Night falls swiftly on us as we continue our march onward. I lose some of the jerky from my stomach on the evening walk, but not too much. At least not compared to my usual purge. Ward stays close by my side as I begin to stumble, and then the worst thing imaginable happens. The man on the stretcher begins to choke.
“Quick! Check to be sure he hasn’t swallowed his tongue, get him on his side, someone check his airways!” Ives’ harsh commands caused the company to scramble to a halt, but I can feel it in my bones. The man is not going to make it. Numbly, I float forward and watch as though no longer attached to my body while they try to revive the man. But it’s no use. His airways have swollen shut on him again. He seizes, gagging and choking, and the men try to hold him steady.
