Clementine:
That night, when I lay down to sleep, my entire body ached.
The pain seemed to come from one place, my neck. I rubbed the spot over and over, trying to soothe it, but the ache only grew worse.
It itched and burned, spreading through my body.
It was strange. I hadn't even felt this much pain during my first transition, and those are supposed to be the worst.
Still, I stayed in bed, squirming in sweat even though the room was cold. My lips were dry, and I needed water, but I knew I was alone.
There was no one to take care of me.
I shifted from side to side, realizing I probably had a high fever.
All I could think about was my mother and my little brother. If they were here, they would have cared for me.
My brother would be grown by now.
"But they aren't here and I missed them, " as soon as those words slipped from my lips, I realized the fever had gone to my head.
I was talking out loud. Then a cold hand took mine, and another touched my forehead.
