Frederick smiles as he walks to the costumer leaving his newspaper to Ben. Confused, Ben’s attention is again caught by something shining in the sand. He kneeks to pick up Frederick’s smoking pipe cleaner.
-sigh! No superpowers, huh? - he mumbles as he climbs onto the roof
He climbs the stairs and sits down, with his legs swinging. As he picks up Frederick's newspaper, the front page catches his eye
-"Arrest of group suspected of illegal whale hunting"
-What... who does such a thing? - he thought instantly as he hurried to read the entire article
- "The group used huge nets to immobilise the animals and then stick harpoons on their backs”
-"We could not find out where the dead animals were then sold, as there is no record that any were actually caught. Scientists confirm that the whales may have used echolocation to avoid being caught, thinking the net was just an obstacle they should avoid."
- “This is creating a big comotion online reaching the point where some call it the whales power of “Knowing just by knowing”. Affirming that it was the real reason why none were really caught”
- "Knowing just by knowing" - Ben lowers the newspaper and repeats
-How is it possible - he thinks staring at the horizon
- So many could have died, and yet a mere guess saved them all - he continues
Ben's eyes wander over the horizon as they get stuck on a billboard with the name of the station "Nevada Desert Whales", only one thought comes to his mind, Frederick saying "Instinct"
The young man
immediately jumps off the roof and searches everywhere for his grandfather.
He starts at the front, in the shop and even inside the house. When he finds
nothing, Ben realises that End (the horse) and Rob (the dog) have also
disappeared. Worried, he climbs back up to get an overview.
Unable to find Frederick or the animals, Ben decides to come down from the roof to look around outside the station. When he is about 50 metres away from the station, shouting for his grandfather, the sand suddenly disappears and a furious dust storm seizes him, bringing him down. He feels the sand hitting him, visibility is zero and it's almost impossible to breathe.
Only with difficulty does Ben manage to stand up, protecting his eyes and mouth with his hands. Completely disoriented, he tries to look around for the station. Again, Frederick saying "instinct" comes to his mind. Ben decides on a direction and drags himself.
Several minutes pass and Ben can't find the station, he doubts himself, changes direction and keeps walking and walking when... Bang...
Ben stumbles over a girl lying on the ground, covered with her jacket.
-Ahh - she screams and clings to her leg
-Are you okay? - Ben asks apologetically.
Ben looks to her leg and is startled when her pants turn blood red. Determined, Ben stands up, holding her, and continues on his way to the station.
-What're you doin'? -she screams
-You need a first aid now, let's go - he replies.
Leaning on Ben's shoulder, they slowly walk on, trying to escape the storm.As they continue, the strong wind gives no signs of slowing down. They are getting tired and the girl is losing blood quickly, dragging her leg and straining Ben harder.
- I can't go on..., leave me - she declared.
-Impossible - replies Ben, who is convinced that he must save her.
At the end of her strength, she raises her head and says
- Name... - passing out on the floor before hearing the answer
-Hey, hey - Ben tries in vain to wake her up. But he does not panic, Ben takes a deep breath and carries her.
The huge dust storm does not let him see, so he closes his eyes, and walks deep into the dust cloud. His legs start to shake as he puts more strength on his arms to protect the girl.
-Why am I doing this? - he tries to think, but his mind immediately goes blank.
His strength is reaching the end, but he can still feel the sand, the wind, and
the air denying him an exit.
He walks deeper, he feels the end of his power, a single blow is enough to make him unable to get up. Benjamin Williams falls on the sandy floor of the Nevada Desert, carrying an injured girl. In his final move, he covers her with a black jacket and lies down beside her, one arm raised, the other supporting, and the hope to be found.
-I never thought about my death, but this is it... - he thinks.
- I really wanted to see Mom one more time - he whispers and closes his eyes.
Benjamin Williams, born on November 17, 2005, in Los Angeles, California. Was reported missing on June 23, 2021 by his grandfather, somewhere on the Nevada Desert.
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