A faint sound echoed from behind the thick steel door in response.
It sounded like a weak woman's voice crying out for help.
Voice: Dominic! Dominic, please help me!
Dominic's soul flared with absolute rage and instant dread.
It was undeniably Clara's voice coming from behind that metal wall.
Dominic: Clara! Hold on! I am going to get you out right now!
He turned around to look at Eleanor, who was standing ten feet back in the dark hallway.
She was breathing fast, her face completely drained of all color.
Dominic: Give me the key, Eleanor! Give it to me right now!
Eleanor: I... I don't have the key! I don't know who locked that door!
Dominic: You are lying to my face after locking my wife in a basement!
Harper: She has the big shiny key in her pocket, Daddy! I saw her!
Eleanor clutched her dress pocket tightly, backing away toward the stairs.
Dominic realized he did not have time to chase her down for a key.
His wife was trapped inside a freezing dark room without any windows or air vents.
He set Harper down safely behind a large stone pillar out of harm's way.
Dominic: Stay right here, Harper. Do not move an inch.
Harper: Okay, Daddy. Save Mommy!
Dominic walked up to the heavy steel door and grabbed a heavy iron crowbar from the tool rack.
He jammed the sharp metal edge directly under the thick iron latch bolt.
His muscles strained against his jacket as he put all his strength into breaking the lock.
Eleanor: You are damaging estate property! Stop this instant!
Dominic: I don't care about your property, you monster!
With a loud metallic snap, the heavy padlock broke into two pieces.
The iron latch creaked loudly as Dominic pulled it back with all his force.
He grabbed the heavy handle and yanked the heavy steel door open.
A cold gust of trapped air blew out into the hallway.
The room inside was small, dark, and furnished only with a thin cot mattress.