_x5494_

Truth be told, Alex had run out his reserves months ago and had been operating solely on fumes since before Freak Nation had opened. Sixteen hour days on just a few hours sleep. Food grabbed when and where he could -- when he remembered.

He really had listened when people had warned him, and he'd meant to do something about it. He just never seemed to have the time or at least, there was always something else he'd had to do.

Eventually, it was bound to catch up with him and today was the day.

He'd been sitting gabbing with Doreen at the front desk; he did it every day after work at the messenger service. Checked in with her, got the run-down on how things were going, what still needed to be done.

He stood to go upstairs to the office and the world suddenly swirled around him. His ears buzzed. His vision blurred. The last thing he remembered thinking was "Well, this is just stupid. I don't have time to faint."

This is Tampa General Hospital. We're calling because you're listed as an emergency contact for Alex Durance. He's been admitted to the hospital after he collapsed at his place of business. He's being treated for simple exhaustion, but we'd like to keep him overnight for observation.