the darkness.
“What?”
“She left the hospital.”
My first thought was that she had experienced some kind of medical crisis.
Maybe she had panicked.
Maybe Marcus had taken her somewhere.
Then I asked the question that changed my life.
“Where are the babies?”
Another pause.
“They’re here.”
I stopped breathing.
“What do you mean they’re there?”
The nurse lowered her voice.
“The babies are still at the hospital.”
Alone.
I don’t remember getting dressed.
I don’t remember locking my door.
I remember driving too fast.
I remember running red lights.
And I remember thinking over and over:
Something happened to Vanessa.
There has to be an explanation.
When I reached the maternity floor, a nurse led me into a quiet private room.
Three bassinets stood beneath the window.
Three tiny newborn girls.
Beside them sat Vanessa’s purse.
A few personal belongings.
And a folded note.
No Vanessa.
No Marcus.
I
