#Chapter 77: Losing Her

Kadeem Kadeem staggered into his office the next day, but just barely. He was exhausted and his head felt achy and heavy, his mind sluggish. He put his hand in his pocket, feeling for the amethyst stone, only to realize it was still in the pocket of his jeans from yesterday - now laying in a pile of dirty laundry. He was on his own, and reached for a bottle of ibuprofen instead. He settled at his desk and scanned through his emails. The room was silent but for the gentle hum of his computer. As his gaze crawled over the screen, he began to feel more and more frustrated. The words on the screen blurred together and the harsh blue light stung his eyes. Giving up for the moment, he switched off the screen to dull the irritating light and put his head in his hands, just as a knock came at the door. “Come in,” he grumbled, unable to muster the energy to even look up. A light voice rippled through the air. “Good morning.” Greta. Something in her voice jolted him