Twenty-FourRick looked at Marlies, concern etched on his face. “Are you okay?”
“I don't know, Rick. I feel sick. And my head hurts.”
He touched her forehead, alarmed as the once flawless cool skin felt like it was on fire. “Kerry. Do you have the water?”
“Hang on,” she replied, rummaging through her pack. She pulled it out, handing it to him quickly.
He unscrewed the lid, offering the drink to Marlies. She took it, her hands trembling. Greedily, she chugged at the water, downing the contents in mere seconds. “Is that better,” Kerry asked as a wind started to whistle through Amatoll.
“RIIIIICK,” she screamed, landing flat on her back, her eyes tightly closed.
“Babe!” he cried, lifting her head frantically. “What is it? What's wrong?”
Her screams died away, echoing through the forest.
