When hospital security quietly took their places near the consultation room entrance, Dr. Lucas Bennett felt that familiar heaviness settle in his chest — the same feeling he always had when something wasn’t right.

“Security is already nearby.”

Lucas nodded. “Good.”

He went back inside.

Emma looked up at him.

Fear filled her eyes.

Real fear.

Lucas approached slowly.

“Emma,” he said softly, “we’re going to do a few tests, okay?”

The girl hesitated.

Then she whispered:

“Do I have to go back home?”

Lucas leaned closer.

“Not until we make sure you’re okay.”

Emma released a breath as if she had been holding it for hours.

Laura immediately interrupted.

“This is ridiculous. My daughter just has the flu.”

Lucas looked toward her.

“Mrs. Collins, I need to ask a few questions.”

“Make it quick.”

“Has Emma taken any medication recently?”

Laura answered instantly.

“Just paracetamol.”

Lucas wrote in the medical chart.