Dark Web Nursery

1
Just after giving birth, I was added to an online group for secondhand baby items.
Inside, a single used baby bottle was up for auction. The starting bid was a staggering $9,900.
“What’s the model? Weight?”
I was baffled. Why would a used bottle sell for a fortune?
The next second, a photo of my daughter, Lily, appeared in the chat.
The group admin replied: “Eight pounds. Limited edition. One of a kind.”
"Limited edition model, weighs eight pounds. For those in the know."
I stared at the screen, my brow furrowed in confusion.
The picture was just a plain glass baby bottle, but the description was bizarre.
Stranger still, someone immediately asked a follow-up question.
“What type?”
The admin’s reply was swift: “Type B. Purity guaranteed.”
Before I could process it, the admin posted another photo.
It was a baby’s calf, and on the fair skin was a pale red, heart-shaped birthmark.
My breath caught in my throat.
The location, the shape, even the faint, jagged edges of that birthmark…
It was identical to my daughter’s.
I stared at the screen, my throat tightening.
Suddenly, the chat exploded with messages:
“$20,000.”
“$25,000. Don’t get in my way!”
“$30,000. Cash. Can make the exchange tonight.”
My fingers were ice-cold, my grip on the phone failing.
Were they auctioning my daughter?
“$50,000.” An ID named “Blackhawk” suddenly placed a bid.
The chat went silent for a second.
Then the admin sent a voice message.
I clicked play. A man’s raspy voice chuckled.
“Alright. Same rules as always. 11 PM tonight, Pier 3 warehouse. Inspect the goods, pay up. No funny business.”
My head snapped up to the clock on the wall—8:30 PM.
A knot of dread tightened in my stomach. I scrambled to my feet and ran for the bedroom.
The moment I pushed the door open, my heart stopped.
My husband, Ethan, was holding Lily, the keys to the stroller dangling from his hand.
He looked like he was about to leave.
“What are you doing?!”
My voice trembled, sharper than I intended.
He flinched, then frowned at me.
“I was just taking her for a walk downstairs. You said she was a little fussy today and could use some fresh air.”
My eyes were glued to my daughter.
She was wearing her light blue bear onesie, babbling as she played with her father’s collar.
The heart-shaped birthmark on her leg was faintly visible in the light.
“Don’t bother!”
I practically lunged at him, snatching our daughter from his arms.
Ethan was startled, reaching out to steady me.
“What’s wrong with you? Did something happen?”
I clutched Lily tightly, my fingers digging into her swaddle.
“I’ll take her for a walk. You get some rest.”
He looked at me, suspicion in his eyes.
“You’re pale as a ghost. And your hands are shaking.”
“Probably just low blood sugar.”
I forced a weak smile, backing away.
“I’ll grab a snack while I’m out. You just wait here for me.”
Before he could say another word, I turned and rushed out, forgetting to even grab my jacket.
As the elevator doors closed, I looked down at Lily.
She was staring up at me with wide, round eyes, her tiny hand gripping my collar.
Tears streamed down my face.
“Mommy won’t let anyone take you,” I whispered, my voice choked with sobs as I kissed her forehead.
The elevator reached the ground floor. As the doors opened, a blast of cold air hit me. At the same moment, my phone chimed.
I pulled it out, the screen’s cold light illuminating my ashen face.
Admin: “Change of plans. Exchange moved to 11 PM tomorrow. Same location.”
I stared at the message, my mind buzzing.
The moment I took Lily out of the apartment, they changed the time.
Thinking of Ethan’s actions, my fingers tightened.
If I was only fifty percent suspicious before, I was now one hundred percent certain.
The admin was Ethan. It had to be him.
My daughter whimpered in my arms, uncomfortable with my tight grip.
I immediately loosened my hold, leaning down to kiss her again.
“It’s okay, sweetie. Don’t be afraid. Mommy’s here.”
Just then, Ethan called, asking where I’d gone with the baby. He pointed out I’d forgotten my wallet.
I stammered an excuse, then turned around and saw Ethan walking towards me, my purse in his hand.
“Honey, you’re so forgetful. How can I not worry about you?” he said with a sigh.
“Come on, I’ll go with you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs, but I had no choice but to nod and walk beside him.
I couldn’t afford to tip him off.
That night, back home, Lily breathed peacefully in her bassinet beside our bed.
But I lay wide awake, staring at the ceiling, my ears straining to catch every sound, waiting for the right moment to escape.
Around dawn, my husband suddenly sat up.
I squeezed my eyes shut, evening out my breathing, pretending to be fast asleep.
His footsteps were light, but I felt him pause beside the bassinet.
My heart was about to burst from my chest. My fingers twisted the corner of the duvet into a knot.
Then, I heard the rustle of fabric.
“What are you doing?!” I shot up, my voice so shrill it startled even me.
Ethan froze. After a long moment, he pulled his hand back, his tone weary.
“I was just checking if she was hungry. I thought I heard her whimper.”
In the darkness, I couldn’t see his face, but my fear didn’t subside.
“I’ll do it.”
I jumped out of bed, scooping Lily up before he could, my movements almost rough.

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