(Story extract)

he hospital waiting room was full of ponies, all looking worried, some barely able to keep in their seats. I ran up to the receptionist. “I need to see a doctor, now!” The receptionist looked exasperated, scribbling on a clipboard. She spat the pen out of her mouth and looked up at me. Her expression seemed to brighten in a bit of shock as she saw Cross across my back, spotting the dried blood running down his face. She stood up and motioned for me to follow as she walked through the hallway behind her.

“Youre both lucky a lot of these townsfolk are just here to see their families. Everyones downright convinced another strikes going to come down any second.” She said quickly. “Here, this rooms empty.” She pushed open a decrepit door, revealing a room with nothing but a bed and small table resting next to it. “Lay him on the bed, Ill get a doctor.” She rushed down the hall as I rolled Cross off my back, taking care not to cut him on my wings. Carefully resting him flat on the bed, I pulled the thin blanket up over his almost-still body.

I looked down at him, watching his chest barely move. “Youre going to be okay, Cross Stitch…” I sniffed as I said it, trying to convince myself, leaning forwards and gently kissing his bloodstained forehead. “P-please…” Tears were starting to fall down my cheek as I sat on the floor, never taking my eyes off of his face. He didnt move. “Youre going to be okay…”