Chapter 4 - The Empty Room
Pure, blinding panic consumed every rational thought in my brain.
I dropped the phone, scooped it back up, and sprinted toward a rusted pickup truck idling by the gas pumps.
The driver had stepped inside to buy a coffee, leaving the keys right in the ignition.
I jumped into the driver’s seat, slammed the door, and sped out of the parking lot.
I broke every single traffic law as I raced frantically back toward the city hospital.
My tires screamed as I took tight corners at terrifying speeds.
I left the stolen truck idling on the curb and ran full speed into the emergency room lobby.
The security guards yelled at me, but I shoved past them and took the stairs four steps at a time.
My lungs burned as I reached the fourth-floor pediatric ward.
I burst through the heavy double doors and sprinted directly toward Eli’s room.
I shoved the door open so hard that the handle smashed loudly against the drywall.
The hospital bed was completely empty.
The heart monitor was powered down and pushed carelessly into the corner.
The heavy window was cranked wide open, letting a cold night breeze blow through the sterile room.
My knees finally gave out, and I collapsed onto the linoleum floor.
I screamed my son’s name into the empty air.
Footsteps echoed behind me, and I turned around, fully expecting to see my father holding a gun.
Instead, the hospital social worker I had spoken to earlier was standing in the doorway.
She placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and told me I needed to breathe.
She softly explained that she had noticed a suspicious man lingering in the lobby fifteen minutes ago.
She had secretly bypassed the system and transferred Eli to a locked psychiatric ward under a fake name to keep him safe.
I buried my face in my hands and wept openly with overwhelming relief.
The social worker helped me to my feet and told me I needed to wait in her office until the real police arrived.
I thanked her profusely and walked down the quiet hallway toward the elevator bank.
The heavy metal elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
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My father was standing inside, flanked by two enormous men in dark suits.
He smiled warmly, pulled a silenced pistol from his coat, and politely asked me to step inside.
