I awoke in a dimly lit room that I did not recognize. It was plain, but nice, with a small desk in the corner. I lay on a plush futon with thick blankets tucked around me. I looked around, confused and saw a shadowed figure at my side.
"How are you feeling?" the person asked.
"Sore, cold," I said, weakly.
"You seem to be sick and your encounter with those gang members exacerbated your condition," the person told me.
"Where am I?" I questioned.
"My home," the person replied. "I brought you here after you fainted." I sat up and cried out in pain and my muscles protested the movement. The person moved forward and caught me before I could collapse, cradling me against their broad chest.
"Don't move so fast," they warned. I looked up and saw the white eyes from before.
"You! You saved me!" I exclaimed. "You were amazing! Thank you!" The man smiled gently.
"You're welcome," he said. "It was nothing."
I shivered against him, the cool air sending chills down my spine.
"Why am I so cold?" I asked.
"You have a fever," he said, laying me gently back on the futon and covering me up to my chin. I continued to shiver, so he laid another blanket on me.
My eyelids felt as if they weighed a ton and I yawned.
"I'm so tired," I murmured. He smiled and stroked my hair back.
"So sleep," he said.
"Will you stay with me?" I asked. He looked surprised, then smiled.
"I have some things to take care of in my clinic," he admitted. "But when I am done, I will be here."
"Okay," I said, disappointed.
"I'll stay until you fall asleep, though," he offered.
"Please," I asked. I was afraid those gang members would come looking for me again. I didn't want to be alone.
I turned on my side, facing him and closed my eyes. It wasn't long until I was lulled by the sounds of his breathing into a deep sleep.