Fred's sudden scream echoed through the room, startling all three of them.
"They should fucking leave!" Fred yelled hoarsely. "Now!"
"Fred....calm down," Gabe said quickly, his voice firm but gentle. He turned his head toward Damien and Alex. "Please wait in the living room."
Then he looked at Alex. "Alex… can you help me call a medical doctor to come over?"
Alex hesitated for a moment, clearly reluctant, but finally nodded. "Alright."
With a tight jaw and obvious frustration, Damien followed Alex out of the room. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Gabe alone with Fred.
"Now tell me," he said slowly, his gaze fixed on Fred, "what's wrong with you?"
Fred lay still beneath the duvet, his breathing shallow and uneven.
