Chapter 5 - The Medical Report
I stumbled backward away from the refrigerator, knocking over a metal tray of surgical instruments.
The terrifying truth finally slammed into me with the force of a freight train.
Daniel and Vanessa were not just abusing children, they were harvesting their blood.
I quickly pulled out my phone and took photographs of the blood bags and the leather restraints.
I needed undeniable proof to bypass the corrupt local police department and go straight to the FBI.
I heard the sudden crunch of car tires rolling onto the gravel driveway directly above my head.
Daniel was back from the hospital much earlier than I had anticipated.
I heard the front door open, followed by the heavy footsteps of two men walking into the kitchen.
"Check the perimeter, someone smashed the back door," Daniel's voice ordered coldly.
I realized he had not come alone, he had brought muscle with him.
I looked frantically around the basement for another way out.
I spotted a small, ground-level ventilation window near the ceiling in the far corner.
I stacked two plastic storage crates on top of each other and climbed up as quietly as I could.
I popped the metal screen off and squeezed my shoulders through the narrow opening.
Just as I pulled my legs out into the muddy garden, the basement door above flew open.
A man in a dark suit rushed down the stairs, sweeping the room with a flashlight.
I crawled through the wet bushes, ignoring the thorns tearing at my skin.
I ran two blocks down the street before daring to pull out my phone again.
I had a missed call from Marcus, the paramedic.
I dialed him back immediately, struggling to catch my breath.
"Clara, I just pulled Emily's preliminary toxicology report from the hospital lab before Daniel's lawyer could seal it," Marcus said urgently.
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"They found high traces of a synthetic paralytic in her system."
"It is a highly restricted drug that is only legally manufactured by Daniel's pharmaceutical company."
