Tim in the Desert
The puzzle wasn't how he arrived, but where he found himself. Awakening, he felt the rough grit of sand beneath him. For a fleeting second, he imagined he was on a seaside shore. Yet, when his eyes fluttered open, there was no sea in sight. Just endless dunes.
"Rise and shine," a voice teased. Turning his head, he was met with the sight of his old friend, Tim, a few paces away. But that couldn’t be right. "Get up, lazybones," Tim said, a mischievous edge to his words.
"You're an illusion," he rasped, curling up. "Disappear."
"I wish," Tim replied, looking around at the vast desert. "It’s scorching. How can you stand it?"
Frustration forced him to his feet, draining what little energy he had. "Why? Why are you here? You're long gone."
Tim feigned hurt, "Charming welcome. Think of me as your lifeline."
"Of all people, my mind summons you?" he retorted. During their times together, Tim had often jabbed at his lack of humor.
"Or maybe you're just a glutton for punishment," Tim quipped. His smile faded, "Seriously, if you don’t find water, you won't survive."
"Great pep talk," he remarked dryly. "Your purpose now is crystal clear."
Tim's demeanor shifted, "Alright, enough. Want my guidance or not?"
He mumbled, "Wish I'd envisioned Scarlett Johansson instead. But sure, lead on."
Tim smirked, "I can't physically assist. I'm just a figment, recall?" He seemed to blur, like a heatwave distortion. "But go that way," Tim indicated.
"And what lies there?" he rasped, throat parched.
Tim exhaled dramatically, "This will be futile if you keep second-guessing."
He retorted, "I've always doubted myself," glancing around the barren landscape.
Tim chuckled, "Expecting someone to see you talking to the air in the middle of nowhere?"
"Just habit," he responded, sheepishly.
"You really need therapy," Tim shot back with a sly grin.
"Wouldn't matter if I'm dead, would it?" he replied, feeling the weight of hopelessness.
"Exactly why you need to move, genius," Tim said, using their old banter. It felt oddly comforting amidst the mirage.
Taking a shaky breath, he conceded, "Alright, lead the way."
