David knelt beside Sarah on the cold concrete floor immediately.
He asked her if she was hurt or needed urgent help.
Sarah shook her head slowly and pointed toward the wooden stairs.
Heavy footsteps began to echo from the hallway up above them.
David stood up quickly and placed himself in front of Sarah.
A woman in an elegant black dress was standing up there.
Victoria looked down into the dark basement with a cold expression.
She was the wealthy stepmother who managed the whole family estate.
She had claimed the big house for herself after the wedding.
Victoria asked David what he thought he was doing in her house.
David demanded to know why Sarah was locked in this basement.
Victoria did not answer his question and stepped down the stairs.
Her sharp heels made a clicking noise on the old wood.
She held a thick paper folder tight against her dark dress.
David realized that folder contained the official family trust fund documents.
Victoria told him that some family matters were none of his business.
She claimed Sarah had been resting down here by her own choice.
David knew that statement was a complete and terrible lie.
He told Victoria that the police were already on their way.
Victoria paused on the middle step and tightened her jaw angrily.
She threatened to call her high priced attorneys right away.
She said David was trespassing on private property without permission.
David refused to back down from the angry stepmother.
He told her that the truth about the inheritance was coming out.
Victoria laughed softly in a dark and humorless way.
She claimed no one in town would ever take his word over hers.
Lily called down from the top hatch with a worried voice.
She said another car had just pulled into the front driveway.
David looked back at Sarah who was trying to stand up.
He helped her lift herself off the hard concrete ground.
Victoria stepped off the last stair and blocked the exit route.