The Devil Inside Me by Alexis Adaire

Chapter 1
    Caitlyn Mathis was 15 minutes into her weekly hookup with friend-with-benefits Ryan when she got the call from her mother. She rolled over in bed and glanced at her cell phone on the nearby night stand. What the hell could her mom want? It was almost midnight on a Friday night. Ignoring the ringing phone, she tried to ease back into the sex. Ryan was sweating as he diligently pumped his semi-erection in and out of her, but she could tell he was beginning to tire. Orgasms had always been a tricky thing for Caitlyn. Given ample time, though, she could usually manage one with Ryan. She felt the vague stirrings and closed her eyes as he continued pumping his almost-hard cock. The orgasm was building now, almost within reach. She moved her hips in time, greeting Ryan’s pounding as she felt herself about to crest that first wave.
    The phone rang again.
    Seriously? Caitlyn looked over. Mom again — something must be wrong. She sighed.
    “Sorry, I have to get this,” she said as she reached for the phone.
    ♦
    The gate arm of the hospital parking garage raised and Caitlyn drove in, searching frantically for an open spot. She’d barely gotten any real information from her mother, just that her younger sister Amber had been admitted with some kind of strange virus and was in serious condition. How could this be? Amber was only 23, five years younger than Caitlyn, and was the picture of health. A nurse, she had just returned from a trip to West Africa with Doctors Without Borders — and she looked fine when Caitlyn met her for lunch just days earlier.
    Caitlyn eased the car into an empty spot, then hurried through the over-street walkway leading to the hospital, her thick mane of blonde hair flowing behind her. She was at Ryan’s condo when she got the call from her mom, and the only clothes she had were a pair of jeans and a Cleveland Cavs T-shirt. Both items were tight and sexy, the reason she’d worn them that night, but she felt a bit awkward as she walked through the hospital at this late hour with her large breasts pushing against the Cavs logo.
    Her mother saw her rushing down the corridor and met her halfway. Caitlyn listened through her mom’s sobs as she brought her up to speed: an unknown virus, likely from an insect bite while overseas. The symptoms had begun with a sore throat and fatigue, but rapidly escalated. She was now near-comatose with a high fever.
    Caitlyn entered the room and stood by Amber’s bed. She took her sister’s hand and squeezed, saying, “Always trying to get attention, aren’t you?” Amber’s eyes opened slightly and Caitlyn reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’ll find out what’s going on and make sure they take care of this quickly. We’ll get you out of here in no time.” Amber managed a feeble smile.
    A talk with the doctor early the following morning deflated Caitlyn’s sense of optimism. They really didn’t know exactly what was causing this. They had started intravenous antiviral therapy, but were still trying to get a handle on what was wrong with Amber. The doctor’s parting words stuck with Caitlyn: “At this point, all we can do is pray.”
    She sent her mother home to get some sleep, promising to stay at Amber’s side until she returned. The two of them agreed to keep a bedside vigil. Caitlyn sat looking at her sister, her fine blonde hair and delicate features, perfect nose and full pink lips. She’d always thought of Amber as the picture of innocence, and to see her this ill broke Caitlyn’s heart. As she studied her sister, Caitlyn’s mind wandered back to the wreck five years earlier that had changed everyone’s life.
    Caitlyn and her dad had been hit head-on by a drunk driver. Mr. Mathis died instantly, something she didn’t learn until a month later when she awoke from her coma. Her injuries had been severe — a traumatic brain injury, shattered vertebrae, a broken hip and fractured ribs that had punctured her lungs. Caitlyn’s mother said