After [A Journey of the Twins Novel] Read Free

had a worried look on his face as he guided her into another room, closing the door behind them. Shyanne looked at Drayco. They were enjoying an afternoon snack while doing their homework. She shrugged her shoulders. Both were curious about what was going on so they quietly crept over to where their parents talked. Ears pressed against the door, they tried to hear what was said. All they heard was frantic whispering.
    Suddenly, the door burst open. Their father almost fell over the two teens who knelt next to it. He ignored what they were doing and indicated for them to get up. He was coughing. His nose was running. His eyes were red and bleary, as if he had been awake for weeks without the benefit of sleep.
    "Get your things together. In the morning, we're going on a camping trip. We won't be near a power source so pack things that don't require electricity.” He and Mom went toward their room to start getting their things ready.
    Later that evening, the twins were instructed to go to bed before 9 p.m. They had learned a long time ago not to argue with their parents. There didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary on the television when she and Drayco gave their parents a hug. Her father's cold seemed to be getting worse. She hoped he would be better before they left.
    "Dad, you going to be okay? You have a really gnarly cold this time,” Shyanne said. Drayco nodded his head in agreement.
    "Yes, honey, I took some cold medicine earlier. It will kick in soon. You and your brother go on upstairs and get to bed. I'll be okay by morning.” He gave her a weak smile of encouragement.
    "Love you, Dad,” they chimed together. “You too, Mom."
    "Love you back. Now get!” Dad emphasized his words with a wave of his hand.
    Mom stared at the television with a concerned look on her face. “Love you too."
    The twins hoped Mom was worried about something else, something on the TV, and not about Dad. Their parents had the usual number of colds throughout the year. They lasted a short while. Dad had his head resting on the back of the couch with his eyes closed as they darted up the stairs.
    Shyanne snuck into her brother's room after they finished changing into their nightclothes and brushing their teeth.
    "What do you think is going on?” she whispered so they wouldn't be caught.
    "I don't know, little sis,” he whispered back. “They sure looked bugged about something."
    "Dad sure has a bad cold this time, doesn't he? I hope he'll be okay."
    "I hope so too.” A frown covered Drayco's face. “That cold came on him pretty quick. He was fine before he went to work this morning."
    "Yeah. I hope Mom doesn't catch it. You know how Dad always shares all his colds with her."
    "Yeah. They can be such babies when they're sick."
    The twins snickered. They covered their mouths to hide the noise.
    "You'd better get back to your room. You know how they can be if they find us awake.” Drayco pushed Shyanne toward the door.
    "I know, I know. Just like when they have colds ... real babies."
    That brought on another round of snickers. Shyanne disappeared out the door before her brother could throw a pillow at her.
    The camping trip never happened. By morning, their father was unconscious and having a hard time breathing. Their mother dialed 911 when she couldn't wake him. Before the ambulance got there, he'd stopped breathing. Mom checked him. She found his heart had stopped beating, as well, and tried to get it started again with CPR. Nothing seemed to work.
    The ambulance arrived within minutes. A fire truck was right behind it. The paramedics gently pushed Mom out of the way so they could start working on Dad. She gathered the twins and stood watching in shock. She took them downstairs to the kitchen. After a hug for both of her kids, she picked up the phone and called the grandparents. Shyanne noticed she had a bit of a sniffle and an occasional cough. Her eyes were getting red and bleary.
    One of the paramedics came in to get her as