Back Down Alpha

8: Feverish Behaviour

        Instead of waking up to sunlight and birds chirping merrily outside, I woke up to a grey sky and Taffy licking my face. Shoving the dog away from me lightly, I began to open my mouth to talk to him when a series of coughs overtook my body. I felt Taffy's snout muzzle against my free hand so I lifted my hand and pet him weakly.

        "Fuck, Taffy." My voice was low, almost a whisper. Grimacing, I frowned when I felt the familiar sensation of a sore throat. My phone went off in its spot on the coffee table beside my bed. Picking it up, my eyebrows furrowed together as my eyes scanned the message from my mother.

        Mom 8:10 AM

        Can you please do some grocery shopping for me? My card is where it normally is and I need you to get milk, eggs, and anything else that we've run out of. Love you, thank you!

        My frowned deepened even more as I placed my phone back beside my bed. Begrudgingly, I managed to get onto my feet, swaying unsteadily. The bathroom lights flickered on in response as I tapped the light switch. The reflection that stared back at me made me wince involuntarily. I had dark circles under my eyes, flushed cheeks and I just looked extremely pale.

        With my hair hidden beneath a black beanie, I marched out of the bathroom throwing on the first hoodie that I saw, along with a pair of sweats that where rolled up at mid-calf. The coziness of my slipper boots greeted me in my freezing state as I slipped my feet into them. My eyesight was hazy and I was in no condition to drive, so I would obviously have to walk to the store. Ruby would have been an option to call and ask to take me, but she had class in the morning.

        Once my door was open, Taffy raced out of my room and downstairs. I climbed down the stairs slowly feeling as though somebody was hitting my head with a hammer. Once I got to the last step I felt my feet falter, but I managed to catch myself at the last second.

        Taffy sat in front of the door expectantly with his red leash resting in his mouth. I hooked his leash onto him and let him lead me out into the bitter cold. Shivers caused my teeth to chatter as we began to walk down the sidewalk towards the nearest liquor store. A few times I found myself slipping or almost blacking out, but Taffy would bark at me causing me to focus.

        We passed by the park that rested a few blocks away from my house, and I took a moment to let Taffy go to the bathroom. Glancing around, I saw that the only people around was a mother with her crying toddler, a group of guys that sat under an awning on a picnic table, and then an old man throwing out bread crumbs to some birds.

        "Come on, Taffy..." My voice trailed off as a coughing fit overcame my body. I found myself gripping the nearest tree to support myself while blackness began to swirl in my vision. At my feet, I heard Taffy whimper up at me so I pushed myself off of the tree and began walking towards the store that was now in my line of vision.

        As we entered the little store, I tied up Taffy on the bike rack and began to speed shop through the store. The cashier looked at me, frowning slightly as I struggled to set my stuff onto the counter, "Miss? Are you okay?"

        "Just peachy." I replied gruffly. Their gaze lingered on me for a little longer before shrugging and scanning the items. I had picked up some bread, candy, eggs, and a carton of milk. My mom wouldn't even be home to enjoy any of it so there was no point of getting anything more.

        Once I exited the store, I untied Taffy and grimaced at how heavy my arms felt with two bags on each arm. As we passed the park, I saw the same people there and they all seemed fairly happy. The mother had gotten her child to stop crying by making funny faces.