The monotonous beeping broke the silence that surrounded it. John held her hand tightly, never letting go. As soon as he received the text from Roxanna, saying Asta had come out of surgery and was headed straight to ITU, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him. Face stained with tears, he couldn't believe the number of bandages that she was wrapped in. He didn't see Asta at all. Just a mass of white cloth. She was still heavily sedated as the doctors wanted to wait until nearly all of her injuries were healed to bring her back round.

John stroked her hand, even though he knew that she wouldn't be able to feel anything. The nurse said that Asta had to have treated allografts on her body and that her recovery from this would take a long time. The nurse also said that the nerves in the upper half of the body was untouched by the fire but the nerves in her right leg were partially damaged due to axonotmesis; an injury to the peripheral nerve. Because of this, she would have to use a cane.

The nurse left John alone, walking out into the empty corridor. She wished she could have given him better news, but she didn't want to build his hopes up by giving him unrealistic expectations on Asta's condition.

As she made her way down the corridor, she saw a blonde-haired woman speed walking down the corridor. The woman looked up and asked what Asta was, so she pointed her in the direction of ITU, which was the hardest place she worked. The patients in there were trapped in limbo in between life and death. She watched how families told their loved ones about what was happening in their lives. She saw the frustration that some families developed when they saw no change in their loved ones' condition.

Heading towards her next patient, she thought of Asta and how she was in this state through no fault of her own. Asta was surrounded by people who loved her and who were worried about her. It was hard not to get emotionally involved with it, but she just had to move on with the next patient. It was a never-ending cycle and she was in danger of burning out.

….

Roxanna was sitting on the opposite end of the bed. Her mind was being bombarded with questions about David more than anything. He showed the scan to her this morning. She saw that small parts of his brain were blue, indicating that blood wasn't getting to those parts. He told her that the reason that he was at work most of the time was so that she didn't see the symptoms and make a fuss of him. She couldn't believe how much of an idiot she had been towards him, thinking he was doing the dirty on her whereas he had been dealing with this on his own.

How could she had been so blind?

She should have known better than to make wild assumptions and letting paranoia consume her. Her marriage could have been shattered over something that wasn't true. She vowed never to leave him and that they will weather the storm together. He kissed her for the first time in many months. By the way he was speaking to her, it became clear that he wanted more.

Roxanna declined at that moment, as she was going to see Asta. He kissed her goodbye then went back to the hospital. Her mind became filled with uncertainty about the future. She knew that, in time, David would forget his friends, his family and even her. His memory would become muddled and he could possibly become violent and lash out.

Until then, they would make good use of the time they did have before it happened. Ideas conjured up in her mind to try and make it more bearable for him. Creating albums and memory boxes with detailed descriptions. John looked up and noticed that Roxanna seemed puzzled. She must have sensed that John was watching her as she met his gaze.

Looking at Asta, she daren't tell John about David as it would push him over the edge. He already had enough to worry about. She would tell him after Asta was out of danger.

"Have you heard anything from the police yet, John?"

"No, nothing new. I'm going to go there after."

"I just hope that they won't get away with this."

"Oh, they won't. I'll make sure of it."

John clasped Asta's bandaged hand and placed it towards his lips. He just wished that Asta opened her eyes or do anything to let him know that she was safe. Roxanna could tell by John's face that he had been by her side nonstop. He now had a full beard and his hair was tinged with silver. Asta was all he breathed. She was in his thoughts every day, his dreams every night. God knows what would happen if she died. Roxanna had a feeling that John would join her.

"I've been offered a job at St Helena's back home as Head of Neurology."

"That's fantastic, John. What did you say?"

"I told them that I would think about it. However, it's very unlikely that I'll take it."

"You can't stay here forever, John. You have a career to think of."

"It won't be the same without her."

"Remember when you were unsure of letting Asta to go to Glasgow, but you let her because you loved her?"

"Yes."

Roxanna leant over Asta a little to bring her face closer to John's.

"If Asta was awake right now, what would she say to you?"

"She would say take it and that she would be alright."

"That's right. I'll be staying here for a while longer with David. I'll look after her."

"You sure? I don't want to push it all on you."

Roxanna shook her head.

"You need to try and get your life back to normal as possible. Otherwise you'll be stuck in a rut."

"Alright, Rox. I owe you one."

Leaving a fleeting kiss on Asta's forehead, John got up and made his way to the nearest phone to call back his employers. Roxanna was right. He needed to get his life in order. Roxanna would call if anything happened. As he dialled the number, fear began to set in. He knew he had to do it. He felt that he had Asta's support and that was more than enough.

….

John was in his office, head in one hand while the other held the phone. It had been months since he left Asta in Lisbon. He understood that she was receiving the greatest care possible. He was doing paperwork in the office when the call came in. Looking at the number, he saw that it was international. He looked at the clock and discovered he had been on the phone for an hour.

"But I don't understand. They should stand trial."

I'm sorry sir, but we had to let them go.

"Based on what?!"

I can understand your anger, sir. Believe me, I feel the same. I have a daughter the same age. But I have my orders.

"You do realise that two women's lives have been damaged because of those pricks!"

Sir, if you would just calm yourself. The father of one of the lads came in and ordered that they be released.

"And who is he, to fucking break the law?!"

I cannot say, sir.

"Can't or won't?"

*Pause*

Very well, sir, but you didn't hear it from me. The father is a prominent judge from Britain and who is very good friends with our Prime Minister. He threatened us with political action if we didn't do what he said.

"I see. I'm sorry for shouting at you, officer."

It's quite alright, sir. You are well within your right. Between you and me, a lot of us here at the station, including our superiors, don't agree with it, sir.

"I understand, officer. I don't suppose there's nothing much you can do but thank you."

No problem, sir. Happy to help.

*DIAL TONE*

John slammed the phone and, in an act of incandescent rage, threw it against the wall. He couldn't believe that those bastards got released. Resting his head on the table, his heart poured out every emotion he could think of. He could feel the sleeves becoming damp with his tears. After a while, the cries ceased.

He clenched his fist as anger began to build up inside him again. All he could think was Asta and Lana lying there in the hospital beds, knowing that Lana wouldn't probably wake up again and Asta would be scarred for life.

They needed justice. If the cunts weren't going to court to face punishment, then John would have to do it for them.

He couldn't stand by watching them walking away scot free. No.

They had to pay. For their sakes.

He tried to think of ways to exact revenge, but his thinking was becoming too irrational due to his emotions. He needed to calm himself. He was at work, so the thoughts had to be put to bed.

But one thing was for certain.

He would take great satisfaction from it.