x_staff | Dec. 18th, 2003

It is, however, only a moment; Lorna still requires constant attention. Scott, Alison, if I might impose on one or both of you to inform the students to whatever degree you feel is best, and field their questions? I won't be able to monitor the journal system tonight.

Alex is physically unharmed, but has collapsed from a combination of shock and overextension of his mutant ability; I have him on a nutrient drip and feel confident that when he has rested sufficiently, he will wake, none the worse for wear with regard to his physical health, if not his emotional well-being.

Lorna suffered third degree burns over much of her back and right side. There's more--bruises and cuts, I suspect she hurled herself out of the way of the blast and struck a tree--but the burns are, comparatively, the only injury of consequence.

Unfortunately, they are of grave consequence indeed. I've debrided the charred tissue, cleaned the wounds, and performed skin grafts on the worst of the damage; she is young and strong and, I am happy to say, no longer in danger of death. However, her recovery will be long and painful, and it will take a very talented plastic surgeon to rid her of the scarring, once she has completely healed and if she so wishes. I have her on a Ringer's drip to combat dehydration, with an anesthetic for the bruises, skin graft donor sites and, if we are very lucky and her nerve endings in the burned area were not completely destroyed, the burns as well.

I have no meaningful estimate regarding how long she will remain unconscious, but I will monitor her until exhaustion compels me to seek the relative comfort of my couch; if she should take a turn for the worse after I have retired, the alarms will wake me immediately.

Alison, if you take a few standard precautions against the risk of infection, I believe Lorna is stable enough for a short visit. I wish we had happier news with which to mark your homecoming.