//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Spoons // by Fonypan //------------------------------// Watching in silence as the world moves by outside the car in silence gives you an oddly calm feeling. Here, in the world of the people who invaded your world, sitting in one of their inventions, with one of them, who is pretty good proof that they aren't all the horrible monsters that foalnapped you. You just wish there was a way to know if your friends and family have been as lucky as you have. As unlikely as it is, it at least gives you hope to see them again. The car pulls up to a small building with lights and signs. This isn't the house. "Um... why did we stop here?" "Well, I figured you'd like a treat. You do like ice cream, right?" "Y-yes, I do." "Alright, you just wait here, and I'll be right back." After cracking each of the windows a few inches, Jan hops out of the car and walks into the food stand. You can't help but scratch at the collar hanging around your neck. Its a negligible irritant, but more so a constant reminder of where your freedom lies. Looking around, you take in the people and things around you. Quite a few more cars are parked near by. Several people walking by glance at you, but pay no more attention to your existence than they would any other person. You do however spot something that at first, seems like nothing, but the more you think about it, the more it makes the hairs of your coat on your back stand on end. Sitting at a bench outside the stand, you notice two men, staring at you. They make quick quiet quips back and forth to each other. You try not to panic as they stand up and step towards you, the car seems to interest them little. Lowering yourself til only your eyes are above the car's window, you try to stay calm. Maybe they're friendly? The men are standing next to the car, leering at you with disgust. "So, what's your name, pony?" You lower yourself even more. "S-silver Spoon...?" "What a retarded fucking name." One of them grabs the door handle. You eep audibly. The handle only jiggles, its locked tight. You let out a breath. "Open the door, you little shit." You clam up. The second man pushes the first one aside. "You think she's retarded? You're worse." Maybe this one's nice- He reaches his arm through the window and pulls the latch, unlocking the door. Panicked breaths rush through your rapidly drying mouth. The door is yanked open. "Come here you little bitch." He grabs the collar around you neck and lifts you up face to face with himself. "What do you think you're doing here?" "Just sitting around on your fat ares while you tricked that hot babe into doin' your work..." "Retarded little grass eater." Your hooves are straining and clawing at your collar. No fingers, can't get your hooves under the collar. Can't pull it away from your throat.. Air. Can't breathe. You become aware of the light dimming around your vision. "P-plss... hrr.." You try to beg, you can't get any air to yell with. Pain. Pain across your belly. _ The men are still talking at you, but it all sounds far away and muffled. The thumping of your heart is really loud, thudding fast and hard in your ears. You can actually feel the blood pressure building around where the collar is choking. You come to as you feel something hard impact your body. The choking on your neck has ceased. Wheezing shaky breaths, your blurry vision slowly returns. After feeling around, you find your borrowed glasses, and slip them back on. You immediately let out a terrified scream when you're face to face with one of the men. You hop to your hooves immediately. It took you a moment, but you soon notice something off about him. His face is bleeding, his eyes are shut, and his only movement is breathing. And.. snoring? You look around to find the other guy. He's on the ground, laying on his back, with his hands poorly trying to cover his face. Standing above him is Jan. Her shirt is slightly torn. She has a blue bruise on her cheek. And her face is a visage of pure rage. You've seen that face before. On your mother's face. The day the bad humans kidnapped you. "I'm only going to ask you one more time." "What were you doing, touching MY Silver Spoon?" "Look, lady, this ain't none o’your business. That pony done called me a disrespectful name and I was just putting it in its place." "Really? And you didn't think to talk to me? I'm her owner, so shouldn't you come to me about disciplining her?" "W-well, I guess, I mean - it's just a horse, why do you care so damn much about it? They need to be told what to do and what their place-" Jan's fist meets the side of the guy's head with a meaty thump. "Shut up." He's out cold. Mouth agape, letting the flies in. Jan steps over to you and kneels, slowly picking you up, holding you against her chest. "Are you okay? Did the bullies hurt you?" "B-belly..." Even to you, your whimper sounded shallow and weak. Jan stands, lifting you up, your head resting on her shoulder, looking over her back. She sets you on the hood of her car and leans you back. "...hhoh crap..." The whisper was quiet, worried. "W-what?" "Don't look, and... try not to move to much." What's the matter? Why can't she- Why did you look down? She told you not too.