WPOV

The day finally came to an end and the echoes of the coyotes rang through the caves. At dinner time I took my usual seat with Ian. Jamie joined us, Melanie and Jared trudged their way in soon after. I looked around and smiled at all the comfortable smiling faces that were smiling back.

" Ah, I haven't had roast beef in such a long time" Jamie gushed.

" Jamie, drooling is really not attractive to watch" Melanie scolded. The room filled with soft chuckles. Jamie smiled back sheepishly and continued on shovelling the food into his mouth. Ian took my hand and I felt my shoulders relax immediately. At the corner I caught sight of Magnolia and Sharon and it was a rare moment in which the frowns on their faces were absent. It could have been that my absence for the past few weeks softened their moods as well as the delicious food being served, or it might be the possibility that they finally were able to stand me. I'm thinking it was my lengthy absence. Ian let my hand go when the slabs of meat he received got larger and larger until the point where both hands were needed. I watched silently as the others attempted to eat slowly, but the forks couldn't seem to enter their mouths fast enough after a few short minutes. After everyone was finished their meals a series of goodnights were said throughout the room. I looked around the room and a furrowed my eyebrows. Ian smoothed my forehead with his thumb and a worried look crept upon his face.

"What's wrong? " he asked.

" Sunny and Kyle aren't here," I stated. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

" I heard they were with Doc, he says Sunny has a minor virus" he explained.

" Oh, we should go see her " I said with concern in my voice. He sighed, and another strange look came on his face.

" Wanda, I don't want you to catch anything" He muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. I rolled my eyes and tugged on his hand.

I picked up my pace in anxiety.

I held Ian's hand as we made our way down the dark tubes to the hospital wing. Every now and then, the moonlight would peer through holes in the roof and paint the walls with grey dots. I could see the faint blue glow of the lamps as we rounded the final corner. Ian abruptly gripped my hand tighter and pulled me to a stop.

"Wanda, I think we should just go to our room. You wouldn't want to wake her up if she's asleep." Ian gave me a pleading expression.

I ignored him, pulling my hand free from his, which was difficult considering it was fully enveloped in his. I pouted and he gave me a defeated look. He then lead me into the dark lit room, he made sure he was in front of me failing in the attempt to shield me from air borne germs. I saw Doc dozing behind his desk and Candy looking at the labels of the cylinder containers of the medicines. She realized we had entered the room and turned around immediately. I gave her a small smile; she had been a great addition to our group helping as best as she can with any sickness that passed in the caves or any injuries. At the corner I saw the petite framed Sunny lying on the cot. Her complexion seemed a little bit flushed and there was no colour on her cheeks, beside her sleeping state was Kyle, watching over her with hawk like alertness. It was touching how he wished to protect her. I manoeuvred out from behind Ian and took a seat facing Sunny, opposite to Kyle. He nodded his head slightly in my direction, his eyes never wavering. I glanced up at Candy with questioning eyes. She clearly understood what I was silently asking. She shrugged and continued to fasten the open containers. The cot I sat on shook as Ian took a seat beside me, slinging his arm over my shoulders. The quietness in the room was piercing. All that was heard was Sunnys' even breathing.

"How is she doing?" I asked softly.

"Doc and Candy here said it's only a minor virus, that it'll pass" he shrugged, his eyes never leaving Sunny's peaceful face. Ian gripped onto his brother's shoulder.

"I'm sure she'll get better soon, with the medicine we have" Ian whispered. I wondered, soul medicine was supposed to work in mere minutes, she was supposed to be fine by now.

" How long has she been asleep? " I questioned. Kyle looked up and the bags under his eyes went unnoticed.

" I'm not sure, she's been like this since I took her in this afternoon." He responded in a whisper.

Sunny suddenly gasped as she awoke from her sleep. She had a panicked look in her eyes as she scoped the room. When they met mine, I couldn't help but notice how dull they were. I immediately went to Doc's desk and grabbed his penlight. Kyle was softly brushing Sunny's cheek, which was now almost translucent. I pushed the button to turn the light on. I reached over Sunny and held up her head. She had an unnaturally high fever. My eyebrows immediately furrowed once again. I shone the light in her eyes, surprisingly the light didn't reflect back like the way it normally would. Candy saw my anxious look and hurried over to us. She gave me a curious look and I heard Kyle's breathing starting to fall out of its rhythm. I turned my head to Ian who held the same look as Candy and Kyle.

"Ian shine the light in my eyes" I ordered. He nodded and took the penlight from my slightly clammy hands. With shaking hands, Ian wretched the light from my hand and help it up to my eyes. Even I could see as their shine reflected and bounced off the walls. I could see Ian's stance relax as he flicked the light off.

"Why do you think her eyes are no longer reflective?" Candy asked anxiously as she examined Sunny herself. Sunny's breath now came in ruff and ragged intakes as she panicked. Kyle quietly soothed her and she was immediately unperturbed under his touch.

"I think we need to make another visit to the nearest town." I responded after a long awkward silence.

"What? We just got back Wanda. I'm not letting you go out again. It gets me worried every time!" Ian roared. Kyle snorted and laughed at his brothers over reaction. Ian's eyes darkened and he was about to lunge for Kyle when I pressed my hand to his chest to stop him. He looked down at me with pure worry in his eyes. He snaked his arms around my head and brought me into a hug, placing his head in the crook of my neck. Kyle smirked and I gave him a warning glance, he looked back to Sunny and sighed. Candy went to get a container with the label cool, and took out the thin blue strip and placed it in Sunnys mouth. Her feverish skin was instantly cooled, but she remained sickly looking.

"We should go," Ian alleged, "We can get up early and check on her tomorrow." He gracefully lifted me off the cot and set me on my feet. I softly brushed Sunnys face with worry in my eyes. What was wrong with her?