The sound of a soft cough echoed through the apartment, barely audible but enough to make Lauren pause. She glanced over at Sophie, curled up on the couch with her blanket draped over her shoulders.
Sophie’s usually bright eyes were dull, and her small form seemed even smaller than usual, as if the energy had been drained from her. Lauren’s stomach twisted with worry.
Sophie let out a small cough, a rattling sound that made Lauren freeze in place. She immediately stood up and moved closer to Sophie, who looked up at her with a half-hearted smile.
"Hey, you okay?" Lauren asked, her voice more concerned than she intended. She gently placed a hand on Sophie’s forehead and frowned. It was warm. Too warm.
Sophie gave her a weak smile, her lips trembling slightly as she spoke. "I feel... ho
