Chapter 23 - Maya's Drawing
The following morning, Maya insisted on seeing her brother.
Against Dr. Lewis's initial objections, detectives arranged a carefully supervised visit.
The seven-year-old entered the room wearing a colorful hospital cap decorated with cartoon stars.
The moment she saw Ethan, she smiled.
"You came back."
"I promised."
She climbed carefully onto the chair beside his bed and hugged him gently.
"I knew you would."
Detective Harris remained near the door, pretending not to watch.
Maya reached into her backpack.
"I made something."
She handed Ethan a folded drawing.
It showed two children holding hands beneath a large tree.
Above them stood a smiling woman.
Behind the tree...
A tall man dressed entirely in black.
Ethan stared at it.
"Maya..."
"Who is that?"
She answered naturally.
"The man who always watches."
The room froze.
Detective Harris slowly stepped closer.
"What man?"
Maya pointed to the drawing.
"Him."
"Have you seen him before?"
She nodded.
"Lots of times."
"When?"
"At the hospital."
The detectives exchanged alarmed glances.
Dr. Lewis knelt beside her.
"Sweetheart..."
"Can you tell us where?"
Maya counted on her fingers.
"In the hallway."
"In the elevator."
"Outside the window."
"And once..."
She hesitated.
"...inside Ethan's room while he was sleeping."
The detectives immediately looked at one another.
The security footage had only captured one visit.
Had there been more?
Maya quietly pointed toward the drawing again.
"He always smiles."
"But..."
Her smile disappeared.
May you like
"...his eyes never do."
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