The Points Between: Part Two, Chapter Seven

Absconditus

Matthew awakens to the sound of rattling in his chest.

It’s a long, drawn-out rasp, the kind that old smokers have, and it ends in a fit of coughing so intense that his lungs burn when he draws new breath. He instinctively covers his eyes with his arms, trying to keep out the sharp, piercing light of the sun. His eyes feel heavy and swollen. his eyelashes are crusty, and feel glued shut.

He groans softly, voice trailing off into a miserable croak as he quickly runs out o...