Chapter 1 - The Back Door
The zoomed-in image on the security monitor revealed a dark, thick residue clinging to the inside of the silver cup.
It did not look like herbal tea.
It looked like something that belonged in a chemistry lab, dense and almost metallic under the harsh porch light.
Dr. Reed’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared at the screen.
"He is not coming inside," Dr. Reed said, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper.
Aaron pounded his fist against the glass again, the sound echoing through the empty waiting room.
The glass spider-webbed under the force of his heavy gold watch.
Sylvia stood perfectly still, her face devoid of any panic, simply waiting for her son to break the barrier.
"Get your shoes on," Dr. Reed commanded, pulling me off the exam table.
My hands were shaking so badly I could barely tie the laces of my sneakers.
The paper gown tore completely as I ripped it off, hastily pulling my maternity dress over my head.
"What is inside me?" I begged, the terror making my knees weak.
"We do not have time for the full medical explanation," Dr. Reed said, grabbing her car keys and my purse.
"Your husband implanted a localized infusion port near your uterine wall."
"He has been using it to bypass your digestive system and pump whatever is in that cup directly into your bloodstream."
My stomach lurched, a wave of nausea hitting me so hard I stumbled.
A loud, shattering crash echoed from the front of the clinic.
The glass doors had given way.
"Anna, we are leaving, right now," Dr. Reed said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the rear exit.
We sprinted down the sterile white hallway, my pregnant belly aching with every heavy step.
Behind us, I heard Aaron’s voice ringing out, cold and authoritative.
"Anna, come out here right now, you are acting completely hysterical."
We pushed through the heavy metal fire door at the back of the building.
The bright morning sunlight blinded me for a second as we stepped into the humid alleyway.
Dr. Reed’s gray SUV was parked right next to the dumpsters.
She clicked the unlock button and shoved me toward the passenger side.
"Get down on the floorboard," she ordered, jumping into the driver’s seat.
I curled my body into the tight space, wrapping my arms protectively around my stomach.
The engine roared to life, and the tires squealed against the pavement as she slammed on the gas.
May you like
I heard a heavy thud against the back bumper, followed by Sylvia’s terrifyingly calm voice shouting my name.
Then, we were speeding down the alley, leaving my nightmare standing in the broken glass.
