The heavy front door of the New York City penthouse swung open, echoing sharply off the high ceilings and white marble floors. Mr. Howell rushed into the grand entryway, throwing his briefcase onto the foyer table as his heart pounded against his ribs.
Mr. Howell: Lily? Where are you? WHAT HAPPENED?!
His hurried footsteps clattered against the tile floor as he sprinted past the grand dining area into the open-concept kitchen. The bright natural daylight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows made the terrifying sight in front of him impossibly clear.
Sitting on the polished floor near the kitchen sink was his eight-year-old daughter, Lily. Her small frame was shaking violently, tears streaming down her pale, freckled cheeks as she sobbed out loud.
Lily: DADDY...
Mr. Howell: Oh God, Lily! What is that? What's on your hands?
Mr. Howell dropped to his knees in utter panic, grabbing her small, trembling wrists. Her hands were completely drenched in dark, wet blood, clutching a stained white cloth against her chest. His eyes went wide with sheer horror as his breathing turned into frantic gasps.
Mr. Howell: WHOSE BLOOD IS THIS?! Answer me, Lily, are you hurt?!
Lily: It's... it's not mine, Daddy... it's...
Mr. Howell: Whose is it?! Speak to me, sweetie!
Lily: MOMMY'S...
The room seemed to freeze. Mr. Howell’s face hardened instantly, his eyes narrowing as he gripped her wrists a little tighter, his mind spinning into complete chaos.
Mr. Howell: That's impossible... YOUR MOTHER IS IN SWITZERLAND! She took a morning flight to Zurich three days ago!
Maid: SHE NEVER LEFT, MR. HOWELL...
Mr. Howell snapped his head around. Standing in the kitchen doorway was Maria, their distraught maid, dressed in her gray uniform. Tears were streaming down her face, and her hands trembled uncontrollably as she placed a gentle touch on Lily's shoulder.
Mr. Howell: What did you just say to me, Maria?
Maid: Mrs. Howell never boarded that plane, sir... She’s still in this house...
Driven by pure fury and terror, Mr. Howell stood up, snatched Maria violently by the shoulders, and shoved her back against the marble counter as his world began to shatter around him.