The Disease

Chapter 4

                                                                                                Ivaria 

The days began to warm up as the clouds started to clear away. I was relieved. Our clothes, bags, and blankets were drying off too, though not as fast as I would've liked. Tessa seemed to be gradually getting weaker, so we had to take more breaks. She always forgot why she was getting weaker a few hours after we told her, so we just decided to let it go. The landscape was becoming much more city-like. Neighborhoods appeared everywhere, and some restaurants and stores were spread out a few miles apart.

"Zayden, how many miles until we reach the apartments?" I asked.

"About ten more miles." I smiled at the thought of finally laying in a soft bed, taking a shower, and having real food for once, but I was broken from my thoughts when Tessa collapsed.

"Tessa!" I shouted. Zayden and I sat down next to her. Zayden put his ear to her chest.

"Her heart's still steady, and so is her breathing," he said. I placed my hand on her forehead, and it was really hot.

"Zayden, she has a really high fever. Is that part of the disease?"

"I'm not sure, but we need to cool her down. Do you have any towels or extra clothes we could put on her forehead?" I nodded and pulled out a green washcloth. Zayden poured some of his water onto the towel (the water wasn't that cold, but definitely cooler than Tessa) and laid the towel on her forehead.

"That's not going to take her fever away though," I said.

"I know, but while we figure out what to do, keeping her temperature from rising is the best way to go." I nodded.

"So..." I started, "do you think we should call the medics?" Zayden gave me a sad smile.

"I think it may be the best thing to do, I'm sorry," he whispered. My heart caught in my throat at his words. "I'm sorry Ivaria, I really am, but it's possible the Brain Disease Hospital may have something to help her. You may be able to see her again."

"I...I think you're right," I said. "Can you call them with the TouchPad?"

"Yes."
"Well, better get it over with then," I said in an almost inaudible voice. Zayden was about to pull out his TouchPad from his bag, when Tessa sat up, sending the towel falling on her lap.

"Ummm...hi? Why are you all sitting around me?" she asked. My eyes went wide.

"Well, for one thing, YOU PASSED OUT!" I yelled, my emotions were becoming too much for me to handle. I wanted to punch something and cry on someone's shoulder at the same time.

"Okay...I'm sorry..." Tessa looked hurt from my outburst.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm just a bit stressed out. How are you feeling?" I put my hand to her forehead. It felt completely normal!

"I feel fine. I don't even remember why I collapsed."

"Of course you don't," I mumbled under my breath. Zayden helped Tessa stand up. She was a little wobbly, but besides that she seemed perfectly fine. I knew I had no reason to be mad, but I was. My anger showed too...

"Ivaria, is there something you want to talk about?" Tessa asked.

"No!" I snapped, but then, realizing my sharpness, added, "I mean, I just don't feel like talking right now." Tessa nodded and turned away. My anger turned to complete despair. My friend...she's sick and she doesn't even know...my only friend...sick. How will I live by myself? My family died, and now my friend. I felt like bursting into tears, but no, I wouldn't cry again, not for a while. At least, I hoped.