As it turned out, reality was as bad as the nightmare. A steady freezing rain had drenched him through to the bone, and a blustery wind cut through his wet clothing. Shivering, he pulled the soggy jacket more tightly around him. He never thought he’d wish he was back in New Hope, but right now being able to retreat to his house and be warm and dry again seemed the most desirable thing in the universe, and especially as the rain continued to pour in thick, heavy sheets.

The only good thing about his situation was he now had the means for quenching his thirst. He tilted his head back and swallowed the cold rain until his thirst was satiated. Then he wished it would stop raining, but as if to spite him, it rained even harder, the winds increased, and the temperature dropped sharply. He wra...

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