" I've never had any complaints before" She proclaimed. " Id better see how its doing"
She left Minx and Riot alone.
Minx sat on the edge of Riot's bed and watched him curiously. He was very quiet which was odd for him. He lay still and seemed smaller somehow,metaphorical speaking. She was used to Riot always taking charge and giving the orders and as she regarded him laying in bed it felt so unusual to be the one taking care of him for once. She wasn't sure if she liked it or not.
"Are you ok?" Minx asked softly
"yeah. Sure. I'm just fine" He said evasively Minx knew him well enough to detect the bitterness underneath.
"Do you resent that we are trying to care for you Riot? she asked him straight forwardly
"No. Your both being very sweet. Well other then the fact that Rapture is trying to kill me with that vile mixture" Minx laughed. At least he still had a sense of humour.
"It's just that I don't like being sick" He confessed.
"No one does"
"Well It's more then that. I don't think I'm very good at it!"
Minx smothered a giggle
"Oh Riot! Don't worry you cant be good at everything.I'm going to go help Rapture. If you need anything just call"
"Hey why don't I have one of those little bells?"
" Because Ive seen too many TV shows to know how that's going to turn out"
Minx came into the Kitchen and was met with the most delicious aroma. "Wow that smells fantastic. Ive never smelled canned soup like that before in my whole life"
"I know!" She said proudly "it's my secret recipe"
"Oh let me guess... snips and snails and puppy dogs tails"
"Does that mean you don't want any?"
" It does smell seriously good but I think we should make sure there is enough for Riot first"
"Well it's almost done. How is he?" As if to answer their question they heard a loud sneeze from the direction of his bedroom.
"Bless you" They both said in unison.
"I guess that answers my question huh?" Rapture said.
"Well I'm going to unpack the rest of the stuff we bought. When do you think we should tell him we're staying the night"
"Maybe he'll be too sick too notice"
"Ha. Yeah right."
Minx headed toward the hallway and Rapture let the soup simmer a couple of minutes before it was done.
Riot stayed put in bed. He felt very helpless and he did not like it at all. He would have again protested against his female companions company but in truth he was starting to think he needed it and that was the scariest part of all. He felt so weak he couldn't even imagine getting out of bed anymore. His head continued to pound. and even the dim lighting in his room seemed to make the pain worse. He wished he was in a dark silent room. Alone. He felt trapped. Starting to shiver he buried down deep in his blankets and curled into a fetal position.
Back in the kitchen Rapture found a ladle and transferred the soup into a bowl for her patient.
She approached his room and knocked... Nothing. She tired knocking a little louder.
Still nothing. She opened the door to find Riot underneath the covers shivering dreadfully.
"Riot?" she whispered. She heard him mumbled something
"What? She asked in a hushed tone
"I'm cold. Did you turn down the heat?"
"Are you kidding. Its boiling in here."
"I'm f-f f- freezing" He stuttered.
" I brought you some soup. That will warm you up" Rapture said still speaking softly
" I don't want it. I've lost my appet-t-t-tite"
"Are you sure?"
"I just want to be warm. Whats wrong with me?"
"Don't worry" She said warmly "Ill get you another blanket"
Rapture came out of the bedroom and saw Minx. "Whats wrong?" Minx asked as she saw the worried look on her friends face. I just went to give Riot the soup I made and he didn't want any at all. He was shivering really bad. I think he's getting worse.
"oh no. Really?"
"I'm just getting him a blanket. Go make sure hes alright"
"ok"
Minx went back to his room and found Riot laying still. He wasn't shivering anymore. Which was a good sign. On closer inspection she saw he was bathed in perspiration.
"I'm too hot. I think Rapture turned up the heat too much"
She took a seat beside him and tentatively put her hand to his forehead. It was scotching hot to the touch. she recoiled in surprise. "Oh god! Riot your burning up!"
Rapture came in just then with the blankets only to see a pile of similar ones on the floor.
"what happened?"
"I'm sick. That's what happened. I have a fever. I feel like shit. and ..." He couldn't finish as a coughing fit took hold of him. It sounded very wet and deep and serious. His eyes watered from the effort
He stopped and gasped for a breath. and then he sank back on his pillow and reached for a remaining blanket on his bed for security and held it tightly to himself.
"I really don't feel well." He said sounding completely defeated