Sarah: "MARCUS, STOP!"
Sarah's voice echoed through the high ceilings of the living room, sharp and laced with pure terror. She lunged forward, gripping Marcus's arm before he could swing the hammer.
Marcus: "Sarah, move back! There is something structural going on here, or someone was messing with our walls before we bought this place!"
Sarah: "You're going to ruin the house! Just leave it alone until morning!"
Marcus: "Leave it alone? Look at these cracks! It looks like something pounded its way through from the other side!"
Marcus pulled his arm free from Sarah's grasp. He lifted the sledgehammer high and swung it straight into the center of the cracked drywall. The impact shattered the plaster into massive chunks, sending a cloud of white dust into the warm air.
As the dust settled, Marcus took a step back, pulling Lily behind his legs. His breath caught in his throat. Behind the thin sheet of drywall wasn't wooden studs or insulation. It was a solid, reinforced steel door embedded deep inside the wall cavity.
Marcus: "WHY IS THERE A DOOR INSIDE OUR WALL?!"
Marcus spun around to face Sarah, his eyes wide with confusion and rising anger. Sarah's hands covered her mouth, tears instantly streaming down her cheeks.
Sarah: "YOU WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO FIND IT... CALL 911 RIGHT NOW!"
Marcus: "Sarah, what are you talking about?! You knew this was here?!"
Sarah: "I didn't know they were still... please, Marcus, don't go near it!"
Before Marcus could demand another explanation, a heavy, metallic rattle echoed from the secret door. The iron handle slowly turned, rust flaking off onto the floorboards. From the pitch-black gap of the opening door, a dirty, pale human hand reached out and gripped the steel frame.
Sarah: "NO! THEY'RE AWAKE!"
Marcus stood frozen, his heart hammering against his ribs as he stared into the dark abyss beyond the wall.
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