The Corner of (Our) Eyes

by Daemon McRae

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Now, living in Ponyville as I do, and being basically neighbors with the Elements of Harmony, you learn to discern little things about the ponies that continuously save your flanks. For example, if Rarity were to scream right now, it would be pretty easy to judge based on intensity whether or not she was being dramatic, or a basilisk was about to bite her head off.

Twilight Sparkle is similar. She has a few occasions where she’ll scream, but it’s more out of frustration than anything else. Other times she’s just freaked out because, well, she is friends with Pinkie Pie. But that scream? That was something new. I’d never heard her yell out like that before. Except once.

Discord can do that to you.

So I, being the ever-faithful neighbor that I am, ran outside to see what the hell I should be running back inside from. I told Daisy to stay put, for all the good it would do, and ran outside. I didn’t hear Twilight scream again, so I just ran for her house.

It seemed I wasn’t the only pony to do so, either. Half the town was gathered around the library by the time I got there. To be fair, it’s not a big town, but it’s not a big library either. So being able to see what the hell was going on was kind of hard. There was a lot of murmuring and pointing, which was normal. My first thought was that our resident princess had gone and fucked up something magical. Again. It wasn’t until I actually stopped to listen, though, that I could piece any of it together.

“...is she ok?”

“...never seen her twitch like that...”

“Is that Derpy? What is she...”

I didn’t listen to any more. Der… Ditzy Do is a friend of mine. So I made a point to barrel my way through the crowd. Or, rather, just kind of nudge between a bunch of ponies that weren’t that invested in where they were standing in the first place. The crowd let me through for the most part. Then I got to the front of the pack, and couldn’t see anything past the Elements themselves. I also knew better than to try to force my way past all of them, especially Rainbow Dash or Applejack. I noticed that I was just inside the library at this point, so I just kind of edged around the side of the room until I could see the middle of the crowd.

What I saw wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I’d never seen Twilight so... pale. Her friends were gathered around her, or at least making a wall between her and the rest of the crowd. Ditzy Do was standing off to the side a little, just kind of sad looking. Over all the hushed commotion I could hear her muttering, “I’m sorry. I really am. I’m just... sorry.”

There was a gap in the crowd on this side, or, more accurately, no crowd. So I slowly made my way over to stand beside Ditzy Do. I wanted to ask what happened, but something told me that’s not a conversation she wanted to have. It was at that point I noticed all the looks she was getting. It wasn’t like she usually gets. As much as I liked her, and she was my friend, there were times when I could understand some of the looks she gets. The pity, or... not really scorn, just disappointment. The kind of looks you get for causing thousands in property damage or hospitalizing somepony.

But this, this was new. This was fear, not loathing. But you could see loathing from here. I honestly couldn’t imagine what she might have done. Or what it was they thought she did. So I put myself between her and the Elements. Not saying anything, just kind of maneuvering between her and them.

They noticed, of course. Applejack stepped forward from the line of ponies between Twilight and the crowd outside, challenging my presence. “What do you think yer doing, Rose? We got a few choice words to pick with yer friend.”

“Look, I have no idea what’s going on here, but you all look something close to murder. So I’m just gonna stand here till everypony clears off,” I explain. I’m still thoroughly confused as to the situation, but I’m also relatively calm. Something tells me I wouldn’t be if I knew what had happened, but I do my best to ignore that pesky little voice.

Ditzy says something behind me, but I don’t catch it, because at that moment Rainbow is in my face. “Outta the way, Rose. We need to know just what Derpy did!”

The next voice to make itself heard surprised me. Not because it was Twilight, but because I didn’t recognize it as her at first. “No... she... didn’t do anything. Not... her. It. I... what was that?” She didn’t seem to be talking to anypony in particular, more like she was just reacting to whatever she heard on reflex.

“What do you mean, ‘She didn’t do anything’?!” Rainbow yelled. “Look at you! You’re a mess!”

This time Rarity spoke up. “Rainbow! Please, have a little tact!” She then turned her attention to Twilight, her gaze softening from a cold scolding glare to a comforting smile. “Dear, please do tell us what it is that happened. You’re obviously in a state.”

At this point at least half the crowd had lost interest, seeing as how there wasn’t any immediate threat. I’m not sure why I was sticking around, aside from protecting Ditzy. It wasn’t even really a solid excuse. I guess just curiosity, at that point. But what Twilight said next still sticks with me:

“There was a... thing? I don’t know. It had teeth. I remember the teeth. And... eyes? I... I don’t remember eyes or... do I? Why can’t I remember... there were teeth... I saw... something. Something... teeth.” She was rambling, I could tell. I think she could, too, because she kept pausing like she was trying to stop, and then more words would fall out. She actually said more after that, but it was in such a low murmur that I only really registered she was talking because I could still see her lips move. Her friends crowded around her, all but ignoring me now.

I took the opportunity to turn to Ditzy. I’d noticed that the rest of the crowd had meandered off, either to get away from the pale, rambling princess, or because they’d merely lost interest. I imagine some of them were shooed away by the more assertive members of Twilight’s circle of friends.

I turned to Derpy to ask her what had happened. Before I even got the words out, though, she looked up at me and said, “I’m sorry. She really shouldn’t have looked. I told her not to.” She got quiet after that, and just kind of wandered off, brushing past me weakly. I didn’t feel like trying to stop her, or rather, I felt like I shouldn’t. Her wings drooped a bit, permeating a bit of sadness, but with her face turned away it was hard to figure out exactly what was going through her mind. She certainly looked sad enough when she spoke to me. I gave one last glance back to the Elements, who were more absorbed in comforting their friend than worrying about us, which I could understand. Then I trotted after the grey pegasus.

“Derpy, wait up!”

Comments

[Lag Incarnate]

So we have our first victim.

[Chewed Pencil]

Mooooore........

[Noble Wings]

MOUR MOUR MOUR!!!!!

[ThatClosetBrony]

The Elements are dicks once again. I like this story. These kind of stories make it easier for me to imagine punching their faces in.

[dreamingnoctis]

Cool! I look forward to seeing what it is that haunts her vision.

[Daemon McRae]

3889348 The way I'm planning it right now (which is rare for me), it should be about Chapter 3-4 is when things go south. I believe in a bit of setup.

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

*sigh*
This is the third one I've seen tonight where you can read a whole chapter and still not know any more about what's going on. Sadly though, this is the first one I've ever seen where you don't know what's going on in the SECOND chapter, and I'm still kinda waiting for you to stop giving these "cliffhangers" (which aren't really cliffhangers because I still don't know what's going on) and actually get the plot rolling....

[-Frost]

hmn...interestingly creepy and I like it...please continue...

[Wyrme]

The vibe coming off this story is something like a mix between Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft.
I am not going to sleep very well tonight.

[Laughing Jack]

3893554 Just gotta say it: Your pic matches that statement perfectly.
On that note, sleep is for the weak.

[Skeeter The Lurker]

Shouldn't have looked?

I wonder at what?

...Actually, I'm good.

~Skeeter The Lurker

[Xhoral1865]

Damn. This story is really intriguing.

[WolfishMagic]

Im not normally one for horror but this seems interesting I hope it lives up to expectations :D

[Paddle Steamer]

4321954 At the giant pony eating penis of course!

...I really need to get new friends... ones that aren't uber perverted.... Yeah...

[Nameless cow]

Im now ticked with the elements
Fluttershy being kindness should of asked if derpy or rose was ok
Rarity could of been generous with the concern
RD should of been less of a donkey
Pinkie being laughter should of tried to make Derpy happy when she was sad
AJ should of just said something nice
Twilight is the feaking prinsess of friendship, when she gets herself together, she and the others should apolagise to Queen Derpy of the muffin kingdom and rose. If they don't say sorry, dark, dark things will happen to the "elements of harmony"

[Doctor Derpin]

I gave this story it's 666th thumb up. Hail Satan amiright?

[TheMichiganDogman]

Really, what the hell did they think she did that could have done that? I mean, derpy isn't even a unicorn, and has no way of doing anything like that. As far as they know.

[Dredgen]

4951042 Mitt Romney's testicles.

[Dozy Dreamer]

Thus began Twilight's masterpeice. She would dedicate the rest of her life to it, forever improving on a design that she could never quite perfect.
The Twilight Fortess of Ponyville would forever be hailed as the most perfect example of military engineering and magecraft, proving impenetrable to all bar it's creator, and her friends.
It stands empty now - bereft of authorized persons and too impossible for others to enter. Except, every so often, out of the corner of your eye, you may glimpse some ... thing ... framed for but a moment in one of the windows.

[Nox the Eternal]

Well 1:45 in the morning. Should I keep reading?

I don't really need the sleep later.....

Yes

[King of Kings]

I know what this is! I KNOW WHAT THIS IS!

Ugh...fine...
At mix between The Silence and The Weeping Angels then...

[WolfByte282]

5166070 That actually sounds like a good story prompt.

[Dozy Dreamer]

7258727
Just send us a link when it's up, 'kay?

[nightwalker]

5166070
That sounds like it could be quite awesome. I would love to see you or someone else do something with that.

You could even do a slight spin on it. Ever heard of or read Diamond Dogs by Alastair Reynolds? It's a sci-fi novella about a team of explorers intent on getting through the deadly maze-like interior of an alien spire to reach some nebulous prize at the top. It was admittedly partly inspired by the movie Cube. First thing I thought of when I read that idea.

[Bones_]

Just the second chapeter and I'm already stuffing my face with breadsticks to feel better. I assume it only gets better.

[Stonecrop Sedum]

Well, I'd seen this before while browsing, but since the story is finally finished, I guess I'll finally try reading it. I think it's gonna be really cool, in a bone-chilling way.

[Hap]

The creepiness increases. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

[secretfan]

7157442 Dude, you just scared the ever living crap out of me. Seriously, that is one hell of a terrifying prospect. If I have nightmares tonight, i'm blaming you. That is one mental image no Whovian should ever have to have.

Random mustache!

[FOXTrot2]

Don't look.

Those magic words that mean some seriously freaky stuff happens.

And not remembering? That's a psychological coping mechanism for trauma. And Twi has faced literal demons and gods.

This must be some deep stuff.

[randome284]

I'd ask what Twilight saw. But I'm sure I'd rather not know.

But it's looking great. Very intriguing. Onto the next chapter!

[Night Sketch]

7157442
it has a perseption filter around it
I think its may be crossed with Prisoner 0 as well

[The Lurking Creep]

I know it's not a circle square triangle. I think.

Do we have 055 on the site?

[BleuBlooms]

3889224
even 10 likes.