Scorched to Ash Beneath the Blazing Sun

"Haven't you caused enough trouble already, Sophie?

"Willa feels so guilty after the attitude you gave her that she's afraid to even drink the water.

"You always complain it's too cold even when the AC is only on for a bit at home, so don't start pretending you can't handle the heat now.

"Do you really have to act weak and make the entire team worry about you?"

After what felt like an eternity, Ryan Grant's irritated voice crackled over the radio in my backpack. Willa Lane spoke next, her voice thick with tears.

"Ryan, please don't be angry with Sophie. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have drunk that bottle of electrolyte water.

"She must be upset with me, so maybe I should go back for her and give her the half bottle that's left."

Ryan's voice immediately softened.

"Don't be ridiculous. You've already rubbed your heel raw. What if it gets infected on the walk back?

"Sophie is only pulling this stunt because she knows you're softhearted.

"Leave her alone. Once she's done throwing her little tantrum, she'll catch up on her own."

The other members of the group began chiming in.

"Exactly, Willa. Why bother with her?"

"Ryan has spoiled Sophie rotten. She's always acting like she's dying over every little thing."

"The heat is so brutal that we're all being roasted alive. Who has the energy to humor her while she pretends to be sick just to compete with Willa for Ryan's attention?"

"Leave her back there to cool off and come to her senses."

I desperately wanted to crawl over to my backpack, grab the radio, and tell them I wasn't pretending, but I no longer had the strength to move.

Their voices continued to pour from the radio until the system spoke inside my head once more.

[Departure command confirmed. World transfer in 30 minutes.]

At that moment, cheers suddenly erupted over the radio.

"There's a vehicle! It's the rescue team!"

"Thank God! We don't have to walk back!"

An unfamiliar man's voice followed.

"You're with the Raptor Expedition Team, right? Didn't you check the forecast? Ground temperatures are over 122 degrees today, and you still went deeper into the backcountry?"

"Sorry, we underestimated the weather. One of the women in our group hurt her foot and is showing mild signs of heat exhaustion. Could you take her back to camp first?" Ryan answered in a most respectful tone.

The rescuer checked the roster in his hand.

"We can give her a ride, no problem. But you registered eight people. Why are there only seven of you here? Where's the last member of your group?"

I thought I was finally going to be saved, only to hear Ryan answer in a calm, steady voice.

"Oh, her. Something came up, so she dropped out early. It's just the seven of us now."

The others all kept quiet, silently backing his story. The rescuer suspected nothing.

"All right. The injured girl can get in first.

"There's air conditioning and ice water in the vehicle. The rest of you shouldn't push yourselves either. Take the main road and head straight back."

As despair washed over me, I heard Ryan lower his voice.

"Sophie, I know you can hear me.

"There are only two seats left in the rescue vehicle, and Willa needs to get to the medical tent as soon as possible. Every minute we wait for you is another minute her wound could get infected.

"Don't get on the radio and embarrass yourself right now. Take your time walking back to camp. I'll take you out for your favorite barbecue tonight."