The Shadow's Hunger: Unveiling the True Demise

Chapter 3

When Thomas and Ellie get home, Ellie tells Thomas that she's going to rest. "Alright," Thomas says, "call out if you need anything. I don't want you to faint from pushing yourself too much."

"Don't worry, I won't" she answers, "I'm okay, I promise. I'm just tired." She suddenly stops and bends over. "Gah!" She sinks down to the floor. "Oh!" Her hands nervously hover around her stomach.

"Ellie!" Thomas calls out. He runs over to her and kneels down beside her. "Hey, what is it? What can I get you?"

"I...I don't...know..." She slumps down further.

"Ellie, just hold on, okay? I'm calling Julia." He takes his phone out and dials Julia's number. "Julia! Please, will you come to our house? It's Ellie! I don't know what's wrong with her! She just collapsed! Alright, thank you!" He hangs up. "Come on, let's get you to the couch." He gently lifts her up and carries her to the living room. "There, just try and get some rest, okay? Julia will be here soon."

"O...okay...I'll...rest..." She closes her eyes, soon afterwards a soft snore fills the room. Five minutes later, there's a knock at the door. Thomas answers it.

"Julia!" he exclaims, "I'm glad you're here. Ellie's in the living room, follow me." He leads her into the living room. "She's asleep right now. Should I wake her up?"

"No, let her sleep." Julia answers, "I can examine her while she sleeps." She does a quick examination. "Hmm," she mumbles, "hmm..."

"What is it?" Thomas asks, "Is she okay?"

"Yes, she needs rest. She's been pushing herself too hard lately. She really needs to take it easy for a while now, especially since she's pregnant. You know how quickly she exhausts when she's like this."

"I know. I told her not to push herself. She's not very good at listening to directions though, even if they come from me."

"Uh, that sounds like Ellie. Thomas, honestly, she doesn't listen to me and I'm her doctor, why would she listen to you?"

"That's a good point. She doesn't listen to anybody, but herself. I'll make sure she rests. You can go home now. I'm sorry I called you for this."

"It's fine. You never know, especially with someone like Ellie. I'll see you later." She leaves the apartment.

"Thomas puts a blanket over his sister. "There," he whispers, "now you won't get cold." He sighs. "I told you not to push yourself. Why don't you listen to me? You're so stubborn." He smiles lightly, a faraway look in his eyes. "Just like mom."

A few hours pass before Ellie appears downstairs again. "Hey," Thomas says, "are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," she answers, "sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

"You really need to start looking after yourself. If you didn't feel well enough to go, why didn't you tell me?"

"I was fine when we got there, honest. I'm not quite sure what's making me so nauseated all the time. It's never been this bad for any of my other pregnancies."

"I know. I've noticed. Have you been sleeping well?"

"Yeah, mostly."

"Have you been having nightmares?"

"Yeah, two or three times every week. It's not every night though, so I'll take it."

"Ellie..."

"Thomas, I swear it's the truth."

"Okay, just tell me if it gets worse."

"I will, I promise."

"Good. Are you hungry? I'll make you something."