Epilogue
16 A.B. (2028)
The young filly closed the large book titled “Memories” and sat back with a look of confusion.
“That's it?” she said as she began to shift through all of the folders marked ‘evidence’ that lay around her. “That can't be the end! There has to be another journal or something.”
The young filly continued to search through the paper work, but couldn't completely understand what was written on them. However, she continued her search, determined to find information regarding the existence of a second journal.
“Scamp! What have I told you about touching mommies work things?”
The filly spun around, startled by her mother's yelling. “I'm sorry, mom! I was just curious about your new case!” she blurted out defensively.
The older mare sighed and stepped into the office, it's floors covered in paper and folders. “Then ask me, don't destroy my office in your quest for answers.” She then began to reorganize the room with her magic while her daughter stood there patiently.
As soon as she finished, she turned to see her daughter with the biggest smile she could muster.
“You have a question?” the mare asked, followed by the filly quickly shaking her head yes. This caused the mare to smile, and she took a seat. “Fire away.”
Scamp’s smile widened. “Tell me about him! What's he like? Did you read his book?! Do you believe it?!”
Her mother held up a hoof, “ One at a time dear.” She turned in her seat and began reading over a few papers. “I just got this case yesterday day, honey. But I just finished my first meeting with him today.”
“And?” Scamp asked while leaning forward.
“He's quiet, and content,” the mare said as she turned back around to face her daughter. “And yes, I've read the book. He mentioned it several times during the meeting, but it's irrelevant to the case.”
Scamp cocked her head in confusion, “Why?”
“It's fiction, honey. A book he wrote to make himself seem more interesting, a way for him to retreat from the real world. He's convinced himself it's all true and will not listen to reason.” The mare shook her head, a bit of annoyance in her voice. “He's making it very hard to represent him. At least I can fall back on mentally unstable if all else fails.”
“But it is real,” Scamp said quietly, looking at the floor.
“What was that?”
Scamp looked up, “It's all real, he couldn't have made all of that up. I know it all seems like make believe, but it's real. I know it is.”
Her mother just smiled, “ I know, honey. It has a lot of cool things in it that young fillies like yourself are attracted to, I use to be like that. But, that book was written by a insane stallion, and I have to somehow prove he's innocent. Which is impossible with this book.”
Tears of anger swelled up in Scamp’s eyes at being brushed off because of her age, but she did her best to keep her voice at a normal volume. “Where did they find him?”
Her mother noted her daughter's mood, but didn't mention it. Instead, she lifted a folder up and shifted through it. “Apparently, they found Mr. Greenfield in Manehattan in a library, which he owned.”
“How'd he avoid being noticed for so long if he owned a library?” Scamp asked. “I mean, he looks so weird from the way he describes himself in the book.”
The mare nodded and lifted a picture. The picture showed a aged Pegasus stallion with a distressed expression holding a sign with numbers on it. His fur was cyan, with a black mane, and he had green eyes, but he was devoid of any kind of uniqueness.
At her daughter's puzzled look, the mare chuckled, “This is Lance Greenfield, age 41. And before you say anything, his appearance was changed with magic a long time ago.”
“Then how'd they find him?” Scamp questioned.
Her mother lifted up the book and shook her head. “Because of this! He wrote it and then read it to the children during story time. What a…” she caught herself from cursing and sighed again. “I'm suppose to be his lawyer, but he's already condemned himself.”
“What's going to happen to him?” Scamp asked, obviously worried.
“If he's lucky, I'll get him a reduced sentence, but most likely he's going to the loony home for ponies like him.”
“But what if the book is real and all of that actually happened?” Scamp asked hopefully.
Her mother looked at her, and frowned, “It doesn't matter if it's true or not, he murdered someone. That book can't help him, all it's good for is to be used against him.”
“But if it's true, then we should help him,” Scamp reasoned, but at the look her mother gave her, she added. “Because it was unfair to him to be treated like that by that watcher thing.”
The mare leaned back in her chair and rubbed her eyes, appearing to be stressed. “You're too young to understand any of this, Scamp. Just go play outside or something, do something more age appropriate and leave court cases to the adults. Okay?”
“But…” Scamp began, but was cut off by her mother.
“No more questions. I need to get to work, this case is already killing me with stress.” She turned to her desk and began lifting up folders, and muttered, “I hate cases involving humans.”
Scamp started to say more, but instead stamped her hooves on the floor in frustration. She turned and left her mother's office and walked down the hall to her room.
Once there, she kicked a small table over and repressed the urge to scream.
“Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm stupid!” she declared to no one in particular.
She stepped over to her nightstand and pulled out her own journal. The words ‘Detective notes’ was written across it. She opened it to reveal all of her past notes on other cases her mom had worked on. She merely clenched her teeth and ripped the pages out, leaving the blank ones still attached.
“I'm done playing detective,” she mumbled as she looked at the blank page. She looked away from the book and out her window.
Outside, the small town was bustling with activity. Everyone seemed excited about the upcoming trial, especially since one of the princesses was going to be attending.
Scamp looked back at the paper and slammed her hoof on it. “I'm going to prove he's telling the truth, even if it takes me most of my life!”
Thus, an obsession is born.