Deanna: "We're almost there. I'm sure everything will be all right."

He could only respond by closing his eyes in a futile attempt to escape from the all-encompassing nightmare he found himself in. A hundred years seemed to pass before he felt the almost imperceptible slowing of the car and felt able to open his eyes again. The glare of the hospital signs was shocking against their dark surroundings, more ominous than comforting.

Without waiting for the car to completely stop, Tristan threw the door open and ran straight for the doors. There was a moment of suspended time as he found himself bathed in the harsh glare of lights that gave everyone under them the look of the walking dead, a sea of nameless faces fighting to avoid looking at one another. The scent of death was strong even through the nearly overpowering sharpness of antiseptic.

As he realized he had no idea where he was going, he stopped dead in his tracks. The feeling of helplessness was beginning to become infuriating, as if there were something working to keep him from finding James and Emily. When he felt a hand on his arm, he spun around so quickly he nearly toppled over.

Deanna: "Is that Mary?"

Deanna tilted her head slightly, indicating an area slightly behind and to the left of him. Sure enough, Mary was sitting in a chair he'd just been looking at, her eyes closed. He marveled at her ability to sneak over while he wasn't looking and have it seem as though she'd been sitting there all along. Without looking back he crossed the waiting room in three steps.

Tristan: "Where is she?"

Mary's eyes snapped open as she jumped, obviously startled.

Mary: "Jesus Christ, Tristan! You're lucky we're in the ER, I think you just gave me a heart attack!"
Tristan: "Mary, where is Emily? What happened?"

Mary's gaze went cold and distant, sending a chill through his body. He could tell just by her reaction to Emily's name that things were very bad.

Mary: "I don't know what happened. There was a lot of blood…"
Tristan: "Is she ok?"
Mary: "I haven't heard anything. James… James is with her I think."

Tristan felt the hair on the back of his neck rise and turned his attention to the row of chairs directly across from Mary. As he made eye contact with Abigail, the creeping feeling of panic finally grabbed hold completely. He gave Mary one more passing glance before bolting from the waiting room and through the doors where he knew he'd find Emily.