Chapter 3 - The Locked NurseryDavid ran so fast he nearly slipped on the marble floor.
“Lily, stay behind me!”
They reached the second floor.
Karen was standing at the end of the nursery corridor.
Her hands were empty.
Her face was calm.
Too calm.
“Where is my daughter?”
Karen smiled.
“She isn't in danger.”
David shoved the nursery door open.
Empty.
The windows were locked.
The curtains still.
The bed untouched.
“Where is she?”
Karen pointed toward the old nursery door.
“That room.”
“That room has been locked for eight years.”
“I know.”
David turned toward the door.
A heavy iron lock had been installed after Lily's mother, Evelyn, died.
No one entered.
Not even the staff.
Karen took a step closer.
“There is something you need to see.”
“I am done listening to you.”
“You aren't.”
David pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Security is coming.”
Karen shook her head.
“They won't get here in time.”
David stared at her.
“For what?”
Karen reached into her dress and pulled out a small key.
David recognized it.
The second key.
Identical to the one found in the box.
His face hardened.
“You took it.”
“No.”
“I saw it in your hand.”
“This is mine.”
“Where did you get it?”
Karen glanced toward the locked nursery.
“Your grandfather gave it to me.”
David's expression changed.
“My grandfather died six years ago.”
“He gave it to me two weeks before he died.”
“That is impossible.”
Karen's voice lowered.
“He knew what happened.”
David looked at the lock.
“What happened?”
Karen stepped aside.
“You should open it.”
David inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
The door swung inward.
Cold air spilled into the corridor.
The nursery looked exactly as it had eight years ago.
A white crib.
A rocking chair.
A faded mobile.
On the wall were photographs.
Evelyn.
David.
Baby Lily.
David's throat tightened.
Then he saw something.
A fourth photograph.
He stepped closer.
Evelyn was holding a baby.
Not Lily.
A newborn boy.
Written beneath the photograph:
BENJAMIN CARROW.
David stared.
“I never had a son.”
Karen whispered, “You did.”
“No.”
“You did.”
“Evelyn was pregnant once. She miscarried.”
“That is what they told you.”
David turned sharply.
“Who?”
Karen pointed toward the crib.
“There.”
Inside the crib was a small metal plate.
David removed it.
Underneath was a hidden compartment.
Inside lay a hospital bracelet.
BABY B. CARROW.
David’s hands shook.
“Benjamin…”
Karen nodded.
“Your son was born alive.”
David looked at her.
“Where is he?”
Karen said nothing.
“Where is he?”
She looked toward the doorway.
Then David heard footsteps.
Slow.
Heavy.
Coming from behind him.
David turned.
The corridor was empty.
Then a child spoke from inside the room.
A boy’s voice.
Soft.
Barely audible.
“Daddy?”
David froze.
May you like
Lily screamed.
The nursery door slammed shut.
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