Do You Trust Me?

Promise

The vehicle was cramped and warm from the sun, with a thin layer of sand dusting the floorboards. There was only room enough for Alex and the creature - Vewsepian? - in the front, so Amy had to crawl over the metal seats to a bench in the back. Both were made of a loosely weaved metal, leaving warm impressions against her palms.

The carriage had no windows, only narrow openings along the sides. Amy slid along the seat and pulled her legs underneath her to get  a better look outside. The motor started with a cough, and they went off. There wasn't anything other than sand in the landscape, but she couldn't help but stare. How often does one get to visit another planet?

Another planet...Amy suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. She was millions of miles - possibly even years - if what Alex said about the time line was true - from home. Amy shook her head, beads of sweat flying off of her hair along with her thoughts. Alex said that he would find a way, and she trusted him. That simple.

The vehicle had only three wheels, one in front and two in back. They shook and stumbled over the sandy terrain but the carriage was held steady by stilts. It reminded Amy of the rovers that had been sent up to mars.

As Amy studied the surroundings that were passing by in a blur, Alex conversed with the Vewsepian. He steered with two of his hands, long spindly fingers wrapped around an angular steering wheel. His other two arms gestured around, most likely complaining about the recent weather changes.

The beautiful voices bounced and echoed around the thin metal vehicle, and slowly Amy's eyelids slid shut against the sun.

* * *

Amy woke with a jump, startled by her name and a hand on her shoulder. Alex was leaning over her, hair covering his eyes. "Are we there?"

Alex shook his head, the curtain of hair sliding away from his eyes for a fraction of a second. "Not yet, it's just a little while away."

She sat up, rubbing messy strands of hair off of her face. "Then why did you -?" she was interrupted by Alex's jacket smacking into her face as he tossed it over the seat.

"A sand-storm is on the way. Use it to protect your eyes."

Amy started to argue, wondering what Alex would use to protect himself. But she saw the stubborn set of his shoulders and kept quiet, wrapping the sleeves around her mouth and nose. Peeking cautiously out the window, she saw that the storm was just a cloud on the horizon. They were passing through a small settlement, that appeared to have formerly been a farm. 

Thin, charred-looking stalks wilted under the sun like soldiers hanging their heads in defeat. The ocean had obviously been missing for quite a while. Amy looked up, staring at the back of Alex's head. Hopefully he would be able to save this planet, just as he had saved her from the fire.

* * *

Alex and Amy stepped out of the vehicle and into the blinding shade of a sand-stone building. Alex leaned over and placed a hand on one of the Vewsepian's thin arms, nodding his head down in thanks.

The city was bustling with people, gathering around square buildings that either burrowed beneath the sand or reached up into the maroon sky. The vehicle rode off into the midst of the crowd, waving goodbye with plumes of sand.

"Where are we heading now?" Amy asked, running her fingers along the side of one of the buildings. It was covered in brick-like sand, which crumbled away at places to reveal a triangular weaved pattern of metal, the building's framework.

Alex pointed to a tall spire-like structure. It shone, panes of metal reflecting away the sun. "There. It's a launch station, as well as an observatory. We will be able to get to the cloud from here."

Amy nodded. She wasn't sure what Alex would be able to do once he was in the cloud, but it seemed that he had a plan stored away somewhere in his mind. They took their first steps into the city, anchoring their resolve.

Colorful cloth tents lined up alongside the buildings, swaying against the wind. Beneath their shade gathered many beings, multiple arms clutching on to the tents' supports. As Amy passed the Vewsepians stared at her, long eyelashes blinking over shining black orbs. They were bizarre looking, but she didn't feel threatened.

They found themselves at the observatory. Amy had to crane her neck to see the very top, a thin and crooked needle that looked like a roughly wittled toothpick. The entrance was just a square opening in the center of the tower. Thin, translucent curtains swayed apart as Alex stepped in. Amy scrambled into the tower after him, where he was standing by another doorway.

"What's that?" she asked, blood pumping.

"The observatory." he answered, stepping through. Dozens of the Vewsepians hurried around the room, checking monitors and dials. The ceiling soared over their heads and warm, humid air lazily strolled over Amy's skin. At the very back of the room was a screen, showing the cloud as it swirled and swelled over itself.

An alarmed cough rang out from one of the Vewsepians, one of her arms pointing as every head turned on Alex and Amy. A deep sweeping sounded from her throat, taking flight at the end. Amy didn't speak the language, but it wouldn't be a stretch to translate it as "Who are you?"

Alex sang out reassuring notes, holding his hands out gently. Amy could tell from the way the corners of his eyes softened yet his pupils remained steady with determination that he was asking,

"Do you trust me?"