The hours passed slowly inside the massive white mansion.
Mia sat in her playroom, looking at the floor with sadness.
She thought about her father, who worked late at his corporate office.
Her father was a powerful CEO with a very large estate.
He trusted his new wife to manage the family affairs.
He had no idea about the cruelty happening inside his home.
Victoria kept telling him that Leo was sick in bed.
She made up stories to keep the father away from the boy.
She wanted the entire estate trust fund for herself.
Mia knew that she had to help her brother escape.
She waited until Victoria walked into the back garden.
The little girl crept back down the shiny marble hallway.
She carried a small red plastic toy key in her hand.
She pushed the toy key into the heavy iron lock.
The metal latch did not move at all.
Mia put her small face close to the cold metal vent.
Mia: Leo, can you hear me in there?
Leo: Want out, Mia... want out now!
Mia: I will get Daddy to open the big door!
She heard the front door open near the garage entrance.
Her father, Arthur, walked into the house with his briefcase.
He looked tired after a long day of legal meetings.
He smiled when he saw his sweet young daughter running over.
Arthur: Hey there, my sweet little girl!
Mia: Daddy, come fast to the wall door!
Arthur looked confused as Mia pulled hard on his coat.
He followed his daughter down the quiet white hallway.
Victoria walked in from the patio at that exact moment.
Her face turned completely pale when she saw Arthur there.
Stepmother: Arthur, darling, you came home early today!
Arthur: Mia says something is happening behind this wall panel.
Victoria stepped quickly between Arthur and the metal vent door.
Stepmother: It is just maintenance equipment, my dear!
Mia: No, Daddy, Leo is crying in the dark!
Arthur froze in place, his eyes going wide with worry.
He looked down at his wife with deep suspicion forming.
He knew his daughter never lied about important things.
He stepped past Victoria and dropped down to his knees.