Ethan was on the ground. No wheelchair. No braces. He had dragged himself across the lawn.
And beside him… a stranger.
“Dad, wait!” Ethan said quickly. “She’s helping me!”
The girl flinched, clutching the jar to her chest like it was something precious.
Daniel’s eyes hardened. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“She was hungry,” Ethan said. “I gave her my lunch. She said she could help me walk.”
Daniel let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Help you walk?”
He had spent millions. The best doctors. The best therapy. Every expert had told him the same thing:
It’s permanent.
Now this… child… with a jar of glowing liquid?
“I’m calling security,” Daniel said, reaching for his phone.
Ethan grabbed his arm. “Please. Just watch.”
The girl finally spoke again. Her voice was calm. Certain.
“Just one drop.”
Before Daniel could stop her, she opened the jar and let a single golden drop fall onto Ethan’s lips.
“Hey—!”
Too late.
Ethan swallowed.
“What did you give him?!” Daniel shouted, panic rising fast now.
But Ethan didn’t answer.
His eyes widened.
“Dad…” he whispered. “My legs…”
Daniel froze.
“…they feel… tingly.”
For a second, Daniel didn’t move.
Didn’t breathe.
Then—
Ethan’s toes twitched.
Just slightly.
But they moved.