-Oh, hi there!
-Eh? H-hi. How did you end up here?
-Um... I got lost, wandering the desert.
-Well, I can understand that. There isn't much else, but sand here, right?
-Uhuhh... Hey, could you give me a tiny bit of anything to drink? This thirst and the sunbeams are starting to turn into a headache.
-Oh my... I'm so sorry, I should have figured. I'm on the way, I'll bring some water for you!
-Thank you kindly- my gaze follows the stranger, as he disappears behind the nearest dune.
-I found a bit in this old flask. P-please be careful with it... My granddaddy used to carry this with himself everywhere. It meant a lot to him, and... he left it to me and made me promise that I would take care of it.
-Okay, you don't have to worry. It's in good hands with me- I get a tight grip on the heavy metal bottle, and proceed to ease my choking thirst a little. Surprisingly the water is not resembling the warmth of the terrain, instead it's nice and cold. -You've... got a refrigerator around here or something?
-Well, you could say that. I um... dug a deep hole in the sand and it's always dark and cold down there.
-Inventive... Say, I don't think I ever caught your name.
-Oh, uh... You didn't tell it either.
-Yeah, true. My name's Adrian. Feel free to come up with any nickname, I never had anybody use one.
-C-can I call you Ady?
-Heh, yeah, sure. It sounds funny. So, what's yours?
-Well... my name's Nico.
-Oh, that's a cute name. Not from around here though, eh?
-Yeah, I moved here about nine or ten months ago. It's hard to keep track of time, when nothing... interesting happens any day.
-So why exactly... did you- I can't finish my question, the heat and the exhaustion knocks me off my feet, and I fall over, facing the sand.
-Oh no, I have to take you somewhere colder quick- he doesn't think too much, tries to lift me up, and sort of succeeds. His words get more and more distant, but remain ever so soft and kind. My vision starts to blur out, turning black slowly. I remember closing my eyes, and feeling the hot breeze on my eyelids. But that was the last thing I felt before I opened them again.
After I did however, I couldn't see for a brief moment. At first, I thought I was still knocked out, maybe dreaming. But then, my eyes started to adapt to my surroundings, and all my other senses slowly came back, one by one. I heard the signature sound of the wind, trying to pass through cloth, and I felt it sneak past any barrier, and pleasantly stroke my skin, as surprisingly clod as it was. I also started to pick up a familiar scent. Freshly washed, sundried clothes. I could recognise that anywhere. Also, mysteriously all the grains of sand disappeared from my pants.
As my vision was getting better and better, I picked up a shadow, sitting close by me.
-Nico...
-Oh, thank god, you're awake! How do you feel, are you any better?
-Yeah, I no longer have the headache. And I am really comfortable. It feels good to be... clean...
-Ehheh, t-that's great news.
-These aren't my clothes though... those were much tighter and heavier.
-Um... those were uh... pretty much beyond saving.
-I see. Well, thank you for these ones, they really feel comfy. -I try to sit up and only then I realize that I have a blanket covering me.
-Wait, stay there. It gets really cold during these nights. You have to keep yourself warm somehow.
-Er... right. I remember it now, okay. -I look over to him, and I notice that he's wearing an adorable oversized hoodie too, and a scarf that is covering most of his face, yet still hangs down almost to his waist. -You asked me already so it's my turn. How did you end up here?
-Hm?
-Well I already know that you weren't born here, so- why come here? This place seems a bit inconvenient to live at.
-I was... actually following some friends of mine. We've been living together for a while, but not so long ago they ventured out to make some trades in the village.
-There is a village around here?
Y-yes, but... it's at least three days on foot. And only if you hurry a lot.
-I have to get there. As soon as possible.
-B-but you can't venture out now. You would get lost in the sandstorm. And my friends are probably already on the way back...
-You don't get it. I didn't really plan this vacation. I was flying over the desert, and I ran out of kerosene, so I had to make an emergency landing here. My plane is basically inoperable, because I had a rough touchdown, thanks to all the dunes, and it is probably partially buried and full of sand by now. I would really need to get back to civilization somehow.
-Oh, so you aren't from around here either. Okay, don't worry... we can help you out of here. I- I kinda wish you'd stay tho... You are the first new and exciting thing around here in almost a year.
That left me thinking for a while. I really don't feel like I could stay for long. I am not exactly fit for this environment. On the other hand though, I wouldn't want to abandon Nico. He is really kind and hospitable, and there is also something special about him, that I can't quite put my finger on.
-For now, I would just like to see that village, and after that, I can decide whether to stay or not, alright?
-Well, okay. But don't go until the storm has passed. Navigating in a sandstorm is like trying to chase a wolf in fog.
-Good call, thank you for the advice.
-Oh, em... you don't have to thank me for that, it's- I don't want you to get lost or freeze, y'know...
-I um... I think the best idea would be to spend the remaining time until that with sleeping. We have to be well rested for a journey like that.
-Ye- yeah, you're right. Good night then, Ady!
-Good night Nico.
