The Daily Injection

Chapter 3 The Monster In My House

They arrived that evening. Chloe came through the door with her arm linked through Adrian's. Lily followed, pale and tired, carrying a small overnight bag.

Adrian gave them a tour. At the nursery, Lily stopped and pointed inside. “That's a pretty room.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Adrian beamed, scooping her up. “You know what? You can stay in here. Just until you’re better. It will bring you good luck.”

He carried Lily into the room and set her overnight bag beside the crib. No one looked at me.

At dinner, Mrs. Gable brought me the weekly menu, as she had for years. Adrian took it before I could.

“Chloe will be handling the household meals for the time being, Mrs. Gable,” he announced. “She knows what’s best for Lily’s recovery.”

He kept the menu in his hand and waited for me to object. I didn't.

Chloe accepted the planner. “I'll take care of it.”

Mrs. Gable looked from her to me. I gave one small nod, and she left the room.

At lunch the following day, Chloe put a dark red soup in front of me. It smelled of beetroot and iron.

“For you, Serena. You need to keep your strength up.” She leaned close enough that only I could hear the rest. “Drink it all. Adrian says your blood is exceptionally pure. Lily is counting on you.”

Under the table, I pressed the switch on the recording pen in my pocket.

“Thank you, Chloe,” I said, my voice even. “How thoughtful.”

That afternoon, Adrian pushed Lily on the garden swing while Chloe watched from the bench.

The ache low in my abdomen had not stopped, but I carried the micro-cameras upstairs. In the nursery, I climbed onto a step stool and fixed one lens inside the air vent.

I checked the feed on my phone. It covered the crib, the bed, and most of the floor, including the spot where Adrian usually sat with Lily.

The second camera belonged in the study, where Adrian and Dr. Evans had discussed the dosage.

I stood on Adrian's leather desk chair and reached for the vent above the bookshelf. One screw remained. I turned the miniature screwdriver twice.

The click of the doorknob was the only warning I got.

The door opened. Adrian looked at the chair, the screwdriver, and my hand inside the vent.

“Serena?” he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. “What in the world are you doing up there?”