Code Red

5.

"No." is all I could whisper before I burst into tears. My mom sniffled and began pressing kisses to the top of my head, letting me cry. All I could do was sob as Dr. Taylor excused himself quietly. I cried for what felt like an eternity. I was traumatized. I had a dream about this happening and it actually happened. I don't remember getting hurt in my dream though. I didn't get a chance to see if Titus was okay, and I know Emalee was okay.

Titus and Emalee... TITUS AND EMALEE!

In a panic, I pushed away from my mother.

"Mom, where are Ty and Ema?! Are they okay? Where are they? I need to see them now!
Where's Dad?"

My mom smoothed my hair back and kissed my head. "They're outside. You wanna see them?"

Was that even a question? "Yes! Now!"

She nodded and wiped my tears away with her thumb, which was pointless because they were still falling. She turned and rushed out of the room. That action alone made me feel sick to my stomach with guilt for how I'd treated her these past 3 days. I ignored almost completely, only speaking to her to say something sarcastic or snippy, while she tried her best to be nothing but kind to me. I even acted like a bitch this morning. I could've died and my mom's last memory of me would've been me snapping at her. The regret is what made me burst into fresh tears, the sobs nearly wracking my whole body. I sobbed quietly into my hands.

"Dylan!" said the voice of who I wanted to hear most. Before I could look up or wipe my tears away, I'm engulfed in one of the tightest hugs I've experienced. Again, it reminded me of how dizzy I was but I didn't care. My sister was there when I was shot and she was the last person I saw before I woke up again. She had her head on my shoulder, and her entire body was shaking as she sobbed. I wrapped my arms around her and I was nearly crushed by her weight. She stroked my hair, still not coming up.

"Ema..." was all I could choke out. She only squeezed me tighter. Her nails dug into my shoulder.

"I'm so glad you're okay." she whispered, still sobbing. I said nothing. I wasn't okay. She lifted her head and kissed mine.

"Fuck... I was so scared. I love you so much."

I sniffled. "I love you more."

Emalee sat in the chair next to my bed, and Titus rushed in almost immediately, standing in the doorway. I noticed his arm was in a sling. Instead of coming toward me like Ema did, he stood in place and shut his eyes, pressing his fist to his mouth (with his uninjured hand). He turned away and let his cheeks puff up while he exhaled. I smiled softly. He was having a moment and he didn't want us to see him cry. Almost like Leah, he didn't show much emotion, though it was easier to read him. He is my triplet after all. I watched him wipe his eyes before walking toward me rather quickly. He attempted to hug me, though the sling prevented him from doing so. I wanted to give him a quick hug and ask him about his arm, but before I could push him back, he sobbed. That's how I knew he was really scared. I hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Ty, your arm-" I began, only to be interrupted by another sob. "Ty, hey-"

"Don't scare me like that EVER again, do you hear me?"

"Your arm, dude, I'm clearly not the only victim."

"I don't care."

"Well I do, so tell me what happened."

"Hey, maybe take a minute? Let's take a walk, bro okay?" Ema suddenly said.

"No..." Titus moaned, holding me tighter.

"C'mon it'll be quick."

"I ALREADY WASN'T AROUND HER WHEN SHE WAS FUCKING SHOT, EMALEE! I'M NOT LEAVING HER AGAIN!"

My parents ran into the room. "Titus, you can come back but let your sister take you out for some air, okay?" Mom said. She pulled him off of me, and he didn't even fight. He just walked with her out of the room as Mom said "I'll be back soon, Dylan, don't worry" over her shoulder. Dad was still in the room.

"Finally, my princess is awake." he said calmly, taking my face in his hands and planting a lingering kiss on my forehead, which led to more sobbing. I shut my eyes. I was so sick of crying, but I definitely needed my dad's presence and it was only then that I realized it.

"I wish it was a dream, I really do. I hate seeing you like this." he said. I just sat in silence, tears pouring down my face as the sound of footsteps entered the room. I expected it to be mom again, until I heard my best friend's voice.

"Dill! You're okay." she sighed, coming to my side and holding my hand. I opened an eye and looked at her, getting chills.

Like Titus, Emalee and I, she and Noah had extremely strong genes. She looked just like her brother: Shoulder length hair, blue eyes, pale complexion. The main difference was that Leah's face wasn't as chiseled, but she could definitely be a model. But her brother was top notch perfect in my eyes.

I pushed away from my dad a bit and looked at her with sad eyes and a half smile. "I'm alive." she squeezed my hand and smiled, her eyes brimming with tears.

I had to know something. "Where's Noah?"

Her face crumpled immediately and my heart dropped. She covered her mouth and turned away.

"Leah w-"

"Noah was shot. He was taken into emergency surgery." As soon as those words were spoken, she completely broke down. If it weren't for my dad immediately coming to her aid, she would've been on the floor.

I froze. I had no idea how to feel. I was so tired of feeling emotions and hearing bad news. I sat back and just let the tears fall. I was hurt that I couldn't even comfort my best friend. She sat on the bed,trying to silence her sobs. I reached out to her and held her to me, already out of tears for the moment. I just let her cry, her gasping being the only noise in the room.