"A Descent into Darkness"

Six weeks had passed since the accident, and Ashley's life had become a monotonous routine of drinking and sleeping. She had barely left the house, content to spend her days locked away in her room, surrounded by the memories of her loved ones. Her mother, Karen, had tried to coax her out, to get her to take a walk or meet a friend, but Ashley just couldn't muster the energy. As the days turned into weeks, Ashley's appearance began to reflect her inner turmoil. She was pale and thin, her skin sallow and her eyes sunken. Her hair was dull and lifeless, and her clothes hung loosely on her frame. She had lost herself, consumed by the grief that had taken up residence in her heart. Karen was at her wit's end, worried sick about her daughter's well-being. She had tried everything to get Ashley to snap out of her funk, from therapy sessions to support groups, but nothing seemed to be working. She had even resorted to hiding the liquor in the house, hoping to cut off the one crutch Ashley seemed to be clinging to. But Ashley had found ways to get her fix, sneaking out to the local liquor store to buy more booze. She had become a shadow of her former self, a mere specter of the vibrant and lively person she used to be. Karen feared that if something didn't change soon, she might lose her daughter forever. As she sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, Ashley's mind began to wander. She thought about Gerald and Corey, about the life they had planned to build together. She thought about the what-ifs and the maybes, and the pain that threatened to consume her. Karen sat down beside her, taking her hand in hers. "Ashley, sweetie, I know this is hard, but you can't give up. You have to keep fighting, for yourself, for Gerald and Corey. They would want you to be happy, to live a full life." Ashley looked at her, her eyes empty and hollow. "I don't know, Mom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just don't know if I can do this anymore." Karen pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "You can, Ashley. You will. I'll be here for you, every step of the way." But as she looked at her daughter, she wondered if it was already too late. Had Ashley slipped too far into the darkness, or was there still a glimmer of hope?