Dawn took a moment to fully assess Ashley's condition. Earlier, in the hallway, she hadn't had the opportunity to notice the extent of Ashley's injuries while trying to shield Iravan from the three onlookers.
Now, she could see several light and deep scratches marring Ashley's arms and the area beneath her sleeves, likely the result of being thrown against the edge of a table. Dark bruises dotted her chest and leg, probably from the impact of her fall.
Dawn was taken aback by the severity of Ashley's injuries; she appeared almost unrecognizable under the harsh overhead light.
"You mentioned she might not recover from this? Can you explain that?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
In the stillness of the room, the sound of Mr. Lewis exhaling heavily broke the silence, punctuated only by the soft sounds of breathing.
His voice trembled as he spoke, a noticeable quaver in each word that contrasted sharply with how he had sounded at the library.
"The nurses indicated she has a severe concussion, which means there's a chance she may never wake up or walk again.
They mentioned she might require surgery due to a shattered spinal cord."
Dawn felt a wave of shock wash over her; the situation was dire. A part of her ached for Mr. Lewis—Ashley didn't deserve this fate, yet here they were, facing the consequences. Though she had never been a parent herself, she could grasp the profound vulnerability that comes with having a child in peril, a bond that connects them in ways that are hard to articulate.
Suddenly, Mr. Lewis gasped, his voice trembling as he urged, "Dawn, look at her fingers."
Turning her gaze, Dawn noticed Ashley's fingers twitching slightly, a stark contrast to her still, peaceful face.
There was no sign of movement there; she looked as if she were merely asleep.
With a gravelly voice, Mr. Lewis urged, "Dawn, keep an eye on her. I'm going to fetch a nurse." He hurried out of the room, his steps a mix of hope and fear.
The room fell into a hush after a faint thud echoed through the space. Dawn observed Ashley, noting the way her fingers twitched before finally settling still.
A spark of inspiration flickered in Dawn's mind as she narrowed her gaze. She stepped closer, her voice barely above a whisper, cutting through the stillness, save for the sound of shallow breaths.
"Ashley, if you can hear me, could you move your fingers?" Dawn's eyes glimmered with anticipation, but soon that hope began to fade as she saw no response—no movement, no twitches.
Just when despair threatened to take hold, a radiant smile broke across Dawn's face.
Despite the fatigue and pallor that clung to her, she had just witnessed Ashley's fingers twitch twice before falling still again.
In that moment, Dawn realized Ashley was aware of her surroundings, even if her eyes remained closed.
The sound of the door creaking open drew Dawn's attention, revealing Mr. Lewis accompanied by two nurses.
He paused at Ashley's side, gently taking her hand, his eyes reflecting a warmth that contrasted with his otherwise stoic demeanor.
As the nurses positioned themselves beside Ashley, one of them, Mrs. Jane, was the same nurse who had assisted Jonathan during his poisoning ordeal.
Dawn instinctively grasped Mr. Lewis's arm, her touch firm yet gentle, surprising him. A part of him hesitated, but the urgency in her gaze urged him to pay attention.
Finally, he surrendered to her insistence. Dawn tightened her grip and leaned in closer, whispering, "You need to hear this. While you were away, I spoke to Ashley. I asked her if she could hear me, and I encouraged her to move her fingers."
Mr. Lewis ceased his resistance, his focus shifting entirely to Dawn, a flicker of renewed hope igniting in his eyes, even as the redness around them betrayed his emotional turmoil.
He chose to move ahead, and as he did, one of the nurses, Mrs. Jane, turned around upon hearing his heavy footsteps. He leaned in and whispered softly in her ear.
Dawn observed how they managed the situation before deciding to speak up. "Mr. Lewis, I'm going to leave now."
Upon hearing her, he turned and approached her with a look of fierce determination.
A sense of unease washed over Dawn; she sensed he was about to say something she wouldn't want to hear.
He halted in front of her, his face etched with fatigue but his eyes burning with a fierce resolve.
With a voice laced with intensity, he declared, "I understand you viewed that siren as a friend, but he's nothing more than a monster. I promise you, he will never be released.
If you ever consider freeing him, the consequences will be dire. Think carefully about your next steps."
Dawn nodded, absorbing his words, and exited the room, grappling with the dilemma of her next move. She realized this would not be an easy path to navigate.