Waking Nightmares(Lined Bullets)- A GMD Fiction

Chapter 6: Sick Day

       "Achoo!"
       In the force of the sneeze, I practically knocked myself to the ground. I looked around, then quickly threw myself into my chair and pretended that nothing had happened in case Dawson had heard my sneeze. He had a peculiar power that enabled him to tell that I'm sick even when he was in another room. Unfortunately, he heard and he came to investigate.
       "Basil," he asked. "Was that you who sneezed?"
       "I haven't the foggiest of what you mean, Dawson," I lied as I brought the newspaper closer to my nose.
       "And where is Able? "
       "In my room sleeping. He had a nightmare."
       My throat began to itch and I used all of my ability to contain my cough. It didn't last for very long. I coughed into the newspaper and sunk deeper into my red chair. Suddenly, the newspaper was ripped from my grip and I was face to face with a particularly peeved Dawson. I looked down and sniffed a bit. He put a hand to my head, jerked it back quickly.
       "I say, Basil," he exclaimed. "You're piping hot."
       "I can't afford to be sick Dawson," I groaned. "I need to crack down on those bullets."
       "Your stubbornness is commendable, Basil, but I insist that you rest."
       I stood up and ventured to my room with Dawson at my heels. Grabbing Colette's note, I walked out into the hallway, closed the door lightly as to not awaken Able, then gave the note to Dawson. I continued my reasoning as he read.
       "This is also why I can not be sick. Able is now my responsibility and if I am sick than I can not do so."
       Dawson looked with understanding, but did not let down his guard to get me to rest. Before he and I went at it again, the door opened with a drowsy Able. I knelt down to his height.
       "Able are you okay?"
       He never said a word but came closer to me. He put out his tiny hand and laid it against my head. It seemed so cold. Is my fever that bad, I thought. He pulled it away and dropped all his blankets. He looked over to Dawson.
       "I feel much better now, Mr. Dawson," he stated. "I'm afraid I gave it to Basil, though."
       "Don't be preposterous. I'm fine," I groaned.
       I left in a huff to the living area where my lab equipment was kept. Bringing out the two bullets from the crime scene I examined them to no end. Something had to be on these bullets to cause Colette and Ash to perish. I scraped at the bullets until I found a fine powder that fell onto a petri dish. I whisked it away to numerous elements and poured it into a flask and mixed it with a few choice chemicals. In the end, it puffed out smoke into my face and turned black as coal. Poison! I knew it!
       "Aha," I exclaimed. "Dawson I found what was on the bullets. It was a poison!"
       "That's jolly good, Basil," Dawson said hesitantly. "Maybe, now you should take a seat and rest."
       "Nonsense, old friend. I haven't even found what type of... oh... oh dear..."
       My vision became blurred and I began to fall towards the ground until I felt Dawson catch me and place me in my chair. I was struggling to breathe and my lungs began to burn... the fumes from the smoke!
       "Dawson," I cried hoarsely. "It's the fumes! Cork the flask before there's too much of it to thin out."
       I heard the rattling of glass as he went to search for a cork. I didn't have time to hear for anything else though, because the pain intensed and I blacked out.
*****
       "Basil," said a young voice. "Basil are you okay?"
       Sitting up weakly, I noticed that Able was sitting in my lap. There was a blanket around my neck and a cup of tea next to my chair. I coughed and looked back towards my godson.
       "What happened?"
       "You blacked out."
       "Yes, yes but after that Able."
       "Oh, well, Ms. Judson came down due to the ruckus, we corked the black stuff, and then Dawson and I helped make you comfortable while you were sleeping. You were unconscious for about three hours."
       I groaned at the amount of time I had lost. Leaning back into my chair I reached for the black concoction. My hand was stopped and placed back to my side. Able looked at me with an almost mischievous spark in his eyes.
       "Today, you get a sick day," Able said simply.
       "But your parents --"
       "They would understand. Why do you think you only just figured out about me being your godson? They understood that you were busy helping others."
       "You're awfully wise for a ten year old."
       "A trait that comes from my parents... and you."
       "Me?"
       He nodded and gestured to all the newspaper clippings of solved cases.
       "Not just any mouse can accomplish these things. And look, over half of these you didn't even accept rewards. That's not just wise, but super kind as well."
       He continued to sit in my lap and look in awe at the clippings. I looked at them along with him. It was amusing. I had never thought of my actions being wise or kind. They were just actions in order to help others.
I sneezed again and fell out of my chair with Able. We hit the ground and rolled around a bit. When we came to a stop, we looked at each other. Able brought out a handkerchief and patted my nose. Then we burst into laughter. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Suddenly, Dawson entered the room with concern.
       "Are you both alright," he asked.
       "Yes, doctor. I'm afraid Basil's sneezes have proven to be rather rambunctious."
       Dawson laughed too. Then, both Able and Dawson helped me into my seat. I thanked them both and took a long sip of tea. Able was back into my lap and Dawson was in his own chair.
       "Able," I said softly. "I hope not to ruin our fun, but your parents' funeral is tomorrow, and I wanted you to be prepared for what's to happen, okay?"
       His smile lessened and he looked down. I was afraid I had struck a nerve, but he gave me a teary smile.
       "Okay. Besides, mum and dad always told me that if something ever happened to them that they would want me to celebrate their lives, and that's what I'll do... as long as you can do it with me."
       "Why..." I looked towards Dawson for advice, but he smiled and nodded on. I gave Able a sad smile. "Of course, Able."
       We settled down and soon my eyes grew heavy. I leaned my head hard against the chair and closed my eyes. Able must have taken notice of this because he scooted in closer and put his head under my chin. Another blanket was placed on us and Dawson left the room. Able yawned and was soon asleep. I looked down at him, thinking about tomorrow. A strange sense of foreboding wrapped itself around me and a chill ran through me. You silly fool, I thought. You're sick, and there's nothing to fear. Now get some rest. Then, I fell asleep once more.