Page 6 of Beneath the Desert Bloom
She nodded slowly. A strange chill tickled the base of her spine.
He leaned in slightly, glancing toward the front windows like he was afraid someone might be watching.
“You be careful out there,” he said. “I know where that house is.”
Then, almost whispering: “Don’t look at the horizon after midnight.”
Her pulse flicked upward. “Why?”
He didn’t answer. Just gave her a quick, tight look, part warning, part apology, before turning to help the next customer, like he hadn’t said anything at all.
***
Back at the house, Nora yanked open every window, letting in the evening air. The journals were still spread out on the table, pages yellowed and crinkled from the dry heat. She picked one with a bundle of pressed flowers tucked inside and flipped to the last entry.
She will return.
He will know her before she does.
She turned the page over.
He watches still. I’ve seen him.
Not just a shadow, but a man remade.
There’s pain in him. A hunger I don’t understand.
Her skin prickled, cold despite the heat.
Calm down, Nora,she told herself.You’re just tired. Too much sun, too many old stories. You need to focus.
She dug out her laptop and opened a saved document, the unfinished thesis glaring back at her like it was judging her. Shewas supposed to have a draft by now, supposed to be charting cultural mythologies and their impact on modern folklore. Instead, the words felt slippery, hard to pin down.
Coming out here was supposed to ignite something. Get her out of her head, back into her research. But the desert seemed to want something from her, rather than offering anything up.
A notification pinged. Eli’s name popped up in her inbox.
Just checking in…
Hello??? Nora, are you there?
Just want to know that you made it safely… Let me know you’re okay, alright?
Nora groaned and shut the laptop. Eli. Safe, predictable Eli. He always acted like she was some unstable, wild thing he needed to tame. After they broke up, she’d promised herself she wouldn’t settle again. She wanted someone who didn’t make her feel like she had to soften her edges.
She stretched out on the bed, trying to relax. Maybe she just needed to breathe through it. Maybe once she got some rest, the desert would feel less like it was watching her. But she needed to shake that feeling. Thinking a shower might help, she grabbed her robe.
She lingered there, letting the cold water cascade over her, trying to wash away the tension that had settled into her shoulders.
She stepped out of the water, her skin still warm and damp. She toweled off and slipped into a light tank top and boxers, letting the cool fabric soothe her flushed skin. She gave herself permission to stop worrying for the night and enjoy the solitude. The house felt different now, cleaner, more alive. The floor was cool against her bare feet as she wandered to the kitchen.
She pulled out some leftovers and warmed them up. As she moved around the small space, humming quietly, an old song floated into her mind:
Come and sit by my side if you love me,
Do not hasten to bid me adieu…
Nora sang the words softly, bringing up old memories.Red River Valley.Her grandfather used to sing it on long hikes, his voice mingling with the wind. She could almost feel his presence beside her, guiding her step, reminding her to stay aware, stay sharp.
