MY NEIGHBOR WARNED ME NOT TO GO HOME—WHAT THE POLICE FOUND LEFT US FROZEN.

my name is Rachel Burns this year marks my 10th year working as a pharmacist at Newton Welsley hospital this morning as I tied back my shoulder-length brown hair I smiled at myself in the mirror never forget to smile even when you're busy this is an important lesson my mother taught me my smartphone shows 6:30 a. m. my Hospital shift starts at at 8:00 before that I need to prepare breakfast and lunch for my son Lucas and help my husband Michael get ready for work some people say I'm too much of a perfectionist but my meticulous nature actually helps me balance work and parenting in my current lifestyle Mom did you wash my soccer uniform an energetic voice Echoes from the living room Lucas just turned eight this year he's a third grader at the local elementary school and is always passionate about soccer after school with his bright and active personality he's popular among his classmates though he seems concerned about his father coming home late recently he's grown into a kind boy who's always thoughtful of me I washed it last night it's already dry I answered and Lucas broke into a big smile my husband Michael works as a middle manager at an IT company he's tall and dedicated enough to go to the sports gym three times a week his neat appearance and meticulous personality might be similar to mine married for 8 years until recently others considered him an ideal husband however he has a side that doesn't show to anyone he becomes indecisive when faced with important decisions good morning Michael appeared in the kitchen after his shower and kissed my cheek it's our daily morning ritual but lately something has felt different looking back we met 8 years ago at a mutual Friend's Wedding attracted to Michael's sincere personality we dated for a year before getting married at that time my sister Ashley was the one who congratulated us most sincerely Ashley with her model-like figure and flashy clothes works as a beauty influencer she recently went through a sudden divorce 3 months ago and is now living at our parents home though I'm worried about her seemingly unstable mental state I've tried my best to be understanding our family lives in Riverside Gardens a quiet residential area in the Boston suburbs on weekends our routine includes walking along the Charles River or having family picnics movie watching is also our precious family time while Lucas loves action movies Michael and I enjoy romantic comedies we're particularly close with our neighbor Martha who's a warm Hearted Woman in her mid-60s she's been looking after Lucas since he was little she's active in the church community and sometimes brings us homemade apple pies on holidays in the kitchen as the toaster releases its fragrant Aroma I finished preparing breakfast the table is set with fresh whole wheat toast scrambled eggs and fresh fruit I also added a salad made with Organic vegetables from Whole Foods Michael is busy checking his smartphone this morning too but this has become part of our daily routine on weekends we should be able to spend more relaxed family time together outside the window birds are chirping announcing the start of a new day as I quietly watched my family I wished this peaceful daily life would continue forever but life sometimes takes unexpected turns at that moment I couldn't have imagined that this tranquil daily life was about to be greatly shaken Monday January 15th 2024 this morning started just like any other the scent of coffee wafting through the kitchen and the pleasant sound from the toaster outside the window a gloomy gray sky stretches out the weather forecast says it will be cloudy with occasional rain at the entrance I can hear Lucas hurriedly preparing for school mom are you coming to watch my practice game today Lucas asked while munching on his pancakes in front of him was a plate of pancakes generously topped with maple syrup and fresh blueberries of course I finishing early today so I can pick you up I answered with a smile Michael had already finished preparing for work and was adjusting his tie recently he had been rushing out of the house more often barely finishing breakfast I'm heading out first Michael briefly announced placing his coffee cup in the sink usually we would enjoy breakfast together as a family but this morning morning felt unusually hurried the day at the hospital was busier than usual at 8:00 a.

m. I changed into my white coat and attended the morning meeting in the pharmacy Department it's flu season and we swamped without patient prescriptions even lunch with my colleague Sarah was cut short to just 15 minutes Sarah looked worried about me but nothing particular was wrong I'm just a bit tired lately the afternoon was focused on dispensing medications checking antibiotic inventory verifying prescriptions counseling patients on their medications the clock hands quickly pointed to 5:30 p. m.

see you tomorrow Rachel Sarah called out you seem a bit down lately are you okay yes thank you just busy I answered with a smile but truthfully I had been feeling something was off at home too I was concerned that Michael was coming home later and we were spending less family time together when I left the hospital a light rain had started falling I quickly got into my car and headed to Lucas's practice location the sound of wipers was clearing the rain somehow felt particularly lonely today at exactly 6:00 p. m.