Chapter one
The feeling of a cool hand carding through my hair causes me to stir as I realize it's just Jasmine and I try to relax. I'm not well,I took ill earlier tonight,I've had a nasty cough since yesterday but I've been keeping it to myself,Abu knows,because of course he does,it's been us for so long,he just knows. It sorta came out tonight after a coughing fit,which occurred in front of her,after dinner. I let her take me back to the room,check for a fever,run a bath for me,I let her help me, then she got me to bed. After getting me comfortable,she went to see about getting a healer here,despite my protests,I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself,I've had to with being on the streets for so long,no choice,it's hard for me to trust,let her take care of me,let her make sure I'm alright,that I get what I need.
I know she must be waking me because the healer is here,I haven't been asleep very long,maybe an hour,if not less. It's weird seeing a healer,I've only been to one one other time,when I got hurt so bad that I didn't have a choice,someone took me in and got the funds somehow to do so. "Easy love,I got you Aladdin,the healer's here"she murmurs as I feel something,someone moving against my chest,Abu, I'm surprised he let her near, he's usually defensive over me, especially when I'm ill or hurt,and he won't let anyone near me,he's been known to bite. "OK Jaz"I murmur softly as I see her beckon the healer in as Abu climbs on her shoulder. "It'll be OK, I'm going to step out,give you a little privacy"she murmurs kissing me on the cheek as I nod,I trust her,and I know if she trusts this healer it should be alright. The healer comes in as she leaves,and then it's just me and him.
He introduces himself as I see him lay his meager supplies on the desk,then he comes over to me. He asks me a few questions as he looks me over,trying to get an idea of what's going on with me. He asks permission to touch me and I give it to him. He places a hand against my chest,to feel my breathing,my heart beat,and it doesn't look good. Then he looks me over the rest of the way,then it's time to give me something to qualm my cough. I let him give it to me,it's sickly sweet,but bitter at the same time,it's honey,and something else mixed he finishes,he leaves without a word,then it's just me. I can hear hushed whispers outside the door,I know they are discussing about me,what's going on. Then she comes back in,comes over to me and sits on the bed.
"It's bad isn't it"I murmur softly as I feel Abu lay against my chest again as she cards a hand through my hair. "I'm not going to lie it looks that way right now,the healer says the best we can do is keep you comfortable,if we can get you through the night we should be OK,get this fever down"she murmurs softly stroking a cool hand down my cheek. I relax,knowing I'm safe with her,and I'm not alone this time. I was last time,it was expected last time I wouldn't make it through the night,but I somehow did,I'm young,I have a lot to live for,the only other person that was there was the older lady who took care of me,who had taken me in after everything.
"Get some sleep alright,I'll be right here,we'll be here"she murmurs softly kissing me on the forehead as she lays beside me. I feel Abu get comfortable,then Rajah hops up on the bed,laying down at our feet. Before I know it I'm out like a light,the last thoughts on my mind being that I'm glad I'm not alone,that I have people who care for me,unlike when I was a street rat,and remembering what happened last time I got hurt and ended up seeing a healer for the first time.