Silent Terrors

John woke up that morning to the sound of a soft whimper. A whimper he knew could have only come from one of the twins, Alanna. Walking into the twins' bedroom he saw Aiden sitting on Alanna's bed with her.

"Alanna no feel good daddy," Adien said softly.

John nodded, walking over to the tiny child he placed a hand on her forehead. Shee was burning hot to the touch.

"Randy!" John called.

"What is it?" Randy came running in at the concern he heard in John's voice "What's wrong?"

"Alanna's buring up Randd, sit with her while I go get the thermometer?" John asked, causing Alanna to bury her head in the pillow.

"Come here Alanna" Randy sat on the bed and pulled the little girl into his lap "Just rest here sweetie, okay?" he looked over at Aiden "Is she afraid of hospitals or is it just that she's sick?"

"She no like hospital, Aiden said. "She won't open up for anybody anymore, not after going to all the doctors for her voice."

"Well what about Jenna?" Randy whispered, gently rubbing Alanna's head "She seemed to like her well enough."

"Not even for her," Aiden said.

"Well we'll see" Randy murmured as John came back in with the thermometer "Maybe we can just take care of her at home, it wouldn't be the first time."

John handed the thermometer to Randy.

"Here, she favors you more, you try," John said.

"C'mon Alanna" Randy smiled when the little girl shyly permitted him to slip the thermometer into her mouth "That's it" he whispered "Good girl Alanna, let's see how you're doing now." He waited until the thermometer beeped, gasping when he read the display: 103.5

"John what do you think?" Randy whispered, showing his boyfriend the readout "You know how she feels about hospitals, you think she could stay here for now?"

"Rand, that's really high for someone her age," John said. "She's gotta go."

Alanna snuggled coser to Randy, letting out whine as she shook her head.

"Alanna he is right" Randy whispered, nuzzling her neck gently "C'mon, we'll all be with you, tell her Aiden."

Aiden looked at Alanna for minute, before picking Alanna's favorite doll, Belle from Beauty and the Best and handing it to her.

"You ready to go sweetie?" Randy gave Alanna a little kiss on the nose when she slowly nodded "C'mon then, let's go, it won't be for long I promise."

Alanna whimpered a little, hugging Belle tightly.

"Sweetie it's okay" Randy kissed Alanna gently "We're just going to go over there, see what's wrong, and get some medicine for it, alright? There will be no uneccesary poking, I promise."

Alanna looked up and shook her head.

"No go," she mouthed the words, no sound passing through her lips.

Randy had never seen Alanna do anything that remotely resembled talking, and were she not so sick he would have been elated "Sweetie I know you don't want to go" he shook his head "But you don't want to get even sicker, do you?"

"No go," she mouthed again, pouting this time.

"Aiden..." Randy looked to Alanna's twin for help "Is there any way I can convince her it's alright?"

"I don't know," Aiden said softly. "Belle always works."

Randy decided to try something, not sure if it would work "Alanna..." he whispered softly "Tell me...tell me why you don't want to go, what's scaring you?"

"Shot," Alanna mouthed. "no want shot."

"Well..." Randy sighed "To be honest Alanna, I don't know if you'll need a shot or not, but if you do, I'll let you squeeze onto me as hard as you can, alright?"

Alanna nodded slowly.

"Me be big girl," Alanna mouthed.