One handful of sand and rocks after the other he slowly dragged his limp body further closer to the oasis. He didn't know how his body was still abled, but he worked on. It was not far now and once again a glimmer of hope appeared. The wind across the water of the oasis teased his nose and he worked quicker now. His hands touched the grass on the fringe of the oasis. The first real vegetation he had come in contact with since he was much younger. His energy was re-emerging and he could crawl now. The shimmer off the water was entrancing, as now he could see it, in all its turquoise glory. Now only meters away he crawled faster and faster until he stopped abruptly at the waters edge. He looked down and saw his reflection. He looked tired and worn. Yet undefeated and dignified. He cupped his hands and placed them in the water. It was cool and refreshing and his heart began to beat for the first time today. He spooned up the water to his mouth and drew in a swift gulp. He waited. And still he waited. Nothing. Pain still wrapped his body and
mind. Anger came over him. The strange being had promised the fix was in the water at the oasis. Gregory looked back down at the water and saw that very same pizza that caused him so much pain looking back at him. Laughing, taughnting him. It was too much. The pain was too great. Furious, he raised his first to punch through the pizza. His clenched left hand was on its way down as the pizza rippled away into nothing. A catfish bobbed its head up in the pizza's place. Gregory stopped his fist as the catfish spoke in kind words of help. Gregory was upset. How could a catfish help. Gregory said thanks and decided he should try somewhere else. As he turned the catfish lept onto his neck pushing him to the ground and turning him on his back. Terrified, Gregory tried to wrench the catfish off of him. But he was too weak. The catfish made its way quickly up to his face. The pain was the worst it had ever been and the catfish dived at the centre of the source. This is it Gregory thought. This is it. He then vommitted and passed out, his body convulting without consciencness.
Eyes open. Oasis in front. Gregory was seated against a tree overlooking the water. Trying to focus his foggy vision he saw Smelock on the other bank across the water. Confused he looked down and written in the sand was a note from the catfish 'The staple is gone. Your pain is no longer. You are free. The oasis is yours". Gregory smiled and he felt alive. He just kept smiling and shaking his head for days on end. It was over and he was fixed. He was released.