Chapter 1: The Basement Door
Chapter 1: The Basement Door
By the time Child Protective Services arrived at the hospital, Peter had already answered the same questions a dozen times.
When was the last time he had seen the children?
Had Reena ever shown signs of violence?
Did Aaron have any relatives besides Peter?
Peter answered every question, but his mind stayed with Drew.
The little boy never let go of Lily's hand.
Not even while nurses changed bandages.
Not even while doctors examined the bruises hidden beneath his oversized shirt.
Late that evening, Detective Maria Collins walked into Peter's waiting room carrying a small evidence bag.
"We executed the emergency warrant," she said quietly.
Peter stood.
"What did you find?"
Maria placed several photographs on the table.
The first showed a heavy steel deadbolt installed on the outside of a basement door.
The second revealed a tiny concrete room.
No windows.
Only an old mattress, a bucket, and a broken blanket.
The third photo made Peter's blood run cold.
Scratches.
Hundreds of tiny scratches covered the inside of the locked door.
As if little hands had tried to claw their way out.
Maria swallowed.
"There was another discovery."
She handed Peter a memory card.
"A hidden security camera."
Peter stared.
"She recorded them?"
Maria nodded.
"We've already reviewed part of the footage."
Her voice became tight.
"She wasn't documenting them."
"She was entertaining herself."
Peter felt the room spin.
The videos showed Drew comforting Lily through long nights without food.
Holding her while she cried.
Sharing the last pieces of stale bread.
Promising her Uncle Peter would come someday.
Peter covered his face.
He hadn't come.
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Not until Drew dragged a broken leg across seven city blocks.
That guilt would never leave him.
