Seven-year-old Lily walked down the polished hallway of the vast family estate.
The sun washed through the tall glass windows of the grand entrance hall.
Her grandmother Evelyn managed the entire household with a strict hand and cold rules.
Lily searched for her favorite plush toy near the primary bedroom upstairs.
She noticed the heavy white door was left slightly open that afternoon.
A strange rustling sound came from inside the spacious master bedroom suite.
Lily leaned her small body against the smooth wooden frame to glance inside.
Evelyn stood beside the large bed beneath a framed family portrait.
She wore yellow rubber cleaning gloves while holding a large black sack.
Lily gasped softly as she saw a giant snake slide onto the mattress.
The large creature quickly slithered underneath the white throw pillows.
Lily backed away from the cracked door as fast as she could manage.
Her heart beat rapidly against her chest while tears filled her eyes.
She dropped her plush bear onto the shiny marble flooring in absolute shock.
Her small shoes made soft noises as she turned to run away.
Evelyn turned around instantly when she heard the faint noise outside.
She opened the heavy bedroom door and caught Lily by her shoulders.
Grandma: Where do you think you are running off to?
Lily trembled under the tight grip on her small arms.
Little Girl: Grandma... please let me go.
Grandma: Don't you dare tell your mother what you saw!
The young girl choked back a loud sob while staring into Evelyn's eyes.
She had never seen her grandmother act with such cold intensity before.
Lily tried to pull away from her grip without making another sound.
Evelyn shook her gently to emphasize her stern warning in the hallway.
Grandma: You will keep your mouth shut if you know what is good.
Lily nodded her head quickly because she felt completely overwhelmed.
She knew her mother Clara would return from the corporate office soon.
The thought of her mother walking into that room terrified her heart.
Evelyn straightened her cream blazer and glanced around the quiet hall.
She adjusted her yellow gloves before releasing the child's small frame.
Lily backed up three steps before turning around to flee the scene.
She needed to find help before her mother entered the master suite.