> Timber
>  by Amiss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Timber
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

we like to deceive ourselves
with what we think we knew
never questioning if the stories
have a chance to be true

I found that monster
on that fateful night
when it changed my life
and offered _only_ plight

the full moon was shining
forest air cool and crisp
not a bird was singing
cloud cover only in a wisp

I had been out camping
with friends (a colt and mare)
on the edge of Everfree
stupidly without care

I was gathering firewood
from the wooded thick
when I heard a strange noise
as if the trees themselves would click

I was partly nervous
but imagination it was all
not at the time knowing
I was already in the beast's thrall

I returned to the camp
the wood strapped to my back
it was getting late
and my thoughts began to lack

as I started the fire
and we all sat by
we talked and sang for hours
till the fire began to die

we entered the tent
and went to bed
with false security
I lay down my head

I was awoken at an hour
to the smell of something foul
a warm liquid dripped upon my head
then I heard a low growl

my eyes shot open
just in time to see
jagged wooden teeth
as if from a tree

it stared at me frozen
but I could feel its warm air
I jumped back startled
breaking the beast's stare

remembering my friends
I looked for where they were
the commotion of this monster
was causing them to stir

gathering my senses
I knew what it was
it was a vicious timber wolf
yet not doing as one does

I heard the colt awaken
then a terrored scream
the sound surprised the wolf
(or at least that's what it'd seem)

it tore from the tent
as the mare awoke
we all were stunned and silent
for a while nopony spoke

I heard from the near forest
several howls ringing out
then the sound of clicking
as other timber wolves moved about

they ripped into the tent
then covered the walls with red
my company was slain
and I too would soon be dead

I was able to dash out
of a hole in the tent wall
and saw the road to Ponyville
was thick with those that appall

I had to run to the forest
this option not that great
but it might spare me
from those jaws of hate

I heard them coming for me
their claws raking the ground
they were getting closer
so I dared not turn around

I stumbled and fell
rolling into a slight cave
and I knew it was quite likely
that this would be my grave

I felt some tainted joy
as the wolves continued running past
but then one didn't
and the happiness did not last

it stopped running
so close to where I lay
that I could smell it breathing
a scent of rot and decay

the sound of other wolves
had long since gone by
I knew this one saw me
this I could not deny

it turned its head to face me
and I could see each glowing eye
I expected not what happened
for it began to cry

I knew it not possible
but the creature spoke
it's voice not meant to do so
for it came out in a croak

" *I am not a monster* "
the strange thing had said
" *have you ever wondered what happens*
" *to those the forest claims as dead?* "

I still was frozen
paralyzed by each word
" *what I am is not by choice*
" *and not what I'd have preferred* "

" *the forest claimed my life* "
its voice getting distressed
" *where do the souls go*
" *of those not laid to rest?* "

" *the trees hold them*
" *but cannot hold their mind*
" *I do not know why I still have*
" *these memories I can find* "

" *I was once an earthpony*
" *much like you are*
" *coming 'bout a fire*
" *with friends as it would char* "

" *but then one night it happened*
" *all my friends were killed*
" *none of us ever had*
" *a proper burial fulfilled* "

I found myself no longer shaking
feeling pained for what I'd learned
but with all that'd happened
more knowledge still I yearned

"what is your name"
I asked in self surprise
but the wolf's attention snapped away
towards my oncoming demise

the other wolves returning
just shells of who they were
and though what had happened
I knew death I'd not deter

I tried to run away
but my leg's pain was to great
I just closed my eyes
shutting out impending fate

the next sound I heard
was a shrill yelp
I quickly turned to see
the lone wolf had chose to help

I clawed at the ground
as I dragged myself away
then the sun shone across the ground
as Celestia made it day

the wolves stopped their fighting
and turned forestwards to flee
leaving only the one
who limped over to me

the once elegant creature
now had cracks and splinters all about
and from deep jagged wounds
a yellow liquid was oozing out

it got within a yard or so
I found I was the one to cry
the creature seemed aware
that soon it was to die

"but why do you not heal?"
I said in a sorrowed shout
"other ponies say you can reconstruct
"in the stories they tell about"

" *we hunt during the night*
" *for in day we meet our fate*
" *I will not survive that long*
" *and fear it is too late* "

I struggled not knowing what to feel
when the creature said
" *my name... was, Carol Bell*
" *and I ask you remember it after I'm dead* "

I laid with the dying wolf
despite being told to go
until her breath stopped coming
and eyes would no longer glow

still I stayed with her
on the now bright day
until medical ponies arrived
and forcefully took me away

when I awoke next
I felt no pain but from the heart
and I remembered my campmates
as they were torn apart

I called a mare over
to ask the way in which they'd been dealt
but when she told of no bodies
the comment worsened what I'd felt

I lay discomforted each day
until the next week I was let out
I now had a mission
and started asking about

each day I went at it
and finally a single mare
did not respond to my questions
with just a confused stare

she let me in her house
my questions obviously leaving her shook
when from a chest she pulled
an old dusty book

the elderly grey mare
gave a tear from her eye
before finally asking me
the simple question "why?"

"I need to know more"
I cried as feelings began to stir
"Carol saved my life
"and I owe it to her"

the mare seemed phased
but questioned not my word
I couldn't help but wonder
how she'd taken what she had heard 

she put the book on the table
then showed me the spot
a picture of a beautiful green mare
who had long since been forgot

_Carol Bell_
_and two friends_
_were camping at Sunset Look_
_when they met tragic ends_

the articles’ words
left me daunted
but the dam thing had given me
what I had wanted

I thanked the mare
and took my leave
but the sad mare stopped me
for I had something to receive

I thanked her and parted
walking into the heat of day
I knew what was needed
and could not delay

it was around two
when I reached Sunset Look
I was searching about
and with sadness I shook

after an hour
I spotted my sad prize
for I'd found the spot
Carol had met her demise

I stood there before
what of her remained
the lonely skeleton
left me quite pained

the sound of movement
snapped away feelings distraught
but the source
made me question what I'd thought

a timber wolf was approaching
filled with familiar scars
Carol was living
as a blessing from the stars

" *I buried your friends* "
her voice came out strained
" *but can't touch my own body* "
and that left me pained

"I've come to do it for you"
I said with a choke
"I'm so sorry what happened"
tears formed in her eyes as I spoke

after a while
I'd dug a proper hole
one to be used
to finally put down that soul

with the bones inside it
the grave welcomed what it would be
when I remembered the item
the old mare gave to me

I pulled out a locket
that shone in the day
and image of Carol
would be by where she lay

by the time she was buried
I was thrown into fright
for now we were alone here
in fast approaching night
the wood body of Carol
fell to the ground
replaced by a green mare
from which light shone around

the beautiful mare from the picture
started drifting away
towards the dirt grave
where she would lay

she turned to look at me
a tear blossomed from her eye
her words "thank you so much"
caused me to cry

I was joyous yet confused
at what I could now see
for what I'd assumed
was not how it'd be

I thought my actions
would lay her to rest
but the logic I'd formed
began to contest

instead of disappearing
she was here to stay
but when she came back to living
twas after the death of the day

she seemed as surprised
and started questioning
but got lost as something hit her gaze
I turned to view what she was seeing

when I saw it
I was filled with dread
for where she'd just come from
was no longer dead

I still cannot remember
quite how we got away
but I write this in your memory
for memories of you I'd replay

we lived there after together
till I lost you to old age
I am struggling without you
so I put my mind upon this page

I don't regret any pain
or what I've gone through
but wait for and welcome death
to once again be there with you...

> (prequel) Carol Belle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

My mane brushed my face
As a smooth wind passed by
It lasted only moments
Before it began to die

My three best friends were with me
As we came to camp today
We were passing Sunset Look
As the sky turned a dreary gray

“Looks like we need to camp here”
Came Amber Rose from my right
“The rain looks like it’s coming”
So we set down for the night

“Can you get some firewood?”
To Cherry Blossom I said
We had set up camp
But it was too early to go to bed

Cherry Blossom nodded
Before setting out
Fifteen minutes passed
Before we heard her shout

We all jumped up
And started to
The direction of the scream
But not knowing what to do

When we found her
She was in a pool of blood
The damning liquid flowing out
Of gashes in a flood

She was still alive
As she shuddered there
I pulled her to some cover
As blood darkened her hair

We all did various things
Not really knowing what to do
But we all could tell
She wouldn’t be pulling through

We couldn’t move her
Having just an earth mare and two pegasi
It pained me with the knowledge
That my friend was soon to die

We sent Amber Rose for help
So she flew away
As the night overtook us
And killed the dying day

A growl snapped me from my sorrow
I still wouldn’t leave my friend
But Night Shade pulled me with him
So I’d not meet my end

We were running through the forest
Having lost my kin
Fueled only by my sadness
Which blocked out the demons din

I looked to Night Shade
And saw a deep gash on his wing
And blood upon his neck
In a toothy ring

We made it halfway out
Of where nopony goes
When I tripped over the body
Of what’s left of Amber Rose

I struggled not to gag
At her vicious demise
And worked not to disgrace
Her skull now void of eyes

I stumbled to the ground
As we returned to Sunset Look
The images I had seen
Had left me shook

I could move no further
Night Shade tried to fly but pain to sheer
I could only watch as wooden wolves tore at him
As he yelled in fear

The wooden demons turned towards me
My doom would now impend
And now I had been lost
For I did meet my end…

I awoke feeling cold
And could catch a foul smell
I was startled to look around me
No longer feeling like Carol Belle

I looked to my hooves
To find dark wooden claws
I tried to scream but growled
The sound coming from my jaws

For years I wandered
Just to find my friends
And lay them to rest
Where they met their ends

I buried each one
Then found my own
But some force was preventing me
From entering that general zone

Seven years of being this way
A creature straight from hell
A mind trapped alone
Inside this wooden shell

One day I saw her
A pony camping by Everfree
I saw her gathering wood
And a sorrow came over me

I realized the moon was full
(The time most wolves are out)
I wanted them not my same fate
So I moved about

They were all sleeping
When I entered their tent
Only to realize
I had no way to tell them what I meant

I just stood there contemplating
When a grey mare began to stir
She met me with my stare
And I froze transfixed by her

The sound of a yell startled me
So I left to silence the sound
But upon exiting the tent
I found many timber wolves around

I tried to divert them
But they came to the loud yell
I knew I had failed
And they’d die inside this hell

My head bent down
When a sound made me turn about
The grey mare I had seen
Had gotten out

She stumbled around in panic
Not expecting what she could see
Then some wolves tore after her
And fate claimed what she would be

But to my surprise
She ran forestwards
Only to be followed
By those demonic hordes

I ran after her
But with a different goal
Not to claim it
But to save that poor soul

I saw her slip and fall
In a hole that concealed the mare
And was glad the other wolves
Passed by unaware

I was hit by sorrow
When I saw her sight
It reminded me of my fate
On that dreadful night

I helped her
And told her what I knew
Knowing she had no choice
But accept that it is true

I was snapped out of my thoughts
When the wolves came bounding back
I knew I couldn’t fail again
So I readied for an attack

I felt claws splinter my sides
And rake across my head
I realized my foolishness
And that I’d soon be dead

Relieved and worried
I saw the suns bright light
And I knew the wolves
Now dared not to fight

They left me alone
So I staggered to where the mare lay
And we conversed about my story
As I slowly died from the day

After a few hours
If I said different then I lied
I knew it to be true
That once again I’d died…