[an illness]

She didn't make it to town that day, nor any of the next. The flu had kept
her mostly confined to her bed. She'd never had anything like this before,
the bone wrenching aches that left her wimpering in pain. She'd always
figured that the flu was just a particularly nasty stomach bug, but this was
different. 

Her mother silently brought her cool cloths to lay on her forehead, and
apologized for there not being a medicine to dull the pain.

The day was miserable, but night was worse. Alternating between feverish
dreams that left her exhausted and waking moments where she couldn't get
comfortable, she wished it would pass quicker.

Even the grey, dreary day outside looked inviting after being cooped up in
her room, not wanting to move.