Citizen Z

Chapter 4

465 days since the virus spread

A few days pass.

Frank isn't feeling very well, the heat must have gotten to him yesterday. It doesn't look like we will be getting on the road to California again soon. Luckily for us, the man is allowing us to stay as long as we need.

I soak the cloth on Frank's forehead with the cold water.

He's burning up and I don't have any medication left to help him. He's been throwing up a lot as well, even though he has nothing left in his stomach.

"How are you feeling?" I say, gently dabbing the cloth on his forehead.

He looks extremely pale which is concerning me.

"I feel like a wreck, I'm nauseous." He says and looks into the bucket next to the couch he is laying on.

"Jess?" I call.

He walks out of the kitchen, looking at me from around the corner.

"Yeah, kiddo."

"Do you maybe have something for nausea or some kind of probiotic?"

I pray he does.

"I'm sorry kiddo, I'm all out. I haven't been out to town to get any in a while. There's Z's everywhere, making it impossible to get to the pharmacy. I just have some pain meds, but I'm not ure that will do him any good."

I nod and continue to caress Frank's cheek. I look over his terribly sweated body. He's terribly shivering too, I don't think his body knows how to cope.

Its worrying all of us, he can't die on me now. I can't let that happen.

"I'm sorry that you're stuck here with me. You don't have to stay with me all the time."

"I want to make sure you get better, okay? I'm not leaving your side until you do." I say and gently put my hand on his neck.

I feel bumps on the back of his neck.

Why isn't he getting better?

I've check everything possibly to check which could be making Frank sick, except one spot.

The nausea, vomiting, fevers, lumps, it all adds  up. All of the symptoms are there, it's symptoms of infection which means his wound is still giving him issues. He's not being honest with me.

I have a feeling I know why he is sick again. I have a feeling he hasn't been a good patient.

"Pull your pants down." I say, crossing my arms.

"Wh-hat, Why? Isn't that inappropriate at this point?" He questioning my authority and holds onto his pants.

"I have to see your wound, I need to see if it's healing or not. You know this." I say, crossing my arms.

"I'm fine, it definitely not that." He says, protectively.

"Please?" I whisper and he rolls his eyes.