Nora stood up immediately and reached into her apron pocket.
She pulled out her small smartphone with cold, shaking hands.
She swiped the screen quickly and turned on the bright flashlight tool.
A strong beam of white light cut straight through the darkness.
Elena tried to scramble up from the marble floor behind them.
Elena: Stay out of there, you have no right!
Nora ignored the screaming woman completely.
She leaned her head and shoulders deep into the hidden opening.
The air inside smelled dusty and heavy, like an old attic.
The narrow passageway went far deeper into the thick house wall.
Nora aimed the bright light beam down the long, dark corridor.
About ten feet inside, she saw another small figure curled up on the floor.
A little boy was sitting trapped against a cold concrete pillar.
His ankles were bound together tightly with the same dark tape.
He raised one arm to shield his eyes from the sudden bright flashlight beam.
Nora: Hold on, honey! I am coming to get you right now!
Nora squeezed her body through the narrow wooden frame opening.
She crawled carefully along the wooden floorboards inside the wall.
The space was extremely tight and hard to move through.
She reached the small boy within just a few quick seconds.
He was trembling uncontrollably from head to toe in the cold air.
Little Boy: Is my sister okay?
His voice was tiny and rough from crying in the dark for hours.
Nora: She is safe right outside, sweetie.
Nora quickly worked to peel the thick tape off the boy's ankles.
She lifted the light little boy up into her strong arms.
He wrapped his arms around her neck and held on for dear life.
Nora backed out of the narrow tunnel, holding the boy securely.
She slid back out into the bright light of the mansion hallway.
The little girl immediately ran forward and hugged her brother's legs.
Both children were crying tears of pure relief in each other's arms.
Elena was standing near the wall, breathing heavily with a pale face.
She was holding a heavy bronze statue she had grabbed from a shelf.
Elena: You are not leaving this house with those kids!
Nora placed both children behind her back for protection.
She held her smartphone up toward Elena's angry face.
Nora: I am recording everything right now!
Elena paused, staring at the glowing lens of the phone camera.
Her face twisted with panic as she realized what was happening.