Fever [OPEN I GUESS]

OOC: Just wanted to take another one of Reed's lives. :P

The stench of it was everywhere.

It filled his nose with each breath, it clung to his pelt, suffocated him in his den, but when he tried to move, his legs failed him. Reedstar hated feeling so powerless. The sickness destroyed his strength. I'm useless like this, he thought to himself. He tried calling out for Sorrelpaw or Lichenface or Cinderfur, but all that came out was a wheeze, and he broke down into a fit of coughing. All he could do was lie there, fevered, hungry, and tired, unable to speak or stand. "You're weak," he heard his father's voice echo in the dark of the den, but Reedstar couldn't lift his head to see. And you're dead.

"And you've died four times now."

If he wasn't so weak, Reedstar could have laughed. Still makes me more alive than you. Rushstream's ghost of a voice did not respond, and he was left alone with his thoughts. Am I dreaming? His eyes were still open, but drooping so heavily. Or perhaps he was simply dreaming that his eyes were open. I'm delirious. I need borage leaves, tansy, feverfew, poppy seeds... He tried to call out again, but this time he couldn't even summon the strength to cough.

His eyes gently drifted shut, and his breathing grew fainter and fainter until he fell still.

Reedstar's eyes flashed open again, and he drew in one deep breath of new life.

"Dad? Are you alright?" MidnightPaw called out. "I brought you some fresh-kill... Dad?"