David sat quietly beside the small wooden bed in the corner of the room.
The air inside the quiet bedroom was heavy with the smell of vapor rub.
He folded a soft cotton towel into a small neat square.
Then he dipped the towel into a bowl of cool fresh water.
He squeezed the extra water out until the towel was just damp.
David gently placed the cool towel onto his little daughter's forehead.
Little Lily stirred in her sleep and let out a soft tired sigh.
Her skin felt unusually hot under his trembling fingertips.
David checked the glass thermometer sitting on the small bedside table.
The tiny red line showed her temperature was still far too high.
He adjusted the thick handmade blanket over her pale small shoulders.
David: How are you feeling, sweetheart?
Lily opened her eyes slowly and looked up at her worried father.
Lily: My throat feels very scratchy and sore, Daddy.
David: I know it hurts, but the fever will drop soon.
Lily: Can I have a sip of fresh cold water?
David reached for the plastic water pitcher resting on the nightstand.
He poured a small amount of liquid into a clean plastic cup.
He held the cup carefully while his daughter took tiny slow sips.
She coughed softly and laid her small head back onto the pillow.
Lily: Thank you, Daddy.
David: Try to close your eyes and rest a little more.
David adjusted the small bedside lamp to dim the bright yellow light.
He had stayed awake for three full nights watching over his sick daughter.
His wife had passed away two years ago after a long sudden illness.
Since that sad day, David had dedicated his whole life to protecting Lily.
He worked long hours as an accountant to pay off their family mortgage.
Six months ago, David had married Sarah after meeting her at work.
Sarah had seemed kind and gentle toward young Lily at first.
She cooked fresh warm meals and helped clean the small white house.
However, over the last month, Lily had suddenly grown weaker every day.
The doctors said it was just a stubborn seasonal winter virus.
Yet David felt deep down in his heart that something was very wrong.
He heard faint footstep sounds coming from the wooden hallway outside the door.
The door creaked open slowly against the quiet dark frame.
Sarah walked into the warm room carrying a small silver tray.
She wore her thick gray pajamas and held a calm pleasant expression.
On the tray sat a glass filled with fresh thick white milk.
Sarah: Time for your medicine, dear.
Lily instantly stiffened beneath her heavy bed covers.
She pulled the blanket all the way up over her lower face.
Her eyes grew wide with pure fear as Sarah stepped closer.
Lily: Daddy, don't let her come in my room again!