1) The dunes are made of finely ground sand becoming progressively more rocky towards the top, or what appears to be the top, because as one climbs there does not seem to be any end to it. The air is so dry one might vomit from the attempt to climb it. At this particular moment, the top is a rocky mass. Perhaps one could get a good view of the desert from there.

2) The cube is an ordinary rubik's cube, most likely dropped by the last tourist who tried to look at the desert. It has not been solved. Also, it's having sex with my mother.

3) A worn, greyish wooden ladder leans against the rocky outcropping, offering a way to the top. It's not having sex with my mother, but it's watching.

4) The horse is black and white, like a cow. It stands off the side. It doesn't seem interested in anything. There isn't much of interest around here, for a horse. He is waiting for something. He doesn't really want to be there. Probably his horse friends made fun of him at school for looking like a cow when he was little.

5) The storms clouds are thick, black and dappled with lightning. It is approaching fast. The cool wind preceding it is a relief from the oppressive heat. The rain will be a welcome change until the cold becomes too much to bear. Lightning strikes might pose a significant risk, if this is indeed close to the top of the dune, which is still unknown.

6) The flowers, ordinary pansies of various colors, grow in the shade of the rock outcropping. They are amazed that there is soil there. They are looking forward to the storm. Their lives are pretty great, actually. Even the horse hasn't made any attempt to eat them, and they're not worried about it.

What about this thought experiment: what would a human do in the same situation? Kill him or herself? I don't think so. We like to flatter ourselves with fantasies of self-sacrifice, but if a child appeared out of nowhere and our only chance to save the child involved launching ourselves over a cliff, would you really, REALLY take that option, considered that the child, though innocent, is 100% at fault in creating that situation?