New Tales of the Gobi Dessert
Suzhou Singapore International School, Miyu Matsumura, Fiction: Group 3
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ever be within reach of the light in the desert. It’ll reach out it’s hands, we’ll meet one’s
death.” the lullaby went. It was passed down from generations to generations, and to
this day, people never dared to go near the light in the desert.
Living in a town so small like Abron makes it hard for me to visualize the outside
world. I am predominantly stuck in this town with this creepy rumor going on that the Gobi
Desert is haunted, and people tell me that there is a light in the desert. And believe it or not, I
once saw something shine from that place. Since Abron is right next door to the Gobi Desert, I am
worried that in the twinkling of an eye, our town will be haunted as well!
“Sa, can you stop daydreaming and answer your phone? The buzzing is driving me nuts!”
Megan, my sister screeched with her catlike voice. “Stop calling me ‘Sa’ Megan! I have a name,
‘Sasha’! Seriously!” I yelled back. “Do you have any time to argue? It has been buzzing for quite a
long time!” Megan screeched back. I gasped and scurried to the phone. Nile! I thought. I clutched
the phone and pressed the green call button. “Hey Sasha!! Why weren’t you picking up...” his voice
poured out from the implanted speakers. My heart sank in warmth as I heard his voice. “Sasha?
Sasha??” he repeated. “Sorry Nile, I was... concentrating on yoga!” I blurted out a lie. I can’t tell
him I was daydreaming! I thought. “so... what’s up?” I asked, trying to sound cool.
“I have an awesome news!!” Nile shouted in excitement. My brother and his friends are gonna
investigate the Gobi Desert, to find out what that light is. And guess what I am doing!!” I suddenly
remembered when Nile told me that he followed his brother into the forest and almost got ripped
in half by a fierce bear. That was also his “awesome news” last summer.
My heart thumped in fast beat, knowing that Nile was going to do something risky. Being
unsure of what to say, I joked, “Ah... say good luck, go home and read a book?” and tried to calm
down. “Hahaha, so funny Sasha.” Nile said with his “you know that I’m not gonna do that” voice.
“Haha... I know right, I’m hilarious...Then what are you gonna do?” I questioned him, trying to
sound enthusiastic, but the quiver in my voice ruined it all. “Calm down Sasha. I am following
them. I am gonna unseal the mystery of this ‘light in the desert’. I was wondering if you wanted
to come with me.” Nile said in his poker-faced voice.
“So you’re asking me to go to the Gobi Desert and dry out all the cuticles in my hair?” I
shrieked trying to hide my true reason. “Please Sasha stop being in tizzy over cuticles in your
hair. Come with me please!” He said in his mellow voice. I might have some chances to get closer
to Nile... A thought crossed my mind. I tried not to fall under his sweet spell, but after few
seconds, I couldn’t resist. Without farther concerns, I accepted the idea. “I knew you were gonna
like the idea! So meet at the park in 5 minutes!” Nile exclaimed. “Wait, what, now!?” I cried. It
was too late, he hang up.
I scattered all the necessary items for an “adventure”, and squashed everything into a
backpack. I was about to head out, when a catlike voice snarled at me. “Where do you think you’re
going, Sa?” “Ah... just to the library!! I’ll be back soon...” I uttered, adrenaline flowing at full
speed. If Megan finds out what I am up to, I’m dead. “I heard you blabbering on with someone
about going to the Gobi Desert. I am guessing that you are going with... Nile. Am I wrong?”
Megan said, acting very natural. “I’ll let you go, I won’t tell anyone.” She said without doubt.
“
