"And here's your key!" The mare behind the counter says. "We'll need the first month's rent in just a few weeks. We prefer straight bits, but we can also take a check."

"Of course," Redheart says, casting a wry smile as you take the key. "Apartment 4B, right?"

"That's right."

"Thank you," you say, placing a hand on Redheart's back. "Have a nice night."

You and Redheart step out of the small apartment office and out into the musty city air. The sun is already hidden from view by the many buildings that break the horizon, but the sheer amount of city light keeps the sky lit as though it were early afternoon. That will take some getting used to. It'll be difficult to adjust to a big city after living in a relatively small town for such a long time.

"Well," says Red, following you along the sidewalk. "This is it. A fresh start."

"Yeah," you add, carrying your and her luggage. "Right now? I'm just ready for a good night's rest."

You use your new key to unlock the front entrance to the apartments and begin to ascend the stairs of the apartments. One Floor, Two floors, Three Floors. To your surprise, the whole building is remarkably quiet, if not a bit dusty and smelling of mold treatment chemicals. To their credit, at least they're trying. It's all anyone can do.

You reach the top of the stairs and fumble for the second key on the ring that the mare handed to you. You unlock the door to your apartment and hold the door open for your marefriend. Red steps inside and you follow behind her. You close the door behind you and take a moment to examine the door. You lock the deadbolt immediately. If Fluttershy is following you guys, or heck, even if she isn't, you might as well not take chances. The whole apartment couldn't be much larger than a hotel suite. The kitchen and breakfast area is directly to the left upon entrance, with a bathroom and coat closet to the direct right. The one bedroom is just past that on the right, with a living room/dining area that is directly ahead of the entrance. For the most part, it's a completely open layout space. There's a wall directly in between the kitchen and the main hallway to the living room, creating a sort of 'donut' walking circle around the carpeted apartment. It looks like there's also a window air conditioner!

Of course, there is no furniture. As you should have expected.

"It's cute, if not a bit empty," you say, trying to insert some positive energy to the stagnant air.

"Well, I suppose that's why we have sleeping bags in our bug-out bags," Red sighs, walking through to the bedroom.

You drop the bags by the bedroom door and begin to fumble with the A/C. A little bit of cool, circulating air will help the two of you relax after such a stressful day. You flip the machine on, but it remains dormant, comatose. You idly slap the device, hoping it would inject some life into it. Yet, it remains off. You sigh, shaking your head. Okay, a broken air conditioner is still an air conditioner. It could be worse.

Walking to the bedroom door, you watch as Red walks through the bedroom and pulls open a closet door. A few moths fly out, causing her to recoil slightly.

She deserves so much more than this. She deserves so much better than this.

Red turns to you with a smile. "Looks like we have pets," she says, nodding to the moths that flutter across the room.

"I've always been more of a dog person," you answer, giving a wry smile.

"Don't say that to Fred and George."

"Don't name them!" you say, smile returning to your face. "Then you'll never let them go!"

"Nah," she says with a smile. "They're weaselly ones. I'm sure they'll sneak out and cause all sorts of mischief."

Red approaches you and rests her head against your leg. An uncomfortable silence falls between the two of you.

"It'll get easier soon," you say quietly. "This first week will be the hardest."

"I'll start applying for nursing jobs tomorrow," she says quietly.

"But I thought-"

"We're both going to have to take jobs," she says quietly. "We don't really have a choice and you know it."

You open your mouth to fight her, but your words escape somewhere into thin air. You simply close your eyes and exhale.

"Maybe we should just get some sleep," you answer. "We can sort all of this out tomorrow. I just want to put an end to this horrible day."

Red hums in agreement as she opens her bag and pulls out a small bag and pillow. You grab yours and do the same, laying them in the floor of the windowless bedroom. On the bright said, while it may be stuffy and cramped, it'll stay nice and dark.

The two of you lay out your sleeping bags side by side, and Red smiles to herself.

"We are the worst campers ever."

"You can say that again," you laugh, laying down on top of your bag. The room is way too hot to consider sleeping inside it. But it will give your poor back a little bit of cushioning. Red lays down beside you and places a hoof on your chest as you kick off your shoes and socks.

"We'll get through this," she says. "And it's going to make everything better than it ever has before. No more Fluttershy."

"Yeah, and no more stupid fetish guesses. No more quiet knocks on the door in the morning."

No fear of closing your eyes. That said, there's nothing to do but get some rest. You feel Redheart pull herself in close to you, and you wrap your arms around her. You place your arm under her pillow so it feels like she's using your arms as a bed.

You try to steady your breathing and clear your mind as you fall asleep. However, you swear from two or three floors away, you hear the sound of a crying baby, waking in the night, demanding attention.

Don't think about that.

Don't think about it.

There's no point in expending the energy.

No good it would do anyway.

Just sleep for now, Anon. It'll get easier.

Just give it time.

Author's Notes:

End Day 1