Chapter 137. Running from the Thunder Storm

The journey north was smooth. Red and the group traveled over flat, dry land with cracked soil under the scorching sun and heavy heat. At least no one was thirsty yet; they managed to spare their water.

There was no conversation between Red and Aamon. They had parted ways, and Red sighed softly, trying to focus her mind. Relationship problems would have to wait. Wasn't that the risk Red had to take?

As soon as night fell, they camped in the middle of a barren plain, protected only by the sky. There was no fire for warmth or light. Everyone huddled in small groups and tried to rest.

Red approached Sethi after Kyra had checked the Metaphysic. 

Kyra had said that Sethi's condition was worsening, with a high fever and the wound in her stomach swelling. They had two days left to reach the meeting place of the pods, though there was no certainty that they were heading in the right direction.

Red sat by the raft and looked at Sethi, who was curled up, shivering.