𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (Book 1)

Chapter 19: Sinking in the Sands

ELEANOR

The bus ride had been brutal, and the aches in my back seemed unbearable as I tried to find a comfortable position. But despite the discomfort, there was a sense of relief in leaving New York behind. We were on our way to Arizona, the next step in our mission to free Beings from the clutches of the government.

I couldn't help but glance over at Zoe, who was absorbed in something on her phone. The headline that caught her attention soon had all of us wide awake.

"GOVERNMENT LIED."

Trending hashtags like #Freebeings were flooding social media. The mix of support and hate messages was overwhelming. It was surreal to see our cause gaining traction.

"Wow, this is all in support of us?" I mumbled, a glimmer of hope washing over me.

Zoe's response was more measured. "Not all of it. A lot of it is actually some hate."

Oliver, his disheveled blonde hair making him look even more tired, shrugged. "Well, we can't be surprised."

As the bus came to a stop, I couldn't help but feel a little more optimistic. Our journey was progressing, even if it was painfully slow. The phone Zoe had stolen informed us that we were in Indiana, but Arizona was still a long way off.

"We need a way to get to Arizona in a timely fashion," I suggested, scanning my surroundings for any signs of a solution.

Frank chimed in with his usual straightforwardness, "We could just take the bus until we get there."

For a brief moment, I agreed with Frank's idea, which put a smile on his face. But that was short-lived once Zoe explained why we couldn't.

"Hey!!" Frank protested.

Zoe clarified, "We're kind of on the famous side, and we don't want to risk being recognized."

I reluctantly added, "The bus is already gone. We don't have a way to get there besides walking, so we should at least get enough energy."

With a shared understanding, we disembarked and began our march through what felt like an endless desert. Hours stretched on, and the scorching sun showed no mercy. The heat was relentless, and I could feel myself growing weaker with every step.

Then, after what felt like an eternity of trudging through the desolation, I felt something shift beneath my feet. It was subtle but undeniable, a tremor in the sands. It sent a shiver down my spine.

"Guys, did you feel that?" I asked, using my telepathy to scan the area for any signs of life.

"You're just tripping, Eleanor," Oliver dismissed, not appearing concerned. "Probably one of those mirages."

But as we continued, the ground beneath us began to shift and churn. Panic surged as we tried to run, only to realize that we were trapped, sinking deeper into the sand. It was an eerie, suffocating sensation, and terror clawed at my chest.

The darkness closed in around us as we continued to sink, the sands swallowing us whole. In that terrifying moment, I couldn't help but wonder if our journey for freedom was coming to a premature end, swallowed by the unforgiving desert.

As we faced this unexpected peril, our dialogue, personalities, and emotions were at the forefront of our interactions. The gritty sands enveloped us, pulling us deeper into their clutches. Panic set in as we struggled against the relentless descent, our movements hampered by the encroaching sand.

"Guys, we need to do something!" I exclaimed, the urgency in my voice reflecting the desperation that was rapidly taking hold of us.

Oliver, usually the one with a plan, seemed just as bewildered as the rest of us. "I don't... I don't know what to do!"