Hours had passed as I sat in the hospital hallway, my body slump, my eyes on the floor unfocused and burning.

Isaia sat beside me, he hadn't moved in all the time we'd been driven to the hospital, he had refused to leave me.

I couldn't explain how I felt, it was indescribable. Broken perhaps, but worse. The world around me seemed to buzz past, many people talking to Isaia beside me, attempting to talk to me, but I couldn't respond, I was speechless, empty. I had been physically unable to move since Isaia had been the one to peel me off of Dawson, his strong arms around my middle as he hauled my screaming and kicking body from Dawson's still and quiet face.

Isaia had his hand on my back, rubbing soothing circles as I leaned forward, nausea rising, my chest burning. My eyes remained trained on the white floors, twitching when I could hear a woman enter the hall, frantic, her accent catching my attention.

I lifted my neck, the bones crunching as my eyes met the scene in front of me. Instantly, I knew who she was, by her hair, her skin, her eyes. A doctor stood in front of her, and then Isaia stood, recognising her as I had by her features

We watched on as the head doctor held onto her shoulders, steadying her when he broke the news to her. Expectedly, a scream erupted from her mouth, her body crumpling as two police officers attempted to hold her together, apologising repeatedly as she collapsed to her knees "No, no, no, no!"

My heart sunk. This was her child, her little boy, her brave, smart, precious child, and he was gone, taken from her.

I dropped my head again, closing my eyes. I tried to block out the crying, but it was near impossible.

"I'm need to use the bathroom" I stood, my every muscle aching in response

Isaia looked up at me with a nod.

He was a strong man, I'd known that since day one, but I could see that even this had damaged him.

I moved down the hallway, taking a left before heading into the singular bathroom. I locked the door behind me once inside and then, I broke, all over again. I leaned my arms on the sink, my head dropped, tears streamed as I sobbed uncontrollably. My skin was cold, my chest tight. Every part of me was aching, mentally and physically, I hadn't ever felt so much pain, I would have preferred Wyatt hit me on the forehead a thousand times over than to feel the loss that I did in the moment I'd lost Dawson.

In the midst of my meltdown, the nausea I had earlier felt began to rise again, this time, I could not control it. I lurched towards the toilet and released the contents of my stomach, which was little to nothing, water and snacks emptying into the bowl. Forcing my emotions back I calmed my breathing, surprisingly I felt better, my stomach eased despite the hunger growling.

I sat leaned against the wall and wiped my mouth clean with paper towel. I closed my eyes, the bright white lights almost impossible to escape.

I had begun to relax, doze when a faint knock sounded on the door "Jasmine, are you okay?"

It was Isaia

Standing, I let out a sigh, opening the door as he leaned on the frame "I'm okay, just.. feeling a bit sick.."

He placed a hand on the top of my head, smoothing the wisps down before leading me back towards the main hall "We'll go to the station for the night, there are bunks and blankets there, a small kitchen, you'll be safe there until we sort all of this out"

"The man.. the one who shot him, where is he now?"

I realised that even after the initial incident, I hadn't even thought of what had happened to the man that had inflicted the damage on Dawson. Now, it was all I could think of. It made me angry, he made me angry, he was a killer, just like Wyatt.

As we reached the exit doors, darkness overtook, the stars high above, the half crescent moon clear and bright white sitting directly ahead. It was an unusual sight, most of the time the city lights blinded it, creating a sheet of light that overpowered the natural phenomena.

"The man, he was shot and killed not long after the police got there, they followed suit and when he fired at them, they did what was necessary" Isaia revealed to me

I was somewhat thankful, there would be no need for court, no need to face him for what he had done, yet, I remained angry. What had been the purpose? Two people were now dead, and for what? It was a waste, a complete waste.

The police station was quiet, almost empty. One clerk sat at reception, eating a microwave dinner, 2 police officers sat behind desks, one seemingly watching a tv series while the other tried his best not to fall asleep. Walking through a hallway, we entered a new space, an open space for officers to take breaks, naps, unwind and unpack into their lockers to the right of the room.

A small kitchen was pushed to the back wall, a bathroom to the far left. In the centre of the room were sectioned off single beds, makeshift dark half walls between them for privacy.

Isaia gave me a detailed tour, reassuring me I would be safe and warm, welcome to help myself to whatever it was I needed. I thanked him and when he left the room to head home for a few hours, I sat on my bed, alone with my thoughts and pounding headache.

I wished so badly that I was in a nightmare, that I would wake up snug and safe in Dawson's arms with the morning glow of sunshine drifting in through the window, my bare legs wrapped between the sheets and Dawson's legs. I wanted it more than anything, I wanted it more than I could even have described. I loved Dawson, and I hadn't even had the opportunity to tell him before he had been taken from me.

As my eyes became adjusted to the darkness of the room, I could feel sleep pulling at me. Lying back, tucking myself into the thick navy blankets, I gave in.

I had expected to struggle fall asleep, always having had trouble after my ordeal with Wyatt, Trey and Tony. But I didn't, I hadn't lasted five minutes.

I'd either been left undisturbed, or I'd been so deeply asleep that I had slept through every person moving in and out of the room. When I did wake up, it was because my body felt that it had needed enough, and enough had been a solid 11 unwavering hours. For a second, when my eyes opened, I had forgotten about what had happened, and then it all came rushing back. Grief hit me like a truck,

Dawson was gone.

Like it had the night before, I felt my stomach hurl, the taste of my own salvia itself making me feel ill. The moment I sat up, I ran to the bathroom, gagging uncontrollably despite my stomach being empty.

After washing my face, cleaning myself up the best I could, I exited and was greeted by a woman standing by the lockers - June.

"Hey" She smiled towards me "How are you feeling?"

I nodded, untrusting my voice

"Thankfully for me, desk duty means I can keep you company today, whatever you need, I'm your girl" She tried to lighten my mood, walking to the kitchen where she placed the kettle on boil

"Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate?" She offered

I hadn't ever been a tea or coffee drinker, but the lack of energy within me needed a refill "Coffee, please"

I sat at the small round dining table nearby, watching her mix herself and me a coffee each before I looked down to my lap, my gaze catching notice of the blood, Dawson's blood.

I cringed and was suddenly between the urge of wanting to burn the clothes to rid the memory, or hug them tight, the only part of Dawson left with me.

"Isaia will be back soon, he dropped by the vacation home you were staying at, he's collecting some of your things" June had noticed, sitting in front of me, placing our coffee down on the table "I'm sorry Jasmine" She placed a gentle hand on my knee "I'm so sorry"

I released a sigh, already forcing back tears "I don't.. I don't understand why.."

"It was Wyatt, he was pulling the strings, found some teenager desperate to join the gang.." June told me

"Will this.. I mean.. can this be added to his sentence, that two people he's.." I couldn't say the word, I could barely think it without breaking down

"Wyatt's lawyer, Lawrence, he called the office this morning, he spoke with Wyatt not long after the.. incident.. they came to an agreement.."

"An agreement?" I repeated, completely interested as I wrapped my hands around the searing coffee mug

"He backs off of you in return for no added charge"

I was angry again "No, no that's not right.. he is the reason that Dawson.. it's his fault!"

"I know, I know" June attempted to settle me, her eyes big, soft "But we cant see anymore deaths from this, it ends now, and believe me Wyatt isn't going to be getting away with what he's done, this judge, Garison, he's heavy handed with his sentencing, Wyatt won't see the light of day again, especially now that Garison knows about what happened to Dawson because of him.."

If Wyatt was never to be released, I'd be okay, I'd be satisfied. That monster didn't deserve another ounce of freedom, even for what he had done to Tony.

Feeling myself become sick again, I regained my composure, leaning back as I took a sip of my coffee.

"Are you feeling alright?" June narrowed her eyes on me

I nodded "Just not feeling well"

"Understandable, you must be starving" She stood "Finish that, I'll make you some toast"

I was thankful for having June, she did make me feel better, she did put me at ease. I needed company, I needed friends, if I didn't have them, her, I would return to the dark place I'd fallen into when my dad had passed. That place truly terrified me.

An hour later, Isaia had returned. He had slept, showered and dressed in a clean set of clothes, he looked refreshed, recovered.

As June had said, he had brought me a suitcase of my belongings, placing the black travel bag on my bed for me.

Having eaten and restored my energy levels, I was eager for a shower and change. The warm water was comforting, but I found myself scrubbing and scrubbing at my hands and face, repeatedly trying to erase the blood, the dirt, the salty tears from my skin, attempting to clean myself of the memories.

By 11am, I was beginning to feel restless. June had returned home for the day, giving me her phone number before leaving at the end of her shift.

I had been alone for an hour, if that, and I was already starting to feel like I needed to escape.

"Jasmine" Isaia had reentered the room, his head popping into the doorway "Would you come with me? I have someone who wants to meet you"

Curious, I narrowed my eyes on him "Who?"

"Please.." He held the door open for me, instructing me to follow him without an answer

Hesitantly, I did as I had been asked, walking alongside Isaia until we reached the interview room, the room I had been in more times than I could even count. Slowly, Isaia pushed the door open, revealing the woman sitting inside, her eyes turning to me when we became visible.

For a moment, I froze, unprepared, nervous.

"Jasmine" She spoke my name carefully, moving a few steps toward me, her beautiful hazel eyes roaming over my face

"Jasmine this is Valentina, Dawson's mother" Isaia introduced