In quarantine

Poor LZ

*Nick*
I have to admit I am worried.. like a lot.. I am worried about Zac, to be honest his breathing and that cough did not sound good.. and he said LZ needed help much more than him.. I am scared what we will find.

"You think.. he is okay ?" Nina asks by my side.. she sounds nervous. "Zac sounded so.. worried".

I shake my head. "No not okay.. but hopefully.. I hope it's not.. too bad.. LZ has a lot of allergies and stuff.. I am not sure if it could make him more sensitive".

"Well.. let's go check on him.. that's really all we can do right ?" She says softly, and opens the entrance to the tent.

"LZ !?" I step inside.. I can smell it instantly.. the sickness.. it hangs heavily in the air.. and for a moment I wonder if I should go in here.. I mean there has to be a risk.. but I was with LZ and Zac yesterday.. so if I am gonna get it I probably already have it.

There is a small groan but no answer and I nervously walk closer to the bed, fearing what I will see.. LZ is rolled up, clutching his pillow.. his breathing is wheezing and to slow.. way to slow.

I kneel down next to his bed, his colour is horrible and there is sweat perling on his forehead. "LZ ? Can you hear me ?"

"Yeah". It's just a weak croak as he opens one bloodshot eye and looks at me. "I'm sick".

"Yup.. you are". I place my hand on top of his. "We are going to take care of you okay buddy.. no worries we got you".

Nina touches my shoulder softly and I turn to look at her. "Is there anything I can do Nick.. something I can go get ?"

"Could you maybe run tell Marshall and Sherry that I need them". I touch her arm softly. "And maybe you could get one of the other tents ready.. The air in here is bad.. I think moving him is the best".

"Sure mi amore.. I am right on it". She gives me a swift kiss, and reaches out to gently touch LZ shoulder, before hurrying out of there.

I turn my attention back to LZ.. checking his pulse and feeling his forehead. There is no doubt he has a bad fever.

"How is he ?" I hear Emilia's voice behind me.

*Emilia*
I am holding LZ's hand as Nick and Marshall gently lift him with the help of a duvet.. and carry him hammock style to the clean tent and place him on the bed. Then they leave.. Nick promise to be back real soon.

"Emmy !?" He mumbles hoarsely.

"Yeah.. I am here sweetie.. right here". I say softly, rubbing his hand.

He tries to turn his head and look at me, pain edged in his features. "Are you really.. I am not.. just hallucinating am I.. please say I'm not".

"You're not". I am not going to tell him that if I had been a hallucination I would probably have said the same. "I am here.. now and as long as you .. want me to be".

"Good.. just stay till I'm dead". He kinda rolls over on his back.. making a rasping sound I think is a chuckle.

I shake my head, feeling the knot grow in my stomach. "Please do not say things like that.. you are going to be okay again.. soon".

"It doesn't feel like it.. it..". His words are cut off by another cough attack.. one that kinda contracts his entire body, making him roll himself up like a ball.. the sound from his lungs honestly scare me.

"Oh my poor baby". I reach out to gently rub his arm, not knowing what else to do.. I wish I could do something to ease his suffering.

He is coughing for minutes, making him go even more pale.. almost bluish.. and I have no doubt that he isn't getting enough oxygen right now.. this is not good.. not good at all.. I mean he is still in the start of this.. it will no doubt get worse.. but well worse than this.. he should be in a hospital.

Problem is, as Nick told me.. hospitals right now is hell.. taking him there would mean he would be.. if lucky, left in a room, with no visitors and doctors and nurses who are already pressed beyond their limits.. if unlucky he would be stuck in the hallway.. lonely.. left to fend for himself.. in danger of getting other infections.. as long as he doesn't need a respirator he is safer here.. Marshall even has some oxygen stored just in case.

When the coughing finally stops he whimpers and presses his face against my hand. "It hurts.. it's like having shards of glass ripping my lungs to shreds every time I cough".

"Sherry is bringing some tea very soon.. Maybe you can get a little down.. it might help". I say feeling so utterly helpless here that I want to cry.

Five minutes later Sherry shows up with a tray and a smile. "I got some peppermint tea with honey for both of you.. and a sandwich for you Emmy.. you need to eat".

"Thank you". I give her a small smile.. I am not sure I will be able to eat anything.. but it is so sweet of her to think of me.

"I bought this too.. it releases some essential oils into the air.. it should help ease the breathing". She holds up a small lamp like thing. "Let me just set it up".

I just nod.. anything that can help him the slightest is more than welcome if you ask me.. it might help with keeping the air clean in here too.

She hands me a small jar.. I look at it curiously. "What is this ?"

"It's kinda like a homemade vapour rub.. you can massage it into his chest and back.. it will help get the slime out from his lungs.. just make sure not to overdo it.. he needs to be able to .. get rid of the stuff coming up too".

"Okay.. I'll be carefull". I put the jar down on the small table.. unsure if I dare use it.. I mean I do not want him to drown in his own slime here.

Sherry gives me a small smile. "No need to look scared honey.. it's just.. it's effective and that makes people want to use more.. use a glob the size of a quarter and rub it in well.. three.. four times a day.. it will help him".

"Okay.. and thanks Sherry". I grab her hand giving it a squeeze.

"You are welcome.. take good care of him.. and just call if you need anything or anyone.. okay ?" She says with one of those patented mommy Sherry looks.

I nod and she leaves us alone.. this is not how I imagined it would be if I chose LZ.. but I am here for him.. no matter what.