A Little Game

Safira tensed up even more, stunned by his sudden yell.

"Run where?!"

"ANYWHERE!"

Malik sounded desperate, a word she never expected him to be described as, but still...

"No!"

She didn't move.

"I'm not leaving you!"

He turned to her, locking eyes for what felt like an eternity, though it was only a second.

The sandworm was closing in, the vibrations under their feet like a ticking clock.

"Fine... Then do one thing for me."

"What?!" 

"We're gonna play a game. If you wanna win, all you gotta do is look forward and walk."

"What kind of stupid game is that?! Malik, this is not—"

"Don't argue!"

He snapped, cutting her off for a third time.

"You walk forward. Don't look back. Not even once. I'll be right behind you, I swear. Just don't look back, no matter what you hear. Got it?"

She hesitated, biting her lip.

"And if I win?"

"Anything you want."

He promised.