THE ILLNESS
714 Words
Morning arrived.
Liyana opened her eyes and stretched.
For a moment, everything seemed normal.
Then she frowned.
The cottage was quiet.
Too quiet.
Usually, Maren was already awake preparing breakfast.
She could always hear pots clinking or smell fresh bread by now.
Today…
Nothing.
Liyana smiled to herself.
“Maybe she finally decided to sleep in.”
Nova looked toward Maren’s room.
‘That’s not like her.’
Liyana shrugged.
“She deserves the rest.”
After getting dressed, she walked over and knocked gently on the door.
“Aunt Maren?”
No answer.
She knocked again.
“Aunt Maren?”
A weak voice finally came from inside.
“Come in.”
Liyana’s smile faded.
She slowly opened the door.
Maren was awake.
But she was still lying in bed.
She didn’t look like herself.
Her face was pale.
Dark circles rested beneath her eyes.
She looked exhausted.
Liyana hurried over.
“Aunt Maren…”
“Are you alright?”
Maren smiled softly.
“I’m fine.”
She placed a hand on the bed and tried to stand.
The moment her feet touched the floor…
Her legs gave out beneath her.
“Aunt Maren!”
Liyana caught her before she could fall.
Both of them froze.
Liyana carefully helped her back onto the bed.
“What happened?”
Maren forced another smile.
“I stood up too quickly.”
Liyana looked at her.
“But it has never happened before.”
“I’m alright.”
“You don’t look alright.”
Maren looked away.
“I’m just tired.”
Nova stepped closer.
‘Something’s wrong.’
Liyana nodded.
“I know.”
Maren tried to stop her.
“Liyana, don’t fuss.”
“I’m not fussing.”
“You are.”
Liyana folded her arms.
“I’m sending for the healer.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is.”
“It’s only a little weakness.”
Liyana shook her head.
“I’m still sending for the healer.”
Maren sighed.
“You’ve become stubborn.”
Liyana smiled faintly.
“I learned from you.”
That earned a quiet laugh from Maren.
After asking a nearby omega to fetch the healer, Liyana returned to the room.
She adjusted Maren’s blanket.
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
She handed her a cup of water.
“Drink a little.”
“You sound like the healer already.”
Liyana smiled.
“I’ll do more than that just for you.”
Maren reached over and gently squeezed her hand.
“You worry too much.”
“I know.”
“But I can’t help it.”
A short while later, the pack healer arrived.
He greeted them before pulling a chair closer to the bed.
“Tell me what’s been happening.”
Maren answered calmly.
“I’ve been coughing.”
“For how long?”
“A while.”
The healer looked at her.
“A while?”
She hesitated.
“A few weeks.”
Liyana looked up.
“A few weeks?”
Maren avoided her eyes.
The healer continued.
“Have you been eating normally?”
“Not as much.”
“Sleeping?”
“I wake up often.”
“Weakness?”
She nodded.
“More than usual.”
Liyana stared at her aunt.
“You’ve been feeling like this for weeks…”
Maren gave her an apologetic smile.
“I didn’t want you to worry.”
Before Liyana could answer…
Maren coughed.
Once.
Then again.
Harder.
She quickly covered her mouth with a cloth.
The coughing didn’t stop.
It became harsher.
More painful.
The room fell completely silent.
Finally…
It ended.
Slowly…
Maren lowered the cloth.
A dark red stain spread across the fabric.
No one spoke.
Liyana stared at it.
Her hands began to tremble.
The healer’s expression changed immediately.
Maren looked down at the cloth in her hand.
For the first time…
She didn’t try to smile.
She didn’t say she was fine.
She simply stared.
The healer slowly reached forward.
Without saying a word, he took the bloodstained cloth from Maren’s trembling hand.
The silence in the room felt heavy.
Liyana looked at the cloth.
Then at the healer.
Then back at Maren.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Her chest tightened.
For the first time…
She wasn’t just worried.
She was terrified.
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