Drywall dust filled the air as white powder settled over the floor.
Daniel struck the wall a second time with all his remaining strength.
A large crack spread across the cement board like a spiderweb.
Chunks of broken material fell down onto the polished bedroom floor.
Behind the broken surface stood a dark wooden panel with a latch.
Daniel lowered the heavy hammer and stepped closer to the rough hole.
He wiped the sweat off his forehead with his dusty denim sleeve.
He stared into the dark space hidden deep inside his own home.
Daniel: What did you hide?
Sarah stood near the foot of the bed while crying softly.
She wrung her hands together while looking at the bedroom window.
Sarah: You don't understand what happened back then!
Daniel: Tell me what is back there!
Daniel reached his hand into the dark opening behind the plaster.
His fingers touched a cold iron handle buried deep inside the space.
He pulled the heavy latch sideways until it popped open completely.
The hidden wooden panel swung inward with a slow creaking sound.
A faint smell of damp air drifted out into the bedroom.
Daniel pulled out a small flashlight from his tool belt quickly.
He clicked the power button and aimed the bright beam inside.
The white light illuminated a tiny room hidden between the framing studs.
A pair of small canvas shoes sat on the dusty floorboards.
Daniel dropped the flashlight onto the floor as his hands trembled violently.
He saw a young girl sitting alone on a low cot.
She raised her thin arm to shield her eyes from the light.
Her face looked pale and exhausted in the quiet dark space.
Daniel knelt down on his knees next to the broken wall.
Daughter: Daniel?
The voice belonged to his older daughter Lily who vanished months ago.
Everyone in town thought the lost teenager had run away from home.
Now she sat trapped inside a hidden closet behind their bedroom.