A/N: this isn't the full chapter I originally planned on posting. It'll carry over into chapters 51 and 52.
*Ally's POV*
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Rain pattered against the window and fog obscured the rest of our surroundings as the plane slammed onto the DFW runway, the cabin shaking as we rumbled to a slower taxiing speed and made our way towards the gate.
It was a gloomy day across much of the state of Texas, and Dallas was no better; the thick fog enveloped most of the city even though it was late afternoon. I couldn't tell if it was raining, or if that was simply just moisture in the air.
Either way, it was definitely going to make traveling more tedious.
Not having a carry-on or a checked bag definitely alleviated the process; I made my way straight to the rental area.
After talking to a desk agent and explaining my situation, and waiting about twenty minutes for an opening, I was able to get an older two-door sedan. I thanked the lady and hopped in; I'd drop the car back off in Dallas whenever I decided to leave, and they'd charge me then.
It was going to be about a four and a half hour drive, and seeing as it was around four in the afternoon, I wasn't going to get to the hospital until after dark. I texted Christy's mom, Lorraine, to let her know, and carefully made my way out of the Dallas metro and towards Houston.
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The rain intensified as I drove through open farmland before dying off and clearing up a bit as the evening setting sun poked through the clouds behind me. An orange glow overtook the sky and my surroundings, and there was suddenly a sense of tranquility and peace, since I was the only car in sight on the road in the middle of nowhere, encompassed by beautiful scenery and a spectacular sunset.
I ended up shaving about a half hour off the trip and turned the corner into the hospital parking lot around 8 PM as the darkness of night spread and the city lights in Houston grew.
"You look familiar," the front desk lady said when I walked into the lobby.
I smiled. "Christy Thomas?" I asked.
She typed a few things into her computer before looking grimly at a few papers over the rims of her glasses.
"Fourth floor, intensive care," she said flatly.
I nodded.
I had no idea where to go when I got to the fourth floor, and certainly drew some looks from doctors, PAs, nurses, and even some visitors as I wandered through halls aimlessly, too shy and embarrassed to ask for help, and too clueless as to who I should've asked to begin with.
I was about to give in and talk to the next hospital staff member I saw when I heard a soft voice call from behind me.
"Ally, honey."
Lorraine stood at the end of the hallway, a sad smile wiped etched across her face.
I walked quickly into her arms and she held me there for a few moments, before I felt something drip onto my shoulder.
I stepped back and she wiped her eyes, that sad smile appearing again.
"I wasn't sure you'd be able to come," she whispered.
"I had to."
She nodded and put her arm on my back, leading me to where I presumed we were supposed to go, perhaps to see Christy.
Instead, we went to a lobby-like waiting room off of a hallway and across from a control center-looking row of counters, doctors and other staff sitting behind them typing away intensely on separate screens.
