Diary of the Stalked

by The Lunar Samurai

The Journey

Late Night Day 1

Today is the day I have finally decided to enter the Everfree forest. My grandfather’s stories he would tell to me as a foal have piqued my interest enough to push me to this decision. I am aware of the dangers that lurk behind every corner, the hydras that lurk in the lakes, the timberwolves that could tear me limb from limb, but I am ready. I am bringing with me my machete, a canteen, a few lengths of rope, a map, a compass, and of course my journal. My mission is simple but difficult, yet the rewards will surely outweigh any resistance I may encounter on my journey. I am fully aware and equipped for the dangerous path ahead. I plan to travel to the ruins of the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters.

Morning Day 2

Currently, I am standing at the foot of the forest. My nerves are a bit on end at the moment, but they will settle in due time. My saddlebag is heavy, but not over encumbering. From what it seems, my journey will assuredly require heavy use of my machete as there is much groundcover in the forest. Any trails that exist, other than the few rather large roads, have been completely overgrown from years of abandonment.

Afternoon Day 2

I have made a mediocre dent in the journey at best. As I write this quick entry I am enjoying a small portion of edible flower I found growing beside a crystal clear stream. So far the Everfree seems wild yet restrained. The sun has begun to grow dim in the later hours of the day. I have constructed a small hammock between two trees to keep me off of the ground during the night.

Evening Day 2

This place seems to come alive at night. Various animals have begun to scurry around beneath me. The calming ambience of the forest has given way to a more wild disposition. It is frightening to say the least, but I am remaining calm. The one thing that bothers me is that infernal feeling as if something evil is watching me. I’m sure its just my imagination.

Morning Day 3

I got a few winks of sleep last night, and to be frank, that is more than I expected with the nightly commotion underneath my hammock. This place is very peaceful in the early morning hours, not unlike a library of sorts. It is full of wondrous mysteries that are beckoning me to come and explore. It is quite a sight, the fireflies dancing through the cool morning breeze, the small animals silently scurrying and scampering through the overgrowth. It has its own allure that is separate from typical society. I shall continue with my journey as soon as there is light enough to see my surroundings.

Afternoon Day 3

This place is beginning to wear me away, bit by bit. I have made relatively good progress, but at this pace, I will be at my destination in a decade or two. I must find a quicker means of transportation. Food is running low; I have had a difficult time finding water on the route.

Evening Day 3

I have grown desperately thirsty and have considered going back to the creek I ran across, but doing so will void any progress I have made today. I have attempted to squeeze the water out of the sponge-like mosses on the ground, but I fear I may become ill if I consume too much. With no source of water and very little food, I will press on until I find a source of hydration (this will also result in a much greater mileage than before), or until my body gives out. Sleeping is out of the question. Also, that maddening feeling of being watched has returned.

Early Morning Day 4

Thank Celestia! I found a small stream of water as a result of my decision to press onward through the suffering. In the heat of the moment, I devoured the small ration of food I had left; now I must forage for both food and water. The sleep deprivation is beginning to catch up with me. I will be sleeping through most of the day today and continuing my travels through the night.

Late Night Day 4

I have awoken from my sleep at a time I can only assume to be late night. I am mentally energized, but my body is weak from the lack of food. I plan to fashion a torch and push through toward my destination. According to my map I have traversed an eighth of the journey. I am beginning to doubt that I will make it to the ruins. The feeling of being watched has returned, but it is nothing I am sure. Most likely it is the product the new environment coupled with the hunger.

Early Morning Day 5

The feeling is getting more and more powerful. It has become so powerful that, at times, I have forgotten about my hunger altogether. I have not paid much attention to it until tonight. My hunger must be fueling this anxiety. I must find food.

Afternoon Day 5

I have not been able to find food. I will continue searching. It is still watching me.

Evening Day 5

Water and food have become necessities. I have become delusional, at least I hope I am. Delusions would be more welcome than the reality.

Midnight Day 5

Again, by the grace of Celestia, I miraculously found food. My mind is becoming more sharp and only now do I realize the state of mind I had been in. From what I can recall, just as the sun was setting, I heard a voice. It was probably a combination of wind and animal cries fueled by my exhaustion, need for food, and uneasiness in this environment, but it was unmistakably vile. As I write this, a thunderstorm has begun to brew overhead. From the powerful gusts of wind that have been tearing through the trees, I predict a storm of epic proportions. I have only a few fleeting moments to find shelter.

Midnight Day 5 (half an hour after previous log)

I have discovered a hollowed out tree that serves as a amazingly cozy resting place. As I feared, the storm is extremely violent. Its rain penetrates through the leaves of the trees every now and again to soak everything. I have to be careful as I write, as I do not wish to get water damage in my journal. The feeling has not yet dwindled; whatever it is, it is becoming more real every day. I am beginning to doubt my original belief that the feeling was only imaginary. Something is watching me.

Morning Day 6

I had several interrupted sessions of sleep. Whatever is following me has begun to haunt my mind. In my dreams I am running through the forest, completely disoriented, fleeing a shadowy beast. I could not hide, I could only hope to outrun it. Each time it would near me, I would scream, my own voice waking me. Whatever it is, it cannot be good. I will continue on my journey; I am one fourth of the way there.

Afternoon Day 6

Finding food and water has been much easier, but finding my way has been exceedingly difficult. Hopefully I will be able to get to the ruins soon, unless the thing catches me. I am now completely confident that it not only exists, but exists to kill me. I am beginning to fear the night like a deadly disease. It may find me, and I have no means of self defense.

Evening Day 7

I have made little progress, the thing continues to watch me. I can only pray that the spear I fashioned will be a viable weapon against the thing (which I will be referring to as the The Stalker) should it attack. I am going to stand guard tonight, possibly fooling it into an unwitting strike on me; then I may be able to kill it.

Midnight Day 7

The stalker is close, I can feel it. It tries to lure me into the security sleep, waiting just beyond my vision, but I know he is there. He watches every move I make, but I perceive his surveillance. He may follow me day and night, but I know he is there. He cannot fool me, I know too much already through pure intuition.

Early Morning Day 8

I have begun to perform confusing acts and strange movements to confuse it. If it had gathered any information about my personality, it is sure to be second guessing itself now. If I feign insanity, it may just leave, but until then I must stay on my guard and prepare for the inevitable.

Midday Day 8

I have begun preparing an armory for the final fight. The Stalker seems to be leading me somewhere, but I know not where. I have abandoned trying to find the ruins as they are where The Stalker will finally kill me. I must kill it before reaching the ruins.

Evening Day 8

It has corralled me to the edge of a cliff. The ravine’s bottom is beyond my range of sight, only darkness flows at its bottom. This is where I will fight The Stalker, this is where I will prevail. If I die, however, I will leave this journal here, in the hollowed out log that protrudes over the ravine.

To whoever finds this journal, beware The Stalker.

Comments

[The Lunar Samurai]

Getting this one published has proved to be quite the challenge.

[Bootsy Slickmane]

I like the format, I like the plot, I like the themes, I like the tropes. I like this story.
It's written in a simple style, which is exactly how a journal should be unless the protagonist has some strange tendency to always write in a prose most purple (which some people do).
Anyway, good overall and I was even a bit creeped out when I got into it. Nice work.

3326331

Why's that?

[The Lunar Samurai]

3326932
There were too few references to the MLP universe when it was first published.

[Bootsy Slickmane]

3327151

Ahh, that I understand. Same thing happened to me with the first story I tried to submit. The beginning ran on ambiguity, and I hadn't written more yet, so it wasn't clear enough where the story took place. I abandoned it eventually.

[Sinful Pickle]

Not bad.

[The Lunar Samurai]

3328677
Indeed.

[Exodus45]

Well done.

There is a lot left to interpretation, as there should be with journal style writings. I get a feeling that the adventurer was ill prepared for the trip. If the pony had believed the directions to be true, then preparing for a single day journey would have been a poor decision. Though it would seem that the directions were bad to begin with seeing as the 6 main characters traveled the same distance in little less than a night with no supplies. This leads to thinking that the grandfather was either deceitful or cruel; perhaps vindictive over some previous grudge, hoping to cause the demise of his grandchild. With out further knowledge of the grandfather it is hard to infer his intent, so it may have just been bed time stories (thought they must have been very detailed stories if the pony was able to derive directions from them).

It would have been nice to hear how the fight with the stalker turned out. With out dates or a reference of finding a beat up journal, it would possible to assume that the pony will continue his journey and up date the journal appropriately. However I am positive that the intended purpose was that the fight did not go well and we are reading of an event that has long since transpired.

I enjoyed reading this, thanks!

[Cromegas_Flare]

Diary of the Stalked

Grammar: 10 (note that I stink at grammar, but I found nothing so you deserve it.)
Pros.
I like how this story progressed on the Unknown protagonists discomfort, even to the point of insanity and the lack of writing when he is in that state.

The Idea of being watched is a common notion, but you portrayed the concept very well.

The story in of it self was enjoyable to read, I like how you ended it. Like giving the reader the feeling of being watched.

Cons.
The one thing that kept popping in my head was Why is it taking the guy so long to make it to the castle? so the big question is, what direction is he going and where did he enter the forest from? or maybe you left that out for an important reason. I don't know.

All in All, I enjoyed this story, the concept is pretty neat. I think I will read other works you have done.
Good job.

Mr. Flare
P.S.
Could you read through one of my stories, and give me a review?
Memorioums of a Mad Pony Thanks, hope to hear from you soon.

[The Lunar Samurai]

3337468
http://www.fimfiction.net/story/141323/the-house-on-the-water
Followup IIRC