Author's Note

Story is set approximately a decade in the future on Earth during the time period of December, 2028.

Energy Sucker

A furious wave of heat seeped onto my skin. When I opened my eyes, I could see my family; my beautiful wife Atmospheric and our two children, Melodic and Hard Core. It wasn't until my senses fully returned to me that I felt a force pull against the torso of my shirt. When I saw the look of distress on my daughter's face, my heart sank. I spoke to her in the gentlest manner I could, though my voice maintained a semblance of hoarseness due to my sudden arousal.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"Daddy, I don't feel good."

With my brain beginning to process everything on a conscious level, I realized what she meant. I placed my palm against her forehead.

"You're burning up."

"I'm scared, daddy."

"Shhh. It's okay. You're just a little sick right now. It's gonna' be okay."

I got up and located the thermometer on my side of the bed. Slipping a disposable cover over it, I placed it under Melodic's tongue.

"Keep it there until it beeps, okay?"

She nodded. The distress in her motion was ever so clear. I stayed with her, stroking her mane to try to comfort her in her hour of need.

"102.3. This is a nasty one."

Despite my daughter's layers of clothing, she was visibly shaking. The chills, and presumably the weakness, had already set in. I placed the comforter over her to the best of my ability and moved to the other side of the bed to nudge Atmospheric awake.

"Honey...?"

"Melodic's sick right now. You guys should probably move to the other room."

"My poor baby."

I caressed her face in a gesture of reassurance.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of her."

"I know you will."

I kissed my wife's forehead before she carried our sleeping son to the living room. I followed shortly after. After entering the bathroom, I opened the medicine cabinet above the sink and pulled out a large bottle of Acetaminophen. I broke one of the pills in half. If necessary, I could increase the dosage later, but for now, I didn't want to risk making it too high. I went to the kitchen and filled a glass with water. With her medication in tow, I returned to Melodic's side.

"Take this and sip some water to wash it down. It's a pain and fever reducer."

She followed my instructions, lying back down once the recovery aid had been ingested.

"I'll be right back. I need to talk to mommy real quick, okay?"

"Okay, daddy."

"How is she doing?"

"She's a tough kid."

"Just like her old man."

"You're older than me."

Atmospheric stuck her tongue out at me. I suppressed my laughter so as not to disturb our son, who continued to sleep soundly atop his mother's chest.

"I'm gonna' try to have her eat something."

"Good idea. Let us know if you guys need anything."

"We will."

"How about a kiss before you go?"

"Won't hear any arguments from me."

I leaned over the couch to feel the protective embrace of her lips. For reasons I'll probably never be able to fully understand or explain, her touch always soothed my troubled mind. I suppose that's often the case for those who seek what comfort they can find. I rejoined my sweet cherub. I had no intention of leaving her to suffer alone any longer.

"Eat a few of these. They'll help your stomach."

After Melodic ate about three saltine crackers, I put the package on the table next to us.

"That's good. You don't want to overdo it."

"Sorry, daddy."

"It's not your fault, sweetheart. You're not the first to get this and you won't be the last. Just try to rest, okay?"

I snuggled up next to her, wrapping her in my arms to shield her from any further harm.

I felt someone give me a light shake. When I looked behind me, I saw Atmospheric. She seemed unusually worried. Hard Core was right next to her.

"What time is it?"

"It's about 3:45 right now."

"What's wrong?"

"He's scared."

"I got you. I'll talk to him. Can you get her a cool shower ready?"

"Yeah."

Atmospheric took Melodic to the bathroom. The cold water from the shower would at least temporarily lower her body temperature. I took a bottle of water from the kitchen before leading my son to the porch. The roof barely separated us from the downpour of rain.

"What's bothering you, bud?"

"Is she going to die, daddy...?"

"Being sick is new to you guys. I know how scary it can be. Your grams took care of me when I was feeling like that. It was kind of weird because we would often get sick around the same time."

"Really?"

"We'd have a good laugh about it. From my experience, your typical flu isn't anything to worry about if you're taking care of yourself. We're gonna' patch your sister up. She just needs food, medicine, and sleep right now."

"Oh."

"It's just a part of living. It happens sometimes. Don't worry too much about it."

"Okay."

"You feel better?"

"Yeah."

"That's my boy."

I took a swig of water. Truth be told, I was shaken up too. Seeing my normally bright and bubbly girl in pain was anger-inducing to say the least. I just hoped my son wouldn't have to go through this next.

"Hey...Do you think I've been a good dad to you guys," I asked.

"Why?"

"I dunno. Just felt like asking, I guess. Come on. Let's get back."

I got up to go back inside, but my son stopped me.

"I love you, daddy..."

"I love you too - you, Melodic, and your mom."

I knelt down and hugged him before carrying him back into the house. I left the door open for awhile to let the stale air dissipate. I put Hard Core down when we reached the bedroom. Atmospheric had already tucked Melodic in.

"You guys should go next to be on the safe side," I told her.

She agreed, and my wife and son left to take care of themselves. I lied back down and stroked Melodic's mane again until consciousness faded.

Melodic recovered a few days later. I caught it next. I was grateful for this. My body and strengthened immune system would fight it off much more effectively. Atmospheric tended to my symptoms. She prepared an ice pack to cool me off.

"Agh, this sucks."

"You're such a big baby."

"It's cold. What do you want from me?"

"You can puke your organs out without a peep, but a little ice and you get all huffy."

"Fair enough."

"I really appreciate you looking after her..."

"I couldn't leave her alone."

"How is it you can make me fall in love with you all over again?"

"The same way you do for me - doing what you feel is right."

"Kyle..."

Atmospheric brushed her hoof through my hair, exposing my eyes.

"You should really try to lighten up a bit."

"Yeah, I know."

"Do you want to...?"

"I don't want you to catch this too."

"I don't mind. Just promise you won't throw up on me."

I let out a laugh - the first I'd produced in awhile.

"I think my stomach can handle it for now."

We began to kiss. I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto the bed. Though I felt the weakness under my skin, it didn't outwardly reflect as much as I thought it would. We ended up making love that afternoon. Atmospheric told me something I think I'll always remember.

"Hard Core told me what you said to him. I think you've been an amazing dad to both of them."

"I don't want them to grow up hating me. I know how easy it can be to screw up someone's head."

"There's a good guy in you somewhere. You're a bit cuckoo, but that spark of crazy is what made me who I am. My existence should prove there's at least one redeeming quality to your character."

"Thanks. I needed to hear that."

"Things will be okay. I need you to trust that."

"I'll try."

"Don't give up."

"I won't."