Ashley sat doubled over on the uncomfortable plastic chairs that adorned the walls of the corridor. Holding her head in her hands she tried to black out the cold sterile room as her mind mercilessly tortured her over the nights events, the guilt and nagging trampling through her thoughts leaving behind the ever present worry and fear she held over Spencer.

She knew that berating herself over and over wouldn’t change anything, she knew it wouldn’t help Spencer. But that’s easier said than done “what ifs” are not simply dismissed when a love one has been hurt.

And so, Ashley couldn’t help feeling somewhat responsible.

She heard the doors at the end of the corridor swing open and hurried footfalls follow but she didn’t look up. Pressing her palms harder into her eyes, the teen attempted to choke back the sobs that wracked her small frame.

“Ashley...” Arthur Carlin stood in front of the Ashley. The eyes that usually held so much compassion, just like Spencer’s, were marred with emotion as they met her red rimmed ones. Another sob escaped and she felt herself being pulled into his arms.

Glen stood behind Arthur, face hard and jaw clenched. He wanted to make someone pay for hurting his sister. Nobody touched Spencer and got away with it as far as he was concerned. He wasn’t prepared to lose another sibling. Shuffling on the spot he surveyed the room, eyes flicking from the walls to his father who was still holding a sniffing Ashley. Reaching out he gripped her shoulder in a sign of understanding, he couldn’t have imagined finding Spencer in the alley and it only increased his loyalty to the brunette knowing that she had practically saved his sister.

Words weren’t useful at this time however. There was nothing any of them could say that would help. “I’ll be okay” and “She’ll be alright” offer little comfort and the words would be hollow and empty till they got some news. So they stood, silently supporting each other and waiting.

After what felt like an eternity to Ashley the doors closest to them opened and Paula Carlin strode through, walking with faltering purpose towards her family.

“Paula?” Arthur released Ashley and stepped towards his wife, the blonde doctor had unease and distress radiating from her in waves. Ashley became aware she was unconsciously holding her breath.

“She’s alive,” Paula croaked, her voice cracking. The breath Ashley had been holding rushed out of her lungs and she felt Glen’s tense form somewhat relax behind her.

“She’s got several head lacerations and extensive bruising and her back has been scratched raw from the brick wall. She also has some cracked ribs and of course… the d-damage she s-suffered…to…”

Paula faltered but they didn’t need to here any medical terms.

“S-she regained consciousness not long after she was b-brought in,”

 The doctor paused and looked at her family, tears beginning to leak out the corners of her eyes as she lost the internal battle between parent and doctor, much like she had the night Clay was killed. The last of her professionalism crumbled as she fell into her husband’s arms.

“Oh Arthur…s-she’s s-so distressed and b-broken! I can’t even… the pain she must be in…how s-scared…she was all alone!...” She sobbed against Arthur’s chest, much like Ashley has done. Glen sniffed repeatedly, clenching his jaw and staring unseeing at the corner of the room. Ashley stood trying to maintain her breathing.

Paula’s words had struck her hard. The blonde doctor hadn’t meant to cause Ashley guilt and anguish as she empathised with her daughters attack but the teen’s self blame took the words like blows to the chest.

It’s my fault. She thought, staring at the doors her girlfriend lay behind. I never should have let her go to collect the food. I should have gone like I’d planned. She would never have got hurt.

“Can we see her yet? I-I need to see her.” The brunette spoke in a faltering whisper, not trusting her voice.