After breaking nearly every speed limit, Ashley managed to get them to the hospital at nearly the same time the ambulances arrived.  Seeing a bloody, unconscious Aiden being pushed into the hospital on a stretcher, Ashley ran ahead.  Grabbing the boy’s limp hand and hurrying alongside the paramedics, Ashley looked down at him.  “It’s gonna be okay, Aid,” she promised quietly, letting go of his hand and watching as he was pushed into a room beyond the waiting area.

“Ashley,” Spencer murmured, coming up to the brunette’s side. 

“Oh, Spence,” Ashley whispered, pulling the blonde into a hug.  “I’m so glad you’re okay.  I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to you.”

There was a sudden rush of noise and movement as the paramedics pushed another stretcher through the waiting area, heading for the emergency room.

“Kyla!” Ashley shouted, catching sight of the ashen figure.  “Oh my God, Ky!”  She raced over, grabbing at her sister’s lifeless hand, noting the spattered blood at the girl’s midsection.

“Miss, you’re going to have to move,” one of the paramedics admonished lightly, removing Ashley’s hand so that they could wheel Kyla away.

Ashley collapsed into a chair in the waiting room, the world spinning around her, unsure of what to do or say next.  She watched in detached silence as family and visitors streamed into the waiting room, offering comfort to those around her.  Arthur Carlin rushed in, tears shining on his cheeks as he found his three children and pulled them to him, happily sobbing as the group held onto each other.  Madison fell into Sean’s arms, seeking comfort, and they clasped one another tightly before Sean’s cousin Boz joined their embrace, the trio hugging each other.  Parents and their children, brothers and sisters, friends, all giving each other comfort and solace in this time, while Ashley sat all alone, staring down at her blood-covered hands.

Paula Carlin appeared in the doorway, her gloves and scrubs smeared with blood.  Ashley jumped up and shakily ran to her, fighting back a wave of dizziness.  “Mrs. C, please.  How are they?  Kyla?  Aiden?”

Paula sighed and wiped at her sweaty face with her forearm.  “Ashley, I can’t really talk to you about Aiden.  I have to talk to family.  Are his parents here yet?”