Page 79 of Destined To Fall

“Did you just smell my shirt?”

“What? Pfft, no.”

“Not that I’m not enjoying the visual,”—cough—“of you in my clothes, but,”—cough, cough—“why are you in them?”

“Because I’m not leaving, and I can’t play nurse without killing you in my current state of undress. Well, my previous state.”

“I see. Whatiswith the outfit? And why is it covered in blood? I’m starting to question your skills.”

“I was a zombie nurse. Brains.”I grin.

Jeremy coughs uncontrollably as he tries to laugh, but instead of easing off, it gets worse, which I didn’t think was possible.

“Jer?”

“Can’t”—cough, cough—“breathe…”

“Shit.” I rush to the couch in the other room and grab a couple of cushions, running back to put them behind him.“Easy does it.” I prop him up more, hoping it expands his lungs.“Better?”

He shakes his head and continues to cough, gasping between each one.

“Fuck.”

I freak out as Jeremy breaks out in a sweat, his lips turning purple.

“Oh, god.”

I can’t think. My brain is drowning in panic. I do the only thing that comes to mind; I empty my bag, grab my cell, and start dialing the last person in the world I ever expected to speak to again.

“Don’t you dare stop breathing.”

“Hello—”

“Yes, I need Dr. Carmichael. It’s an emergency.”

“I’m sorry, Dr. Carm—”

“Tell him it’s his daughter.”

The phone goes silent, and I want to scream at her in frustration.“One moment.”

I sigh in relief, but it’s short-lived as my heart races faster. My panic skyrockets, crippling me as I tremble.Fuck, what am I doing?

“Your…father?” Jeremy manages to wheeze out, his eyes like saucers.

“Shhh! Don’t talk. I’m going to fix you, just…keep breathing.” Instead, he continues to cough, his face turning ashen.

“Vivienne? Is that really you?”

“Yes. I…” I take a deep breath and steel myself.“Dad, I need your help. I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Are you in trouble?”

“No, my…friend, he’s…his lips are turning blue, he’s struggling to breathe, he’s coughing so hard. I don’t know what to do.”

“Where are you, and what triggered it?”

“His apartment, and he’s sick, the flu or something. He just started coughing, and now he can’t stop.”

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