Chapter 1 – The Footage They Thought Was Gone
The ambulance doors slammed shut just as two patrol cars pulled into the driveway.
Inside the backyard, the birthday party dissolved into chaos.
"She's lying!" Carol screamed, pointing toward the ambulance. "She's always been jealous of her brother!"
Officer Daniel Mercer didn't respond.
Instead, he walked directly toward Ethan.
"Sir, we'd like everyone to remain on the property."
Ethan forced a nervous smile.
"Of course."
His heartbeat said otherwise.
Because Dylan hadn't returned.
At St. Vincent Medical Center, Claire drifted in and out of consciousness.
Every movement sent lightning through her spine.
Hours later, neurosurgeon Dr. Rebecca Lawson entered her room with MRI films.
She didn't soften the truth.
"You have three fractured vertebrae."
Claire swallowed.
"And my legs?"
"There is severe spinal cord swelling."
A long pause.
"We won't know for several days whether the paralysis is permanent."
The room became silent.
Claire stared at the ceiling.
Not because she was crying.
Because she refused to.
Across town, Ethan unlocked the security room.
Empty.
"Dylan?"
No answer.
His stomach tightened.
Then he noticed something.
The hard drives were gone.
He called Dylan six times.
No response.
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For the first time in years...
Ethan realized someone else now controlled the truth.
