Deadly Double Love

Deadly Double Love 38

After Rory left, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything. I felt so weak and powerless, chained to a pole in the middle of a forest. I couldn’t even get my dad medical help. I was a failure.

Scott convinced me to eat a few cookies, but other than that I did nothing. I lay on the ground feeling sorry for myself. I watched as Scott poured water through my dad’s teeth. I watched as my dad alternated between shivering and sweating. I watched as the light between the cracks in the walls faded into darkness. And then I slept.

When I woke up the next morning Scott was still asleep. I went over to my dad and felt his forehead. He was still way too hot.

“How are you feeling?” I asked. When he didn’t reply I kept talking. “Are you worse or better than yesterd-”

Suddenly my dad’s arm shot out, hitting my leg. I screamed and Scott sat up.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Before I could reply, my dad’s other arm flew out, dragging the first arm with it due to the handcuffs.

I screamed again, surprised.

“What are you doing?” I asked my dad.

“Sorry!” he said as best as he could. “Not my fault!”

His injured leg twitched violently and he let out of groan, clearly in pain.

“He’s spasming,” Scott said. “He can’t help it.”

“Why?” I cried. “What’s happening to him?”

“I don’t…” Scott trailed off, a look of comprehension coming over his face.

“Why are you making that face?” I said anxiously.

“Oh God,” Scott breathed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I did a report on this in eighth grade health,” he said.

“What?” I said.

“All of the symptoms fit,” he whispered. “I should have noticed it sooner.”

“What?” I repeated, confused.

“He probably got it from when the dirt got into his bullet wound,” Scott mumbled.

“What is it?” I shouted.

“Tetanus,” Scott said.