Something to lose…

He didn’t remember much as he woke up, he only remembered that he should have been dead.

The confusion struck him deep as soon as he opened his eyes, his vision was blurred & all what he could hear was her soft sabot-wearing footsteps on the stone ground of the log. There was no mirror for him to look at himself, yet he could feel what was wrong with him… his face & almost-bald head were covered by layers of dust & thin lines of blood, his arms were sore & full of scratches all over them, & his shirt’s sleeves were torn away from them, & the shirt could barely held itself together to cover his torso despite the many slashes it had. His lips weren’t in a better state as they were swollen & bruised.

He was still alive, but he was a physical wreck, nonetheless.

“You woke up.” He heard her as his vision was getting clear. He was lying down on some not-so-comfortable cushions.

“Where am I? & who are you?” He murmured as he tried to get up on his arms, only to let out a short cry as his body screamed out of pain.

“You better save those usual questions for later & have some rest.” She said as she approached him with a small bowl that was half-filled with an antiseptic with cotton pieces immersed in it.

She was a little bit shorter than him, with wavy black hair that cascaded down to the middle of her back with some of its curls flying over her face aimlessly, her chin was round & she had apple cheeks, her eyes were just like his own, dark & sharp but clearly deeper & more beautiful. She was neither too thin nor too fat. She wore a long black dress that made her look like a Bedouin… yet her looks made her more of one of those old tales’ gypsies.

“Where am I?” He ignored her advice.

She closed her eyes & let out a deep sigh before answering him: “You don’t remember anything, do you?”

He shook his head no, his memory was still blurred.

“I can’t think of a right way to describe it, but there were those two men who were obviously trying to beat you to death, & apparently, they have made it half way through.” She answered as she started to rub his right arm with the cotton piece, pointing at his several injuries & bruises that spread over his thin yet strong form.

Her words have lightened up that dark spot in his memory, he remembered fighting those two as he regretfully bit on his lips as he remembered how he has been fooled by them, he let his guard down & he didn’t even get a chance to use his…

“The rifle!” He suddenly shouted in dismay.

“You are looking for this?” She said as she pointed at something behind her, he stretched his neck & looked to see his dear old Remington rifle hung on the wall that faced the door of the room he was in.

“Your horse is safe as well. I don’t mean to gloat, but you’re lucky that I’ve appeared at that exact timing.” She continued as she started to rub his other arm.

The light spot in his darkened blurred mind started to widen itself as he continued to remember.

He remembered leading them to some point down the old stone pits, & at some point, for no specific reason, they have decided that he’s of no use for them anymore. He was on his horse, & they were on theirs for most of the way till he jumped off of it to check where they were, to make sure he’s going the right way.

Then it all has happened so quickly, the heavy stone that hit his head from behind, the kick one of them planted in his side forcing him to roll over.

He recovered quickly & fought back, he tried to use his rifle but they kicked it away from him, it hasn’t been long before they overpowered him & beat him to the ground, his consciousness started to fade away quickly from the severe beating he received, but before he blacked out, he could see it; a flying arrow that came out of nowhere & hit the sands near their feet. They have frozen there for a moment before one of them made a run for the rifle, only for him to get another arrow in his shoulder.

“The arrows… that was you.” He mumbled weakly as his body ached him. She didn’t confirm his conclusion, but she didn’t deny it either.

“Did they leave that easily?” He asked, trying to break her out of her irritating silence.

“No… I had to kill them off.” She said calmly as she picked up another cotton piece & started to clean the wounds of his head.

He starred at her in shock, she didn’t seem she like she could do something like that. She gazed back at him without stopping her work, allowing him to look deeper into herself, but he didn’t find much readable things there. He could see something familiar to him there, though… he could see ruthlessness that was carved perfectly by pain that has been living there for too long & lots of unpleasant memories. They stayed like that for what seemed to be eternity.

“Who are you?” He asked as he glared at her hands, on her wrist, he could see a small trail of a long scar that – as he deduced – hid under her long sleeve.

“Names are irrelevant here, stranger.” She coldly stated as she finished her work & stood up to return the bowl to its place.

“Well, at least give me something I can call you with.” He mumbled as he raised his eye brows in confusion. She poured water from an old bronze flask and washed the bowl without answering him.

He sighed as he realized he’s not getting any answers to his question, he laid his head back down & looked at the surroundings, the room, & the whole log was made of wood, so was most of the furniture pieces, which were few in the room; only the small table that sheltered his rifle, a chair, & a couple of shelves. His eyes froze on the wall on his left where a bow was hung on it; the quiver, which was filled with arrows, was hung from its belt next to it.

“Where am I?” He repeated his first question.

“You won’t take this for an adequate answer, but “in the middle of nowhere” is the best description I can come up with.” She answered casually as put the bowl on one of the shelves, turned around & walked out of the room, shortly after; she came back with a few plastic bags of ice.

“Try a better description, Carmen.” He said with a slightly angry look, referring to the titular gypsy of that old infamous opera.

“It won’t work, stranger… I can tell that you know nothing about this desert.” She said as she kneeled down next to him & started to place the bags over his bruises. she was clearly angered by the nickname he has given her.

“You would be surprised to find out how wrong you are, my guardian angel.” He chuckled sarcastically after a moment of silence.

“I could have let them kill you there. So be thankful that I didn’t, & stay quiet.” She hissed through her teeth angrily as she finished her work & stood up.

“Why did you save me then?” He asked coldly as he looked her right in her eyes.

“I didn’t, I was saving the horse.” She countered as she pulled the chair close to him & sat down on it.

He laughed shortly at her silly joke, only to realize that she wasn’t actually joking.

“Well, I understand… I’m a vet so I’m totally familiar with the urge of saving the animals. But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t leave me there to die, anyway.” He questioned her as he slowly pulled himself up to set on the cushions.

“I’m not like them.” She answered quickly as if she was expecting his question.

“Yeah, obviously… They weren’t your first kill, were they?” He smirked as he pointed with his head at her bow. He gasped in surprise when she suddenly reached for the table behind her, grabbed a sharp knife & placed the tip of its blade near his neck.

“Let me make it clear for you, stranger, & listen carefully because I don’t repeat myself. You know nothing about me… I’m not a gypsy, & sure as hell, I’m not your guardian angel. & don’t you dare to think that I like the idea of having someone in my house.” She sneered as she held her hand steady against his neck, showing that she has no problem at executing her unspoken threat.

“That makes two of us, lady, if you would let me call you so, of course.” He said as he widened his smirk, not intimidated for the least bit by her knife.

“Such an ungrateful attitude for someone who has just got his life saved.” She commented as she bent forward to look closer at him.

“I’m not used to being saved.” He admitted coldly, causing a curtain of silence to cascade over them before she finally pulled her knife back & placed it on the table.

“You better have some rest.” She advised as she got up to leave the room.

“No, I’m getting out of here.” He said as he slowly got up on his feet & walked forward, only for him to cry out in pain & stumble down as he held his ankle.

“Your bruises need the ice to be applied to them for at least an hour, then we will have to apply hot water to it as well. Your ankle is hurt badly. & I know that you don’t have any cellphones, I’ve searched your pockets. So unfortunately for both of us, you wouldn’t be able to go anywhere for a few days.” She didn’t even turn to look at him as she walked out of the room.

“You looked into my po… Oh! Damn it!” He groaned as he pulled himself back to cushions. Moments later, she returned back with a tray that held two bowls & a flask of water.

“I had to make sure you don’t carry any other weapons… I take it that you are hungry.” She explained as she placed the tray near him.

“Well… thanks, I guess.” He said through his teeth as his ankle was still set on fire.

She didn’t offer him any more words as she got out of the room quickly, leaving him for his injuries & unanswered questions.

Day 2

“You never learn, do you?” She exhaled as she walked into his room the next morning, he was struggling to get up on his feet & walk.

“I need to go to the bathroom, if you have any.” He panted as he leaned on the table to walk forward, his bones were aching him, begging him to stop & just lay down.

She nodded before she walked out & came back with a wooden stick.

“The door to the left.” She pointed out as she gave him the stick; he nodded in return as he used the stick to walk his way out of the room & into the bath. She could hear his struggling pants & groans as she put the scattered cushions back to their places & cleaned the little mess he has caused.

She stopped momentarily when she found his wallet lying under one of them, she gave it a thought for the briefest moment before reaching out for it & opening it.

“Not much to be stolen.” She thought as she looked at the few money papers that were there, then something else caught her attention. A small old photo covered with scratches & stains that was carefully placed in a see-through pocket. In the photo, there was a young man & another one who was obviously much older than him. The resemblance between the two told her that they were a father & son, & that the son was no one but the man who is in her bathroom right now.

She gave the photo an empty stare before closing the wallet & returning it carefully to its place, she sat on the chair. A few minutes later, he finally got out.

“That was harder than I thought.” He grunted as he laid himself down on the cushions.

“How far is your city?” She asked as she gave him a piece of cloth & pointed to his ankle. He looked at her & panted for a few moments before finally answering “Why do you insist that I’ve come from a city?”

“Where did you come from, then?” She asked as a little spark has found its way to her buried curiosity.

“Nowhere… I’m just like you.” He answered as he wrapped the cloth around his ankle.

“Just like me?” She stammered as she raised her eye brows.

“Yeah, you know… I’m running away from something, as well.” He hesitated for a moment before declaring his conclusion. She gazed at him with her deep eyes, his words struck something deep inside her, something that she thought she has hidden so well that no one will ever be able to reach it.

“I apologize if I s…” He cut his words immediately as he heard a dog barking outside the log. She stood up quickly & went to the only window in the room, opened it slightly & peeked outside.

“You have a dog?” His eyebrows met for a second as he asked her.

“I’m a shepherd, what do you think?” She replied quickly, grateful that he had turned the conversation to some other point.

“I didn’t know.” He murmured as she whistled for the dog & hushed him gently.

“Well, now you do.” She said as she closed the window & returned to the chair. “Let me rephrase my question, where do you live?” she continued.

“I’m a farmer, I have a farm & a manor a few miles away from the old stone pits.” He answered her.

“A farmer?” She doubted before continuing “What about your family? Do they live with you there?”

“My father is dead.” He stated.

“I’m sorry.” She nodded. “What about the rest of the family?”

“He’s dead.” He repeated in pithiness.

She stared at him for a long moment before understanding what he meant, that she had come too close to the walls of the fortress he’s keeping his painful secrets & memories in.

“I’m going to get you something to eat.” She said as she got up to end the conversation, but that hit he gave to that dark spot inside her kept on echoing inside her mind for the rest of the day.

Day 3:

“Do you feel better?” She asked casually as she walked into the room.

“A little bit, yeah.” He said as he rubbed his forehead with his palm.

“I thought you would need it.” She said as she approached him with a clean yet old dark shirt in her hands.

“Your shirt is horrifically useless.” She pointed out.

“Who does it belong to?” He asked casually.

“None of your bloody business.” She answered, & he didn’t comment.

“How could you tell?” She hesitated for a long moment before finally asking him.

“Excuse me?” He required an explanation as he looked up at her.

“You said yesterday that we are like each other… why did you say that?” She rephrased her question nervously.

“Oh… Yeah, about that.” He chattered as he tried to look away.

“Answer me.” She demanded as she sat down, declaring that she’s not going away before getting answers.

“I… I just concluded it after seeing your scar.” He stammered in an apologizing tone.

“You mean that?” She asked as she brushed her hair behind her back, revealing the side of her neck where a long visible scar has been carved.

“Damn. I didn’t see that one; I meant the one on your wrist.” He murmured as he felt sorry for her.

“This?” She said as pushed her sleeve up a little bit, revealing the other scar carved there.

“Yeah.” He nodded.

“That’s not an enough to make you say what you said.” She argued.

“Maybe… but I could easily tell, you are not making a great effort to hide both of them, I don’t recall seeing a Bedouin who doesn’t wear a veil. It’s like you are hiding them so that you won’t see them when you look in the mirror, but in the same time, you want any stranger to see them so that they would know that you are not someone they should mess with. You hate what caused them but their effects give you some sort of an armor to hide behind.” He explained.

“You’re talking like you know what has caused them.” She growled, feeling angry that he has come so close to the truth.

“I don’t, but the scars’ locations, plus the fact that you are a female Bedouin who is living alone… they all tell a story better than a thousand words.” He continued.

She couldn’t find any words to say, she felt so vulnerable for being so… exposed. She looked away from him, trying to prevent him from revealing any more secrets.

“I’m sorry… but you asked for an explanation.” He apologized.

She didn’t answer; she just swayed her hand in a meaningless gesture.

“Did I hit the truth?” He hesitated before letting his curiosity out.

“Let’s just say you were right.” She mumbled in a voice tone that she tried to make it sound cold, she remained silent for a moment before continuing: “Those two men who attacked you weren’t my first kill… not my second, either.”

He shook his head as he realized what she meant before asking: “Is that why you escaped your tribe?”

She didn’t dare to say any more words, & he understood why.

“I really need to get a long bath.” He sighed as he grabbed the wooden stick & pulled himself up, he guessed that it would be better for her if he left her alone for a while. & right he was, for as he walked out of the room, he could her breathing heavily, & the sound of her breath easily told him that she was struggling to keep her tears behind their steel bars. But he didn’t dare to announce his conclusion this time.

Day 6

It’s been three days ever since their not-so-pleasant conversation, & silence has spread its curtain all over the place, safe for greetings & a few “how do you feel?” questions.

In the fifth day he went out to check on his horse, only to find out that she has a horse herself, too. & he could feel her as she intently observed him. But they never dared to shatter the silence that engulfed them, & they didn’t want to, either.

That night shouldn’t have been any different, but it was.

He remember setting there, waiting for the unknown. & though she never did anything that would make him feel humiliated, he did feel so as he sat silently in the room. He was lying down on the cushions, trying to get to sleep in an attempt to temporarily kill his boredom.

That was when he heard her as she walked into his room & across it to her bow & arrows in strides, breathing dreadfully as she picked them up & strapped the quiver to her back, wasting no time as she held the bow tightly in her hands & loaded it with one of the arrows as she walked out.

“What’s going on?” He groaned as he got up quickly, his pain was getting easier for him to deal with, but it was still a pain, nonetheless.

She didn’t answer him, but he realized it on his own as he heard the sound of her dog as he barked & growled loudly only to be overcome by a wolf’s howls.

He stood there for a moment, and then he easily made up his mind as he suffered to get up quickly, he pulled his leg behind him like a heavy sack as he got out of the room, grabbed his rifle, stepped out of the log & examined the scenery. The dog was engaged in a fight with three wolves who surrounded it, it seemed obviously outnumbered, but its teeth were sharpened and bared, ready & willing to fight nonetheless.

The woman was standing there, with her bow steady in her hand she pulled its string & the arrow’s tail, she didn’t take long to aim at her target as she quickly let go of the arrow that cut its way mercilessly through the air to rest in the neck of one of the wolves that howled out loud in pain before it howls got lower as it finally expired. She picked up another arrow & loaded it but she couldn’t shoot it right away as she found it difficult to get a clear shot of the wolf that fought furiously against her dog, it seemed to be the alpha male of the small pack.

He picked up his rifle, leaned his body to a nearby rock as he found trouble in standing steady & took aim at the wolf, he took a deep breath & pulled the trigger, barely missing the dog & killing the wolf. The lead explosion has forced her to jump in her place as she gasped out of panic. She turned around to look at him as he took aim again, the third wolf started to retreat carefully as it realized that it’s the last surviving member of the pack.

He stumbled forward to get a good aim of the last wolf, he didn’t wait to stop & shoot from a steady position as he took one more step forward & shoot the bullet, it missed the wolf which immediately started to run, driven by his basic instinct as he clutched the air with his claws for his life.

The rifle’s reaction has never been a problem for him, but in his wrecked state, it must have been. It pushed him back & his body couldn’t regain its balance as quick as it should have, forcing him to fall on his back.

“Why did you get out?” She shouted angrily as she hurried to him.

“& you were saying that I was being ungrateful?” He panted sarcastically as he rested on the ground.

“I didn’t need your help! I could have handled them on my own!” She let out an angry groan as she put her bow back to its holster on her back as she continued: “& I’ve been trying to stay quiet ever since I have lived here to avoid any unwanted attention, so thank you for ruining that. Now, we can brace ourselves for any unwanted visitors.”

He was about to shoot another sarcastic reply, when she signed to him with her index finger, ordering him silently to stay quiet. As he did, he could hear it, the soft agonized barks of her dog.

“Oh, god! Oh god, no, please!” She muttered dreadfully as she hurried to her dog. He lifted his torso up on his elbows as he followed her with his eyes, she got to the dog &, slowly, let herself fall down to her knees, clearly shocked by what she’s seen as she covered her mouth by her hand in a desperate attempt to not let any sounds out, but he could hear her sobbing quietly. It didn’t take long before she extended her arms under its body, holding it on them & getting up as she hugged the dog passionately.

She turned around & run her way back to the log.

“What happened to him?” He asked her as he got himself up.

“One of the wolves injured him… badly.” She said as she fought to kill the stream of tears that went down her face. He took a look at the dog, its front legs were severely bitten by the wolves.

“Don’t worry, the injury is tough, but it can be cured,” He said as he rubbed the dog’s head softly, examining its pleading eyes in process.

“& you know that because??” She asked skeptically.

“I’m a vet.” He mumbled as he looked around him before he rested his sight on a large piece of cloth that was hung out to dry outside the log.

“You are?” She asked, a glimpse of hope has found its way to her heart & voice tone.

“I know my memory is not working effectively ever since the accident, but I remember telling you this when I first came here.” He said as he grabbed the piece of cloth & put it on a soft spot in the sands, she couldn’t help but wondering how did she forget that.

“Put him down.” He helped her as she gazed at him. “In the sack that’s hung to my horse’s left side, you will find a small white box; bring it to me, if you please.”

She didn’t wait for him to finish the request as she rushed to his horse & returned with it.

“Can you cure him?” She eagerly asked him as she gave him the box.

“I will do my best.” He murmured as he opened the box, it included wash clothes, antidotes & a couple of small plastic bottles that she could hardly read the label on one of them that said “Sterile Salin Solution” some of the contents looked a little bit strange to her, but she noticed a fair resemblance between it & the first aid package she keeps.

“Bring me the lantern, please.” He requested.

“Excuse my curiosity, but I find it strange to carry around a medical kit in the desert.” She asked with angled eye brows as she returned with the lantern..

“Well, in a place like the desert, it would be stupid to believe that you can go out every day with your horse & come back safely. It’s just a precaution of safety.” He explained as he used one of the wash clothes’ pieces to press on the dog’s wound to help stop the bleeding.

“I get it.” She stuttered as she observed him.

“Alright, don’t get me wrong, but you should get back to the log.” He suggested without looking at her

“There’s no way I’m leaving Sam like that with y…!” She stated firmly.

“This will not be a nice thing to watch, trust me.” He interrupted her as he expected her objection.

She kept quiet for a moment, thinking quickly about it before something inside her assured her that she can trust him, she hesitantly got up & walked back into the log only to get into his room & open the window slightly to watch.

He was totally caught up in his work, obviously passionate about it, & though he never looked back at her, he could clearly hear her chopped pants as she sobbed quietly.

She lost count of how long it took him to finish his work, but she never lifted her eyes off of him & the dog until he wrapped the injured with clean bandages & then covered them by cohesive bandages before he held him on his fore arms, he clearly suffered to get up on his injured legs & feet & walk with the weight he’s carrying.

She rushed out to help him in carrying the dog.

“Let me help you,” she said as she took the dog from his hands & kissed its head repeatedly before placing him in a small kennel that she built for him.

“He will need intensive care for the next few days; I’ll give him some antidotes that will help him in recovering.” He murmured before biting on his lips in regret as he realized that he’s just talked as if he’s going to stay here forever. The idea irritated him, but something deep inside gloated, something that frightened him,

“I guess I have to thank you after all.” She nodded as she brushed her hair behind her head.

“No problem.” He coldly replied, thanking god that she didn’t comment on his previous indirect rude assumption.

“Well, I think that makes us even.” She raised her eye brows as she looked him in the eyes, piercing him as she tried to dig into his depths.

“Even? So you actually equal my life to your dog’s?” He asked with raised eye brows, causing her to look away as she felt slightly embarrassed before he continued “Wow, I thought I would easily lose to him. Thank god.”

Her eye brows have met for a second before she let out a short soft chuckle that revealed her white teeth & rolled her eyes back as she understood what he meant.

“Wow… you can actually smile, & you do it good.” He said as he was really fascinated to see her laugh for the first time. Blood rushed quickly to her apple cheeks as her face restored its cold expression in a comic manner.

“Ummm… hungry?” She stammered as she rushed back to the log.

“Very.” He sighed as he watched her, with that thing deep inside him glowing brighter, & his helpless fear from it grew more furious.

Day 7

“Morning.” He greeted her as he stepped out of the log the next day, she was setting outside on a stone bench, scattering the sands with a thin stick in her hand, with some of the sheep wondering aimlessly around her.

She raised her head to look at him as she replied softly: “Morning.”

They gazed at each other for a moment before he asked: “Ummm… how is Sam?”

“I gave him the medicine. He seems to get better, but I can’t tell precisely of course.” She assured.

“Good. Good.” He repeated as he looked around, stopping the skinned body of a wild rabbit that was hung by a pole above a small pit of fire.

“It won’t take long.” She pointed out.

“It’s ok. I’m not that hungry.” He said as he turned to face her again “Do you mind if I took a seat?” He asked as he pointed to the bench she was setting on.

“Please,” She answered casually. He sat down next to her, though keeping a recognizable distance between both of them.

“So you are not a farmer after all, are you?” She asked as she looked at the sands she was messing with.

“I didn’t lie about that, I inherited this farm from my father, he has bought this land when it was all yellow, & he made it what it is today through many years of passionate hard work.” He sighed as he defended himself against her rather polite accusation. “I left my job after his death to come & live here. & anyone can tell that I’m a better vet than a farmer or a desert man, I mean up till this day I still leave signs on the roads I travel so that I won’t get lost. But I won’t go back, I want to live here.”

“You mean to run away…” She murmured as she raised her eyes to look at him, hammering the walls of his dark castle of secrets carefully.

“Yeah… in a manner of speaking.” He said as he slowly let his guard down, he wasn’t happy about it, he was experiencing a fear that he hasn’t felt in a very long time.

“You never really told me what happened with those men who were trying to kill you.” Her own words have got her confused… she was talking as if they were old friends.

“Ummm… they weren’t really trying to kill me, they were trying to steal me, but they didn’t mind ending my life for that.” He answered, barely leashing his wraith from being visible in his voice tone as he recalled what happened.

“But from the trails your horse & theirs have left, I could tell that you have been traveling together for a long distance, as if you were guiding them.” She thought.

“You are a skilled desert woman.” He let a smirk stretch slightly over his face before he continued: “I was fooled by them, two days ago, they stopped by my manor. You know the old story, they said they were lost & exhausted & need some rest, so I let them in. I was guiding them to the nearest high way for them to find something that would take them back home… & you know the rest.” The anger in his voice tone was getting higher with every word.

She shook her head meaning yes before asking him: “Do you regret it?”

“I was fooled, hell yes I regret it.” He stammered as he bent over &\ rested his elbows on his knees & his forehead on his palms.

“You didn’t have that cut in your shirt before.” She referred to a large cut that revealed a part of his back.

“I guess I got it yesterday.” He said carelessly. She was about to say something when she spotted something in his back, something that killed the words on her tongue.

“Is that… is that a scar?” she stammered in shock as she gazed at the long diagonal scar that was carved on the back of his right shoulder. He bit on his lips as he heard her, right then, he knew that this was the last blow to his defenses & wall. She is in, he thought to himself. She’s got into his weird dark little world… but though he regrets letting her get so close, deep inside, he didn’t really want her to get out.

“What was that?” She asked carefully as she wondered how she didn’t see it before.

“A knife…an old fight with some people who… well, I never thought I would fight.” he answered in a low voice as he closed his eyes, “… I know what it’s like to have people in your life who would stab your back while they think they are helping you this way… they just did it quite literally in my case.” He continued with a sarcastic smile that carved itself harshly over his dark face.

“I’m sorry…” She whispered in an almost crying tone.

“Yeah…” He cocked his lips as he avoided looking her in the eye. They remained silent, having nothing else to say to each other. Right then, he realized the nature of that thing that was lurking inside his depths. He has been proud of being ruthless for a quite long time… too long that the world has decided to give him something he can actually lose.

“I’m going to check on Sam & the horses.” She said as she got up, momentarily cutting his thoughts, but they were too stubborn to end so abruptly & easily.

Day 9:

“Do you need help?” He asked as he approached her, she was preparing breakfast. She let a soft smile hang freely on her lips as she answered: “Please do.”

He nodded as he jumped into the work, they worked in silence as he stormed his brain for any topic to talk about before he finally asked: “So… how did you find this log?”

“Well, it was more like the other way around.” She sighed as she started to cut some vegetables before continuing: “I have become wanted dead or alive from my tribe, so I escaped them into the desert… I left everything behind me. But I had had nowhere to go, till that good old man found me. The man who used to own this place & the sheep herd. I was in a state much worse than yours.”

She nodded for a moment as she looked at him then she said: “He taught me almost everything that I know about the desert & how to survive here before he died… how to use the bow, how to track trails, everything. I used to call him father.”

“What was his story?” He asked her curiously.

“He never told me… but I tend to believe that he was on the run, just like us.” She answered as she looked into his eyes.

“Is that why you saved me?” He concluded.

“I didn’t know who you were, back then… I actually still don’t know, but I couldn’t leave someone just lie there & die slowly.” She denied.

“Yeah… Have you ever thought about becoming a vigilante?” He mockingly asked. She chuckled as she answered: “A lot… but then again, what I have here is priceless. To be fearless, with nothing to lose, no worries, no nothing. I can’t easily trade that for anything else.” She gulped as she finished her words, clearly fighting that feeling inside her that she’s about to be willing to change that rule.

“I know what you mean… & by the way, I’m Abraham.” He introduced himself hesitantly.

“Farah.” She said with a smile after a moment of silence.

“Nice to meet you, Farah.” He commented jokingly

“Nice to meet you too.” She laughed.

& both of their stubborn defenses couldn’t fight anymore.

The last night:

“Are you alright?” She asked as she got into his room, his wounds & bruises were almost gone, safe for some scars here & there. He looked stray.

“Yeah…” He mumbled.

“Are you sure about that?” She repeated her question.

“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I have some good news for you.” He stammered

“I have good news, as well… Sam started to walk again.” She said gleefully.

“Wow, that’s great.” He congratulated her with a warm smile.

“Yeah… what about you? What is it?” She said with clear anticipation in her eyes.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.” He announced after a moment of silence & looked up at her with a shaking smile. She didn’t smile back; as a matter of fact her smile froze there on her lips as she narrowed her eye slits & gazed at him in disbelief.

“I know I have been a really heavy guest. So now that I can wa…”

“I don’t remember complaining.” She interrupted him, her voice partially restoring that coldness he knew during his first days with her.

“No, you didn’t, but you don’t have to, either… “ He was clearly trying to make it sound like his final decision, desperately ignoring those voices inside him that were screaming & kicking at his mind to stop this stupidity.

“Are you sure that you can leave? Your wounds & bruises don’t seem completely healed.” As quick as she said it, she regretted it, she never knew herself as a weak person.

“Yeah..” He answered in a voice tone that tried to sound firm, but instead, it was like a silent beg for her to hold onto him.

“Fine, then.” She raised her eyebrows as she said angrily, her dignity & pride taking over the dominant space in her mind & heart.

“I’ll leave in the early morning.” He stammered, successfully hiding his disappointment.

“Yeah, whatever.” She murmured as she walked out of the room.

The last day:

“You’re sure you don’t need anything else?” She asked as she watched him getting himself & his horse ready.

“Yeah… I got it covered. Just tell me the directions.” He assured her with a smile.

“Walk due south for about 12 miles, you will then find an abandoned restaurant. Turn your back to it & walk straight forward for about ten more miles. Then you will find the stone pits.” She waved her hands as she gave him the directions he needed.

“That would do it… thanks, Farah.” He gratefully muttered.

She nodded in silence as she watched him while he finished his preparations & was about to get on the horse when he turned around to her & said: “I guess this is goodbye then.”

She nodded again, he opened his mouth, trying to say something smart, but he couldn’t find any. They stared at each other before he finally moved towards the horse. She closed her eyelids shut & bit her lips as she whispered: “So.. ummm… that’s it?”

He heard her, he sighed loudly as that part inside him felt relieved.

“I guess so.” He stammered

“Well, I might need your help every now & then… you know, to take care of my animals when they get sick.” She asked.

He smiled widely before he said: “When you are at the stone pits, get on the hill above it, & look to the east… my farm can be easily spotted from there. As a matter of fact, I might need to come back here every once in a while, you know, to buy one of the sheep or something.”

“Yeah, sure… well, thanks, Abraham.” She stuttered, though she knew he was just trying to be nice.

“No, Farah… thank you.” He gratefully whispered.

“I guess it’s a “see you later,” then..” She suggested.

“I hope so.” He smiled before getting on his horse. She smiled back at him as he spurred the horse with his leg, the horse sprung & started to run as Abraham waved goodbye to her. She waved back as she watched him before she got back into the log.

Abraham went on his horse, passing by some palm trees that weren’t so far away from the log, he then stopped, turned around & went back to them. He got off of his horse & grabbed his knife, & froze for a long moment before one of the palm trees, & hesitantly, he reached out & left a visible mark on the palm tree for him to recognize when he comes back. As he did so, he could hear the sound of a wooden window being shut, he looked back quickly to see her hand as she shut it, though leaving a very small space for her to look out.

“Strange!" He thought… he could almost swear that he has seen it closed before he jumped on his horse. His eye brows met for a long moment then he smiled happily. He then looked back at the sign he left on the palm tree, a lot of words & thoughts were crowding his head, though only two words have made it to his mouth as he shook his head & laughed:

“I’m doomed….”

The End