Simus
An Excellent Site Member
Alice set her alarm to go off at 5:00 a.m the next day to compensate for her napping, but never heard it go off. What had started as a slight fever the night before had incubated into a moderate case of the flu. One reason Alice had gone to bed early was because she was unusually tired. She thought it was just because she had a stressful day. She found this out at 5:45 when she finally woke up, exhausted, aching and shivering, from a knock on her door.
"Alice!" Her mother yelled. "Turn your alarm off!"
Mass Effect 2's Lower Afterlife music was blaring from Alice's phone speakers and she clumsily reached for it to turn it off. Her mother opened the door when she was done and came into the room.
"Hey there." She said with mild concern. "Your phone's been goin' on and off for about 10 minutes. You feel okay?"
"No." Alice said weakly, rolling over in bed to face her mother, looking up from her pillow with sore, tired eyes. "I think I'm sick."
Her mother turned on her desk lamp to get a better look. Alice shut her eyes tightly at the sudden burst of light but it was less severe than the overhead light would have been. "Oooh, you don't look good. C'mere, let me see your head." She put a hand to Alice's forehead and she was burning up. She was also shivering despite her footy pajamas and ample warm blankets. It was cold and raining steadily outside, the soft pitter-patter heard on the windows and roof. It was difficult for Alice to get up on such mornings when she was healthy and well-rested. Under these circumstances it was impossible. Alice was too tired to get up and she couldn't go to school with a fever, so she would stay here today and get some rest.
"Oh sweetheart, you're burning up. Were you feeling bad last night?" She asked as she stroked her baby's hair.
"I don't know." Alice mumbled. "I was tired last night. That's why I went to bed early last night. I woke up about 11 and felt a little hot but I just went back to bed and didn't worry about it."
"What other symptoms do you have?"
"Aside from my forehead burning up? I'm shivering under my covers, I'm sore all over, I feel exhausted, my throat's sore and it hurts to swallow and my head's throbbing. and I don't have the strength to move. I've gotta go to school though! I can't let Britney win!"
She tried to sit up but as soon as she did so she got dizzy and big spots appeared in front of her eyes. She lied back down with a frustrated moan.
"You've got the flu sweetheart. You're not going to school today."
"But why not?!" Alice whined. "I can't get sick! I'm too busy!" Amy smiled and ran her fingers through Alice's hair. Alice got a little dramatic when she was sick, upset or tired but it was never for a needless reason. Part of it was simply her age and most of the time Amy thought it was cute. She gave Alice a motherly smile and ran her fingers through Alice's hair again. "Because you're sick sweetheart. You need rest. I'm gonna go get you some Motrin and a glass of water. It'll help bring your fever down and you should feel better in a couple of hours. In the meantime, you just go back to sleep okay? You hungry?"
"No."
"Thirsty?"
"Mmm Mmm."
"Okay. I'm gonna go tell dad you're sick. He might wanna check up on you. I'll be right back okay?"
"Mhmm..." Alice said, barely staying awake. After a dry coughing fit, she dozed off for a few minutes before her dad came in. He was a man in his mid 50's with short brown hair and had a medium build while still being in excellent shape for his age. He was a bike nut and rode his bike in even the rainiest, coldest or hottest weather. He was in a blue robe with a white t shirt and gray cloth shorts underneath. Alice noticed him as he reached out to touch her shoulder.
"Hi."
"Hey you." He said. With some effort, he helped Alice up into a sitting position and gave her a big hug. She gladly accepted and nuzzled his comparatively cool body. "Mama said you're sick and she wasn't lying. You're burning up honey. What happened?"
"I don't know. Maybe Britney laced that fl*ffing piece of gum with flu virus or something. Doesn't really matter, I feel like plops."
"I'm so sorry." He said, releasing her after she beckoned and kissing her head. "Mama told me about you and Britney. How you doin' with all that? You turned in pretty early last night and I didn't see you. You okay?"
"I don't know dad. She's just...*sigh* how come she gets to pull all this plops on me and just get away with it? It's not fair. It's complete bullplops."
"Yes, it is. But sweetheart, Britney is someone of very low character. That behavior is eventually gonna catch up with her and when that happens she's gonna find herself very much alone. All I can tell you until then is to try and ignore her. If you do that and stand up for yourself she'll get bored and find someone else to bother. Whatever you do don't start a fight with her. Tempting as it might be, it'll get you both into a lot of trouble. You especially."
"Because I threw the first punch or because I'm a Channel."
"A little of both. Either way, standing up for yourself without violence is the key. Show her you're done being pushed around. She takes an ugly picture of you, dare her to take another one. She pours nasty cheese on your apple, turn it over and make her do it to the other side. It shows her that you're not afraid. That's what Jesus meant when he said to turn the other check."
"Really?" Alice said, genuinely interested. Her father, Simon, was a devoted Christian and had nurtured Alice's faith at the first sign of interest. He had been studying the Bible with their local church for the past few years and he was overjoyed when Alice expressed interest in joining him a year ago. Since then she had become a valuable spiritual companion and a lot of fun to learn about and discuss scripture with. Alice's mother had virtually no interest in God or religion but loved the fact that Alice was and that she had her dad had something to do together that they were passionate about. It brought them closer to both God and each other. "Huh. I never thought of that. When I talked to Izzy on Channel Surfing yesterday she never brought that idea up. Probably because she's an atheist. There's...nothing wrong with that is there? I mean God still loves her right?"
"What? Of course he does! Alice, God loves everyone on this planet whether they believe in him or not. Izzy has decided, for whatever reason that God doesn't exist or isn't a part of her life but he'll still watch over her. From what you've told me she's a very nice girl who's been a very good friend to you. She has love and that allows God to love her. Protect her. Sooner or later she'll realize it and when she does he'll be waiting. His love is for everyone."
"That's a nice thought dad. Even for people like Britney?"
"Especially for people like Britney. I think people without love cause God pain and he does whatever he can to reach them. Now I think that's enough questions. You look like you can barely keep your eyes open. I've gotta go get a shower and get ready for my day and you, my little faerie, need rest. Mom'll be home today to take care of you. Promise you'll concentrate on getting better and not on Britney, okay?"
"Okay. I promise." Alice said. He was right, she was tired and she did want to rest. She leaned up and hugged him again and he held her for a good long time. After he left Amy came back with Alice's medicine and she took it. There was a big glass of water to wash the two tablets down as well as a generous amount of cough syrup. Both of these helped Alice feel better and after her mom gave her a big hug and tucked her in she fell asleep. It was 6:10 and she woke up again at 10:30, still very sick but feeling a little better now that the medicine had taken effect. The first thing Alice noticed was her stomach growling. She got her phone from the shelf in her headboard, which was charging while she slept and texted her mom.
Hey there. I'm awake and hungry. Could you make me something? I don't really care what.
A moment later her mom texted back.
Sure. I'm in the kitchen and I've got something good for you. It's a surprise . You slept a good while. How are you feeling?
Far from great, but better than when I woke up. The cough syrup and Motrin helped.
Good. You can take some more of each every six hours so I'll get you some more about 12:30. You rest up until then. Stay in bed missy! I'll know if you don't
Haha, okay. I'm pretty tired though. I might wanna watch a movie in the living room later though. Could you help move me over to the couch when the time comes?
Sure.
Thanks mom *hugs*
You're welcome sweetheart *hugs back.*
After that, Alice stayed on her belly and felt good enough to check her posts. She saw a message from Levi! From 12 hours ago?! She opened it, worried about what it might say and what had happened in the meantime.
Hey Alice, sorry if my messages are annoying you but pl*ps just hit the fan. Saved channel at an airport in Utah, took on lots of SDD, check the news. I'm screwed. Currently somewhere in Nevada, I'm so so screwed.
And another message in the conversation, a few minutes later.
Hey, sorry my last message was short. I wrote it in a hurry, I actually didn't see your reply, but I can reply properly now. Thanks heaps, but I didn't run away. I actually haven't had a home for a while, me and my mum were renting an apartment for a while until... Something happened. Then we just rented rooms in hotels/motels, for the past 3 months though things have been pretty tough. We've been homeless and every week I get assaulted at least once, America SUCKS!
I miss Australia, and I just want to go back. I saved this girl named Evelyn from the SDD. I'm a huge Eminem fan so let my write a rhyme about my current situation.
The SDD wont leave me be, or let me be me so let me see... They tried to kill me at the airport, and I just happen to be dirt poor.
Pretty lame, but I like rhyming. I pretty much just reworded some Eminem in the first part, music is really the only thing that keeps me sane. Anyway, I haven't told you before, but I'm homeless. Have been for a few months. Me and Evelyn have nowhere to go but I'm going to keep moving, Nevada is pretty... Barren? So far. GPS on my phone says California is bordering Nevada, might go there but its likely the SDD would find me.
Enough about me, I'm glad you're so... Optimistic? I'm sort of Christian, used to be like... A proper Christian. No doubts, I was still me but I was like... Better. I don't know, if God gave us this then why are there so many actual bad Channels? He should have chosen better. And who the HELL is he to curse me with this affliction? He's all knowing right, he knew this would happen, he knew what this would do to me. I feel like a bottle coke and the people who discriminate against us are a mentos, they don't combine well and when you put a mentos in a coke the results can be... Devastating.
I don't want to be bad and I don't want to hurt anybody, but I can't help but see that if I allowed it I could be some kind of autocrat and this world could be my playground, my kingdom. I mean, we as one, the channels, dealt with the SDD... Who the hell is going to stop us? But I do want to be good, I try but its hard, its so easy to just push back.
To be honest, I'm glad I have powers. But if God was all knowing he wouldn't have given them to me, unless he wants unnecessary suffering. This girl I've saved, I'm not proving anyone wrong since she's a channel too. Apparently her father is some kind of head honcho of a multimillion dollar company, I don't know, I'll get back to you soon. Stay safe, and sorry to wake you Alice.
Wishing you the best weather from the one mortal who can alter it -Levi
Alice was too weak to be shocked and didn't want to type out an entire message so she opted for a short, instructive response.
I just got your PM. Please call me. I'm really sick today but I can still talk to you. I need to know you got this.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Amy was preparing Alice's lunch when she received a phone call from her school. She had called her in this morning so it came as a surprise. Deciding to simply explain again, she dried her wet hands and answered the phone.
"Hello? Yes, this is Mrs. Croshaw. Alice is doing okay for the moment but she's got a bad case of the flu so she won't be in for a couple of days. Mhmm. Oh I'm not surprised, it gets spread around like wildfire between kids at school. Okay? Really?"
She clinched a fist at hearing the next sentence and her mouth became a razor thin line.
"Excuse me? They did NOT really say that. Who the fl*ff do they think they are? They had absolutely no right to barge into my daughter's school and accuse her of being a fl*ffining Channel! You call those SDD fl*ffwads back and tell them that if they want to see my daughter they talk to me, and they'd better have a damn good reason for it! A fl*ffton more than "we think she's a Channel hurp de durp de durp." No, you tell them that! Tell them to call Amy Croshaw and not to come around to hassle my Alice or there's gonna be fl*ffing hell to pay! No don't give them our address, they call me and I take care of it, no one else. No I'm not sorry about my swearing because it wasn't at you! Now is there anything else?! Thank you! Have a good day!"
Amy went back to work, furious and worried. Alice, thankfully, was unaware of what just happened.
"Alice!" Her mother yelled. "Turn your alarm off!"
Mass Effect 2's Lower Afterlife music was blaring from Alice's phone speakers and she clumsily reached for it to turn it off. Her mother opened the door when she was done and came into the room.
"Hey there." She said with mild concern. "Your phone's been goin' on and off for about 10 minutes. You feel okay?"
"No." Alice said weakly, rolling over in bed to face her mother, looking up from her pillow with sore, tired eyes. "I think I'm sick."
Her mother turned on her desk lamp to get a better look. Alice shut her eyes tightly at the sudden burst of light but it was less severe than the overhead light would have been. "Oooh, you don't look good. C'mere, let me see your head." She put a hand to Alice's forehead and she was burning up. She was also shivering despite her footy pajamas and ample warm blankets. It was cold and raining steadily outside, the soft pitter-patter heard on the windows and roof. It was difficult for Alice to get up on such mornings when she was healthy and well-rested. Under these circumstances it was impossible. Alice was too tired to get up and she couldn't go to school with a fever, so she would stay here today and get some rest.
"Oh sweetheart, you're burning up. Were you feeling bad last night?" She asked as she stroked her baby's hair.
"I don't know." Alice mumbled. "I was tired last night. That's why I went to bed early last night. I woke up about 11 and felt a little hot but I just went back to bed and didn't worry about it."
"What other symptoms do you have?"
"Aside from my forehead burning up? I'm shivering under my covers, I'm sore all over, I feel exhausted, my throat's sore and it hurts to swallow and my head's throbbing. and I don't have the strength to move. I've gotta go to school though! I can't let Britney win!"
She tried to sit up but as soon as she did so she got dizzy and big spots appeared in front of her eyes. She lied back down with a frustrated moan.
"You've got the flu sweetheart. You're not going to school today."
"But why not?!" Alice whined. "I can't get sick! I'm too busy!" Amy smiled and ran her fingers through Alice's hair. Alice got a little dramatic when she was sick, upset or tired but it was never for a needless reason. Part of it was simply her age and most of the time Amy thought it was cute. She gave Alice a motherly smile and ran her fingers through Alice's hair again. "Because you're sick sweetheart. You need rest. I'm gonna go get you some Motrin and a glass of water. It'll help bring your fever down and you should feel better in a couple of hours. In the meantime, you just go back to sleep okay? You hungry?"
"No."
"Thirsty?"
"Mmm Mmm."
"Okay. I'm gonna go tell dad you're sick. He might wanna check up on you. I'll be right back okay?"
"Mhmm..." Alice said, barely staying awake. After a dry coughing fit, she dozed off for a few minutes before her dad came in. He was a man in his mid 50's with short brown hair and had a medium build while still being in excellent shape for his age. He was a bike nut and rode his bike in even the rainiest, coldest or hottest weather. He was in a blue robe with a white t shirt and gray cloth shorts underneath. Alice noticed him as he reached out to touch her shoulder.
"Hi."
"Hey you." He said. With some effort, he helped Alice up into a sitting position and gave her a big hug. She gladly accepted and nuzzled his comparatively cool body. "Mama said you're sick and she wasn't lying. You're burning up honey. What happened?"
"I don't know. Maybe Britney laced that fl*ffing piece of gum with flu virus or something. Doesn't really matter, I feel like plops."
"I'm so sorry." He said, releasing her after she beckoned and kissing her head. "Mama told me about you and Britney. How you doin' with all that? You turned in pretty early last night and I didn't see you. You okay?"
"I don't know dad. She's just...*sigh* how come she gets to pull all this plops on me and just get away with it? It's not fair. It's complete bullplops."
"Yes, it is. But sweetheart, Britney is someone of very low character. That behavior is eventually gonna catch up with her and when that happens she's gonna find herself very much alone. All I can tell you until then is to try and ignore her. If you do that and stand up for yourself she'll get bored and find someone else to bother. Whatever you do don't start a fight with her. Tempting as it might be, it'll get you both into a lot of trouble. You especially."
"Because I threw the first punch or because I'm a Channel."
"A little of both. Either way, standing up for yourself without violence is the key. Show her you're done being pushed around. She takes an ugly picture of you, dare her to take another one. She pours nasty cheese on your apple, turn it over and make her do it to the other side. It shows her that you're not afraid. That's what Jesus meant when he said to turn the other check."
"Really?" Alice said, genuinely interested. Her father, Simon, was a devoted Christian and had nurtured Alice's faith at the first sign of interest. He had been studying the Bible with their local church for the past few years and he was overjoyed when Alice expressed interest in joining him a year ago. Since then she had become a valuable spiritual companion and a lot of fun to learn about and discuss scripture with. Alice's mother had virtually no interest in God or religion but loved the fact that Alice was and that she had her dad had something to do together that they were passionate about. It brought them closer to both God and each other. "Huh. I never thought of that. When I talked to Izzy on Channel Surfing yesterday she never brought that idea up. Probably because she's an atheist. There's...nothing wrong with that is there? I mean God still loves her right?"
"What? Of course he does! Alice, God loves everyone on this planet whether they believe in him or not. Izzy has decided, for whatever reason that God doesn't exist or isn't a part of her life but he'll still watch over her. From what you've told me she's a very nice girl who's been a very good friend to you. She has love and that allows God to love her. Protect her. Sooner or later she'll realize it and when she does he'll be waiting. His love is for everyone."
"That's a nice thought dad. Even for people like Britney?"
"Especially for people like Britney. I think people without love cause God pain and he does whatever he can to reach them. Now I think that's enough questions. You look like you can barely keep your eyes open. I've gotta go get a shower and get ready for my day and you, my little faerie, need rest. Mom'll be home today to take care of you. Promise you'll concentrate on getting better and not on Britney, okay?"
"Okay. I promise." Alice said. He was right, she was tired and she did want to rest. She leaned up and hugged him again and he held her for a good long time. After he left Amy came back with Alice's medicine and she took it. There was a big glass of water to wash the two tablets down as well as a generous amount of cough syrup. Both of these helped Alice feel better and after her mom gave her a big hug and tucked her in she fell asleep. It was 6:10 and she woke up again at 10:30, still very sick but feeling a little better now that the medicine had taken effect. The first thing Alice noticed was her stomach growling. She got her phone from the shelf in her headboard, which was charging while she slept and texted her mom.
Hey there. I'm awake and hungry. Could you make me something? I don't really care what.
A moment later her mom texted back.
Sure. I'm in the kitchen and I've got something good for you. It's a surprise . You slept a good while. How are you feeling?
Far from great, but better than when I woke up. The cough syrup and Motrin helped.
Good. You can take some more of each every six hours so I'll get you some more about 12:30. You rest up until then. Stay in bed missy! I'll know if you don't
Haha, okay. I'm pretty tired though. I might wanna watch a movie in the living room later though. Could you help move me over to the couch when the time comes?
Sure.
Thanks mom *hugs*
You're welcome sweetheart *hugs back.*
After that, Alice stayed on her belly and felt good enough to check her posts. She saw a message from Levi! From 12 hours ago?! She opened it, worried about what it might say and what had happened in the meantime.
Hey Alice, sorry if my messages are annoying you but pl*ps just hit the fan. Saved channel at an airport in Utah, took on lots of SDD, check the news. I'm screwed. Currently somewhere in Nevada, I'm so so screwed.
And another message in the conversation, a few minutes later.
Hey, sorry my last message was short. I wrote it in a hurry, I actually didn't see your reply, but I can reply properly now. Thanks heaps, but I didn't run away. I actually haven't had a home for a while, me and my mum were renting an apartment for a while until... Something happened. Then we just rented rooms in hotels/motels, for the past 3 months though things have been pretty tough. We've been homeless and every week I get assaulted at least once, America SUCKS!
I miss Australia, and I just want to go back. I saved this girl named Evelyn from the SDD. I'm a huge Eminem fan so let my write a rhyme about my current situation.
The SDD wont leave me be, or let me be me so let me see... They tried to kill me at the airport, and I just happen to be dirt poor.
Pretty lame, but I like rhyming. I pretty much just reworded some Eminem in the first part, music is really the only thing that keeps me sane. Anyway, I haven't told you before, but I'm homeless. Have been for a few months. Me and Evelyn have nowhere to go but I'm going to keep moving, Nevada is pretty... Barren? So far. GPS on my phone says California is bordering Nevada, might go there but its likely the SDD would find me.
Enough about me, I'm glad you're so... Optimistic? I'm sort of Christian, used to be like... A proper Christian. No doubts, I was still me but I was like... Better. I don't know, if God gave us this then why are there so many actual bad Channels? He should have chosen better. And who the HELL is he to curse me with this affliction? He's all knowing right, he knew this would happen, he knew what this would do to me. I feel like a bottle coke and the people who discriminate against us are a mentos, they don't combine well and when you put a mentos in a coke the results can be... Devastating.
I don't want to be bad and I don't want to hurt anybody, but I can't help but see that if I allowed it I could be some kind of autocrat and this world could be my playground, my kingdom. I mean, we as one, the channels, dealt with the SDD... Who the hell is going to stop us? But I do want to be good, I try but its hard, its so easy to just push back.
To be honest, I'm glad I have powers. But if God was all knowing he wouldn't have given them to me, unless he wants unnecessary suffering. This girl I've saved, I'm not proving anyone wrong since she's a channel too. Apparently her father is some kind of head honcho of a multimillion dollar company, I don't know, I'll get back to you soon. Stay safe, and sorry to wake you Alice.
Wishing you the best weather from the one mortal who can alter it -Levi
Alice was too weak to be shocked and didn't want to type out an entire message so she opted for a short, instructive response.
I just got your PM. Please call me. I'm really sick today but I can still talk to you. I need to know you got this.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Amy was preparing Alice's lunch when she received a phone call from her school. She had called her in this morning so it came as a surprise. Deciding to simply explain again, she dried her wet hands and answered the phone.
"Hello? Yes, this is Mrs. Croshaw. Alice is doing okay for the moment but she's got a bad case of the flu so she won't be in for a couple of days. Mhmm. Oh I'm not surprised, it gets spread around like wildfire between kids at school. Okay? Really?"
She clinched a fist at hearing the next sentence and her mouth became a razor thin line.
"Excuse me? They did NOT really say that. Who the fl*ff do they think they are? They had absolutely no right to barge into my daughter's school and accuse her of being a fl*ffining Channel! You call those SDD fl*ffwads back and tell them that if they want to see my daughter they talk to me, and they'd better have a damn good reason for it! A fl*ffton more than "we think she's a Channel hurp de durp de durp." No, you tell them that! Tell them to call Amy Croshaw and not to come around to hassle my Alice or there's gonna be fl*ffing hell to pay! No don't give them our address, they call me and I take care of it, no one else. No I'm not sorry about my swearing because it wasn't at you! Now is there anything else?! Thank you! Have a good day!"
Amy went back to work, furious and worried. Alice, thankfully, was unaware of what just happened.