Chapter 1
Laura Spencer awoke to the sound of her alarm clock buzzing. As she leaned over to turn it off, a sharp pain shot through her head. She quickly turned the alarm off and laid back down rubbing her temples.
"Oh great," she said to herself. "A headache is just what I need today."
She lay in bed for a few more minutes before she dozed off again. Luke came out of the shower and saw that Laura was still in bed. He didn't want to wake her, but he knew she had a meeting in an hour.
"Laura?" he said shaking her gently.
She groaned and opened her eyes. She tried to sit up, but the pain in her head stopped her.
"Are you all right?"
"Yes," she said smiling weakly. "I just have a bad headache."
"Maybe you should cancel you meeting and stay home today," Luke said with concern.
"I can't. This meeting is too important."
"Nothing is more important that your health."
"I'm fine Luke," she said trying to hide the pain as she sat up. "It's just a headache."
"Ok, but I don't want you driving. I'm taking you to work."
Laura could tell that she wasn't going to talk him out of it. "Ok," she said.
"And I want you to promise to have someone bring you home right after the meeting."
"Luke…"
"Promise me or I'll call Elton and tell him to cancel your meeting," he said reaching for the phone.
"Ok, I promise."
Luke left the room to give her time to dress. With great difficulty, Laura got out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
A half hour passed. Downstairs, Luke wondered what was taking her so long. "She's going to be late for that meeting that was so important," he said to himself. He went to the bottom of the stairs and yelled for her. "Laura?" He got no answer.
Luke walked upstairs and into the bedroom. She was not there.
He saw that the bathroom door was closed. He knocked on it. "Laura?" There was still no answer. He put his ear to the door to see if the shower or her hair dryer were running, but he didn't hear anything that would prevent her from hearing her calling.
Luke tried the door knob. It was locked. "Laura! Laura are you in there? Laura!" he said beating on the door with his fists.
She still didn't answer. Luke was really worried now. He kicked the door open with his foot, sending the splintered wood flying.
Laura was laying face down on the bathroom floor. He ran to her side and tried to wake her. He placed his hand on her head and could tell she was burning up with fever.
Luke scooped her up in his arms, carried her to his car and headed for General Hospital.
