Solace

Part V: Another

Isabel woke up feeling as though she had been hit by a freight train. Her head throbbed with a relentless migraine, and her body burned with a fever that made her skin feel too tight. The morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across her room, but it only seemed to amplify her discomfort. As she struggled to push herself up from the bed, her limbs felt as if they were made of lead, heavy and uncooperative. Every movement sent a wave of dizziness crashing over her, forcing her to lie back down with a frustrated sigh.

"How did this happen?" she thought, her mind a foggy mess. "I've only been here a short while. I can't afford to be sick. Not now. I have so much to do... I can't let this farm fall apart just because I'm not feeling well."

Her thoughts spiraled, a mix of worry and guilt, as she berated herself for her weakness. She groaned, forcing herself to sit up again, but the room spun violently, making her clutch her head in agony. After what felt like an eternity, she managed to gather enough strength to swing her legs over the side of the bed. But even this small victory felt hollow—she was still too weak to stand.

Isabel's gaze fell on her phone resting on the nightstand. The idea of reaching out for help filled her with reluctance, but she knew she had no choice. Her father had always taken care of things like this, making sure she had what she needed when she was unwell. The stark absence of his steady presence made her feel even more alone. Trembling, she grabbed her phone and typed out a message to the only person she could think of: Surya.

"Hi Surya, I'm not feeling well and need to find a pharmacy or clinic. Could you send me the address of the nearest clinic?"

She hit send, her fingers trembling as she did so. The effort drained what little energy she had left, and she collapsed back onto her bed, closing her eyes against the spinning world. Moments later, her phone buzzed with a response. Surya's message was swift and filled with concern:

"The clinic is just down Main Street, past the general shop. It's right next to the bakery. Is everything okay?"

A few minutes later, she got another message: "Let me know if you need me."

Isabel stared at the message, wanting to respond, to thank him, but the effort of typing felt insurmountable. She let the phone slip from her grasp, making a mental note of the clinic's location.

Isabel slowly rose from the bed, each movement a battle against her own body. The world outside her home seemed distant, as she made her way down the road to the village. Every step was an ordeal, her legs trembling beneath her, but she pressed on, driven by sheer determination.

By the time she reached the clinic, she was barely holding on. The building was small and unassuming, its exterior painted a soothing shade of blue. The sight of it brought a glimmer of hope, though it did little to ease the pain in her head. Isabel pushed open the door and stepped inside, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

Behind the reception desk, a young woman with a warm smile looked up as Isabel entered. Her short green-dyed hair was styled neatly, and her bright eyes held a hint of mischief.

"Hello there! How can I help you?" Yuri, the nurse, asked, her voice light and friendly.

Isabel tried to muster a smile in return, but it came out as more of a grimace. "I'm not feeling well," she said, her voice hoarse. "I think I need to see the doctor."

Yuri's smile faded slightly as she took in Isabel's flushed face and unsteady posture. "Of course, let me get Dr. Charles for you."

Yuri quickly disappeared into the back room, leaving Isabel to sway on her feet, fighting to stay upright. Moments later, the doctor emerged, a tall man with kind eyes and a gentle demeanor. His dark hair was slightly tousled, as if he had been running his hands through it, and he wore a look of concern as he approached her.