I can't sleep… When was the last time I was sick like this? I… can't remember. My head is burning, my mouth is dry. I need something to drink. Luckily, Rowan has put a carafe of water on the bedside table. I fill a glass with water and drink. This doesn't feel like it's helping… I end up drinking all the water, my stomach feels full, but yet I still feel thirsty. I should lie down a bit before drinking more water.

🙐 🙑 🙓 🙒 🙐 🙑 🙓 🙒 🙐 🙑 🙓 🙒

I open my eyes; I think I was able to doze off for a bit. I think my fever is a little better, my head feels somewhat lighter.

“How are you feeling, Aster?” I hear Rowan ask.

“I feel a bit better,” I answer, “but that could be just a phase. Thanks for being here, I appreciate it.”

“Are you hungry?”

“No, not really, but I'm thirsty.”

“Let me get you some rabbit soup,” Rowan says and walks over to the door, “one of our neighbours brought it over.”

“Thanks!”

Rabbit soup? Not chicken? Come to think of it, it shouldn't be surprising, Dewick doesn't have domesticated animals, I do fancy some soup right now… I look outside, it's already dark. A few minutes later, Rowans carries a steaming bowl on a tray to the bed. It's an amber, transparent soup. I take a spoonful of it, blow it to cool it down and drink it. It's a hearty soup, no surprise there.

“How is it?” Rowan asks.

“It's a good soup. It's exactly what I need right now.”

As I finish my bowl, Rowan offers to get me seconds. Without waiting for my answer, he leaves and returns with another bowl of soup. I quickly finish the second bowl.

“I'll clean up, you should get more rest.”

“Rowan,” I answer, “would you mind staying here?”

“I… I'll stay.”

“Thanks. I can't remember when somebody last stayed with me and cared for me when I was sick. My mother has always been busy with work, especially after my father died. She started working a lot more, so I can have a comfortable life.”

“So even with the things you have, people die early?”

“We are by no means omnipotent. Accidents do happen, and some things are impossible, even with the advanced tools we have.”

“How… No, I shouldn't be asking…”

“It's fine, I don't mind telling you… I guess his situation was similar to my current one. He caught an unknown disease and didn't make it.”

“I'm sorry!”

“Don't be,” I answer with a smile, “I decided to tell you about it.”

“Aren't you afraid?”

Am I? I take a deep breath.

“When I think about it, I am afraid of dying. But I don't want to think of that possibility, especially right now. I want to stay positive, like I usually do. That's why… I don't want to be alone! Please stay with me, so I can keep my positive mindset.”

“I'll stay, don't worry. Eir even told me it's fine to share the bed with you. So don't worry, I'll be right back. Let me just clean up the dishes.”

“You should rest as well,” Mittens says, “it would be troublesome if you were to collapse from caring for Aster without resting.”

“I… guess I can leave it till tomorrow,” Rowan answers and move to the other side of the bed. I can feel him getting into bed. I turn over to look at Rowan. He has immediately fallen asleep. I can hear him snoring.

“Get well soon…” he mumbles.

“Thanks for being at my side,” I answer.

“I have prepared some compound C-5BC0F-29,” Mittens reports to me, “just in case we need it.”

“Thanks, Mittens. How are my vitals?”

“Your current temperature is 38.3 °C and falling. You should rest as much as possible.”

“I'll try. Resting so much can be quite demanding.”

I close my eyes and get some more rest.

CC-BY 4.0 q. Thái “0xReki” Chung

https://amau.ga/1/23/