Chapter 1 - The Boy Who Wasn’t Supposed to Wake Up
“Why is he awake?”
Rachel’s question cut through the pediatric ICU before anyone could stop her.
Six-year-old Eli lay propped against white pillows beneath a blue hospital blanket. Bandages covered his left wrist and right hand. His pale face was swollen, and his breathing came in short, frightened pulls.
Then his arm shot upward.
The IV tubing tugged safely beside him as his trembling finger pointed past his mother toward the two women standing near the foot of the bed.
His grandmother, Linda.
His aunt, Rachel.
The heart monitor spiked.
Natalie gripped the bed rail so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Eli’s tear-filled eyes stayed locked on the women.
“Monster.”
Linda crushed the tissue in her fist.
Rachel glanced toward the hallway security camera.
Detective Harris saw everything.
He slowly raised the small black evidence device in his hand.
“Then why was one camera removed?”
Rachel’s face drained of color.
“What camera?”
Linda turned toward her sharply.
Detective Harris waited until both women were staring at him.
Then he asked quietly:
“Which camera did you think we found?”
Rachel’s lips parted.
Linda reached for her arm.
May you like
Rachel pulled away.
And Natalie realized they were no longer protecting the same story.
