Meanwhile, city dwellers in a port city stroll around the roads. The relentless sun beats down upon the arid realm as its fiery rays paint the surroundings in hues of searing heat. Gusts of wind whip up the sand, swirling it around the desert landscape with scarce patches of greenery.

     Resilient against the scorching sunlight, people traverse the roads, wearing garments that shield every inch of their skin. Despite the searing conditions, they go about their work. Men pull carts and wagons laden with cuts of meat while young boys cradle lambs in their arms. Patiently sitting by their stalls, women wait for the arrival of customers, ready to showcase their wares.

     Clamour fills every corner in the marketplace as crowds gather through the streets, strutting between stores and stalls. Women roam the market, inspecting fruits and vegetables before moving on to the next vendor. A teenage boy squeezes through the ocean of men and women, glancing from one stall to another.

     Dressed in a turban and a modest brown robe, the teenage boy ambles through the crowded market. His eyes dart from one stall to another, taking in the cornucopia of food offerings. Two copper coins rest between his fingertips, gleaming under the sunlight. As he looks around the marketplace, an array of vibrant fruits catches his attention.

     The boy walks towards a vibrant stand offering red and green apples. His gaze sweeps left, peering at the crimson fruit, then shifts to his right, seeing the verdant counterparts. After a brief contemplation, his decision crystallizes, and he reaches out to claim the scarlet apple.

"How much?" the boy inquired.

"Two copper coins," the vendor responded as she smiled at the boy.

     The boy politely extends his payment to the seller, their hands briefly touching. A warm smile graces his face as he cradles the apple in his palm, gently rubbing it against the fabric of his robe. Anticipation dances in his eyes, and the boy can no longer contain his eagerness. Licking his teeth, he takes a resolute bite, savouring the crisp sweetness that explodes on his tongue.

     Yet, amidst the moment of blissful indulgence, a sudden eruption of blaring voices pierces the air. The boy's attention is snatched away from his treat, and his chewing slows as he directs his gaze to the sentries atop the towering city walls. A tumultuous chorus of men's shouts fills the air. Their urgency propels them to dash from one point of the wall to another, carrying their voices over the marketplace below.

"Get out! Run!"

"Evacuate now!"

     Confusion permeates the marketplace as bewildered faces turn upward, fixating on the sentries atop the imposing wall. Men scratch their heads with their gazes locked in an unspoken question. Murmurs ripple through the crowd as their feet remain rooted to the ground, leaning into each other.

     The teenage boy remains composed. His observant eyes scan the surroundings, attentively taking in the reactions of men and women around him. He then takes another bite of the apple, furrowing his brows and tightening his lips. Glancing back at the sentries on top of the wall, he observes them silently.

"Get out! We said get out!!"

     The urgency in the men's cries shoots through the boy's heart, fear casting its shadow on his face. His heart skips a beat as he gasps loudly. A sudden numbness steals over his hands, betraying his grip on the apple, causing it to slip from his grasp and plummet to the ground.

     A colossal wall of water that reaches the clouds crashes on the towering city wall with a deafening roar. The violent flood overflows and surges into the bustling marketplace, submerging it in a torrential flood. Panic ensues as terrified screams pierce the chaotic air, reverberating through the disarray.

"Aaagh!"

"My child!!"

     Thousands of people stream into a stampede, desperate to escape the encroaching peril. In their frantic haste, bodies collide with stalls, tumbling to the ground. It becomes a harrowing race against time as the ocean gushes against their backs, hurtling them forward.

     A blaring wail of horror echoes through the air as the terrified masses scream at the top of their lungs. Urgency drives their movements, but not all can match the pace, leading to collisions and desperate shoves. Girls let out distressed cries while men shout in anguish.

     Swept up in the chaotic stampede, the teenage boy dashes alongside the thousands of fleeing souls. Clinging to his falling turban, he glances over his shoulder, and his eyes widen. Unexpectedly, a fellow escapee crashes into him from the left, sending both of them crashing to the ground.

"Stand up! Stand!"

     A man swiftly lifts the teenage boy to his feet, gripping his hand firmly as they squeeze through the hastening crowds on the street. Gripped by fear and panic, countless men and women flee in one direction while others scatter around. Their cries and screams reverberate through the atmosphere, echoing the weight of the disaster.

     Side by side, the teenage boy and the man sprint together. They hurry, running away from the incoming flood. Finding a momentary respite, they halt for a quick moment and glance at their backs.

     The relentless advance of the water continues unabated, its formidable size expanding with each passing moment. Like an insatiable beast, it engulfs individuals and entire households. The forceful current sweeps away debris, carrying everything with it.

     The water inundates the streets, transforming them into treacherous channels of death. Homes and structures fall apart as their foundations crumble beneath the waves. The ferocious tide shows no mercy, obliterating all in its path with voracious hunger.

"Here!" the man's deep voice pierced through the chaos.

     Guiding the teenage boy, the man pulls him towards a single-story house. Quickly, the man wraps his broad arms around the boy's slim waist, hoisting him upward. He hurryingly thrusts the boy onto the roof, ensuring his safety.

"Grab the roof!" the man barked his order as he lifted the teenage boy.

     Despite his desperate attempts, the teenage boy couldn't grapple and secure a firm grip on the edge of the flat roof. His arms extended to their limit, his fingers strained and stretched, seeking to find any purchase. However, his efforts fell frustratingly short as his fingers slipped through the roof's edge, leaving him teetering on the cliff of despair.

     The man glanced to his right, and his eyes landed on the incoming wave. His eyes widened while his mouth fell agape in disbelief. Swiftly, he bent his knees, coiling his muscles like a predator about to pounce. Then, he launched himself into the air.

     Finally, one of the boy's hands grasped the roof's edge. He wasted no time and began climbing. However, the weight of his lean body threatened to pull him back down. Quickly, he pressed his feet against the wall, relying on their support as his biceps strained and his muscles tensed. Gasping, he reached the rooftop and looked at the chaotic streets below.

"Grab my hand!" the teenage boy called out, extending his arm towards the man.

     The teenage boy reaches out his trembling hand towards the man. But the man, with a heavy heart, only smiles at him. The sight of his smile tears the boy's soul apart, his eyes glistening as his jaw quivers.

"Be good to your parents," the man stated as tears welled up in his eyes.

     The wrathful wave crashes into the man, engulfing him with a torrent of debris. Stones, wood, wagons, and boats become deadly projectiles in the unforgiving current. The ocean's rampage continues to ravage the town, mercilessly snatching away more lives. The wave shows no signs of ceasing, its distant roars blending with the anguished cries of men and women trapped within its watery embrace.

"No!!" the teenage boy cried out.

     Standing alone on the rooftop, the teenage boy takes a deep, trembling breath. He gazes at the city, submerged in a dark sea of sorrow and despair. As his heart drags him to the floor, he places his hands on his rapidly beating chest, feeling the weight of the cries and screams of the dying people tormenting his soul.