Not all humans make it to Equestria. I did, but that doesn't matter now. I'm stuck, and I'm likely not going to escape.
He was a man, a foolish man, who found the way there. The only problem is not all humans make it to Equestria, not all humans make it back. These are his final thoughts, the only thing we know of him.
Will: Savings to Charity House to Bank Let my family know I’m sorry.
I… apologize. That shabby writing up there, that was… I’ll explain that in a moment.
You may end up asking me a very simple question, and I’ll give you a simple answer. These are my thoughts, you see. No one can narrate them but I, no one can express them but I, and no one else can read them but you. That’s a privilege, not a right, dearest reader. My thoughts are on paper now, incomplete as I write them and they’ll never change.
Let’s talk thoughts. You’re likely not wondering what I’m thinking. And yet, you read. You are an odd one, dearest reader. Can you guess what I’m thinking? Probably not, I haven’t given you any context, have I? I’m currently inside of the Everfree Forest. Would you like to take a guess? Fear, trepidation, maybe an adventurous excitement? What if I said I was in a clearing?
Peace? Tranquility? Perhaps fear, again. After all, it’s what you don’t see in the clearing, or rather what I don’t, is all the more frightening. But no, it’s not fear. If you look at the words Everfree Forest and the word “fear,” you’ll see that there is no a. You cannot spell fear in the Everfree Forest. Only dispel it. Clever, I know. I thought of it just moments ago and I couldn’t resist. See? Thoughts.
You likely need more context. How about my physical state of being. Well, you could see my ribcages. I’m naked. Cold. Shivering. My only article of clothing is the remaining scroll of this piece of paper to cover my loins, but that’s just a gesture of common decency in the wilderness, isn’t it? Almost useless, like a philip’s head screwdriver for a flat screw.
So? What am I thinking? What are my thoughts? Oh, if you haven’t guessed, yes, I am human. Maybe you’ve struck up abandonment? Maybe you think, “Whatever this one has done, he may have deserved it.” Or maybe you’re already on the phone, calling 911. Right, I’m American. Was. Maybe still am? What’s the difference at this point?
Actually… it’s a bit more embarrassing than that, all of my previous answers. I’m embarrassed, you see. I’ve been caught. Trapped. Hanging upside down, blood rushing to my head. A timberwolf chased me here. It’s made me a bit loopy, you see. You’re probably thinking, “How did that happen?” Or perhaps you’re one of those, “Why should I care?”
Well, I suppose I should explain myself. You ever wonder why the Everfree Forest runs the same way as it does on Earth than in Equestria? Aside from the residents who will inevitably find me… and probably do what you might expect of them, it’s because these plants are from Earth. I found the connection you see.
It is real. You can come here. You can come back at any time, it’s not a limitation. Don’t take offers from genies, don’t look for miracle portals, it’s a simple walk through a small cave. The only problem is… well I can’t tell you where it is. It’s not because I’m being selfish. Actually, if you’re reading this, dearest reader, you have already found it, haven’t you? Waste of my remaining time that was. Forgive me, it’s becoming harder to think.
Try and cut myself down? No, I’m afraid it doesn’t work like that. I suppose I should explain how I’m hanging upside down, shouldn’t I? Well, as far as I can see, there’s one thick vine wrapped around my left and one wrapped around my right. They’re pulled apart just far enough where I can’t reach them and I admit, I’m not the most flexible fellow. Need I remind you, I’m naked. This is all I have. I was carrying this scroll and this pen. I… really should have told someone.
I was foolishly excited. I had read the stories. Studied them, actually. Make contact with Zecora, find Ponyville. It seemed like such an easy task. One I was ill-prepared for. It took one timberwolf. One, to sever my rope attached to the entrance, for back tracking and one to chase me in this damned jungle, endlessly. One, to drench my clothes in its acidic breath. One, to chew through my backpack and all of its contents. It even belched when the flare went off. All it took was one damned timberwolf.
Dear reader? How did you make it to me? I’m so very proud and perplexed. Ironically, I’m likely dead if you’re reading this. Unless I gave it to you for fun. But, just in case, could you do me a favor? If I do turn into a ghost, could you do me the favor of telling me how you got here? Just in case I’m around, is all.
Well, my hands are hurting now, one from scribbling and one for being the back surface so I can scribble on this sheet. I can’t even recall how long I’ve been writing. Seems like ages. I’m quite surprised nothing has found me thus far. Not too shabby on the writing either, I don’t see any mistakes. Then again… I can hardly see straight at all.
I’ll admit, I’m an idiot. I didn’t plan to come out this far. My rope was only made to go fifty, sixty feet from the hole. Enough to get a look around, maybe mark something with a knife, but a pouncing Timberwolf was not one of the things I expected to happen. At least, not so soon.
It makes me wonder though, the wolf was right there. Did… did it know? Does it know that humans come through here? It’s not entirely out of the question now. Actually, it may make too much sense. The wolf knew. The wolf KNEW. It must have known.
We’re doomed from the start.
Another thing. This trap? Well, something must have made it. Not the wolf. No, he’s too… brutish. Something out here is a hunter. I wonder how long until it finds me? The vines don’t look too old. This trap is recent. I wonder if I can plead innocence. I wonder if I can even plead. Will it listen to me? Try to understand?
Maybe give me some food?
Heh, maybe even be a pet. I just want to survive right now. That would be best.
I- I apologize, I haven’t been taking any of this seriously enough, have I? It’s… who I am. I never took anything seriously enough, now that I look back on it. Relationships, job, and apparently exploring. In retrospect, I always did kind of over explain everything. God, I must be annoying. This letter must be simply dreadful.
These are my thoughts, though. You can only read them, and only I can narrate them, only I can express them. I guess… I guess not every human will make it to Equestria. I… probably will not.
Shit. I ran out of ink. Well, at least I can stop writing on my hand. I-I guess I can say this letter’s now a bloody mess. I guess that because I’m writing, I still believe I can make it. I’m foolish enough to believe so. A miracle always comes and helps the protagonist, right?
Right?
I hear something walking through the brush. Maybe this is my chance! Goodbye, D-
I didn’t think I could have messed up. I thought I knew!
But look at you now! Writing on a leaf, hoping to god it gets better.
I need to write down what happened, just in case someone
comes by and gets this. I know I’m not going to
make it this time around. I have maybe an hour
or two at best before I die.
I guess it’s very proper that I start these thoughts on a new leaf so that everyone can view them. My name is Clyde. I ventured into the forest. The severed rope I found near the exit should have warned me that this place was danger. I didn’t last an hour. A dog made of fucking sticks chased me down into a cave. But it wouldn’t follow me inside for some reason. It bit into my sides during the chase. I’m heavily wounded. It tore away my pack and my clothes. I’m left here to bleed out.
If you find these, you have a chance to leave this forest! You can evade the dog! YOU NEED TO GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! I cannot warn you anymore than I have. This is not a forest! It’s a goddamn nightmare! The only thing I can offer is that while I ran I sliced the trees With my knife.
You can find the way back if you follow the trail of cuts. They’re all at eye level. I’m Five foot seven. I cut along my left because I’m left handed. So they’ll be to your right. There shouldn’t be a shortage of them. Get out of the forest. GO.
My final wish is something very simple./////////// I saved this big leaf //////////////////////
Jennifer. Tell her I’m //////////////////////////// Was right to tell me n//////////// ////////////////// Information. It’s///////////////////////////////////
I had a gif////////////////////////////// Heh. Joki////////////////////////// All the w/////////////////// I’m su//////////// I Lo//////// ////////
Mom. I’m really sorry I ran away. But this cave and this forest killed my daddy. But I am a good hunter like daddy taught me. He taught me how to follow other hunters.
Mom, I found this cave. There were two dead people inside. One was daddy. Daddy said this might happen one day while he was hunting... and to be a big girl and be strong. So I did. They told me to grab their supplies. It was scary, mom. But, like the big girl you would want me to be, I did it. I returned the notes to the cave I found so others, if they came, could read it. The lady, the name on her bag said Diane, had a large carving knife. So, I carved big arrows into the trees and filled them with orange paint. Hard to miss.
Mom, if you find this note, I’m at the river. They want me to kill a hunter who killed them. Diane had a gun inside her bag. Daddy taught me how to use a gun. See? I’m a big girl. I’ve set up a board at the tunnel using large pieces of carved bark where I posted these found notes. If I find anymore, I’ll place them there.
I won’t let daddy die in vain. Clyde was a good man.
~Charlotte
Mom! Mom I did it! I went to the river and found the hunter! The hunter wasn’t a man! The hunter was a bird, lion thing! I did it mom! It had a bow and arrow, I knew it must have been the hunter. It was eating some fish. I caught it off guard.
I think, I think it tried to speak to me. I didn’t know what it said though. It killed my daddy. I killed it! It had some really weird orb in its bag and when I poked it, I was suddenly in front of the cave. Near another orb! Mom! This forest is magic, mom! I dropped the orb I got from the hunter and then poked the other orb. I went to the other orb! I put the second orb safely in the cave and wrapped it in a net. I’m going to see if I can’t find a podium or something to place it on.
Actually, near the river, I saw this big castle place, mom. I’m going there next, mom! Daddy always said he’d like a castle one day! I’ll get a castle for daddy! It looked all broken and stuff, so maybe there’s no one there. I’ll still be careful, mom. The hunter has some cool things in his bag. But, like daddy said, “Charlotte, if you don’t have a clue about what it is, find someone who does before messing with it.” The orb was an accident. Think daddy would ever forgive me?
Happy tenth birthday! A magic forest and I helped averge- avend- avenge daddy! You’ll be so proud of me, mom! ~Charlotte
Charlotte, this is your mother’s note. If you read this when you get back, just know I’m not mad. I’m worried sick! Please, come back.
~Mom.
Charlotte, it’s been a day. Are you still at the castle? You haven’t left a note on the board. I can’t come after you, you know I can’t travel this forest in my condition. Please, I know you have to do this for daddy but come back. You’ve done good, Charlotte, just come back.
~Mom
Charlotte, it’s been three days. I’m sending Bill after you. I know you went with daddy on those hunting missions, I know you can handle yourself but not alone! Not like this! Bill’s grabbing supplies and using the orb tomorrow. I wish he could go tonight, but from the sounds of it, traveling at night through this forest is suicide. Please, please let me know you’re okay!
~Mom
Charlotte, it’s mom. Bill couldn’t use the orb so he set off, following your trail you made. Bill hasn’t come back. There’s no reception in this forest, I can’t contact him. Bill told his friends that if he wasn’t back by tomorrow to start setting up a search party. If for some reason you come back here, please just leave me a note. Please.
Please.
“M-mom? /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ Mom, it’s Charlotte. The forest h/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ ad magic. Don’t come to the castle. I thi/\/\/\/\/\/\/ found the re\/\/\/\/\/\/\nter. It wasn’t the bird lion. It was a /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ and it’s made of b\/\/\/\/\/\ magic. I’m using Diane’s voice recor/\/\/\/\ but it’s cracked a bit. I’m s-sending it through the orb after I’m done with this. Do /\/\/\/\/\/\ come to the castle! Bad magic, mom! I’m hiding in the /\/\/\ll tow/\/\/\/\. I- I don’t know how I snuck past it, but it’s bad, mom.
I can’t leave. I tried, mom. A leaf landed on it and it /\/\/\/\orted. Think the orb runs on batt/\/\/\/\ or something and I’m too big to use it. Maybe it’ll come back on.
Or, maybe… maybe there’s something I can use in the hunter’s bag? That /\/\/\/\/\ sense. I kind’a wish I didn’t drop it when the bad magic hunter saw me. Has my gun too. It was too hea/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ to run away. The bag looks like a satc/\/\/\/ but it h/\/\/\ me purple stri/\/\/\/\ on it. Can’t miss it at t/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ trance.
Mom, I’m sorry for worrying you. I-
Hello, little one.
Ahh! No! No no no!
Here, let me fix that for you, they’ll want to /\/\/\/\/\/\ this. Oh yes, I’ve been listening.
Shing.
Pl-please! Don’t hurt me!
Hurt you? No, I would never. In fact, you’re just what I need.
Wh-what are you! HEY! STOP THAT! THE RECORDER!
Hello, mother of this child. I’ve been bored, waiting at my castle. If you would like to see her again, come to my castle and we’ll negotiate.
NO MOM! Don’t come! She’s evil! Sh-
Silence!
Don’t come! Mom, you know it’s a trap! Daddy wouldn’t want you dead too!
I SAID SILENCE.Whack.
O-okay…
Good, so you can listen. Come pick up your brat before I change my mind. You have twenty four hours to respond."
To Bill’s friends.
This is Jennifer, long friend of Bill and the wif- widow of Clyde. I recently got a tape recorded message from my daughter, Charlotte. She’s being held hostage at the castle. I can’t sit here knowing some bitch has my only child. Please, follow Charlotte’s trail. Cell phones won’t work out here so you’ll need to use a short range communication. I really wish Bill had some walkie talkies with him. He was so sure he’d be back by now, but he’s missing too. If my daughter can make it, I can too.
Be sure to follow the instructions left on previous letters of those who passed here, gathered by my daughter. I’m calling it Charlotte’s Trail. It seems appropriate, don’t you think? She always was a lively one. I’ll meet you all up there. And bring guns. No one. Hits. My baby girl.
I hope she knows how to negotiate her way out of a gunshot. I’ll wait for you all at the castle.
