“Olivia,” Ellis called my name.

“I’m here,” I assured him. I placed another cool cloth on his forehead. He mumbled something incoherent and tossed and turned in his delirium.

I’d been watching over him all night, but his condition hadn’t changed.

“Olivia,” he called again. He lifted his hand like he wanted to reach for me.

“Ellis,” I replied. I grabbed his hand and squeezed. “I’m not leaving you.”

Just as the sun was rising over ...