(FR) A Darker Home - Part 1

Prose: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/307552/a-darker-home

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>You open your eyes just a little bit.
>A gentle breeze rustles the curtains as golden rays enter the window of your room.
>You open your eyes to take in the entirety of your room.
>The house wasn't much, but you worked hard to earn it, and damn were you proud.
>With a good stretch, you get your ass out of bed to begin your day.
>Nothing was on your plate today.
>You could do anything you wanted.
>Heading into the shower, you turn on the water to that magical setting that felt just right.
>Humming a tune to yourself, you begin to wonder what you will fill your day with.
>You could spend the day reading a book or practicing an instrument.
>Of course, there was also that new recipe you wanted to try.
>In the evening you could head down to the Ponyville Pub and chat it up with some of the hardworking stallions.
>They have some of the best stories you've heard since you came to town.
>Getting information on what appealed to the mares didn't hurt either.
>You weren't attracted to the horses, but female companionship was a necessity in order to stay sane in this world.
>Turning off the shower, you step out into the foggy bathroom and crack the door a little bit.
>After wiping off the mirror, you begin to shave.
>The shaving cream and razor are by no means perfect, but-
"Ah! Crap."
>Blood trickles down your neck.
"Great."
>You wipe up the dribble.
>Sitting on your throne, you ponder what you should have for breakfast.
>Eggs and toast sound marvelous today. Plus, it's not often that you spoil yourself.
>After a flush, you head downstairs in a designer robe that Rarity gave you for your birthday.
>The material was top notch, and it fit perfectly.
>You didn't even care that it was neon pink.
>With a floral pattern.
>and baby bunnies.
>You prep a cup of coffee, and get out everything for your special breakfast.
>Looking outside your window, you look outside to see the pear tree you planted.
>It looks like it may have ripe fruit next week.
>You will have to trade a few of your treats for some of Applejack's signature creations.
>Especially those apple fritters.
>A trail of drool nearly escapes your mouth as you imagine the aroma and flavor of the treat.
>Preparing your breakfast, you hear a knock on your door.
"Come on in!"
>Crime was nearly non-existent in Ponyville so none of the houses came with locks.
>"Something sure smells good in here!"
"Yep, just making breakfast Twilight. Want some?"
>Two sets of hoofsteps make their way towards your kitchen.
>"Yes please! I haven't been able to eat anything since Celestia's letter this morning."
>"Um, could I have some too? Uhm. That is, if it's not too much trouble."
>Oh great. Of everyone she could bring, it had to be the pony that was completely obsessed with you.
"Uh. Yeah. It's no big deal. Lemme get it started."
>Twilight begins conversation about a new book she's been reading.
>Some romance novel about a young colt and filly that found young love.
>Serving the mares their plates, you try not to notice Fluttershy staring at you slack-jawed.
>"Um.. thank you sweetie."
>You hit her head lightly with yesterday's newspaper.
>She still recoils as if it was a sledgehammer.
"Bad. No."
>"What did I do?"
"You know what you did."
>She wasn't really a bad pony, but her constant attempts to guess your fetish or be your marefriend were getting on your nerves.
>You wouldn't mind if she just asked to go on a date though.
>You sit down to enjoy your breakfast with a cup of coffee.
>"Anyway, on to business Anon. My letter from the princess was a new assignment."
"Oh?" You say in curiosity. "What's the assignment?"
>"I'm supposed to form a small team to explore an abandoned house where a young filly went missing. I wanted to see if you wanted to help today"
"Sure! Why not! It sounds pretty awesome."
>"Fantastic! Then the three of us will head off right after breakfast."
>You look at her in surprise.
"Fluttershy is going?" You ask questioningly, looking at the scaredy-cat pony.
>"Oh, um. Well I'm sure that you will protect me if I get too scared Anon."
"Suuure."
>The scene of Fluttershy being utterly terrified, now that's something you would like to see.
>After cleaning up, the team begins their journey to the opposite end of Ponyville.
>As you begin to approach the abandoned house, the trail begins to fade into the surrounding yellowed grass.
>The breeze was noticeably stronger out in the open land than it was in town.
>The small house is barely visible off in the distance.
>The scenery is hardly an indicator of Equestria's beautiful landscape.
>Most of the grass was dead, or was simply overtaken by weeds.
>An unstained wooden fence stands dilapidated and slumped.
>A graying carriage shows it's exposure to the elements near the fence's gate, which swings with the breeze.
>Something doesn't feel right about this place.
>Fluttershy seems to be shivering while Twilight digs her nose into her map.
>"This seems to be the place."
>"A-are you sure? Maybe w-we should head back. I think Angel needs feeding."
>You put your hand on Fluttershy's mane and she coo's softly.
"Let's just get the assignment over with. The sooner we are done, the sooner we can head home."
>"Sounds good." Asserts Twilight as she moves towards the break in the fence.
>"Y-yes my love."
"You just lost hand-holding privileges."
>You follow Twilight trying not to look at Fluttershy's shocked face.
>"I-I had those!?!" She says bringing up the tail.
>You do your best to repress a laugh.
>Moving closer gives you a better inspection of the house.
>It was much bigger than it looked.
>You take a moment to get a good mental picture of the outside of this place.
>The house had two levels, and what it lacked in height and width, it made up in length.
>Most of the paint has been eaten by the elements, and the house has a noticeable slant to it.
>There was no way that this place could be structurally stable.
>What few windows weren't boarded up, were broken with their curtains flowing smoothly outside.
>Very few were on the bottom level, and the open windows upstairs only revealed emptiness on the inside.
>The rocking chair on the porch creaked back and forth with the wind.
>The hairs stand on the back of your neck, and goosebumps begin to form on your arm.
>"Does anyone else feel like.... like..."
>"W-we are..."
"Being watched?"
>Fluttershy's eyes shrink to the size of needles and collapses.
>Ugh.
>You pick her up and nod to Twilight.
>"I don't wanna go!"
"We will be done before you know it Fluttershy."
>She opens the door to the house. "Hello? Is anypony here?"
>No answer.
>You and Fluttershy follow Twilight into the abandoned residence.

>The boarded windows do little to let light in to the dim room.
>"Hello? Is anypony here?"
>"Oh, would you look at that! Nopony is here. I guess that means we can all just go home." Fluttershy says unconvincingly.
>You drop the yellow pony on the ground and she shrieks.
>"Not until we search the entire house. Lets check under and inside everything." Orders Twilight.
"Alright. I don't wanna be in here any longer than I have to."
>There are white blanket covers on the furniture in the room, which have grayed with dust and age.
>Pulling off each cover creates a massive cloud of dust, which promptly covers matching sets of ancient furniture.
>"Annie? Are you here? My name is Twilight! We are here to help you!"
>The only answer is pure silence, and the sound of teeth chattering.
"Fluttershy shut up."
>She muzzles herself the best she can with her front hooves.
>The sound of a falling box comes from the back of the house.
>Everyone looks down the dark hallway.
>You glance to Twilight who looks nervous.
>Looks like you are the leader now.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
>An eerie silence fills the room.
>You move slowly toward the shadowy hallway.
>A large plate flies down the hallway towards your face.
>Ducking quickly, it narrowly misses your face, and crashes to the ground.
"Hey!"
>Silence is the only answer.
"Come out of there, or we are coming down there."
>"Anon, don't be so forceful. You might scare them."
>Another plate flies down towards you.
>Stepping aside, it smashes against Fluttershy who has checked out of reality.
>"I take that back."
"Twilight, light up that hallway."
>Twilight charges her horn, and lights the hallway with a beam of light.
>The hallway is completely empty.
>There are two open rooms on the left, and a closed room and a boarded up window on the right.
>As well as a closed room at the end of the hallway.
>"Stay back. I'll go down."
>Twilight nods to you as you inch your way towards the hallway.
>Your gut clenches and the air is dry and has a putrid taste.
>Every step you take makes the wooden floor under you creak.
>As you approach the first open door on the left, you stop, and look back at the girls.
>Fluttershy looks breathless, and Twilight is doing her best to keep her cool.
>If you break, these girls are going to lose it.
>Stay strong.
>You take a deep breath and move into the open room.
"Annie? Are you in here? We are here to help."
>The room is filled with boxes, A clouded window dimly lights the room, casting silver light on the room's contents.
>Some of the boxes were opened, with their contents scattered around the room.
>An open box of fine china sits near the door.
>Whoever threw those plates at you had to be in here.
"I don't wanna play hide-and-seek today Annie. If your hiding you better come out."
>You hear a faint giggle from behind you.
>Turning around, nopony is there.
>You wipe a trail of cold sweat off your face, and continue into the room.
>Checking the open boxes, they contained fairly normal things for ponies such as books, children's toys, glassware and clothing.
>There seemed to be lots of different things for young ponies in these boxes.
"Hey Twilight, what was this place used for before it was abandoned?
>"I'm pretty sure it used to be an orphanage, but I couldn't find the reason why it was closed."
>You open another box to find it full of porcelain pony dolls.
>The attention to details on these figures were terrifying, but the eyes were the worst.
>You quickly close the box and take a deep breath.
"Well, there isn't anything in here Twilight, lemme open a window and I'll check the next room."
>"Good Idea, we will try to get some of these boards down."
>Making your way to the window, you try to open the window, but brute force won't pry this one open.
>You wipe a little of the clouded window to see outside.
>The small amount of light immediately makes a difference in the room's lighting.
>Looking outside at the bottom of the windowsill, you notice that the window was nailed shut from the outside.
>Whoever nailed this down, never wanted it to be opened. They must have used the whole box of nails.
>You slowly back away, and make your way to the hallway.
>Something brushes your leg, causing you to jump.
>A small ball bounces away from you, and you hear another giggle from out in the hall.
"Did you girls hear that?"
>"Hear what Anon?"
>This isn't fun anymore.
"Nothing, must have been my imagination."
>Walking out into the hallway, you take one last look into the room.
>You thought you closed that doll box.
>No way that you are going back in there again.
>Back in the hallway, you inch towards the closed door on the right.
>You put your hand on the doorknob, and try to turn it.
>Locked.
>An ear-splitting scream rings through the house.
>You sprint towards the girls.
>Fluttershy is pale and pointing towards you.
"What's wrong. Are you okay?"
>Her eyes seem focused on something far away, and words fail her.
"Fluttershy!"
>You kneel down to her and hold your hand to her face.
>She's cold to the touch.
>"Anon, I think we should get out of here. Something is wrong.
"Yeah. I agree."
>You scoop up Fluttershy and head towards the open front door.
>The door slams shut in front of you and Twilight.
>There was no magic aura.
>The wind wasn't strong enough.
>The house groans from the sudden force.
>Fluttershy begins to quietly sob.
>"No more... Please... No more. I just wanna go home."
>You look to Twilight, who is staring wide eyed in disbelief.
>The door won't open or budge.
>You set down Fluttershy and try to ram the door down.
>It only serves to make your arms hurt.
"Can your magic open it Twilight?"
>Her horn glows a bright violet.
>"My magic isn't working on it, and I can't teleport for some reason."
>Her voice has a desperate tone to it.
>"I-I don't understand why though."
"I think we are stuck. Unless we can get out of some of these windows.
>You think to yourself about how to get out of this terrible place.
"I remember seeing an open window on the way in. If I'm right, it should be towards the back of the house."
>"Then lets find it and stick together."
>The three of you head back down the creaky hallway, illuminated by Twilight's magic.
>As you pass the locked door, Fluttershy pipes up.
>"Um, D-Did you try this door Anon?"
"Yeah, it was locked."
>The sound of a squeaky door opening is heard from behind you.
>Fluttershy opened the door with ease and is shaking.
>You pat her head.
"Good job."
>Opening the door she just opened, there appears to be a staircase to upstairs section of the house.
"Let's check this out when the lower floor is cleared."
>Moving down the hallway, you move to the next open door on the left.
>Edging into the room carefully, Twilight follows suit to illuminate the darkest room of the house so far.
>This room is a faded-yellowed pink, and is covered in children's toys.
>Toys and games line the walls which have patterns of rainbows and flowers drawn across them.
>A large, worn, circular rug fills most of the room.
>Sitting on the center of the rug is a pale blue little filly with disheveled black hair.
>She's holding a teddy bear and staring directly at you with fear in her eyes.
>You get down on one knee to get on her eye level.
>You try to put on the warmest voice possible.
"Hey there... What's your name?"
>Her eyes dig deep into your soul and send a shiver down your spine.
"I'm Anon. Do you want to go home?"
>"Uhm. Anon?" Twilight asks waveringly.
>The little filly lifts her right hoof and points directly behind you.
>Curiosity gets the better of you, and you look over your left shoulder.
>All that is behind you is the two girls.
>"Who are you talking to?"
>Returning your gaze, all that remains in the middle of the room is the teddy bear.
>It's inside stuffing was ripped outside of it and scattered across the room.
>You stumble backwards at the disturbing surprise.
>You hear another giggle from out in the hall.
"I.. I don't know."
>"Are you feeling okay Anon?"
>You take a deep breath, turn to the girls, and ask Twilight the question that has been on the tip of your tongue.
"Twilight... are there hauntings in Equestria?"
>"I was scared you would ask that Anon."
>Fluttershy can't hold back the fear and tears anymore, and begins to quietly sob.
>You get down on the yellow pony's level.
"Fluttershy, I know this is really hard, but I'm going to need you to try and be strong for me. Okay?"
>"I'm scared Anon. I'm so scared."
>You give her some ear scritches.
"We will get through this Fluttershy, we just need find the window and climb out."
>Your calming words don't seem to be helping out much.
>Time to pull out the big guns.
"When we get out of here, I promise I'll take you out on a nice evening."
>Her sobs begin to quiet, and she looks up at you with a tired face.
>"Okay Anon, I'll be strong for you."
>You give her a warm smile and immediately regret your words, realizing what you promised.
>Right now, that was the least of your worries.
>You make your way over to the boarded window and try your hardest to push the boards that were nailed from the outside.
>They won't budge.
"Can you do anything on these Twilight?"
>"Let me see what I can do."
>Her horn glows brightly, and begins to light up the room more.
>You take a moment to look around the room while Twilight does her thing.
>There is a pile of stuffed animals that Fluttershy is looking at intently.
>"I-I had a bunny doll... just like that one... when I was a filly."
>You walk towards them and examine some of them.
>Many of them showed typical play wear, but most of them had their eyes ripped off.
>You dig deeper to the bottom of the pile of dolls when a sharp pain jolts into your hand.
>"SHIT!"
>Retracting your hand, blood flies across the room and drips to the floor.
>Your hand has a massive stab wound in the middle of your palm, causing you to panic.
>"Whats wrong Anon? What happened!" inquires Twilight fearfully.
>A puddle of blood begins to stain the rug underneath you.
>Giggling rings through your head.
>The room seems to be spinning.
>Fluttershy shakes you.
>"Anon! Sweetie! Get a hold of yourself!"
>Everything returns to normal.
>Looking at your hand, your hand is fine, but you are holding a small knife.
>You drop the knife as if it were on fire and back away from it.
>You look at the girls.
"Let's get out of this room."