Chapter 1 - The Wailing Sirens
The wail of the approaching ambulance finally broke the heavy silence behind the hardware store.
Lucas tightened his grip on my shoulders as the flashing red lights painted the brick walls.
My mother, Elaine, immediately began crying fake tears while clinging to my niece Sadie.
Warren stepped forward to meet the paramedics with a perfectly rehearsed look of grandfatherly panic.
"My daughter left her medication out, and our poor granddaughter got into it," Warren lied smoothly to the first EMT who jumped out.
Rage boiled in my veins, but I couldn't waste precious oxygen arguing with him.
I practically shoved Maisie into the paramedic's arms.
"She was drugged by them, and they threw her in a dumpster," I sobbed, pointing a shaking finger at my parents.
The EMT didn't care about the family drama, focusing only on the unresponsive toddler on the stretcher.
They loaded Maisie into the back, and I climbed in right after her.
Lucas tried to follow, but a police officer grabbed his arm to hold him back for questioning.
As the ambulance doors began to close, Warren caught my eye and offered a chilling, triumphant smirk.
Suddenly, a sharp, continuous beep echoed through the small cabin of the ambulance.
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The paramedic's face went completely pale.
"We're losing her pulse, I need the defibrillator right now!" he screamed.
