You felt relieved knowing that everyone had come together to pull Will out of that nightmare. He had spent time in the hospital, but now, finally, he was home.

Even so, he hadn't returned to school. Frequent body aches and the weight of fresh trauma left him too afraid to go out alone. You assured him he could stay home as long as he needed, and the school understood. For now, he was all yours.

But he had been so quiet, so distant. It was almost a cruel parody of Will—once so bright and full of energy. Now, he lingered in the corners of rooms, watching you or Jonathan in silence.

At this moment, he sat at the kitchen table, calmly coloring with his new box of crayons.

Then, in a whisper—

“Mom…”