3:47 PM - Missed call from Nathan
3:49 PM - Missed call from Nathan
3:52 PM - Nathan: chloe open the door
3:52 PM - Nathan: chloe
3:53 PM - Nathan: sweetheart? U ok?
3:54 PM - Nathan: call me when you get this
3:58 PM - 1 message from Nathan
Hey Chloe, sorry I was a bit late, I had to stop by my house and grab my sketchbook. I, um, I dunno if you're mad at me or something, but if I did something wrong I'm sorry. I can't wait to show you some of the sketches I have for new costumes, so call me when you get this. Bye sweetheart.
Nathan sat at his computer, wondering why Chloe hadn't replied yet.
He immersed himself in his drawing, trying to distract himself. It was so weird. She was so excited about the Ladybug event when they'd talked over Skype that morning.
His phone pinged and he immediately picked it up. Disappointment followed when he saw it wasn't from Chloe.
(Unknown number): hey, its Sabrina!
Nathan saved the contact and typed a reply.
Nathan: hi why are u texting me?
Sabrina: im texting everyone in our class rn
Nathan: why?
Sabrina: u havent heard dont u watch the news
Nathan: no
Incoming call from Sabrina
Nathan picked up. Sabrina started blubbering, her voice breaking as if she had been crying.
"Sabrina, what's wrong?" Nathan asked, his voice ringing with concern.
"Its horrible! I can't believe I didn't notice and I wasn't there and it's all my fault and I don't know what to do and-"
"Sabrina, what happened?!"
"Chloe's missing." Sabrina sobbed.
Nathan froze. He immediately hung up the phone, threw it across the room and sank down to the ground.
This cannot be real. This is a nightmare.
His mouth would not form words. He seemed to be sinking into a black abyss of nothingness. Nathan's breathing became rapid and labored, his mouth open in a noiseless scream.
His mind was racing a mile a minute, his thoughts trying to make sense of the situation.
Had she run away?
Nathaniel crawled across the floor and grabbed his phone. He began scrolling through the texts, looking for a sign or an explanation.
One text caught his eye.
7:12 AM - Chloe: i'll leave the door unlocked for u k?
While he hadn't thought anything of it at the time, now it sent him into a panic. If Chloe had left the door unlocked, then anybody would have access to her room. Chloe hadn't run away.
This just might be his fault. If he had recognized the danger in that situation and told Chloe to lock her door or gotten there on time or brought his stupid sketchbook to school, the ways he could've prevented this were endless.
He curled up on his bed, frozen with shock.
Hours into the night, Sabrina's words still rang through his mind.
Chloe's missing.
"Why would someone want to hurt her?" Chat Noir wondered aloud.
"Well, she is really rich." Ladybug murmured. "They might want ransom."
"Or leverage to control the Mayor."
"Do you think this is an akuma attack?" Ladybug asked, concern filling her bright blue eyes. She coughed roughly, causing her eyes to water.
"Are you okay?" Chat Noir stared at her.
"I think I'm coming down with a cold."
"Why don't you go home?" Chat Noir handed her a tissue.
Ladybug blew her nose and coughed again. "What about Chloe?"
"I can handle a couple of kidnappers."
"Are you sure?" Ladybug sneezed.
"Yeah, 'course I am."
"Thanks, Chat, you're the best. Please be careful," Ladybug waved at him and bounced off.
"No problem." Chat Noir called after her.
"Are you okay, Marinette?" Tikki stirred a cup of hot tea on her bedside table.
"Tikki, I have this splitting headache..." Marinette sighed sleepily. "I feel awful."
"I could get you some medicine." Tikki offered.
"I hope Chloe is okay." Marinette coughed.
"Well, a sick Ladybug isn't going to do Chat or Chloe any good."
"Yeah, I know." Marinette lifted a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. "Goodnight, Tikki."
"Goodnight, Marinette."
Marinette woke to her alarm.
She dragged herself out of bed and to the trapdoor.
"How are you feeling?" Tikki buzzed around her.
"I think I should go to the doctor." Marinette replied weakly, her voice rough and raspy.
"At least it's Saturday and you don't have to miss school." Tikki chirped.
"Yep." Marinette yawned as she slowly made her way down the stairs.
"Good morning, Marinette!" Her mother greeted her from the counter.
"Hi Mom," Marinette coughed. "I don't feel good."
"What doesn't feel good?" She walked over to her daughter and placed a hand on her forehead.
"I've got a sore throat and a headache." Marinette sneezed. "And a runny nose."
"You seem to have a little bit of a fever, too. I'll schedule you a doctor's appointment. Why don't you get some rest? I'll wake you up before we have to go."
"Thanks, Mom." The diseased girl replied tiredly. She began to go up the stairs, each step requiring immense effort.
She collapsed on the bed and fell asleep.
"Feel better, Marinette," Tikki whispered, clutching the edge of the blanket and covering her shivering body.
"Marinette..." Sabine quietly climbed into Marinette's room. "We have to leave for your appointment in about a half hour."
Marinette sat up slowly as she was handed a cup of hot tea.
"Take your time," Sabine smiled warmly. "We aren't in a rush."
"Okay, Mom," Marinette drank some of the tea. "Just let me get dressed and ready and I'll be downstairs."
Sabine nodded and retreated down to the lower floor.
Marinette slid off of her bed. She wearily pulled on the outfit Tikki had picked out for her to save her energy. She tiredly brushed her hair as Tikki watched her with concern.
"Okay, I think I'm ready," Marinette sighed.
"Jacket." Tikki tugged on a jacket in her closet.
"I don't need a jacket-"
"Jacket, Marinette!" Tikki said forcefully, yanking it from the hanger.
"Okay, Tikki," Marinette smiled wearily as she pulled it on.
She walked down the stairs and coughed as she walked by her mother.
"Ready, Marinette?"
"Mmm-hmm," Marinette murmured.
The pair got into the car. Marinette winced as Sabine started the engine. The loud noise amplified her headache.
The car ride was awful. Marinette felt carsick and nauseous, leaning on the window and trying to fall asleep.
In her sick state of health she had left her phone in her room, where it buzzed endlessly with texts from people desperately trying to reach her.
Each bump and stop made her cough and sneeze, her headache worsening with the honks of angry drivers and the roar of passing cars.
When they walked into the doctor's office, Marinette rested her head back on the wall as her mother signed in.
Her hand stroked the fabric on the chair as she listened to the droning of the news.
It was a nice distraction, but she just wished the doctor would give her the darn medicine and let her go home to her nice warm bed.
"Breaking News-"
Probably Chloe. Marinette decided.
"A minor has been found unconscious at approximately 3:20 AM this morning. The minor has been identified as Adrien Agreste-"
Marinette's head shot off of the wall, alert and wide-awake.
"-who was saved by doctors but slipped into a coma and is currently on life support."