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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt that moment, the baby in Hayes\u2019s arms shifted weakly. Its quiet breath cut through the silence like a warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then \u2014 almost imperceptibly \u2014 the woman blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then her lips trembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayes leaned in immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan you hear me? We\u2019re here. Your child is safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The words seemed to struggle through an invisible barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman slowly turned her head. First toward Hayes. Then toward the baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And her expression changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Raw, instinctive, uncontrollable fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo\u2026\u201d she whispered hoarsely. \u201cDon\u2019t touch him\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayes frowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re here to help. He\u2019s exhausted. He needs medical attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head violently. For the first time, her body showed sudden energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t understand\u2026\u201d her voice grew stronger, yet even more terrifying. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand what\u2019s happening here\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The officers exchanged a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s happening?\u201d Hayes asked firmly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman tried to stand, but her legs gave out. She collapsed to her knees, gripping the edge of the mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2026\u201d she nodded toward the baby. \u201cHe stopped crying\u2026 not because he was too weak\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The air in the room seemed to turn colder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen why?\u201d Hayes asked quietly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She looked up at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there was no madness in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only certainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBecause he started hearing the same thing I do\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that moment, a sound came from somewhere deep inside the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Faint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scratching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As if someone were slowly dragging their nails along the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His partner spun around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you hear that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayes didn\u2019t answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A cold shiver ran down his spine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sound came again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closer this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The woman covered her face with her hands and began to sob softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t go away\u2026\u201d she whispered. \u201cIt\u2019s been here for days\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hayes tightened his hold on the baby and slowly stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now he understood \u2014 this was no ordinary call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And whatever was in that house\u2026 they hadn\u2019t seen the worst of it yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He took a step toward the doorway\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the sound came again \u2014 right behind the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And at that moment, the baby finally let out a weak cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n