CHAPTER 24: REGISTERING FOR ANTINEUTRAL

"Sarah… Sarah, wake up!" The voice was faint and muffled, almost lost in the early morning haze, but what came next startled her wide awake: the unmistakable sound of someone retching—violent and desperate. Sarah bolted upright, her pulse quickening as she whipped her head towards the bathroom door. There, hunched over the toilet, was Cecilia, her body trembling as another wave of nausea overtook her. "Cecilia!" Sarah gasped, quickly throwing the blanket off and rushing to her side. She knelt, her hand immediately finding its place on Cecilia's back, rubbing soothing circles as she whispered, "I'm so sorry, Ceci. I didn't realize you were feeling this bad…" Cecilia groaned, lifting her head slightly between breaths, her face pale and her skin clammy. "It's… it's getting worse every day," she rasped before another violent heave left her shuddering over the bowl. Sarah frowned, her heart tightening as she watched her friend struggle. "We need to get you to a clinic," she murmured, bru