The summer day was coming to a close, shops were closing and everypony who wasn't otherwise preoccupied was heading home. This was true for Hay Stacks, the sand coloured stallion was heading home after a long day in the fields. He had spent the day working at the Baarbury family farm. It was hard work, but as his three-hay-bale Cutie Mark reminded him, no one around could work hay like him.
He waved to the ponies he knew on his way home, passing Berry Punch and Strawberry Squash who seemed to be in another heated debate about the best way to store their beverages. He chuckled, they had been arguing since they day they decided to quit the competition and join their businesses. It didn't do much for their social interactions but their business boomed and soon Berry Squash brand products were in every major store in the town, rumor had it that some big shots in Manehatton were interested in buying into it. Still Hay Stacks gave the rumor mill no heed, he was a simple pony and preferred his life simple and quarrel free.
It was as he turned into the quiet street at the edge of town where his house stood that he heard a strange clicking noise. He paused for a second and looked around, but saw nothing. He shook his head and carried on. The street was usually quiet but strange noises weren't uncommon, after all you can't live in the same town as that strange pink baker mare and not expect some kind of commotion once in a while.
Clopping up to the front door he placed his key in the lock, it was as he turned it that he heard that strange noise again. A rapid click, almost metallic. He spun around and studied the street, scratching his head. It was empty; where the hay was that noise coming from?
"Anypony there?" he called out, but got no response apart from a few of the curtains moving in the neighboring houses' windows. 'Must be your imagination Hay Stacks, probably too much sun or that salt lick you had at lunch time.' he thought to himself. His mother had always warned about the dangers of salt lick. Not that he minded, a temporary harmless clicking noise was a small price to pay for the short high the salt lick gave. Realizing it was probably all in his head he opened the door, retrieved his key and prepared for a quiet night.
A couple of hours later Hay Stacks was taking a long and well deserved soak in the bath, letting the hot soapy water wash his aches from the day away. He was just admiring the multicolored bubbles of a special blend of bath salts he had be sent by a distant cousin from Trottingham and relaxing in their scent when there came the sound of a smash from down stairs.
"What In tarnation?" the stallion asked looking confused, he lived alone and he had never had problem with vandals or break-ins in this street in all his ten years living here. Grumbling he tore himself away from his soapy pleasure, wrapped a towel around his midsection and walked downstairs to investigate.
Upon entering the living room he could instantly tell from the cold air what had happened, and his suspicions were confirmed when he eyed the broken window, his curtain fluttering in the new found breeze. Carefully, so as to avoid stepping in any glass, he trod over to inspect the damage.
"Hmm, that should be easy to repair," he muttered to no pony in particular. The damage to the window was minimal, barely a ten centimeter in diameter hole was present in the glass. He was glad it was so small since only one pane was damaged, that would stop the costs from being high at least.
The next thing to do was to work out what had caused the broken window. Shards of broken glass littered the floor nearby so that meant the window was broken from something outside coming in, but there was no stone nearby - nor was there the sound of a small critter or bird. It was truly puzzling.
Hay Stacks sighed and turned to head back to his bath, determined to soak in its pleasure while it was still warm when he was stopped in his tracks by a noise. The was a click like earlier, however this time it was louder, no not louder closer. In this very room. Moving to turn on the light the clicking occur ed with every step of his hooves, as if something was keeping track of him. Sweat was starting to trickle down his neck as he reached the switch and nervously he flipped it from the off position to on.
Turning around the room was empty, the broken window the only sign of anything amiss, even the clicking had stopped. Hay Stacks relaxed, his overactive imagination was playing tricks on him still, obviously the salt lick hadn't quite left his system. He turned off the light and took a step out into the hall, his hoof crunching on something as it landed. Nervously he looked down and was met with a set of glowing red eyes.
The peace of the Ponyville night was broken by a piercing scream for but a second, then all was silent again.