Ruby hurried through the boys' baths as quickly as possible, barely drying her own hair afterward. Her movements became rushed and clumsy as fear took over completely.
She dressed Nathan first, constantly checking his temperature with her hand. Still hot. Too hot.
"Ethan," she called shakily, "hurry, sweetheart. We need to take your brother to the hospital." Ethan immediately stopped playing. Children always knew when something was wrong.
"Is Nathan okay?" he asked quietly. Ruby forced herself to smile. "He'll be okay," she lied softly.
But her voice sounded thin even to herself. Within minutes, she had both boys dressed and ready. Nathan leaned heavily against her shoulder while Ethan held onto her free hand as they hurried out of the hotel room.
The elevator ride felt endless. Ruby kept touching Nathan's forehead every few seconds, growing more terrified each time. By the time they reached the lobby, her heart was pounding so hard she could barely think straight.
