One Way - Chapter One

“Everything's going to be just fine.” you whisper to yourself.

> You eagerly stand in line at the bus depot.

> “Next!” the counter associate shouts.

> You walk up to the counter.

> “Destination?” she asks.

“N-New York.” you mumble

> “Round trip or-”

“One way.” you respond.

> She punches a few buttons on her computer and prints you a small ticket.

> You hand her the cash and exchange greetings before heading to the bus.

 

> You hand your ticket and board the Silver Fox bus.

> Exchanging greetings with the driver, you embark.

> You tightly clutch on to the small backpack in your hands, in it all your belongings.

> Save for a few hundreds dollars in savings, you haven't much to your name.

> You peer down the bus.

> It's mostly empty.

> Save for the driver, there's only a few others on board.

 

> You glance at your watch.

> 11:25PM

 

> Somehow you're not surprised.

> You can't really expect too many boarding a late bus to New York at this hour.

> But it can't be helped.

 

> Finding an empty seat wasn't hard.

> Eventually you pick a window seat near the back.

> You pull your seat back and let out a long sigh.

> New York was still quiet a distance away.

> The bus driver assured you it would be no more than fourteen hours.

> You produce an old iPod from your pocket, one of the few luxuries you could afford, and pop in your earbuds.

> It was going to be a long night.

> Might as well try to get some rest.

 

> You stare out the window.

> Outside, dozens of buses sit idly in neat rows.

> Their drivers group around in various circles.

> Passengers are scattered and few.

 

> You glance at your watch.

> 11:29PM

> The bus engine starts.

> You shut your eyes.

> Hopefully, you'd be able to fall asleep.

 

>  Your mind drifts

> New York.

> The city that never sleeps, huh?

> You've heard there some good work over.

> Hopefully you'd be able to find a job soon enough.

> There isn't much in your bank.

> But it should hold you over for a little while.

> Hopefully.

> But...

> But what if you don't find work?

> What if you can't a place to crash?

> What if things don't go according to plan?

> What if you had to live in the streets?

> What if-

> “Excuse me?” a soft voice whelps.

 

> Your train of thought is broken.

> Autonomously, you pause your iPod and remove your earbuds.

> You look to your side for the voices owner.

> “I-Is this seat taken?” she mumbles, gesturing to the seat next to yours.

> You look over.

> It's a pegasus.

> She's small, with a gray coat.

> She's wearing a fluffy purple hoodie that's two sizes too big for her.

> She cradles a small stuffed animal in one hoof, and a gym bag in another.

> You notice a small pillow on her flank.

> What was that called again...A cutie mark?

> You glanced around the bus.

> Most of the seats were empty.

> You pause for a moment.

> Any other person would have picked a window seat far from the next passenger.

> Then again, she wasn't a human.

> You begin to ponder her reasoning for all this.

> Maybe she just wants some company for the trip.

> Maybe.

> A little company can't hurt anyone, right?

> But you glance back at the pony next to you.

“O-Oh no.” you explain. “Go right ahead.”

> “Thanks.”

 

> She smiles and takes the seat next to you.

> She removes her small saddlebag and places it at her feet.

> You smile and put your headphones back in.

 

> A pegasus, huh?

>  It's been a while since Earth and Equestria were linked up. But even today you don't see too many ponies around these parts of the country.

> They're uncommon, but not exactly a rarity.

> You glance over to her again.

> There's that pillow on her flank.

> You remember hearing about how that mark is linked to their special talents.

> Thinking it over, you figure it's a cute novelty

> But you'd be petrified if a magical tattoo magically appeared on your thigh one day.

 

> The engine roars to life, and you soon depart the bus depot.

“Finally.” you whisper to no one in particular.

> Soon enough, the roads before you become a blur as you speed towards your destination.

> You stare out the side of the window.

> The rain has picked up, and small droplets of water roll down the glass.

> You recall fond memories as a child, riding in the backseat of your parents car.

> Watching in awe as water drops race down the glass as you traced them with your finger.

> One memory leads to another.

> And your minds fills with brief moments of your past.

> Your first year of grade school comes and goes.

> A somber smile works it's way on your face as you recall those carefree days.

> You remember those endless summer days spent playing under the sun.

> Those days you were always found with your close knit circle of friends.

> The window slightly fogs up with a heavy sigh.

> It's been so long since you've seen them last.

> You wonder how they're all faring.

> You can only imagine many of them went onwards to attend university after high school.

> They'd probably be finishing up by now.

> As you go through a mental list of all your childhood friends, you try to remember their quirks.

> But. Yet.

> It's becoming harder and harder to produce any details.

> The harder you try, the less you remember.

> And at this point, you can barely even remember the sound of their voices.

> You shudder.

> What if they've all forgotten about you?

> …

> Probably.

> It's been so long since you've spoken with any of them.

> Your mind runs rampant.

> Where are your friends?

> Where is your family?

> How long has it been?

> Months?

> Years?

> You can't remember.

> The soul crushing lonelyness begins to chip away at your sanity.

 

> “So...” a sheepish voice erupts.

> Quickly, you mute your iPod and remove your headphones.

> You glance to your side to the voices' source.

> The small pegasus stares back at you, eyes brimming with curiosity.

> “What's on your mind?” she quickly remarks.

“Ahh. Nothing.” you reply.

> “Nothing? Sure didn't look like a lot of nothing to me.” she perks. “Something got you down?”

> You peer directly into the pegasus' eyes.

> Her eyes full of compassion and kindness.

> “You know, whenever I feel upset. Talking about it always makes me feel better.”

“I'm just...”

> “Scared?” she quickly asks.

> You slowly nod.

> “You? Scared?” she notions. “What's a big, tough human like you have to be scared of?”

> You pause for a moment.

> “You want to talk about it?”

 

> She stares back at you with an expression of pure empathy and curiosity.

> It's been a while since you've since this emotion.

> Broke and unemployed; people recently have been all too quick to give you the cold shoulder.

> But this pegasus is different.

> You can see it in her eyes.

> She doesn't know about your financial hardships.

> She doesn't care about your faults and mistakes.

> Right now, she only seems to care about you.

> The REAL you.

> You laugh for a bit.

> She's a total stranger.

> Yet.

> She's not.

> It's amusing to see how the first 'person' to show you compassion isn't really a person at all.

> You snap back to attention.

> The soft snoring of your fellow passengers is just barely audible of the constant humming of the bus' engine.

> The soft pitter patter of rain against the glass is constant.

> And the small pegasus sits patiently by your side, awaiting an answer.

 

> You give a warm smile.

“I'd love to, miss...”

> “Pillowcase.” she heartily responds.

> You extend your hand, which she meets with her hoof.

“The name's Anonymous.” you shake. “Pleasure's all mines.”

> She beams you with a toothy smile.