Fiona trudged along behind the soldier and Julie silently. She’d vowed not to do anything to hold them up, and she was doing her damnedest to keep that vow. It was still dark out, but the sun had just started to make its way above the horizon. Fiona could barely see Julie ahead of her. The other woman was holding on to the backpack of the soldier for dear life. Julie hadn’t let Fiona get anywhere near the man, she’d claimed him for herself.
He was setting a good pace and Fiona could hear herself breathing too hard and too loud. She’d stopped swatting at the bugs on her legs a while back, it was useless and pointless. As soon as she swatted one away, two more would land. Fiona knew she’d have bug bites all over, but she’d be alive. Her feet also hurt. She’d stubbed her toes more than once
