Chapter 7: The Father’s Truth
Anika’s eyes narrowed as the man approached the hospital entrance. He moved with quiet urgency, his every step deliberate, but there was something off about his demeanor—something she couldn’t place. The bear’s growls echoed through the rain, low and threatening, its eyes fixed on the man like a predator assessing its prey. She could feel the tension building, thick in the air.
The man didn’t flinch. He seemed almost… familiar with the bear’s presence. His movements were calm, controlled. As if he expected the animal to be there. Anika’s pulse quickened. She needed answers, and fast.
She turned toward the nurse, who was standing behind her, eyes wide. “Call Animal Control again. Tell them we might have a situation.”
As the nurse hurried back toward the hospital, Anika took a step forward, moving into the bear’s line of sight. She needed to prevent this man from getting any closer to Evan, especially now that the animal seemed so intent on blocking his path. The bear, though massive and intimidating, hadn’t moved in a threatening way—yet.
“Hold on,” she murmured to herself, her eyes locked on the man. Something wasn’t right. It was almost as though the bear was keeping him away from the hospital, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that it had more to do with Evan than with anything else. She had to know who this man was.
The man reached the entrance, and Anika finally stepped forward, blocking his way. He paused, looking at her for the first time. His eyes were a cold, calculating blue, and his face was tense with something she couldn’t name.
“You must be Mr. Rowe?” Anika asked, her voice firm.
The man gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. “Yes, I’m Evan’s father. I’m here to see him. I’ve been looking for him all night.”
Anika’s instincts screamed. Father? It didn’t make sense. His story wasn’t adding up. She had already seen the inconsistency in his demeanor, in his controlled movements. He wasn’t reacting like a concerned father should.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t see him yet. Not until we’re certain about the situation.” She crossed her arms, not backing down.
Rowe’s face tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he didn’t argue. “I understand, but I need to see my son. He’s my only child. I’ve been worried sick.”
Anika paused. There was something about the way he said it that didn’t sit well with her. The worry didn’t feel real—it felt practiced, like he’d rehearsed it.
Just then, a loud noise came from the bear. It let out a sharp growl, its posture tense. It had moved forward, blocking the entrance entirely, its eyes locked onto Rowe, as though daring him to take one more step.
Anika felt a chill run down her spine. The bear wasn’t just protecting the boy. It was protecting something else.
The door opened behind them, and the nurse from earlier appeared, pale and shaken. “Dr. Sorel, the tox screen for the boy—he’s been exposed to benzodiazepines, but… there’s something else in his system. Something odd.”
Anika’s stomach turned. There was more to this than she had realized.
The bear growled again, louder now. And for the first time, Rowe flinched.
To be continued…