Page 83 of Hallows End
I hurry to Louisa’s side and take her hand as I press my other hand to her head.
“Her fever is high,” I mutter. “Louisa, ‘tis Jonas.”
She doesn’t stir at my words, and I look back at John, who only frowns and looks helpless.
“How long has she been like this?”
“Three days,” he replies. “And it is not just my Louisa. Several other members of the coven are in the same condition.”
“How many others?”
“I do not know for sure. I have stayed here to tend to her. Jonas, what kind of illness is making its way through Hallows End?”
“I do not know for sure.” I press my lips together, trying to think. I know there are herbs I can use to help with the fever, but modern medicine would be so much better.
Come get some Tylenol.
I shake my head at Lucy’s request in my mind.I don’t think I can bring it back here. Just like my clothes change, it will be taken from me.
You have to try,she insists.I’ll have everything you need waiting for you at the bridge. I know you don’t want me to come there, so I won’t, but you have to try to bring the medicine to them. They won’t remember this in two weeks, Jonas.
She’s right.
“I’m going to go get some medicine,” I inform John. “She will need clean water to drink.”
“I will fetch it,” John promises as I hurry out of his house and make the rounds to the other members of the coven.
Every household has someone gravely ill, including young children.
Guilt sits heavy in my stomach as I cross the bridge. There’s a basket waiting for me, and without even looking inside, I pick it up and cross back over.
To my utter shock, the basket and its contents make it over with me.
I run to Louisa and John’s and offer her two Tylenol first.
“What isthat?” John asks, staring at the plastic bottle in my hand.
“It’s medicine,” I reply and urge Louisa to drink the water to wash down the two capsules. “It will help with her fever. We have to get it lowered.”
I use a digital thermometer against her forehead to get a reading.
“It’s much too high.”
“Jonas, where did you get all of this?” John asks, concern thick in his voice. “I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“I know.” I look into the other man’s eyes. “I cannot explain it to you, but I assure you that this will help her. I will not do anything to harm your wife.”
He wipes his hand over his mouth and then looks down at Louisa.
“I know you would not harm her. But later, I want to know what is going on.”
“I will tell you whatever I am able to,” I assure him. When I’m done with the medicine, I repack the basket and stand. “I will be back to give her another dose later. I have to go to the other homes and help them, as well.”
“Go,” he urges. “Help them. And thank you, Jonas.”
“You are welcome.”
I move from home to home, answering similar questions about what I have with me and how it came to be in my possession. But my coven trusts me, and they don’t press when I evade the questions as best I can.