> Sun Down > by DaydreamsOfAStranger > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Run > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It had been a long day for Redsea. School was boring per usual, and her classmates created too much drama. And it didn't help that she was still a blank-flank, and everypony else had their marks. Also, much to her annoyance, her parents couldn't come to walk her home because they were both stuck at work for at least two more hours. So, she had to walk through Whitetail woods. Alone and in the dark. Redsea huffed, putting her saddlebags on, and grimacing due to their weight. She had a lot of homework. Then she waved goodbye to her friends, after asking what they were doing for the weekend, and told the teacher she would be walking home alone. Her teacher smiled and let her go on her way, trusting her to be safe. And both waved goodbye. Whitetail woods was very dense, and it was littered with twigs and stumps, and steep slopes, so nopony dared to head off the trail unless it was daytime. Redsea knew this well, and she made sure that she followed the trail closely, and avoided anypony she didn't know on the path. Tonight was also very special; the night was much longer than the day, so it didn't take long for the woods to become dark. Redsea was nervous from the moment it became dark. Something just seemed wrong. She flicked on her flashlight and shined it around the surrounding area. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary, so she continued, but the feeling of eyes on her back lingered. At the time it seemed cliche, but a branch snapped and she almost sprinted up a tree, before realizing she had stepped on a twig in the path. She brushed her mane out of her eyes, sighing abruptly. Then she heard another snap. It wasn't her. She hadn't even moved. She flicked her ears back. All was quiet. Yes. Too quiet for her tastes, so she began to hum a simple cheery tune, and start walking again at a quicker pace. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong, however. Suddenly, she felt herself being pushed over the side of the path, and she went rolling down a steep hill. She felt multiple stinging cuts on her back from stray branches, and her rear leg snapped and contorted into an unnatural shape, as she hit a large stump. Redsea screamed in agony and attempted to hold fast to the stump, but she was too weak, and she slid down further. Farther and farther from the path. She finally reached the bottom and landed in a cold stream. Redsea's head pounded, and she winced rubbing her temple. She lifted her head, realising her saddlebag was only a few hoof steps away. She limped there as quickly as she could and pulled out a small first aid kit. From it she found gauze and she searched for a relatively straight stick to use as a splint. She quickly noticed once more the feeling of being watched. Redsea gulped and began to wrap her leg. Again there was a snap. Whoever, or whatever it was, they wanted to scare her. Redsea limped back to the stream, and washed her cuts, all the while scanning the trees. A pink and grey blur burst through the trees, and Redsea's heart pounded as she started to run away from the creature. But she had no such luck in this, and the creature only seemed to get faster. Her body ached, and she couldn't move faster no matter how hard she tried. She collapsed, and the creature began to walk slowly. Now she could make out the details. It was a pink unicorn with a grey mane and tail, who also sported bright yellow eyes. Redsea felt nervous still, something was still very wrong... "Are you alright little one? I saw you fall from the path." The unicorn asked innocently. Redsea parted her mouth but no words came. She then shook her head 'no', and she rose carefully to her hooves. The unicorn walked over and lay close to the ground so the filly could easily lay on her back. Once she was on the unicorn's back they began to walk in silence. She glanced at the unicorn's gentle smile and noticed something off. Ponies don't normally have sharp teeth. Nor do they travel in the woods at night without getting a scratch, unless they knew the area well. She took her chances, and tumbled off the pink mare, and began to sprint with the little remaining strength she had. The mare growled and scaled one of the many trees and leaped from limb to limb following the filly. Redsea started screaming, hoping that somepony would hear her and rescue her from the monster chasing her. Alas, no pony heard but the one who meant to harm her, and she found herself cornered by the terrifying mare. She closed her eyes and sobbed, fearing it was her last night. "Bravo little one. Bravo. You know, I thought this would be easy. Thank you for proving me wrong... " The mare's voice was laced with malicious intent, and as she said this Redsea's body tensed. She edged closer to Redsea, but she could not move away. The unicorn mare began gently nibbling on her ears, invoking small squeaks from the filly. The mare moved down Redsea's back and began to rake it with her fangs. Blood sprung from her back, and the mare eagerly lapped at it. Redsea began to cry harder, and she screamed in pain as the mare tore her fur to shreds with her teeth. The mare stopped for a moment then began to nibble up and down Redsea's neck, looking for a soft spot, where blood was easily accessible. The pink mare bit down sharply on the filly's neck drawing blood. Redsea became lightheaded and lost focus on the pain, eventually blacking out. The mare noticed a flash from the filly's flank, and mark appeared. It was a drop of blood falling into clear water, causing said water to become tainted with red. She lifted the filly on to her back gently and began humming a sweet little tune. "Hush now little filly, let your dreams be sweet and calm. Hush now little filly, we shall play till the light of dawn. Hush now little filly, I am here no longer fear. Hush now little filly, a feast of blood I'll find for you..."