Violet
We found a spot on higher ground, far enough from the nearest lake that the mineral smell was fainter, and Bei finally relaxed enough to eat and rest her hand.
Two more days passed.
We continued moving, navigating carefully around the scattered lakes and avoiding the water entirely. Bei kept the cloth wrapped around her face most of the time now, and I noticed she gave the pink pools a wide berth whenever we passed them.
It made me feel bad.
The pull in my chest grew stronger with each passing hour. It wasn't overwhelming, but more insistent and certain. Whatever I was being drawn toward, it was very close now.
When we got to a low rise, we stopped.
Below us, stretching out toward the horizon, was a lake unlike anything I had ever seen.
It was massive, far larger than any of the shallow pools we had passed. The water was deep and I could not see the end in sight. I wasn't sure I had ever come across a lake this vast and deep before.
