We were almost at the house when Ace's body temperature spiked.

"He's burning up," I said, pressing my hand to his forehead. As I offered to help support his weight. His skin was so hot it nearly scorched my palm.

"The poison," Marcus muttered, quickening his pace. "It's spreading faster than I thought."

Ace's eyes rolled back, and his knees buckled.

"Ace!" I caught his good arm as he collapsed, his full weight nearly dragging me down with him. "Marcus, help!"

Together ...