Tenth PSI

[a_gentle_boy]

[open call]
 . . . Hello?  Um.  Is this . . . Is this the right number?  This is Mayfield Elementary . . . ?

I'd, um.  I'd like to call in sick.  Lucas . . . Last name?  Ushiromiya.  . . . . . . . .  There isn't any -- A-Ah.  Lucas . . . Lucas Fawlin . . . Grade 7.  No, I just haven't been feeling well . . . Ah.  Mostly fever . . . . . . . . A hundred and um.  Three or four.  U-Up my . . . No.  No.  My mouth . . . A few days.  No.  I haven't seen the nurse . . . Um.  Not yet . . .  My parents . . . ?  They're not home.  And I . . . I don't want to bother them . . . I don't know.  I . . . I really don't think I can.  I don't . . . But I -- I know, but.  It's just . . .  I'm really not . . .

. . .

O-OK.  OK.  I'll try . . . I'm sorry for the trouble . . .

[Ten minutes after this call is made, an unsteady figure walks out the steps of 846 Goldberg, his face flushed and his eyes glossy.  Twenty minutes after that, the boy slowly begins to kneel to the sidewalk somewhere on the route to school, but fails to make it all the way before collapsing forward.  He does not get back up.]

((Feel free to make responses to the phone call or anytime that Lucas is spotted on the street, either after he faints or before.
EDIT: For continuity's sake, I'm going to refer to Margot as finding Lucas first if I make any reference to this simply because she had the first thread.  I wasn't expecting so many replies; thanks everyone!  He'll still remember everyone's kindness to him, though.))

Comments

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

[Margot is on her way to school when she finds the fallen Lucas. She's crouching down by him immediately after throwing down her bag, turning him on his side.]

Lucas! Holy shit, LUCAS!

[crawlininmytome.livejournal.com]

[THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL IMAGE TO WAKE UP TO-- running over to his side and turns him over]

... Lucas? H-Hey, speak to me!

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas murmurs some unintelligible words and stirs a bit, but otherwise does not respond. His whole body is hot to the touch.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Ange has her request granted, but Lucas does not seem to be responding to her.]

. . . . . . . no. no. definitely . . . . . take the knife . . . . . . . . . you did . . . to her. not coming . . . . . . . . . everyone . . . for me everyone waiting for . . . . . . .

mom

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

Lucas!

[This is like when Nadia gets badly ill and it makes her stomach churn.]

Alright, Lucas. You're going to be okay, we're going to get you inside somewhere, okay?

[crawlininmytome.livejournal.com]

[will be carrying him to inside the house]

... Aaah. He's really burning up. I don't know if he's dreaming or having a flashback, but I have to take care of him somehow.

[ra-ra-razputin.livejournal.com]

[Blah blah school is boring blah. Raz is going anyway because he has to, but he stops when he sees another kid stumbling down the street, looking like he's about to toss his cookies.]

H-hey, are you okay?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[For whatever reason, he begins to respond somewhat more intelligibly. His eyes even seem to open slightly.]

Going to be OK . . . ?

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

You're fucking -- you're burning up! Can you walk? Do you need me to carry you? How are you feeling? [And about twenty more questions along those lines!]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[A little of both, really. As he is being carried inside, Lucas suddenly speaks up clearly to the woman who is carrying him.]

When will you come back?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas looks up at Raz and attempts a weak smile.]

I'll . . . I'll be OK. Going for a checkup . . .

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

But this always happens . . . You never worried before. I just need to lie down . . .

[His eyes are fully opened now. But the pupils are massive and he's staring into space.]

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

What do you -- ? [She stares down at him in confusing before she frowning sadly: hallucinating. That has to be it.

She'll gently try to pull him up, slinging one of his arms across her shoulders, grabbing his waist with the other. Margot herself is tiny, so this probably won't be easy.]

[heartstar-blues.livejournal.com]

[Flying Captain! This time without fear of death.

Would see a familiar boy collapsed on the sidewalk and land a few feet away. Stumbling at first, then steadying himself he'd rush over.]

Hey! Kid? You okay!?

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Lucas voices soft complaints, though he grabs on readily enough.]

We can't wait for the fever to break. There's no time. If we don't find Duster and the egg . . .

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[Alas, Lucas is unable to see his favorite superhero in action. The boy does not respond at all to the Captain. Symptoms: hot skin, glassy, dilated pupils, sweat. It's probably easy to determine that he's got a high fever.]

[crawlininmytome.livejournal.com]

... [silence for a moment because she knows who he is talking to]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

Ah . . . But you won't, will you? It's just a dream.

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

I-I'll find the egg or whatever, but you need to lie down.

[And she'll be heading off toward her house, unsure of where he lives.]

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

[It's pretty bumpy the whole way. Lucas nearly detaches several times and can't seem to find the strength to hold on. His murmurings stop after a little bit, though, which is probably a good sign. As they near her house . . . ]

. . . . .

Miss Margot?

[crawlininmytome.livejournal.com]

... It's useless. It's all useless. I'm sorry, but... I can't replace your mother.

... I can't make omelets well. I can't give you pig back rides like Battler used to give me. I can't even smile good either.

[once Ange arrives into his bedroom, she'll tuck him in bed] ... But...

[a-gentle-boy.livejournal.com]

You'll be here for me anyway . . . ? That's not important . . . as long as you're here.

[crawlininmytome.livejournal.com]

... Mm. That's right. I'm glad you understand and thank you for putting up with my gloomy self up to this point.

[windmill.livejournal.com]

[after he faints? perhaps he's awake again? regardless, Netherlands is there.]

Lucas? You alright? [he rushes over.]

[followyouthere.livejournal.com]

[Once they're inside, she'll carefully (as she can) put him sitting on the couch.]

You don't have to call me miss. It's weird. Lemme go get you some water.