Monsters
The monsters had entered the house earlier than Diamond Tiara had expected. Oh, they tried to be quiet, tried to sneak in under the cover of night, while the moon was shining high over Ponyville and the town was awash in silence, but Diamond heard them anyway. She always heard them and they never really stayed quiet for long.
In reality, she had been waiting for them. Sleep had been impossible, knowing full well these creatures were coming. These hideous things that crept into the house after her parents had left for the evening to attend a party down the street, and once they were in the house, Diamond knew there would be no salvation. She was doomed.
At first, she had tried to defend herself. She had immediately shielded herself under the impenetrable protection of a blanket- guaranteed to ward off spooks, spirits, monsters and creatures of the darkness. Every foal knew about the power of a blanket, but its legendary stopping power had no effect on the creatures. Every night they seemed to grow stronger, and stronger, crashing into things and crying out, louder and louder still.
It started like it always did. Hushed murmurs and low moans raising up through the floorboards. It was the darkness, Diamond was sure, that caused all of this. The monsters never attacked in the daytime. No, there was something about the night that seemed to draw them out- to siphon them into existence from some horrible demonic dimension. That was the only explanation and try as she might to blot them out, Diamond could still hear them. They were getting louder.
-This to me again! Is it too much to ask you to go ONE night without getting completely trashed?! Is it that hard to just keep your damned hooves off the rum?! Whole town thinks you're a drunk you know!
Ash if I gave a ratsh tail about what anypony else thinksh!
And what about our daughter, huh? Do you care what SHE thinks?!
Our daughter?! Our daughter, mr. 'work-fourteen-hour-daysh' I'm the only one raising that little misfit, don't even pretend you care! You can't even remember her own god-forsaken birthday!
Talking with you when you're like this is a waste of time. Talking with you period is a waste of time, and it's in November, you harlot.
See?! Shee?! You don't know a damned thing about her! It's in March you filthy -
She shut them out, let the darkness drown their voices, the way she wished the darkness could drown her. She wished she could fade away: just disappear with the night when the morning sun drifted down onto Ponyville. She wouldn't even miss her stuff. The giant plush bear in the corner the butler won at the town fair. The closet filled with brand name clothes and cashmere sweaters. The candies and treats adorning her dresser on the far side of the room. The biggest one was the unopened bag of chocolate nuts daddy had bought back with him on his trip to the Jewel Desert across the sea. He had been gone for two solid weeks and returned to Diamond with a pat on a head and a bag of nuts.
She was allergic to peanuts.
-Only reason I'm sthill with a pony like you! I could have been a successh if you hadn't knocked me up! Do you know how famoush I could have been if it wasn't for the two of you?!
Do you think I like having to support you? Huh?! Why do you think I spend so many hours at the office?! Because this is what I get to come home to! And where does my money go?! Where does it go?! Booze, clothes you don't deserve, all that jewelry, I swear if I wasn't trapped here because you couldn't remember to take a freaking pill-
There were stories about monsters under the bed. Diamond had heard the other kids at school talking about them. Horrible, terrible things that grabbed fillies with long, vicious tentacles and dragged them into the shadows. Of course, there hadn't been a recorded attack in almost six hundred years, but Diamond tossed her torso over the side of her bed anyway, tentatively peering into the gloom under the bed's frame. There was nothing there. No horrible nightmare to drag her into the abyss. Only a small legion of dust bunnies and long lost toys greeted her gaze. She felt something shudder inside of her.
And snap.
Like you ever loved either of ush!! It's all a lie! Another businessh deal!
Thats right, because you love her soooooooooooo much! Teach me, oh grand and wonderful master! Show me your secrets!!
Her mouth was dry. Like a magic trick, every ounce of moisture had vanished from her lips, only to reappear in her eyes to race down the slopes of her cheeks. She spilled out of her bed on jelly legs and lay quietly on the floor. Her blankets and sheets held no comfort. She wanted to go somewhere. Celestia, please. Take her anywhere but here.
Saw you looking at that cheap shkank! I saw you, you bastard! The hell doesh Aloe haff that I don't huh? Do I need a Prance accent to make you want me?!
Sweetie, I wouldn't want you if you were made out of gold and spit rubies.
She pulled herself across the floor to the closet sitting adjacent across from her bed. There, she tucked herself inside and closed the door. In the infinity of the darkness, she found the bellowing monsters below were slightly muted. Horrible screaming turned into muffed shouts and she huddled quietly in the corner, reveling in her new found solace while hugging her knees.
After a few moments, Diamond perked a curious ear. No, she could still hear the monsters screaming below her, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could make out the gentle glint of glass sitting in her closet with her. Bottles. Nine of them to be precise. Bottles that she had taken and hidden from mom. Bottles of that stuff she wouldn't stop drinking. Bottles that helped turn her into the thing that was downstairs.
She grabbed one in her hooves, looking it over. In the gloom she couldn't make out the label, but it didn't matter. All she knew was that mom wouldn't stop. Couldn't stop. And the only way life would get better was if mom did stop. Maybe Diamond could change things if she hid the bottles and limited her mother's intake. Maybe if she hid enough of them, mom would get tired of spending money on them, and maybe, maybe mom would stop guzzling the stuff down. Maybe they could be a family again. Maybe; if she tried hard enough...
She popped the top off of one of them and brought the opening to her lips. She winced. It smelled like poison and tasted like death, and she gagged. How did mom do it? Mom suckled it down like it was water; like she couldn't live without it, even though it burned at her sinuses, and was acid across her tongue. Mom survived with it. Maybe if only Diamond could understand. Maybe. Maybe if Diamond could see things from Mom's point of view. Maybe. Maybe she could help. Maybe she could figure out a way to fix things. Maybe she could save her family. Celestia, please...
She took a deep breath and quietly swallowed another mouthful.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Diamond Tiara didn't come to school that day, which, while odd, was not something entirely unheard of for Silver Spoon. She had an inkling what might have happened and spent most of the day staring idly out the window, or at the empty desk beside her. When school had finally, finally let out, Silver Spoon raced down the path towards their hang out, carrying in her mouth a list of activities that Diamond Tiara had missed during the day. She ran past the Cutie Mark Crusaders and past the cute boys from the pegasi school above them. None of it mattered.
At long last, she found Diamond Tiara sitting silently under the huge tree up on their hill. The one just overlooking the town and most importantly, Sugar Cube Corner which made the hill smell like cookies all the time. Their special, personal, secret hill, where they shared the deepest of secrets with one another and nopony in the world could hope to shatter the solace it gave them. Slowly, Silver crept up to Diamond, biting her lower lip in nervous apprehension. Something bad had happened. Rumor had it, that Diamond was sick- throwing up all day or something. But Silver Spoon could guess that it was more than that...
"...Monsters again?" Silver asked quietly, wincing as the question tumbled from her lips. Teary-eyed and tired, Diamond glanced over at the pony sitting next to her and bit at her lower lip. It was all Silver needed to see.
"Is that my homework?" Diamond asked quietly.
"...Don't worry about it." Silver whispered. Diamond nodded and stoically leaned against her only friend in silence. And gently, Silver Spoon leaned back.
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Damn...
That was a pretty moving message at the end. I'm one of the lucky ones and my parents hardly argue.
But my condolences for those who aren't so lucky. Things will get better eventually, so stay strong.
That ending was so beautiful. This story really puts that sad tag to work. Great story. Wonderful.
I can only imagine what happened after that. After Diamond did that. I wonder what happened there. Will the monsters become more powerful after that day? Did one eat the other? Or are both sated by the hurt they caused that the monsters won't be a terrifying anymore? Such mysteries!
It wasn't just my parents that fought. Everybody fought. Two bipolar brothers, a bipolar mother, a disabled dad, and a stubborn-to-the-ends-of-the-earth sister. It's better now. They never meant the harsh words, they all simply needed help, but the state was too stupid to give them any in the first place, so we had to wait three fricken years and my sister sabotaging herself into a foster home.
So yeah, I feel confident enough to say that this story was actually spot on, though no one in my family drinks (it clashes with their medication).
Beautiful story, terrific ending, and I love it.
That was something special. Very nicely done. Relatable concept and a great execution.
Very heart-rending, and makes you feel bad for Tiara.
Great story, wonderful to see an author who has given Tiara a little more depth than one-dimensional bully.
One bit I noticed though:
I think that should be 'to'. But eh, other than that, I don't think I noticed any other errors. Pretty damn good for a 4:14am story
Oh, wow. Well executed. Right in my Lyras. Wow. Poor Diamond Tiara. When will parents realize that the kids are always listening? They think that kids are dumb or kids don't understand because they're kids, but they listen and they understand the voices and the feelings and the implications.
I suspect I was one of the lucky ones. My parents did disagree and argue and even got mad on occasion, but they never started screaming or throwing accusations that you couldn't take back. Taught me to not do that either, which I guess was an unintentional bonus. But that didn't mean you couldn't hear the neighbours, or your friends' parents when you were visiting.
Sometimes, being a kid is not all it's cut out to be.
Good story. Thanks.
Author: Here you go.
Me: What's this?
Author: Feels. Have some.
Me: This is...You're being awfully generous with these feels, don't you think?
Author: Yes, I do. Enjoy!
Me: ...oh...
5039810
Generosity is my forte, darling!
Good job – you managed to give me feels, which doesn't happen often...
My brother and I fight, our parents yell minor problems at each other, but that doesn't mean I got the feeling that they might divorce. I still hope that my family makes it through. We think that we can just back off, hope it's over, but that does nothing. You can get up and interpose the fight between the parents. I feel bad for the people how don't even have a mom or dad, or used to have them both, but split apart. Among the Sleep, anyone heard of that game? A baby roams around at night, encountering puzzles for babies to handle, including monsters. The gameplay happens after you hear the doorbell ring, making you believe there was a divorce. There was.
Parents don't win every time.
As someone who had to deal with that, right in the gut for me.
Wow... That was... Wow. While it isn't a story I can personally relate to, it was still remarkably well told regardless. Very well done, I must admit. Definitely favorite worthy! Cheers
5041174 It always depends on your parents. My parents got divorced plainly because they didn't like each other, not because of their kids. They work in strange ways.
ONLY grammar error I found:
Should be "another." Now that's out of the way...YOU HAVE NO RIGHT! NO RIGHT TO ASSAULT MY FEELS IN THIS WAY!
Well I can certainly attest this is accurate.
I remember me and my brother quickly running to our rooms whenever our dad came home, afraid he was drunk again. Then there was the waiting, waiting for the silence to be broken. And when the yelling finally stopped, waiting two hours at least before I dared leave my room again, afraid it might start up again at any moment.
I believe I was around twelve when my parents divorced, and they only fought for a year or so total.
I'm not sure how old Diamond is but I can only imagine how traumatizing it is for kids younger than I was.
I think growing up when we find out what a divorce is we all become afraid of our families splitting up. I'm glad that it has not happened to mine or many other people I know but the thought of it can cause a lot of problems for kids. One day, mom or dad is gone and 'may' only visit because of court orders if they're lucky enough to get it.
Well that is depressing, I might actually feel bad for that little harlot.
I quite enjoyed this story please make more chapters I could see this becoming a large story
Instant favorite.
5044977
Making it a longer story would take away the impact.
5043179 Oh… feels train…
DT is DRINKING?!!!?
Left me wanting more.
Good job!
First time I have ever felt sorry for that little.... Filly
5047147
Indeed.
My parents never really made it to my 9th birthday so yeah. good story it was worth my 5-10 minutes loved the read and it gave me something to do. cheers, toodaloo, whatever they say in America god I've been here 5 years and I still don't know what they say in proper goodbyes... other than goodbye.
man now i feel sorry for diamond tiara, great story!! I couldnt stop reading
I swear if I wasn't trapped here because you couldn't remember to take a freaking pill-
Congrats. The single most horrible thing any child could hear.
I think this deserves an AU tag, since from what we've seen, Diamond completely adores her father, and he shows her nothing but love.
I remember those nights. Staying up. Listening to it. Telling my little brother to go upstairs and lock his door with my crutches while I listened. And then took the brunt of the blame for both of them. Heh. And then I'd cry myself to sleep. Or not. Sometimes I just didn't sleep and went outside and slept on the bench on the porch. Good times. Good times indeed. Remember that I tried to fight back with logic once. Heh. Man. That didn't go well.
True, sometimes it's all you can do. Heck at least she wasn't unlucky to see her mother decked in the face, or almost thrown through a wall. But yeah drugs, especially those who get violent on alcohol, can turn parents into real monsters. I have to ask though? With the nightmares Deets feels throughout the day, and probably even consumes her at night. Where is Luna? I'd think that a pony who helps ponies in their darkest dreams would be aware of the waking nightmare devouring Deet's life.
5052215
Don't know why all the downvotes to your comment. Although honestly, she loves her father in this fic. It's her mother who has her truly worried. Although it doesn't help what her father said, and her disassociating it as "monsters that only come out at night", is her way of protecting her image of her parents.
5053495
I have to ask though? With the nightmares Deets feels throughout the day, and probably even consumes her at night. Where is Luna? I'd think that a pony who helps ponies in their darkest dreams would be aware of the waking nightmare devouring Deet's life.
You know, I had actually cut out the part with Luna in it. I didn't want to get into that, as it took away from the focus on what DT was going through, but yes, Luna did have a roll in this story originally.
5053537
Then I have to say, for a pony that's one third of the Triumvirate, and had a roll through the director's edition. Why she doesn't do anything? Even something as simple as Foal Protective Services, forced Family Counciling [and psychiatric help for the mother], or any number of things would be useful. Well inbetween Deets drinking herself to sleep, and school. Since I'd expect even with abuse, she'd have to either contact Tia or Twilight to keep them up to date and their say in the matter.
But yeah, I can see why she was cut from the story, since it would take away from Diamond's trauma. But the fact that she's turning a blind eye to it. That's just messed up. Especially since she's stepped in [one format or another] to help Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle over something a lot less horrifying. And it also explains Diamond's venomous behavior / bullying. Seeing as it's her coping mechanism from the horrors she faces each night. I almost wonder what the CMC would say if they ever found out. Or if the Princesses actually stepped in to do something.
Well told story. Wish there was at least a modicum of resolution, but for what it was well told.
Okay, I'm going to say it now. I'm against sad/tragedy fics. So compromised I am on that idea that my last work was a direct attack to the concept.
But this is a God blessed good story, you win this time.
and my car's keys (and I don't even have a car).
Take your like, your fav, your trixie
This punched me in the face repeatedly. Wow.
i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/509/093/c98.jpg
Little fillies drinking what's not to love
5053537
Nice work! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
I know what it's like.
That's why I promised myself a long time ago that, if I ever get married and have kids, my wife and I will NEVER fight in front of them, nor in any place they can hear us.
5146294
Damn fine promise.
Goddamit.
*upvote*
This whole time, I though Diamond Tiara was just being a brat. Never looked at it this way before.
A great story.
5158625 HighRollerHydra, sorry to hear about your experience. Regarding divorce. Divorces happen because of infidelity, alcoholism, one becomes a workaholic and neglects the family, abuse, resentment, couples grow apart and for many other reasons. When you look at it through a legal way, marriage is nothing more than a state sanctioned economic contract on paper. Sometimes the love just dies and they don't feel like being stuck with one another anymore.
5158625 I am so sorry about what happened, and I wish I knew the answer. My parents never raised their voices at each other within earshot of me or my sister and they still got divorced (I still don't know why). A lot of divorces happen because the two weren't listening to each other and more happen just because the two just become friends, nothing more. And way too many happen because the two turn into bitter enemies.
The ol' hide the alcohol trick... man, do i wish it actually worked.
I usually don't empathize with ponies like Diamond Tiara, but dayum, man, this was good. I actually felt genuinely sorry for her! I love her spinning thoughts and her "jelly legs" lol, because I know how it feels. Surely, this is a story everypony should read, because the feel is real.
This is a VERY strong story. I know because I had an experience similar to this. I'm happy seeing other people actually thinking about the true message in the story.
It's a shame that families analogous to this one exist in the real world, when a child has no choice but to seek emotional support from outside their own household. I could only reserve the worst of punishments for parents so cruel, but I do not think that would do the child justice at that point.
vary interesting point of view. and yep ben there
Harts Fire