Firestorm
Chapter 2 - Richard

I turn Lipton and mount her as she takes off after the others. The fireballs still streaming down from the skies making our exit quicker than I would have liked. Was my dad still alive? Part of the house was still standing. He could have moved out of the kitchen?

The horses have run, and without leadership they will surely meet their deaths. My emotions are in a state of turmoil as we continue to move forward. I turn my head to catch a last glimpse of the house, and the pain and heartache of everything I’ve lost washes over me. A heavy weight on my chest dwells as tears flood my eyes as I try to process the magnitude of my loss.

With courage and grit, we set out on the arduous journey through the unforgiving desert-like terrain.

The horses’ hooves resound loudly through the vast and empty landscape, their rhythmic cadence filling the air with echoes. The scent of burned earth wafts through the surroundings, and the intense heat is so oppressive that it makes it hard for me to breathe.

Up ahead, the horses have slowed, and we catch up to them. Exhaustion, now apparently taking its toll on all of them. At least they took off in the right direction. The rope I had clipped on Mazie’s head collar dragged along the ground so I grabbed it and at least I have her by my side.

I take the lead, and the others follow. Prior to the onset of this unbearable heat, we were already struggling to keep our herd of horses alive. With only about 30 remaining, as some of the older ones could not withstand the conditions prior to the last seven days’ heat, we trudge on.

It was supposed to be a two-hour trek, at least I thought it was. I’ve been out this way a few times to collect a lost horse, but I’m not seeing the rocky front of the supposed hidden lake.

Lipton’s feet drag along the ground, her breaths ragged and labored. The sun beats down on us, casting a blinding glare across the vast expanse of dry and dusty terrain that stretches out before us. My eyes blur as I strain to make out any sign of our destination on the horizon. The air is thick with the scent of sweat and parched earth, and I feel the heat radiating off the ground, seeping into my bones. Despite the exhaustion and disorientation, I push on.

The horses now trailed further behind me, and I halted Lipton. As we stood on the dry, cracked ground, I couldn’t help but wonder if I had made a mistake. The scorching sun beat down on us, and the only sound was the crunch of dirt under our feet. Dad had always insisted that there was a massive lake here, surrounded by vibrant green grass and trees that rustled in the gentle breeze. A secret oasis. But all I could smell was the dry burning air, and the heat radiating off the ground. Had we been mistaken to believe in this oasis?

As we stood, I couldn’t help but notice the eerie silence that surrounded us, not even a bird in the sky. My dad had always believed that an ancient Indian tribe inhabited this area, but now there was no sign of life. Wildfires have ravaged the land here, and it was a desolate scene. A sense of despair washes over me. Has the world’s destruction taken away our only hope for survival?

If we keep moving forward and fail to locate this place, the consequences will be fatal for all of us. Sweat drips down my face, and my heart beats frantically in my chest. Turning back now is not an option, for we are just as lost as we were when we started. Death lurks behind every turn, and I must keep us going, hoping that we will stumble upon our destination before it’s too late.

All the horses have now slowed and need encouragement to go on. I should be there by now. The heat haze doesn’t help my blurry vision and already my back is suffering under the heat.

I’ve dismounted Lipton, as she is struggling with my weight on top of her. As I trudge through the barren wasteland, my eyes scan the surroundings for any signs of life. A glimmer catches my eye, and I turn my attention to it. As I move closer, the glint grows brighter, and I realize it’s a reflection of some sort. My heart races with excitement, and a flicker of hope ignites within me. There are no fires which fill me with something positive.

Despite feeling utterly depleted, I urge Lipton to keep moving. My footsteps echo in the silence, along with the scuffing of hooves. The gritty sand grinds beneath my boots, kicks up dust filling my nostrils. With every step, my body aches, but the sight of that glimmer keeps me going.

“Just a little further,” I plead with Lipton. I’ve stopped and given handfuls of my water to the horses as much as I had.

As I draw closer, my vision blurs, and I’m delirious. But I push on, knowing that I must reach the water source to save myself and my horses. I have to believe it is real.

My legs buckle and I hit the dusty hot ground. A nudge from Lipton encourages me to burn my hands as I push myself up. A rocky face only a meter away from me. Where did that come from?

Hope is the word that fills me. I made it. On wobbly legs, I stand and luck must have been on my side as I find a gap wide enough for a single file to walk the horses through.

I feel a pulsating energy coursing through my body as a melodic voice beckons to me. The sound resonates within me, filling me with an otherworldly warmth that tingles my skin. The air is thick with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the sun’s rays create a vibrant display of colors around me. It’s as if the world listens to the voice, to join me in this transcendental moment.

Is this real, or is this my imagination?

The water in front of me shimmers in the bright sunlight, reflecting the lush green grass beneath me. As I collapse onto the soft blades, I feel the coolness of the blades against my skin. Taking a deep breath, I smell the fresh, earthy scent of the grass and the sweet aroma of blooming flowers nearby. My lungs fill with the crisp, moist air, replacing the dusty air that I have been breathing. Reaching out to the water, I hear the playful neighs of the horses in the distance, urging their companions to join them through the gap.

I made it.

With a parched throat and cracked lips, I scoop up a handful of the clear, cool water. As I bring it to my lips and take a sip, the moisture coats my lips and the water washes away the dry dust in my throat.

As I immerse myself in the refreshing water, my body celebrates the vitality it has granted. However, the overwhelming sensations cause me to tremble and strain under the weight of my emotions. The memory of my dad’s death relentlessly replays in my thoughts, and the feelings hit me like a wave, making me sob uncontrollably.

With the strain of everything, I collapse, and pass out with the dreams of a life that I wished for.

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