//------------------------------//
// Runaway Train 
// Story: Pony Split 
// by Ark125 
//------------------------------//

Pony Split

Chapter 17 – Runaway Train

Earth

Marcus got up that morning in a somber mood. "Today is the day," he said to himself. He could still remember the tragic event like it was yesterday.




3 Months Earlier

It was a day like any other; I got up took a shower and got on Facebook to see if anyone was online. I played League of Legends for a little bit, then left the house to try and sell my salad bowl set. 'The Astro-Helmet' is what Zach called it. I chuckled at the thought of him putting it on his head and running around. He was so weird sometimes.

After a day of being unsuccessful at trying to sell the $4000 set of titanium salad bowls and fruit cutters, I came home and checked my Facebook page. I had one notification from Zach, "Hey everyone, I'm finally going ask the girl of my dreams out tonight. Wish me luck!"

I commented, saying, "Good luck man! Hope it goes well!"

Ten minutes later he commented back saying, "Thanks! Talk to you later!"

I got off the computer, not realizing later was going to be much later.




The next morning I woke up and repeated the same process. Got out of bed, took a shower, and got on Facebook. There was something strange about today, though. I had one message from Zach's mom. It simply read, "Call me ASAP!"

I pulled out my phone and dialed Zach's house number. His mom picked up, she was sobbing, "H-hello?"

"Hey, it's Marcus. I was just calling to see what it was you needed. It sounded kind of urgent."

"Oh! Marcus! Did Zach come over to your house last night or talk to you at all since then?" She was clearly distraught about something.

"No, he didn't come here, nor have I talked to him since he left for his date last night. Why, what happened?"

She sobbed some more before getting out, "H-he never came home l-last night."




2 Months Later

"I'm sorry ma'am, but we have been searching for your boy for two months now, but all of our leads have run cold. He has just seemed to have disappeared."

I was at Zach's house, waiting for some on him when the chief of police relayed this to us. Zach's mom was in a heap on the floor, crying her eyes out. His seven siblings were also sobbing. Zach's dad took his wife in his arms, trying to console her.

I went home and sobbed for the loss of my best friend as well.




Present

I sighed at the memory. Who can I talk to about ponies now? I thought.

I got ready for the day, as normal, but instead of getting ready for work, I got ready for Zach's funeral.




A week after the funeral, which was heartbreaking, but a good service none the less, I went to see my grief counselor.

It was recommended that I see one every week for a couple of months; you know to deal with the pain.

"Okay Marcus, today we are going to have you call Zach's cell phone to let you leave a message. Tell him how you are feeling and what is happening in your life. This will help dispel some of the weight in your heart."

I nodded and dialed his number. I was waiting for the phone to go to the answering machine, but it never did.

"Hello, this is Zach; may I ask who I am speaking with?"

"Zach!"