I woke up with a gasp.
My body drenched in sweat as I turned to see Alex.
He was crouched low, his broad shoulders illuminated by the flickering flames of the small fire he had managed to kindle. The makeshift campsite was quiet except for the occasional crackle of wood. The dim glow of the firelight danced across his face, casting sharp shadows that made him look even more severe than usual. He didn't say a word as he fed the flames, his movements efficient and methodical, like everything else about him.
It was... Just a dream.
I laid back down on the wall, the heat of the fire barely cutting through the fever burning in my skin. My injured leg throbbed in time with my heartbeat, a dull, relentless ache that refused to be ignored. The bandages were filthy now, caked with dirt and blood. I could feel sweat trickling down my temples despite the cool night air.
