Living Without A Heart

The Next Stage

"Dad... I found mum," Betty announced, "She's staying at Mr Jones' house."

"What!? She's meant to be here!"

"She said she isn't happy here... but she's out of trouble there at least!"

"Hmm" 

"I've got to get off to school,"

"I have to get back to the Register considering I'm the only one doing any work!"

*****

FP gradually opened his bedroom door to find Alice sat sitting on his worn carpet. Her back was pressed up against the far wall, her legs were drawn to her chest, and her head was resting on her knees.

"Hey," FP called out gently, placing a hand on her knee. She guardedly raised her head to look at the man crouched down in front of her. Her pupils dilated, hiding parts of her dulling eyes. 

"Alice, we-" he paused as the woman began a coughing fit before she assured him she was okay. "We need to talk..."

Staggering to her feet, skedaddled to the door, swaying very much.

"Alice?"

"I'll go! Just please, please don't say it again..." She squeaked. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she began gripping her arms and tapping her foot restlessly.

"Don't say what again? Ali? What's wrong?" He puzzled.

"Last time..." she began "Last time you said that to me, we were sixteen years old and you... you broke my heart and apart from my daughters, everything went wrong!"

"Alice, that's not what I was going to say at all! I don't want you to ever leave me but there's something else..." he whispered the last part and pain burned in his eyes.

The pair sat on the double bed and just sat hand in hand. 

"There has been an update - new symptoms and out comes..."

"What are they?"

"People who have the drug in their system between 5-10 days are developing blisters on the inner walls of the organs. When they burst it damages the organs and causes internal bleeding..."

"What can the doctors do?"

"They haven't been able to save anyone yet - not everyone dies from the blisters but a lot of them are - Alice you're getting sicker by the hour..." he said, voice breaking.

"How long ago did I get injected?"

"...Five days ago..." he breathed.

Alice took a sharp intake of air and absentmindedly squeezed FP's hands that we inter-locked with hers. 

"Am I going to die?"

"I don't know... but you don't have to think about that okay? I'm gonna do the best I can to make sure you're not alone..." 

"Oh FP... you don't have to watch me like this - I don't want to become a burden to you or anyone..."

"You know I wouldn't leave you alone right now."

They both moved into the living room and lay on the couch, just talking. FP ran his hand through her still damp hair whilst she traced shapes into his hand. They lay comfortably until Alice was racked with yet another coughing fit.

*****

"Mr. Cooper?"

"Yeah?"

"I have some to speak to your wife - do you think you could give me her location? It's important. "

"You can tell me and I'll let her know when she is well enough - what is it?"