The morning sun shone bright across the polished marble floor of the huge suburban estate.
Arthur stood near the front doorway while adjusting his silk tie in the gold mirror.
He was a hardworking businessman who loved his young seven daughter Lily more than anything.
Since his first wife passed away, Arthur did everything to protect his little girl.
He had recently married Victoria, hoping she would bring warmth back into their quiet home.
Victoria always wore expensive designer dresses and spoke with a smooth and calm tone.
However, Arthur noticed that Lily seemed unusually quiet whenever Victoria walked into the room.
The young child often stayed inside her bedroom and rarely came out to play anymore.
Arthur assumed Lily was simply taking time to adjust to her new stepmother.
He placed his briefcase down on the table and looked around the large empty hallway.
Arthur: Lily, sweetie, where are you hiding this morning?
There was no answer from the upper floor or the quiet kitchen nearby.
Victoria: She is probably sleeping upstairs in her bedroom, darling.
Victoria walked down the wide stairs wearing an elegant emerald green dress.
Arthur: I checked her room five minutes ago and her bed was completely empty.
Victoria: She must be playing hide and seek in the back garden again.
Arthur felt a strange knot form tightly inside his chest as he listened.
Arthur: She never goes outside into the garden without telling me first.
He walked toward the back glass doors and scanned the wide green lawn.
The yard was entirely empty, and the swing set stood completely still.
Arthur: Elena, have you seen Lily anywhere this morning?
Elena, the young family maid in a light blue uniform, paused her dusting.
Elena: I have been looking for her since seven o'clock, sir.
Victoria: Do not panic over nothing, Arthur, she is fine.
Victoria waved her hand dismissively and picked up a cup of fresh coffee.
Arthur: I am not leaving for the office until I find my daughter.
Arthur walked back up the stairs to check every room once again.
He opened the closet doors and looked under all the heavy wooden beds.
Lily was nowhere to be found, and her pink shoes were still near the door.
Fear began to wash over Arthur as he hurried back down the main stairs.
Arthur: Elena, help me search the entire lower floor right now.
Elena: Yes, sir, I will check the long side corridor near the library.
As Elena walked down the brightly lit corridor, a strange faint noise caught her attention.
She stopped right next to the thick white drywall lined with framed family photos.
The sound was tiny, like a small child scratching softly against hollow wood.
Elena pressed her right ear directly against the smooth painted plaster surface.
A tiny whimpering sound echoed softly from the dark hollow space right behind the wall.
Elena: Hello? Is someone inside there right now?
Little Girl: Help me... it is dark and cold in here...
Elena gasped in horror as she realized whose voice was coming through the sheetrock.
She ran toward the utility closet at the end of the bright corridor.
Her hands shook wildly as she grabbed a heavy black steel sledgehammer off the rack.
She sprinted back to the hallway wall with determination burning in her eyes.
Elena raised the heavy tool high above her shoulder with both hands.
She swung the hammer forward with all her strength against the white drywall.