The polished marble foyer of the Vance estate smelled of expensive lilacs and cold copper.
Seven-year-old Lily dropped to her knees on the white marble, her small beige dress crumpling around her legs.
She swung the heavy iron hammer with both hands, pounding the metal face against the thick iron padlock sitting on the heavy oak trapdoor.
Lily: Mommy! Mommy, hold on! I'm coming!
The heavy metallic blows rang out through the bright, sunlit hallway, echoing up toward the grand curved staircase.
A few feet away, the maid, the butler, and two house staff members stood frozen in total shock.
Butler: Miss Lily, stop that right now! You are going to damage the wooden hatch!
Lily: I don't care! She's down there! I know she is!
Tears streamed down Lily's pale cheeks as she lifted the heavy tool again, her arms shaking from the weight.
She swung it with every ounce of strength in her small body, striking the rusted latch until sparks flew off the dark metal frame.
Lily: Mommy, please answer me! Can you hear me?
From beneath the thick floorboards, a tiny, raspy scratch scraped against the solid wood, followed by a faint sound that made Lily's heart stop.
Mother: Lily... baby... please help me...
Lily: She's alive! She's down there! Help me break it!
The house staff gasped, taking a collective step back as the maid stepped forward with a panicked expression on her face.
The secret that had been hidden beneath the million-dollar estate for three weeks was about to crack wide open right in front of everyone.