The Shy Driver

An Unexpected Surprise

Fluttershy breathed in. Then she breathed out. Nothing seemed practical or sensible. Her head, wings, and legs were all sore and in considerable pain. Yet, there was no loud wind or energy zaps. It was quiet, with a gentle breeze, but also dark and lonely. That in itself was strange.

In her dazed state, Fluttershy regained consciousness, and almost immediately Princess Luna and the other ponies hit her mind.

"Ummm, hello?" she called out. "Princess Luna? Are you there? Anypony?"

There was no response at all, just the chirp of birds in the tree above her. It was then that Fluttershy noticed there was a considerable amount of light around her. Soft but luminescent lights glowed from behind various structures lined up to her right and left. She walked around, feeling and observing her surroundings. A rectangular area fenced off. One large building. Several items lined up next to a small shed with a lock on it. A smooth, well-kept deck with an array of pretty flowers and plants planted in neat rows in a large container on it. And was that...a door?

Oh, Angel, Fluttershy thought sadly as she recalled her happy times with her bunny friend. But, would that door be locked? I feel rather cold out here...

Fluttershy limped onto the deck and pushed at the door latch with her hoof. To her amazement, it moved. She undid the latch all the way, pushed the door open, and walked in. It was darker inside than outside, with just the LED lights from appliances dimly lighting the kitchen and accompanying family room. There was also a distinct hum from the fridge. However, due to light shining in from the open patio door, Fluttershy soon noticed a soft armchair with a pillow in the family room corner near the kitchen tiling, clambered onto it, and soon nodded off to sleep, her body still achy. Most of the pain had worn off, though.

The next morning came with quite a start. Fluttershy awoke to the buzzing of an alarm clock. Judging by its low, faint sound, it came from much further away than she would've thought. Then came the sounds of energetic, noisy creatures. Some spoke with softness, like her; others spoke with a deeper tone. It was a family.

"Ah!" Fluttershy stretched awake and darted behind the chair, just as the family members reached the bottom of the steps and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

"Did you hear something?" Carter asked his father, Jack.

"I didn't hear much."

"No, I heard it clearly. It was a quiet 'ah' sound, likely a sound of fear. In addition I heard the carpet rustle a little," Carter replied.

Lorraine smiled. Her son always seemed to be the one who could pick up on things easily, even if they were faint or tiny. Carter's little sister, Ashley, on the other hand, often took time to notice detail and often took time before she noticed the tiny details.

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From her hiding place behind the armchair, Fluttershy watched as the family filed into the kitchen and began preparing a hearty breakfast of pancakes. It reminded her of the times that she'd plan a picnic with her animal friends, or Twilight Sparkle would invite her over to a picnic at Sweet Apple Acres. Will I ever see my friends again? she thought sadly, and began to sob.

"Ok, that's enough guessing," Carter declared as the rest of the family sat down to eat. "I hear crying and no one's sad here. Someone is hiding in this house and I'm going to find him."

At that moment, Fluttershy's crying only amplified slightly. Then Lorraine, Ashley, and Jack observed a moment of silence, and heard it, clear as day. Repetitive sobbing and a few sniffles.

Even before he began to start searching, Carter regretted what he'd said, and softened his tone. "Maybe I should...just walk around, see what I can find. It won't take long. Ok Mom?"