David stood in the high ceiling hallway of his custom mansion.
The bright sun streamed through the massive glass windows today.
Everything in his life seemed complete and totally peaceful.
He was a successful real estate investor with a loving family.
His seven year old daughter Ella was playing on the floor.
His wife Sarah had left for a business trip two days ago.
At least that was what Sarah had told him before she left.
David looked down at his phone to check his morning emails.
Suddenly little Ella called out to him from the hallway corner.
Ella: Daddy, come look at this funny metal door!
David smiled and walked slowly toward his young daughter.
David: What did you find over there, sweetie?
Ella pushed back a heavy Persian rug on the marble floor.
Underneath the rug was a hidden latch built into the stone.
David stopped in his tracks and frowned at the floor.
He had lived in this house for over five years now.
He had never noticed any secret latch under that carpet before.
Ella: I heard tapping coming from inside the floor, Daddy.
David chuckled nervously and dropped down to one knee.
David: It is probably just the heating pipes expanding, Ella.
Ella: No, somebody tapped three times back at me!
David reached down and pulled the cool metal ring upward.
The hidden door unlocked with a loud heavy click sound.
He lifted the heavy panel of polished marble slowly.
A blast of cold damp air rushed into the warm hallway.
David: Hello? Is anyone down there?
A faint voice echoed from the dark space down below them.
Voice: David! Oh God, David, please help me!
David felt his stomach drop instantly to the floor.
That voice belonged to his wife Sarah.