//------------------------------//
// Stranger in a Strange Land 
// Story: Extremely Loud, Intensely Bright, Drastically Tense, Exceedingly Tight 
// by h4ns 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 5: Stranger in a Strange Land

Bryce lied in bed, having just recently awoken. As per his usual morning routine Bryce lied in bed to 'rest his eyes' until his alarm clock would do its prearranged klaxon. He always dreaded this because when the shour hand reached the set time it meant an end to the night's 'time for dreams'. 

Though Bryce could usually remember only minute details of his dreams, the one from the night before seemed to be imprinted into his memory. Almost like it had been real. 

Bryce remembered it all. From his awakening in the dark forest with Corn, to the journey through said forest, including his brutal thrashing of Corn. He also recalled his own thrashing by a small apple tree, 'falling asleep' during a storm, and 'waking up' the following morning to thunder, even though he could see no clouds in the sky. 

As he and Corn continued their trek through the orchard they had taken refuge behind an old, toppled tree. Wait not refuge, as a hiding spot. From what Bryce couldn't  recall, though he remembered the tree had served their purpose. 

Later the pair climbed to the top of a small hill to find an abandoned wagon, or so he had thought. He had shouted out and caused a dog...yes a dog to run after Bryce. It was itself ran off by Corn's far superior size. 

Soon after Bryce heard a sound from under the wagon. Calling out to the sound he thought he had imagined it. But when a second sound came from the same location and he was greatly angered. He remembered this part very clearly.

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"Let's play this game you little..." Bryce was taken aback by what lay before him. Instead of another human being, as he had been dreadfully expecting, Bryce came face to face with the last thing he could expect to find. Choking on his own words, all Bryce could get out was, "...horse thing?" A yellow horse thing with a red tail and hair, the later wrapped in a pink bow.

Just like that the anger and hatred he had felt towards the then unseen being was replaced with shock and bewilderment. After a few seconds of silence Bryce saw that the bow that was in its hair...no its mane was knotted up on an exposed nail. Reaching out his right hand he said, "Uh hey sorry I thought...I thought you were a per...person." When his hand was less than a foot from the nail the horse thing kicked out with its left hind leg.

Pulling back Bryce said,  "Hey I'm not gonna hurt you. Just let me get you out of this." Reaching for the bow again he was almost able to touch the ribbon when the horse thing kicked again, this time connecting. Bryce shot his head out from under the wagon. He had to admit though it hurt a little. Determined to free the horse thing from her bonds Bryce made a third attempt. Sticking his head back under the wagon Bryce chuckled, "OK...that one hurt a little. But I'm made of stronger stuff than that." 

When he could see the horse thing again it threw a glob of mud right into his face, effectively blinding him. Pushing himself up Bryce grunted in pain when he banged his head on the bottom of the wagon. Damn it that hurt like a bitch!

Carefully pulling his head out from under the wagon Bryce began to feel around for something, anything to clear his vision. Rummaging around inside the wagon he felt a smooth, glass object. Grabbing hold of it he determined from its shape and feel that it was a bottle. Moving his fingers up to the top he felt the cork. Holding the bottle in one hand he bit down on the cork and it came off with a loud 'pop'. Being cautious Bryce held the mouth of the bottle up to his nose to make sure its contents wouldn't do more harm than good. When it bore no scent he brought it to his own mouth and took a small sip. Thank God, water.

Cupping his free hand he filled it with water and rubbed it vigorously into his eyes. He repeated this until he could open his eyes without it burning like Hell.

When he could see again Bryce took a long gulp from the bottle emptying it easily. Putting the now empty bottle down he noticed Corn paying close attention to an upside down basket, all the while growl low. "What's the matter boy, something you want under there?" Looking at the basket Bryce saw a tuft of bright red hair poking out from the underside of the basket. Where have I seen that? 

Thinking for a second he remembered and scrambled to get under the wagon. All he found was the horse thing's pink ribbon tied around the same loose nail. Shit!!!

Rushing over to the basket Corn was glaring at Bryce yelled, "Corn get on, leave the thing alone." 

Corn continued to stare daggers at the upturned basket. 

"Corn damn it I said get."

If Corn was listening, he didn't show. He was more concerned about the juicy steak on legs that was doing a poor job of hiding.

Bryce had had enough for the day. Smacking Corn on his back he snarled, "Corn...step away from the basket. NOW!!!"

Corn, too hungry and too tired to spar off, snaked away with his tail tucked between his legs, more upset that he wouldn't be eating any time soon.

With Corn out of the way Bryce was left alone. Just him and the horse thing under the basket. Stepping closer he said, "Look...I don't know if you can understand me...But if you can just know that I forgive you for kicking me and, well, blinding me." When there was no response he bent down on one knee, "Look Corn's not gonna hurt you if that's what you're worried about." He placed his hands on either side of the basket, "Let's just get you out from under this and..." 

Lifting the basket Bryce saw something that cut him off midsentence.

The little horse thing was lying on her belly with her hooves over her head. Watching her for a second he noticed she was shivering. Bryce could also hear sniffling, almost like it was crying. 

Did I...did I do this. No I...I couldn't have. I mean I know I was yelling but... Slapping himself on his forehead Bryce felt like shit. Worse even than cat shit.

Had he really been that callous. Did she think he was prepared to hurt her. Maybe even go as far as to kill her. 

He was taken aback. Sure Bryce knew he could get angry...really angry...but most of the time people just either yelled back or said nothing. But this, this wasn't either one. 

Grabbing his hair Bryce's eyes began to well up. First living thing I find in this place and I might as well have killed it. Knocking  himself on the head he berated himself, "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid." After this all he could do was face palm. 

After a minute he looked through one of his fingers. The little yellow horse thing was still there, still shaking, and still crying. This only served as a reminder of what he had done. 

Sliding his hand down his face Bryce cupped it over his mouth. I need to show her I didn't mean to do what I did."

Taking his hand off his mouth Bryce said, "Look, I...I'm sorry about what I did. I...I don't know if you can understand me but. I'm sorry."

If she could hear him, she didn't show it. The little horse thing could only lie there as if awaiting death.

Reaching for the frightened thing Bryce did the only thing he could think to do, though he didn't understand why it helped.

He began to gently caress her back. 

Initially Bryce thought that this was also wrong when she began to convulse under his fingertips. Eventually though he thought otherwise when her spasms began to slowly subdue. When she slowly raised her head Bryce lost it. Just seeing her large, soaked eyes made him unable to hold onto his emotions. 

He cried as well.

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Just trying to remember that made him well up again. 

But then he remembered it had all been a dream. Though it did little to help. 

From what he could recall after that she had finally taken a shine to him, somehow. When she had fallen asleep Bryce cradled her and lied her down in the wagon. After he had kissed her forehead he was startled by a voice from behind him. He remembered it having a thick Southern accent. From there it turned into a nightmare.

After the voice had him walk back from the wagon he turned around to find the voice belong to another of the horse things, this one much larger with orange fur and blonde mane and tail. This...this wasn't right. When people talked he could tolerate that, but animals, animals were supposed to remain silent. With animals he had something to talk to. Something that would listen to his bullshit without getting mad. This new information was made even worse when the little yellow horse thing, the same one he had moments had to wean, was also talking. This shattered Bryce's dream. 

Everything became a blur after that. All he could remember was running from something before be conked on the head by a small red ball.

Bryce just shrugged it off since it had all been a dream.

After a minute he felt an itch on his right arm. Going to scratch at it with his left hand he felt like his entire left arm was covered in wool and throbbing with pain all over. Hissing with pain Bryce immediately knew something wasn't as it should be. For one his alarm clock had yet to ring, his feet were hanging off the edge of the bed almost to his knees, and the blanket he was under was itching like crazy. 

Bryce finally opened his eyes further filling him with dread. The walls weren't the right color, the ceiling looked almost too low to allow him to even walk around without banging his head, and looking under the blanket he found himself stark naked and bruised. OK. I'm naked, in a bed that must have been made for a little person, and I have bruises I don't even remember getting. Is this part of the dream? Pushing himself up with his good hand he saw that his left arm was wrapped entirely in bandages. Bringing a hand to his head he found it sore to the touch, like he'd been dropped down a flight of stairs. "That...that was a dream ri...right?" What got him most was that he was the only living thing in the small room, "Where the H is Corn?"

At that moment Bryce heard steps outside the door of the small bed chamber, and they didn't sound like footsteps. They sounded more like hooves.

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Applejack was not having a good day. 

"Applebloom Ah want yuh ta stay out while Ah'm with this fella." 

"Why?" 

"Don't do this with me right now. Ah don't know what that thing in there is, but whatever the hay it is it could get violent."

Applebloom shot back, " But he sai..."

"Ah don't care what he told yuh. In fact Ah'm still doubt he could even talk."

"But he did!"

Applejack had had enough of Applebloom's backtalk for one day, "If he can why didn't he say anything ta me?"

Applebloom was lost for words, "Ah...Ah don't know. Yuh must have been scaring him."

"That thing's bigger than even Big Mac, Ah doubt he'd run from something small than itself."

At this Granny Smith chimed in, "Well you can be frightening when you get angry dear."

To which Applebloom added, "And he did run from yuh sis."

Applejack ran her bandaged hoof along the floor, "Yeah well...Ah still don't fully believe that he can talk."

Continuing down the hall, with Applebloom and Granny close behind, Applejack thought on the events that had led up to now.

When she had coaxed Applebloom out of bed early that same morning it seemed like it was going to be a good day. Sure she had gotten out to the orchard without a hitch, but after she had found a suitable place to buck apples the day did a complete 180. To start thing off she had gotten her little sister hurt when she let her have a go at bucking. Later on when she had went to check on her injured sibling a barking close to their location had caused her to run off without thinking, abandoning the filly.

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Applejack was running, determined to catch the varmint that dared to try and harm her family. Not bothering to watch her step her hoof caught on something hidden in the grass. Having lost her balance she immediately face planted and slid across to a stop across the wet ground. Using her hooves she pushed herself out of the trench she had created and spat out a clump of grass and mud. "Ugh did anypony catch the number of that train?"

Shaking her head to stop the world from spinning her mind began to clear. Darn it what was Ah thinking. Ah just ran off and left Applebloom by herself. If Granny or Big Mac knew bout this they'd kill me. Getting back onto her hooves she saw a patch of blood begin to stream down her leg. Now how am Ah gonna explain this to them. Ah need to worry about that later. Right now Ah need to get back to Applebloom before she wakes up. Taking a step forward her bleeding appendage protested, though not enough to deter her. Looking back she saw that she had nearly thrown herself into the Everfree Forest.

A few feet away she saw her Stetson laying right side up. Picking it up she placed it back over her muddy blond mane. 

Looking down at where her hat had landed a few seconds ago she saw something that made her eyes dilate.

Right there, previously hidden by her hat, was an apple core. What most caused her to panic was that it hadn't fully browned yet. What in tarnation, somepony's out here. Looking around she saw a strange impression in the mud. Instead of being round like a hoof it was long, round at the bottom, had a thin strip above the round part that met a rounded rectangle.  Above the rectangle were five circles above it of varying sizes. She also noticed the top most part sank deeper into the mud than the bottom. That's not a hoofprints. 

Walking further ahead she saw something sent a chill down her spine and drain the color from her face. It was a large paw print. That barking Ah heard before. It couldn't be.

With a newfound anger Applejack began to run back the way she had moments ago been running from.

When she had gotten back to the hill she had mounted earlier that morning Applejack was surprised to find Winona at its base, her tail tucked and shaking. Cresting the small hill she found something that made her stop in her tracks. Standing there was...something. It was bigger than any pony she had ever seen, even Big MacIntosh. But what frightened her most was that it was holding Applebloom...and she wasn't moving. 

After it had reached the wagon Applejack saw it place Applebloom in it and lower its head down. Reacting quickly she got behind the varmint that dared even touch her family and got its attention. The varmint stopped stark still. After having it step back she made it turn around and face her. When it was looking at her Applejack took notice as it began to tremble. At the time she thought it was trying to be intimidating. 

Looking past the varmint Applejack saw Applebloom poke her head over the inside of the wagon. Arguing with Applebloom, Applejack was distracted as the varmint ran off. Charging after the varmint Applejack had nearly caught up with it before she had to skid to a halt as it ran head first into an apple tree. She had to backtrack to avoid being crushed under the varmint's weight. It stirred a little just before a large red apple fell from the same tree and landed on his head with a loud 'thump'. The varmint grunted and lied still.

From behind her Applejack heard something rushing towards her. Taking it as a surprise attack from another one of these strange creatures Applejack quickly turned around prepared to fight to the death. She soon relaxed when she saw it was only Applebloom, "What are yuh doing out here? Ah told yuh ta stay in the wagon."

Taking deep shallow breaths Applebloom replied, "Ah....Ah had ta stop yuh...from hurtin him."

"Well yuh don't have ta worry about me hurtin it, feller done gone and knocked its head on a tree."

Looking past Applejack she saw it laying on its back, unmoving except for the rhythmatic rise and fall of its chest. "Is...is it gonna be alright?"

"Ah dont know and we're not waiting around ta find out."

"What? Why not?"

Walking back towards the wagon Applejack replied, "Because that varmint's dangerous. If Ah hadn't shown up when Ah did you'd be dead or worse."

"Notuh. He said he wouldn't let anything or anypony hurt me in any way. He promised!"

That made Applejack stop dead in her tracks. Staring back at Applebloom she said, "It...it said that?"

Applebloom nodded.

"Are you tellin me that varmint laying there in the mud talked to yuh?"

Applebloom nodded again.

"Like you and me are talking to each other right now?"

Applebloom nodded more furiously.

Taking one look at the varmint she had just chased down the hill and then back at Applebloom Applejack wasn't fully convinced, "If that thing can talk then why didn't it say anything to me?"

"Cause you were scaring him."

Thinking back Applejack could see how the shaking it had been doing could have been shivering, "Well Ah'm glad it decided ta run off then," she said before continuing back towards the wagon. 

"Wa...wait we can't just leave him here."

Not stopping to look back Applejack simply stated, "Oh yes we can, and we are. Now come let's get back to the farmhouse before it wakes up."

After a few seconds Applebloom said, "N...no"

Applejack again stopped and turned around, "Ah said come on NOW!"

"And Ah said NO!"

Collecting herself for the moment Applejack said, "Look sugar cube Ah know your heart's in the right place...but that...whatever the hay it is could be violent."

"Prove it."

"Well Ah...Ah can't. But yuh should have seen Winona. She was scared almost half to death by that thing."

"He ain't the one that did that."

Puzzled Applejack asked, "What do yuh mean? There's nothing else here but you, me, Winona, and that varmint. What else could uh done it?"

"His dog."

At mention of a dog Applejack's face became pale, "What...what dog?"

Extending her hoof Applebloom said, "That one behind yuh."

Looking in the direction Applebloom indicated, Applejack came face to face with a large dog roughly her size.

Back peddling to Applebloom Applejack let out a startled yelp, "Applebloom stay behind me."

"He's not gonna hurt us."

"Applebloom hush now that critter looks like he wants ta gobble us up."

Stepping forward Applebloom stood her ground, "Corn...get."

The dog's ears perked up at the mention of...Corn?

Rushing forward Applejack said, "Applebloom what are yuh doing get behind me."

Applebloom just ignored her older sister's pleas as she stood tall, staring directly at the dog, "Corn Ah said get."

This time the dog did as he was told, whining as he walked away.

Applejack could only stare with mouth agape, "Ap...Applebl...bl...bloom ho...how did yuh do that?"

"He called it that."

"Who did?"

Applebloom pointed a hoof at the unconscious creature. 

Thinking for a moment Applejack said, "How are you so sure its a stallion anyway?"

"He sounded like one."

Looking between the varmint and her sister Applejack wasn't sure what to believe. Not knowing what to do she sat on her hunches and facehoofed. She's either tell me the truth or she was just incredibly lucky. Deep down she felt she was being honest, but she couldn't admit that. Not after what happened. She was at a loss, "Applebloom, Ah...Ah just don't know what ta say." Hanging her head down Applejack admitted defeat, "OK."

Applebloom ears perked up, "Wha...what?"

"Ah said OK. Ah...Ah'm not sure why but Ah can't discredit yuh...but if that...he really can talk then we can't leave him here."

"Wait are you saying...?"

"We'll help him"

"What about his dog?"

"Yeah, we'll take the dog too." Placing a hoof on Applebloom's shoulder she sternly added, "But Ah want yuh to first look me in ta eyes and tell me the truth. Did he really talk to yuh?"

"What? Applejack why would Ah lie bout something like this?"

Applejack continued to glare down at the filly, unblinking, saying nothing.

Sighing Applebloom stared up into the apple mare's eyes. Without blinking she stated, "He did. That creature talked ta me." She emphasized this by pointing in his direction.

Hearing that Applejack finally caved, "OK then." She then walked away.

Applebloom was confused, "Wait Ah thought yuh said we were gonna help'em."

Turning back with a smile Applejack said, "We are, but Ah need to pull the wagon around. That feller's heavy. If Ah hadn't uh got outta the way when he fell he would uh squashed me flatter than a pancake. Now come on before his dog, Corn was it, gets too far away."

Jumping for joy on the inside, Applebloom ran off to help any way she could.

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She had been right about that, that feller was heavy. There were many times on their trip back that Applejack thought the wagon was going to bust under his mass. 

After getting him back to the house Applejack took over and spent the next hour first getting the varmint into the house, much to the strain it put on her back, and spent half that time getting him up the stairs. Settling to using a rope after he had fallen back down halfway up, Applejack was able to accomplish this. After nearly shattering the doorframe trying to get him into the guest room, Applejack used the last of her strength to push him onto the obviously small bed. Next Granny Smith came in and helped get her and Applebloom's injured legs bandaged, as well as disrobe the creature's and treat his burns. The former action had been embarrassing when, after removing his second undergarment, confirmed Applebloom's assertion about his gender. Soon after they were all shooed out by Granny to allow the creature to sleep.

Back in the present, after almost six hours, nopony had yet to hear a peep from the room he was occupying. With his now clean clothes folded on her head, and a tray of food and water on her back, Applejack and her sister and grandmother walked the rest of the way down the hallway in silence.

Just as she stepped in front of the guest room door Applejack could hear the mattress groan, as if under some huge weight. "Does anypony hear that?" 

Turning around Applejack was met with nods of agreement.

"Ah'm gonna go in first. If anything happens Ah want yuh ta run and get Big Mac, there's no telling what this...whatever it is...is capable of."

Pushing the door open with a hoof, Applejack entered the guest room. When she was able to see the bed everypony's earlier suspicions were correct. The creature was awake...and he was currently trying to cover himself in a blanket. Either that or trying to hide himself.

Trying to remain calm Applejack forced a smile and pretended to be surprised, "Oh you...you're awake." 

He reacted by forcing himself away.

Placing his clothes on a nearby table Applejack said, "Whoa now fella you're safe here." 

He shrank back.

Trying to keep a calm demeanor Applejack stepped closer,  "Easy now sugarcube don't get antsy, Ah'm just trying ta help yuh."

This only made him constrict even further, so much so that he fell off the dwarfed bed.

Applejack rushed to his side, "Hey yuh took a bad spill there, are yuh alright?" 

Placing a hoof on his exposed shoulder he the did something not even she was expecting.

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This isn't a dream...this is real!!!

When they could talk that was one thing, but now this one was actually touching him. His personal space was violated, he couldn't take that. Smacking her on the leg hard Bryce pushed himself into a corner.

"Ow what ta hay Ah was just making sure you were OK, what's your problem?"

Bryce response was to cover himself as best he could in the blanket. I can't see it now, I can't hear it now, it doesn't exist. In a minute I'll wake up in my own bed and it'll all be OK...

Nothing happened. When nothing happened for several minutes Bryce thought it was all over. 

"Applejack is everything OK in there?" This voice wasn't like the others he'd heard that day.

"Granny just stay outside, this fella's getting agitated."

Bryce heard hooves clop on the floor, "Well what happened?"

"Ah don't know, he just fell off the bed and went berserk when Ah tried ta help him."

Bryce heard a third set of smaller hooves clop along the floor, "See Applejack Ah told yuh you were scaring him." It was the little one.

"Gosh darn it Applebloom Ah told yuh ta stay out here."

"Well what'd yuh do dear?"

"Ah...Ah don't know he just overreacted when Ah tried ta help him. He feel off the bed and Ah ran over ta help and...Ah don't know."

Bryce just stayed in the corner, still covered in the blanket. Shit, shit, shit, I've only made things worse. Why did she have to touch me.

After a few minutes of listening to them argue the unfamiliar voice finally ended it, "Applejack! Applebloom! Neither of you are helping matters! Both of yuh are acting like foals. Just leave me alone with'em for a while."

He heard the orange one say, "But Granny..."

"Ah said get. Ah'll be out in uh minute."

After that the whole room was silent.

The orange one and the little one sighed in unison, "OK Granny."

He heard them both leave, "It's OK now dear, they're gone now, come on out."

Bryce didn't buy it. She had to be planning something. He shifted under the blanket.

"What's the matter dear, you're not scared of little old me are yuh?"

Bryce nodded.

He heard her laugh. What's so funny? 

"Well now Ah'm just an old mare. Ah couldn't hurt even if Ah wanted ta. Ah know those two can get in a tiff over nothing, but those two fillies usually end it before it gets physical. Is that what you're worried about?"

Bryce shook his head. Why won't you just leave me alone?

"Why don't yuh come on out now, Ah won't bite."

After a second Bryce shook his head.

"Well now there's nothing ta get in a fit about. If you're worried about Applejack, she's the older one, Ah'm sure once she's calmed down she'll forgive yuh." She then laughed again. 

What the H is so damn funny?

After a minute the new voice said, "Well Ah'm gonna leave yuh alone now. We can talk in the morning if yuh feel up to it." He heard her walk towards the door. "Hope ta actually see yuh in the morning dearie. Goodnight, oh and help yourself to that food there Ah made it myself."

After she closed the door the room was once again silent. Now that he was alone he removed the blanket from over his head. Finally!!!

Throwing off the blanket he scrambled to get his clothes on. As he zipped up his pants he heard talking at the door. He pressed his ear against it to listen in.

"Well...did yuh get anything outta him?"

"It's OK Applejack he was just scared is all."

"See Ah told yuh."

"Applebloom, hush now. He's gonna be alright now, there's nothin ta worry about."

"Di..did he actually say anything?"

"No, he didn't even show his face."

"Well I'll try..."

"Now Applejack leave the colt alone. He's probably just tired. Yuh can try again in the morning."

After a second the voice belong to the orange one, Applejack the voice had called her, said, "Ugh fine, but he just better not try anything or Ah'll give him something ta be scared of."

"Good now both of yuh get ready for supper, Big Mac'll be here any minute. And don't either of yuh mention this to him yuh hear?"

They both acknowledged they did, "Yes ma'am."

After that they walked away.

Now completely isolated Bryce noticed that neither his shirt nor his socks and shoes were amongst his clothes. My shirt must still be with Corn, where ever Corn is...and I must have left my shoes on that log we hid behind. Reaching into all his pockets he found them empty.  

Eyeing the food Bryce thought if they wanted to kill him they would have done it while he was unconscious. Picking up an apple he began to chow down.

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Applebloom tossed and turned in bed. Though she was dead tired the events of the day were still on her mind. 

When Big MacIntosh returned they had just finished setting the table for supper. Throughout the entire meal neither she nor Applejack said anything about what had really happened. When he had inquired about both of their injuries Granny Smith butted in and said that when Applejack had allowed Applebloom to have a go at bucking she fell and hurt herself. Applejack, in her haste to get back to the house to make sure everything was alright, ran too fast and tripped. When they had gotten back to the house Granny patched them up. Since the day was almost over Applejack, who had forgotten to pack the baskets, decided to leave them where they were and get them tomorrow.

Somehow he bought it. 

After they had all eaten they all had their baths and went straight to bed. But Big Mac had been the least of her concerns. 

Looking up at the ceiling she asked herself, "Wh...why wouldn't he say nothing?" Her thoughts were on the creature they had found. "Ah...Ah know he talked...Ah'm sure of it." Letting out an aggravated sigh she rolled over onto her belly and tried to sleep again. 

After what felt like hours Applebloom gave up all hopes of ever falling asleep and resolved to punch the knots out of her pillows. This did little to calm her mind. Looking at her clock she saw it was just past midnight.

Jumping off her bed Applebloom had to make herself sure. Entering the hallway she crept past her older sibling's and Granny Smith's rooms. Twitching her ears as she past she could hear them all snoozing away. 

When she finally reached the end of the hall, where the guest room resided, she stood and looked up at the door. Biting her lip she brought up a hoof and lightly knocked. When nothing happened she knocked again, just loud enough to not wake anypony but the creature. 

After what must have been a full minute nothing happened. She decided the only way to see if anypony was even in there was to go in and see for herself. Reaching a hoof up to the knob she turned it with a 'click'. Pushing it open a crack she couldn't see anything but darkness. 

Opening the door further she stuck her head through. Still pitch black.

Thinking the room was empty she slowly stepped the rest of the way in. Feeling around for the bed she reached for its top.

Guiding herself up she felt a mass under a blanket. Gabbing at it hard she whispered, "He...hey creature. Ar...are you awake."

Suddenly she heard the door close behind her. 

Out of the darkness, she saw somepony strike a match and light a candle.

Standing there, holding the candleholder, was the same creature that had found her out in the orchard. 

He was bearing a fore limb down on the door.