Once Upon a Dream

Chapter 27

As Newton hugged Amy, Dudley woke up to find himself in bed. 

"Dudley. Are you alright?" said Newton.

"Dudley, speak to me. Speak to me" said Amy.

Dudley opened his eyes and noticed his two friends. 

"It's alright, old boy. We're back in our compartment" said Newton. 

Dudley put on his glasses and saw his friends and surroundings clearly. 

"What happened to me?" he croaked. 

"Well... Madame Rodriguez was screaming at you. And you collapsed" said Newton.

"Do you know why?" said Dudley. 

Newton took a deep breath. "The Ladies came by and... Henrietta's medical training had you diagnosed in seconds."

"Well?" said Dudley. 

"Dudley... I'm afraid you have peritonitis. They found out just by looking at you" said Newton.

Dudley looked down at his belly and saw the red lining. 

"Oh my goodness" he gasped.

"They're trying to figure out how to help you" said Newton.

"What's stopping them?"

"Right now? How to be inconspicuous so the madame doesn't find them gone."

Dudley turned his head and saw Amy's scared face. 

"Amy... are you alright?" he whispered.

Amy nodded. 

"Oh blessed heavens..." Dudley cried softly. 

He pulled Amy into a tight hug and let her cry on his shoulder. 

"I can't believe the lady did that to you" said Dudley.

"I'm more sad that you're sick" said Amy. 

"Red lines on my belly. I'm well and truly ill, my love" said Dudley. 

"That's why you must try to stay calm, old chap. We don't want your belly hurting more" said Newton.

"Where's Angelique?" said Dudley.

"The madame took her back after you collapsed" said Newton.

"Oh dear... I should have known; she decided to win the battle when I was too helpless to fight back" Dudley sighed. 

"It's clear. That woman will stop at nothing to get what she wants" said Newton.

"And that includes leaving a tragic scene" finished Dudley. 

"But Dudley... are you gonna get better?" said Amy.

Dudley, instead of sugarcoating it, decided to tell the truth. 

"I just don't know. Unless the ladies come back soon... I don't know" he said.