In the darkness, Riley wrapped the canvas around herself. Sugarsnap laid down and Riley would have cried for the sight of it. There was no moisture left in her body to spare. She gave the mare the last of her water, and cuddled next to her in the abyss.
We’ll reach the plains tomorrow, she thought, we have to.
She couldn’t see the others, but she could hear them breathing. Their breath was hoarse and catching. Cora had been coughing for most of the day. Alexander had mentioned that he couldn’t see out of his left eye.
He said it so casually, as though he was discussing our next meal.
“Alexander, do you think you could tell us another story?” It was Cora’s voice and she fell into a coughing fit.
Alexander whimpered, “Darling there’s nothing in the world I would like better, but I don’t think that I can stay awake.” Riley’s heart found depths it hadn’t sunk to yet.
She stared up at the stars and shivered. The wind was freezing. Her shirt clung to her under the layers of canvas and cloak. She wondered where the sweat came from. She shivered.
Thunder rolled.
Rain, she thought, please rain.
“Does everyone else hear thunder?” She croaked, sitting up.
“I hear something,” Cora murmured, “but doesn’t thunder usually stop?”
Riley listened closely. “It’s growing.” She threw her canvas over her head and peered into the darkness. The moon shone down on the salt, illuminating the earth before her.
“Riley, I see a cloud!” Cora was on her feet. Riley could make out her figure moving like a shadow. She stood up and looked where Cora was pointing. She let the canvas fall.
Lissie was next to her. “It’s them! I know it’s them!” Her voice was high and tight.
The three girls watched the cloud grow closer and closer. Alexander had not stood, and Ruskin was silent. They could make out lights now, little orange glows, dancing in the wind. The cloud widened as it approached and spread all around them. The circle closed, the thunder stopped.