Chapter 14
The cold starts deep in my bones, a relentless shiver that shakes me loose even as I lie frozen beneath the heavy blanket.
It’s not just cold, though; it’s wrong.
There’s a pressure behind my eyes, a heavy ache in my chest, and my throat feels like jagged rocks are being scraped across it every time I try to swallow.
I’m gasping for air, pulling ragged breaths into lungs that burn with each intake.
My teeth chatter uncontrollably, a miserable counterpoint to the frantic thumping of my heart against my ribs.
It’s dark. Utter, suffocating darkness. My eyes sting, trying desperately to adjust, but there’s nothing to see.
Just the suffocating blackness pressing in from all sides, and the silence. A deep, heavy silence that somehow amplifies my own terrified breathing. I’m alone in this. I know it.
The walls seem to groan softly, but it echoes like the sound of my own disintegration.
I’m sick. Really sick.
This isn’t a cold, isn’t a stomach bug.
It’s something worse, something that makes my head swim and my limbs heavy as lead.
I try to sit up, my muscles so weary they refuse to move. My hand fumbles, clumsy with fever and fear. Then click. That harsh, intrusive brightness floods the room, blinding me for a moment before my dilated pupils adjust. The sudden light makes me wince, makes my eyes water.
I’m still in my bed, sheets tangled around me. My duvet is kicked off somewhere. The air conditioning vent hisses loudly, sending shivers down my spine even as the light banishes the darkness, but the light brings her.
Mrs Vale stands by the foot of the bed, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her face is a hard, shadowed mask in the bright light, her expression tight with impatience. She looks down her nose at me, that familiar, chilling sneer playing on her lips.
“Get up,” she snaps, her voice sharp and cutting. “Don’t you dare think you can laze in bed all day.”
I try to gasp, but my throats too tight. “I… I, I’m sick. I feel awful.”
Her sneer deepens, turning into a cruel scoff. “Oh, please. Do you think this is some kind of excuse? Do you think I’m going to believe your little drama queen act?”
She reaches out, her hand grabbing my shoulder roughly. “Get out of bed. Now.”
The touch sends a jolt of pure terror through me. I flinch away, pulling back instinctively. My body is weak, but my mind is screaming. I am sick. What if she just leaves me here? What if it’s something serious and I need help? My stomach clenches as a fresh wave of nausea washes over me.
Before she can grab me again, another sound cuts through the tension, a sharp, indignant yell from the doorway.
“Don’t…” Antonio’s voice is a low, furious rumble.
Mrs Vale freezes for a second, her hand stilling mid-air. Her eyes dart towards the doorway where Antonio stands, a scowl darkening his features.
Antonio pushes past her, his movements urgent and protective. He’s beside me in an instant, his presence a grounding shock against the fear. He grasps my shoulder gently but firmly, his eyes wide with alarm as he scans my face.
“Are you okay?” he asks like he cares.
Mrs Vale just rolls her eyes. “She’s just being dramatic. Probably just wants to stay in bed.”
But Antonio isn’t listening. His gaze is fixed on me, concern etched into every line of his too handsome face. He reaches out and brushes a stray lock of sweaty hair from my forehead. “Grace, can you tell me how you feel? Really tell me.”
I manage to squeeze out, “I’m so dizzy. My chest hurts. It’s so so cold…”
His expression hardens further. “We need to get the doctor. Now.” he says.