H) You continue your journey. The sun beats down unmercifully upon your back and shoulders. You begin to feel light headed and see stars. "Water.", you think to yourself. "I need water." You fall out of your cart, dizzy from dehydration. The onager brays and staggers as well. You fall to the hot sand, dizzy, thirsty, and scared. You see shadows moving in circles around you, or are you seeing spots? Suddenly, you feel a piercing pain in your back! A large vulture has landed on your back, tearing at your woolen clothing. You barely have the strength to fight it off. Another lands near your head, and begins pecking at your eyes. The last sound you hear is the frenzied squawking of vultures, having you for dinner.

THE END

copyright Jay D'Ambrosio 1998