In quarantine

Not looking good

3 days later
*Sherry*
"How is she Nick ?" I ask ducking into the tent where he is caring for Nina.. I am doing my afternoon round with tea and snacks, both for the patients and their caretakers.

He looks up, shaking his head slightly. "The fever keeps going up.. she is at 105.. we need to get it down".

I look at Nina, she is laying very still on the bed just wearing panties and a thin tank top that is clinging to her.. she is pale with angry red splotches on her skin and her breathing is shallow. "Yeah.. I'll get you some ice water and cloth so you can cool her down".

"Thanks Sherry". He reaches out to squeeze my hand.. he looks so tired, with deep dark circles under his eyes.. but beside me he seems the only one not affected by the virus.

"No problem sweetie.. but you need to sleep and to eat.. she needs you to keep healthy and strong". I tell him, putting the tray on the table. "I can sit with her so you can sleep".

He gives me a weak smile. "I know.. but honestly I would not be able to sleep.. how are the others doing ?"

"Well Marshall and Matt are cooped up in the tv room binge watching bad reality tv and eating gallons of soup". I say shaking my head. "They are both whining constantly.. that is how I know they ain't that bad.. they'll be back on their feet within a week I am sure".

"I am happy to hear that.. and you are right complaining is a good sign". He chuckles softly. "How is Zac holding up.. and Pilar ?"

I shake my head slightly. "Pilar is coughing.. a bit of fever.. but she refuses to leave Zac.. she'll be okay". I pause for a moment. "Zac's lungs are bad.. he is coughing really horribly and struggles a bit with breathing".

"He is strong.. he is going to pull through". Nick turns one of the fans slightly in a try to get more cold air on Nina.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "I know sweetie.. and so will Nina.. you will make sure of that".

"And LZ.. what about him". He swallows. "Is he.. going to pull through ?"

"Honestly I don't know.. he is really sick.. he has so much trouble breathing and his fever is high too.. he is hardly responding.. but Emmy.. she does everything she can.. we all do". I can't lie to him.. it's not looking good and we are all beyond worried.

He nods. "Please tell him.. tell them that I am praying for them okay.. and if I need to do anything.. let me know".

"I will.. and I will be back with the ice water as soon as I have been by the other.. keep up the spirits sweetie". I give his shoulder a squeeze.

He turns and hugs me, burrowing his face in my stomach and I just caress his hair, telling him it will be okay.. he just needs to cry it out for a bit.

"Sorry". He says five minutes later when he pulls away.

"Nothing to apologise for sweetie.. here". I hand him a clean handkerchief from my pocket. "I am sure it was needed.. see you in a bit".

I walk over to the next tent, where Zac and Pilar are residing. When I walk in Zac is rolled up clutching a pillow in his arms.. Pilar is slowly rubbing his back. She looks up. "Hi Sher".

"Hello my dear... how is he and how are you ?" Honestly she should be in a bed herself, but I don't have the heart to force her away from Zac.

"He struggles so much with breathing and the pain.. he finally fell asleep, but I worry constantly that he will stop breathing". She looks at me with big worried eyes.

I can hear how laboured his breathing is, even when sleeping, like a wet raspy sound. "I know you are worried.. but what about you sweetie". I reach out to feel her forehead. "You are warm".