Theresa Ashmore doesn't want to think about the pain her son Brian will go through. "It's very hard. It's very hard seeing your child lay there and you can't do anything."

Brian Ashmore and his friend Alex Brown are burned from the waist down. The 4-year-olds wandered through an unlocked gate to play in a neighbor's backyard.

They found a full gas can and poured it down a plastic slide. Spokane Fire Investigators think as they went down the slide, static electricity from their clothing sparked the flames.

"The really good news is that their face and hands are not burned," said Dr. David Heimbach with Seattle' Harborview Medical Center.

Alexander is doing better. Doctors have already removed his burned skin, he's in serious condition.

Brian's condition is worse. He's in critical condition and has already had three surgeries to control his swelling. Doctors will remove his charred skin on Friday.

"He knows you're in the room with him. He holds your finger. He touches you. He moves his finger," said Theresa.

Doctors think both boys will be in the hospital for a couple months, then face a year of rehab.

But doctors give Theresa hopeful news. "In a year from now they're going to be out playing soccer and being normal kids," said Dr. Heimbach.

It's hopeful news, that will keep Theresa going. Someday she'll get her son back.

"Give him a big hug. Hold him. Not let him out of my sight."