"Who Is.. OMORI?"

Nightmares - Fever Dreams part 1

One day had passed since the entire ordeal with Sunny's nightmares, and his health only got worse.

Hero was at the kitchen, expertly making some garlic soup. It had always helped him out whenever he got sick, and since Sunny didn't have breakfast yet (he had slept through the entire morning) it should also be something light enough for his stomach to digest. 

He had left the poor boy sleeping in the couch, three thick blankets wrapped around him. It didn't stop him from shivering though- and even with the wet towels over his head, his high temperature didn't lower much.

Kel was sitting on top of the kitchen counter, swinging his legs back and forth. He wasn't there to help or anything, simply keeping Hero quiet company.

It was a kind gesture, it made him feel less lonely as a million thoughts swirled through his brain. Many of them along the lines of: "Why does Sunny keep having bad dreams?", and "why did he react so strongly yesterday?". However, he sadly never got the answer to any of his questions. No matter how many times he repeated them in his head.

"So.. when do you think Sunny will get better?" Kel suddenly spoke up, his tone casual.

Hero swirled the pasta inside the pot. "Hm, not sure. So far it seems like he got the flu, along with a bad fever. Aubrey thinks he got sick from the cold, but that's not true. You can't get sick from the cold-" Kel did a double take at that. "-though he did go out without any shoes or anything, barely any protection.. chances are he got some sort of virus while outside."

Kel made a face. "And we're keeping him here?"

Hero couldn't help but chuckle at that. "Relax, you probably won't get sick. You've got the best immune system I know." And that was saying something. So many times his brother ate the food off the floor, even eating gum from the road as a dare- Hero shivered at the memory. "I'm a tad surprised he got sick at all, honestly.."

"Surprised?!"

"Okay I worded that badly- I'm not surprised that he got sick, I'm surprised that it's affecting him this badly."

He motioned towards the living room, where Sunny resided. He was extremely pale, sweat building up by his forehead so much it rolled down his cheeks. He looked like a zombie, barely alive- though Hero would never say that out loud.

"His temperature is through the roof," he continued to explain, turning back to his pot. Hot steam was flowing from the soup, so he made sure to keep his face as far away as possible. "I already gave him some medicine, but it doesn't seem to be working all that well.. he's got almost every possible symptom of the flu, and they're all relatively strong. It's as if he has almost nothing inside his body keeping him safe."

It was concerning, to say the least. For his immune system to be this weak at this age, the kid probably neglected himself for.. a very, very long time. That was not a thought he'd want to linger in. "I considered taking him to a doctor, but the bills wouldn't be worth it. Especially for something like this." He grimaced, the familiar hate towards the American health system returning.

"Yeah, makes sense. Besides, we have you! We don't need any other doctor with our great Hero around!" Kel nodded, a bright smile on his face. It made Hero's chest lighter just upon seeing. You can count on him to cheer you up! What would he do without him..