Chapter 1
The second academic year had ended, and Adam, Kyle, Alex, and Michael had all graduated. Their new lives were about to begin—the lives they had long awaited, as their journey to find a job was about to start.
On Thursday morning, Kyle called his three friends, suggesting they go camping on the beach at the end of the desert road to celebrate their graduation and the end of their studies. Everyone welcomed his suggestion, and Adam added that they could stay there until Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Everyone agreed except for Alex. He completely rejected the location because he believed in superstitions and the existence of spirits, especially in that particular place. He told them that many stories surrounded this beach, claiming a tribe of spirits inhabited it. However, Kyle insisted on Alex joining them, as did the rest of the friends. Alex didn’t care for their words and refused to go unless they changed the location.
Kyle called Adam and Michael on a group call to discuss Alex. Their opinions differed. Kyle said, “Do you know of any other suitable place for camping?”
Michael replied with frustration, “There’s no other place. If he really wanted to come with us, he would have suggested another location.”
Adam hesitated before saying, “Don’t worry. We’ll all go to the same place, and Alex will come with us whether he likes it or not. I have a plan. Just follow my lead.”
Michael and Kyle agreed with Adam’s plan and ended the call to pack their bags. Then, Kyle left his house after informing and bidding farewell to his family, got into his father’s car, and drove to Michael’s house.
When Kyle arrived, he saw Michael waiting outside with his father. Kyle got out of the car, greeted them, and helped Michael load his belongings into the trunk. They then headed to Adam’s house.
On the way, Adam called Kyle and informed him he was at Alex’s house, helping him pack. Kyle changed his route and headed there. When he arrived and parked the car, he called Adam and told them to come out when they were ready, as he and Michael were waiting outside.
Adam and Alex got into the car, joining Michael and Kyle, and the vehicle set off beyond their city, entering the long desert road. Sand surrounded them on every side, and the expansive blue sky added a sense of freedom.
“How about we play some music?” Michael asked, holding his phone.
Kyle smiled and said, “Yeah, let’s celebrate our graduation!”
But Alex, who sat silently in the back, didn’t share their enthusiasm. He gazed at the sand dunes with a contemplative look, still troubled by the heated phone argument with Kyle.
“Are we close?” Adam asked, checking the map on his phone.
Kyle replied, “Yes, just fifteen kilometers left.”
Alex asked nervously, “Why are we on a road surrounded by desert and sand dunes? Aren’t we going to the beach in the city…?”
Adam interrupted, awkwardly, “Yes, we are going to the beach I told you about.”
Alex returned to staring at the road, feeling as though he had been deceived. The sand piled up on both sides of the road due to the wind, as if it were closing off their way back.
Michael pulled out some snacks from his backpack, while Adam switched songs like a professional DJ.
“Are you going to stay quiet the whole trip?” Kyle teased, looking at Alex.
Alex didn’t respond. He only looked at Kyle with questioning eyes and finally said, “Tell me the truth... Where are we really going?”
The friends exchanged glances, with nervous smiles stretching across their faces.
“Don’t worry,” Adam said, handing him a bottle of water. “You’ll love the place when we get there.”
But Alex didn’t drink. He felt as if everything around him was moving slowly, as if time itself was trying to prevent him from reaching their destination. He began to shout, scolding Adam for lying and blaming himself for coming along. But Kyle quickly calmed him down, pointing out the beauty of the beach—the blue water harmonizing with the desert sands and the glow of the setting sun.
Alex was captivated by the breathtaking view before him, completely forgetting his anger and fear of the place.
After choosing a suitable spot, the friends got out of the car, and with astonished steps, Alex led the group toward the beach. The clear blue waters danced with the breeze, and gentle waves softly touched the sand. They all sat on the sands and began setting up camp and preparing a spot for the barbecue. Alex had completely forgotten his fears and worries, now immersed in the beauty of the place.
Suddenly, Alex froze in place, staring at one of the distant mountains like a madman.
“Do you hear that?” Alex asked, gazing into the horizon.
Adam smiled and said, “That’s the sound of the waves. Stop believing these myths and rumors.”
“He’ll ruin our celebration and spoil our mood,” Michael whispered to Kyle. He never liked Alex and considered him an outsider to their group. Kyle, Michael, and Adam had been childhood friends and only met Alex in college.
But Alex wasn’t convinced... There was something else—a hidden melody, as if someone was singing from afar. The sound was coming from the desert, not the sea.
He tried to ignore it, but the more he focused on his friends’ conversations, the more the melody teased his ears. The voice was more beautiful than anything he had ever heard. He wanted to know who the singer was—he wanted to meet her. The voice had a charm that captivated anyone who heard it. Alex was a singer and understood such matters. Throughout the gathering, he sat with his friends, lost in thought, listening to the distant sound as if he had headphones on.
“Are you okay?” Kyle asked hesitantly.
“Yes... Yes, everything is fine,” Alex replied, trying to muster a reassuring smile.
The friends started the fire and began preparing the barbecue. The smell of grilled meat mixed with the sea breeze, and their conversations filled the air. Yet Alex couldn’t shake off that feeling. It was as if the desert was singing to him, as if the mountains hid a secret that no one dared to uncover. The singing continued even after the sun had disappeared and the moon had risen.
Kyle, Adam, and Michael brought out their instruments, and Adam took out a microphone connected to speakers, handing it to Alex with excitement:
“You’re the singer of the night.”
Alex took the microphone, announcing his willingness to sing. Michael’s face showed signs of displeasure, but he couldn’t deny Alex’s talent, so he remained silent.
However, Alex didn’t realize that another audience would hear him that night—not just his friends.
