The fever left Stella's muscles aching and weak, sapping every ounce of strength from her body.

She was slung over a man's shoulder, every jostling step sending sharp pain shooting through her ribs.

Face contorted in agony, Stella gasped, "Cedric Clarke, put me down... My ribs are killing me..."

The man ignored her completely.

He strode out of the house into the pouring rain.

Within seconds, Stella was drenched to the bone.

"Damn it—!" The shock of cold rain jolted her fever-fogged mind awake.

She wiped the water from her face and started pounding on the man's back with what little strength she had left. "Cedric Clarke, are you crazy? If you're trying to cool me down, this is not the way! Put me down, right now!"

But instead of slowing, the man quickened his pace.

Stella froze, a sudden chill running deeper than the rain. Something was wrong. This definitely wasn't Cedric Clarke.

Cedric might be many things, but he'd never drag her, sick with fever, out into a storm.

"Who are you?" Panic rising, Stella thrashed and fought, kicking and flailing with both hands and feet. "Who the hell are you? Where are you taking me? I swear, if you don't let me go, I'll scream for help!"

The man kept silent, forging ahead.

His rain boots splashed through muddy puddles along a winding mountain path. Wind howled, rain pelted down, and thunder cracked overhead.

Through her disorientation, Stella finally caught sight of their surroundings.

She went rigid with fear.

taking her into

he

normal circumstances, she could've flipped herself free and had this guy in

and weak, her body barely obeyed her. Every attempt at resistance fizzled

Suddenly, the man stopped.

process before he hurled

herself suspended in midair-then she

his rain hood, didn't

features for a

have time to scream before her

Cedric Clarke returned, clutching the medical

blinked in confusion.

called out several

anxiety twisted in his

sick, and the storm outside was getting worse. Where could

outside, but something caught his

couldn't have

dialed one of the male doctors. "Check with Dr. Adah and the others has

room playing cards. Wasn't Dr. Joyner supposed to be resting in her

Cedric. "Something's wrong! Dr. Joyner might be in trouble. Get the others, put on your rain gear, and

We're on

stood, his voice

missing! Dr. Clarke says we all

do you mean,

she was resting-she

I brought her dinner earlier. She barely ate, looked awful, so I didn't

she's sick-we have to find

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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