“We’re almost there!” Luke said. Theyhad only one place left to go – the Hissing Sands.
“This has to be it. This is the first place with actual camels!” exclaimed Zaila.
Guilt immediately washed over him. Talking about camels was a painful reminder of Charlie.
If I hadn’t made us ride camels that day, Charlie would not be hurt, thought Luke. Despair weighed
down on him as tears fell from his eyes, dripping down to the desert floor. Zaila stared at him, her
eyes wide. Luke hardly ever showed his emotions, but now he was weeping inconsolably, and she
didn’t know what to do.
Zaila moved closer towards him, and then noticed that his tears were bright gold. Every time
a tear dropped down to the desert floor, a spark of blue light would appear, until there was a swirl
of blue sparks dancing around them. The swirl of blue filled their view of sight and then suddenly,
the two siblings were in a forest of lush green trees and blooming flowers. A crystal clear river
had appeared,with goldfish swimming in its depths.
Luke looked up from his tears and gazed around the forest in bewilderment. His gaze focused
on something huge. Zaila followed his gaze and gasped. It was a female camel. She had soft
velvety ears, piercing amber eyes, three humps coming out gracefully from her back, elegant legs,
and a long, swishing tail.
“I am the mother of all camels,” she said in a soft voice.”You have allowed me, and this
forest, to appear. This was how it looked many eons ago, long before humans roamed the earth.
Then a mysterious force dried the forest, causing many animals to flee. However, my children
were still too young, and had no desire to go anywhere else. With a burst of love and despair for
them, I exploded into a shower of golden dust that gave them protection in the desert, allowing
our species to live on. Lots of people come to the Gobi Desert, feeling despair, but never love.
When someone pure of heart comes, I reveal myself and this forest.” Luke and Zaila stared at
her, dumbfounded. “Love is a powerful thing. Luke, you loved your brother enough to go on this
dangerous journey to save him. Do not despair any longer. Take my milk and bring it back to
Charlie.”A rainbow-coloured vial appeared before the two siblings, and as Luke reached out to
grab it, a swirl of blue surrounded them once again.
This time, when it disappeared, they were back in the tent, where the female Shaman was
standing watch over Charlie. Luke quickly staggered over to the Shaman, and handed her the
vial. The Shaman opened Charlie’s mouth and poured the potion in. Rays of sunlight flashed from
Charlie’s limp body, and his eyes opened.
“CHARLIE!” shrieked Zaila, crashing into him.
Luke stepped forward, and uttered three words into his ear. “I love you.”
