After days of traveling, the young Unicorn’s bag was nearly empty. She had only a few apples and carrots left, plus a small jug of water. It was hard traveling alone. She could only carry so much by herself, and she ran out of supplies faster than if she were traveling in a group.
She’d wandered through the White Tail Woods, spending nights under trees that gave her cover while she slept. After that, she’d made a wrong turn, crossing the train tracks into the San Palomino Desert. She’d been there for four days and had drunk almost all her water. Now she stood on the outskirts of Appleloosa. She’d have to venture into town if she wanted more food.
She pulled the hood down over her broken horn and held on to the edge so it wouldn’t blow off. The town was flat and windy, with tumbleweeds rolling across the streets. A few ponies waved as she walked past. She waved back, enjoying how normal it felt to be there. She was just another pony, strolling through the town. There was an apple orchard just beyond the buildings. Rows and rows of apple trees, all in bloom. It reminded her a little of home.
The young Unicorn ducked inside the general store, looking for supplies. She grabbed three bundles of carrots, a big bag of apples, and another jug of water. It would last her a week, at least. She dropped them all on the counter in front of the clerk.
“You’re not from around here, are you?” the pony asked. She was purple, the same color as the young Unicorn, and had a beautiful blue mane. “First time in Appleloosa?”
“Yup, first time. I’ve been on the road for a while,” she said, paying for the supplies with some bits. “I needed to stop somewhere to get more food.”
“Well, I hope you’ll stop for a lot more than that,” the clerk said. “Appleloosa has so much to offer. Every week we have shows on the town stage, and there are plenty of Wild West dances. Everypony’s welcome.”
“Wild West dances?” the young Unicorn asked.
“Oh, they sound more complicated than they are. It took me only a few minutes to learn, but much longer to get good. I think there’s one tonight.… Would you like to be my guest?”
She stared at the pony, not sure why she was being so nice to her. She’d gotten used to ponies staring at her broken horn a little too long, or inviting her to things because they felt bad for her. But this pony seemed like she genuinely wanted to be friends.
The young Unicorn shook her head, remembering where friendship had gotten her before. “I better head out soon,” she said. “Thank you, though.”
“Well, at least promise me you’ll stop by the Salt Block before you leave,” the pony said. “It’s my favorite place in town. They’ve got the best apple cider on this side of the Rambling Rock Ridge.”
“I promise,” the young Unicorn said, remembering the cider at home. She’d have to stop in just to see for herself. She put the supplies in her bag, fastened it shut, and said good-bye to the nice clerk. Then she strode out into the street to find the Salt Block.
It was impossible to miss. It seemed like the busiest place in town. A crowd of ponies stood under the green-and-beige-striped awning, while others pushed through the swinging doors. She could hear ponies laughing and talking from outside.
She went in, and immediately, she felt better. She’d forgotten how much she missed being around other ponies. Everypony seemed to be having a great time. She grabbed a stool and ordered an apple cider.
“What do you think?” a pony with a blue western hat standing next to her asked. He watched as the young Unicorn took a sip. “They say it’s the best apple cider on this side of the Rambling Rock Ridge, but I’m not totally convinced.”
“It’s pretty good.”
“Ah.” He paused, looking at her bag. “Where are you headed?”
She stared into her mug. She couldn’t tell him the truth: that she’d only know where she was going once she got there. So she looked at the map on the wall and picked somewhere random.
“I was just going to visit friends near Galloping Gorge,” she said.
“That’s a long way from here,” replied the pony. “But you’re in luck. Me and my band of ponies are headed to Vanhoover. You could travel north with us if you like.”
The pony pointed to a group sitting at the table behind him. They were eating apple chips covered in caramel sauce. They looked like a friendly bunch. One of the girl ponies was telling jokes, and the whole group laughed loudly.
“I could go with you?” the Unicorn asked, not sure if she’d heard that right. She’d been alone on the road for so many days, and for so much longer before that, when she was back home. The idea of traveling with others did sound appealing. She wouldn’t have to worry about supplies nearly as much.…
“Why, sure!” the pony said. “I’m Tumbleweed, by the way. Come on over and I’ll introduce you to my friends.”
“I’m… Caramel Chip,” the young Unicorn said, not wanting to tell the stranger her real name. She followed him over to the table and smiled when she saw the group.
“Hi, all,” Tumbleweed said. “The young Unicorn here is going to join us on our way to Vanhoover. She’s heading up to… where did you say you’re going?”
She glanced at the map, trying to remember the place. “Galloping Gorge! I’m heading up there to see friends.”
“Ahhhh,” a pony with a purple mane said. “Well, we’ve got plenty of supplies, and we could always use extra company. The more the merrier.”
The young Unicorn was about to sit down when the swinging doors of the saloon blew open. A gust of wind ripped through the room, blowing her hood right off her head. She stood there, in the center of the saloon, her broken horn exposed for everypony to see.
“Say, what happened to your horn?” one of the ponies asked.
She pulled her hood up to cover it. Her whole face turned from purple to red. She’d come so many miles from home, but she was still the same pony, still the Unicorn with the broken horn. She darted out of the Salt Block before anypony could say anything else. She ran through the street, her head down, not stopping until Appleloosa was far behind her.