Arthur Sterling returned home early because his board meeting had wrapped up ahead of schedule.
He walked through the grand front entrance while holding his heavy leather briefcase tight.
A sudden, violent thumping noise echoed down from the secondary corridor on the main floor.
Arthur frowned as he recognized the sharp sound of shattering plaster and broken drywall.
He broke into a fast run across the smooth white marble flooring of the hall.
His heart pounded against his chest as the heavy impacts grew louder with every step.
He turned the corner near the library and stopped in absolute shock and disbelief.
His quiet maid was furiously swinging a sledgehammer into the solid hallway structure.
Arthur: What are you doing to my wall?!
Elena stopped her swing and turned her head toward Arthur with wide, panicked eyes.
Elena: Sir! Your son is trapped inside this wall!
Arthur took a quick step backward as his brain tried to process her words.
Arthur: What did you just say to me?
Elena: Listen to him crying! He is locked inside!
Arthur leaned closer to the open crack in the wall and heard the faint crying.
The unmistakable voice of his six-year-old son came directly from inside the hollow partition.
Leo: Daddy! I want to get out! It is scary in here!
A wave of pure fury and panic rushed through Arthur's entire body at once.
He reached forward and gripped the wooden handle of the sledgehammer firmly.
Arthur: Give me that hammer right now!
Elena surrendered the heavy tool immediately and stepped back out of his way.
Arthur raised the iron hammer back and swung it with terrifying, unstoppable force.
The plaster shattered instantly as heavy chunks rained down upon the marble floor below.
He struck the wall again and again until a wide hole opened up before them.
Behind the drywall sat a tiny, windowless security closet hidden behind a fake panel.
Little Leo was huddled on the dusty floor holding a tiny blue toy car tight.
Arthur dropped the heavy hammer onto the floor with a loud metallic crash.
He reached his long arms inside the hole and gripped his young boy gently.
He pulled Leo out into the bright hallway light and held him against his suit.
Leo: Daddy! I was so scared in the dark!
Arthur: I've got you son, you're safe now.
Tears streamed down Arthur's face as he rocked his small child back and forth.
He kissed the top of Leo's dusty head while holding him extremely close.
Elena let out a deep sigh of relief as she watched the loving embrace.
However, heavy footsteps were fast approaching from the master bedroom down the hall.