19
‘I know this area pretty well,’ Jane said. ‘Grew up around here. All looks different today, of course, and I’m usually on the road, but I think I know where we are.’
‘That’s good, ’cause I don’t have a clue anymore.’ Steven studied the map but it was increasingly difficult to make sense of the creased up, dog-eared piece of sweat-dampened paper. ‘I think I’m still heading the right way. Problem is, everything looks the same now.’
‘I know. So sad.’
Walking with Jane had made the last hour pass with relative speed, but their pace had noticeably dropped. She was out of shape, but even the strongest would have struggled to maintain any speed in these conditions. The air was bone dry, not a single hint of moisture left. It was like breathing in sand, and the world around them had come to
