The single word echoed through the silent hallway like a loud thunderclap.
Mark felt tears well up instantly in his wide and shocked eyes.
Mark: Who are you?
The little girl did not answer him with any more spoken words.
She just stared at him with eyes that looked shockingly familiar to him.
Mark looked over his shoulder at Sarah with a look of pure confusion.
Sarah was weeping silently now, covering her mouth with both her hands.
Mark: Sarah, explain to me right now what is happening in my house!
Sarah: Please do not get angry until you hear everything I say.
Mark: There is a child locked inside our hallway storage cabinet!
Mark: How could I possibly stay calm right now?
Mark gently reached his arm into the dark compartment toward the girl.
He lifted the small and lightweight child out into the bright daylight.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on very tightly.
Mark felt an overwhelming and instinctual wave of protection wash over him.
He carried her over to the living room couch and sat down gently.
Lily ran over and sat right next to the mysterious young child.
Lily: See, I told you she was real, Daddy.
Sarah walked slowly into the room holding an old dusty picture frame.
She handed the wooden frame to Mark with trembling hands and fingers.
Mark looked down at the old photograph encased in the glass frame.
It showed Mark ten years ago standing next to his college girlfriend, Ellen.
Ellen had disappeared from his life without a word a decade ago.
He had searched for her for months before giving up completely back then.
Mark looked from the old photo back to the little girl's face.
The physical resemblance between Ellen and this child was absolute and undeniable.
Mark: Is this Ellen's daughter?
Sarah: Yes, Mark, she is Ellen's child.
Mark: And why is she living inside a cabinet in our home?
Sarah took a deep breath before opening her mouth to answer him.