Chapter Four is finally here! This took me awhile, since I had to rewrite from the initial rough draft (I just didn't like how it turned out the first time). But now that I know where to go from the previous chapter now, enjoy! c:

Chapter Four: A Sudden Turn

"Are you sure you'll be alright by yourself?" Emmy asked the professor, who had just taken his first dose of medicine for that day. Being his assistant meant there were obligations for her to attend in his place whenever he couldn't, and today was such an instance. However, she was hesitant; rightfully so since he was still sick with a fever that refused to go down.

"Yes, I believe so." Hershel confirmed, setting his glass of water on the bedside table. "Faculty meetings usually only last for about an hour or two. I'm sure I'll be fine until you return."

"I could always stay here." she stated.

He shook his head. "Attendance is always mandatory."

"You're certain?" she asked, reaching for his forehead while noting his flushed face.

"I'm certain I will be fine." he insisted, politely taking her hand away from his face. "Until Luke returns from school, I doubt things here will be too eventful."

"Alright, then!" said she, seemingly returning to her usual demeanor. "See you in a few hours."

Hershel sighed and shook his head while he heard the engine of Emmy's scooter rev as she drove off. Honestly, he wished she wasn't so overbearing of him. True, he wasn't 100% better, but he was certainly more so than he did when he first became ill earlier that week! That said, he wasn't ungrateful of her to tend to him, going as far as keeping him fed, and taking care of the rash herself, in fact he appreciated it all. He had leaned back into his pillow, when across the bedroom, something grabbed his attention.

It was his trunk, which hadn't been opened since he first got sick. He vaguely remembered what all had been left incomplete, and what had yet to be started on still. Curiosity got the better of him, as he pushed the bedcovers away, and slowly made his way to the case, bringing it back to the bed with him before opening it up.

This should be fine so long as I stay in bed. He thought, while going through essays that had yet to be marked. Every so often he paused to rub his temples; some of the answers he received were not exactly helping his headache...

Once that was said and done, he decided to read up on some upcoming lecture material next. It's true he wouldn't be back to lecturing for a little while longer, but that was no reason to fall behind on such vital information! He found himself rather focused from the moment he began; or at least as focused as his illness would allow him. He was about halfway through when the now familiar dizziness crept up around the same time as his vision briefly went out of focus, and his shingles rash suddenly burned, causing him to openly groan in pain. In the moment, he was tempted to double over and clutch his abdomen; he only didn't since he knew touching there now would do more harm than good.

The medicine...Must be wearing off! Hershel thought, before slowly getting out of bed. He set one foot on the floor, then paused, before the other foot joined the first. Gradually, he stood up, his hands refusing to let go of the nearest furniture in order to keep his balance. Step after shaky step, he made his way to the medicine cabinet, leaning against the bathroom sink in front of the now exposed shelves while debating where to start first. After pondering a moment, he reached for the thermometer; he had to know exactly how bad his fever was getting. While it was reading, he took the bottles of pain reliever, and antiviral medication, struggling to read the minuscule labels despite his blurring vision.

On one hand, he knew he had to lie down; he knew he should call Emmy to please come help! However, she was probably still in that meeting, and having her leave so soon would not go without its consequences. It would have been one thing if they were going on an adventure, but it had been awhile since their last trip, and there had yet to be plans for another anytime soon. And even if she had just gotten out, he was doubtful he could get to the phone at the rate he was going.

His train of thought was interrupted by the thermometer beeping off; when he took it out of his mouth, he could barely make out 39.7 degrees on the small screen. The professor decided to take matters into his own hands, with the intention of bringing the pills back to his room. That in and of itself proved to be a challenge once the hallway began spinning, his ears started ringing, and nausea welled up in his chest. In the corner of his eye, he thought he saw a figure bounding up the stairs, though he wasn't sure who...or what it was! Before Hershel knew it, he was led back to his bed, landing a bit slower than he thought he would. Eventually, the dizziness passed once more, and his eyes met a very clearly anxious Emmy tending to his rash.

"I can't believe I forgot to take care of this before heading out!" she spoke to herself. "I'm gone for two hours, and this is what happens! I knew this was a bad idea. Why must those meetings be held so early anyway?"

"It's so...It's so to not interfere with the students schedules." he answered, to which she jumped in surprise.

"Is that so?" she asked, as she went applying the calamine lotion, followed by the fresh gauze. No response, though she didn't expect one anyhow. "There. Now then, are you hungry at all?"

The professor nodded, fully aware he wouldn't otherwise be able to take the antiviral medicine, which was the most effective at tackling his symptoms. The two didn't say anything to each other after that. He could tell she wasn't in the best of moods; though it was most likely more so directed towards herself, he could sense part of it being directed towards him as well. He decided not to think too hard on the subject, holding off until after he finished eating, and taking his pills.

"Good boy." she said, rather blankly, as she took up the tray. "Now you get some rest, for real this time."

The professor blinked, quite perplexed by what he had just heard. "I have been resting." he stated.

"No, Professor." she snapped, setting the tray aside, and taking up the trunk and its contents. "Doing paperwork is not resting! If anything, it's putting you under even more stress, which is how you became ill to begin with!" She stopped herself from ranting any further, adjusting to trunk and tray stacked atop one another.

"Where are you going with my-" he was about to inquire before he was cut off.

"You can have it back after your rash goes away." she firmly answered on her way out.

"That won't be for-" he attempted to rebuttal with little success.

"I mean it." she added, before shutting the door with her free hand.

Hours passed since then. Emmy had checked in on the professor a few times, though he was asleep all the while. After Luke returned from school, she had sent the boy up in her place, and planned to send him up again once dinner was ready. Though she had no intention of sharing the spat she had with Hershel earlier that day, Luke questioned her overall demeanor enough until she ultimately confided to him what had happened.

"I think you were overreacting a little, Emmy." Luke stated. "I mean, the professor probably thought he could handle it all on his own. Grownups usually think that way. And he was still in bed; I'm sure he would have rested up after he was through reading."

"I suppose he was trying to make things easier for me..." the assistant replied, after a short pause. "But seeing him staggering then, well, you saw him the other day, too."

"Yes, I did. I guess I can't blame you." the apprentice agreed. "It is rather worrisome."

"I think I'll have a talk with him if he's up for it." said Emmy, now feeling better about the situation.

Hershel awoke to the doorknob turning, followed by his bedroom door opening. Though he wished to remain lying down, he pushed himself into sitting up to greet his guests.

"Oh! Did we wake you?" Emmy asked, setting the tray on the bedside table.

"No, not at-" the professor tried to confirm before struggling to stifle a yawn. "...Not at all." Neither Emmy nor Luke could help but smile. Though those smiles went away when she instinctively rested her hand on the Professor's burning forehead.

"Oh, wow. Your fever really isn't going down, is it?" she worriedly questioned. "Luke, go fetch the thermometer and a cold washcloth." The boy nodded before hesitantly leaving the room, and Emmy's attention was back on Hershel once again. "Do you think you can stomach some food?"

"Yes, I believe so." he answered, reaching out when he saw his hands shaking uncontrollably. "Oh dear..." he muttered.

"Here, I'll help." she said, taking notice of the issue as well. He was reluctant on the idea of somebody else feeding him like a small child, but agreed to it this one time, not wanting to risk a spill.

From dinner time, until bedtime, the rest of the evening was spent keeping a close eye on the feverish, ill gentleman. A doable task, so long as the assistant and the apprentice were awake. It was a different story when they were both sleeping, however. The next time either of them woke up later that night...

"Emmy...Emmy?" Luke's voice barely started becoming audible. When she opened her eyes, she immediately sat up, surprised she had fallen asleep at all! Next, she saw the PJ-clad Luke standing beside her, and he seemed quite distressed. Also...

"Luke?...Where's the Professor?" Emmy asked, trying very hard not to jump to conclusions, despite laying eyes on the empty bed, with no sign of him in the vicinity.

"I don't know!" the boy barely managed to reply. "I've looked everywhere. I don't think he's still in the flat!"

Oh no... she thought, as she too searched throughout the place with no luck on her part either. She soon returned to the bedroom, while putting on her coat and her boots. "Luke, you stay here in case he comes back. I'm going to go after him."

"But what if he doesn't?" he inquired.

There was a pause.

"Stay here, just in case." she reinstated. It wasn't that she thought the boy apprentice would slow her down, far from it actually; rather, seeing the cold, damp night just beyond the windows not only reminded her how sick Luke could potentially get, but just how sick Hershel was, and how much worse it could become. And if things went from bad to worse...Well, it was better if he wasn't there as a witness!

"...Alright." he answered, surprisingly not so reluctant to hold down the fort, as he watched her leave.

And there's two-thirds of the story down!

You're probably wondering how the professor could get worse. Well, like in the case of many illnesses, a person who catches shingles is likely to develop complications, most commonly pneumonia (esp. if they are in a high-risk group; older adult, immuno-compromised, etc.). But who knows? Maybe he'll be saved in time!

Until the next chapter, honest reviews, please! c: