosphere of the room was tense now, as if the very books would fly off their shelves in an attempt to scare me. My first stop was the front desk, where the late fines basket was located. If I was going to steal a book, the least I could do was give them the few bits I had earned. After dropping off about 12 bits in the basket, feeling good, I made my way to the shelf where my book was kept.
I scanned the shelf for the copy, only to find that it was missing. MISSING? "It was there before I left, right before the library closed."
"So that's how it is."
Horrified, I turned around, only to see that it was my landlord, the pony who first brought me to town, and even opened his home to me. He was just standing there, with The Equestrian Guide to Hostile Creatures in hoof. I managed to stutter, "How d-did you..."
"..Know what you were looking for? I did my research. I always had a nagging feeling about you, and that's why I investigated into your whereabouts. But to think, you were that God forsaken Changeling this whole time? I should have-HNHG!"
His words infuriated me. The whole time, he always thought of me as evil. I had never done him or the village any harm, but here he was, trying to single me out as the monster I never wanted to be.
I didn't want it to happen that way, not for my first time. But there I was, draining his Essence, what I had come to call it, in violence. I had wanted to do it in secret, so that nopony would think twice about why some traveler just up and left. I wanted to kill him so badly, but I knew I couldn't bring myself to do it. I pulled away, leaving him in a hobbled pile on the floor.
"I'll be taking this book now. The money for it is in the usual spot. If you tell tales of me, remember this: it was your kin who first attacked. I've been biding my time here, starving, because I refused to hurt any of you in the process of keeping myself healthy. You want a Changeling story? Tell that one, the one that's different."
I made my way to the door, now open, courtesy of that devilish one. As I crossed the wide archway, I heard him from behind, "You'll....p-pay.." as he tried to shuffle towards me, "For.... this..."  And with a thud, he was out cold.  
With the book now securely placed in my bag, I set for Parchment Palace, the local office where documents were created, including the map I needed. The shop's entrance juxtaposed the name; it wasn't grand or majestic in any way. It was just a small building with a single first story window and a lime green door.
This door was locked, as many were, but the unoriginal shop owner hid his spare key under the welcome mat, making this brake-in far easier than the last. The inside of the shop was not much different from the outside; it was a quaint, beige room with a desk and several shelves, lined with papers of all kinds. Maps were not difficult to find, as the owner was a tidy, organized type. Sitting on the section labeled "Equestria" I found a regional map of the town. "Better get a smaller scale map, too. It looks like Ponyville isn't in the same region as here."
After exiting the shop, I re locked the door and safely stored the key. Unfortunately, the book was more expensive than the maps, and I used all of my remaining bits on it. I felt badly; that store didn't get much business, only enough to keep it from going under. 
With the last item on my checklist obtained, I was ready to leave that nameless town and head for answers. Answers I would hope to find in Ponyville.