//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1: The Gift 
// Story: The Life of Shin Dowe 
// by Golden Flare 
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Chapter 1: The Gift


The day I was born, when I saw my parents, I had no idea who they were, but when I went to sleep for the first time, I could see it. I saw what they were really thinking, their love for me, how happy they were when they saw me, I even saw their deepest secrets, secrets that they would never tell me in my lifetime. I still remember it to this day, every time when I close my eyes, when I drift off into Dream Land, I can still see everything everypony thinks, but there's a catch, it only works with ponies I've already met.

When I was 5 years old, I started school at Dodge Elementary, hoping to make some friends, I met a few ponies and they seem pretty nice, but I lost all of them when I told them about my dreams.

"H-How did you...?!" the first colt said.
"NO! Y-YOU'RE LYING!!"

"Lying? What's 'lying'?" I said, confused.

"Leave me alone! You're a freak!" the first colt said.

"What's with you? We just met you and think you know everything about us!" the second colt said.

"I-I don't understand, what did I do wrong?" I said.

"I think it's better if we don't talk or see each other anymore." the filly said.

"B-But!" I said.

"Goodbye... kid." the filly said.

"Wait! Don't leave me!" I screamed.

Every day was like that, make friends, have heart-reading dreams, blab about it, and lose the friends I make. Sometimes I feel like I should be left in solitude, alone... No one to be there for me... I call it "True Sadness". I've never told my parents about my dreams, because I was afraid that they would leave me just like the others did.

I swore I would never tell them. Ever.

From Dodge Elementary, to Dodge Middle, and even Dodge High School, all my friendships ended the same way, I just couldn't keep my mouth shut about it. I was worried about what would happen if I got into a relationship with a mare I would one day call, "My Special Somepony". if I lost somepony I truly cared about...

I don't know what I would do with myself.

Tomorrow's my 18th birthday, and I would make a promise on that day that I thought would protect me.

I promise I will never talk about my dreams again.