That was exactly what she wondered too, but she wasn't going to turn back and find out. She had the horrible feeling that just looking at the creature would sap her strength and make her legs turn to jelly. She was panting heavily from running but she could see that Nolan was in much worse shape. She had to get him somewhere cold fast.<br/><br/>She didn't bother to answer Nolan's question. Now was not the time for contemplation. She raced across the flat dusty plain at breakneck speed, not caring if she should fall, only wanting to get away from what ever that thing was.<br/><br/>The ground beneath her feet looked somehow naked and lost. In some places it was hard and cracked as if it hadn't seen water in centuries. The moonlight shone on something in the distance. It appeared to be in constant motion as it rippled and moved in a sinuous dance. She smelled moisture in the air.<br/><br/>"Nolan!" She pointed. "Look! A river! Can you make it?" The dirt suddenly changed from the desert hard pan to softer more resilient soil and she nearly tripped over her own feet at the quick change. By some miracle, she managed to stay upright and keep running.