David stepped into the grand marble foyer of the Texas mansion.
The sunlight poured through the clear windows onto the pristine white tiles.
He carried a thick folder filled with old financial documents in his hand.
His heart beat fast as he called out for his stepmother Sarah.
They had been arguing about his late father's large life insurance payout.
David knew that something was deeply wrong with the updated legal will.
He walked toward the bottom of the grand curved staircase to shout upstairs.
Suddenly, a loud cracking noise echoed through the high decorative ceiling above.
Sarah lost her footing near the edge of the upstairs wooden balcony.
She cried out in absolute terror as the decorative railing snapped right off.
Her beige sweater caught the air as she slipped over the dangerous drop.
David dropped his legal papers onto the polished checkered floor instantly.
He surged forward with every ounce of speed inside his lungs.
His shoes squeaked loudly against the cold polished marble as he sprinted.
He looked up and saw her falling fast toward the hard floor.
Panic surged through his entire body as he prepared for the quick catch.
David: Call nine-one-one right now, somebody help us!
He slid hard onto his knees across the polished floor surface.
His hands reached out into the empty air at the final second.
He caught her weight firmly just inches before she hit the tile.
The heavy impact knocked the breath right out of his tight chest.
They both slid together across the smooth checkered marble floor.
Sarah gasped frantically while clutching tightly onto his white shirt sleeve.
Her face was pale and her eyes were wide with pure shock.
David held her firm against his chest to keep her fully safe.
They lay there together for a long moment in total silence.
The large crystal chandelier above them swayed gently from the loud air movement.
David wiped a cold tear from his stepmother's pale forehead softly.
He needed to understand how the solid wooden railing had broke so fast.
He slowly looked up toward the dark shadowed upper floor hallway.
A dark silhouette stood silently beside the broken section of the wood balcony.
David felt a surge of cold fury rise up inside his chest.
David: Call the police right now and lock the front door!