Why?
Didn’t know. Couldn’t stop.
The fever climbed higher. Spreading. Making skin feel tight, head feel loose, disconnected.
Needed to move.
The thought came with an urgency I didn’t understand. Just knew: staying here was dangerous.
Had to move.
Pushed upright.
Everything screamed. Shoulder. Ribs, stabbing with the movement. Head pounding so hard vision whited out.
Waited for vision to clear. Breathing shallow. Hurting.
Legs swung off the bed. Feet hit freezing floor. The shock cut through fever heat.
Tried to stand.
Legs buckled. Caught the bedframe, forcing myself up through pain that made my stomach turn. Room spun. Sweat broke across my skin despite the cold.
One step.
Shoulder screaming. Ribs tearing. Room tilted.
Crashed into wall. Impact sent fresh agony through everything.
Couldn’t breathe right. Couldn’t see straight. Fever making everything swim.
Had to move anyway.
Another step. Using the wall. Each movement fire. Slow progress toward the door.
So far.
Body shook. Fever or pain or both. Everything hurt.
Another step.
Floor rushed up.
Caught myself. Barely. Hands hit first, impact jolting through shoulder. Then knees, shockwave through bruised ribs.
Bit down. No sound but tasted blood from biting through my cheek.
Couldn’t get up.
Arms shook. Wouldn’t lift me. Legs wouldn’t work. Fever making everything distant and immediate at once.
Bad. This was bad.
Tried to call out.
Nothing. Just air through a throat that couldn’t make a sound.
Needed help.
