Chapter 25
The emergency room of the pediatric hospital was a chaotic blur of nurses, bright lights, and frantic energy. I stood outside the trauma bay, watching through the glass as the medical team gently examined the three rescued children. They were malnourished and severely dehydrated, but miraculously, they had sustained no life-threatening physical injuries.
Lucy arrived at the hospital an hour later, out of breath and carrying a large bag filled with soft clothes, stuffed animals, and warm food.
"Are they okay?" she asked, grabbing my arm, her eyes wide with desperate concern.
"They are physically stable," I replied, running a tired hand through my hair. "But the psychological trauma is going to be immense. They are completely withdrawn. They haven't spoken a single word since we pulled them out of the vault."
"I know how to handle silence, Ethan," Lucy said with a fierce, quiet determination. "I'll sit with them. I'll wait as long as it takes."
She walked into the room, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere from clinical to comforting. She didn't press them for answers; she simply sat on the floor, unpacked the stuffed animals, and offered a gentle, unwavering presence.
Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a message from Sarah, who was waiting at home with Lily and Sam.
Sam is drawing again. He wants to show you something.
I quickly updated Miller on the situation at the hospital and drove back to the house. When I walked through the front door, the atmosphere was heavy with anticipation.
Lily and Sam were sitting at the kitchen island. Sam looked up when I entered, his dark eyes locking onto mine. He didn't speak, but he slowly pushed a piece of paper across the marble counter.
May you like
I looked down at the drawing. It was a picture of three small stick figures holding hands, surrounded by a bright, massive yellow circle.
"He says the yellow circle is the sun," Lily explained softly. "He knows they are safe."
