----------------------- outside Paris, Malmaison,
August 1799 -------
Arno
dragged his friend up the steps while groaning and sucking cool night air deep
into his lungs, before finally reaching the end of the stairs. Verne stumbled
and groaned as well softly.
"Hang
in there. No one here is going to die today." Arno was not sure if he
wanted to convince himself more, let alone his friend.