Chapter 2: The Name Behind the Wall
Ryan froze.
That voice was small.
Weak.
But it was real.
He looked at his wife.
Her face had gone white, her eyes wide with something that wasn't surprise — it was fear.
"What is that?" he said quietly.
"It's nothing.
An animal.
Don't touch it."
But their daughter was already pulling at his sleeve, crying harder now.
"Daddy, she's hungry.
Mama won't let me feed her anymore."
Ryan crouched down and pressed his hand flat against the vent.
It was warm on the other side.
"Who's in there?" he called.
Silence.
Then a small cough.
His wife stepped forward and grabbed his arm.
"Ryan, I said leave it."
He shook her off and looked around the kitchen.
The vent cover was old — screwed in, but the screws were loose.
Someone had opened it before.
He stood up slowly and turned to face her.
"How long?"
She said nothing.
"How long has someone been behind that wall?"
Her jaw tightened.
She looked away.
Then their daughter whispered something that made Ryan's hands go still.
"Daddy…
she said her name is Lily.
She said Mama put her there."
The room went completely silent.
Ryan stared at his wife.
She didn't deny it.
---
May you like
What Ryan found behind that wall — and who Lily really is — will leave you speechless.
Click the link below to read the full story.
