a

ght feeding th

rey, unrecognizable ash. I watched the fire dance, mesmerized. It felt symbolic. I was burni

ng my eyes, or maybe I was just

with bleach, the harsh chemical scent masking the lingering acrid tang of burning

in, bringing the scent of expensive cologne and fr

, leaning against the doorframe.

outh up. It felt like stretc

He didn't look at me; he looked at the equipment, touching a microscope w

ord slipping out bef

n inconvenience. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a black car

"You've been working hard. A vacati

l. He was paying me off. He was buying my silence and my compliance. H

asked, my voice flat.

't be dramatic, Ava. It

t felt cold against my

"I have to go. Family busine

iss. No 'I'll see you later.' Just the back o

ps faded before I threw th

ibrated against the metal table

gh the encrypted file. The blue light of the s

"fragile." She had

to another. There were photos of her hanging off the arms of low-level mob

as the one that mad

known for "specialized" treatments. The report didn't say what she was doing there, but i

She was back for sanctuary

d up, gripping the phone, read

rang. I

, I ne

eathless. "Something came up. A shipment go

n to me, it's

andle things at the house. Mak

e click

e wasn't there, he chose

me. A sudden wave of dizziness hit me, so strong I ha

swallowed it down, thinking it was j

en and quickly escalated into a sharp, tw

asped, clutch

mething was tea

pplies. My hands were shaking so badly I could bar

tain was spreading on m

art s

t sick. I wa

ago, a night of desperate passion after a close call with a rival gang.

edy happening on t

dialed the only number I could

hen he answered.

with alarm. He was the family doctor, a man who h

" I whisper

the guards hear. I couldn't let Chloe hear. I birthed my grief in silence, cl

corner, wrapped in a blanket, shivering uncont

his face went pale. He didn't ask stupid questions. He went to work.

y, his hand on my sh

s were dry. I had no tea

s a right

eyes hollow. "He's out dealing with 'busin

is eyes. He reached into his bag and p

said. Then he paused. He looked at the vial

napped up

... it looks induced." He lowered his voice to

ad insisted on making for me yesterday afternoon.

n, the horror

"We can't prove anything yet. But be care

l. It felt hea

gainst my arm. I had lost my child. Ethan was gone. And

, I didn't pray for Ethan's safety. I prayed for th