Hello. Today I faced a new fear.

Once I woke up from my dreams of feathers and buffets I once again set out for lands unknown.

I have been avoiding the direction of the wall for a few days now. The thought of walking into another barrier isn't whats holding me back. The thought of meeting people, it excites and terrifies me at the same time. I mean, I have so many questions that I need answered. Who am I, where am I, what am I. I don't know anything.

But by that same token, I don't know how people will respond to seeing me. Hugs and food, or fists and fear. I am very much afraid that it'll be the latter. The only things I've come across even similar to me are those dastardly Legumes. And we both know how that turned out, don't we?

So I've been avoiding the wall, putting off the inevitable. Fear is scary you know.

Anyhow, there I was, just trudging across the sand. I had started to entertain the idea of whumpfing another dune out of sheer boredom. Which is never a good sign.

When I came across some bizzarre tracks. A whole bunch of things had crossed this way not to long ago. Heading towards the wall. I don't know what they are but judging from the depth and width of the tracks alongside the vast different kinds of track prints and sizes there are a whole bunch.

Naturally I followed them.

So that was how I spent the whole dang day following some dusty footprints. I thought about leaving them to find something more interesting but my stubborness had reared its head by this point. I was going to find the progenitor of these prints. Curiosity and determination are interesting bedfellows.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Snagging some random giant monster bugs for road snacks I plodded on. Occasionally I would whistle a little tune or dance a strange jig. Boredom is my enemy, and it must be cast down!

Finally, just as the sun gave up the last of its radiance to the stars and moon, I saw something I hadn't expected.

Fire.

Flickering firelight bounced off of the dunes forming a fragile dome of light against the quickly darkening sands of the desert. I had never seen a fire from anything other than myself. Creeping closer through the valleys of the dunes, careful not to disturb my fellow fire makers, I closed in on that familiar flicker.

I could hear things, chatter, laughter, creaks of material being strained and as I closed in closer I could make out something new. Words. I nearly wept right then and there. For so long the only words I had heard had come from my own tongue. To hear the voices of others shook me to my core.

My ears frantically snatched the odd coherent sound of speech from the noise cluttered air. Closer, I had to get closer. I had to hear the words. Finally I was just outside the light. Gazing upon a gathering of people like me. Watching as they complained of the sand and road, of the food and of the company. Hearing as they cast mean spirited jokes at each other as if they were stones. Reveling in the light and laughter I hadn't known for as long as I knew.

But I could not take that last step.

To enter the light, to be one with the voices. I tried, again and again I gathered what resolve and determination I could find around me like a ragged cloak. And again and again I faltered.

Giving up, I slunk back into the dark. Skulking in the sand. close enough to hear the sounds but not the words I lay there and just listened until the fire dimmed and the sound ceased.

Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow.

Goodnight.