Munknapped

Out With The Secrets

“Alvin, I need your mouth open wider, I can’t see very well in this light.” Simon said softly, nudging his brothers jaw open wider. Simon winced at the sight of the uvula, “Your uvula is swollen and red but I don’t see any signs of infections, just severe irritation.”

Simon went over to the Tylenol at the corner of the cage and read the bottle, Alvin shut his mouth behind him.

“Now I’m no doctor, but I seriously doubt you’re contagious.” He thoroughly inspected the bottle for any holes, cracks, a rigged label or anything suspicious of drugs that could cause harm. Finding the seal on the lid telling him that it had never been opened, he figured it was clear and was really just off the counter Tylenol. He snapped the seal off and pushed open the lid, pouring 1 ml. into the small cup and taking it over to Alvin. “You’re probably going to suffer for a couple days, but if you take some of this twice a day, it will relieve some of the pain and you’ll be better in no time.” He pressed his paw against his brothers fore head, “As for the head ache, it’s probably just a side effect from the pain in your throat, your temperature says you have a fever, but I really think it’s just stress and exhaustion that’s making your temperature rise. I’m 99 % sure that if you took a good nap, you’ll feel better and some of the pressure on your temples will be relieved.”

Alvin nodded, accepting the diagnoses and drinking the cup of medicine, smacking his tongue in distaste at the flavor of bittersweet cherries.

Simon watched him in concern, “You should rest.” He said insistently.

Alvin shook his head no, “Not until we find a way out of here, I’m not chancing that creep getting to you.” He pushed the words out as much as he could.

Simon pressed a finger to the elder’s lips, “Shhh, don’t talk until the swelling goes down or you’ll permanently damage your voice.” Alvin nodded, ears dropping at the thought of never singing the same again. “As for the creep, he’s not here right now, and I don’t think he’ll be back for a while. We’re okay right now, you can sleep, I promise I’ll wake you when he comes back.”

Alvin was having trouble protesting, now that the fear was starting to subside now that the man wasn’t in the room, he could feel just how exhausted he was. He didn’t notice Simon gently pushing him down onto the bed until his head hit the pillow and a thin blanket was being draped over him. He moaned a soft protest grabbing Simons arm.

“Shhh,” the younger said softly, “go to sleep big bro, I’ll wake you up when he gets back, I promise.” He grabbed the hand on his arm and gently pried it off him, setting it down on the others stomach above the blanket. Alvin still seemed to be protesting, and Simon smiled at him soothingly. “Don’t worry Alvin,” he rolled his eyes, amused at Alvin’s stubbornness and helped the other sit up, replacing the pillow with his side and curling up behind his brothers back, pulling him down to rest on him, “I’ll be right here where nobody can get to me without waking you.”

Alvin was snuggling into his brother’s side before he even realized what he was doing, soft fur and even breathing lulling him to sleep. He finally relaxed and let the exhaustion take over.

...

It had already been three days, and still no sign of Alvin or Simon, and with each passing Day, Theodore grew more and more depressed. He had barely eaten since he watched them get taken away, and he hadn’t left the room once for anything but the restroom. Dave came in every morning, afternoon, and evening to bring fresh food, but his youngest son hasn’t eaten anything but a few bites of the bread that he had brought the second day the brothers were gone.

The girls had tried talking to him, offering comfort and understanding, but he didn’t respond. He remained sitting on the window cell, staying quiet with his eyes glued out the glass watching the concrete path outside the house, waiting for Simon and Alvin to come running up to the front door.