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“Okay? That’s the only thing you’re going to say?”
Penelope’s tongue darts out, sliding over her lower lip. “Yes. That’s the only thing I’ll say.” Suddenly she jumps to her feet and goes for the door.
I try to get upright, but my stiff muscles protest the movement. “Where are you going?”
“I’ll be back in a few.” She yells from the doorway. “Stay. In. Bed.”
As if I have any other option.
My muscles give out on me, and I fall back into the pillow, moaning softly.
Henry shifts, those big brown eyes watching me intently. “Do you think that was for you or for me?”
The dog tilts his head to the side as if he’s considering my question. I’m surprised that he’s not barking at me. Instead, he lets out an exasperated sigh before lowering his head onto his paws.
“You’re the one complaining? Buddy, you’re lu—”
Another coughing fit stops me from finishing, which might be for the best because who talks to dogs?
Bending forward, I place my hand over my mouth, my lungs protesting the exertion. My whole body feels weak and shaky, and I can feel the tremors rattling through my body.
I lie back down, a lock of my sweaty hair falls in my face, but I don’t even have it in me to push it back.
Just then, the door squeaks and Penelope appears in the room. The bed dips as she takes a seat, a bowl and towel in her hand.
“W-what are you doing?” I moan.
Penelope dips the towel into the water, squeezing the excess before she turns to me, her chilly fingers finding my forehead and placing the towel over it. A shudder rocks my body at the feel of the cool cloth pressed against my hot skin. “If we don’t get your temperature down, you’ll need to take the medicine or go to the hospital.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, feeling the headache blooming behind my temples. I hate feeling this vulnerable, but I don’t trust myself. Not even with something like Tylenol. I don’t want to go down that road again. I can’t.
“No hospitals.”
“But…”
“Please, no hospitals.”
Penelope’s fingers slide down, pressing against my cheek. “You’re not dying on me.”
My throat tightens, making it hard to breathe as gratitude swells inside my chest. If it were any other person, she’d probably walk out of here by now, but not Penelope. Instead, she’s going out of her way to make me feel better.
“It’s just a cold. I’ll be fine.”
“If your temp doesn’t go down in the next couple of hours, you’re either taking Tylenol, or I’m taking you to the ER.”
I want to protest, but I can see the determination written all over her face. There was no changing her mind.
“Fine.”
“Fine,” she nods, slightly calmer. Her thumb rubs over my cheekbone, and I feel chills go down my spine at her cool touch.
We don’t say anything as she exchanges the wet cloth a few times. My eyes start to feel heavy until, finally, the blackness claims me.
* * *
I’m walking down the dark hallway, following the sound of soft music playing in the distance. The tune is one I’ve heard countless times before.
My heart kicks up a notch as the recognition sets in, and I run down the hall, breathing heavily when I stop in the doorway. The man playing the guitar lifts his head; his dark eyes meet mine as a crooked smile forms on his lips.
