Meadow

She doesn’t expect him to turn back, much less come back. Eriana had managed to conjure spiteful, hurtful words but she could not make out an apology. What sort of friend was she for that? With a heavy sigh, she feels herself giving up. The fleeting hope she hadn’t even realized she still carried, now rushing from her like a final breath. Letting her eyes close, she nearly thought herself delusional when his voice spoke just above her.


Opening her glistening eyes, Eriana could see Alioth had actually turned back for her. But his expression wasn’t quite the same, and neither was his tone. Gentle it may still be, the warmth was gone. At least he wasn’t mocking her as she probably deserved.


With effort, Eriana managed to roll herself into an upright position. Her hind legs tucked beneath her now, while her front legs sprawled out in front of her, the mare was mostly covered in snow but she felt too numb now to give another shiver. “I’m not okay….” She finally finds her voice, but it comes out in a hushed whisper, answering his question from before. “I can’t….” she answers him now, knowing she lacked the strength even with help to stand again.


The tears that had threatened but not yet fallen, now slide down her cheeks. Ashamed of herself, she refused to look at him now as she lowered her head to rest her chin upon the snow.