She murmured, “They’re for you because I really, y’know, kinda maybe like you…”

This chapter should be in complete contrast to the last. Excluding Pages 4 through 8, I want the panels to be clearly delineated with tight, precise borders. Negative space should be kept to a minimum. Except where otherwise noted, colors should be dark and muted—Golden’s coat should be the brightest color. Please refrain from using dialogue boxes.

Only a few days have passed since the last chapter, and Golden Gull is still feeling the weight of what’s happened.

PAGE 1

1 and 2 should be simple squares, resting next to one another. 3 should stretch across the page.

1) Close-up of Golden pressed against her mother’s side, clutching her doll. Mother is looking ahead. Golden’s eyes are clenched tight.

CAPTION: We didn’t stay in Trottingham long after Moma’s funeral. Father said we had places we needed to be.

2) Shot of a carriage heading down a dirt road. A city looms in the distance. The sun is setting.

CAPTION: While we were on the ground, he said, we may as well visit some friends.

CAPTION: Mother said nothing. I could not recall ever making any friends on the ground.

3) Wide shot of skyscrapers reaching into the stars. They should be imposing, and barely separated from the dark sky behind them.

CAPTION: I didn’t understand how anypony could live in a city like this. There were no clouds, no weather factories.

CAPTION: Only metal.

PAGE 2

1 and 4 should stretch across the page, while 3 and 4 should be in equal square boxes.

1) Shot of Golden being helped out of the carriage. Her eyes are wide as she gazes at the city surrounding her.

CAPTION: Mother called it a vacation. I knew better.

CAPTION: Vacations were relaxing, fun. This was neither.

2) Close-up of Golden’s legs and hooves. She is wearing polished black horseshoes.

CAPTION: This was busy,

3) Close-up of Golden’s mane. A ring of fake white flowers rests on her head.

CAPTION: dull,

4) Wide shot of Golden standing in a doorway, wearing the shoes, flowers, and a delicate white dress, with frills at the edges. The curls in her hair have been straightened. She is grimacing. Her parents stand at either side, her father wearing a sharp suit, and her mother a similar white gown.

CAPTION: and annoying.

PAGE 3

1 and 2 should be equal boxes, small at the top of the page. 3, 4, and 5 should be made up of triangles, and should take up most of the page.

1) Profile shot of Golden leering at the dinner plate in front of her. On it sit two daisy petals.

CAPTION: Each day a new town, a set of new faces…

2) Shot of the entire dinner table, which is lined by dozens of ponies. Only Golden and her parents should be drawn with any intricate detail.

CAPTION: …but it always felt the same.

3) Close-up of Golden looking off-panel, looking dazed. The sentences “Who is the little one?” and “What a cute face!” should be etched in, almost fading into the background.

4) Golden is frowning now, ears flat, back hunched. “Give us a smile!” and “Where’s her cutie mark?”

5) Golden is looking down, teardrops in her eyes. “Already in Flight School and no cutie mark?” and “Aw, she’s shy!”

CAPTION: Always the same.

CAPTION: I soon grew tired.

PAGE 4

1 and 2 should each take half the page. The bottom of 2 has no border, and the sides fade to white as they descend.

1) Side shot of Golden, who is still hunched. She is looking in the same direction as the panel, towards a window. It is snowing out.

CAPTION: It was in those moments that I wished to escape.

2) Outside the window, looking in. Snow is falling, and the image becomes increasingly obscured as the panel extends downward.

CAPTION: I wished to go back.

PAGE 5

Full page splash. A snowy field, with a single cabin sitting in the middle. The lights are on.

PAGE 6

Full page. Inside the house. A fireplace roars. In front is a rocking chair, where a mare sits with a foal in her lap.

PAGE 7

1, 2, and 3 take up equal space, but they have no defined borders.

1) Moma holds a younger Golden tightly. A colorful quilt covers them both. The light of the fireplace shines on their coats.

2) Golden rests her head against Moma’s chest. Her face is calm.

3) Golden closes her eyes and smiles.

PAGE 8

The top of the page is pure white, but quickly fades into 1, which should run until the halfway mark. 2 and 3 should be equal squares.

1) Shot of Golden sitting at the table, being startled awake. The word “Golden!” should be etched above her head, harsh and rough, as if scratched in with a razor.

2) Golden looks up fearfully at her father, who scowls down at her.

3) Father looks down at Golden, who stares at her hooves.

PAGE 9

Full page. Golden stares straight ahead, ears and wings limp, frown deep. The dinner party continues around her, as if nothing has happened.

Next Chapter: three deaths Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 29 Minutes