Laughter taunted her as she struggled to break free. The smell of mold and mildew filled the air. Dim light illuminated the fillies around her, their faces twisted in horrible smiles as one large dark black unicorn stood over her, a large chunk of concrete held over his head. He brought it down several times onto her chest, splintering her fragile ribs. With each blow the laughter of the surrounding fillies grew in intensity. The pain being too much, she sobbed and coughed as he continued to bring down the rock over and over again.
“TURN IN ALL YOUR WORK ON TIME!” the words were screaming in her ears. Each word brought her only pain. Her arms hurt. She couldn’t move it was all too much. Too much! The dark figure struck her again. “I PROMIS I’LL TURN IN MY WORK ON TIME, JUST PLEASE DON’T HURT ME!”
Crying, she small purple unicorn clutched her doll. She was hiding in her closet, rocking back and fourth she sobbed. The sound of fighting could be heard from the room over. The filly heard something whisper behind her, turning around she came face to face with a pale white pony. She was hanging upside down, her arms dangling to the floor. Her mane was jet black, her eyes missing. Before she could run away the pale pony grasped her head between her hooves and wailed. Her mouth stretching wider than physically possible. Twilight watched herself from the monsters perspective. She watched the life drain from her eyes, her frail body go limp.
“KEYAAAAAAA!” the sound of screaming filled the small library. Twilight looked around, her eyes wild. Still panting she told her self
“Calm down Twilight. Its just. . .just a dream.” Shaking her head violently, the small purple unicorn climbed of her bed and walked into her bathroom.
Illuminating the space with her horn, she looked in the mirror. Dark bags hung below her blood shot eyes. Tears still streamed down her face. Her hair was in a mess. Her skin had gone from the dark purple that it usually was to a light purple. Her back started to burn; slinking down the wall she hung her head. She tried to remember what had caused her so much trauma. Racking her brain her memory started coming back to her.
Clutching her chest, Twilight could still feel the marks that the chunk of concrete had left. Her back throbbing, she got up and splashed water over her face. Feeling slightly better, she opened her medicine cabinet and got out a small pouch of herbal medicines that Zecora had prepared for her the night before. Gripping the small bag in her mouth she made her way into the kitchen.
Twisting the knob on the stove, she placed the small pouch in a cup of water. Taking a shaky breath, Twilight tried to calm her nerves. The image o the dark pony filled her mind again. Planting her hooves over her mouth, she ran for the bathroom. When she was done empting her stomach, Twilight walked back to the kitchen.
“Good thing Spike’s not here to see me like this.” she mumbled to her self as she grasped the steaming cup. The color was a dark reddish brown, a sickly sweet smell filled her nose. Gagging, she set the mug down on the counter, Twilight thought back to the other day when she had gotten the strange mixture.
“Welcome back young Twilight,” said the zebra “I must admit your quite a sight.” And it was true, Twilight had been having horrid nightmares for a few weeks now. She just nodded and sat down. Laying on a small red carpet covered with swirling black patterns from a far away land, Zecora asked her
“Now Twilight, what ales you at night to cause such a fright?” Twilight looked at her hooves, slowly she said
“I’ve been having horrible nightmares, awful awful nightmares.” Zecora closed her eyes, deep in thought.
After a few moments the zebra stood and walked over to where she kept her medicinal herbs. Grasping small vials and jars Zecora took small amounts and ground them together. When she had finished, she poured the powder in a small pouch. Tying it off with a dark black string, she gave it a good tug. Walking over to where Twilight sat hunched over, Zecora handed her the small pouch
“Here you are young Twilight, this will help you sleep at night.” Twilight gingerly picked it up with her mouth and set in her bag.
“Now tell me more, about these nightmares you mentioned before.” Zecora said with a smile. Closing her eyes, Twilight took a deep breath.
“The are always the same three dreams, repeating one after the other.” Zecora nodded “But the thing is, I-I cant remember what happens in the dreams. . .I just remember pain.” Twilight lowered her head, Zecora stood and walked over to her friend. Patting her back, she told her
“When you drink this tea, it will stop your nightly calamity.” Twilight looked up at the zebra. “This will take you to your mind within, so you can see where your troubles begin.”
That seemed like a lifetime ago, she looked down at the mug“Well if this will make them stop. . .“ Twilight said. Raising the mug up to her mouth she took a small sip, she considered the taste. It was bitter, slightly sour, and viscous. “Funny.” Twilight said looking at the cup “It almost tastes like-” she threw her hooves up to her neck, causing the mug to sail over her head. Shattering, its contents coated the wall around it.
Gagging, she felt her pupils contract and dilate rapidly. Her ears twitched as her world around her broke away. High pitched laughter filled the air, darkness swept up around her legs. Her eyes rolled up into the back of her head. Reaching out to nopony in particular, she fell over. She was dimly aware of the sensation of falling. Just as she was about to pass out she the ground with a muffled thud.
Silent Ponyville: Redemption