Chapter 1: The Name on the Label
Matthew Reed stood frozen on the park bench, the crushed medical bottle trembling slightly in his hand. Lily stayed close beside him, her small fingers tightening around her crutch as if the world had suddenly tilted.
The boy didnât move.
He just waitedâlike someone who had already seen too much for his age.
Matthew finally looked down at the label again. The name was clear. Too clear.
âLily Reed.â
His jaw tightened. âThis medication⊠was prescribed for her condition. Only our private physician handles this.â
The boy nodded slowly.
âI saw a man,â he said quietly. âHe comes at night. He takes bags from your house⊠but he keeps this one separate.â
Matthewâs eyes sharpened. âWhat man?â
The boy hesitated. His fingers clenched around the torn straps of his recycling bag.
âI donât know his name. But he wears gloves⊠even when itâs hot.â
A silence fell between them. Not peacefulâheavy, suspicious.
Lily shifted slightly. âDaddy⊠I feel dizzy.â
Matthew immediately crouched beside her, softening in an instant. âIâve got you.â
But his eyes never left the bottle.
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Something wasnât just wrong.
It was organized.
