That might even be the worst part. The indignity of having at least three pairs of eyes seeing so much of my skin without my permission. It’s a stark reminder of the power they hold. I’m just along for the ride, and if I want to live, I have to do whatever they want.

“It’s all right, come on,” Theo says.

“It was so hot…then so cold.”

“Last one was cold, right?” Theo asks.

“Yeah.” So cold.

He turns away. “Kevin, can you put the kettle on?”

“The kettle?” I ask. My grandmother always says a nice cup of tea can fix almost anything. This isn’t one of those things.

Theo’s face twists in sympathy as he glances back at me. “It helps to warm up from the inside.”

“Oh,” I reply. Maybe Grandma is on to something.

I follow Theo back into the main room. Priya hands me a blanket and gives me a sympathetic smile.

“Thanks,” I say, taking it from her and curling up on a single chair. Hazel is nowhere to be seen. Where is she?

“She’s in bed,” Priya offers, somehow guessing I’m thinking about my friend. “She was upset and feeling guilty that you were going in her place.”

“Right.” I honestly don’t know what to do with that. I just need her to be here.

“I don’t think she’s asleep, if you want to go and see her?”

I shake my head and touch my freezing lips. The skin feels rough. “I just want to warm up.”

Priya sits on the chair closest to me. “Drink your tea, and then I’ll get you some lip balm.”

“They’re chapped? They feel it.”

“Yes, always happens. Don’t worry, they’ll be back to normal in a day or so.”

I don’t want to think about that now.

“How many times do they change the temperature? I couldn’t keep up.”

She shrugs. “I don’t know. I always pass out. The heat is…overwhelming.”

Yep, that’s a pretty accurate description. Knowing the heat is coming back is hell. There’s very little reprieve. The cold, although torturous, doesn’t last as long. It’s all about the heat, about making you feel like your body is on fire and your life is slowing burning out.

“I need a shower.” Hot sweats and cold sweats have left me feeling gross.

“Warm up first,” Kevin says, putting a mug of tea on the coffee table. “Trust me. You’re only going to feel worse if you get into a hot shower when you’re still shivering.”

I raise my hands and sure enough, they’re shaking. “What time is it?” I ask.

“Early hours of the morning, I would guess. It’s been dark a long time.”

“My parents will be looking by now. They’ll have the police out looking.”