Murr's voice was horror stricken and Sal didn't even want to know what was wrong up ahead. He held Joe more tightly in his arms, ready to turn and run as fast as his exhausted body could muster.
"What's wrong Murr?"
Q was directly Sal and Joe and he startled Sal when he yelled.
"We've been here guys. We have been walking in a giant fucking circle."
Sal, now beside Murr, knelt to rest his now unconcious burden on the ground.
"Just going to lay you down for a bit, buddy."
Joe did not stir and this did nothing to settle Sal's nerves. He turned behind to meet the worried brown eyes of Brian Quinn.
"We have to get the hell out of here, Q. He has not moved in twenty minutes, man.".
"I know, Sal. I know."
Q walked passed Sal to kneel at their friend's head. He grasped Joe's chin with dirty fingers and shook gently. He put the other hand on Joe's chest.
He spoke loudly, praying Joe would wake up, if only a little.
"Joey! Joe, come on, bud. Please. We need you to wake up for us, just for a few minutes."
He felt Joe stir under his hand and sighed in relief.
"There you go, bud! Come on, talk to me"
By this time Murr and Sal were also kneeling next to their fallen friend, all praying silently.
Two blue, sightless, eyes opened slowly. Momentary panic overcame Joe as he reached out blindly, grasping Murr's arm and clinging tightly.
Murr winced as the long fingers wound into the fine hair of his forearm, yet he spoke gently and softly, moving to rub Joe's shoulder with his free hand.
"It's okay, buddy. We're all right here with you and we're going to find the way out of this fucking place. I promise."
The grasp he had on Murr's gradually loosened.
"I forgot I couldn't see for a second. I'm sorry, Murr. I felt hair in there, thanks for not slugging me."
He tried to grin, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Murr smiled sadly.
"It's okay, man. I didn't need those hairs anyhow. You know I'm just going to wax them away."
Everyone chuckled at that.
Q absently massaged Joe's shoulder, feeling the fever starting to rebuild, and his mind frantically trying to come up with a solution.
"We have to get the hell out of here, guys. Let's go. I'll get Joe."
With that he reached down and picked his friend up and they were off again.
Sal spoke up from the rear.
"We need to find a creek or something, guys. And follow it."
Q only nodded, his mind and worry on the burden in his arms. Joe was damp with sweat and he could feel the heat radiating from his body."
"Stay awake, Joe. Don't go to sleep bud. Here, I'm going to stand you up and you can walk for a little while"
Carefully he put Joe on his feet, not letting go of his arm.