She was considered missing for fifteen years… until her brother found her underwear hidden under their grandfather’s mattress… – Clear Mind

—That’s Lily’s — she whispered. —I made these flowers with her.

Hours later, an officer found a brown notebook hidden in an old pillowcase.

Detective Bennett opened it.

Her face changed.

Then she looked towards the back window.

— There’s a shed in the yard — she said.

The officers broke into the castle by midnight.

In the shed, they found a hidden door under some wooden boards.

And below that…

A staircase that led into darkness.

PART 2

Noah stood in the yard and could not move.

The rain had stopped, but water was still dripping from the shed roof. The whole place smelled of wet wood, mud, and something old that had been locked away for far too long.

Margaret began to tremble.

—No — she whispered. —Please, no…

Daniel put his arms around her, but even he looked as if his legs might give way at any moment.

Two officers went down first.
Two officers went down first.

Detective Claire Bennett followed, carrying a flashlight.

The trapdoor remained open.

Noah stared at the black staircase, and for a terrible moment he felt like he was seven years old again.

Waiting.

Listening.