The sun bore down on the cracked and parched earth of the Anfauglir Desert, the heat causing ripples of heat to speed across the ground, creating mirages everywhere. It would be almost suicide to be out in the desert on a day like this, but that was precicely what Jess was doing.

Jess hated deserts. Absolutely loathed them. So what she was doing out in the middle of one of the biggest, on the longest and hottest day of the year was beside her. All the small girl knew was that she was dying for water.
Her supplies had long since run out, when she had had to leave her pack at the mercy of a swarm of starving scorpians. But that was several hours ago, which to Jess could of been years ago. Still, she staggered on, ignoring mirages and always turning her head in the other direction when she came across one.
That was until she fell in one.
When Jess came spluttering to the surface of the crystal clear water, she was dumbfounded. Had she just fallen into a mirage? Nope, it seemed real enough, and the half-elf threw a bit of water into the air just to make sure.
Then, satisfied she hadn't finally lost her mind, Jess dove under the water, relishing as the water passed over her body. Throwing herself onto the shore after drinking her fill, Jess found herself slowly dozing off.
Until she heard something behind her.