Chapter 1
The heavy gilded frame swung inward with a low, scraping groan, revealing a pitch-black void behind the antique brickwork.
Cold, damp air rushed out into the pristine service hallway, smelling heavily of mold, wet concrete, and old iron rust.
Emma’s heart hammered violently against her ribs as she peered into the dark opening, her hand shaking against the frame.
She reached into her housekeeping apron pocket, pulling out her small silver flashlight before clicking the beam on.
The narrow beam of light sliced through the darkness, illuminating a steep flight of narrow stone steps leading downward.
The crying had stopped completely, replaced by an ominous, crushing silence that made her skin crawl.
“Ethan?” Emma whispered softly into the dark shaft, afraid her voice might carry back toward the bustling ballroom.
No answer came from the shadows below, only the faint, rhythmic dripping of water echoing against the underground concrete.
She gripped the cold iron handrail along the stairwell, carefully stepping down into the dark sub-basement passage.
Every step down seemed to push her further away from the safety of the sparkling chandeliers and champagne glasses.
The noise of the jazz band fading away above was replaced by the low, mechanical hum of the mansion’s primary furnace.
At the bottom of the stairs lay a long, concrete corridor lined with rusted utility pipes and discarded furniture.
Emma adjusted her bright yellow cleaning gloves, shining her flashlight beam along the dirt-streaked basement floor.
There, fresh prints from a child’s sneakers were visible in the dust, leading toward a heavy steel door at the end.
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Her pulse spiked as she recognized the small star pattern on the soles—these were Ethan’s favorite athletic shoes.
She crept toward the steel door, noticing a heavy keypad deadbolt mounted beside the frame, its red light glowing dimly.
