Prophet

Chapter Four

AN: When I get round to publishing this on Amazon, I'll probably pair it with 'The Second Floor'-they come from around the same time. Maybe I'll toss 'The Sandmen' in there, too-you'll see that later.

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Come morning, Isaac was coughing and running a low-grade fever. Mary deemed him to be under stress. Christine wondered if he simply wasn't used to modern-day germs.

"S-sorry."

"Shh, sweetie. Just go to sleep, no one's upset." He shivered and seemed to fall back into bed. "Christine, go make a cup of cocoa, okay?"

"Sure."

By the time she got back, Isaac was half-asleep, buried in the blankets.

"You'll like this. It's good for you."

"What is it?"

"Hot cocoa."

"But what is it?"

That poor, deprived child...wait. She could have fun with this. It would be like having a little sibling to corrupt! But he had to have cocoa first. The corruption could wait.

"You'll like it, I promise. Just drink it. It's hot, though, so watch out."

He sat up and pushed his sleeves up before taking the mug from her. He looked very tired. Small, too-her father's pajamas were much too big for him.

"Thank you."

"Sure."

He took a sip and winced.

"It's hot!"

"I told you."

Now he was looking at her as though she was going to poison him. Really?

"It's safe."

He took another sip.

"It's not bad."

"Told you so."

He wrapped his fingers tightly around the mug and leaned against the pillows, looking around the room. His eyes fell on the lamp and he blinked.

"What's that?"

"A lamp. It gives light."

"May I see?"

She tugged on the switch and it came on. Isaac cocked his head and prodded the base.