CHAPTER 78: SOPHIA

The next morning Adam woke up early as usual. He got ready and was about to leave his apartment when his doorbell rang. It was still very early. He was surprised. He opened the door and saw Sophia standing outside.

She looked terrible. Her face was pale and flushed at the same time. There were dark circles under her eyes even deeper than before. She was shivering slightly even though the morning was not cold.

"Sophia what happened?" Adam asked immediately concerned.

"I... I don’t feel well," she stammered her voice weak. "I think I have a fever."

Adam put his hand on her forehead. She was burning up. "You can’t go to school like this," he said his voice firm. "Go back to your apartment and get into bed. I’ll take care of things."

He walked her back to her own apartment next door. He made sure she was settled in bed then he went back to his place to grab his phone. He sent a message to the school administration informing them that both he and Sophia would be absent due to illness.

He went back to Sophia’s apartment. She was lying in bed looking weak and miserable. He saw that Sophia wanted to say something. He went and stood by her bed.

Then Sophia opened her mouth. Her voice was just a whisper. She said "If you stay here because of me you will be late for school today. You should go."

Adam immediately stepped back from the bed. He looked at Sophia and said with a surprising amount of anger in his voice "Are you crazy? I will not leave you like this and go anywhere. Don’t even think about it."

Hearing the force in his voice Sophia was very surprised. But she did not have the strength or the courage to argue with him. She just looked at him with wide tired eyes.

Then Adam moved forward again. He gently put his hands over Sophia’s eyes deliberately closing them for her. His touch was surprisingly soft. He said "Just sleep quietly. Leave all the rest of the work to me. I’ll handle everything."

Saying this Sophia did close her eyes. She felt a strange sense of comfort from his presence. But she was not feeling sleepy at all. Her body ached and her head throbbed.

Adam saw Sophia’s condition. He could see she was in a lot of pain. He was about to go to her kitchen to make some food for her. But then he realized that food was not what she needed most right now. She needed medicine. Something that could give her some relief from the fever and the pain.

But Adam had no idea what kind of pills he should give to Sophia at this time. He knew nothing about medicine. He was afraid of giving her the wrong thing and making her condition worse.

Then he remembered someone who was always prepared for situations like this. Andrew. Andrew always knew how to handle these kinds of practical matters. He always had a solution.

Adam took out his phone. He walked out of Sophia’s room into her living room so he wouldn’t disturb her. He called Andrew.

Andrew picked up on the second ring. "Adam? What’s up?"

Adam got straight to the point. He said "Andrew if someone has a high fever what kind of pills should be given and what else should be done? Can you tell me?"

Hearing this Andrew was immediately very surprised. His tone shifted from casual to worried. "A fever? Adam are you okay? Are you sick?"

Hearing the concern in his friend’s voice Adam immediately said "No nothing has happened to me. You tell me first. When you get here I will tell you what happened. Just tell me what to do." He needed the information now.

Over the phone Andrew immediately switched into a calm professional tone. He told Adam everything he needed to do.

He listed the specific type of fever-reducing medicine to get the correct dosage and how often it should be taken. He also told him to use a cloth with cold water on her forehead to help bring the temperature down.

Adam listened to Andrew’s words very carefully absorbing every detail. After hearing everything he needed to know he said "Okay then I will talk to you later." Before Andrew could reply or ask any more questions Adam cut the call. He did not have time for further discussion.

He acted immediately.

First he went into Sophia’s kitchen found a clean cloth and soaked it in cold water from the tap. He gently placed the damp cloth on Sophia’s forehead.

She sighed softly a small sound of relief. Then he left Sophia’s flat making sure to lock the door behind him. He needed to get the emergency pills for her.

Adam ran out of the apartment building very fast. The streets were mostly empty at this early hour. Although a little while ago Adam had seen his elderly neighbor Mr. Gold outside watering his plants he was not there now. There was no one to stop him or ask questions. So Adam went straight to a nearby 24-hour medical shop.

He knew he needed a prescription for the stronger medicine Andrew had recommended but he did not have one. He walked into the shop with a look of desperate urgency on his face. He told the pharmacist that his sister was very sick with a high fever and that he had left the prescription at home in his haste.

He spoke with such conviction and genuine worry that the pharmacist took pity on him. After a moment of hesitation the pharmacist sold him the medicines. Adam managed it somehow paying in cash and leaving quickly before the man could change his mind.

When he returned to Sophia’s apartment he unlocked the door and went straight to her bedroom. He was surprised to see that she was not in her bed. His heart skipped a beat with worry. He looked around the small apartment and then he saw her. Sophia was struggling to walk along the wall holding onto it for support as she made her way slowly towards the bathroom.

Seeing her in such a weak state Adam immediately got scared. He rushed to her side. He put his arm around her to support her. "Sophia are you okay?" he asked his voice filled with concern.

Sophia tried to say something but no words came out of her mouth. Her body was trembling and she could barely stand even with his help. She was also not able to walk properly. Then Adam looked at her and said gently "Should I help you?"

Sophia did not want Adam to do this for her under any circumstances. She was embarrassed and felt like a burden. She wanted to tell him to leave her alone to go back to his own life.

But her body was not supporting her at all. It had betrayed her. She was too weak to even shake her head no. All she could do was lean on him for support her body trembling with fever and exhaustion.

Adam supported Sophia as they made their way slowly and carefully across the room. His movements were deliberate and gentle.

One of his hands rested on her shoulder providing a steady anchor for her fragile body.

His other hand was placed lightly against her stomach a reassuring presence to ensure she did not collapse from her overwhelming weakness.

He carefully guided her step by step toward the bathroom matching his pace to her slow unsteady shuffle.

Once inside the small bathroom Adam helped her sit down safely on the closed toilet lid. He made sure she was stable before he left her there giving her a moment of privacy. But he did not go far. He stood just outside the closed bathroom door his back to the wall.

He was alert and ready listening intently in case she needed any help or had another emergency. His expression was tense and filled with concern. He was watching waiting listening for any sound from within.