Jeb gave me a questioning look, and then gave Ian the same. After seeing that we were both serious, he dug his shovel into the ground and casually leaned against it, preparing himself for a long conversation.
"So what seems to be the issue now?" Jeb asked.
"Sunny is extremely ill and we need to have a Healer examine her. Perhaps we don't have the necessary medicines or knowledge to help her, and she seems to be getting worse by the hour." I concluded. Jeb's thick eyebrows furrowed deep into his eyes as he thought about my request.
"So you are thinkin' that they may have the answer to her condition?" Jeb answered after a long moment.
"We can only hope. If we continue to hope for the best here, she could end up having a fatal illness. We couldn't risk it." I pleaded.
"Hmm, I suppose this could be arranged, but it will have to be carefully planned out ya know. Since the Seekers have been on constant alert, we have to be more aware than usual," Jeb countered. "I will talk to Jared about it. He's the best at this sot of thing. I'll let you know the plan when we have it figured out. This could take some time, so how 'bout you two make yourselves useful and get work done. No need to delay crops anymore." Jeb assured. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him the biggest hug I could manage.
"Thanks so much Jeb. I cant thank you enough." I squealed. I heard Ian laugh at my excitement. Jeb patted my back awkwardly.
"No problem kid. Now get to work. Days' a wastin'." He took the shovel and put it back in the storage area.
"I think the dishes from breakfast haven't been cleaned yet," Ian suggested.
"You just don't want me to help out in the fields" I accused. I gave him a knowing smirk and a shock look came onto his face.
"What? No, let's go." He objected and wrapped his arm around my waist and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I looked down to my feet immediately as I felt the blood rushing to my face. We walked to the kitchen side by side.
"Hey Trudy, are there any dishes that need to be done" I asked. She smiled and pointed to the bin of dishes in the corner. Ian let go of my waist and picked the bin up before I could. I narrowed my eyes and followed him to the bathing room. As we got closer the sound of the gushing river became more coherent. As we entered, the hot steam greeted my face. There were giggles and splashes coming from the dark bathing room. As Ian and I waited our turn, he stroked my hair continuously. When Paige and Andy emerged from the darkness, Andy nodded in our direction while Paige exuberantly waved. I couldn't help but smile at her endless energy. We carefully made our way to the pool, looking out for the hole on the ground. Ian held on to the bin with one hand while the other was holding mine making sure I was safe. We emptied the bin and started cleaning each dish. As I was on my third dish I felt light-headed and my mind was filled with black and white spots. I dropped the soapy dish to my side while I pressed my temples. The fuzziness of my thoughts were almost unbearable. I could hear Ian's urgent calls, but they sounded distant to my unclear hearing. My wet hand held my head while the other was holding my side. The ground abruptly vanished from underneath me while I was lifted from it. The motion of being lifted did it. I succumbed to the darkness.
"Wanda? Wanda, can you hear me? Wanda, love, can you open your eyes?" I heard a frantic voice saying these words as I resurfaced to consciousness. I had no doubt who it was.
"Ian, just give her time. She'll wake up when she's ready. God, you have to relax. It's not like she's dead or anything." Again, I knew this voice, Melanie.
" Ian, this was the same symptoms that Sunny had Doc whispered. I opened my eyes into slits to get used to the light.
"No, no, no, no, no, no" Ian chanted while running his fingers through his hair and then grabbing hold of my hands. Jamie and Melanie were at my side with confused and worried faces. I turned my head to see Sunny lying on the cot talking in whispers to Kyle. Kyle's face broke my heart, so pained and broken. I couldn't imagine Ian's face in that way, it hurt too much. Ian took a damp cloth from Candy and placed it tenderly on my forehead.
"How are you feeling?" Melanie asked. My headache felt as if it had subsided but I knew there was something wrong, I could feel it in my veins.
"Much better" I smiled. I tried to get up but Ian pushed my shoulders down onto the cot softly.
"You need to rest some more" He said with an authoritive voice, he cupped my face and stroked my cheek with his thumb. I gave him an encouraging smile trying to reassure him that I was fine. The sound of footsteps filled the room. Jeb and Jared soon entered. Jared went to Melanie's side immediately and Jeb looked down at me with pure worry.
"I'll be fine, I promise you," I said reassuringly but it did nothing to soften their faces.
"How will we take Sunny to the Healers without Wanda" Jared asked Jeb.
"Well." Jeb started "I think that if Wanda is coming down with the same case as Sunny, we should bring them both. It's a simple solution. In most cases, friends can give each other viruses. We can make up a story about how within one day, these two got sick. Sound like a plan?" Jeb concluded. Jared seemed to be thinking over the newly aroused plan, and nodded his head in agreement. This plan settled me, as I knew I could help Sunny still. That and Kyle could end his lengthy fast.
"So we drive to the back of the hospital and most likely there will be healers there, Wanda would be strong enough to help Sunny walk and from there they'll get help from the healers." He suggested.
"Sounds good to me" Jeb agreed.
"Wait a second" Ian voiced " Wanda shouldn't go in by herself in her condition"
" And Sunny, she's too weak" Kyle whispered, all heads turned to his direction, and then Sunny. They knew he was right.
" No, I'm sure I can do it, she needs to go" I said confidently.
" But what about you" Ian muttered.
"I'm still feeling strong enough. I think that I'll be able to get as far as the door. Please Ian. I can do this. I have to." I gave Ian a positive smile, or at least I tried, he seemed wary about the idea, but a voice in the background gave him no choice.
"Ian, please man, do it for me, I can't loose Sunny." Kyle's emotional voice cracked as he pleaded. Ian glanced at his brother and sighed deeply.
" All right, but we won't leave until you get in and we will stay until they figure out what was wrong with you" he compromised. All heads in the room nodded but he didn't notice. He looked straight into my eyes, and I nodded softly. I pressed my palm against his cheek and he turned his head to kiss it.
"I'm feeling tired Ian, can we go back to our room. I might be able to sleep better there." I asked.
"Anything for you love." Ian whispered. Ian gently lifted me from the hard cot and carried me down the dark halls. It was clearly evening now. When we reached the red and grey doors, Ian pushed the red one out of the way and it landed with a clash onto the floor. He laid me on the mattress then re-adjusted the door. I curled into a ball, and Ian soon curled around me. I felt safe surrounded by his arms. He turned my head and gave me a soft kiss on my lips. I instantly felt like I was on fire, and it wasn't because of my arising fever. Only Ian could now have that effect on me.