---
I began.
The base was already compact.
Enough to hold a shape.
I looked around.
No tools.
I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket.
Opened it.
Half full.
Took one out.
Lit it.
Smoke drifted upward.
Then faded.
---
The box was sturdy.
Flat.
It could be used.
I pressed it into the sand.
Forming a straight edge.
Pulled it back slowly.
---
The first line was ford.
I repeated it on the other side.
Connecting them.
Making a corner.
A square.
The foundation of the first block.
---
I took my lighter.
Held it like a ruler.
Drew a thin line down the middle.
A road.
Consistent width.
It couldn’t change.
I stopped for a mont.
Checked the proportions.
Enough.
---
I gathered more sand.
Piled it on the side of the road.
Pressed it with the cigarette box.
Gently.
Compact.
The first house.
Simple.
A small block.
---
I smoothed the sides.
Pressed gently.
Sharper corners.
A roof wasn’t necessary.
Inefficient.
No tools.
I drew another line.
A second road.
Intersecting.
An intersection.
---
I stopped.
Calculating the distance.
Too close.
I erased a part of it.
Leveled it out again.
Built it again.
Wider.
---
Now it was enough.
I looked around again.
A used plastic cup near the bench.
Empty.
I picked it up.
Cleaned the inside a bit.
---
Went to the water tap.
Filled it.
Not full.
Returned.
Poured a little water onto a specific spot.
Not every part needed to be wet.
Only the main structures.
I pressed down again.
More compact now.
---
I used the cup as a mold.
Pressed it into the sand.
Lifted it.
A cylinder.
A water tank.
---
I made two.
No need for more.
I picked up a small twig from the ground.
From who knows where.
Straight enough.
I planted it.
On the side of the road.
A utility pole.
A streetlamp.
---
I drew a thin line from one to the other.
With the tip of the lighter.
Lines.
I stopped.
Looked at the whole thing.
---
The first block was done.
I moved on to the right side.
Repeated the pattern.
Not identical.
No need to be.
Small variations.
For spatial efficiency.
---
The sand was starting to dry in so parts.
I added a little more water.
Not too much.
If it was too wet—
the structure would collapse.
I pressed down again.
Reinforcing it.
---
A few minutes passed.
More roads.
More houses.
The intersections were clearer.
The form began to take shape.
---
A small town.
---
I didn’t look around.
Focused.
My hands kept moving.
Without hesitation.
Small mistakes were instantly fixed.
Not left unchecked.
The structure expanded.
More complex.
---
It was enough.
For now.
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