Seven year old Lily sat near the edge of the large mansion pool with a quiet sigh.
The afternoon sun reflected off the water while the summer heat pressed down on the vast backyard.
Inside the white marble hallway of the luxury estate, music echoed through the outdoor audio speakers.
Lily reached down to the control panel near the pool speaker and pressed the stop button.
The loud music cut off instantly and left the giant estate in complete silence.
Lily tilted her head and focused her ears on the far corner of the lush green lawn.
Her stepmother Victoria came rushing out through the glass patio doors with a bright lace gown swaying.
Victoria: Turn it back on right now, Lily!
Lily: Listen for a second, Victoria.
Victoria: You do not turn off my party music while we have guests coming!
Lily: There is a noise coming from the shed.
Lily raised her small hand and pointed toward the isolated white structure standing near the tree line.
Victoria stopped in her tracks and her sharp face went pale for just a brief second.
A distinct thumping sound echoed across the open grass toward the main terrace.
Lily's father Mark stepped out of the house while holding two cold drinks in his hands.
Mark: What was that noise just now?
Victoria: It is nothing at all, honey!
Victoria: That old pool pump just knocks against the outer pipes when it resets!
Mark: That sounded much louder than a water pump to me.
Lily: Pool pumps do not knock back when you hit the wall!
Lily took off running across the soft grass before her father could call her back.
Her sneakers slapped against the stone path as she sprinted straight toward the white shed.
The heavy wooden door of the shed was secured with a thick steel padlock on the outside frame.
Lily raised her small fist and pounded twice against the painted wood frame.
Immediately three heavy knocks echoed back from deep inside the dark shed.
Mark hurried across the lawn with quick strides while Victoria followed behind with shaking hands.
Mark: Stand back from that door, Lily!
Mark grabbed the lock and shook it hard, but the solid frame refused to give way.
A sudden crash echoed through the air as a fist slammed through the small shed door window glass.
Sharp shards of shattered glass scattered across the grass near Lily's polished sneakers.
Lily leaned forward slowly and peered into the dark hole of the broken window frame.
Her eyes widened in complete terror as she recognized the tired eyes staring back at her.
Lily: Mom, is that really you in there?
Victoria: I did not know anyone was inside there, Mark!
Mark: Give me the key to this lock right now, Victoria!