There wasn't many times where Susan - or most women really - would be stronger than him, but today was nearly an exception. When she placed her hand on his shoulder and pushed him back to bed, he could barely fight, his body aching with pain.
Removing her hand he looked at her, sweat already trickling down his face and body at the effort of sitting up. 'Don't you see, that is why I need to be there,' he said, his voice horse as his throat felt sore and dry. 'I know you don't like him, Susan, but Percy came by every day I was there, reading to me when I was too sick to hold a book on my own. Who is going to visit him?'
He was shivering, in spite of his body temperature, feeling cold and weak as his body protested wildly at the idea of getting up. 'I need to go, Susan. I can't let him be sick on his own, especially at the Shack. I'd rather be admitted myself than leave him there alone.'
'What kind of friend would I be if I'm not there for him when he needs me? I'd do the same for you. I know the both of you would for me.'
He tried keeping calm, his body itching something horrible at the moment. 'Please help me get here, Susan. I can't do it on my own.'
As much as he hated that fact, it was true. He couldn't get there on his own, he'd collapse somewhere on the way, if he was even sane enough to realise what way he was supposed to go.