I pulled my hand away, then pressed it back to his forehead just to make sure. Hot. Too hot.
I’ve never witnessed anyone with such a high fever before, I could almost see the heat emanating from his skin.
Panic wrapped its claws around my throat.
I scrambled up, heart racing, and stumbled to the battered pouch I’d filled with water. My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped it. I crouched back at his side and lifted his head carefully into my lap, tilting the pouch toward his lips.
“Come on, Liam. Drink. Please.”
Some water trickled into his mouth, but most spilled down his chin. He coughed weakly, turned his head, and the rest slid uselessly onto the sand.
Tears stung my eyes. “Damn it!”
I set the pouch aside and pressed trembling fingers to his wrist, just to feel the faint, flut
