(Viewpoint: Chetan)
The sand is still sticking to my fingers.
I blow on it.
The grains fly away, light, carried by a breeze that did not exist a few minutes ago.
The object in front of me, lying on the ground, is no longer moving.
Her skin has become dull. Less radiant. Drier.
I crouch down.
My fingers hesitate for a fraction of a second.
Then I shoot.
The flesh gives way. Easily.
A wet sound. Short.
I'm stopping.
Look what I have in my hand.
It's still trembling. Barely.
I swallow.
- …bon appetit…
The word just came out on its own.
Down.
Almost ashamed.
Next to me, Eugène answers without thinking.
- …bon appetit…
I look up at him.
A second one.
Then I bring the first piece to my mouth.
I stop just before.
The smell remains repulsive.
Salty. Raw.
I clench my teeth slightly.
Then I bite.
The texture surprises me.
Firm. Elastic.
Not bad.
Not really good.
More-
I chew and feel lighter.
Slowly.
Then faster.
Hunger disappears in waves.
I close my eyes for a second and imagine what it would have been like, a nice meal in my apartment.
– …fucking…
I don't know if it's a swear word or a relief.
Eugene is still hesitating.
He watches.
My hands. My flesh. My mouth.
Then he grabs a piece from my place.
It turns between her fingers.
– …if we die, it's your fault…
I chuckled slightly.
Without looking at him.
- Yeah.
He bites.
A small bite… pauses and analyzes.
Then-
He resumes.
Strangely, it seems like he likes it.
Silence falls.
But not the same as usual.
This one is not empty.
It is full.
Filled with breathing. With chewing. With small, clumsy movements.
The wind glides over our shoulders, drying our clothes at the same time.
The sun is still warm, so the sand is very pleasant.
I sit down completely, with my legs stretched out.
Eugene lets out a little laugh.
Court.
Surprise.
– …that's weird…
I turn my head slightly.
- What ?
He shrugs.
– …I like this situation.
I stare at him.
Just a moment.
Then I look away.
– …you're really screwed…
But the corner of my mouth moves slightly.
The sun is going down.
Slowly.
Almost imperceptibly.
The light is changing.
Softer. Red and yellow.
Shadows lengthen on the sand.
I lie down and watch the stars appear.
Hands behind the head.
It disturbs me more than anything.
"Roum".
Eugene lies down next to me.
Her arms moved slightly apart.
– …this is the first time…
He stops.
Searching for words.
– …is living in the pit like It?
I'm not answering.
But I'm staying.
Next to.
Without moving.
The sound of the waterfall becomes more noticeable.
Or maybe I'm finally listening to him.
The water is falling.
Again.
Always.
And yet
Everything is different.
Time passes.
I've lost count.
The sun disappears and the heat decreases.
The air is getting cooler.
I shiver slightly.
Eugene immediately clung to me.
I see it out of the corner of my eye.
His shoulders tensed.
He brings his arms slightly closer together.
I remain motionless.
Our shoulders are touching.
Slightly.
Then completely.
He said nothing.
Me neither.
I stretch my legs.
Push my feet into the sand.
More deeply.
The heat is still here.
Beneath the surface.
I close my eyes.
I feel strange, I can't put words to it anymore
his presence.
Stable.
Real.
And he breathes.
– …we will survive.
I don't know why, but it reassured me.
I nod slightly.
Even if he's not looking at me.
The sand crunches under our movements.
But this time-
I'm not looking for anything.
I'm not calculating anything.
I'm not planning anything.
I expect nothing.
I'm staying.
It's so good.