The call disconnected.
I stared at my watch screen for a moment, then dialed Dad's number.
This time, he picked up faster.
"Sweetie? What's wrong?"
"Dad, I have a fever."
I repeated what I'd just told Mom.
"A fever? Did you take any medicine?"
His voice held concern, but he was driving and couldn't give me his full attention.
"We're out of medicine at home."
"I see..."
"Dad's out in the countryside with your brother visiting relatives right now. I can't get back anytime soon."
"Why don't you call your mom? Have her take you to get checked out?"
A young man's voice came through from his end. "Dad, Uncle Joseph Fox Joseph's calling you!"
"Alright, I'll call him back in a bit."
Dad acknowledged him, then said to me, "You're always such a good girl. Can you find your mom first? I'll bring you back something yummy."
He hung up too.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at my phone watch.
Then I looked up and smiled. "Dad said I was good again."
I struggled to my feet and started getting dressed.
First a sweater, then a padded jacket.
Both were styles from years ago, a little too small now.
Why was there only one sock?
Where was the other one?
Forget it. I wouldn't look for it.
I remembered how to get to the hospital.
Out of the alley, turn right, cross two intersections, then turn left.
I pushed open the door.
Wind and snow hit my face instantly, cold enough to cut to the bone.
I walked into the snow, counting my steps.
Just like counting sheep when I couldn't sleep as a little kid.
The alley wasn't long. Usually it only took three minutes to walk through.
But today it felt like forever.
By the time I reached the alley entrance, I was gasping so hard I had to lean against the wall to rest.
I walked for maybe another ten minutes. No sign of the hospital.
The streets grew narrower, the people fewer.
The markers Mom and Dad had made for me.
For some reason, they had all vanished without a trace.
I wanted to turn back, but when I did, the path I'd come from was already buried under snow.
I turned in circles, again and again.
I opened my mouth to call out, but no sound came.
I wanted to cry, but my tears seemed frozen too.
Was I going to die?
When would they notice I was gone?
Tomorrow? The day after?
Or never?
My watch rang. Mom was calling.
But I could no longer answer.
The snow fell heavier and heavier, gradually covering my body.
Strangely, I didn't feel cold anymore.
That bone-deep chill had disappeared at some point.
My body felt light, weightless.
I slowly closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, I found myself floating in midair.
So this was what death was like.
I wasn't sad. If anything, I felt a little relieved.
Because I was finally warm, and I didn't have to count the cracks in the wall waiting for dawn anymore.
I drifted through the alley and stopped at the school gate.
Mom was walking out of the teaching building, her expression dark.
My sister trailed a few steps behind her.
Her eyes were red and puffy, still sniffling.
"Can't you give me a break for once?"
Mom didn't turn around. "You're in middle school now, and you're still getting into fights with classmates?"
"She started it. She said things about me..."
My sister's voice was thick with tears.
"So what if she said things? That means you should hit her?"
I floated to Mom's side and whispered softly.
"She knows she was wrong, Mom. Please forgive her."
But my voice scattered in the wind. She couldn't hear me.
They kept walking, one in front, one behind.
Mom walked fast. My sister had to half-run to keep up.
