The liquid was hot and black and nearly reflectionless. There was an olive coloured steam coming off of it in areas. The vapor danced across the surface like flame and dissipated quickly as it rose. The liquid flowed with a rhythm not unlike breath. At the edges of the pool it expanded and retreated in miniature tides. Unsettled by its motion, I moved to the edge and climbed out. The pool was surrounded by a ring of rough white rock and as I climbed I saw the bright desert plains that extended on all sides beyond it.
