The surge of heat stops and Emcee takes another deep gasp, his body trembling seemingly involuntarily.

He realizes that he's sweating. Just moments ago he was ice cold.

His tongue feels thick and sluggish and the only sounds he can make are questioning whimpers as his senses overwhelm him all at once. And his memories flood back: memories of the pain, the confusion, the desperation-- of his friends back home and the sounds of their voices crying out in the dark.

Tears fill his eyes and spill down his cheeks, blurring his already hazy vision. He reaches out for someone, anyone, though his arm feels like lead.