Chapter 4

Tyler carries me into my bedroom and sets me on the floor. I curl into myself, still shivering in my near frozen clothes as Tyler says, "I'm going to go get you a towel. Then you gotta get out of those cold, wet clothes." I don't respond as he runs out of the room. I don't look up when he returns and hands me a towel. He crouches down in front of me and says, "Does your dryer work?" I nod as he adds, "I'm going to throw a blanket in there to warm it up. I need you to get out of your wet clothes. You and I both know that you'll get hypothermic if you stay in them." I shake my head as he says, "Aly…please…for me." I look up to see his eyes red. My chest aches as I finally nod and stand to my feet. Tyler nods, "I'll be back in five minutes."

I nod as I start wiping myself down with the towel and slowly removing my wet clothes as I shiver violently. My thoughts start to wander, Is…this it? Am I…I can't even say it. God…what did I do? I throw my dripping clothes to the side as I wrap myself in the towel. I curl back up in a ball on the floor and continue to shiver.

I hear Tyler knock on the door. I look up to only see his hand holding a blanket in the door way. "I'm going to throw this to you," he says. "Let me know when you're all wrapped up and covered and I'll come in." He tosses it to me and I catch it and wrap it around me, sighing in relief at the warmth.

"Come in," I finally call out to him, my voice hoarse. He walks in and sits on the floor next to me and wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. I don't fight it and I slowly let my head fall to his chest. His heart beats gently against my ear as I continue to shiver. Tyler gently rests his head on top of mine as he lets out a huge sigh.

"You scared the crap out of me when you fell in," he whispers, his voice strained. "I know we had to but God…and I'm not entirely convinced we're out of the woods with you. I think we need to get you checked out when we go up to the hospital."

"I'll be fine, Ty," I say, barely above a whisper. "I just need to warm back up."

"Did you inhale any water?" Tyler asks.

"I don't think so," I say. "I was just gasping because it was cold."

Tyler studies me for a minute before taking the towel and starting to squeeze some of the moisture out of my hair. "I still don't think it's a bad idea for them to check you over, just in case."

"I'll be fine," I say a bit more sternly, "I don't need to take their attention away from Avi."

"They have other doctors you know, Alyson," Tyler says softly as he continues to dry my hair with the towel.

I feel tears fill my eyes again. I hang my head. "Tyler…is this my fault?" I sob quietly. "Did I lose someone else to this lake…because of me? Did I kill Avi?"

"Of course you didn't," Tyler answers, hugging me tighter. "What are you talking about?"

"The only reason this happened was because I wanted to move back," I answer. "If I had just insisted on selling the house or not coming back here at all, none of this would have happened. It's my fault."

"Stop," Tyler says softly as he drops the towel and moves to sit in front of me. "None of this is your fault. It may not be anyone's fault, depending on what Avi saw in the first place. And she just…ran from it. She probably didn't realize she had even run onto the ice or that it was thin. There was no way you could have caused it or prevented it."

"Do…do you think she could pull through?" I ask anxiously.

Tyler's face softens and I see tears fill his eyes. "I…I don't know," he answers, his voice strained. "I've heard of people coming back from worse. But…Aly she didn't look good. She was already…her heart was already not beating when you pulled her out. I think…I think we need to prepare ourselves." I feel my heart sink as I start to sob. I start to fall over as Tyler catches me and holds me close. "I'm so sorry," Tyler says as I feel tears fall into my hair. "I can't even believe this is real." We sit there and sob for several minutes. Slowly, our sobs turn to whimpers and then to hiccups. My shaking finally stops as Tyler continues to hold me. Finally, he says, "You're not shivering anymore. Do you want to get dressed and head up to the hospital?"

"Yeah," I say numbly. He walks out of the room as I stand and find clothes to put on. First day here…back at this old house and already something bad has happened…how can Tyler say this isn't my fault or that I did the right thing? I shake my head as I finish getting dressed, blinking back more tears. A few moments later, I walk back out as Tyler slips my beanie on my head. He gives me a small smile that I don't have the heart to return.

"You ready to go?" he asks. I nod as we head for the car. The drive there is silent with Tyler occasionally glancing at me with a face I can't seem to read. Finally, he says, "She's my cousin too, you know." I look up at him as he adds, "I know you two are closer…but I loved…love her too Aly."

"I know you do," I mutter.

"And I don't blame you for what happened," Tyler says. I look up at him, my heart aching. "Not once did I even think of the concept that if you hadn't moved here, this wouldn't have happened. I was serious with what I said back at the house and I'm not coming at it from someone who just cares about you. I love Avi too, and I'm not looking to you for blame."

I feel tears fill my eyes. "How did you…"

"I can feel you, sis," Tyler says with a small smile. "Always have. So stop holding on to that guilt. Please?" I look at him for a moment as I lay my head on his shoulder as he drives the rest of the way to the hospital.

We step into the hospital waiting area and a chill runs down my spine. "You okay?" Tyler asks.

"I don't like hospitals," I say. "Last time I was here was when you almost died. They make me anxious." Tyler doesn't say anything as he just wraps an arm around me as we walk toward the chairs.

"Alyson!" I hear Eddy's voice call out as he walks over to us.

I turn to face him. "Any news?" I ask nervously.

He shakes his head. "They're working on warming her up but…it's been slow. Her temperature has dipped a couple times which they said isn't uncommon with hyperthermia victims. They're doing their best to get her warm and then try to revive her but…they said to prepare yourselves."

I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. "Thank you, Uncle," I barely muster.

"Of course, Little Moose," he says putting a hand on my shoulder. "I called Michael too. He's on his way out here." I nod again as I walk over to the chairs and plop down. Tyler sits beside me and I rest my head on his shoulder.

"I hate this," Tyler says. "The waiting kills me."

"Me too," I mutter.

"It's like hanging in limbo while someone you love hangs in the balance," he continues, "terrified they won't make it while praying that they do. Struggling between allowing yourself to hope while trying to be realistic."

"It's torture," I say with a heavy sigh.

Tyler lets out a matching sigh as he rests his head on top of mine. "We really should have someone look you over," he says. "Just to be on the safe side."

"I'm fine," I say with a small shiver.

"Right," Tyler says in a sarcastic tone. "If a nurse comes by, I'm going to ask."

"Don't, Ty," I say sternly. "I am fine. I just want to sit here and not deal with anyone else except for Eddy and Michael until we hear news."

Tyler hesitates but finally says, "Okay. But if you show any signs of anything after we know, I'm taking your behind to the ER."

"Deal," I say numbly. We sit in the empty waiting area, nothing but the occasional chatter of nurses to fill the room. I let my thoughts wander as I stare blankly across the hospital. Finally, I sit up. "It all makes sense now," I say.

"What does?" Tyler asks confused.

"About how Avi could use the Voice," I answer. "Ever since Chloe died, I always seemed to feel whatever she was feeling. I guess I always just assumed that she just wore her feelings on her sleeve."

"Which she does," Tyler chuckles.

"But I guess we were more connected than I realized," I say with a small smile.

"It almost sounds like we have more of a sister than a cousin," Tyler says.

"Yeah, I guess we do," I say with a small smile before letting out a sigh. "God, I pray she makes it through. I can't…I can't imagine the alternative. I can't even say it."

"Me too, Al," Tyler says numbly.

"Hey, you two," a welcome voice calls out. I barely look up to see Michael walking in. He walks over to us and before either of us can stand, he wraps his arms around us. "Eddy told me what happened," he says softly. "I am so, so sorry. Do you have any idea what spooked her?"

"Not a clue," Tyler says. "We didn't see any signs of anything either."

"Any idea of what things are looking like?" Michael asks in a low tone.

Tyler looks over at me as tears again rim my eyes. "It's…not looking good," he musters, emotion thick in his voice.

Michael puts a hand on both of ours. He looks between us silently for a few moments before saying, "I am here for you guys. Whatever you may need. And know I love you both." I take his hand and squeeze it as I mouth "thank you" and a couple tears trickle down my face. I turn to Tyler who sniffles and looks down as a few tears drip off his chin.

I hear footsteps and I look up as a nurse walks in. "Is anyone here for an Aviana Jennison?"