Chapter 6

Kristal Gillespie POV:

The fever started subtly, a prickle under my skin, a slight ache in my head. But by the time my alarm blared at 5 AM, it had intensified into a throbbing headache and a bone-deep chill that no blanket could cure. My back throbbed with a vengeance, the bandage Dozier had applied feeling heavy and useless against the angry infection.

Don't be late. Don't be fired. The words echoed in my mind, overriding the protests of my body. Getting fired meant losing my meager cash income, losing my freedom, losing the fragile sense of independence I had just begun to build. And losing that meant... what? Back to Dozier's pity? Back to Serenity Heights? The thought was a cold plunge into terror.

I dragged myself out of bed, each movement a Herculean effort. My legs felt like lead, my head swam when I stood too quickly. I dressed in the same faded t-shirt, ignoring the persistent ache in my back. Pain is just a signal. I repeated the mantra, trying to believe it.

The walk to my car in the alley felt endless. The cold morning air didn't cut through my fever; it just made my teeth chatter. My old sedan, usually a symbol of freedom, felt like a coffin this morning. I drove slowly, carefully, my vision blurred by a fine sheen of sweat that covered my forehead.

Jett was already at the bagel cart when I arrived, the scent of fresh coffee and warm dough a surprising comfort. He glanced at me, his kind eyes narrowing slightly. "You look like hell, kid," he stated, not unkindly. "You okay?"

"Fine," I croaked, my voice rough. I forced a small, practiced smile, the one I used to keep the nurses happy. It felt like my face would crack. "Just a bit tired."

He grunted, unconvinced, but didn't press. Jett wasn't one for unnecessary questions. He just handed me an apron and gestured towards the cash register. "Morning rush is coming. Can you handle orders and cash, or should I put you on cream cheese duty?"

"Orders and cash are fine," I replied, my voice steadier now. The familiarity of the task was a strange anchor. I was good at instructions. Good at following rules.

The morning rush hit like a tidal wave. College students, office workers, early birds all craving their caffeine and carbs. I moved with robotic efficiency, my hands trembling slightly as I poured coffee, bagged bagels, and made change. Each transaction was a tiny victory against the growing weakness in my body.

My head pounded in rhythm with the steam of the coffee machine. My vision swam. I felt sweat running down my back, stinging the infected wound. Jett, bustling beside me, kept casting worried glances.

"You're shaking, Kristal," he said once, his voice sharp with concern. "Go sit down. I can handle it."

"No," I insisted, my voice tight. "I'm fine. I need to work." The fear, cold and sharp, was a stronger motivator than the fever.

A young woman, bright-eyed and cheerful, stepped up to the cart. "Can I get a everything bagel, toasted, with cream cheese please?" she asked, her smile wide.

I reached for a bagel, my hand shaking so violently I almost dropped it. My vision blurred, the bagel morphing into a fuzzy, indistinct shape. The cheerful face of the customer twisted, her smile replaced by a look of alarm.

A wave of dizziness washed over me, so potent it stole my breath. The world tilted. The smell of coffee, usually grounding, became nauseating. My legs gave way.

The last thing I saw was the young woman's face, her mouth opening in a silent scream. A flash of red, perhaps a scarf she was wearing, or maybe the blood from my wound, bloomed in my fading vision. Then, the cold, hard sidewalk rushed up to meet me, and everything went black.