Chapter 3 - The Awakening
Back in Portland, the steady, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor in the ICU suddenly hitched.
I was sitting in the plastic chair beside the bed, clutching Lily’s cold, fragile hand. Her eyelids fluttered.
“Lily?” I whispered, leaning in close. “Nana is here, baby. You’re safe.”
Her beautiful blue eyes slowly opened, glassy and unfocused. When she registered my face, a sob tore from her dry, cracked lips, muffled by the ventilator tube. She squeezed my hand with surprising strength.
Dr. Rostova rushed in, checking the vitals and gently removing the intubation tube now that Lily was breathing on her own. Lily coughed violently, her small body shuddering.
“Nana,” she croaked, her voice barely a whisper.
“I’ve got you,” I said, kissing her forehead. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“She... she locked the pantry,” Lily cried, the traumatic memories flooding back. “She took my phone and my inhalers and locked the pantry. She told me I was a parasite draining my dad's money. I got so sick, Nana. I couldn't breathe. I tried to walk to the neighbor's, but I passed out.”
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I felt a murderous rage boiling in my blood, but I kept my voice soft and soothing for her. “I know, baby. I know. But it’s over. Jessica is never, ever going to hurt you again.”
Detective Vance, who was standing in the doorway, took out his notepad. He had heard every word. The charge just went from child endangerment to attempted murder.
