Probably not Vianca. The trek might not have been too long, but the close and cozy contact was already doing some of its magic. Gradually, drawing in breaths became a little bit smoother, a tiny bit easier. The dizziness and the chills were still there, but they were easier to bear when she could breathe.

Not that this was changing the way Vianca clung to this solid person as they went. Her grip only tightened as suddenly things were going d o w n, and it only persisted when she actually did make contact with the cot.