Owen crouched down in front of Sophie and took her hands in his.

"The basement is off-limits right now," he said.

"There's a water problem.

It's not safe."

Sophie looked at him the way only a six-year-old can — like she already knew the answer wasn't true.

"Then why can I hear someone down there?"

Owen stood up slowly.

He didn't look at Sophie when he answered.

"You can't."

But Vanessa had gone very still by the kitchen doorway.

Her hand was pressed flat against the wall.

Not leaning.

Bracing.

That night, Sophie waited until the house was quiet.

She crept to the top of the basement stairs and pressed her ear to the door.

Nothing at first.

Then a sound she recognized immediately.

Crying.

Soft and careful, like someone trying very hard not to be heard.

She whispered through the gap.

"Mommy?"

The crying stopped.

Then one knock.

Then three.

Sophie's whole body went cold — because that was the answer.

That was always the answer.

Their code, since she was three years old.

She reached for the handle.

Behind her, a floorboard creaked.

---

What Sophie found on the other side of that door will break your heart.

Click the link below to read the full story.