Never Let Me Go

Chapter 6 - Desert

The sun shone down on me like a burning beckon. It was blinding to all who dared look at it. The only though that was running through my head was one of Anita, that’s all that occupied my time now. Hoping, praying for her safety.

“Do you want some bread, son?” My head turned to the man who had told his story about his son last night. I took the breads with thanks. It was turning stale but anything at this place was a god send. I shared out my Kit Kats and protein bars. The people in my camp took them graciously and told me stories of their lives and their reasoning for trekking across the desert. One woman and her daughter were looking for refuge; they had travelled from the fighting cities to the outlands in hope of safety. As each story was shared over the nights in the freezing cold I couldn’t help but wonder why the world was such a brutal place. Countries lying and fighting over stupid things. Yet they all preach ways of wanting to change the war and claiming to wish for world peace as they terrorize villages in search of oil and fuel.

The hot wind stung my face as flecks of sand flew into my squinted eyes. I can’t stop anymore, it’s been too long. I need to see her. I need to feel her.

“Soldier!” I turned, pulling my scarf as close to my eyes without losing my sight as I could.

The woman seeking refuge was in the sand. Her daughter was sitting next to her shaking her shoulders, in an attempt to help her stand.

“Leave her, she’s exhausted.” The woman’s dark eyes turned up to look into mine. Her hand reached out towards me and I grasped it. Held it firm and pulled her up, cradling the small woman in my arms. I carried her like that for at least two hours before the storm had started to die and night began to fall. Sweat was running down my face like rivers and my breath was deep and raspy. A bottle of water was thrust into my hand and I gulped it greedily. The fire had been started and a blanket was thrown over me by the young daughter. She planted a dry kiss on my forehead and left me to sleep.

I was standing on a hill… watching two children. A young girl with small pigtails and a little boy with brown hair. The sun was setting and they sat next to each other watching the pink haze sink into the grass. The girl stood, her chubby fist lying on her hip as she pointed to the little boy. “We need to go home. Mummy will get scared if we aren’t home.” the boy also stood, looking at the young girl. “I don’t want to go home.” I smiled at the children, they reminded me of Anita and I, and this was the hill we met on after all. The two children suddenly turned to me smiling. Running to me and lunging at my legs. Fighting each other, I grinned. Holding them in my arms they pulled my hair and giggled.

“You were right Courtney; mummy will be scared if her babies aren’t home in their beds.” My son sulked, crossing his arms. “I’m a big boy now Daddy I can look after myself.” I walked with them both in my arms. “Either way Luke, grown up’s need to sleep too.”

We arrived at the house, the children running to the front door knocking loudly shouting ‘Mummy we’re home!’ ‘Mummy did you miss us!’ the door opened and my wife appeared. Looking beautiful, smiling at me before bending and letting them run into her arms for cuddles and kisses.  

“Did you like the hill my little adventurers?” they nodded, covered in grass stains and mud then ran into the house to get ready for bed, on strict instructions from their mother. She stood, a strand of hair covering her eye I stepped closer. Brushing it away and kissing her soft lips. “I missed you Lu.”

The dream shattered… oh why. Why couldn’t it be real?