Charlie and Julia sat comfortably in the waiting room while Paton was persuading the head nurse into letting them see Tancred. Because they weren't related to Tancred, they weren't allowed to see and dismiss Tancred when needed.

"Do you think there's a chance that Tancred's parents will be found?" Charlie asked in a small voice. He was scared, he wasn't going to lie. He knew what it was like to lose a father, even though he did return. But at least Charlie knew he was alive. But Tancred's parents were both missing...and the fire was pretty brutal.

"Oh, Charlie. I'm sure -" Julia looked at Charlie's face; he wanted to know what she really thought. Julia sighed. "I honestly don't know, Charlie. If no bodies are found within twenty-four hours after the fire, then they will be determined perished." Julia said softly.

Charlie let out a dry sob. Julia took him in her arms and hugged him. "Don't give up, Charlie! Just be hopeful, ok? That's all we can do."

"Great news!" Paton headed back towards the others. "We are able to go see Tancred in just thirty minutes; they just have to do a few more check ups on him. And if no family members come to dismiss him, we are allowed to do so ourselves." Paton sat down on Julia's other side.

"Did they say how bad he was?" Julia asked.

"They didn't, but I expect we will find out when we are let into the room." Paton said.

"Uncle Paton?" Charlie asked.

"Yes, my boy?"

"Um, what are we going to tell Tancred?" Charlie asked.

"What do you mean? Tell Tancred what?" Paton asked, confused.

"About his parents?"

Paton took a few moments to think. "Well, I expect we wouldn't have to say anything." Charlie looked back at his uncle, confused. "You see Charlie, it technically isn't our responsibility to tell Tancred what happened, it is the hospital's. And I've expect they've already told him by now. If he's awake, that it." Paton explained.

"Oh," was all Charlie could say. Just then, a nurse walked into the waiting room and up to the little group.

"Are you here for Tancred Torrson?" She asked politely. Charlie looked close at her name tag: Flo.

"Yes, dear. Can we see him now?" Paton asked, standing up.

"Indeed, you can. Follow me," she turned around and headed through the big automatic doors, the others following close behind her.

"And here he is," she knocked on the door panel to let the patient know that he had company. "Just go in and enjoy your visit." She opened the door and they let themselves in.

Charlie was the first to enter the room; there was only one patient there. His hair was an ashy blonde, and not its usual spiky self. He opened his eyes halfway, and gave a slight smile when he saw who it was.

"Charlie? What are you doing here?" Tancred's voice was really hoarse, as though he had not spoken in months.

Both the sight and the sound of Tancred broke Charlie's heart. He knew this was no accident, but to go to this extreme frightened Charlie. Tancred could have been killed. As for his parents…

"We heard what happened and we came to see if you were ok." Charlie had to clear his throat because he was starting to get chocked up.

Tancred picked up on Charlie's anxiety. "Well, I'm alive, so things can't be all that bad." Tancred said, giving a slight chuckle. It was now that he noticed the two adults standing just in the door way.

"Hello Mr. Yewbeam! Ms. Ingledew!" Tancred said, rather cheerfully. The two adults exchanged looks.

"Tancred, has the hospital talked to you at all about what happened tonight?" Paton asked cautiously.

"Just that I was pulled out of my burning house. Lucky I made it out, they said. Was the fire really that bad?" Tancred asked. He slowly tried sitting up in bed; he let out an agonized moan.

"Maybe you should just stay laying down," Charlie said nervously, not wanting Tancred to hurt himself anymore.

"I'll be fine. So the fire, was it that bad?"Tancred asked once more.

"Yes. We weren't allowed to go anywhere near your house." Charlie explained. "But we stayed anyway, to make sure that you were found."

"And my parents? Are they ok?" A hint of panic sounded in Tancred's voice. "Are they on the same floor as me?"

The three visitors exchanged looks with each other. "Give us just one moment please." Paton said, grabbing Julia by the hand and leading her out of the room. Tancred threw a nervous look at Charlie.

"Charlie, what's going on? Where are my parents?" He asked anxiously.

"Oh I expect they are talking to your nurse. Probably asked for your parents." Charlie hated to lie to his friend, but he didn't even want to believe the truth.

"Oh good." Tancred said, lightening up a bit. They both sat in silence, waiting for Charlie's Uncle and Fiancé.

A few more minutes passed before both Julia and Paton walked back into the room, followed by Nurse Flo. "Hello, dear. And how are we feeling?" She asked, looking over his chart.

"I'm fine. Please, I just want to know where my parents are." Tancred said, gazing up at the nurse with desperation.

The nurse took a deep breath. "Well, we have been keeping contact with both the police department and the fire department. They were finally able to put out the fire, and have been conducting an ongoing search of the remains of your house for your parents, and any others that might have been in the house." The nurse explained, never taking her eyes off her patient.

Tancred stared back at her, trying to take in what was being told to him. He took a deep, steady breath. "So, you don't know if my parents are – alive?" Tancred asked slowly, trying to stay calm. There was a slight breeze blowing around the room.

"I'm afraid not. But the fire department has been sending hourly reports with what's going on." Nurse Flo said softly. She longed to say his parents were probably fine, but she knew as much as he did, and promising otherwise would be foolish. "We will let you know if we here anything else. Until then, it says you are set to be released tomorrow morning, and we have been given permission for you to go home with Julia Ingledew, until your parents are found." With that said, the nurse walked out of the room.

Charlie looked at his friend sadly. Tancred was staring at the opposite wall of him; just staring. The little breezes that started a few moments before only grew slightly, however, it started to drizzle a little in the room. The visitors pulled hoods over their heads.

"Tancred?" Charlie asked softly. Tancred gave no sign that he heard him. Tears started to well up in his eyes, and the rain that was falling in the room fell harder. "Tancred, we're really sorry. I'm sure that they will turn up soon." Charlie couldn't stand to see someone so strong like Tancred, in a time of weakness like this. But it was only to be expected.

"I think we better leave now, Charlie." Paton said, turning to leave. Charlie stood there, not wanting to leave his friend, who clearly needed someone. Paton grabbed his shoulder. "It's best we leave, Charlie. There is nothing you can do." Charlie reluctantly turned around, and left the room.