Page 49 of Dark Medicine

“Jesus,” said Adam under his breath. “If the dust affected fetuses, we may be dealing with more children than we originally suspected.”

Kane ran his hand through his hair and paced the room.

“I didn’t mean to make you mad, Mr. Kane,” said Kelly, looking frightened and terribly young.

“You didn’t make me mad, sweetie. I promise.” He looked at the young girl twisting her fingers. “Kelly, you promise you’ve never shown anyone this?”

“I swear, Mr. Kane.”

“It’s just Kane,” he said, smiling. “Okay, I need you to keep it that way. You may be able to help us at some point, but you are not to risk your life. Is that clear?”

Kelly nodded and smiled. Her parents were still in shock and pulled her into their embrace. Melanie hugged her daughter tightly and then walked with her back toward the bedrooms.

“Well, if I wasn’t in one hundred percent before, I certainly am now,” said Uri. “I had no idea. I swear to you all, I had no idea.”

“We believe you, Uri,” said Adam. “You could have never worked with Moore willingly if you had known. It makes me wonder if he is unaware of the fact that the dust affected fetuses.”

“Could be,” said Kane.

There was a shuffling on the front porch, and Kane pushed Aislinn behind him, Adam following close by. Flip stood on the front porch with a woman who looked thin and sick. Three small boys stood behind her.

“All okay, brother?” asked Adam, moving closer to look at the woman.

“I don’t know, Adam. Mrs. Henry is not doing so well. I don’t think they treated her very well,” said Flip through clenched teeth. Flip was tempering his words so the boys wouldn’t get upset, but it was clear that Mrs. Henry had been starved and beaten during her time in captivity.

“The bad men were mean to Mommy,” said a dark-haired little boy. “I wanted to beat them up, but Mommy wouldn’t let me.”

“What’s your name?” asked Adam, smiling at the boy.

“I’m Thomas, and that’s Todd and Taylor. We’re thriplets.”

“Thriplets?” smiled Adam. “Do you mean triplets?”

“That’s what I said!” said the little boy with indignation.

“Of course you did,” said Fiona, kneeling in front of him. “You all are so very handsome. Are you hungry? Would you like a snack?”

A chorus of squeals and ‘yes, please’ rang out, and Fiona and Aislinn took the boys into the kitchen while Adam examined Karen Henry. He gripped her wrist lightly and frowned, her body functions breaking down even in the moment.

“I need to get her on an IV right away. Her kidneys are failing, and her heart and lungs are weak. She needs food and water and rest, not necessarily in that order.” Flip, Spook, and Kane scattered to collect what Adam needed as he lay the woman on the sofa.

“They didn’t give us much food. I had to feed the boys first,” she said quietly, a single tear sliding down her gaunt cheek.

“It’s okay. You’re going to be fine,” said Adam.

Fiona stood at the head of the sofa, staring down at Karen Henry. She looked over at the boys, then back at the woman. Kneeling beside her, she held her hands.

“Fiona…” Adam started to stop her, then realized she would do what she wanted no matter what. He only looked into her eyes and smiled, giving her a nod.

Fiona held Karen’s hands, her warmth and light seeping into the woman’s skin. Color began to appear on her cheeks, her face suddenly fuller and more alive. Simultaneously, Fiona’s face became pale and gaunt, then slowly returned to its normal healthy glow. It was still alarming to see, and Adam’s stomach lurched for just a moment.

Adam laid his hand on Karen’s abdomen and shook his head. Her organs were functioning normally again. He would still give her the IV and some nutrition, but she was out of the woods.

“I-I feel better. How did you…” stumbled Karen.

“It was nothing,” said Fiona and Adam at the same time. Adam pulled Fiona toward the kitchen and held her close to his chest.

“When are you going to recognize how dangerous that is?” he asked.

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