18
Xander’s Independence
Xander had slept well, in spite of having no comfort. He didn’t even remember going to sleep and found himself slumped over in an L shape as he awakened. It’s a new day . . . time to get this party started, he muttered to himself.
Again, he began his journey out into the unknown. It wasn’t long before the unforgiving, flat, dry landscape, the persistent heat, and the lack of companionship unraveled his usual bon vivant spirit. The air was heavy. His body sagged with a drop-dead weariness he would expect of someone three times his age. For the first time, worry hung like a web about him, threatening to bind him forever with the sticky threads of self-doubt and fear.
When he began to cry, he yelled in frustration. He was unbreakable! And yet, here he was, acting
