What were you scared of? I wasn't scared of anything. Were you having a panic attack? No. I was facing a monster that was dragging me under the ground and making it so I couldn't breath... Depression was burying me alive, even though I wasn't ready to die yet.

Depression was the one who made me put on a mask to hide my feelings, and put on fake feelings to those I trusted. Depression made me lie to those I was closest to, and depression made me detach myself from those that I loved. Depression and anxiety worked together. They would be the death of me, I know it...

I felt like I was trapped... Everyone could see... But, nopony was there... That I knew of...

Then, a pony approached me. It was a male pony, to be exact. I seemed to have a very close connection with him... He seemed to be part of my chosen family? It felt like he knew something... It felt like he knew that I had depression. It felt like he could see through my mask of happiness and joy, into my sorrows.

"Shadow?! Are you okay?" He asked, worried but calmly. No response... I could barely answer him because I was on the verge of tears, and if I did answer him, then there would be no words except silence, and tears streaming down my face. I didn't deserve to be worried about!

"What's wrong?" He asked, taking a step closer. I shook in fear... 'Please don't approach me... Please..' I thought in my mind...

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." Those same rehearsed words came from my mouth. They barely came out, at that. They had a teary tone to them... But, I knew one thing....

He wasn't going to believe what I just said.