****I wrote this right before I had to go to work. Please excuse any dumb mistakes I may have made.****



I was laying on what I had begun to consider my deathbed when my EditRed friends came to visit. I looked a mess, with my snot-crusted nose and my eyes moving independently of one another from fever delirium. Not exactly the first impression that I wanted to make. Just the same, I appreciated their visit.

The door swung open as Nora, Teri, Arley and RJ let themselves in.

I made a meek attempt at enthusiasm. “Hey, guys.”

“Hey, buddy. You look sicker ‘n an armadilla after a bottle of Jack Daniels,” Arley said.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” RJ said.

“It’s a Texanism, lady,” Arley said. “Anyway, I brought you a Dallas Cowboys jersey.” He threw the jersey at the foot of the bed.

“That’s nice of you, Arley. I’m really more of a 49ers fan, though.”

“… Cowboys …”

“Thanks.”

Nora flopped onto the bed next to me, stirring the contents of my weak stomach.

“I made you some soup!” She opened a covered dish, releasing a putrid funk into the room.

I nearly puked. “Sweet Caroline! What is that?”

“It’s chocolate chicken noodle. I made it special for you. Here, try some.”

My eyes widened as a spoonful of the vile substance inched closer to my mouth. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I spewed, Exorcist-style, covering Nora and Arley.

“I’m … I’m so sorry you guys.”

“Let’s get you cleaned up.” RJ led Nora and Arley to the restroom.

I took a drink to wash out the taste of vomit. When I set my glass back on the night stand, I noticed Teri still in the room. She stood against the wall staring at me. I had no idea what to make of her expression. She walked over and sat next to me on the bed.

“You poor thing. You’re really sick, aren’t you?”

I coughed.

“Here, let me make you more comfortable.” She picked up a pillow.

I raised my head so she could put it beneath, only to have it forced back down to the bed. Teri mashed the pillow into my face with all of her force. I could do little more than kick my legs and let out a muffled scream.

Black.

I woke up and let out a relieved sigh. Only a fever-driven dream. Just as I was falling back to sleep, I noticed a shadowy figure in the corner of the room. It glided toward the bed. I nearly pissed myself when I noticed the black hood and scythe. Death stood at the edge of the bed, ready to take me to wherever I was going. It took down it’s hood. My eyes widened with terror.

“Karen?”

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