Chapter 4 - The Gasp in the Dark
The rapid, frantic sound of footsteps slapping against the hardwood floor broke the paralyzing silence.
David’s wife, Sarah, rushed down the hallway. The woman in her late thirties wore a light beige silk blouse and expensive slacks, her brown hair perfectly blown out despite the late hour. She had clearly just woken up and noticed David and Lily were missing from their beds.
Sarah rounded the corner, her eyes darting from her husband in his dark suit to the little girl in the floral dress.
Then, she saw the open white cabinet door.
"Oh my god," Sarah gasped loudly, throwing her hands over her mouth. Her eyes widened in absolute, theatrical shock as she stared at the dirty, trembling child hidden among the empty food wrappers. "David! What is that?! Who is in our house?!"
David didn't look at his wife. His entire world was narrowed down to the terrified, shaking child cowering in the darkness.
His paternal instincts completely overrode his confusion. He didn't care how the child got there; he only cared about getting her out.
David slowly lowered himself fully to his knees on the hardwood floor. He kept his movements incredibly slow and deliberate, making sure not to make any sudden, fast body movements that would spook her further. He reached his large hands out gently into the dark closet, keeping his palms open to show he was unarmed.
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"Hey, don't be afraid," David whispered, his voice incredibly gentle and heavily reassuring. "I won't hurt you, sweetheart. You're safe now. Who are you?"
👉 The filthy child was about to speak, and her single word would absolutely destroy the father’s entire universe.
