*Seven, leave here.*
Seven? Who else besides her family knew she was the seventh child?
*Go. Go. Go...* The man's face turned red as his eyes widened, desperately trying to signal her.
Juniper stared at him. She suddenly remembered their first meeting, when he mistook her two fingers for seven. Perhaps, from the very beginning, he had done it on purpose.
"Who are you?" Juniper leaned over, pretending to check his vitals, while mouthing the words.
Silas looked at her, tears blurring his vision, and slowly moved his lips:
*Save Mom.*
*Save Five.*
Mom? Five?
Juniper froze for a few seconds as the taut strings in her mind violently snapped. She stumbled back a few steps, her breathing turning ragged.
"Are you okay?" Shanley was startled and quickly caught her, his voice laced with worry.
"I'm fine." Juniper shook her head, instantly masking her emotions. "My legs cramped. I lost my balance."
Shanley studied her intensely but didn't notice any outward panic. The people watching the monitors wouldn't suspect anything either.
Juniper prepared another syringe and returned to the bedside, mouthing words twice more.
The first time: *Are you my dad?*
Silas blinked and gave a weak nod.
Juniper felt a crushing weight on her chest, like a boulder pressing down on her. In the cramped room, she could barely breathe.
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