WHACK!

Smoke's hoof collided with the face of the yellow mare.

"Thought you could leave?" asked Smoke.

The mare was tied to a chair in the office of an insurance building. A white mare with a light blue mane was also tied up in a chair next to her. Smoke had two of her colts in the room as well.

"No." said the yellow mare, crying. "I-I didn't--"

"You didn't what?" asked Smoke, punching her across the face. "Didn't think I'd find out?"

"It's not that." she cried. "I have a family."

"We're your family." said Smoke pulling out a gun. "And you turned your back on us."

"Smoke, I--"

"ENOUGH!" yelled Smoke, punching her across the face. Smoke looked at one of the colts. "Cut their ropes."

The colt pulled out a knife and cut the ropes on both mares' forelegs. They fell to their knees. Smoke kicked the chair out from behind the yellow mare.

"Smoke, please." pleaded the mare.

Smoke pressed a hoof to the mare's back and forced her on her stomach.

"Too late for apologies."

Smoke aimed the gun at the back of the mare's head and fired. The white mare closed her eyes and looked away. Smoke left the yellow mare's corpse and went over to her.

"No, please!" cried the mare. "Don't kill me! I don't wanna die!"

"Too fucking bad." said Smoke, forcing the mare on her stomach.

"NO! PLEASE!"

Smoke raised the gun at the mare's head. The mare closed her eyes, waiting for the bang. Just then a colt burst into the room.

"Boss!" he yelled. "I'm glad you're still here."

"What's so fucking important that you had to bother me while I'm busy?"

"It's that mare and the colt, boss. They're right outside."

"WHAT?!" yelled Smoke.

"They just took out Fyre after they went on a high-speed chase through the city. They're parked right outside the building."

Smoke let out a yell and looked down at the cowering mare. Smoke knelt down next to her.

"Want a second chance, Winter?"

"Yes." answered Winter. "I'll do anything."

"Good." said Smoke. "I want you to go outside and kill the colt."

"Kill him?" asked Winter, wide-eyed.

Smoke pressed the gun against her forehead. "OR I COULD FUCKING KILL YOU RIGHT HERE!"

"NO!" cried the mare. "I'll do it."

Smoke took a pistol from one of the colts and handed it to Winter.

"Now, go."

Winter took the gun and nodded. She made her way out of the room and headed down to the first floor. When she got there she went to the front door. Looking out the window, she saw Thunder stepping out of the car. He was followed by Plumsweet and Candy. Winter took a deep breath and left the building. She made her way towards the trio.

Plumsweet let out a gasp. "Thunder."

"What is it?" he asked, looking behind him.

He saw a white mare holding a gun at his head. She looked a little nervous.

"I'm sorry about this." she said. "But I have to."

"You're one of them, aren't you?" asked Thunder.

"Yes." said the mare softly.

"You know you're not gonna shoot."

"I have to."

"Do you?" asked Thunder. He took a step forward so that the barrel of the gun was pressed up against his forehead. "Then do it."

"I will." said the mare. "Don't think I won't."

"Then what are you waiting for?" asked Thunder.

The mare began to shake as she looked away. Thunder took this opportunity. He knocked her foreleg away and put a hoof around her neck, slamming her into the ground. He grabbed the gun away from her, got on top of her, and aimed the gun at her head.

"I told you to do it." he said.

"Don't do it." said Candy as the mare cowered.

The gun fired, sending a wave of fear over the mares. Winter opened her eyes and saw a bullet hole in the ground only a few centimeters away from her head.

"I don't understand." said the mare.

"I need you." He turned to Plumsweet. "Open the trunk."

Plumsweet went into the driver's seat and popped the trunk. She then went around to the back and opened it. Thunder stood and dragged Winter to the trunk. He then picked her up off the ground and threw her in the trunk. He then slammed it shut.

Thunder parked the car behind Candy's house. He then went to the back of the car as Plumsweet popped the trunk again. Thunder opened it, grabbed Winter, and threw her to the ground. He then dragged Winter into the house through the back door. When he got inside, he propped her up against the wall. He grabbed a gun and knelt sown in front of her. She cowered, trying not to make eye contact.

"Who do you work for?" asked Thunder.

The mare continued to cower. Thunder raised the gun and fired a shot passed her head. She let out a scream as Plumsweet and Candy stood behind him.

"Do you have to be so harsh?" asked Plumsweet.

"She's the enemy!" yelled Thunder. "She tried to kill me. She'll be lucky if I don't kill her RIGHT HERE!"

"NO!" yelled Winter. "You don't understand!"

"What's not understand?!" Thunder yelled in her face, causing her to flinch. "You're the enemy!"

"No, I'm not!" she cried. She closed her eyes and began to cry. "I tried to leave, but Smoke wouldn't let me!" She leaned forward and nuzzled her head against Thunder's chest. "Please, don't kill me!" she cried. Thunder stood up, causing her to fall forward. "Please." she pleaded.

Thunder let out a sigh and threw the gun aside.

"This is bullshit." he said as he walked away.

Candy knelt down next to Winter and held her. The mare cried into Candy's chest.

"It's okay." cooed Candy.

"Did you have to be so rough on her?" asked Plumsweet.

"If you don't like the way I do things..." said Thunder. "you can fuck off."

Plumsweet watched as he walked down the hall, heading for the bedroom. Plumsweet looked outside, seeing that it was getting late.

Later that night, Thunder awoke. He was thinking about Winter. He then let out a sigh and slid out of bed, careful to not wake Candy. He made his way down the hall and into the living room, where Winter was sleeping. He knelt down in front of the couch. Winter slowly opened her eyes. When she saw who it was, she tried letting out a scream, but Thunder covered her mouth.

"Shh." he said. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

He let go of her mouth. He then sat down on the couch as Winter curled up on one side.

"Come here." he said, holding out his forehooves. Winter hesitated. "I won't hurt you. I promise." The mare slowly moved towards him. When she was close enough, he hugged her, holding her close. "I'm so sorry." he apologized. "I know I may seem like a bad colt, but I'm just trying to protect me and my new friends."

"I don't think you're a bad colt." said Winter. "Not compared to what I've seen."

"Do you know anything about Smoke?" asked Thunder. "Anything that could help?"

"Not really." she answered. "I never really got a chance to meet Smoke until today."

Thunder let out a sigh. "Ah, well. I'd best be getting back to bed."

"No." Winter said quickly. "Stay here. Please?" Thunder gave her a confused look. "It's just that I've spent so much time with Smoke's gang that being here with you... in your arms... it's just really nice."

Thunder gave a slight nod. "All right." he said. "If that's what you want."

"Thank you." whispered Winter, as she closed her eyes.

She soon fell asleep in Thunder's embrace.