Chapter 3: The Decision

I opened my eyes slowly. The Breeze of the vent underneath my bedside tickling my coat.
"ergh" Groaning, I stretched my forelegs outwards. Still no where near used to the feeling... of having no hands or arms for that matter. The only part I found easy of my change to get used to was my change in size. Everything else is just so... so different. The feeling of my wings brushing against the soft fabric of my sheets. Or the feeling of sitting on my haunches instead of my butt. I like it though to be blatantly honest. I mean it is uncomfortable at first but once you get used to it. It feels like something you would do normally, an instinct. But then of course there is the fact I am a completely opposite gender. My "little dudes" are gone... now all I have is... well yeah. I mean just as a different gender I feel... so much weaker. Not in a strength sense, just like. Like I am a much more sensitive pers- pony than I used to be.
"This is bad... the is really bad" I moaned, not entirely comfortable with my new voice yet. There is no possible way I can hide away in this room forever without being noticed by my parents... or my siblings. Either way I am most likely going to get a negative ending. If I stay and they find me everypo- everyone will be scared of me. Unsure if I am their son or just an imposter pretending to be him. On the other hand if I run away and leave everything behind. I will lose my friends. Well whatever friends I have that aren't on the internet. My family will probably be heartbroken to come into my bedroom to find me missing... but that is most likely the safest thing for me to do. I would much rather leave my disappearance a mystery rather than have my family be disgusted of me. I whimpered at the thought. I don't want to hurt my family but I don't want to be hated by them. There is no possible way I could convince them I was me.

I banged my head on the bed frame, tossing and turning. Staring at my hooves.
"It looks like there's nothing better to do than just pack up and leave." I sighed moaning quietly.

Slowly and carefully I slid off the bed. Still not completely used to balancing and moving around with my new body structure. After I got in control of my balance I walked over to my desk and attempted to pop open my laptop with my muzzle.
"I might as well see if I can still use this thing. If I can't use the internet anymore I might as well be dead." I smiled faintly but my emotions quickly faded. Once the screen turned on and my desktop appeared I controlled the cursor with my snout.
"Typing is going to be a chore" I whispered a little depressive. I pushed down the trackpad and Google Chrome booted up. One letter at a time I entered the URL for Facebook and hit the enter key. Dragging the cursor over the box to type in my status I froze.
"This is it..." The words were hard to force out of my mouth. My eyes began to water as I slowly typed the words "good bye" and clicked the button to post.

Closing my laptop with a hoof I glanced around the bedroom wondering. I am going to miss my glossy posters, the angle of my bed where I could browse the internet without a single eye being able to peek. There was so much I was never get to see again but it was for the best. Reaching under my bed I grabbed a canvas backpack with my teeth and placed it on my bed. I trotted back over to my desk pulling the charging chord to my laptop out of the power socket. Then I placed the chord and the computer in my mouth and trotted them over to my bed. I paused for a moment setting the items in the bag.
"Hmmm..." I thought. "There is NO way I am the only person that... that this happened to." Trotting over to the television and turning it on and switching to the news station. A tiny old woman with dark blonde hair blinked onto the screen.
"The whole country is in panic." I groaned at the sound of that. I sat back on my haunches with my eyes focused on the TV. "Some are calling it an alien invasion. Others a conspiracy." I scratched a hoof on the hardwood floor gloomily repeating what the reporter had said.
"Alien...." That's what I was. I was an alien, an outcast from society... from the human race. An ugly pony creature with giant softball sized eyes, 4 legs, and wings. I was a monster... I was certain now that the humans- that word floated around in my head. I was certain that the humans I can no longer call my family will be devastated and in shock. I HAD to leave. It was my only option.

Returning my focus to the television.
"Back to you Jim." The screen flickered and there was now a mid aged man sitting at a desk on the television. "We have received no further words on the situation from our sources on the subject. We will return tonight at 8 with a broadcast devoted to the issue." He finished his statement and the program ended. The commercials began to start again.
"I guess its best if I left now, If I wait too long my mom will come home and find me. Placing a note on my television I hurried and put all of my favorite belongings into the sack and made my way to the door. Stopping in front of it.

My first obstacle on the road... this knob. With caution I opened my mouth and got a good grip on the knob with my teeth. Surprised at how strong my teeth and jaw have become. Twisting the knob and opening the door with ease I galloped to the stair case just about getting the hang of walking. The taste of metal clinged to my tongue and it was sickening.

One step at a time I moved down the steps. Every move I make causing a creaking sound to come from the old wooden stair case.

After reaching the final step I just stood there staring at the front door. My mind was racing, I was about to leave my old life behind. Hell I don't understand why I am not freaking out right now. Just hours ago I was a normal human being. And now... I'm an alien. Well a pony to be technical. That doesn't matter though, I am not of the master species any more and I don't belong here.
"Oh great." I muttered, seeing the door's lock is far out of my reach. Looking at the ground I frowned. "I swear to god I never thought I would do this in my life, not even once." I turned around and trotted into the living room and to the back door of the house. Taking off my canvas backpack and pushing it through the old dog door. I sighed and squeezed through the flap after the bag. Just a second before the flap closed behind me I could hear the sound of the front door being opened with new sensitive ears. Next I heard the sound of the steps creaking, then the sound of the door opening.... and then the scream...

I covered my ears and hid by the side of the house. Having never heard a sound like that come out of my mother. What was wrong with me, I should of gone in and comforted her. Sat next to her and let her know I was there, that I hadn't run away. But the dog door is a one way exit and I have made my decision. I couldn't fix things and make everything alright. Instead I was just sitting there... tears running down my face sobbing like there is no tomorrow. It was too late to turn back. I am gone. Out of everything I have done in my life this has to be the stupidest. I shouldn't of jumped to conclusions and automatically decided she wouldn't love me anymore. Banging my head on the outer side of the house I repeated in a whisper.
"It's too late... It's too late... It's too late..." "wh-" My short moment of mourning was put to an end when my ears perked up and I heard the faint honk of a police siren.

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Fleeing was my main priority when I could hear the sound of sirens coming closer. Who knows what would happen if a police officer caught site of me. What if I am sent to some sort of hospital for infected, or killed, or even worse... have my body studied for science... no... I am just over reacting... I trotted slowly to the gate in the back yard, the pine cones and twigs crunching under my hooves. The backyard trees loomed over me as if they were mocking me, laughing at the stupid decision I have just made. The second I got to the other side of the gate and closed it behind me I put a hoof against the splintered wood and whispered.
"Good bye".
Turning around I trotted swiftly down the sidewalk. This was one of the most uncomfortable parts yet. I have absolutely no clothes on and I am out in public.

I saw a pair of drivers passing by me on the road ahead, pointing, gasping, staring, speeding to get away. As they disappeared into the distance I wept. There were always times when I joked on the internet about people being "forever alone" or losers... now I know what it feels like to be on the other end of that insult....
I don't like it at all. With my head hung low it began to rain.
"How cliché" I muttered to myself.