Mr. Bates frowned as he stood outside Mr. Barrow's door. In his hand was the under-butler's breakfast. Bates sighed. Why had he been chosen to serve the man? Bates knew it was because he was free. Mr. Crawley had been dressed, and Mr. Bates had already eaten. He was the only staff available. From what John had heard, Thomas was actually quite sick. Bates knocked on the door.

"Barrow. Mr. Carson told me to bring you some breakfast."

There was a moment of silence before John heard a pained whimper from behind the door, followed by a wet cough. Mr. Bates knocked on the door again, slightly worried. Was the man really that sick? John had caught a glimpse of the man earlier in the kitchen, and he had not seemed to be ill.

"Barrow? Barrow, are you alright? . . . Thomas?"

He opened the door slowly and peaked in. John's heart skipped a beat. Thomas was kneeling down in front of a puddle of blood, broken glass surrounded him. For a moment, the valet thought that Thomas had cut himself on the glass. That possibility flew out the window when Mr. Barrow looked up. His mouth was parted slightly as he panted. Blood was dripping from his lips.

"Dear god!"

Bates dropped the tray as he limped over. He grabbed Thomas's shoulders and sat him up straight. Pain flared in his hand as it was cut by a shard of glass, but he barely felt it. John held the man up as fear raced through him. What the hell was going on? No one could just go downhill so fast! Bates became even more fearful for the man when he coughed slightly, spilling blood down the front of his suit. Why was he in his suit? John shook his head, pulling the man closer so he leaned on him as they kneeled on the floor.

"Someone! Someone call a doctor!"

Mr. Carson arrived in the doorway, a moment after the valet had screamed for help. Mrs. Hughes, Alfred, and Jimmy came in behind him.

"What is going- oh lord!"

Mr. Carson took paled before he righted himself.

"Alfred, go call for an ambulance. Jimmy, help me move him to his bed."

Mr. Bates moved out of the way as Carson and Jimmy moved Thomas to his bed. Mr. Carson rolled the bloody man on his side, clearing his airway. Alfred quickly reappeared in the room, eyes wide and face pale.

"Mr. Carson! I-I called for an ambulance. They'll be here shortly. Daisy's waiting outside to direct them here."

Charles nodded before turning to Barrow.

"Mr. Barrow! Thomas! If you can hear me, do not fall asleep! Do you understand?! That is an order!"

Thomas blinked through bleary eyes as he mumbled through the blood.

"M'sorry Mr -rson. 'm jus so tir'd"

Thomas closed his eyes and went completely limp. Mr. Bates' stomach dropped. He stepped forward and slapped the unconscious man on the cheek.

"Come on man, don't fall asleep!"

Mr. Carson turned to the doorway, screaming.

"Where the bloody hell is that ambulance?!"

It seemed like to much time before they arrived. Daisy was running in front of them, while Mr. Crawley followed the EMTs. People were shoved out of the way while Thomas was loaded onto a stretcher. As the man was carried out to the waiting ambulance, Bates noticed something. On the floor where Thomas had gotten sick, was the pool of blood. In the blood was a slightly darker, thicker item. Bates grabbed the arm of one of the EMTs that was not carrying out Mr. Barrow. He pointed at the object. The EMT knelt down and picked up the object in his gloved hands.

The thing was thin, see through even. It was dark red and covered in blood. In some places, there were holes in the thing. The only thing John could compare it to was that of a removed skin from a dead animal. Daisy gasped and hid her face in Alfred's chest. The tall ginger placed a comforting arm on her. The EMT looked at the skin like substance before dropping it to the ground with a splatter. The EMT stood suddenly, running after Thomas and the other men carrying him to the awaiting ambulance.

"Jacob!"

The EMT called to the man in the back of the ambulance, helping load Mr. Barrow. All the servants, along with Mr. Crawley followed after them.

"Jacob! This man. . . he's thrown up part of the top layer of skin in his stomach!"

Jacob jumped in surprise.

"What?!"

The EMT opened Thomas's mouth and peered in.

"Dear god! It looks like this man has been drinking acid!"

The EMTs rushed with a new worry to them. Just before they left, Jacob called out to Mr. Crawley.

"Sir! Call the police! I think someone may have tried to kill this man!"

Then they were gone. The household watched in disbelief as Thomas was rushed away.