d the chemotherapy protocol in detail, using words like "intrathecal" and "

Dr. Frye warned. "He needs to stay in the

to Jules's room. He was awake, watching cart

ored," Jule

to go talk to the doctor again for a minu

ghed, turning ba

the nutritionist. She was gone

e back, the

ing. She checked the bathroom. Empty

ed her chest. She ran out int

tation. "My son! He's go

down the hall, checking every room, every closet. Her mind was racing w

He saw a colorful toy cart being pushed down the hall and, curious, followed it. He only made it twenty feet from

on one of the sofas was a man in a dark suit. He looked tired.

an's shoe. A silver cufflink, shaped like a tiny shie

behind him. He bent down and picked up the cuf

ing Leo. Instead, he saw a small boy standing by

soft. He held out the cufflin

his lungs. It was like looking at a

the boy tilted his head when he spoke. It was Caleb. I

in's pale face. He looked at the boy. His

ing. He couldn't breathe. The grief, the

rack. "Thank you," he said, taking the cufflink. His fingers bru

aid. "I'm lost. I

said, his voice rough.

ream echoed d

Jules standing next to a stranger. She didn't think. She just moved

emanded, checking his arms, his fac

oys," Jules sniffled, wrapp

on. Her breath caught. It was him again. The pine scent. The cold

d, adjusting Jules on her hip.

er arms. The resemblance was uncanny. It was im

ipped. He stood up, straightening his

said. "Come on, Jul

mix of shock and raw grief-pricked at the edge of her mind. It was more than surp

after the woman and child. Dr. Frye had been the Whitfield family physici

A chill ran down his spine. The bone structure. The

He turned away, his jaw clench

t kid-" Le

walked out of the lounge,

glass of the window. He closed his eyes. Caleb's face flashed b

ed to himself. "It has to be. Caleb

een planted. And it was alr