Neato stood amidst the carnage, breathing heavily. His eyes scanned the desert landscape, and he noticed that Onyx's horse hadn't run away. The horse stood a short distance away, its eyes wide but calm, watching Neato intently.
Neato approached the horse slowly, reaching out a hand to gently pat its neck. "Hey there," he said softly. "Would you like to come with me?"
The horse seemed to understand. It nodded its head, as if agreeing to Neato's proposal. A small, genuine smile spread across Neato's face, a rare moment of warmth breaking through his hardened exterior.
"Let's go," Neato said, and he climbed onto the horse's back. The horse took off at a steady pace, carrying Neato across the endless expanse of sand. As they moved, the rhythmic motion of the horse's gallop brought a strange sense of peace to Neato.
He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the wind rush past him. He sighed, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief. The desert stretched out before them, an endless journey ahead.
The chapter ends with Neato riding into the distance, the sun beginning to set on the horizon, casting long shadows across the dunes. For now, he had a companion and a direction, a small glimmer of hope in the vast, unforgiving desert.
END OF CHAPTER 29