Dust in the Wind

[Jadedflames*]

((Simon Mattheson continued from Taste Your Beating Heart))

After leaving the cabin, Simon had oriented his map with the compass and had begun to move toward the town, by way of what appeared to be the narrowest point of the river. While walking, he had been drinking his water somewhat frivolously, planning to refill his canteens at the river, and wanting to stay at the top of his game. As he moved, he had also been looking out for any bits of useful debris the desert might have to offer. He had been surprised to find a length of wood, long enough to be used as a proper walking stave. He had smiled to himself, feeling a bit like Gandalf the Grey, walking along with a gnarled, sun-bleached staff.

Finally coming to the river, he found that the point he had planned to ford was quite a bit wider than he had originally thought. He sighed, and began to follow the river to the north, hoping to make the bridge before the cold that is the night in the desert.

There you go, Simon, it really is better alone, isn't it? How could you have even dreamed of staying with that girl in the cabin?

Yes, it was nice to be on his own, where there was no one to judge his awkward silences, but he still found himself thinking about Cameo. Was she all right on her own?

What does it matter? You won't really go back for her.

He frowned. Yes. Yes, I will.

No, you won't.

He frowned, and knelt beside the river, splashing his face and filling his canteens. No good arguing with himself. Whether or not he went back, she still remained stuck in his memory. He was screwing the top on his last bottle, and started to stand up. He had barely taken another step before he heard a voice drifting down the river, heard over the breifest of lulls. It was coming from the direction of his travel.

What will you do now, Simon?

The feelings Cameo had left him with gave him confidence that he might not have had before, and he set his jaw. He would just walk by them, skirting their conversation, and finish his journey to the bridge.

((Continued in Roaring Rapids of Hell))