The blinding light streaming through the kitchen window and the clatter of dishes wakes me up. I don't feel any better but I don't feel worse either. I suppose going on a flat line could be called a steady walk towards a disastrous end. I'm not here for the incredible view or the lush lifestyle. I'm here to preserve what little I have left. I'm not sure if I would survive if something would happen to them. It is a necessary evil. I know that when the truth comes to light, it won't be a fun ride. I'm acutely aware of the implications of my decision, but I hope that perhaps they will understand. He will understand.
My eyes go to Shay the moment they open. He hasn't moved. He is still in the same position as I've placed him the night before and once again I worry. Running my finger through his fur, I notice the gentle rise and fall of his chest. It is barely there. I don't understand why is this happening to him. If I'm the cause of it all perhaps he should be far away from me as well. It is a tempting thought to try and contact Mason or Graham, but I know that he would try to take me home. No, I know he will, but at this point is not the wisest decision. I need to be as far away as possible away from them, and Helej Norun us as far as one can go.
It's for the best.
Denmar clears her throat to get my attention, and I take my eyes off Shay to look at her.
She hands me a cup of what appears to be tea but I hope from the bottom of my heart that is something closer to coffee. I need something to kickstart my heart and get my blood flowing through my veins. Something feels different but I can't quite my finger on it.
Taking a sip of the brew, I realise with disheartening dismay that is neither tea nor coffee. Whatever it is, has a kick to it and a sickly sweet aftertaste.
Not my favourite thing so far but I can't afford to be choosey. The desert doesn't seem to be an auspicious place to grow coffee.
Rising to my feet, I place the empty cup on the window sill and begin making my bed, which is just folding the blankets and placing them on the stool. Every joint hurts, and my muscles are sore but I do my best to ignore it. I will have to apply the same rule of thumb to pretty much everything.
It is for the best.
If I repeat it often enough, I'll start believing it, eventually.
Denmar is preparing what appears to be lunch while Nareen has stepped outside of the house. I'm not exactly comfortable with the whole situation. But I have to make do with what I have at my disposal. My gaze drifts to the room beyond the kitchen and I realise that this is a very small house. There isn't much to see. The floors are made of the same compressed sand, with an interesting gloss to it but it is something I've never seen before. It is solid, but at the same time, you can distinguish every grain of sand. The little furniture they own is painted in light colours creating a cheerful atmosphere in contrast with the crimson sand floors. It is meant to be a functional home with no trace of luxurious items.
Just as Denmar begins setting the table, Nareen walks back inside with a large bowl of water and disappears around the corner. And then he walks back outside and returns with two more buckets. The heat is begging to permeate through the kitchen window and I find that I'm slick with sweat.
Wiping my brow with the back of my hand, Denmar hands me the plate of food. Which is slightly different from the one we had the night before. This seems to be on the sweet end of the flavour spectrum. If I didn't know any better it looked like porridge but it wasn't. The thick gloopy dish tastes like barley cooked in milk with a side of fruity drizzle. It tasted divine. Better than anything I've ever tasted. Or maybe I was so hungry that at this point anything tasted good. Who knew that barley could be delicious? Graham hasn't heard the news.
Nareen takes his seat at the table and nods to me then looks at Shay for a long second then begins speaking with Denmar.
I remain silent and focus on eating while they discuss. Marital issues? Probably. At this point, I make full use of my imagination, but they could be speaking about anything.
Rising to my feet, I place my bowl on the counter and look around the kitchen in search of something to wash it.
Denmar points at a small basin in the corner of the kitchen, and I notice that there is no running water. That explains why Nareen lugged water into the house.
After washing the bowl, I place it on a small drying mat, while Denmar follows after me and places the dishes in the bowl. How do you show your gratitude to someone who has offered you a roof and two meals? Without pondering, I wash the dishes and once again I feel lost.
Denmar beckons me with a hand gesture, and I trail after her. The only talking I'll be doing for a while will be with my hands.
She slips through the narrow door, turns right, and walks into a small chamber, partitioned with a burgundy canvas cloth. On a small wooden bench, there are cloths, a bowl, a soap bar, and a linen towel.
Denmar points at the bowl and makes the motion for scrubbing. I can feel the weight of the layers of dust on my skin and I don't know how to thank her in her tongue. So, I give her a small hug, she pats me on the back but doesn't hug me back. I must make her feel uncomfortable as hell.
From a small basket, she picks up, an attire very much like theirs, and places them next to the towel. It have no shoes, but for now, I don't think I'll miss footwear. They seem to be wearing canvas sandals. It is too hot for proper shoes.
Smiling she leaves me to it, and I begin to peel off the clothes that I'm wearing and begin to wash. Better said wipe myself clean. It will have to do for now.
The soap carries an interesting aroma, and it reminds me so much of Mason. It is the pepper in it with a hint of floral scent.
When I finish putting on the clothes she has given me, I realise that it is very light and very airy. It doesn't cling to the skin, and it makes enduring the heat bearable. There is a strip of material left, and I use it to wrap it around my head. I found out the hard way how much the sun likes my hair. And I'm not keen on reliving that experience.
Picking up the pile of clothes on the floor, I slip out of the little chamber and step outside. Denmar nods in approval and slips past me inside, probably to do the same, while Nareen is busy emptying the cart. He is carrying various items inside the house. And I began to understand why they were out in the desert. They were scavenging for relics from the old world. Many often do, but it is more of a pass time more than anything. More often than not, whatever they find is mostly piles of useless rubbish. But it is a part of our history and it serves the purpose of discovering as much as possible about the old world.
Settling next to Shay, I wait for them to show me what's next.