The First 30 Days (PUBLISHED)

Two - Day 2

An ambulance siren sounding much closer than usual was what finally pulled me awake. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I rolled out of bed and went to my window. I had to blink a few times to straighten out my blurred vision, but finally the ambulance disappearing down the end of our street came into focus.

It was an odd sight. While I didn't exactly live in a gated community, the neighborhood was quiet. I think the only other time I could remember emergency services on this street was the time Mr. Johnson had a heart attack after shoveling his sidewalk. I really hoped whoever was taking the ride to the hospital this time had a better outcome that Mr. Johnson had.

Stretching my arms over my head, I tried to finish waking up. Sleep deprived was never a good look on me, and I had gotten up a couple of times in the night to check on Evie. She had slept through the night, though somewhat restlessly. On my last check, I had noticed the fever meds and water I'd left by her bed were gone. I was happy to see that. I didn't risk actually touching her to know for sure, but the flushed color of her cheeks suggested that Evie was running a fever.

I knew that we kept a thermometer around somewhere. Rummaging in the bathroom cabinet finally produced the elusive object. Walking silently, I placed the thermometer, along with more water and Ibuprofen next to Evie. Then I shut myself in our bathroom down the hall for my morning shower.

When I turned off the hair dryer, a mild thump from Evie's room told me that she was awake. Throwing on jeans and sweatshirt, I opened the door, eager to talk to her and see how she was feeling. The news had been saying that this year's flu was a particularly nasty strain. I was hoping that that wasn't what was wrong with my roommate.

Mentally kicking myself for not getting that flu shot the night before, I lightly knocked on her closed door.

A groan answered me. Guess Evie was still sick. Frowning, I pushed her door open.

"Evie?" Inside her room was dark, she must have pulled the curtains while I was in the shower. I could make out her huddled form on the bed. "How are you feeling?" I stepped closer to her bedside.

The form on the bed suddenly rolled over. Flinging one arm over her eyes and the other waving in the air, she groaned again.

"Check for yourself," her voice came out raspy and strained. The hand waving around pointed towards her nightstand.

Realizing that she was pointing at the thermometer, I picked it up. My eyes practically bugged out of my skull. 105F. Was that even possible? "Evie, I don't think this thermometer is working."

"Oh, it's working. You should feel how I feel."

Reaching down, I touched the back of my hand to Evie's arm. Jerking back in surprise, I just stared at my friend for a few seconds. She was burning up. I'd never felt heat like that coming from a person's skin before.

"Hon, we need to take you to a doctor."