Touareg

"Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work." - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

"I have some tea if you want." Dylan winked at me, pulling out a flask. I quirked an eyebrow as he unscrewed the top and poured it into a plastic mug. The warm tea warmed my cold fingers as the taste of bergamot filled my tastebuds. I hummed with appreciation.

"So what do you think of the ride?" He asked taking a sip of his own beverage. Using my free hand, I quickly typed my reply.

It's wonderful. I looked at him with wide, enthusiastic eyes.

"I'm glad." He gave me a closed mouth smile. Later that morning we were back in the car driving to an airport.

Why are we going to airport?

"There's something special we're going to see, and there are only some places in the world you can see it." He explained as we bought our tickets. "It's a few hours till landing, so you might as well get some shut eye." I hadn't realised how tired I was because I fell asleep almost immediately.

"Mom, dad! Wake up!" My sister and I jumped onto their bed, too excited to care that it was barely 6 in the morning, or that it was still dark outside.

"Girls, go back to sleep. It's not yet 7 o'clock." My father groaned.

"But it's Christmas!" My sister said.

"Honey, I don't think we're going to get any more sleep today." My mother smiled at him. Shaking his head whilst chuckling he slipped out of the bed, following us down the stairs. Standing bright and proud in our living room was our tall tree, under which brightly coloured boxes lay. My sister and I ran to the small coffee table to gleefully realise that Santa had paid a visit the night before since the cookies and milk were gone.

My mother headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Ever year, without fail she made Christmas themed pancakes. She placed the tall stack of pancakes on the table, ushering us to eat them before they got cold. Giddily, I poured a generous helping of our homemade maple syrup before cutting myself a bite of the sweet food.

"Slow down kids, you're going to choke." My mother laughed as we rushed to finish our plate so we could open our gifts. The living room looked like a bomb had just hit as all the torn wrapping paper was strewn across the floor, our gifts half opened and our stockings emptied on the rug. My father had given me a beautifully crafted ring while my sister was given a jewelled broach both passed down from our grandparents. That was the last Christmas we were to spend together as a family, unaware of how our lives were about to change.

"Elise we've landing." Dylan shook me awake. Wiping the lone tear that escaped, I nodded and followed him off the plane. All I could see for miles was pure white snow, endless and undisturbed.

"You'll enjoy tonight. I'm sure of it." Dylan grinned. He reached out to grab a hold of my hand, intertwining our fingers. Pulling me close, we stood outside the small airport staring into each other's eyes. He pulled my coat tighter around my body before getting into a taxi. We sat close to each other, his arm slung around my shoulders while I gazed out the window watching the snow capped mountains pass us by.

After checking into the resort, a small family owned cabin that accommodated a few families. Dylan carried our bags to our shared room, which was simply decorated with all the basic necessities. It gave off a cozy, and warm feeling, one that made me sigh when I fell back on the bed.

"How do you like the room?" Dylan asked, collapsing into the worn brown leather armchair. Without my phone or notebook close I just nodded my appreciation. "Good." He grinned, closing his eyes and sighing. A few moments later I heard soft snores erupting from his body. All the time I was thinking about myself and never thought about how the traveling had taken a toll on my companion. The exhaustion on his face was clear, yet there was a fierce determination in the way his lips were pressed together.

Since Dylan had told me the show was best seen at night, I decided to explore the large cabin by myself. Unfolding the soft blanket that lay across the bed I draped it on his body before switching off the lights. Slipping out as quietly as possible, I wandered aimlessly through the hallways till I found myself back to the main reception area.

At the desk was a white haired, rounded man wearing a checkered flannel shirt and suspenders. He graced the room with a wide smile, his bright personality shining through.

In the room there was a fire burning, surrounded by cozy looking couches and a coffee table with a small stack of magazines sitting on it. I continued my exploration and eventually found the kitchen. An older woman was at the stove, boiling something in the pans. The kitchen was large and homely, filled with delicious aromas of baked goods.

Standing proudly at one end of the kitchen was a great oak bench, that was currently unoccupied. Turning around the woman noticed me and smiled. "Didn't see you there darling." She smiled warmly. "Take a seat here." Tapping the corner of the island that was situated in the middle. I hopped on to the bar stool, with my hands resting neatly on the granite countertop. With a ladle see poured a brown liquid into a cup and placed it in front of me. Behind me was a cart which held jars of toppings, ranging from mini cookies and all three chocolate chips to dried fruit and granola. I widened my eyes when I saw her hand dip into the jar of white marshmallows and drop a few into my steaming mug.

"My famous hot chocolate." She winked. Taking a sip, I savoured the taste of the rich chocolate infused with a hint of cinnamon and another spice I couldn't quite identify. The woman must have noticed my perplexed look because she said cardamom and nutmeg.

"You don't speak do you?" She said, cradling her own mug of hot chocolate. I shook my head sadly. "Well that's okay dear, because in this world words aren't everything. It's the beauty of life. Yes words create stories, and poetry and songs but it's Mother Nature and God who have given us the true beauty no man can ever recreate. You just observe what's around us and you'll find that there are many languages we still have to learn and none of them require words. I can see your soul from your eyes, so old for someone so young. Don't let anything taint that. Drink up pretty lady, the show tonight will be truly spectacular."

Nodding my thanks, I took my hot chocolate to the living room, which the couple- I later found out- had turned into a reading room. Lining three walls were bookcases filled with a wide selection of books while armchairs were placed in the centre beside which small coffee table were standing. I ran my fingers across the spines till I stopped and picked out a book. Taking it to the nearest armchair, I sunk into the soft leather after placing my mug on the table.

I became lost in the words of F Scott Fitzgerald when someone knocked on the open door. Looking up, I saw Dylan standing against the doorframe smiling as usual. "It's almost time, you might want to wear your coat." He said, holding up my thick winter coat. Placing the book on the table, I walked over to Dylan, allowing him to help me into my coat. Zipping it up I followed him out through the back door where a few of the guests also joined us. There was a fire pit burning surrounded by wooden chairs, but the most beautiful part of the scene was the dancing lights in the sky.

The northern lights. Aurora Borealis. One of the most beautiful shows nature had to offer. Entranced we all stood with our breath held just watching the colours erupt across the sky. Blue, green, purple and all the colours in between swirled together, dancing to the beat of their own song. It was so peaceful, under the serene colours above our heads. Bright bands of pinks and red joined the show creating illusions men would always be jealous off.

The stars took a backseat as the lights shone more brightly tonight. This show was breathtaking, I couldn't quite believe my eyes. I had read many folk stories about the lights, never once thinking I'd see them in person.

Daisy would have been so jealous of me; she always marvelled about the skies. Dreamed of visiting the moon, to be one with the stars and exploring the world beyond ours. If I believed in an afterlife I'd find solace in the fact that she finally became the star she always wanted to be. Aurora was so beautiful I found myself believing that she was at peace, away from the tumultuous life she might have had here on earth.

I began to envy her freedom, wishing I was with her dancing among the colours, moving to the sound of my own music. Feeling the sudden weight of Dylan's hand in mine dissipated such thoughts as I finally let go of the painful memories of her death and instead relishing the bits of the past she left behind for me to hold on to.

The eskimos believed the lights were the spirits of their loved ones finally liberated from the earth so I chose to accept that folk story as the wisps of the colours were finally absorbed back into the darkness of the skies.

Goodbye Daisy. You will always be loved.

I placed two fingers to my lips as the last of the colour had disappeared.

I was at peace.

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Sorry it's taken so long to upload this. I had exams in December and Jan, then somehow February came and went.

Honestly, I have no idea how writers can upload so regularly. I really try, but I lost motivation somewhere in between so taking some time off writing this has been quite beneficial for me.

I hope you enjoyed this heavily overdue chapter.