The heat pounded us mercilessly. Another whole day had passed, and it was midday again. Today it was even hotter than before, and I could feel the dehydration slowly creeping in. My throat was dry, and every time I tried to swallow, it felt like my throat was tearing at the air.

It was incredibly boring on this boat, but I was glad I wasn't alone. Eryon and I had become accustomed to the strangest kind of conversation. We talked about the most trivial things—about new inventions that were currently being celebrated in my world, what was going on in politics, and which celebrities were currently dominating the media. I...