Chapter 2 - BREAK THE WALL“MOVE BACK, TOBY!”
Julian swung again.
CRASH!
The steel head tore through another section of drywall.
White dust erupted around him, covering his tuxedo, hair, and bleeding hands.
Behind him, some guests were filming.
Others stood frozen.
But Julian saw only the wall separating him from his son.
“Daddy!”
“I’m coming!”
Another swing.
Another explosion of plaster.
Elena pointed toward the left side.
“There’s an old service cavity behind that beam!”
Julian turned.
“How do you know?”
“I found the original house plans.”
Evelyn suddenly stepped forward.
“That’s enough!”
Julian slowly faced her.
“What?”
“Emergency services are coming. Let professionals handle this.”
“Our son is suffocating.”
“You could collapse the structure!”
Julian stared into her eyes.
There it was again.
That strange fear.
Not maternal fear.
Something else.
“What’s behind this wall, Evelyn?”
Her expression hardened.
“How would I know?”
Elena answered.
“She knows.”
Every head turned.
Evelyn went pale.
“Elena, be quiet.”
Julian looked between them.
“What does she mean?”
Elena swallowed.
“I saw Mrs. Mercer here earlier.”
Evelyn snapped.
“She’s lying!”
“When?”
Julian demanded.
Elena hesitated.
“Around seven.”
Before Toby disappeared.
Julian’s blood went cold.
He grabbed the hammer again.
Questions could wait.
His son couldn’t.
He swung.
CRASH!
A wooden support cracked.
Behind it appeared a narrow black opening.
Julian dropped the hammer.
“Toby!”
Two tiny fingers appeared through the darkness.
Julian nearly collapsed.
“I see you!”
“Daddy…”
Julian tore drywall away with his bare hands.
Jagged plaster sliced his palms.
Blood streaked his fingers.
He didn’t feel it.
The opening widened.
Then Julian saw his son.
Toby was curled inside a narrow service shaft, knees pressed against his chest.
His hair was soaked with sweat.
His face was bright red.
His breathing came in shallow gasps.
“Oh, God.”
Julian reached inside.
“Give me your hands.”
Toby tried.
“I can’t move my leg.”
Julian’s heart hammered.
“Why?”
“Something’s stuck.”
Elena grabbed a flashlight.
She aimed it through the opening.
A metal bracket had trapped Toby’s pant leg.
Julian reached deeper.
“Hold still.”
He pulled.
Nothing.
Again.
The fabric refused to move.
Toby whimpered.
“It hurts.”
“I know, buddy.”
Julian forced himself to sound calm.
“I’m getting you out.”
He ripped the fabric.
The pant leg tore free.
Julian wrapped both hands around Toby’s arms.
“Ready?”
Toby nodded.
“One… two… three.”
Julian pulled.
Toby slid through the jagged opening and collapsed into his father’s chest.
The entire room released one collective breath.
Julian dropped to his knees.
Toby wrapped his arms around his neck.
“I thought you wouldn’t find me.”
Julian closed his eyes.
“I will always find you.”
He kissed his son’s forehead.
Too hot.
“Someone call the paramedics!”
“They’re coming,” Elena said.
Toby suddenly tightened his grip.
Julian felt him trembling.
“What happened?”
The boy didn’t answer.
Julian pulled back gently.
“Toby.”
The child looked toward Evelyn.
Immediately, his body stiffened.
Julian noticed.
So did Elena.
Evelyn stepped forward.
“My baby.”
Toby recoiled.
“No!”
The scream shocked everyone.
Evelyn stopped.
“Toby?”
“Don’t let her touch me!”
Julian stood, holding his son.
His eyes moved toward his wife.
“Why is he afraid of you?”
Evelyn opened her mouth.
No words came.
Toby buried his face against Julian.
May you like
Then whispered the sentence that would destroy everything.
“Mommy locked me inside.”
Related Stories
