The Story of Shara.
Frustrated, you start to look for clues in your surroundings.
There is nothing. Other than this crater and these tools and this girl… what happened here? We need to get somewhere or get in contact with other people… still no bars on my phone, and still no words from this girl. She looks weird, but she’s beautiful. And she seems calm, she’s just kind of staring. But every once and a while she looks at the crater in some weird way. How did that get here? Agh! It’s so frustrating! Why can’t I remember anything?
The warm desert evening is comfortable enough, but you can tell you’re thirsty.
”Come on, we’re going to go find some water. We can’t just sit here all day.”
You say, not expecting a response. Picking yourself up, you gesture toward the girl to come with you. Slowly, she raises to her feet. Something feels weird about her, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.
You both begin to walk in a direction that for some reason you feel is the right way. While walking, you contemplate who you are, and how you came to there. You seem to remember unconnected things, like the name of the rocks you pass by. Some of the flora…
Time passes, and you begin to feel hungry as well. You’re starting to remember a few things in flashes here and there.
Nice! Some greenery, you know that where there is greenery in the desert, there is also water. Salvia Columbariae - or- desert chia. It must be spring time. Though edible, they are not a viable food source because to harvest any meaningful amount we would need to harvest hundreds of plants. But it’s a good sign regardless… If only I could find aloe.
You both trudge on. Silently. You’re starting to get worried. Maybe she has it worse than you, I mean her eyes look blank. You decide to try again to probe, and see how she’s doing. But first, let’s find a good spot to rest. The sun will set soon and the desert can catch you off guard, if you don’t check your rest area.
After some time, you guys come upon an open spot on the desert floor. Clear of any debris or foliage. It’s tucked behind a little knoll, perfectly serving as a backdrop to catch the final rays of sun.
”Let’s take a break here for now. Are you doing alright?” You ask, hopeful that she will answer.
Something stirs behind her eyes. Her lips move as though she’s about to form a word but nothing comes out. Progress!
”Okay, I’m going to ask you a few questions. I’m thinking maybe you can’t understand me, but I’m a little confused and anxious myself so this will help me as well.”
You’re thinking out loud, but she seems engaged and it’s comforting company — the walk itself was so estranging. There’s something about her. It’s weird, it feels odd to be around her, like a part of you feels some sort of dread or fear, and the other part feels warm in a way you’re sure you’ve never experienced before.
”Okay, so. I have a few tools. A phone that I can’t access… Gosh, my mind is a zoo.” You trail off.
Something clicks. Her posture visibly becomes more form. Less formless. Her eyes gain a certain clarity.
”Did I say something wrong? What’s the matter?”
”Nothing, I needed the lexicon of your language before I could make sense of anything you have said.”
Fear fills you to your core. Her voice is not human. It’s harmonic. It sounds like she has three voices, haunting and beautiful, but not human. Her eyes cut through you like knives. Suddenly the fact that her gray skin “makeup” hasn’t faded, and that she has unnaturally yellow eyes stand much more to you. You want to run, but your body won’t move. Your mouth won’t speak.
-to be continued-
What’s up guys? Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to read my story. I’m going to continue it, open ended. But it is very much an exercise and practice. I will revisit and make edits to what I write here, and re-release it as a short story someday.
So, I sprained my ankle pretty bad today. It’s uhh pretty disappointing. I’ve been taking care of myself and getting into better health habits and this is very much a speedbump in the road. But if there’s one thing that this year, and years past has taught me it’s that challenges excite me… like I am so upset that it happened, but I’m also very excited to heal myself. It’s an opportunity to take care of myself, and see how well I can recover. See how well I can practice discipline and how well I know my body.
To think, we can glimpse hell and heaven without dying. What a beautiful life we live. So full of opportunities. Chalked full of roads and people, endless possibility. Endless opportunity. The world is such a beautiful and curious place, and I hope to one day find my place in it.
Wishing you all the best.
As always,
Stay warm.
DC
