Eleven's Ghost

Chapter 2: A Normal Life

He stepped onto the cruel deserts with his red cloth shoes. He closed his eyes as the grains of sand got into his eyes. He felt them watering. He stopped on top of the dune and gazed upon the distance, pushing his black hair back. His yellow eyes flared as he checked his surroundings, looking for something he couldn’t reach.

“Ah… So hot.” A bright red-haired boy complained as he walked behind him, carrying an umbrella. “Why don’t we take a break, Zultan?! Look, I want water. I need water. You don’t under–”

“You’re entirely useless.” The black-haired glared at him and dragged the big covered cart that he was carrying. “I am trying to find water, but I can’t find any. Do you see anything? I don’t. This damn desert is never-ending.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do…” The red-haired pouted. “It’s all because Shams decided to run away. You know it’s forbidden! He’s so stubborn.”

“I don’t want you of all people to tell me about rules, Alu.” The black-haired said. “Besides, we left to bring back resources. A sandstorm started suddenly. Don’t throw the blame on Shams. Even if he began running, he didn’t leave the green zone yet.”

The red-haired looked away. His eyes widened slowly as he pointed at a lake shining blue from far away. “There! Water! Water!”

“Wait. It can be a mirage.” Zultan stood in front of the red-haired. “Stupid fool. You were nothing but trouble ever since I met you. Stupid tomato.”

“D-DON’T CALL ME TOMATO!”

Zultan huffed and dodged the red-haired’s umbrella. Alu glared at him. “You’re just jealous of my gorgeous hair! I’m not giving you any!”

“What kind of creep gives his hair to people?”

“I HATE YOU!”

“Uh. Whatever. Let’s go.” Zultan dragged the cart and walked towards the lake. “This damn global warming. They told them over and over. They told our ancestors over and over that it was not good news. They told them to stop playing.” He sighed, exasperated. “In the end, it bit them in the ass, didn’t it?” He laughed and slapped his face. “Half of the globe is an aquarium, and the other half is a desert. Even though global warming isn’t the main reason this time…” He stopped in front of the lake and took a few sips. “At least the water isn’t toxic.”

He glanced at the red-haired. “Fill the jars with water and feed the animals. Wake Shams up in case he’s still sleeping.”

“You’re pampering him too much.” Alu hissed at him as he took out a jar from the cart. “Look at how awfully you’re treating me! I have feelings, you know?!” He rested a hand on his face dramatically. “This treatment isn’t–” He stopped talking and smiled nervously, seeing the dark look on Zultan’s face. “Sorry, sorry. I will work…”

He started filling the jars with water.

Zultan rested his hands around his waist and wiped the sweat off his forehead with his headscarf. He stared at the dates hanging from the palm trees. “I will go get those. They have enough nutrients to keep us going. Good for storage too.”

He removed his shirt and laid it under the palm tree. The sun rays reflected on his brown skin and highlighted the sweat streams running along his muscles. Alu broke into laughter, staring at him. “You’re nothing but a peasant pig! You sweat like an animal. Yes! That’s what you a–AH! MY EYE!”

He screamed as Zultan aimed a date at his eye. Alu took the date and gritted his teeth. “You will see! As soon as we leave this continent, I will throw you into the water and leave you with the Megalodons!”

Zultan frowned. “What’s a Megalodon?”

“A shark.”

“What’s a shark?”

Alu rolled his eyes and returned to filling the jars.

Zultan stood next to him, carrying a pile of dates. “Let’s eat. We will go inside of the cart.”

They entered the cart and saw a brown-haired teenager reading a book, his eyes shining. He smiled happily, seeing both of them. “You’re here!”

Zultan smiled at him and nodded. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, Shams. Slept well?” He patted his hair. “I brought food and water.”

“I’m the one who brought water,” Alu objected, putting one of the jars in front of them. “Drink.”

Shams nodded obediently. He ate and drank with a faint smile. “I’m sorry I dragged both of you into this. I know you have no interest in seeing the other side of the world. You… got dragged into this. You were worried about me when I ran away mid-mission and chased after me… Now, we’re lost.”

He hugged the cat that was sleeping in a corner of the cart. A cow, a rooster and a parrot were in the cart too. Shams started feeding them, his gaze saddening. “I’m sure… they will come find us. We won’t die… We won’t.”

“Five thousand years ago, in 2020, the world witnessed so many events that changed the life of humans permanently,” Zultan started reading the book Shams had out loud. “An angel and a jinn came from the heaven and the bottoms of the unknown waters and punished humans at the end of that cursed year. The angel and the jinn fought for one thousand years, and they turned the land of the humans into a wasteland of sand and water. They punished the humans for things they didn’t do. However, Sirkus saved the human race from their evil deeds and chased away the invaders. Sirkus is the saviour of this world. The human race is finally at peace. The only condition to maintain this peace is to never leave to the surface and to swear allegiance to Sirkus.”

Zultan smirked sardonically, squeezing his grip around the book. He squashed it effortlessly.

“Never.”

He glanced at Shams. “Did you know about this?”

Shams nodded and looked down shamefully. “But I was curious…” His eyes watered. “Will you punish me, big brother?” He sniffed. “I… I wanted to see Sirkus perform! They live in the water kingdom, right? I wanted to go to the other side of the world just to see them! I… I also want to join!”

“We always see them. They come several times a year. We see them on TV.” Zultan folded his arms. “Their show is broadcasted across the world.”

“I wanted to see them in person!” Shams exclaimed. “They must be even more beautiful in person!”

He looked at Zultan hesitantly. “Will you scold me, big brother? For breaking the rules?”

Zultan smiled softly and shook his head. “No. Let’s pretend it’s Alu’s fault as always.”

“WHY?” Alu stood up, and they laughed.

“However, we don’t know if they will come look for us or not.” Zultan stood up after having a meal. “We need to rely on ourselves.”

Shams nodded several times. “I will do my best to help! Yes!”

Zultan smiled and nodded. “Good.”

He jumped off the cart and grabbed Alu by his foot as he tried to escape. “You will try your best too.”

He threw him on the burning sand, and Alu stood up screaming. “I will make you pay, you son of a devil!”

Zultan raised his eyebrows and looked at Alu. The red-haired’s eyes widened slightly. “Ah… I mean… Um…”

He looked down nervously and hid under his umbrella. “I’m just a rock.”

Zultan sighed. Shams joined them after wearing his head wrap. They carried the cart together and walked in the sea of sand towards the sea of water.

They frowned as the earth started shaking.

Shams glanced around. “What is this?!”

“According to this map I have,” Zultan held a paper and pointed at an area in orange. “We’re beyond the green zone right now. So… I don’t know where we are exactly, but there are no others here who are looking for resources.” He glanced at Shams. “In all cases, be careful.”

“Hey,” Shams frowned. “Didn’t your father reach the grey zone, the one closest to the border?”

Zultan nodded. “A very long time ago.” He stored his map. “He disappeared in the wind.”

“D-Don’t you want to go find him?” Shams smiled. “I know the grey zone is a bit far, but… I mean…”

“I don’t have that kind of ambition.” Zultan looked up at the blue sky as the earthquake ended. “I just want to live a normal life and die a normal death. I just want to work and go home to take care of my fish and pets.”

He closed his eyes. “I don’t want anything else.”

“What a boring little shit.” Alu rolled his eyes, and Zultan slapped the back of his head. “Let’s carry on walking. It was just a minor earthquake. They always happen.”

“Um… Um… Are you sure we shouldn’t go backwards?” Shams asked. “Maybe we can find the way…”

“Not a chance.” Zultan shook his head. “The map I have isn’t practical at all. We can’t use it for navigation.”

Shams smiled sadly. “I can’t believe you’re only two years older than me. I’m twelve, and you’re… eighteen. You’re so much more mature. I’m clueless…”

Alu huffed. “Fool! You’re six years apart, not two! You don’t even know how to count!”

“It’s not a matter of age, and there’s nothing wrong with being a little malleable.” Zultan patted Shams’s head while kicking Alu. “If you’re too rigid, you will break.”

Alu gritted his teeth. “I will retaliate for this injustice!”

Shams smiled brightly and nodded. “You always encourage me! I promise to always be your brother and protect you!”

Zultan grinned and nodded. “I rely on you.”

Their eyes flashed wide as the sky cracked. A blue round portal appeared above their heads. Zultan instantly grabbed Shams and pushed him behind his back. He clenched his jaw. “I already told you…” His eyes shined and went entirely yellow as golden veins extended along his skin.

“I just want…”

Alu smiled and threw his umbrella aside as his hair burned with red fire.

“A NORMAL LIFE!”