The standard uniform of the mansion felt heavier on Sarah than it ever had before.
She wiped down the marble floors of the main hallway while the grandfather clock chimed in the distance.
The estate belonged to Julian Vance, a wealthy man known for his huge donations to local charities.
Everyone in town thought Julian was a hero who cared deeply about his community.
Sarah had worked in the house for only three months, but she knew something was deeply wrong.
The mansion was massive, full of long empty corridors and cold rooms that nobody ever used.
While dusting the gold frames along the upper hallway, Sarah stopped near a massive portrait of Julian.
The painting showed Julian smiling proudly while holding a small brass key in his right hand.
A faint scratch reached Sarah's ears from right behind the painted canvas on the wall.
She froze in place and pressed her ear against the cold white plaster behind the frame.
A soft whimpering sound echoed through the hollow space inside the structural wall.
Her heart beat faster as she realized the sound was definitely coming from a person.
Sarah: Hello?
No answer came back, but the weak sound of breathing grew slightly faster.
Sarah pulled the heavy gold frame slightly to the side to inspect the wall behind it.
The wall had fresh plaster marks around the edge of the large wooden frame.
Someone had painted over this exact spot very recently to cover up fresh construction work.
She heard footsteps coming down the hall and quickly pushed the heavy painting back into place.
Julian walked around the corner while adjusting the cuffs of his expensive tailored suit.
Julian: Why are you lingering around my private portrait, Sarah?
Sarah: I was just cleaning the top edge of the frame, sir.
Julian: Finish your work quickly because tonight is our grand charity gala.
Sarah: Yes, Mr. Vance.
Julian glared at her for a long moment before walking toward his private study down the hall.
Sarah waited until his door clicked shut before leaning back toward the thick painted canvas.
She knocked lightly on the wall with her knuckles and listened very closely.
A tiny knock tapped back from deep within the dark space behind the plaster.