Common

Zharko hated to admit how much better he felt pressed against another body. His own chilled from wet and cold, Cinnamon’s dry heat quickly became all he could ever want in that moment. Heat and food were the keys to his survival. As he started to get more feeling in his muscles he also refused to admit that soon it would be his own stubbornness that could lead him to his destruction. Even as he lowered himself to the ground and the older stallion followed suit, though maintained a distance away, Zharko appreciated the kind nature of the man. He tried to remember a time he would have felt this in his short life. A mother’s love only went so far in their world. She had done what she could to keep them alive, but that was where the love and the instinct ended. Physical warmth had still been cold. At this distance, with Cinnamon blocking the slight breeze, Zharko was confused by the embers he started to feel within. Not wishing to show his weakness to a man who was swiftly becoming not a stranger, he settled his head as close to his own body as he could and let his ears relax, the perfect mask for the growing conflict of his thoughts.

An ear flicked to Cinnamon’s admittance that he too had lost his brothers. He did not press for more information, thankful that Cinnamon had not yet pried into his own fresh secrets. There was a sinking feeling that did not dare to hope that Zeru was out there somewhere, washed up on this island or another. Zharko had not heard the other colt’s screams above the waves. He did not know if he could bear the heartbreak of knowing he had died. He did not know if he could bear the heartbreak of knowing if he had survived either and had been left alone.

The boy’s heart hardened. Nothing would stop him from finding the answer or keep him from his brother. He was not going to let him die in vain, or live without knowing. Even if they never crossed paths again, he would know he had never given up. I must find him. For a second the boy blinked, his ears twitched in confusion and his extreme youth shining through. Can… can we wait to swim again ‘till spring? He shivered. I’m still cold…