Sand covered my feet, making it harder to tramp through the desert. The heat scorched my sore skin through my clothes. Every exhale pained my nostril. My mouth tried to help my nose but ended up causing more pain. Regardless of the amount of water, I downed, my throat refused to get moist. One would think I swallowed a ball of sand every day. It even became complicated to swallow.
I glanced at the others. Kane and Angel led the group. Leo and Alzar plodded on either of my sides. Ever since we started the day's hike Sabastian decided to linger behind me. Grouped in the middle, I did not have the luxury of slowing my pace. If no one noticed any of my changes, Sabastian would. He has been more attentive since we started this section. If I had not hidden my symptoms from him, who would know what he would do?
