Chapter 6: The Child in the Basement
Rachel stared at Ethan.
"My sister?""
The words felt impossible.
Daniel watched her reaction carefully.
Like he had been waiting for this moment.
Ethan looked away.
"Rachel...""
"No.""
Her voice hardened.
"You don't get to say my name like we're having a normal conversation.""
Ethan swallowed.
"I know.""
"Your sister?""
He nodded.
"Six years ago, when I ran, I wasn't alone.""
Daniel stepped into the room.
"Because Ethan wasn't escaping from me.""
Everyone looked at him.
"He was escaping with someone.""
Rachel's hands curled into fists.
"And who was she?""
Daniel smiled.
"My daughter.""
Nobody spoke.
Sophie looked confused.
"You only have two children.""
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"That's what everyone believes.""
Rachel looked at Lily.
The little girl looked just as confused.
"There was another child?""
Ethan nodded slowly.
"Her name was Claire.""
Margaret sat down.
Like her legs could no longer support her.
"I thought she was dead.""
Rachel looked at her.
"You knew?""
Margaret looked ashamed.
"I knew there was another child.""
"Another child hidden in this house?""
Margaret whispered:
"Not this house.""
A chill moved through Rachel.
"Where?""
Nobody answered.
Then Daniel spoke.
"Claire was different.""
Rachel turned toward him.
The calmness in his voice was terrifying.
"Different how?""
Daniel looked almost disappointed.
"She understood things too quickly.""
Rachel stared.
"She's a child.""
"She was.""
The past tense made everyone freeze.
Daniel continued.
"Claire discovered things she shouldn't have.""
Ethan stepped forward.
"Stop.""
Daniel ignored him.
"She found out about my business arrangements.""
Rachel's voice dropped.
"And you punished her?""
Daniel looked at her.
"Punishment is such an emotional word.""
Rachel felt disgust.
"What would you call it?""
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Correction.""
Lily suddenly covered her ears.
"No.""
Rachel immediately knelt beside her.
"Don't listen.""
But Daniel kept talking.
"Your little friend here knows more than she admits.""
Ethan's face changed.
"What are you talking about?""
Daniel looked at Lily.
"Lily remembers.""
The little girl started shaking.
Rachel turned.
"Lily?""
The child whispered:
"Basement.""
Everyone went silent.
Rachel looked at Ethan.
"What basement?""
Ethan's face went pale.
"I thought...""
"What?""
"I thought Daniel destroyed it.""
Daniel smiled.
"There it is.""
Rachel stood.
"What is in the basement?""
Daniel didn't answer.
He walked closer.
"You think I'm the villain because of what you found.""
He pointed at Ethan.
"But you don't know what happened after he ran.""
Ethan's expression tightened.
Daniel continued.
"He left Claire behind.""
Rachel looked at Ethan.
"Is that true?""
Ethan couldn't meet her eyes.
"Yes.""
The answer broke something.
Even Daniel looked satisfied.
"I tried to save her.""
Ethan's voice became louder.
"I tried.""
Daniel laughed.
"You were seven years old.""
"I knew what you were doing.""
"And you ran.""
The words hit Ethan.
Hard.
Rachel saw it.
The guilt.
The years of carrying it.
Daniel turned toward the door.
"Come with me.""
Nobody moved.
"Why?""
Rachel asked.
Daniel looked at her.
"Because if you want the truth, you need to see it.""
"No.""
Ethan grabbed Rachel's arm.
"Don't.""
She looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because he's not showing us what happened.""
Ethan's voice lowered.
"He's showing us what he wants us to believe.""
A long silence.
Then Lily spoke.
"He kept her there.""
Everyone turned.
Lily's face was wet with tears.
"Who?""
The girl pointed toward the floor.
"Claire.""
Rachel felt her blood run cold.
"Where?""
May you like
Lily whispered:
"Under the house.""
