Matt climbed the stairs to his flat. He stepped onto the landing and looked around. He expected to see Emily somewhere in the flat, but she wasn't. The apartment was silent as he walked toward the kitchen counter. Matt frowned and pulled his coat off. He set it across the counter beside his black boxes. He pulled the box off his hip and set it with the other's.

"Emily?" Matt called.

In the distance, he heard a strangled cough from the washroom. "In here."

Matt walked around the counter. He walked down the hall toward the washroom. The door was open and light was on. Matt peeked through the opening before he entered. Emily was sitting on the floor, leaning against the sink. Her knees were draw up near her chest. Her head leaned back against the lower sink cabinet, looking up at the ceiling. Her skin was pale and glistened in sweat. She turned her head as Matt entered the room.

Matt knelt down beside her. "I gather you're not feelin' any better."

Emily replied with a small smile.

Matt reached out and gently stroked her cheek. "Have you managed to eat anythin' today?"

"Why do you think I'm here?" came her reply.

"How long has it been?" he asked.

"A few hours." Emily answered.

"I think you're safe to leave." Matt gently eased his arm behind Emily. Emily grabbed his arm for support. He moved slowly, lifting Emily to her feet. Emily held onto his arm as she rose from the floor. Emily closed her eyes as she stood, holding her head.

"Emily?"

Emily released her head. "I'm fine. Just a dizzy spell. Probably from sitting down for so long."

"You think you can walk?" Matt asked.

Emily nodded. "Of course."

"Okay. Let's get you to bed." Matt said.

Emily said nothing, but allowed Matt to help her out of the washroom. She cursed herself internally for allowing him to see her in a weakened state. She had managed to hide her discomfort from Matthew for nearly a week. But after he'd heard her the previous morning, Matt was now aware of her discomfort.

Matt helped her down to small hall into the room Emily stayed in. He walked her to the bed and released her waist. He helped Emily onto the bed and knelt beside her. He placed the back of his hand over Emily's forehead, feeling her body temperature.

"What are you doing?" Emily asked.

"Just checking if you had a fever. And you don't." Matt said. He lowered his hand.

"Isn't that good though?" Emily asked.

Matt shook his head. "It just makes it difficult to determine what you have. Without a fever, I'd guess it isn't the flu."

"Perhaps it was something I've eaten?" Emily suggested.

Matt nodded. "It's possible. Food poisoning is fast to attack and can last for a few days. Maybe you should see a doctor though."

"No." Emily said. "There's no need. If it's food poisoning, I should be fine by tomorrow."

Matt watched Emily closely. "Okay, but if you're still feeling poorly tomorrow, you are seeing a doctor. No arguments."

"Fair enough." Emily agreed.

"Good. I'll fix something easy for your stomach if you think you can eat something." Matt offered.

"Perhaps just tea." Emily said.

Matt smirked. "Alright then." He rose from the floor and walked out of the bedroom.

Emily watched Matt leave the room. She waited until she heard him in the kitchen before she moved. She reached in between the two sections of the bed and pulled out an old leather bound book. The cover was worn and damaged from its journey with Emily. Its face bore a large gash from a tree creepers attack. Emily opened the book to her place and lifted the pen she'd borrowed from Matt, which she used to mark her place in her book. Emily set the book on the bed in front of her and began writing. Emily paused a moment. She arched her head, causing both her back and head to ache. She leaned back, satisfied Matt was still occupied in the kitchen. When she was satisfied with her entry, Emily closed her journal and slipped it beneath the mattresses of the bed.

London, England

June third, two thousand and eleven.

To my deepest distain, by physical discomfort has yet to cease. My back prevents me from enjoying any position be it standing or sitting. My skull throbs as if a Tree Creeper is running its claws down my head. I have managed to hide my discomfort from Matt for nearly two weeks; however, my condition was revealed the previous morn. I was stricken suddenly with a most unpleasant stomach illness that caused me retched in the early hours.

At first, I believed my symptoms were brought on by my own bodies unaccustomed immunity to this time, however as my condition appears to worsen, I wonder if my assumption is correct. I wonder if there is not something else happening.

I fear that whatever I am experiencing is not merely my minuscule immunity strength, but more. And if I am correct, I fear that it will test both myself and Matthew, and I fear for Matthew. His work with the gateways and creatures has never been simply, nor easy on his mind. And with the recent passing of his father, I fear his emotional uneasiness most of all. I pray that my fears are silly and unnecessary, but only time will tell.

okay so here's how the layout goes, at the end of every chapter is an entry from Emily's Diary. please note, the chapters will get BIGGER!