But the instant I brought the phone to my ear, every trace of sleep disappeared.
“Dad…”
The voice was barely audible, trembling with an uncertainty that immediately unsettled me. It belonged to Micah, my six-year-old son, and the faint static surrounding his words made the silence behind him seem even more troubling.
“Micah? Buddy, what’s happening? Where’s your mom?”
I pushed myself upright, suddenly aware of my heartbeat accelerating as I waited for his answer.
“Dad… Elsie isn’t waking up properly. She feels really hot. And… and we haven’t had anything to eat for three days.”
For several seconds, I could barely comprehend what he was telling me. Three days. Three entire days.
“I’m on my way, Micah. I’m leaving right now. Please unlock the front door and stay beside your sister.”
