Baby Brother

16-Emergency

~Josh's perspective~
I didn't want them to know, especially Nate. It had been weeks and I still didn't feel good, but I've been pretending I'm fine for a couple weeks now, the only one who's caught on was Lukas. Such a smart boy. I swear he could become a detective someday. I wish I didn't have to. I was the oldest, so I had to be the strongest right? My mind spun dizzy as I went to the kitchen to sneak some medicine before one of my brothers sees. As I downed the pill, I hear a faint bark coming from the front door. Then I begin to think. Marcus. It had to be. I sigh and open the door, a bit shocked to see the chocolate lab at the doorstep. I then saw the orange collar. I read the tags. "Moose, if found call ###-###-##
lives on N. Maple St. ##" it was our address and Marcus's phone number. Since when did he adopt this one? I then call for Marcus, not feeling good enough to be mad. I then heard footsteps behind me as I sat on the couch. "Marcus?" I asked. "What's wrong?" He asked as he sat beside me. "What did I say about adopting stray animals?" I asked with a sigh. "But...you were fine with it when I asked you last week," he told me. "What? Since when did I approve of this?" I asked as I looked to him. He sighed and took out his phone, showing me the medical certificate of the dog. It was my signature, none of my brothers could replicate it. I must've been too sick to remember that day. "Are you feeling alright?" He asked, I could tell he was concerned. "I'm fine," I mumbled, my vision started to blur. "You sure? You look so pale," I could feel his cold hand on my forehead. "Joshy, you're burning," he frowned. "Just slept in is all," I told him, wanting to avoid the matter. "No, I mean like...really burning up, we should get you to the hospital," he said as he grabbed my hand. "No!" I snapped as I quickly pull his hand away. I wasn't going to the doctor, I was fine. Marcus frowned. "Please, let me help you, that's what-" his voice muted out as I feel myself losing consciousness. "You're dismissed," I said as he laid on the couch.

~Marcus's Perspective~
I was concerned about Joshua. I thought he was getting better, but he's not. What could be causing him such great illness? I see him about to pass out and I call for my other brothers to come help, really worried about him. "What happened?" Lukas asked as he felt Joshua's forehead. "Yoshi!" Nate whined, reaching for Josh. "No bubba, he's sick," I heard Tim say as he bounced Nate. The poor boy began to sniffle, clearly scared. I had already called an ambulance. I suddenly heard a knock on the door before the sirens pulled into the driveway. Who could that possible be? It was Dillan and the neighbor boy. "Hey, we heard the ambulance coming your way and got concerned," Our neighbor, Mac Sawyer, said as he tried to catch his breath. "Josh is really sick and we're concerned," Tim told them. I was too worried about Joshua to ask why Dillan was with our neighbor. "You can stay here, Nate is staying here with me," Tim told the two. Nate began whining, calling for Joshua. This broke everyone's heart. We all wanted him to be okay, but we all have to be patient.