The Heat of Fire

Chapter 9

My boots have developed several holes, so hot sand pours onto my bare feet with every step. We've been dragging on and on through this desert for hours, and my clock says 12:00. My stomachs rumbles, and my mouth has never been more dry. My shoulder are covered with my extra bandages, so they won't get sunburned. But my arms are already peeling and glistening red. I can understand why it was so difficult to populate the west so many years ago.

We've come across a more sandy desert now, so when the wind blows, sand is pushed into our faces. Dante and I chat a little bit, behind the rest of the group, to ensure that no one falls behind. We are busy talking about our school experiences.

"Yeah, Mr. Zlen was hilarious! He always was trying to keep up with the trends. There are so many jokes from that class," Dante snorting with laughter.

"That's too bad. I wish I had him! I had Mr. Button." We laugh at the name. "He bought candy for the class, and would just sit and eat it in the back of the classroom the whole time. And then he claimed that we ate all of it, and stole it too!"

"Jeez. Teachers are weird. I guess none of them are really trained well. They follow what the government tells them to do exactly." Dante says, coming to a stop and shielding his dark eyes with his hand.

"I think I can see a building over there!" He points excitedly ahead.

I follow his arm, and suddenly have the thought, "run ahead. Leave everyone behind. You know you can't survive with them." It's like a command. I shake my head, my feet coming to a stop. "Kick the sand in their faces and run ahead. Now." This is the first time I've had one of these episodes in months. One of my feet steps ahead, but I quickly move it back. There is constant arguing in my head.

Go. Right now.
No! I can't leave them behind.
You know you want to go.
No.
There might be water there. If you get there first you will have all of it.
Stop! I do not want to leave them behind. I am not selfish.

I begin to count to 38, a special number. I feel warm sand on my knees, and am suddenly aware that I had sunk to my knees. I hear Dante asking me something, but all I can hear is the voice in my head, commanding me. I shake my head again.

I mutter under my breath," You are not going to leave." Over and over again. Precisely 46 times.

The voice retreats, and I release a breath of relief. But this relief is only temporary. I know it will be back.

"Naomi! Are you ok?!" Dante asks, kneeling in front of me.

I look up at him, and my black eyes look around me.

"I'm ok." I say in a small voice. He helps me up, and pulls me into a warm, comforting hug. I feel tears in my eyes as we break away.

"What happened?" Dante asks, concerned.

"I'll tell you later. When we get there." I reply, noticing that the group had stopped and was looking back at us.

He nods, before saying, "Let's go you guys! We're almost there!" In a cheery voice. He looks at me, before following the moving pack.

I am silent, and my eyes are on full alert for any sign of life. The walk to the buildings in the distance has taken longer than anyone expected. It's been exactly 56 minutes, and my watch reads, 1:04.

I suddenly hear Noelle shout, "look, over there! There's a shack or something!" I see her running a few steps over. The rest of the group follows.

When we all reach the shack, Dante and I take a look around outside, while the others sit down, resting in the shade of the roof. I spot a striped piece of wood, and a metal door.