We wandered Helej Norun for what seemed to be forever. Once in a while, it showed that it could be merciful. When I stepped off the glass plateau, onto the sand, I found nothing other than more red as far as the eye could see. We were so screwed.
Looking up at the blinding sun, trying to find some sense of direction. Trying to make some sense of my surroundings, I look all around me trying to catch a glimpse of anything that might indicate that I'm anywhere near the district. The Seventeen District lies to the North on Helej Norun's Read sands. I have a hard time figuring out which way is North. The sun seems to be stuck in the same position or the sweltering heat is affecting me more than I think it does. I'm sweating profusely, and my lips are dry but I'm still standing. I would crawl to the District if only I'd know which way the damn things are. At least there is one good thing about the whole travesty. I managed to keep us both safe, for how long that remains to be seen.
I check on Shay every once in a while to make sure he is still breathing. Not that I could do anything to help, but it is a way to keep myself sane and feel less alone.
Aimlessly, I trudge through the red sands that drain the life out of me with each step I take. The blistering heat doesn't help, and I'm grateful that I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt but I'm pretty sure my black hair is smoking. I can't smell anything but I feel like my scalp is on fire.
Every now and again I check the sky. It is pristine, also in vain. There isn't a cloud in sight, all but blinding blue.
Sighing I move forward, standing in one place it doesn't make it any better. We'll cook slowly either way.
They say that fortune favours the bold and the brave. I know I'm neither of those things but I'm determined to keep us alive. That has to count for something.
After what is seemed to stretch on forever, the sun has finally begun its descent and I can finally tell which way is North. It is a guessing game, but it is all I have. So, I'm putting my money on that. Except, I don't have any of those either. I don't want to succumb to the dread coiling inside me, piercing me with its deadly thorns. I know it is a dangerous place to go, so I hold steadfast and breathe through the rising anxiety.
I feel envious of the king of the skies. He rises each day and follows his predestined path, undisturbed.
Twilight slowly begins to set in after the longest and hottest day on record. And with it brings a reprieve from the heat. A short-lived one, I realise after darkness begins to set and temperature plummets abruptly from scorching to freezing. Can't catch a break. No rest for the wicked they say, but I don't know what I have done in a past life to deserve this. I must've been a monster of some sort because for the life of me, I can't make sense of the why.
Shivering, and cursing like a sailor, I hug Shay tighter to my chest. He looks bigger but weighs nothing more than a bucket of water.
Taking my eyes off the ground I raise them to look in the distance, hoping that I would be able to see something, anything.
After scouring the horizon, I see nothing. I begin walking anew. I'm hungry, thirsty and dog-tired, but I have no intention of stopping. I can't.
The moon makes her appearance, casting its silvery light over the red sands, and I see nothing on the horizon. At this point, desperation crawls inside me like an insipid lover, and I try to get my bearings together. I can't lose it. Not now. Not a good moment.
My legs give in as dawn begins to creep in, and I have to stop. I have no choice.
My body is protesting with each step I take, and I know I've pushed it too far.
Laying Shay on the sand, I snuggle next to him for warmth and comfort. I think I passed out. Because I don't remember falling asleep. My mind is blanketed by a thick fog, and I struggle to remain lucid.
" Ocri ma," A voice drags me out of the recesses of my sleep, and I feel something poking me in the shoulder.
Cracking an eyelid, to look at the person disturbing my sleep. I find myself face to face with a man. He is wearing colourful clothing, a mix of mauve, orange and red. The man has a long black beard braided towards the end and wears a headwrap. His cyan eyes stand out in contrast with his dark skin. He appears to be in his forties. A woman cranes her neck over his shoulder, wearing a similar combination of colours.
Blinking the fog from my vision, I push myself on my elbow and look down at Shay. The man follows my line of sight and nods.
" Sarteri," He says, and I know he is part of Helej Norun District. It has over one hundred and seventy-five colonies, and they all speak different languages. How they all get along, beats me.
" Gerthi marrant," The woman says, and then points at something. The man says something that I don't catch and heads towards the place where the woman had pointed.
I look up at the sky and I see the sun approaching its zenith. It was almost noon.
Graham and Mason must be driving each other insane with worry.
The woman beckons me to follow her with a hand gesture, and I take Shay in my arms and get up. What choice do I have? None. If they wanted to harm me they would have done so.
The man returns with what looks like a pull cart and plops it down. He begins to rummage through it and produces a flask with a victorious 'Aha,'.
Stunned, I settle back on the ground. I'm still hungry and thirsty.
He hands me the flask, and I give it a suspicious look. It could be anything.
He nudges the flask closer to my nose," Hallah," He says, and I take the liberty to translate that to either,' drink' or ' water '. They both sound excellent, and I take the flask and tip my head back to quench my thirst. The water sloshes into my empty stomach, and it is not enough to ease my hunger. But it's better than nothing.
The man yanks the flask out of my hand when he notices that I don't stop, and grumbles displeased. He probably meant to take a sip. I took more than one or two.
The woman laughs and helps me get up. They speak to each other in low voices, gesticulating in every direction. I have no idea what they are speaking about, but I need to find shelter and food.
" Helej Norun? Which way?" I interrupt their bickering, and they both look at me surprised. They both point in the direction opposite to where I was heading, and I start to feel faint. Wonderful.
I look at Shay and sigh," Sorry little fella. Hold on just a little longer," I stroke his velvety fur, but he doesn't move. He sleeps. And I find that it is better than being dead. We'll get home one way or another.