Creepypasta Collection Book 1

An Apple Sleep Experiment

Heat

Applejack wiped the sweat from her brow as she and her brother, Big Macintosh, hauled their last cart of apples towards the barn. It had been an unbearably hot afternoon in Sweet Apple Acres and Applejack wished for nothing more than to put her hooves up and enjoy a cold mug of cider.

"Can ya get that last bushel to the other end of the barn, Big Mac?" Applejack asked. On any other day she might not have let on that she needed help, but she was far too hot and sore to worry about her pride.

"Eeeyup," came his short reply. Big Mac was also drenched with sweat, but somehow maintained his grin and calm demeanor.

"Woo-eee, that's some weather we've been having ain't it? Ah sure hope it's a might different when the zap-apples get here. Not sure they could stand this kinda heat." Applejack said, breathing a sigh of relief when she was finally able to release the harness of the apple cart she was carrying.

"Eeeyup." Big Mac replied.

"See you inside." Applejack said, already out the barn door as she bade him farewell.

Applejack's iconic hat seemed to offer no relief from the sunlight on her trek back to the house. Tired, sore, and irritable; her only solace for the day's labor was the thought of refreshment and relaxation. However, when she rounded the corner she spied a familiar-looking carriage with an iconic dollar symbol on the side; the trademark of business tycoon Filthy Rich. Two earth ponies harnessed to the carriage nodded in her direction as an informal greeting and Applejack warily nodded in return. She wondered why Filthy Rich would be visiting the farm so soon, as he usually only appeared when the zap apple jam was prepared and ready to sell.

Applejack was surprised to see the front door open and peered inside suspiciously. She found Filthy Rich talking to Granny, who was sitting in the corner looking timid and frail, curled up on her rocker with a tremble in her hooves. It didn't take long for Applejack to understand that this was not a pleasant visit.

"You owe a great deal more than that, Granny Smith, and I, for one, would hate to see you lose this farm." Filthy Rich said; all manner of pleasantry gone from his tone. Granny Smith looked up at him with wide and pleading eyes, but before she could answer, Applejack came to the rescue.

"What in tarnation are ya goin' on about?" Applejack asked sternly, she narrowed her eyes and glared at Filthy Rich, protective instincts taking priority over common sense.

"Your Granny here is in quite some debt with me, young filly, and it's high time I'm paid my money." Filthy demanded.

"The Apple family hasn't borrowed money from you in ages!" Applejack protested, stomping towards him with a growl.

"Now hold on there, Applejack, that ain't quite true, youngin'." Granny admitted softly.

"Whaddya mean, Granny?"

"Well...Ah didn't want to worry you none, but this season hasn't been kind on Sweet Apple Acres and we've been needing an extra bit or two just to keep up with demand. It's just a bad weather spell is all, it'll pass." Granny admitted.

"That may be so, but what HAS passed is my deadline. What with interest and everything, I'd say you'd owe about a half of your farm's worth by now." Filthy said with no inclination of mercy in his tone.

"Half of the farm?! Granny why didn't you tell me we were hurtin' for money?!" Applejack asked in horror.

"Now now, Applejack, this is my business, don't you worry none." Granny said. "You're a reasonable pony, Filthy, can't we work something out?"