CHAPTER 1 — The First Crack
The room didn’t move for a full second after Evelyn spoke.
“We open it. Now.”
Noah’s breathing turned shallow, his hazel eyes locked on the medical cutter like it was the only thing keeping him alive. Daniel instinctively stepped forward.
“No—wait. That’s still a hospital cast. We need approval—”
“Approval won’t matter if something inside is hurting him,” Evelyn interrupted, her voice controlled but absolute.
Marissa let out a soft, almost amused breath.
“This is insane,” she said gently. “You’re letting a child manipulate you into breaking medical protocol.”
But Evelyn didn’t look at her.
She looked at Noah.
“Do you want me to open it?” she asked quietly.
Noah hesitated.
Then, almost inaudibly:
“Yes…”
That single word changed everything.
Evelyn placed the cutter against the edge of the cast.
A slow, careful press.
Crk.
The plaster cracked.
Daniel stiffened.
Marissa’s smile faded completely.
Evelyn widened the opening just enough to peek inside.
And then she froze.
“…That’s not possible,” she whispered.
Daniel stepped closer. “What is it?”
May you like
Evelyn didn’t answer.
Because something inside the cast… shifted.
