Pernicious

|Chapter 13|

March 9th, 1988

New York, New York

10:00 pm

Naya's Perspective:

Our time in New York has finally come to end and it was finally time to move on to our next location.

I sat patiently in the tour bus that Michael insisted on using to travel instead of a plane. After slightly pushing back the blinds, I gazed at the men who were packing up all of our luggage. The feeling of nervousness rose into my stomach.

Boy I sure hope we remembered everything...

Traveling to different places in such short amounts of time gave me anxiety.

"Mommy..." A shy, little Nadia sneaked into the area where I was sitting. Her small hands held onto her head, as if she were in pain.

My attention snapped from the window to her in an instant.

"What's wrong baby? Come over here." I said as I held out my arms to her. She came over and wrapped her petite arms around me.

"I don't feel good. My head hurts and I can't sleep." She said as she laid her head on my shoulder.

"What hurts honey? Point to where it hurts for me." I instructed.

"It's my head and ears." She grumbles and weakly points to her head and ears.

I put the back of my hand over her forehead and felt around. The problem was quite clear when I felt that her forehead was burning hot. Nadia has contracted a fever.

"Nadia baby, you have a fever. Go over and lay on that little couch and Mommy will go find some medicine." I said rising from my seat. After walking over the door at the front of the bus, I poked my head outside and looked for Michael.

"Michael?" I asked around the busy group people who were running around, trying to get everything packed and ready.

There was no use in going out and searching for him in this craziness. I sighed and went back over to where Nadia was. She was sprawled out on the couch with her arm on her forehead and her eyes shut.

Poor baby, I'll do what I can to make you feel better as soon as possible.

The next person who I thought to call was Annie. Surely she would probably have something to make a fever diminish. I picked up the phone on the bus and punched in her number.

"Hello?" Her voice picks up.

"Annie? It's me, Naya. Have you left for St. Louis yet?" I ask.

"Nope, I'm not flying out until tomorrow morning, why?" She answers.

"Nadia just came over to me not feeling very well. After feeling her forehead, I realized she had a fever. Do you have any medicine I can give her before we head out?" I asked hopefully.

"Aww poor thing..." She cooed. "Uhm yes! I do actually have some children's Tylenol in my first aid kit. I'll bring it down for you. I'll be down there in a couple minutes." She informs me.

After letting out a breath of relief, I shut my eyes.

"You are a life saver, thank you so much." I said while placing the phone back.

The door flies open with Michael coming on the bus. He appears to be exhausted and out of breath.

"Hey..." He starts while catching his breath. "Someone told me that you were asking for me. What's going on?" He asked.