Page 29 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

"Ivy?"

"Elias," I croaked out. "I..." The words wouldn't come.

"Where are you?" His voice sounded far away and concerned.

"My store."

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked, and I felt another wave of dizziness hit me.

"I'm just..." I said, taking a deep breath, "...tired. Need help.” My thoughts drifted away halfway through the sentence. I heard Elias’s voice through the phone, the only thing I could focus on.

"I’m coming. I’ll be there in ten minutes!" I leaned my head back against a cushion. Ten minutes. That sounded very, very far away.

*****

The next thing I remembered was the store door opening.

"Ivy?" Elias’ voice rang out, his concern palpable. An immense relief rushed through me, but I couldn’t focus on it. I just knew I was safe now.

"I'm..." I tried to wave, but my arm felt strangely heavy. I saw him, my vision hazy as he crouched beside me almost immediately. I felt his hand against my forehead.

"Hey." His voice stayed soft. "I'm here. How do you feel?”

"I… I can’t even stand. Exhausted." I murmured. Elias pulled his medical equipment out of a bag, checking my heart rate and temperature while he tried to ask questions about my symptoms. I answered as best I could, though my body felt like even staying awake was nearly impossible.

"How many hours did you sleep last night?"

"...Three."

“And before that?”

I tried to remember. “Three? Four?” I said, and heard Elias’s murmur of concern.

"When was your last day off?"

I opened my mouth, but couldn't answer. Because the truth was, I couldn't remember. Elias’s face tightened with concern.

"I thought so. Ivy, I think you might be suffering from extreme exhaustion." I heard him speak, but it sounded far away. “You pushed yourself too hard. In your condition, it's especially risky. But you’ll be alright, with some rest.” He said. I nodded, not really listening. All I knew was that he would take care of me. I let my body go slack, the fatigue taking over.

I drifted in and out after that. Time stopped making sense. I felt his presence, even when my eyes were closed. Every once in a while I would hear him shift, or get up and bring me a cup of water.

“Just a few sips. There you go.” Elias said, lifting the glass to my lips. I opened my eyes slightly, and he encouraged me to drink more. “You need electrolytes. Don’t worry, food is on its way.” He said. I just laid my head back down and fell into a dreamless sleep.

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed before the bell above the front door chimed. The sound reached me through the fog of exhaustion, followed by Elias’s footsteps moving away from the couch. A low voice murmured near the entrance. I tried to listen, vaguely recognizing Ronan’s voice. I couldn’t make out every word, but I heard the rustle of a paper bag and Elias thanking him quietly.

“How is she?” Ronan asked.

“Exhausted and overworked. She needs food, fluids, and sleep.”

Ronan didn’t come inside. I heard the door close softly, and felt comforted at the knowledge that he was still nearby without pushing past the boundary I wasn’t awake enough to give. A few minutes later, the smell of warm broth drifted through the room. Elias returned and knelt beside me, one hand supporting the back of my neck as he lifted a spoon toward my lips.

“Just a little bit,” he said softly. “You need something in your stomach.”

I opened my mouth and swallowed a few spoonfuls, though even that felt exhausting. The soup was delicious, and my body seemed to relax almost immediately.

“That’s enough for now,” Elias murmured. “You did well.”

My eyes were already closing again.