The Corner of (Our) Eyes

by Daemon McRae

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

It’s more difficult than you think to find ways to occupy the time when you’re... “forced” out of your house, for lack of a better term. I wandered the streets of Ponyville aimlessly for the first hour or so, mostly trying to piece together the why of my current homelessness. I mean, I wasn’t really homeless. I live in a town full of ponies who are more than happy to at least be seen helping somepony in need.

Zecora hadn’t said much after what might have been the scariest three words I’d ever heard in my whole life, but the general gist was that my house was now basically a hunting ground for, well, me. Apparently I leave a stench behind me. Well, she didn’t say stench, she said something like psychic imprint or whatever, but I was grumpy and fixated on stench. And these… things, or stuff, or whatever it was trying to kill both me and a freaking Princess could use it to stalk us, which is why Twilight was in such deep shit.

You can’t dump that much magic into the world and not attract attention, I suppose.

But back to the wandering. I’d been going around in what I assumed to be circles for about an hour before I decided I should probably walk somewhere. So I started thinking about places I could sleep at night for a while until this… this wore off. If Zecora was right, and I wasn’t willing to bet my everything on her being wrong, I couldn’t go anywhere I’d spent inordinate amounts of time. So that ruled out the other flower shops, Sugarcube Corner, and a few other places. The library was out, since they’d probably be there looking for Twilight, which should also be true of Derpy’s house.

“…luck…”

I thought about calling up an old flame, but that would probably only be good for one night, even if it would keep me extremely distracted, and sleeping really quite brilliantly. Actually, that didn’t seem like a bad idea-

“…Roseluck…”

It took hearing my whole name to get my attention. I turned around, not really seeing anypony that seemed to be focusing on me. I looked side to side, same. And the only ponies in front of me were-

“Roseluck!”

“What?!” I shrieked, jumping straight into the air. And landing in the arms of… Cloudkicker.
She looked at me like I’d grown a new eye. “The heck is the matter with you? I’ve been calling your name for like three minutes!”

I looked at her, then nervously at the ground, which we were slowly approaching, and back. Then
I smiled sheepishly. “Uh… sorry. It’s been a pretty messed up couple of days. Uh, thanks?” I added as she let me down. I set myself down on all four hooves before looking up at her. “I guess I didn’t realize how jumpy I was. What’s up?”

Cloudy landed herself next to me, and we started walking. “Tavi told me you were in the hospital, and something something Twilight Sparkle’s in the ICU? What the hell happened?”

I figured somepony was going to ask, sometime. “Apparently all of the fighting monsters and running around Equestria and freaking ascending requires a few dozen more trips to the hospital than she was allowing herself. Something about not having a checkup the entire time she’s been here finally catching up with her.” It felt weird feeding her the line of bullshit Twilight’s friends were telling everypony else, but considering this seemed to be one of those problems that could spread just knowing about it, I wasn’t exactly opposed to keeping secrets. “Honestly I just think she’s in the ICU instead of a normal room so they can make sure she doesn’t just run out and fight a dragon in the middle of the night.” I coughed a little as my throat ached, but Cloudy didn’t seem to notice.

She seemed to believe it, at least. “Are you kidding? Four years and she never so much as put a thermometer in her mouth? Of course she’s gonna pass out at some point. Lemme guess, she was doing all the checkups herself, thinking she could ‘handle it?’” She didn’t wait for a response, instead going on a big huge rant about Princessly duties and being totally unsafe. With a lot of “What was she thinking?” sprinkled in. Finally, she took a breath. “Hey, look, I’m gonna go talk to Rainbow Dash about who wants to take over Weather Captain duties while she’s on this self-imposed break. Again. Make sure to check in with Tavi and Daisy, ok? They were a little freaked after you passed out the second time.”

“Will do.” I gave her a brief wave as she flew off. Then an idea popped into my head. A bad one. But first I had to find Octavia.

-----------------------

Finding Octavia is either the easiest or hardest thing to do in all of Ponyville, depending on the time of day. Either you can hear her practicing, or arguing, or… something-ing with her roommate, Vinyl, or she’s wandering around town doing Celestia-knows-what to inspire herself. Fortunately, I wasn’t halfway up the private road to their house when I heard what seemed like a nice pleasant bass solo floating down the drive.

It was a rather nice change of pace from the rest of my day to hear such soothing music as I strode up to Philharmonica’s front door. I was even in a pleasant mood when I knocked in tune with the music, and waited patiently for an answer.

Then Octavia opened the door. “Rose! Where the hell have you been?! I went to visit the hospital an hour ago, but they’d said you’d checked out before that, so I went to your house, and Daisy said you weren’t there either, and WHY THE HELL DID YOU PASS OUT, AGAIN?!”

I felt like somepony had stood me in a wind tunnel with a bad attitude for about fifteen seconds. I straightened my- well, everything- and gave Tavi an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, I needed to talk to Zecora and a few others, and just kind of wandered around trying to get my head straight. And why didn’t you visit me in the morning?!” I retorted. I wasn’t really mad, but making her think I was usually got her to stop being mad at me.

“W-well…” she stammered, looking a bit guilty. “When you passed out again, of course Daisy and I took you to the hospital, and we stayed for a while, and I dropped by like an hour ago, like I said, but I had a lot of practice to do, and playing music makes me feel better, so I thought… wait, this isn’t about me! What the hell happened?!” Damn. Like I said, usually.

“Nothing much,” I lied. “Just some exhaustion and throat damage from playing Daisy for a while yesterday. How she still has vocal chords amazes me. They really just kept me overnight for observation and stuff. But listen,” I said, trying to lead into what I’m sure was a very bad idea. “There’s some… thing that’s come up with this whole Ditzy Do-Twilight Sparkle thing, and I kinda need a few days away from home for now. The doc says I should take some time off work, which isn’t gonna happen if I’m sleeping five feet from the shop. Do you know anyplace I could-“

“Say no more, we’ll make up a guest room for you,” Tavi interjected.

“I was thinking more like a hotel you could recommend or-“

“Psh, please. Like there’s any hotels in this backwater town I’d subject my friends to. My roommate? Maybe. But no, I won’t hear it, you’ll stay with us. Come on, I’ll walk you back to your house so you can put a few things together. And besides, have you even seen Daisy after you checked out?”

“Um…”

“Rose?” she asked slowly.

“…no?”

----------------------------------------

“Where the heck have you been I’ve been worried sick about you you’ve been gone all night I was just about to come see you but we had a huge order this morning and we were short-hoofed not that I’m blaming you but you really should have called or something and you passed out again and I swear if you don’t tell me what’s going on right now I’m going to-“

“Daisy! Daisy, it’s ok,” I coughed a little for the yelling as my throat throbs in pain. “Just some scratched throat and exhaustion.”

She took a few deep breaths, and switched gears. “Oh yeah, it was like that when I ran through screaming for the first couple of times. There’s some deep breathing exercises I can show you, and you really should scream from your diaphragm, not your throat, that’s what I do…” she rambled off, answering more questions than I knew I had that day. We hadn’t even gotten into the house before she’d thrown the door open and run out barking mad at me.

When I walked up to the door, though, I stopped, and stared at it for a while.

And I realized right then what it meant to have a house stare back at you.

Author's Note:

It's been forever, I know.

Comments

[Chaotic Note]

Roseluck whatever you do, don't call your temporary shelter your home. Don't even think it's a save haven. That's how they smell you. Praying humor will lighten the atmosphere cause this is some dank spooky shit.

[Ankaru]

Very interesting concept. I do believe you have a new follow.

[Evilhumour]

I was scared for a bit before I started to read this.

[Super Trampoline]

Woo this updated!

[Moosetasm]

Oooooooh, I have been waiting for this.

All I have to say is big GASP

[SIGAWESOME]

6071778

Oh hell yes, it is back and as amazing as ever.

I double-plus agree!

And I realized right then what it meant to have a house stare back at you.

GET OUT!

[WiseFireCracker]

You know, there has been some amazingly creepy moments during my binge reading of this fic, but nothing quite like the moment when a fly moved from behind my laptop's screen just on the corner of my eyes. Needless to say, it died violently for pulling a mundane jump scare on me.

...I might be blaming your writing.

[Motsu]

Read the last few paragraphs of the last chapter before I started reading this update and wow you build up an eerie atmosphere in seconds. Good stuff.

[JDunk1971]

I like it! Still as heavy with the eerie atmospherics just under the guise of normalcy now as you were then.

[Pause]

Con-fucking-grats.

I'm in "DON'T GO TO SLEEP MODE" tonight and only made worse because the only thing that can really distract me from sleep is going down for maintenance and patching.

This night is going to be so rough.

[The Judge]

I'm spooked now.Just read the last few chapters and now I believe creepypastas pale in comparison to this.Someone hug me!

[Sniperwolf24]

6071785 this is perfect and damn you for beating me to it. Day Morgan Freeman impression

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

Aaand it's back!

you really should scream from your diaphragm, not your throat, that’s what I do…

That's Daisy alright.

[CaramelDrop]

I can literally not stop looking around me. Oh how I love it when stories like these, subtly put a thought in the back of your mind and you can't stop thinking about it.

Also,
Don't. Look. Back.

[connieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

This fanfiction proves that you absolutely don't need jump scares to make people terrified. Anything can make someone afraid of monsters appearing out of nowhere; it takes real talent to make someone afraid of everyday objects in places and at times you don't expect.

[Architect Ironturtle]

Yikes. You've got me looking over my shoulder and reviewing my "play nice or I will end you" speech.

9.75/10 for masterful suspense.

Call Discord, maybe he's got some information that could help.

[Magical Trevor]

Upvoting just from the description of the story, plus the cover-art. I would read this in a heartbeat if I actually liked dark stories. It's a great premise, and from the comments and votes, it sure looks good, but I don't think I'm going to be able to bring myself to read it. I'll just creep myself out, and I don't need that kind of stress in my life right now.

[ThunderDash]

Sooo much Yes!!!!

[Travolore]

This is legitimately creepy and unnerving... good job!
T

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6072541 Ha. We have similar mind except my phrase is I will end you by erasing you from time.

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6072432 Don't. Blink. If. You. Do.

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6072449 Jump scares are so mundane that if you use one on me I'll probably go eh.

[connieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

6072779 Even if jump scares do affect you (I have a strong aversion to them), it's pretty significant if I get startled by the audio from watching a YouTube video when it begins playing. I prefer this kind of horror, makes me think rather than just react.

[PhycoKrusk]

6072432
Well, thanks for that, you jerk.

6072764
You too!

Thank to you idiots, I have to spend the rest of the night walking backwards to do anything. And also not looking in mirrors. I hope you're happy!

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6073027 s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/32/61/68/3261688d68fc9e0df2a33de1389011f6.jpg

[Divine Path]

6072449
That would be because jumpscares are only effective when you expect them. They form a delicate balance with the atmosphere. When it is tense, and you feel anxious you become paranoid and susceptible to terror, then, when a jumpscare happens, the tension is released until the next horror~

Ah, finally, an update. How delightful the tension. How sumptuous the narrative. I wonder when more ponies will learn the truth?

[Nightingalehound]

I am not gonna read this, cause I have already read a story much like this, with the only difference from what I can tell so far is that it takes place in our world... and I don't want to have nightmares for again for another month...

[strangephantasm]

Vinyl: You're staying over? That's cool. Make yourself at home!
Roseluck:

sophisticus.com/i/fear.jpg

[FanOfMostEverything]

Glad to see more of this. A nice moment for the story to catch its breath, followed by a downright evil cliffhanger. Nice work.

Also, I love that Lily has all of this advice on proper panicking. Leave it to the pros, Rose.

[TDR]

Good to see this is back.

[remnants]

I don't know a single other fic that gives me those awesome shivers down my spine every.single.chapter.

I really hope you're making this more actively now. crosses fingers

[insolentboi]

Upvoting just from the description.
Also, not that you asked, but you may want this-https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jcuudNVTCVY

[DanteRevolution]

WOO! ANOTHER CHAPTER!

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6075663 Yes someone got it.

[Nox the Eternal]

6080637
My fellow in night time readings it is 2:30 and I keep wanting to turn around.

[AtTheCrimsonFckr]

6080684 2:39 here.

[Nox the Eternal]

Well waiting for a new chapter.... I the mean time I need funny cat videoshttps://m.youtube.com/?reload=7&rdm=1kw4oo6co#/watch?v=tntOCGkgt98

[Bold Promise]

Let me get this straight. The mystical shaman told her NOT to go back home, and what does she do?
She goes back home.
After stating all chapter that she wasn't going to bet her

everything

on Zecora being wrong.

I'm not going to try to sugar coat it or fit a joke in here. I find that badly written. Also, Octavia's dialogue was pretty bad as well.
However, this wasn't "that" bad. Just not as good as it was supposed to be.

[Idio Adustum]

6081865 In his defense about going home, it's natural. It's habit and you have to force yourself not to go back home or you do it naturally. I do it every time I tell myself to go shopping for new jeans or something, and instead, I'm home. Not to mention she's listening to her friends talk so she's not paying attention to what she's doing, making it easier to excuse. Though, in your defense, there were traumatic events that took place recently in Rose's life and I don't think it would be so easy to forget not going home. I think she'd almost shun her house to avoid any more horrors, but it depends on what is going on and who we are talking about.

I will say however that it felt a bit rushed. If Rose had talked to Octavia more, or cloud kicker or anyone else and made me forget Zecora's advice myself, then I'd be more willing to believe that Rose could forget that info, but seeing as it's so fresh in my mind, I can't really do that. Still, I see where he was going, I just don't think he went far enough. If that makes sense

[ferret]

6087277
It's a good opportunity to write about the sudden shocked surprise when Roseluck remembers that she wasn't supposed to go home after all.

[Idio Adustum]

6089606 Good point! But I don't think you should lead into it rushed. I like where it was going, I just felt it should have been done . . . slower? Still, I'm looking forward to the next chapter. This is literally the third story I read on here so I'm anxious to see it's end

[ferret]

6098012
Keep in mind it was started over a year ago... this story updates... slowly.

[Satto Kez]

Damn... I'm going to have to go back and reread all the chapters. Well at least I'm hoping happy that you updated!

[Idio Adustum]

6098040 I noticed. Hahaha it doesn't take away from it, just means I have to wait more Oh well. MORE TIME FOR READING!!!

[Eveyann]

this story is so amazing, it so awesome

[SparkBrony]

This story is awesome, but how long am I gonna have to wait for the next chapter?

[insolentboi]

Almost to 1,000 likes!!

[71M073J]

6212806 I wholeheartedly agree my dear.

[SparkBrony]

Congrats on 1,000 likes!

[Krazyfan1]

And I realized right then what it meant to have a house stare back at you.

i can see it now
38.media.tumblr.com/bb8c25d42306c5e0e5b42eb16c871b43/tumblr_inline_nmlo7fvp1i1s70lc0_500.gif
33.media.tumblr.com/c1699a64731f96e56af0ca0e3ca6bb77/tumblr_inline_nmlo8mTgHB1s70lc0_500.gif