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Adam flew off the couch. In a panic, he scooped up Matteo and carried him into the kitchen. He set Matteo down and reached for one of the pens.

He was vaguely aware of Ian watching from the steps to the den, but didn’t have time for that.

Adam forced his hands to still as he took the cap off. The needle was really long.

Why hadn’t he looked at the instructions?

Matteo wheezed again.

“I’m sorry.”

Adam held the kid’s thigh and jabbed, pushing the plunger and driving the needle through Matteo’s jeans.

It had to hurt, but while Matteo’s eyes watered and his face flushed crimson, he didn’t scream. He probably couldn’t.

It hadn’t been more than a few seconds but Matteo’s breathing steadied. He looked sleepy.

“You okay?” Adam asked.

Matteo nodded

“What did you eat?”

“Candy.” He hung his head.

“Where did you get it?”

Matteo didn’t answer, but he looked toward the den. Ian wasn’t in the doorway anymore.

He’d gone back to coloring.

“I want my mom,” Matteo said.

“Yeah. Let’s call her.”

Adam did and quickly explained.

“Did you take him to the emergency room?”

“No.”

“How is he?”

“He seems fine, just kind of sleepy.”

“It is probably fine, but I’m going to take him in anyway.” She let out a long sigh. “I’ll be right there.”

Adam kept close until Paula came. She was far calmer than Adam expected, like she’d seen this coming. Maybe, living with an allergy as bad as his, she’d gotten used to it.

They left for the ER with a promise to keep him updated on how it went. Adam closed the door behind them and let out a breath.

A near disaster, barely averted, but that wasn’t what had Adam shaking when he returned to the den.

Ian had finally drawn a person. In the picture, a little boy with black hair lay on the ground.

Ian kept coloring, adding details. His expression was blank.

It wasn’t even bestial or cruel. This was more robotic, like he’d simply performed an experiment and awaited the result.