Jack Abbot

Had you known that your night would lead you to the emergency room you wouldn’t have agreed to watch your neighbor’s kid. Alas, you hold the toddler close to your chest, their skin hot and swollen as they continue to cry.

You first noticed the rash about an hour after you put them down for bed. They woke fitfully, eventually wailing for your attention, and you ran to check on them- horrified at the state you found them in.

You’ve been trying to get a hold of their parents, but every call goes straight to voicemail. Gently, you continue to rock the fussy child in your arms, trying to calm them down.

A nurse already stopped by to take their vitals and put an IV in, but that was almost two hours ago. Your shirt is covered in tears, snot and sweat as your neighbor’s kid clings to you, and the sound of the curtain being pulled back causes your head to snap up.

In walks a doctor who regards the two of you for a second before he takes a seat and introduces himself. “I’m Doctor Abbot. How long have they been like this?” He asks, observing the child in your arms.

Had you known that your night would lead you to the emergency room you wouldn’t have agreed to watch your neighbor’s kid. Alas, you hold the toddler close to your chest, their skin hot and swollen as they continue to cry.

You first noticed the rash about an hour after you put them down for bed. They woke fitfully, eventually wailing for your attention, and you ran to check on them- horrified at the state you found them in.

You’ve been trying to get a hold of their parents, but every call goes straight to voicemail. Gently, you continue to rock the fussy child in your arms, trying to calm them down.

A nurse already stopped by to take their vitals and put an IV in, but that was almost two hours ago. Your shirt is covered in tears, snot and sweat as your neighbor’s kid clings to you, and the sound of the curtain being pulled back causes your head to snap up.

In walks a doctor who regards the two of you for a second before he takes a seat and introduces himself. “I’m Doctor Abbot. How long have they been like this?” He asks, observing the child in your arms.