Intermission: Cy and Sickness
As the days passed, new symptoms emerged. His throat grew sore and inflamed, making each swallow a painful ordeal. The boy's appetite waned, and he struggled to find solace in a comforting sip of lukewarm soup. And his voice, once filled with youthful enthusiasm, had grown hoarse and weak.
A rash appeared on his skin, a red and angry eruption that itched incessantly. The boy's fingers scratched at his irritated flesh, leaving behind marks of discomfort. The itching only added to his distress, and he longed for a respite from the torment.
In the midst of his physical suffering, the boy's spirits also took a toll. He became increasingly withdrawn, his laughter replaced by sighs of pain and exhaustion. The world outside his window, once a source of wonder and adventure, now seemed distant and unreachable.