Asher had been given seven days to act.

Adrian was brought to the hospital on the first day of the last month of the year. It is now the seventh day.

Feeling tense, Asher fiddles with the syringe in his hands.

He's now outside the hospital building - by the parking lot. Dylan had given him the formula to inject into Adrian's system. It will work like poison, and it will kill him in his sleep. He is to dispose of the vial properly so that it will look like he died on his own.

Asher had tried to tamper with the formula by getting some help from Gilmore. He tried to recreate a harmless version of it, but all his attempts were futile. The poison was created for the purpose of death.. It can't be altered to save a life.

'Damn it!'

Asher clenches the syringe with his fist.

He has to do the deed today or he will find Cassidy dead tomorrow. The thought alone tears at his heart. As much as he wants to tell everything to Charles and Edward, his every move is being monitored.

'Can't I just save them both?'

He can't.

Dylan made sure of that.

Cursing his name, he silently stomps into the building. He had asked to be the one to watch over Adrian today. Everyone else has work to do. Irish had given him detailed instructions. Edward had simply said he'd keep Aira company along with Joshua and Hugo.

Asher and Adrian will be alone in the hospital room for a few hours.

He keeps his gaze on the ground as he walks through the hospital. Having already memorized the direction despite only being in it twice, he doesn't need to look up to know where he's going. He avoids the looks of all the nurses as they watch him pass by, keeping the syringe hidden in his fist and close to his side.

It's because of his persistence to look down that he accidentally bumps into someone. The person tumbles forward, and by reflex, he lifts his hands up to help them regain their balance.

"Oh, I'm sorry!

"

"Huh? Gilmore?

"

Asher recognized that it was only the Millicent family's doctor. Both are surprised to see each other. Gilmore greeted him with a small smile that immediately dimmed down. With a hooded gaze, he proceeded to say,

"Didn't expect you'd start showing up more often, Asher. I already heard about what happened to Ma'am Cassidy. How very unfortunate-

"

"Yeah, it is. Mind if I go now?

" Asher cut in, brushing past Gilmore and continuing on his way.

"What a grumpy dude. You know, you can always try to depend on others.

"

"Why do you care?

"

"Just because. You're all too young to be living this kind of life. It's always one tragedy after another.

"

He sounded so concerned as he said that. Sparing him one last glance, he then took his leave and strode down the hallway. Asher just shook his head and walked out of there as well, deciding not to think much about what he said.

'Doctors. I'll never understand them.'

Eventually, Asher reached Adrian's hospital room.

He found him asleep, and so, he had to spend half an hour or so without doing anything. He sat on a chair beside his bed, his train of thoughts keeping him company.

They must've been very loud as Adrian stirs then.

Asher finds the quality of watching a patient return to the realm of consciousness strange. He had seemed much like a ghost already, so to him, it quite looks like he is rising from beyond the grave.

'All the more reason to send him back to the dead where he belongs-'

"Asher!

"

Taken aback, Asher whips his head to the side. There's no one there - no Cassidy blocking his way and keeping him from taking another step closer to her precious hubby.

Asher grits his teeth and sinks back into his seat. On second thought, he's still mad at Adrian about this one. If only he didn't let that thing happen to Cassidy, he wouldn't have to be so torn between the two of them.

'Whatever. Cassie can keep her bloody hubby all to herself if she wants to. Well, whatever is left of him, that is.'

Asher notices Adrian looking at him with glazed eyes. He still didn't know. Edward said he's too out of it back when he first woke up. So, he still wasn't aware.

"Listen, Shade...

" Asher started, leaning forward, before Adrian could attempt to say anything.

"You tell me what happened at that building right now or so help me I will unplug every goddamn machine in this room.

"

He's satisfied when Adrian seems to register his question well enough. Yet he says nothing for a solid minute, and he begins to get annoyed. He doesn't have time for this.

"Well...?

" Asher prodded.

"Are you going to say something? Don't worry about making it sound all pretty. I just need facts. I don't need your eloquence.

"

His brows furrow.

Adrian looks as equally annoyed as him then. He opens his mouth to speak but still struggles for a few seconds. Eventually, he found his voice - weak and raspy.

"We were attacked,

" was what came out of Adrian's mouth.

"Yes, I know you were attacked. Cassie's missing for goodness' sake,

" Asher muttered.

"Missing?

"

As he croaked that out, his eyes flew wide. His stunned expression then became strained.

"Did you not know? Didn't you see them carry her away?

"

Adrian closes his eyes and turns his head. Asher is not very good at reading expressions, but he can clearly see the pain and anguish on his face. Then, he answers,

"No.

"

At the revelation, Asher's back to being stumped. He'd been so ready to hear from him that he hadn't stopped to think there'd be a chance he doesn't know what happened. All he wants is to get Cassidy back so he doesn't have to kill him.

"No...

" Adrian intoned brokenly, his eyes cracking open.

"No... Know... What...?

"

His attempt at a question causes him to cough harshly. Asher stands awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do now in the light of things.

"C-Cassidy...

" he attempted to say again, his voice breaking.

"K-Kidnapped?

"

"Yes...

" he sighed.

"She wasn't with you when you got wheeled to the hospital.

"

Adrian scowls, his half-lidded gaze darkening. Asher takes notice of his hands curling into the sheets, his entire body trembling with what seems to be fear, distress and anxiety.

"Fire...

" Adrian mumbled, and for a second, Asher wasn't sure if he's talking to him or to himself.

"Explosion... Outnumbered... But not outmatched...

"

"Who are you? The Riddler?

"

"I... will... find her.

"

Asher isn't too sure about that. He might beat him to it. Still, to keep up the act, he leans forward to Adrian and looks at him threateningly.

"You better.

"