This is a work of fiction.
“Eva!”
My eyes fly open.
I look at the clock.
It’s 1:01 a.m.
“EEEE-VA!”
Mercy is screaming, but her voice is so dry and cracked, I’m afraid she’s going to damage her throat if I can’t calm her down.
“Eva! Where are you?”
I wish I knew who Eva was so I could find her. I guess it wouldn’t be good for her to get coronavirus, but Eva could probably help Mercy recover better than I can.
I go quickly down the stairs and along the hall to the guest room.
“EVA!”
“It’s Billy,” I say as I step into the room and flick on the light.
She’s on the bed, but all the blankets are on the floor. The glass of water I’ve left for her is still full.
“Mercy, it’s Billy. Can you hear me?”
“Eva! Where are you?”
“Mercy, it’s Billy. You’re having a bad dream. Can you hear me?”
“EVA!”
I go over to her and put my hand on her arm. Her skin is burning hot.
“It’s Billy. Can you hear me? I’ve got some water for you.”
She looks at me.
“What?”
Her voice is now barely a whisper.
“It’s Billy. You were having a bad dream. I’ve brought you some water.”
She needs my help getting to the bathroom and even holding the glass of water, so I decide not to ask her about Eva until she’s stronger.
Once she’s asleep, I go back to bed.
I lie in the dark for a while, thinking about Mercy and wondering why she doesn’t want to call anybody.
Does she have any family?
Does she have any friends?
She hasn’t really talked to me much, but from what I’ve seen, she’s a nice person, and I’d think she would have friends, probably lots.
I eventually fall asleep again, and wake up at eight.
I check on Mercy, who’s still asleep, and then I make myself some breakfast.
As I eat, I wonder how long it will be before I start to feel sick.
I want to know, and yet I really don’t, so I finish eating, wash the dishes, and go and do some painting.
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