I Have A Sick Mother

[Content Warning: This scene contains depictions of violence, drug use, coercion, and other sensitive subject matter. Reader discretion is strongly advised.]

Caius stood abruptly from his desk, his jaw locked tight.

Heather had just hung up on him. No explanation. No warning. Just silence.

Why would she do that?

His instincts fired off alarms in his head. Heather never hung up on him without a word. Even when she was angry or frustrated, she made sure he was aware before she ended a call.

And this… this wasn't normal.

He knew something was wrong. He started pacing the room. That call hadn't sounded right; her voice had been faint and distorted. She sounded disoriented and scared?

And that text—i niid ur hapel rigrht nkw—it wasn't just a typo. Those were the words of someone who could barely hold their phone, let alone type. And someone struggling to stay conscious.