Credit to RipeTomato for story idea
Heavy breathing…
Dina's head was starting to heat up. Marlin sat there by her as she lay panting, a film of moisture rising upon her forehead as she turned her head in unease. He gripped her hand, cold and clammy in contrast to her scorching forehead. He folded his fingers gently around hers, pressing it against his forehead in sympathy. He thought for a moment, and reached for her hair to see her Geostigmatic symptoms. It was obvious they were acting up, the dark shade of the infection was patching here and there, the blotches of sickness in deep fervor.
She must have noticed his curiosity, because her hand suddenly shot up and brushed against her bangs as she limped her head slightly at me. Marlin smiled and slipped a towel under her hair, patted her lightly then turned away to hide tears sneaking beneath his pupils. Without turning, he said, "You stay here and get your rest, m'kay? I'm gonna go check on Tito."
"Mhm…" Her breath was plagued with temperature and strain.
Marlin left quickly, trodding into the kitchen where Tito was washing dishes. Marlin tugged on his apron, "Hi Tito! Whatcha doin? Can I help? Pleeeeaaase…"
He looked at me for a second with a cheerful expression, then paused. Marlin noticed him staring into his eyes. He realized that he hadn't entirely gotten the tears out, and quickly turned away. Marlin felt a warm hand hold my shoulder lightly, then heard, "How is she?"
He fidgeted with the dirtied cloth of the apron. The greasy stains on the fabric reminded me of the dark rashes left by the Geostigma Syndrome. I scratched miserably at the caked residue. Maybe he was hoping it would help Dina. Maybe. Or maybe he should stop drea- The phone.
Br-r-r-r-r-r-r-tt...Br-r-r-r-r-r-tt…Tito stared at the phone dismally before walking over to it and snapping it off the receiver. He lazily greeted the other line, "Hello, Strife Delivery Service. We will do up t-…" He stuttered for a second. "Who's calling?..." He suddenly gave off a hearty, familiar laugh. "Hehe…of course I remember you, yo."