When I died again - Alex Mercer

Day 3

I woke up with the chills. I looked over at the clock and realized it was already 11 am. I didn't see anyone around which hopefully meant they were coming up with a plan. I hadn't stood up in over 24 hours so I decided to try. I sat up easily but my legs still trembled. I put one hand on the table and one on the couch. I pulled myself up but the dizziness set in quickly. I started falling again.

"What was the noise?" I heard a voice say. Julie ran into the studio and saw me laying on the floor. "Alex are you ok?" She asked. "Yeah I'm fine. I tried to stand but I got dizzy again." Just then Luke came in. He helped me up just like he always does. Willie wasn't with him and Reggie was no where in sight.

"Where are Willie and Reggie?" I asked. "Willie had to go check on something and Reggie went with him." Luke replied. "Check on what?" "They'll be back soon. I'll let Willie explain." Luke said. Whatever Willie was doing it didn't sound good. Luke would have told me if there was nothing to worry about.

Willie and Reggie poofed into the studio. "Alex, you're awake. Are you feeling better?" Willie asked. "Not really." I said. "I tried to stand but I collapsed." Willie looked concerned. That's pretty much the only face I've seen on him in the past couple days.

"What we're you and Reggie doing?" I asked. Willie looked down for a second. He was probably hoping I wouldn't ask. "We went to check the board." He said. I was confused. "What board?" Luke asked. "Caleb has a board of all the lifers and ghosts and he has control over. It also says his level of control. I wanted to see if Alex was on there and he was." Willie looked me straight in the eye. "Caleb has 25 percent control over you."

I didn't know what to think. Willie seemed really concerned but 25 percent didn't sound like a lot. Before it was 100 so what could 25 do? "Ok but how do we get it to zero?" Luke asked. "I don't know yet." Willie answered. He seemed ashamed that he didn't know how to help me.

"Could I be alone with Willie for a few minutes?" I asked. Luke, Reggie and Julie walked out. I had a feeling they would eavesdrop. Willie walked over to the couch and sat next to me. "Willie." I said. "I'm really scared. I know I had a lot of questions when we first met but I have even more questions now." I listed all my questions. Most of them Willie didn't know the answer to but he listened to all my questions and fears. Willie is such a better listener than Luke.

"Is that everything?" Willie asked. "No I have one more. What does the 25 percent control mean?" Willie seemed like he knew the answer to this one but didn't want to say it. He can't lie to me, I know he would tell the truth. "It means Caleb doesn't have much control over you but he has enough to make you sick. As you get sicker he'll get more control over you til he has 100 percent. Then he can start the jolts again."

This was definitely bad, really really bad. I knew what was about to happen but I couldn't stop it. I started shaking and hyperventilating. Willie realized what was happening too. He hugged me and kissed me on the head. Julie happened to look into the studio and saw Willie trying to calm me down. The trio ran in and started comforting me.

I felt really overwhelmed. My body ached and so did my mind. I realized I was holding both of Willie's hands. It made me feel safe. He made me feel safe. He always does. I needed Willie by my side. I knew he wasn't going anywhere.