Ernesto watched as confusion seemed to flicker across Cherish’s expression. He was just about to say something, to reach out towards her, when she gasped and realisation seemed to flash in her eyes. She recoiled from him – a reaction that Ernesto did not receive often, and certainly one that worried him.

“Hey,” he began, lifting a hoof to step towards her.

But before he could reach out to her, she lost her footing in the damp earth and fell suddenly and ungracefully to the ground. She scrambled quickly to her feet, but looked just as rattled as before. Ernesto reconsidered moving any closer, not wanting to scare her any further.

He shot a glance to the colt, and saw the youngster edge a little closer towards him, clearly perturbed. Before he could comfort the boy, however, Cherish spoke again. It was a simple statement, but Ernesto could hear the pain and emotion in her voice.

For a minute, Ernesto didn’t know what to say.

“Of course you did,” he began, his tone gentle but uncertain. “What happened to him?”

ernesto
heartbreak is savvy and love is a bitch