*Rainbow Dash's pov-

The cowgirl actually fell asleep in such a short time, I guess she's really tired from all the traveling across this shitty town. 

Her blonde hair was covering the half of her face but the bruises on her cheeks were still visible. 

Aside from her face, her body was also filled with scars, bruises and blood. Her eyes had eyebags underneath which made her appearance much more intimidating. 

But even with her messy looks, she still looks so cute, especially when sleeping. I know, I just met this stranger today when I saved them from that mutated.

But something about this cowgirl made something spark in my soul. I don't know why but when I looked into her emerlad eyes, I somehow felt safe. 

No, its not her stupidity nor her looks. It was something else. Sure, she may be a few years older than me and still Im somehow falling for a lowlife like her.

I still don't know why Spitfire tasked this girl to smuggle me across this town, She knew I could do it by myself but here I am, stuck with this loser. 

Now that she fell asleep, I can actually get out of here. I just need to think of a way how to get out without waking her up. 

Heck, I might aswell steal her stuff and supplies while Im here. I then glanced around the room, looking for a possible exit. 

The windows was covered with metal bars, The cowgirl locked the door with her key, and lastly the last escape route was covered by several furnitures.

"Goddanmit, this girl knows me too well." I chuckled, looking down on Applejack's cute sleeping face. 

Seeing her finally take some rest brings a weak smile in my face. I don't know what's up with this girl nor this confusing feelings in my chest but I think its best if I ignore it.

Besides, I don't need someone to watch over me. Most of the people who cared about me died in the war because of my stupid doings.. And I don't want Applejack to be one of them. 

I consider myself as a lone wolf, I don't need anyone to babysit me. Spitfire,  That jerk did the same to me, but I really thanked her for it. 

But for Applejack's case, she's an dumbass for bringing me with her. Sure, we haven't even bonded yet since we just met hours ago but she seem really scared around me. 

I just sighed and stood up from the couch, still watching her snore silently. She seems like she needed rest than I do. 

So I gently carried her and let her lay down in the couch, tucking her hair strand behind her ear afterwards.

"Get some sleep, dumbass." I smiled before walking to broken chair near the window. 

After I sat down, the sight of our destroyed ruins was the first thing I saw outside the window. Black smoke spreaded in the air, the buildings were destroyed and almost filled with vines and moss, and dozens of soldiers started to roam around since its curfew time. 

This world isn't the same like before since this outbreak started. No one knows what's its cause but it quickly wiped out the half of humanity. 

Heck, its only our 1st year of serving through this pandemic. Who knows what will happen if we stay too long?

In other words, its not safe anymore. The streets of every city here in Equestria is being lined up by thousands of ravages, gang members, and the one they call Shadowbolts.

Its no wonder why Applejack and that purple haired chick wanted to kill Feather Bangs. But I can surely tell that those two have a grudge against each other.

Spitfire was right, I need Applejack's protection. I might make her a human shield soon if I screw things up again.

My thoughts suddenly vanished when I heard gunshots in the distance, making me look down onto the window.

And there I saw dozens of shadowbolt soldiers firing high velocity bullets onto innocent civilians. Some were still running for their lives but they got shot down moments later. 

I bet they're after their supplies again but those lowlives don't matter anymore. Only the strong can survive through this pandemic, and Im one of them. 

"Heh, they're doing their usual 4 pm agenda again.." I chuckled to myself while watching Spitfire's team drive away after retrieving the loot. 

When I was about to close my eyes to catch some sleep, I heard someone talking at the back. 

I then turned around and looked at Applejack. She was still asleep but I swear i heard someone talk. 

"S-shortie.." Applejack muttered in a scared tone in her voice. 

I arched an eyebrow at her. "Applejack, you awake?" I asked. 

She didn't reply, instead she kept moving uncomfortably as pure fear presented in her face. 

I chuckled and walked towards her. "Oh Damn, I think your having a nightmare." 

When I saw there was a little bit of space beside her feet, I let put a sigh and sat down, placing my hand on her leg. 

"Shh.. You look so stupid." 

"A-Applebloom.. Please don't leave me." She muttered with the same scared weakened voice. 

"Applebloom?" I asked again."H-hey?" 

My eyes widened when I realize she was hyper ventalating as tears slowy do down her face. What's happening to her?

"Hey! Breathe properly, dumbass!" I nervously yelled after I kneeled one leg down in front of her, holding her hand. "Applejack, wake up!" 

She then began to cry uncontralbly while her other hand held mine tightly. I kept yelling out her name but she cant seem to snap out of it nor wake up.

"I guess I have no choice but to do this.. I just hope you wont recall any of this." I lastly said before laying my head on her chest, pulling her into a tight hug afterwards.

"W-wake up, asshole!" I shouted, sounding weakened. 

I can hear Applejack still breathing heavily, tears dried out her freckled face and her grip on my hand loosened.

She stopped crying and her breathing returned to its normal state. "S-shortie.." 

"Shh.. Its okay." I sincerely chuckled, gently brushing her hair. "I don't know who the hell is that shortie, but Im here, don't worry." 

A smile formed in my face when I saw she finally calmed down. All it took was for me to hug her, I wonder what happened to her?

"Dumbass, you almost made me worry about you." I laughed after pulling away from the hug. "I'll keep this a secret, I know you'll kill me if I told you that I hugged you." 

At last, the cowgirl was finally calmed. I just smiled as I gently wiped her tears away, staring at her cute face for seconds before going back to my seat. 

"Well that was something." I chuckled after seating on the chair to continue catching my sleep. 

Based on what I've seen, I bet Applejack saw something in her past that traumatized her till this day. Its either the sight of loosing a love one or she's just plain crazy. 

But something in me wasn't right, aside from my bleeding arm, my heart was beating when I pulled the cowgirl into a hug. 

Was it pity?

"Goddanmit, Rainbow Dash, pull it together." I muttered to myself, shifting my weight to the side to find a comfortable spot. 

"I don't need her, she's just one of them lowlives Spitfire's been telling me about." 

Moments later, something in me suddenly snapped. 

"F*ck!" I yelled out of anger as I stood up from the chair and kicked it out of my way. "Why can't I sleep?!" 

I cant barely hold in my confusing emotions anymore. I don't know what's going on anymore.

But when I heard Applejack's voice again, my angered look slightly faded. "W-what is it this time, loser?" I asked, sounding angered. 

Yet again, she was talking in her sleep again. But this time she wasn't calling the nickname "shortie" anymore. 

Instead she was muttering out the words "Dont leave me, I love you." Geez, what a weird girl.

"Heh, love who, Apples?" I laughed while walking up to her. "Is it me? Nah, you already have a bratty slut for a girlfriend." 

"Why am I even talking to you? Its not like you can respond to me in your sleep." I asked myself, seating down beside her. 

"Its like Im talking to myself, again." I added after looking at her. "I still don't get why Im stuck with you." 

I then looked up to the window. "Hm, its already Sunset, Your lover wouldn't take too long now." 

Before I could even lay down beside her, I painful groan escape my mouth when an unbearable pain struck in my arm. 

"Ack!" I cried out, holding my wounded arm afterwards. "This is so bad.." 

"I wish you could never find out my secret, Applejack."