The morning sun barely filtered through the thick curtains of Elias's hotel room, casting dim shadows across the walls. Elias stirred in his bed, his body heavy and uncomfortably warm, a faint sheen of sweat on his forehead.
His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned, the familiar ache of his heat creeping through him. He glanced at his wrist, where the watch sat silent, its warning beeps unheard since he'd muted it during the museum tour.
His phone buzzed on the nightstand, and he reached for it, seeing a text from Dr Patel.
Dr P: Elias, your watch triggered a heat alert. Are you okay? Take your suppressants and call me.
Elias's stomach twisted, a mix of frustration and embarrassment washing over him. "I'm fine," he muttered to himself, wrapping the blanket tighter around his shoulders. "It's not that bad. It's just two beeps." He typed a quick reply to Dr Patel.
E: It's not serious. I'll handle it.
