Author's Note:
Hey everyone, thanks for keeping up this far and I hope you enjoy this next chapter. This is mostly a filler chapter, but necessary none the less. As always, review, favorite, follow, and enjoy. See you later!
Chapter 21: "Companion"
The sight of that far-off flame set me off in a rush of excitement. I immediately took off towards the camp, hoping dearly that it was Beth and Makar. As I got into view of the camp, I didn't see either of them there, just one man sitting by himself.
My sprint had slowed down to just a walk, and I came up to the camp, I approached the man,
"Excuse me, sir?" I asked,
He looked up at me and gave me an extremely interesting look. I supposed he didn't plan to meet anyone tonight. After he gave me the look, he pointed to the sign next to him. I walked around him and knelt down in front of it to read it.
- I am just a simple guy. Go away, leave me alone, don't talk to me, and do not remove this sign. -
This had me curious. I found it strange that a man would go to so much trouble for no to talk to him, but his sign didn't turn me away. I stood back up and looked at him. He gave me the same interesting look as before. Eventually, I tried speaking with him again,
"Sir, would you mind if I stayed the night with you?"
He only shook his head and pointed back at the sign. I knew he was trying to tell me to leave, but it didn't work. I was getting annoyed by his attitude towards me. I spoke to him again,
"Sir, why are you being so silent?"
He looked at him with an even weirder look. He was looking at me like I was mad. He shook his head again and pointed at the sign. I folded my arms and the man scoffed at me. This set me over the edge. I pulled the sign right out of the ground and threw it; landing and splitting into two. The man stared at me with a look of horror, like I had committed murder, then he stood up and gave me a shock,
"Sheesh man! Can't you read?"
He took a minute to breath,
"Either you're extremely persistent or extremely stupid,"
I was surprised. I honestly didn't expect him to react like that,
"Well, uh.. Sir,"
He put his hands on his hips,
"Yep, your stupid!"
This set me off,
"Stupid! I'm not the guy who refused to speak and forced people to read a sign telling them to shove off!"
The man took a moment,
"Well... I have my reasons! Want do you want anyways?"
I calmed down,
"Well, for one thing: what are you doing out here?"
"That's my business,"
I sighed,
"Fine, secondly, I was wondering if could camp with you for tonight,"
He threw his arms into the air at the sound of my request,
"I guess there's no way I getting rid of you now, is there?"
I was offended,
"I can leave if you really want me too,"
He sighed,
"No, you can stay, I could use some company,"
I sat down next to the fire, and he did the same. We sat in silence for a good while before I attempted to stir up some conversation,
"I'm Link, by the way,"
He didn't respond until after a while,
"My name is Habib,"
I looked up,
"Well, nice to meet you Habib"
He only mumbled,
"Yeah, well goodnight."
He mumbled again.
I laid down and fell off into sleep.
The next morning, I awoke to a completely cleared camp. It was almost there had been no camp or no strange guy. I achingly arose from my sleeping pad and had a lonely breakfast. There was a soft, cool breeze blowing and it was quiet say for a few birds singing, but there was no one to talk to.
I packed up and headed off closer towards the desert. As I made my way, I noticed that the terrain began to grow rocky and rough. I was wondering if I was going the wrong way, but kept trekking anyways.
The sky progressively changed from a clear, blue sky to a cloudy, grey one. I was fearing if it would rain. I reached what I concluded was the entrance to the desert, and something that caught my eye was a man and a sign.
I was surprised to find that same man just sitting in the same fashion as he was last night. As I approached Habib, he suddenly gave off an equally surprised look at the
sight of me. I guess he was hoping to never see me again, but sadly for him, he wasn't rewarded with that luxury. I made my way up to him as he contemplated picking up his sign and running for it, but I guess he talked himself out of it,
"By the Goddess, your persistent aren't you,"
I let out a little chuckle,
"I try to be,"
"Well, what do you want now,"
He took a minute staring at me, then turned toward the desert,
"You're not planning to go in that desert are you?"
"Why yes, I am. Is it dangerous?"
He gave me a look,
"There are worms in there, man!"
"Worms?"
"Yes! Deadly worms; killer worms."
"I'm still going in there, y'know,"
He gave me a look of horror,
"Well... Let me just say that it was nice knowing you,"
I raised an eyebrow,
"Alright? See you too,"
I started to walk away from him into the desert when I heard a shout and him dashing towards me,
"Alright, fine. I'll come with you!"
I turned around and looked at him strange,
"I thought you said there were killer worms in there,"
He bowed his head,
"Well, yeah, but it's better then sitting out here by myself. I mean, I can't let you go in there and get yourself killed?"
I was surprised,
"Alright then, come on,"
It comforted me a great deal to have a new companion with me. It was probably the best thing to have as I got over Beth and Makar, but as always, I would regret it.