Sarah adjusted the heavy silver tray in her hands as she walked down the bright hallway.
The white marble floor reflected the morning light coming through the high arched windows.
She had only worked at the Ashford manor for two short weeks as a housekeeper.
The massive house was usually silent during the early hours of the morning.
Mr. Ashford was away on business, leaving his wife Victoria alone in the home.
Sarah stopped walking when a faint scratching sound caught her attention.
She set the tray down on a small side table near a massive portrait.
The portrait showed the late owner of the house looking stern and proud.
Sarah pressed her ear against the wallpaper right beside the painted frame.
A soft cry came from somewhere inside the wall behind the canvas.
Her heart started pounding fast as she reached for the wooden border.
She pulled on the corner and felt a hidden latch release with a click.
The whole painting swung outward like a heavy secret door.
Inside the small dark space stood a frightened seven year old girl.
The little girl blinked against the sudden bright sunlight streaming into the hall.
Sarah: Oh my god, who are you?
Clara: Please do not let her lock me in here again.
Sarah reached forward and pulled the crying child out into the hallway.
The child was shaking as she held onto Sarah's clean white apron.
Sarah: Nobody is going to hurt you while I am here.
Clara: The mean lady put me in the dark wall room.
Sarah wrapped her arms tightly around the small trembling child.
She had never seen this girl anywhere on the property before today.
Footsteps echoed sharply against the marble floor at the end of the hall.
Victoria Ashford walked into view holding a crystal glass of orange juice.
She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the open wall panel.
Victoria: Put that painting back right now!
Sarah: You hid a child in there?!
Victoria: You do not understand what is happening here, Sarah.
Sarah: There is nothing to understand about keeping a child trapped!
Victoria took a quick step back and gripped her glass tightly.
Her face lost all its color as she looked at the little girl.
Victoria: That child was not supposed to be found today.
Sarah: I am taking her outside into the sunshine right now.
Victoria: If you walk away, you lose your job immediately!
Sarah ignored the threat and picked up the scared child in her arms.
She turned away from Victoria and walked toward the grand front staircase.
The little girl hid her face against Sarah's warm shoulder.
Sarah knew that her quiet housekeeper life was over forever.