Weird feelings

Meanwhile, Adelard continued to clench his hands tightly into fists and hold back the discomfort in his stomach. After the third vomiting, he had lost any strength and had already accepted the fact that he was gravely ill and had only a few days to live. All the days of his life flashed before his eyes. And he couldn't help wondering what was going to happen to Celeste. As soon as he imagined himself as a dead man, he immediately grabbed at the sink and a fourth wave of discomfort enveloped him in fear.

"God, Adelard!" Jean exclaimed and gathering his hair, tried to take his misery to himself.

When Adelard was finished, he washed his face with cold water and looked at himself in the mirror. All he saw was a pale face and the animated face of his friend, who was holding him by the waist.

"What's the matter with you? Didn't you like some of that food?"

"No. I don't know."

"I told you to go to the hospital, didn't I? You're obviously sick."

"I know. But it's too late."

"What? What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Let's go. Everyone's probably looking for us."

"Who cares what they're looking for! Adelard!"

Jean touched his forehead and with his eyes bulging he shouted, "You have a fever!"

"No. There's nothing wrong with me."

"Stop!" Jean ordered and squeezed his shoulders tightly. A feeling of intense anger arose within Adelard and he pushed him from himself.

"Don't touch me."

"What? What's the matter with you?"

"Don't ever touch me again," Adelard said and quickly walked out of the restroom.

In the empty hallway, where it was dark, Adelard collapsed on the soft carpet and covered his face with his hands. He had pains all over his body and even his thoughts brought him intense pain. Tears rolled down on their own, leaving imperceptible burns on his long fingers. There was no one around to help. Once again, he was alone in the world. Though, somewhere far away, he could hear people's voices and most importantly, laughter.

Laughter was everywhere; laughter was always what followed him everywhere. He covered his ears and just froze. Never before had his heart pounded so loudly. Like a hammer on a wall. What was that feeling? Why did it feel so bad? And the only answer was, fatal illness.

"Monsieur what is the matter with you? Get up," the man walked over and asked. Then, helping him to his feet, he put his arm around his back and said, "You shouldn't be sitting here."

"I don't want to go there. Just leave me alone."

"Don't be like a child. Let's go," the man said, and while Adelard was in pain, this man was already leading him away toward an empty room. When the door to the room opened, Adelard saw the bed and through the terrible pain just fell on the soft blanket. He didn't care that he wasn't alone in the room. He just wanted to fall asleep as soon as possible.

Feeling weak, he closed his eyes and began to drift off to sleep. But the man who was in the room with him kept him awake. And he said, "Monsieur, I have always admired you."

"Thank you," Adelard replied.

"I really admire you a lot. You are my ideal."

"Thank you," Adelard repeated, ready to faint.

But the man didn't take one step away from him. "You are so handsome. Especially now."

But Adelard was no longer able to say anything. Finally, the silence of the night filled everything around him and he was able to relax. But the feeling did not last long, for the stranger was still there. When Adelard felt hands on his chest, he quickly opened his eyes and saw the man in front of him trying to remove his shirt.

"What are you doing?"

"Calm down. I just want to help you," the man replied and continued what he started.

"No. Wait!"

"Relax. It's going to be all right."

"No! Stop!" Pushing him away so that the man hit his head on the closet, Adelard was able to get up and quickly headed toward the door. But as soon as the door opened, several people, including women, were behind it. All of them had been standing behind the thin door the whole time, looking through the keyhole at what might have happened to him.

"What are you doing?" Adelard asked, looking in surprise at the older woman with red lips. All of them were silent. But their eyes were hungry. And for the first time in his life, Adelard could see what people were really like. Now, he was just as scared as any other child.

"Monsieur, you are so strong," the man said, rising from the floor. "But you shouldn't have been so rude. It's not as if I meant you any harm."

Silently, without saying anything, Adelard found the strength to walk quickly away and find Celeste in the garden.

"What's the matter? Darling, you look so pale!"

"Let's go home."

"What? But why? I want to go home!"

"What's wrong?" Jean asked, appearing from behind the bushes.

"I don't know. But he doesn't look well."

"Let's go home. I'll help." Unable to stand on his feet anymore, Adelard simply fell into Jean's strong embrace, and as soon as he closed his eyes, all the pain vanished.