With a heavy heart Peter accompanied Ray as they entered the hospital with the intent on finding Winston who had been admitted only a few precious minutes before their arrival. The waiting room wasn't crowded but it was still noisy as many other New Yorkers were too awaiting the news on a loved one or friend on that same fateful night.

Egon had resided to standing alone with his back pressed against the far wall. His eyes were closed and his brow furrowed as he let himself become lost in thought. With his arms crossed over his chest he looked defensive, if not protective of his friend as he waited patiently for an answer.

"Egon." Ray approached the stoic man with pure sympathy glistening in his mismatched eyes. "Any news on Winston? What's happening?"

Egon opened his eyes briefly to look at Ray but closed them again without even giving Peter a fleeting glance. "He's up in surgery."

"Surgery?!" Ray nearly blurted in absolute shock. "But... I don't understand! Egon what happened?"

Egon's dark eyes flashed back open as he locked his gaze with Ray, completely ignoring Peter in the process. "When Winston fell he struck the back of his skull against a very large, very sturdy object. Surgery is required to reduce the intracranial pressure before any damage has the chance to set in or become permanent."

Peter stammered nervously. "Did... Did anything happen en route to the hospital?"

Letting out a deep sigh Egon replied very coldly to the question. "Winston suffered a seizure. The paramedics were able to stabilize him but time is still critical."

"Oh my-" Ray's face paled as the dull reality of the bleak situation set it. "What can we do?"

"Wait." Was Egon's simple reply. "I've been reluctant to call Winston's father. I'd prefer to talk to him after we have more answers than questions."

Peter swallowed his guilt nervously. "I'll call." He stared distantly at the floor as he turned to find a phone down the neighboring corridor. "I should be the one to call."

Ray turned to watch Peter slowly walk away with his head hung low and his pace stilted by hesitation. "Winston will pull through, he's strong." Ray told himself as a means of reassurance. "You'll see." He turned back to Egon. "I think Peter should be examined as well."

"Examined how?" Egon's tone was still cold but there was a hint of curiosity present in his voice.

"I think the ghost has affected him a psychological level. He kept drifting in and out of coherence."

"Venkman will be seen to in time." Egon decided firmly. "Right now Winston is the priority."

With his mind preoccupied on Winston's condition Ray didn't try to argue with Egon or press the matter any further. Resigning to waiting for any information on their critically injured friend Ray took a seat beside Egon while the latter kept his place against the wall. Neither man spoke a word.

Peter had managed to find a public phone and contact their receptionist Janine Menitz back at the firehouse. After explaining everything that happened she hurriedly gave Peter the phone number for Winston's father and asked for him to give Winston her best. The phone call was difficult but necessary. Hearing the voice of Edward Zeddemore on the line sent a chill up Peter's spine as Winston sounded so much like his father.

Enduring the heart wrenching phone call Peter resided himself to a quiet, isolated corridor of the hospital to be alone with his mangled thoughts.

"I did this." Peter pressed a hand to his face and he used his other hand to brace himself against the cool white wall. "I let Winston fall, it's my fault he's hurt. If he doesn't make it..."

A cold hand gripped onto Peter's shoulder as a voice whispered in his ear. "You will be alone... Just as I warned you."

Peter's eyes dulled as the voice of Alvis once again spoke to him.

"Hear my words, do my bidding and you will not lose your friend."

"I..." Peter's dulled eyes widened as adrenaline suddenly coursed through his veins. "How? How will Winston survive if I listen to you? What do I have to do?"

"It is simple." Alvis hissed wickedly in Peter's ear with a sinister glee. "Listen to my words. Carefully. All will become clear."

Four long, slow hours passed with no update on Winston. Ray would ask the nurses every twenty minutes or so but he received the same answer each time he asked. Unwilling to leave the hospital or to sleep Ray paced through the waiting room anxiously while Egon remained at the wall deep in thought.

"Wonder where Peter went?" Ray asked softly. When Egon didn't respond Ray folded his hands together nervously. "I hope he isn't hurt too, you know? Like maybe the ghost-"

"The ghost isn't here at the moment." Egon interjected tersely. "Winston is still our priority."

"But-"

There was a stirring of emotions when Edward finally arrived at the hospital to ask about Winston. Ray and Egon had the same chill as Peter upon hearing the familiar sounding voice speaking to the head nurse. Winston's father was very much like his son.

"Mr. Zeddemore?" Ray walked over to the desk and extended his hand to greet properly. "It's nice to see you again, although we do wish it were under better circumstances."

"Raymond? Right?" Edward eagerly shook Ray's hand. "I flew out from Philly on the earliest flight. Your friend Peter told me that Winston had suffered a blow to the head?"

"That's right." Ray's hand went cold in Edward's grip. "It's kind of a long story. Please, sit down and we'll tell you everything that we know."

While Ray and Egon informed Edward on Winston's condition and the events lead up to the horrible fall Peter wandered aimlessly back down the corridor and into the waiting room.

As Peter watched from afar Alvis's voice resonated in his ear. "Remember our deal. If you fail me you will suffer."

Quietly Peter sat down beside Ray and kept his silence as he pondered the situation in which he had agreed.

A doctor draped in pale blue scrubs discreetly approached the gathered group huddled together in the waiting room with a thick grimaced on his face. "Are you here for Mr. Zeddemore?"

...to be continued...