Chapter 18
Sean woke up from being shaken by none other than Jess. She looked scared and urgent. Then, Sean noticed that they had stopped moving. The boat was no longer rocking on the open sea, it had stopped. And left Sean's head spinning. Lucy and Rose also lifted their heads, staring out over the fog. But there was no doubt about what was ahead. The boat was launched on sandy surface, and a days' walk ahead, there was a huge orangey glow. They could even hear the crinkling of fire, and the roaring of a lava river. Sparks were being thrown high into the air and landing in the sand, as if the lava pit was beckoning them forwards. Lucy looked back at all of them, the firey sparks reflecting in their eyes. It reminded her so much of Trevor's eyes before he died that she was forced to close her eyes against their burning image.
"So, this is the rushing river we're supposed to jump into," Sean whispered, his eyes drifting over the lands.
The four teens stood from the boat and started towards the pit, their legs weak from their two day long journey across the sea. Jess was suddenly so hot, and so weak that she collapsed on her knees. "Jess, what is it?" Sean pleaded, leaning down on her knees to get a better view of her face. Jess gulped in the humid air.
"I can't breathe," Jess gasped; her hand flying to her throat. It was like the air was being cut off. And suddenly, her vision went black.
Sean sighed and carefully lifted up her limp body. There was a small, staggering heart beat but Sean hoped to hang on to it. He nodded at the girls, and they continued to walk.
The land was barren, barren and flat. Almost like the icy world they had long left behind. Sean hated the sudden change in weather, how it suddenly went from freezing to burning hot. He couldn't wait to finally arrive home.
"Sean, I think we need to rest," Lucy said, her voice husky as she lowered herself into the warm sand. Rose followed suite, curling herself into a ball to resist the hot air and sand that surrounded her. Sean slowly lowered Jess into the sand, resting his hand on her still one before falling into a deep sleep.