DESERTED (NaNoWriMo Day 17 HWR)

DESERTED

The warm grainy expanse was all there was after being hit by a massive sandstorm. It must have been a tsunami of crusty winds blowing into their eyes and lungs. Half the city is buried underneath this sandy grave. What we call ground level now used to be the 10th floor of a high rise! Seems like an apocalypse had struck them. There's only one big orange sky, hot summers and an endless stretch of nothingness as far as the eyes can see. Inside this derelict, abandoned structure are hulking sand dunes around which I have to maneuver. What a wreck! The doors are almost dangling out of their hinges and the windows are totally non-existent.

Where was everyone? There was no escape from this desert-baked town. We've been sent on a rescue mission but I think we all have to return with a heavy heart. There's unlikely to be any survivors here…what a terrible way to go! The draperies on what used to be a window, flutter in the desert breeze…

I look out to see a shimmering sky pond in the midst of golden sands fringed by emerald palms.

I'm parched…I hobble towards it, ankle deep in sand with each step forward. I turn a deaf ear to the caution of my team. I want water…

I'm now knee-deep in the sand ! It feels like I've walked miles. But there's no sign of the pond! It was right outside! I can no longer hear the voices calling me. I turn around and there's only a vast desert!

Where had I walked to? I can't take a step forward…I drop down on the warm sand and it lulls me to sleep. Someone's covering me with a warm blanket. That feels so good…

Pic Courtesy: Pixabay

©️ Sangeetha Kamath

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