The desert of Nudo was big, dry and full of fissures, rocks as large as buildings and mountains.

The girls walked a lot, rested and were attacked by some bug monsters, each about five meters long. Erica killed them without breaking a sweat, then pulled out their guts with her timitio. She separated what they could eat from what they couldn't and between the two of them they took a good portion for lunch. In the shade of a mound they ate their fill. The monsters were large and had more meat than they could take.

—How do you know so much about monsters?— Liliana wanted to know after they finished eating, —You come from Mother, don't you? How did you learn so quickly about what you can and can't eat?

Erica finished swallowing her last piece of meat.

—Tasting— she explained.

Liliana waited for her to develop that answer further, but for Erica it seemed to be enough.

—What do you mean, tasting? Did you taste the monsters?— then Liliana understood —Literally taste them?! Did you kill them and put a piece in your mouth?!

—Yes, that.

—But... But that's dangerous— exclaimed Liliana.

However, at that moment she noticed Erica's face crumpling a little, closing to rejection. Liliana closed her mouth to stop herself. She couldn't let Erica think badly of her. She thought of a quick way to turn her own words around.

—You're incredible, I would never have thought of that!— she corrected herself.

It didn't feel right to play the suck-up, but she needed to be nice if she was to receive Erica's protection, be it against monsters, nonis or any danger in that world.

Erica turned red and looked away with a smile peeking through her lips. Liliana had seen that smile on kids when they were praised, she understood that Erica was the type of person who didn't get compliments very often, that she enjoyed them a lot. Liliana had only known her for a short time, but she had been able to observe how simple and straightforward Erica was. It wouldn't be too hard to keep her by her side, to use her as her bodyguard.

Liliana thought about that for a moment. The idea displeased her greatly, but she could see no other way to survive. She needed Erica, she would have to mold herself to her, stick to her like a parasite and live on her back.

—Is that what I am now?— she wondered— a filthy parasite?

She looked up at Erica. To her surprise, she had her eyes on her, curious, but she looked away when Liliana noticed her.

—Are you... Are you all right?— asked Erica, shyly.

—Huh? Me?— Liliana wondered —What are you talking about?

Erica looked at her feet, not sure how to express what she wanted to say. Liliana could almost see her head racing to get a word or two out. She thought about suggesting some to help her, but decided to wait for her. Another attitude she had noticed from Erica was that she preferred to do some things on her own.

—You looked sad— she said at last.

Liliana was even more surprised.

—Me?

Erica nodded. Liliana put a hand to her neck, not knowing what to say. She wasn't sad, she just felt disgusted with herself, she felt sorry for Erica for having to carry a burden like her, she felt angry at the nonis for invading her world and frustrated by the abrupt interruption in her life. In the end she decided to say something so as not to worry her.

—I just feel bad that you have to do all the work— she said —killing monsters, taking their flesh... you'd move faster if I wasn't here. I'd like to be of more help.

Liliana regretted almost instantly admitting her fears, even if it was only a small part of the larger and more serious truth involved. She hoped Erica would not notice.

—It's not true!— she exclaimed.

Liliana looked at her, surprised. Erica turned to her and placed both hands on the ground to get a little closer.

—You are very...— but she stopped, embarrassed. She looked down at the ground to hide— I mean... you're nice. I... I... I... I like being with you.

Liliana didn't see how "being nice" meant any help. As long as Erica was protecting her from the monsters and providing food, she could "be nice" easily. It felt ridiculous. However, the eagerness in Erica's voice was not lost on her.

—She needs me— Liliana observed, confused —Why would she need me?

She didn't understand Erica, but her words were all she needed. If she wanted her company so much, Liliana was more than happy to let herself be protected.

—A welcome parasite— thought the thief —that's a pet, isn't it... I'm a pet?

Erica was still looking at her anxiously, waiting for an answer. Liliana smiled at her.

—You're a very nice girl, Erica. Thank you.

The brika smiled from ear to ear.

After that, they both set off.

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Erica didn't talk much, not because she restricted herself, simply because she wasn't used to socializing. Liliana wanted to talk a lot, wanted to get to know her and wanted to get even by talking about some of her stories, but her throat dried up quickly when they started conversations. Still, she told her a little about her life in Mother and what she had experienced in Nudo until she met her.

—It can't be!— exclaimed Erica— And that ghost could appear and disappear whenever he wanted to? It wasn't a trick?

Liliana shook her head.

—He did it at will, he just vanished as if he had never been there...— She put a hand to her throat, dry. She swallowed, but she didn't have much saliva left.

—Perhaps we should avoid talking too much— Erica observed.

—What? Oh... I'm sorry— Liliana grumbled —I didn't mean to bore you. Let's talk about something else.

—No, no! It was very interesting— exclaimed Erica —Really! I say that because we have to conserve saliva.

Liliana looked at her quizzically. However, her mouth was almost completely dry.

—It's your first time in a desert— said the brika —the air is very dry, it makes you lose water very fast.

—Water? But we've barely...— Liliana stopped for a moment, embarrassed —we've barely been to the bathroom.

—Because your body has to conserve as much water as it can— Erica explained —you expel moisture through your mouth and skin. The drier the air around you, the faster the moisture leaves your body. That's why we lack saliva. It will be worse if we talk too much, so we'll have to wait a bit... But I'd like to hear more, really! You tell stories very well!

Liliana was glad that Erica noticed her oratory skills. More than that, she marveled at her knowledge. She had taken her for a brute with little brains, but clearly she had been wrong. Liliana wanted to tell her that she reminded her of a friend who knew about everything and was always telling her things she didn't know, but she kept quiet because her throat was really very dry. It would have to be another day.

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Less than an hour later, Liliana began to take shorter steps without even realizing it. It wasn't until Erica was several meters ahead of her and turned to wait for her.

—Ah, she's waiting for me— Liliana said to herself —I have to pick up the pace.

She tried to hurry, but it took a lot of effort. When she caught up with her companion, she was a little short of breath. She was very tired and her feet hurt.

—You need to rest— Erica suggested.

Liliana looked at her, hoping that Erica would ask that because she needed it too, but when she looked at her she noticed that she was in perfect condition, as fresh as if she had taken a nap. Liliana understood that Erica was only saying it for her.

—No, no! Not a chance— Liliana exclaimed.

—Really?— Erica wondered —Do you think you can go on?

Liliana pursed her lips, helpless. She took another step, but the pain was becoming too much. She bent down a little.

—I just don't want to be a bother— she pleaded— you can still go on, can't you?

—Yes, I have high resistance— said Erica —although it's not infinite.

Liliana sat down, tired. She had walked all day and could not go on any longer.

—I'm sorry— she pleaded.

—What are you talking about? It's all right— Erica told her.

Liliana bowed her head, defeated even with those words of encouragement. Her feet hurt a lot. Anxious, she took off her boots to check them. They were both bruised, red from overexertion. She gave them a little massage, but that hurt too.

—That doesn't look so good— observed Erica —maybe we shouldn't have walked so much.

—No, I just have to get used to it. You'll see, in a few days I'll be able to walk all day without any problems— she said, but she wasn't sure her feet would last that long.

—No, don't push yourself so hard— said Erica —I'll carry you.

Liliana opened her eyes wide, bewildered.

—What?

—I'll take you— she repeated.

—No! What are you saying? That's too much!— exclaimed Liliana.

—Uh...— Erica sat down next to her —then let's rest until tomorrow.

Liliana gritted her teeth. It was one thing for Erica to carry her, but it was another thing to make her wait a whole night. Whatever she did, she was just an annoying burden.

—I'm sorry— she muttered in grief —I'm sure you would have crossed the desert already if you were alone.

Erica sighed.

—I don't know, I spent several days walking before I got to Vergherel— she admitted —but hey, there's nothing to apologize for. You have your limits, I have mine too. There is no shame in that.

Liliana did not respond. She didn't feel there was anything she could offer.

—My dad was much stronger than me, you know— she continued —he used to beat me in races and strength contests. Sometimes we played wrestling, but no matter what I did, I could never beat him. I never even came close. Worse, I was always causing havoc because of my strength. People would end up chasing me, my dad would grab me and we would run away. We moved around the country several times. He was stronger, but he never caused a mess, he never let people know about his strength. I was the only fool who made a mess of everything.

Liliana looked at Erica, puzzled. She was surprised that someone so capable could continually wreak havoc throughout her life, but as she thought about it a couple of times, she realized it made perfect sense. Erica must have had a very difficult time growing up in Mother.

—And... What did your father say to you when...— Liliana asked.

—When I made a mess?— Erica shrugged —he'd tell me everything was fine, not to worry... he never reprimanded me for that. He was a...— but she shook her head—IS! He IS a very understanding man.

Liliana began to understand where Erica got her patience from. She ended up smiling.

—Thank you, Erica. You're a good girl— she said.

Erica laughed heartily.

—No, not at all— she pleaded —but I'm not so apathetic to ignore that you can't do it anymore. So let's take a break.

—Actually, I was thinking of taking your other suggestion— Liliana told her.

—What? Do you want me to give you a piggyback ride?

—At least try. If you get tired of doing it, let's call it a night.

—As you wish— said Erica.

Quickly, Liliana climbed on her back and they set off across the desert. Erica walked calmly with Papel while carrying Liliana, with soft steps so as not to disturb her. Liliana felt quite comfortable.

In this way they continued for another six hours. Then night fell. As they had no tents or sleeping bags, Erica dug a bed in the sand, got in and they slept together to keep warm. It was better than just lying on the ground.

As they lay there, gazing at the stars of Nudo, Liliana looked at her new traveling companion. She couldn't see her face because of the darkness, but she knew from her breathing that she wasn't asleep.

—Aren't you tired?— she asked.

—No, not really— Erica replied.

—Really? Even when you carried me all the way... thank you.

—It was nothing, really— she assured her —How are your feet?

—Better, thanks to you.

They didn't talk anymore, because they needed to rest. Liliana remembered her insecurity at the beginning of their trip; the guilt that gnawed at her for manipulating and molding herself to Erica, just to get her protection. She noticed that she had forgotten a third possibility: to find in her a true friend. Despite the bad times, the hostile world and the crimes against her world, Liliana realized that she could still find nice people, people to share and build a nice relationship with.

At that moment, before falling asleep, she was happy for her new friend.