And it did—a little. I don’t know how long I sat like that, maybe about fifteen minutes, but the next time I dared a peek up, the dizziness had lessened. The nausea was still there, but it too had dropped to a lower level. Deciding to risk it, I turned back onto I-5, anxious to finish my drive to the city and figure out what was wrong with me.

I made it back to town without causing an accident and nearly fell over trying to make it up my building’s stairs. I didn’t even bother with my suitcase and simply left it in the car. Once in my apartment, I headed straight for my room and crashed on the bed. Aubrey joined me and peered curiously at my face. I gave her a few pets, then let my hand slip down as I fell asleep, too weak to hold it up any longer.

I woke up almost two hours later, shaken out of sleep by knocking at my door. I sat up, relieved to find my stomach had settled. The light-headedness had also gone away. Maybe the donut had been defective after all . . . and yet, I had this weird feeling—this tiny, nagging suspicion—that something wasn’t right. Only, I had no clue or evidence as to what it was. Ignoring it for now, I stumbled out to the living room and opened my door, not even bothering to look out the peephole.

Cody and Peter stood there, both of them grinning from ear to ear. “What do you want?” I asked, stepping aside for them when the door opened. “I was sleeping.”

“I can tell by your hair,” said Peter, flouncing on my couch. “And what are you doing asleep? It’s the middle of the day.”

Still groggy, I squinted at my clock. It was a little after three. “Yeah, I know. I didn’t feel good. It’s weird. I just suddenly felt wiped out and dizzy.”

That smile had never left Cody’s face. He sat beside Peter. “How do you feel now?”

I shrugged and settled onto my loveseat. “Fine, I guess. A little tired, but the worst is over.” That nondescript something isn’t right here feeling was still with me, though.

“You shouldn’t be cooped up inside,” said Peter. “It’s a great day.”

“Look at all the sun,” agreed Cody. “It’s like summer came early.”

I followed his gaze to the window. Warm golden light spilled in onto my floor, much to Aubrey’s delight, and beyond the neighboring building, I could see blue sky. Still, I wasn’t impressed. “We’re barely into spring. This is a fluke. It’ll probably be cold tomorrow.”

Peter shook his head. “You sure are grumpy when you wake up.” They both seemed so absurdly pleased with themselves, and I couldn’t figure out why.