Headache.

The first thing I notice is my throbbing headache as my body boots up. Senses shake themselves awake and I attempt to open my eyes. Sights are blurred but a good few blinks clears it up.

I’m on… a bed? Feeling around, it feels like an old mattress and a pillow beneath my body. Looking to the side, my thoughts are confirmed as I sit up on the rugged thing. I look down and notice I still have on the same clothes. The room around me looks like a prison cell. Two walls of iron bars form the small quarter in the corner of the room and a police officer sits at a desk reading a newspaper outside the locked door. Two hallways connect to this room, one headed to what looks like more offices and the other probably leads to an entrance to this building.

I pick myself up from the bed and walk up to the barred wall, getting close to the officer.

"Excuse me, Sir?" I ask, my mind still a bit groggy. He looks up from the paper, a rather annoyed look on his face. "Where am I?"

He sighs and turns back to his paper. "This is the local police station in town. There isn't a prison for miles and you're about to get some special guests, so we're keeping you here for now," he snorts.

"Guests?" I ask.

"Yeah. The FBI want a word with you, so they're on their way. Ain't you special, Alien Boy."

Alien Boy? The pet name he gave me shocks a thought into my head. "Wait, where are they?" I ask, growing angry in concern. I needed to know what they did with Vinyl and Octavia.

"Calm down. The FBI want your little pets alive, so we're just gonna keep them in the back until they get here. I think they want to experiment on them or something."

Experiment? I slowly recoil from the bars in shock. They were going to experiment on them? My heart began to crumble. This can't be happening. I had promised to take care of them, yet here I was, helpless while the FBI were on their way to torture them or something. I stumble back on the bed and the officer chuckles at me behind his newspaper. But there has to be something I can do.

"Excuse me," a tapping comes from the barred door. In my mental breakdown, I didn't notice the policewoman walk into the room to my cell.

"Hey! Newbie! What do you think you're doing?" The officer snarls at the woman.

"It seems the prisoner has a letter from someone and Officer Aidan told me to bring it to him. I already checked it for anything, turns out to be a simple letter, from a close friend it seems." The officer had yelled, yet the policewoman remained calm.

"As long as you checked it for anything suspicious," the officer grumbles, getting back to his paper before snorting again.

The woman walks away from the cell, not without handing me the letter with a soft smile.

"What?" The officer asks, irritation rising as the policewoman walks right up to him.

"I was also asked to inform you that David got the photocopier stuck and he needs your help," the woman replies, rather calm in contrast to the officer's attitude.

"Again!? Son of a-," he clears his throat and rises from his chair, grumbling as he left down the hallway deeper into the police station. The policewoman winks at me before following the officer. It wasn't until then I noticed her eyes flash violet momentarily. Of course, that must be a trick of my mind as I just came back to consciousness not too long ago. Regardless, I open the letter, completely confused as to who would send mail to me in a police station.

My eyes widen as I unfold the paper inside and notice the intricate cursive handwriting.

Hello Son,

I hope you're doing well out on your own. I hear that neighborhood has a really interesting myth with the forest behind your building. I always knew you were fascinated by that kind of stuff, so I'm sure you're enjoying the community. Well, I'll come and visit soon. I'd like to see how you're coming along. Hope to see you soon.

Love,

Dad

Ps: I was told in a dream by some weird voice to send you a plan to one of the buildings I designed. I don't know why, but the voice was really insistent. I know it seems weird, but the dream was so realistic. I was told it's important to send it to you and that you would know why. I hope you're not in trouble.

I finish the letter and my jaw hangs open. On the back of the letter is the blueprint to the police station. It included the names of rooms and some routes are highlighted. On closer inspection, it looks like it's the air vent system. According to the map, a vent opening should be right behind the officer's desk.

Sure enough, behind the empty desk was an air duct, covered by a steel lid bolted to the wall. It looked big enough to crawl through, but first I need to get the door unlocked. I might actually have a chance to save my friends.

Upon walking up to the door to the cell, I grasped a bar and shook it. Not two seconds after doing so, the lock glistened. Almost in a wave, a sparkling golden sheen grazed over the metal box. I recoiled at the unexpected sight and grew curious. I reached out a finger and poked the box, only to have the door ease open, as if it wasn't even locked to begin with.

I don't know how all these things keep happening, but now was a time to act, not question. I ease the door open further, carefully stepping out of the cell and towards the air vent. I wasn't sure how I was going to pry it off the wall, I may be able to find a tool of sorts.

As soon as I approached it, the screws keeping it held to the wall became encased is a similar golden glow as the lock on the cell. It was almost as if I became capable of magic or sorcery, but it didn't feel like I was doing anything special. At the moment, there wasn't any time to waste. I had to get to the ponies and escape. I don't know where to, but as long as it's away from here, I'm sure I can keep my promise.

I gently remove the air duct lid and place it aside, wanting to make as little noise as possible. The passage was just large enough for me to crawl through, so with my head ducked, I slowly worked my way inside, placing the lid back on behind me.

The metal was cold against my palm as I took a look at the map inside the tunnel. There was sufficient light coming from other openings, providing a dim glow that reflected around the sides of the metal vent. Following the layout on the building plans, I crawl around and come across another lid. Peeking through the thin lines, I notice the room is an average office; nothing special and no sign of Vinyl or Octavia.

Turning about and following the path on my hands and knees, I find a fork in the vents. One direction leads to a larger office and the other leads outside on a slant. Taking a right to the office, I take care to check for policemen inside. Looking through the vent lid, I see two officers standing facing a desk. Their attention lies on a small box on the edge of the desk. The box looks a lot like the small holding cage Animal Control used to capture my friends. If only there was a way to get the cops out of the room.

"They're kinda cute when ya look at 'em," one says to the other.

"Yeah. Cute, but boring." A hard thumping sounds out as the second person taps the walls of the box. "C'mon ya stupid things. Do something!"

Without a noticeable response from whatever's in the box, he grumbles, sipping his mug of liquid.

"Hey! He's gone!" a shout echoes through the vent, coming from behind me. Apparently a guard noticed my absence, but hopefully he didn't notice where I went. I begin to panic, getting paranoid if I left the air lid on straight to cover my escape. But now was a time to focus.

The shout from the officer draws the attention of the two policemen, making them look toward the door momentarily before dashing out.

Now certain the coast was clear, I place my hand on the air vent lid. It's bolted like the one before, but that golden aura comes back at my touch. The bolts come out and the lid falls to the ground, caught in the magic so it didn't make a sound. I jump through and stand up, going straight to the door. I lock it to keep out the others before turning to the box, ignoring the buzzing voices of cops yelling to each other through their walkie talkies.

There they are; Vinyl and Octavia huddled together in the corner of the plastic container. Vinyl was missing her shades and Octavia lacked her bow tie. The box was well kept though, not a scratch. The only thing that caught my eye was how the two creatures inside were lying down, barely breathing.

My first instinct was to worry, panic rising in my throat as they both laid there with eyes closed.

"Guys...?" I let out weakly, opening the top of the box. Vinyl's ear twitched suddenly and her frightened eyes peeked open, a sad frown on her face. Her head lifted up to look at her sister, making sure she was devoid of injuries.

Then the unicorn's eyes whipped to me when she put the pieces together and found her sister had not made the noise which woke her. She brightened immediately, jumping up and scrambling to the wall of the cube. With forehooves propped against the plastic, she stared into my eyes and squeaked multiple times.

It was then I noticed an officer right outside the room overhear us. The doorknob jiggled violently and the eyes of the officer who was behind the desk earlier met mine through the glass.

"In here!" He bellowed, furiously pulling the knob and bashing the door with his shoulder.

My focus came back to the ponies in the box. Octavia was startled awake by the booming voice, a worried look on her face as Vinyl looked at the officer. The expression on her equine face told me enough; I should not let that man near either of them.

There wasn't enough time to close the lid behind me as I dived back into the vents, friends in tow. Thankfully, I was able to keep my pocketed shirt, depositing the cute creatures inside where it was safe. Just like human instinct to protect the heart, my instinct would protect these two no matter the circumstances.

Vinyl hugs her sister inside, relishing in the safety that was my heartbeat, despite it's racing pace. "Guys, you may want to hold on. And stay inside, where it's safe," I shouted. I was going to be sprinting upon getting out of here.

Checking the map, a passage in the vent system led outside, where an air conditioner would be installed during the summer. It was my immediate path as policemen yelled at each other in the building. My movements were quick; I had abandoned stealth now that I had what I needed, loud thumping resounds in the metal tunnels as I crawl away.

One final vent lid is spotted, this time sunlight breaks through the grid. Turning, I gave a strong kick to the lid, breaking it open. I didn't want to rely in the ominous golden magic to do things, so I could escape with the precious cargo. As soon as I step out of the vent and into the outside air, my thoughts focus on the one thing I hadn't planned.

Where do we go?

Panic builds in my chest. I begin pacing frantically, worrying about worst case scenarios. The police would realize where I am any minute and I'd be back in that cell, the weight of my punishment increased for attempting escape. My apartment isn't safe, and I'm new to the neighborhood, who would harbor a fugitive?

Then, it hit me like a watermelon fired by a trebuchet.

The dream I had this morning told me about going to where my journey began. It may be skeptical, but my father trusted his dream as well, thus giving me this chance to escape. And besides, an odd plan is better than no plan. But what did that mean, "where my journey began?"

"The forest..."

I whip my body around, a voice coming from behind me. There happened to be no one there, and my mind was racing in confusion and panic. I play it off as my brain playing tricks, and I continue to pace rapidly.

"Wait, what did you say?" I ask no one in particular. I was fully aware what the voice said, but the realization took time to settle.

The forest.

That's where I first met these two. Perhaps it's where my journey began.

With a newfound vigor, my legs fly through the wind. I felt like a cartoon character, the way their legs spin in full circles when they run fast though obstacles. I didn't even know I could move this quickly, but the cries from officers behind me only drove my acceleration.

My heart beat just as fast. I barely recognized the streets and I ran where things became more familiar. Sirens could be heard behind me and I felt a smidge of doubt in my mind.

Surely the police had more important things to do than chase some random kid? Of course, this was a cozy neighborhood; I'd believe it if I was told crime was at a minimal around here. Apparently, any action was enough to warrant a full-blown cinematic police chase.

I shouldn't hold onto that thought, I should focus on where I'm going. Taking a hard left at the upcoming corner, the apartment building came into view. Running past that, I came across the empty lot.

Where my journey began.

Sirens grew closer and second thoughts were left in the dust as I hurl my body forward. With all the strength I could muster, my body is flung over the chain fence, landing on my butt with a thud.

"Dang it! He went in the forest!"

"Well, he won't be coming out!"

More arguments and some bribes to surrender myself were thrown over the fence, none of them affecting me.

My legs are so sore from running, it's a bit hard to stand, but at least I was safe. Well, safer. With the time to calm down, I gather in my surroundings. Same as last time; creepy foliage and a thick fog carpeting the ground. No wood wolves this time, nor any sign of them. Now that I was here, one question remains.

"Well, now what do we do?" I ask, the two sisters still holding on to each other for dear life after the shaky ride. They both have time to compose themselves before peeking out of my breast pocket. Despite the danger and panic from what was only minutes ago, I still found it in my heart to notice how cute they both looked, back where they belonged; in safe hands.

They both shrug at me in silence, Octavia lowering herself deeper into my pocket, likely frightened of being here again. Almost by instinct, my finger comes down to scratch her ear, the gray pony's expression instantly converting from that of fear to one of bliss. I was only interrupted by a jealous Vinyl scowling at me.

They were both so cute.

My other hand tends to Vinyl, making two hooves thump against my chest. Despite the eerie ambience, it was comforting having the two back in my possession. Not that they were objects to me, I more just felt like a guardian for them. They had no idea where they were, so it was my job to keep them safe.

I had begun walking, going slow and heightening my senses in case of danger. There was no use in standing idly; as long as we kept moving in the same direction, we were bound to run into something.

Right?

I've lost track of how long we've been walking. It feels like I've passed the same trees multiple times, and all I was doing was walking straight. My head feels funny and the fog has gotten thicker, Vinyl and Octavia look worriedly at me. I trucked on, slow steps regardless of the building pain. It took a lot of strength, and some luck, but I notice the fog clearing up. I squint and I almost want to believe it's a mirage, but a clear, open field of grass appears in the breaking of the thick trees. I wanted to jump for joy that we made it.

Then, it happened.

My foot was caught in a tree root, tripping me. I happened to be fast enough to cup my breast and save the ponies from being crushed. They tumble out of my pocket, landing on the grass in front of me. Something cold drizzles down the side of my head and the sisters bear grim expressions. One conclusion can be made as a particularly jagged rock painted red can be made out when my eyes focus. Things are happening so fast; Vinyl barks a squeak at Tavi, tears streaming from their eyes and I can't help but feel like I let them down again. I wanted to get back up, but my sore muscles and the random leaking fluid from my head made me weary. Vinyl sprints in the direction we were walking, Tavi hesitating before following close behind. I felt like I would pass out, as things began to fade once again.

But instead of letting them down, I actually felt a feeling of accomplishment. I had fulfilled my promise, doing everything I could to protect them. I could only hope that they would find a safe place on this other side of the "forest of no return."