WMMAP - [S2] Shelter You

38: In Vino Veritas

Athanasia's body uncontrollably folded into itself, in need of warmth. But then the ambient air was kind enough to become lukewarm. What breezed there seemed to be in the median - not as warm and comforting as the ones in the summer months past, but not as cold and harsh as the winter months yet to come. The thought comforted her, like a hot coal nestled in her belly.

Her eyes lid quivered when she heard a faint voice, though unable to make it out exactly what along the line nor could she open her eyes.

What she didn't know was that there were layers of clothes surrounding her, along with a hand topped on her head just now, and slowly, she drifted back to sleep.

The burning sensation in her stomach was a double shot of the spirit that she had drunk.

Or Tricked to drink.

It was hard to detect since her boyfriend diluted it with a huge sum of flavored soda water. All sweet and alluring, just like the taste of his tongue, she would secretly compare to, in the back of her mind.

"How is she?"

The question could hardly be perceived since it was on the phone.

The person who was holding the device would wait for the longest time, just to make sure Athanasia would sleep soundly again for him to finally answer.

"Sleeping," said Lucas, in a carefully hushed whisper.

"You didn't have to give her the drink. What works for you may not be suitable for her."

"She was literally shaking in her boots and we ain't sitting in a bonfire to keep our body warm. Even the fucking car's heater is busted. What was I supposed to do?"

"Anything else but not sedating her with alcohol."

"Then tell me a better solution, smart-ass. Do you know how many times she apologized about something that is not even her fault?"

Over the phone, Lucas could hear Ezekiel's sharp exhale.

"We cannot go on with a weather like this nor do I think it is a good idea to turn back, too. We are already halfway there. So, let us find a place to stay for the night."

"We are almost there, aren't we? I need to fix this fucking car's heater too. How in the fucking fuck did it break down like that? I just bought it. Brand new for fuck's sake."

"It's not that the heater is broken," Lucas heard a feminine voice. Ezekiel must have put the phone on loudspeaker. Jennette went on, "It's genetic. Uncle's bloodline... Isn't exactly the healthiest one from what my Dad told me. It started with Uncle's mother and her... Sickness. While Athy-"

"My dear..." Ezekiel cut her off and Lucas could hear some disputes over the call.

"Let her speak, Whitey," Lucas whispered lowly to the phone as he stole another glance at Athanasia's sleeping form. "I... Wanna know too."

There was a short pause, and a vague 'As You Wish' on the line. Then he heard Jennette's voice again, this time, closer as if she put the phone next to her mouth.

"Athy and Uncle have a low forbearance when it comes to cold. Even Uncle used to get sick and have frequent fevers when he was young. As I said, probably genetic passing down from her grandmother... So to make things short, we have to do something about Athy. And fast."

"We need to travel further for us to reach a hotel to stay. At this rate, it will be nighttime..." Ezekiel said.

"Unless we find a place close by," Jennette added.

Lucas grimaced. "I hope y'all can settle in a motel, not a suite. There should be one along the road, right? Easier to access than hotels."

"We need to book in advance. Otherwise, going in one place at a time only to realize that they are full is just a waste of time."