The lights out process reminded Pint of what it was like to be sent to bed for doing something his parents were really unhappy with him about. All he heard was a mare snapping commands and the occasional insult to the fillies and colts. Most of which she either didn’t know by name, because there was a lot of ‘Filly with the red mane!’ and ‘Tree colt!’.
“Hey, you!” she shouted after what seemed like all the other fillies and colts were in bed. “Chubby new colt! We’re out of space so go find yourself a spot on the floor!”
“The floor?” wondered Pint from beneath Fall’s sheets.
“Where are the blankets and pillows?” asked Bucky.
“Bucky?” gasped Pint softly from within his warm hiding space alongside Fall’s torso. His muzzle was right at her shoulder level beneath the sheets. It felt a bit awkward but Fall wasn’t moving and he was too scared to be spotted by whomever was being so mean to all the children.
“Any of you squirts want to give chubby here a pillow or blanket?” the mare asked.
There wasn’t a word spoken.
“Tough luck, chubby,” she said. “Now go lie down somewhere.”
Bucky sighed as he tried to find a space to curl up in.
“Wait,” said Fall.
“What is it, Fall?” the mare snapped.
“He…,” she said while throwing the very worn out pillow she was resting on to floor. “He can have my pillow.”
“Lucky you, chubby,” stated the mare with the white-and-grey mane. “Now go lie down before I give you another day of garbage duty!”
Bucky made his way alongside Fall’s bed, laid himself upon the hard, dirty carpet, and placed his head on the pillow that barely provided any comfort from the floor itself.
“Lights out!” the mare cried as she shut the door, locked it, and then shut another door and locked it before closing one more door, locking it, and making her way up to what could only be the fourth floor of the orphanage.
***
Some time passed and neither Bucky nor Pint could get to sleep. The floor felt like it had little spikes in it that continually poked into Bucky’s fur and Pint had to use the little colt’s room.
“Bucky?” whispered Pint as he poked his head outside of the blankets. “Are you awake?”
Bucky rolled over to look up towards Pint.
“Yes,” he moaned softly.
“I…,” said Pint. “I need the restroom.”
“I don’t think we can get out,” stated Bucky. “Ms. Powder Puff locked the door.
“What?” gasped Pint. “But I can’t hold it any longer.”
CA-CLIP
CA-CLOP
Bucky and Piint’s discussion was interrupted by the sound of hooves softly moving towards what seemed to be the bunk room door.
“Ready?” asked a colt.
“Ready,” replied another Colt.
FLICK-TICK
TICK-TICK
CLICK
“Got it,” stated the first colt. “Now it’s your turn.”
FA-SHEW
“Remember,” said the second colt. “Quietly.”
Bucky and Pint could only make out shadows. But they were all by what had to be the bunk room door doing something.
“Good job,” said the first colt as he appeared to step out of the bunk room. “Now let’s do this.”
Bucky and Pint watched as at least four shadows made their way out of the bunk room.
Fall was still fast asleep as Pint slid himself down alongside Bucky.
“Let’s follow them,” he said.
Bucky nodded as he slowly trotted towards the opened door.