Chapter 10 - Rescuing Noah From The Dark Confinement Room Cell
Maya reached the end of the west wing corridor, stopping directly in front of the massive oil painting depicting the old estate in winter.
“Right here behind this painting, Officer; there’s a hidden room built into the framing,” Maya whispered urgently, handing him the glass of water.
Officer Vance gripped the heavy gold frame, pulling it aside with a sharp heave that shattered the remaining corner glass against the wall.
The dark rectangular opening yawned open, revealing the cramped, suffocating concrete cell where the six-year-old boy was curled in a ball.
“Noah?” Maya called out softly, dropping to her knees beside the opening and holding out the glass of water.
The little boy slowly lifted his pale, tear-streaked face toward the beam of the police flashlight, blinking painfully against the sudden brightness.
“Maya... you came back,” Noah whimpered, his small hands trembling as he reached blindly toward her through the gap.
Officer Vance stared into the hidden room in absolute horror, his professional composure shattering at the sight of the abused child.
“Jesus Christ,” Vance muttered, immediately keying his shoulder radio. “Dispatch, we have visual confirmation; send an emergency ambulance to the rear courtyard right now!”
Vance reached into the tight space, carefully lifting the frail, underweight boy out of the concrete box into the safety of the hallway.
Noah clutched tightly onto Maya’s apron, sobbing softly as the cool corridor air brushed against his face for the first time in weeks.
May you like
“You’re safe now, sweetie; the bad people can never hurt you again,” Maya promised, pressing the glass of water to his dry lips.
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