Everyone knows mirages are a common thing in the desert. In the desert, the heat affects one's brain in strange ways. In the desert, the light reflects off the sand in strange ways. In the desert, simply being alone and thirsty for too long can cause one to think in strange ways. Everyone knows mirages are a common thing in the desert.

A poorly-defined form appeared in the distance. The shape stretched and compressed, divided and came together again. The edges were wavy lines, and the color was undiscernible. However, as the thing grew larger, closer, it slowly became easier to see. It was a creature. It was a person. It was a man. He appeared to be wearing a clean, white robe that reached all the way down to his ankles. His hair was as dark as the night sky, and as messy as that of someone who had just rolled out of bed minutes ago. His skin was as pale as a full moon on a clear summer night, and a close inspection of his face would reveal that his eyes were bloodshot, shadowy, and poorly focused, like those of someone suddenly jarred from their sleep in the middle of the night. The irises didn't seem to have a set color: they gradually changed from green to blue to brown and back again, touching on every hue in-between. A silken sashed crossed the man's chest, with a scabbard attached to the back that was made of a soft, pillowy material. The weapon it held was difficult to focus on: its form was only halfway perceptible, like the echoes of a forgotten dream seconds after waking. Still, it seemed to be a sword of some kind.

Hytric (for that was the odd character's name) slowly made his way toward Tarelyk. He had no idea who this person was, or what he was doing out in the middle of the desert, but then Hytric didn't really know what he was doing out there either. His movements were labored, as if he was nearly completely sapped of strength. Still, they were constant, and before long he was close enough to shout to the other person. So he did.

"Hello there, friend! Beautiful day, isn't it?"

-- an imitator of the Author of Life.

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." Eph 5:1 (NKJV)
Last Edited By: Reverie 11/15/08 11:44 PM. Edited 1 times.