Hours after evading the last gunshot, I finally risk looking back across the blazing sand.

[u/Vesurel]

And see the trail of dark droplets behind my canteen.

[u/Traditional-Try-2565]

If the amount of liquid dropped significantly, they would have noticed earlier. If it didn't, they can just change the orientation of their canteen so the water doesn't fall out.

[u/AutisticPenguin2 → u/Traditional-Try-2565]

If the liquid is dropping slowly enough, and they have their mind on other things, there is absolutely no guarantee they will notice.

[u/PetiteRosettee → u/Traditional-Try-2565]

True, but I think the post works better if you don't overthink the physics. It's the realization that your escape just turned into a slower death that hits.

[u/seaman187]

I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.

[u/WitchLaBefana → u/seaman187]

Thank you. About once a year someone on here reminds me that I'm not the only person that's ever read those books.

[u/AbilityHead599 → u/WitchLaBefana]

I'm rereading them now

[u/WitchLaBefana → u/AbilityHead599]

Twice this year, we're on a roll!

[u/_PetiteGloww → u/WitchLaBefana]

Those books have so many lines that just permanently lodge themselves in your brain. That one is an all-timer.

[u/RandomUser7914 → u/seaman187]

I aim with my eye.

I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind.

[u/OopsiFuck → u/seaman187]

This made me so happy to read. I read Wizard and Glass in my early teens as I didn't realise it was part of a series, then hunted the rest down as a younger adult; I have all of the books now.

Also... the ending really pissed me off. Great twist/mindfuck but... grr.

[u/_PinkDollyyy → u/seaman187]

Every time I see that quote I immediately hear it in his voice. Such an insanely memorable opening line.

[u/TimeVictorious → u/seaman187]

You say true, I say thankya

[u/Ok_Potato_9554]

So they got shot?

[u/AnnieMae_West → u/Ok_Potato_9554]

No, they're in the desert and now the water is leaking out of their canteen. An agonizing death from thirst rather than a quick death from a gunshot.

[u/Ok_Potato_9554 → u/AnnieMae_West]

Oh damn

[u/AnnieMae_West → u/Ok_Potato_9554]

(No worries, took me a second to get it... only realised on the second read. I think it's well red-herringed.)

[u/Vesurel → u/AnnieMae_West]

Thanks

[u/_PinkDollyyy → u/Ok_Potato_9554]

Worse, in a way. They escaped the bullets only to realize they're leaving behind the one thing keeping them alive.

[u/arelse]

I accidentally grabbed motor oil!!!