Chapter 6 - The Ghost in the Walls
Eleanor’s heart stopped beating in her chest.
She forced her heavy eyes open, staring into the dark hole in the brick wall.
A pair of pale hands reached through the opening, holding a small flashlight.
The beam of light illuminated a gaunt, bruised face covered in dirt.
It was Maya.
“Maya?” Eleanor sobbed, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Her daughter was alive, but she looked like she had endured years of torment.
Maya quickly began pulling more loose bricks away from the weakened wall.
“We have to hurry, Mom, the air is running out,” Maya coughed.
Eleanor helped her push the stones until the gap was wide enough for Eleanor to squeeze through.
She collapsed into the dusty tunnel, pulling her daughter into a desperate, weeping embrace.
“I thought you were dead,” Eleanor cried, kissing Maya’s forehead.
“Victoria kept me locked in the abandoned servant quarters for six years,” Maya revealed.
“Where is Lily?” Maya asked frantically, searching the dark tunnel.
“Lily?” Eleanor asked, suddenly realizing that was the little girl's name.
“I sent her down this tunnel to find help just a few minutes ago,” Eleanor explained.
Maya’s face drained of the little color it had left.
“Mom, this tunnel doesn't lead outside to the gardens.”
Eleanor felt a cold dread wash over her completely.
“Where does it lead?” Eleanor asked, her voice trembling.
“It leads directly up into Victoria’s private study,” Maya whispered in horror.
They scrambled to their feet and sprinted through the cramped, low-ceilinged passage.
They ignored the sharp rocks cutting through their thin shoes.
They reached a wooden ladder leading up to a hidden trapdoor.
Maya pushed the trapdoor open slightly, peering into the opulent room above.
Eleanor heard the sound of a terrified child crying softly.
She pushed past Maya and climbed into the study, ready to fight Victoria to the death.
But Victoria was not the one holding Lily.
Thomas, the traitorous butler, was holding a jagged piece of glass against the child's throat.
But he was not looking at the child.
He was staring in pure terror at the man standing across the room, holding a silenced pistol.
May you like
It was the police chief, smiling coldly as he aimed the weapon right at Thomas's chest.
“Did you really think Victoria was the one running this operation, Thomas?” the chief asked softly.
