David: "When is Tristan going to be home?"
Cindy: "That's the fourth time you've asked tonight! Tomorrow morning. And Cheryl and Gregory will be here in the afternoon."
David: "Then why is he coming up the walkway?"

The front door opened with a blast of icy air, snow billowing into the foyer in a last impressive display before melting in the warmth of the house. Tristan stumbled in, grabbing for his brother before falling to the floor. His family stared in disbelief before his father took over.

Stewart: "Brian, call on Doctor Nelson- take our fastest horse. Gemma, go get quilts from upstairs. David, help me get him by the fire."
Tristan: "Such pretty lights…"
Lilian: "He's burning up- Cindy, fetch me the willow from the pantry."

Tristan: "Mummy?"
Lilian: "Quiet, now. You're home- we'll take care of you. Try to relax."
Tristan: "That's what she said, and it didn't hurt."

A shadow of fear passed quickly over Lilian's face, though she tried not to let it. At that moment, Gemma came down with an armful of quilts. Together they wrapped them tightly around Tristan's body in silence.

Time seemed to slow, an eternity passing with each minute. His mother prepared the willow bark with shaking hands, drops of the bitter liquid spilling on the rug before she fully brought it to his lips. She hesitated, startled by the thin layer of glistening sweat just beginning to bead on his forehead and upper lip.

Lilian: "Tristan, dearest, you have to try to drink this. It will help your fever."
Tristan: "So… very sorry…"
Lilian: "Tristan?"

The room grew still- his brother and sisters not daring to breathe as Stewart went to his wife's side. She'd grown deathly pale, her hands shaking so badly now that she dropped the cup she'd been trying to hold.

Lilian: "Tristan!"

Stewart: "David, take your sisters upstairs."
David: "But-"
Stewart: "NOW."

Just as David had lead his sisters to the foot of the stairs, Brian burst through the front door, Doctor Nelson close behind. He took one look at his younger brother's face and stopped, his heart sinking like a stone.

Doctor Nelson: "Where is he?"
David: "Through there, by the fireplace."

His voice was flat, void of emotion. As the doctor made his way into the sitting room, he collapsed on the stairs and wept.