The word "dying" hit William like a punch to the gut, and he picked up his pace.

The sun had set, and they were in the middle of nowhere. He wasn't sure where the village doctor was, so he just ran full steam ahead toward the village.

The person on his back was breathing more and more faintly. At first, she'd managed a few words, then just moans, and finally, nothing at all.

William kept running and calling out to Sophia, "Don't fall asleep!"

How could she not? Her ...