Chapter 9
The landscape became increasingly monotonous, the desert of stones and sand turned into a soil covered by fine particles of silica that the vehicles raised in their ride; the passengers had to hermetically close the windows to restrict the entrance of the annoying dust to the cabins, but without being able to completely prevent it from entering. The interior air of the vans gradually became unbreathable, forcing travelers to cover their noses and mouths with scarves and kerchiefs, and their eyes with goggles to avoid eye irritation. They had already traveled three hours at reduced speed to avoid increasing the problem but it became evident that as they approached the Chinese border they were entering more and more into an ocean of sand.
Jack, who was sitting in the passenger se
