You just can't do enough for some people, I guess. A Zayn Malik Sickfic

Pennsylvania Dutch County

Zayn's stomach lurched as the small plane landed and he swallowed convulsively. His stomach had felt very tender the whole flight and he prayed he didn't embarrass himself by barffing everywhere. The moment the 'fasten seatbelt' sign clicked off, he grabbed his bag and headed out.

"Here you go, young  man" the woman handed him the keys to the hire car, several handouts about the area and told him to enjoy his stay. Zayn thanked her quietly then made his way to the car where he threw everything onto the back seat. Climbing in, he set the GPS and drove off in search of the quietness he so badly needed right now..

Several hours later, civilisation seemed to end and he suddenly realised that he was now on a dirt track road and the GPS was no longer function. He shook himself when it dawned on him that he had been so lost in his thoughts about his recent departure from One Direction and then from his fiancee, Perrie. He sighed quietly and focussed on his surroundings. There just seemed to be random farm houses scattered about but no signs of life. Zayn continued driving hoping that he'd hit a gas station sooner or later and ask for directions there. Right now, he was well and truly lost.

The road grew more and more bumpy and Zayn's stomach rebelled. Throwing open his car door, he vomited violently for several minutes. It felt like he was trying to turn his stomach inside out. He reached for his bottle of water and rinsed out his mouth to rid himself of the vile taste then sat back in his seat, head back, as he got his breathing back under control and his stomach settled a little. After a few moments, he drove on.

What seemed a lifetime later, he saw a small stand head of him where a young woman was chatting quietly to the passenger of another car. Zayn pulled up behind and got out, relieved to finally see other human beings. He could ask for directions. The woman turned and smiled at him and Zayn felt himself smile back. It actually felt strange as his smiles had become very rare these past few months. He noted her manner of dress and immediately recognised it as being Mennonite from the pictures he had seen when he googled . It was like she had been transported from another century, her hair twisted up on both sides of her head and then pulled into a fat bun.This was covered by a stiff, white type of bonnet that sat at the back of her head. What was it called, he struggled to think, ah yes, a prayer kapp.  Her dress was ankle length, very plain and covered with some kind of plain apron.He studied her face next, no makeup but she didn't need it. Her face was so serene and kind, it radiated beauty. Zayn wasn't even aware that the other car had driven off while he stared at the woman in front of him.

"Ah, umm, yeah.....I'm lost" he managed to blurt out finally.

"Where are you heading" was the response, in strangely accented english.

"Tall Trees Guest House" Zayn responded " I got myself turned around somehow and my GPS isn't working"

Though the woman had absolutely no idea what GPS was, she did know the guest house and told him he was still a good way away from it. She started to give directions but put out her hand onto the arm of the increasingly pale young man in front of him. Her faced became very concerned as she felt him swaying.

"Sit here, in the shade. I have some cool lemonade. Are you alright, you've gone very pale?"

Zayn accepted the drink gratefully and sipped it slowly. Maybe it was the sugar hit but he started to feel a little better.

"I'm fine now. The drink really helped, thank you" Zayn gave her one of his rare smiles and received one back.

"As long as you are alright"

Getting back to his feet ,Zayn turned his attention to the stall. It was covered with bottled vegetables and fruits, cakes and pies and some very beautiful dolls dressed in Mennonite costume. Something odd about them caught his eye and he suddenly realised the dolls had no faces at all. Where the features should be, it was completely blank. He picked one up and stared at it.

"We don't put faces on our dolls, nor do we have photographs of ourselves. We don't believe in doing what copies what God has done. It would be like making graven images and the Bible forbids that" was the quiet explanation Zayn received.

"May I buy one?" he asked shyly " My little sister is probably too old for dolls but I'm sure she'd love this"  Zayn pulled out his wallet and handed over the required sum. Thanking the young woman again for the drink, the directions, the doll and above all, her kindness, Zayn got back into his car and drove off in search of the Guest House where he planned to hide from the world for a few weeks.

After a half hour or so he was sharing the road with horse drawn buggies so he slowed down to almost walking pace. The men in the buggies waved as he passed them and then Zayn was able to pick up a little speed once more. He felt he had to be near and hoped it wasn't much further as it was getting dark and he was feeling tired and not just a little sick once more. There didn't seem to be any building around but after a few more minutes, he saw what looked like a small farm house. He knew he couldn't be far from the Guest House now as this building fitted the description of what he'd been told to look out for. The Guest House should just be three or four miles further on. Zayn sighed in relief then almost screamed as terrible pain ripped through his stomach. He saw black dots invade his vision so he pulled over and stopped, trying to calm himself down and get his breath back. The pain slashed through him once more and Zayn decided he would have to knock on the door of the farm and ask for help.

Zayn staggered out of the car, almost bent double with the pain as he slowly walked towards the door of the house. He pounded on it desperately as the pain grew worse. The door opened and a young man with almost should length black hair and an untrimmed beard on his chin stood there. Zayn saw his mouth start to move then Zayn crumpled into the man's arms as blackness engulfed him.