Freewrite: A Stranded, Parched Man

Lost in the desert, Kamil seeks an oasis. A chance encounter reveals salvation.

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A Stranded, Parched Man

Stranded in the desert. Separated from the caravan. Rattled from the sandstorm. Kamil pondered under the scorching sun.

How did he get here?

The caravan was about to stop at the Oasis when the sandstorm hit. Kamil prayed that the guide was still with them, at least.

He was alone, having no compass, and no signposts on the horizon. Kamil took his camel to rest behind some rock.

"North. Where's north?" He could only guess at the direction of the Oasis.

He only has one chance. He considered waiting until nightfall but that would be suicide. He has gone too weak for another day. His throat burned from thirst and his camel was no different.

Kamil prayed for guidance. Vowing to repent of every sin. Lamenting the family he left home, and the daughter he would never hold in his hands.

A shadow appeared in the distance. Kamil knew it was the sign he had prayed for.

He chose the direction of the shadow. His limbs, now fueled with new energy, hastened, his thirst forgotten.

The shadow was of another man. From another caravan. Hit by another sandstorm. Looking for the same Oasis.

Kamil greeted the man. Their chat soon turned hollow, not knowing where to go.

The man voiced his frustration, and Kamil pretended to hear. Too weak to focus. Gave up on finding the way.

"This compass is useless" the man would cry. If only he knew the general direction.

"Compass...?" Kamil finally noticed. They have a way to get out. "North. The Oasis is north."

The two men screamed with joy. They sat on their journey.

They'll be there soon, before nightfall.

The End

The 5 Minutes Version

Stranded in the desert. Separated from the caravan. Rattled from the sandstorm. Kamil pondered under the scorching sun.

How did he get here?

The caravan was about to stop at the Oasis when the sandstorm hit. Kamil prayed that the guide is still with them, at least.

Having no compass, and no signposts on the horizon. Kamil took his camel to rest behind some rock.

He could only guess at the direction of the Oasis. He only has one chance. His throat burned from thirst and his camel was no different.

Kamil prayed for guidance. Vowing to repent of every sin.

...

Author Notes

This story was written for FreeWrite for 11 Nov 2023 - Prompt: "Incident at the end of the road." The clean version of the story took almost half an hour to write and I'm proud of the result.

I like stories about Bedouins/Nomads and their journeys through the desert. People who can live through harsh circumstances like that are admirable. I based the setting on the desert of Arabia as I wrote this. The protagonist is a common Arab bedouin with his Camel.

I didn't have an ending in mind as I was writing it, but I'm happy to have a happy ending in the end. I'd like to write more stories like this.

What do you think?

If you're interested in another fictional story from me, check out my "Where to Start?" List. Please comment below if you like this.

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