The Herd

The three of them watched as the camel curled up close to the bonfire. He must've been really cold.

"Bucky," Alice calls. "Where were you going?"

"Well, I was lost. A sandstorm made me lose my way and I ended up here. Ugh, I'd hate to come home now. My grandpa will nag me until tomorrow." He snuggled into the sand. "This fire's good."

One of his closed eyes opened slightly.

"Honestly, I should be the one to be asking the questions here. How can you understand me and what the hell are y'all doing here?"

Alice shrugs. "I was just born like this. And just like you, we're lost."

"Where are you going? It's dumb if you weren't supposed to be in this desert at all, 'cause you've come a long way. This is the way to the heart of the desert. You know?"

"Really?" She beamed and turned to Sirius. The three boys quietly waited for her to relay the camel's words. "He said we're on the way to the heart of the desert!"