I closed my eyes.

Somewhere down the hall, my sons were breathing.

I made myself hold onto that.

Chapter 12 — The Syringe

The door opened, and a man in a pristine white coat stepped in, carrying a small tray with a prepared syringe.

His badge read Dr.

Sterling, Chief Medical Examiner.

“Ah — the patient’s awake,” he said, a strange tight smile pulling at his mouth.