As they worked, I turned back to Amber. “A prank? What were you thinking?” I demanded, my voice a mix of disbelief and fury.

She stammered, trying to explain, her usual smug demeanor replaced by desperation. “I didn’t think… I didn’t know he’d react like this. I thought… I thought it would be a good story to laugh about later.”

Before I could respond, a police officer stepped over, his expression serious. “Ma’am, we’re going to need to ask you some questions,” he said to Amber. She nodded, her confidence shattered, and followed him to the squad car.

I stayed by Caleb’s side, holding his hand, willing him to wake up. The paramedics assured me he was stable, just heavily sedated. “He’ll be okay, ma’am. Looks like he had a reaction to something he was given. We’ll know more once we get him to the hospital.”