Chapter 2 - The Blue Pill
The house was suffocatingly quiet after Claire left.
Margaret Hargrove smoothly stepped back into her role as the undisputed master of the estate.
She served Noah his dinner in bed.
She told Ethan that the boy was simply exhausted from the traumatic events of the afternoon.
Ethan sat alone in his massive mahogany study.
He stared at the security monitors.
He watched Margaret walk into Noah’s room carrying a silver tray.
On the tray was a glass of water and a single blue pill.
Claire’s words echoed violently in his mind.
He stood up.
He walked quietly up the grand staircase.
He stopped just outside his son’s bedroom door.
The door was cracked open by an inch.
“You have to take it, Noah,” Margaret’s cold voice drifted into the hallway.
“I don't want to,” Noah whimpered.
“It makes my head feel fuzzy.”
“The doctor said you need it to stay strong.”
“Claire said I was already getting strong.”
Ethan heard the sharp intake of Margaret’s breath.
“Claire was a liar who wanted to hurt you.”
“She did not!”
“If you do not take this pill, your father will send you away to a hospital forever.”
Ethan’s blood turned completely to ice.
He pushed the door open.
Margaret jumped, nearly dropping the silver tray.
“Mr. Caldwell,” she stammered.
“I was just administering Noah’s evening medication.”
Ethan walked over to the bed.
He looked at his terrified son.
Then he looked at the small blue pill resting in the crystal dish.
He picked it up.
He slipped it directly into his pocket.
“He will not be taking this tonight, Margaret.”
Margaret’s face paled.
“Sir, Dr. Vance was incredibly specific about the regimen.”
“I said no.”
Ethan’s voice was dangerously quiet.
“Get out of this room.”
Margaret swallowed hard.
She bowed her head and quickly exited the bedroom.
May you like
Ethan sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his trembling son into his arms.
He suddenly realized he had absolutely no idea who was running his life.
