Natalie wet a rag and then put it on the guy with the red hair's forehead.

"How does that feel, Oliver?" Natalie asked him. 

"It feels much better," Oliver said with a raspy voice. "It's almost my birthday."

"I know," Natalie said, grabbing a medicine bottle out of the cabinet. 

"That may be why I'm sick. I'm almost to the age," Oliver said. He coughed, spitting blood up and onto his face. 

Natalie walked over and wiped the blood off his cheek with a tissue.

"Don't talk like that," Natalie said, protectively. "Jay needs you. You're the only family she has left." Natalie's voice shifted to a sad tone. 

Oliver lay on the bed very still for a minute.

"I'm sure we'll find a cure," Natalie said with a nod of her head. "We have to."

Oliver then looked at her and smiled.

Natalie's eyebrows were knit together in concentration and deep thought.

Oliver lifted his hand up and rubbed her eyebrows, making her eyebrows unknit in surprise. 

"What are you…," Natalie began. 

"You shouldn't do that. You wouldn't want to have wrinkles on your pretty face," Oliver said with a smile.

Natalie blushed.

Oliver moved his hand and coughed again.

Natalie caressed her hand over his hair and said, “Poor Oliver. I’m so sorry.”

“Oliver stopped coughing and grabbed Natalie’s hand. He held it in his and said, “Don’t be sorry. We knew this was gonna happen once I almost turned eighteen.”

“I know, but I just feel so helpless, like I can’t do anything,” Natalie said, looking down at the ground.

“Hey. It’ll be ok,” Oliver said, trying to comfort Natalie. “Whatever happens, happens. Just know that no matter what, even if I’m physically gone, I’ll never really be gone.”

Natalie suddenly started crying quietly.

“Hey…,” Oliver started.

Natalie then embraced Oliver and said, “Don’t talk like that!”

Oliver seemed surprised at first, but his face then softened. His arms wrapped around Natalie and he buried his face in her shoulder.

The door then opened and Jay with Griffin. They both carried a bowl of hot soup and a glass of water.

“We brought dinner. It’s Potato soup,” Griffin said.

Natalie pulled away from Oliver and wiped her tears away. She turned around to face them.

“Thanks. I’ll go hangout with everyone for a little bit. Can you guys stay with him?” Natalie said.

“Yes,” Jay said with a nod.

“Of course,” Griffin said.

Natalie then took her bowl of soup and walked out the door.

Jay walked over to the counter where Oliver was laying with pillows and blankets for comfort. She set the bowl of soup and water and a small medical tray and pulled a chair up to Oliver’s side.

Jay picked up the bowl of soup and a spoon. She scooped some soup on the spoon and fed it to Oliver.

“Mmm…thanks Jay,” Oliver said after chewing his soup and swallowing it.

“You’re welcome,” Jay said, scooping another bite of soup onto the spoon.

“How’s my sister?” Oliver asked after another bite.

“Georgia’s fine. She just finished dinner and is taking a shower. She said she’ll see you after she’s done,” Griffin answered, pulling a chair over to Jay’s side. He then flipped it backwards and sat down.

“That’s good to hear. I didn’t want to worry her too much,” Oliver said, eating another bite of soup. “I mean I’m sure she’s still worried about me, but I’m glad she isn’t refusing to eat like when I got really hurt in that one fight.”
A few months ago Oliver had gone by himself to see if he could find any supplies and he ran into a group of guys. They had a bunch of supplies on them and Oliver had asked if he could have a few things. He explained that it wasn’t just for him, but for a group of people to use too. The group refused. Oliver then tripped and accidentally fell on one of the guys. The group got so mad at him for falling on their friend that they beat him up. Oliver apologized several times and the guy he fell on said he was fine, but they beat him up anyway. That day he came home with two black eyes, broken nose, scratches all on his face and arms, and a broken arm.

“Yeah. That was really bad,” Griffin said, remembering what happened.

“Well, get some rest. You need it and make sure you drink your water,” Jay said, getting up out of the chair. She walked towards the door holding the empty soup bowl and spoon. Griffin followed close behind.

“Get well soon,” Griffin said, before shutting the door behind him.

A little while later, Georgia walked into the nurse’s room with her brown hair in two long braids on each shoulder. She wore black leggings and an oversized military green shirt with worn out gray house slippers.

“I brought you some flowers,” Georgia said, holding up some wild daisies. She then took a cup from under the sink and filled it with water. Georgia put the daisies in the cup and placed the flowers on the metal tray. “Now you have something colorful to look at while you’re getting better.”

“Thanks,” Oliver said with a small smile.

Georgia walked over to Oliver and grabbed his hand in hers. She kissed it and gave him a weak smile.

Georgia sat in the chair next to him and told him all about her day.

Oliver listened for a while and then fell asleep.

“What do you think about him, Oliver?” Georgia asked.

Oliver didn’t answer.

“Oliver?” Georgia said, panicking.

Georgia leaned close to Oliver’s face.

“Oh. You’re just asleep,” Georgia said with relief. “In that case…” Georgia gave her brother a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight.”

Georgia took her hand from Oliver and set his hand on his stomach. She turned around and turned off the lights. Georgia then closed the door.

The next morning, Natalie walked into the room and opened a cabinet. She pulled out a medicine bottle and opened it. Natalie took out two small white pills and set them on the counter. She grabbed a cup and filled it with water. Natalie then walked over to Oliver with the two pills and the cup of water. She set the pills and cup on the tray and tapped Oliver’s shoulder.

“Hey…Oliver…You gotta wake up. I have to give you your medicine,” Natalie said in a gentle voice.

“Mmmm…,” Oliver said, still sleeping.

“Come on,” Natalie said, poking his arm.

Oliver then slowly opened his eyes and said, “Good…morning.”

“I have some medicine for you to take,” Natalie said, handing Oliver the two white pills and the glass of water.

Oliver put the pills in his mouth and guzzled down the glass of water. He set the glass on the tray and wiped his mouth.

“Thanks,” Oliver said.

“You’re welcome,” Natalie said, taking the glass and putting it back by the sink.

“Is anyone looking for supplies or going today?” Oliver asked.

“No. Everyone is home. They are taking a rest day,” Natalie said. “Well…most of us.”

“That’s good. Everyone deserves to rest,” Oliver said, his throat sounding hoarse.

“Yeah. You probably shouldn’t talk much or you’re going to make it worse,” Natalie said.

“But…,” Oliver began.

He soon got cut off with Natalie putting her finger on his lips. Natalie removed her finger.

“No talking,” Natalie said, seriously.

Oliver nodded, understanding.

“I’ll be back in an hour to check on you,” Natalie said.

Oliver nodded.

Natalie then walked over to the door and left the room.