//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - Layers of Darkness // Story: The Hungry Eyes // by Ammie Kindheart //------------------------------// The wolf’s anger built. These foolish ponies were supposed to run in terror! Instead, they banded together. This would not do! Had it not been for that fool Nate, there would have been time to feed, but the scream had brought the others far too soon. Something else was off. The nauseating stench of the light magic had grown. How could that be? In the years since he had come to Equestria, he had only sensed a few with any real magic—the Princesses, mostly. The unicorns had their portion, of course, but it was so small it was not worth the bother. He hadn’t smelled this much light magic since he and his father had ended its use in the old country. The wolf had grown tired of pretending to be good and fitting in. He longed for the bloodbaths he and his father had indulged in, before ole daddy had tried to control him. An evil chuckle oozed out as the wolf remembered the shock on his father’s face, when his life was leaving him. He didn’t think I would dare to take his place before he chose to give it to me. He was the worst kind of fool. After all, he was the one who taught me to never trust another with your life. The wolf had always enjoyed the taste of blood from his enemies and victims. But the blood from his father had been seasoned with layer upon layer of the darkness that was absolutely intoxicating. Maybe the changelings would be worth trying, or their queen. But that would have to be another night. For this night, he would have to find another of these ponies to tide him over. * * * Zecora and Jaberi had talked for several hours, catching up. She had known him when they both lived in the village, and had always felt deep feelings for him. They had both had duties for their tribe, him being the chief’s son and she a healer in training. Rather than allow the feelings to overwhelm them, they had remained steadfast to what was expected of them. And when she had left the village, she believed that all she had loved had been killed. There had been many other tribes of zebra in the old country, but most had abandoned the old ways, their young turning away from the old magic and cures. Those tribes were in no danger from the evil ones, unless they were in a mood for slaughter, which was a game in their twisted minds, and then not even those of their own kind. The emotional upheaval the night had brought had left Zecora drained, yet she was happy to see her dear friend again. She needed to check the young colts and get some rest. Jaberi and Coal walked back to the inn with her. It suddenly occurred to Zecora that Coal had made no attempt to growl or anything at Jaberi. He knows this one is special to me, she thought, glancing at Coal, who winked at her. * * * Hoops and Score were hiding behind Sugarcube Corner. Yes, they had been volunteered to help look for some stupid colts who’d gotten themselves lost, but this hadn’t been part of the deal! “I think we need to get Dumb-bell and get out of here quick. We don’t have any part in whatever kind of fight they have here,” said Hoops, choking back the need to throw-up yet again. “I dunno, Hoops,” replied Score, looking over his shoulder uneasily, “that cop mare said nopody goes anywhere alone.” “We won’t be alone, stupid,” Hoops snapped, attempting to get his bravado back on track. “We’ll be together. Now come on. Let’s find Dumb-bell.” The two stallions rose and began to walk along the backs of the buildings, toward the Town Hall. Suddenly, they saw a dark figure ahead of them. They froze in fear, then began to relax and walked closer, seeing the face. “Hey, dude, where ya been?” asked Hoops with a sneer. “You missed the fun. It was cool! Hey, wait a minute, why are you wearing that dark outfit?” Before Hoops could more than blink, the wolf struck, swinging his foreleg. The special knives he had created clipped to his hoof made three cuts across the throat of the arrogant Hoops, silencing and killing him with one swing. Before Score could react, the wolf spun in a circle, cutting his second victim down as well. Slipping the knives into a special pocket in his cloak, he then began to chant the words of a dark spell. The two corpses levitated and followed the wolf as he slipped silently out of town to enjoy his feed. * * * The next day, the town square was in a bustle. The train station was full of families boarding to go anywhere, as long as it was away from there. Other families had loaded up wagons to come to town to be safer. Applejack sped past them all at a full gallop. She ran into Big Mac in front of the Town Hall as he stepped out the door. “Woah, there, sis! What’s got ya all fired up?” asked Big Mac. “It’s… it’s…” said Applejack, struggling to catch her breath. “Bodies—farm!” Big Mac helped his sister to a bench gently, noticing how pale she was, in spite of running all the way to town. “They’re dead?” he asked softly. AJ nodded and burst into tears. “It’s awful,” she gasped. “I cain’t even tell who they are.” Big Mac ran to get Morgan and Zahn. In a few minutes, they headed for Sweet Apple Acres, with Big Mac pulling a cart for AJ and Morgan to ride in. The guards began to search the town to try to find out who was missing. As the road turned toward the Apple’s farm, there was a thicket of trees, where all the Apple children loved to play. A spring fed water into the stream that ran through the farm. It had been a favorite spot for generations, for the Apple family and travelers, too. Some places have a feeling that speaks to the heart, but, this morning, the peaceful thicket held horrors that would forever change its aura. There were the bodies of at least two ponies, though it was hard to tell, for the destruction was unbelievable. It was as if they had been twigs, broken and scattered about. The eeriest part was, there was absolutely no blood at the scene or even on the remains. The only exception was where it had been used to spell two words: NEVER REST.