The Locked Room Foyer

The bright white marble floor of the grand house sparkled under the big chandelier.

Mark adjusted his navy blue suit collar while standing near the main entrance.

He felt happy because today was supposed to be his official wedding day.

Family members were sitting outside in the garden waiting for the big ceremony.

Music played softly through the small speakers placed near the front porch.

Mark looked around the empty hallway to find his younger sister Sarah.

Sarah had gone inside to fix her bridesmaid dress a few minutes ago.

She had not returned to the sunshine outside with the other guests.

Mark walked toward the back wing of the huge American country house.

He stopped near a heavy white double door at the far end.

A strange muffled sound came from behind the thick wooden door panel.

Mark pressed his right ear firmly against the cold white painted wood.

He heard gentle crying and quick heavy breaths coming from inside the room.

The handle did not move at all when Mark pushed down hard.

He rattled the bronze lock knob again with his strong hand.

Panic started to rise inside his chest as he called her name.

"Sarah, are you in there right now?" Mark asked out loud.

No clear voice answered him from inside the dark quiet space.

Only soft crying continued to echo against the hard wooden frame.

Mark took a deep step backward onto the polished marble tile.

He raised his right arm to knock loudly on the white door.

Suddenly he heard fast footsteps rushing across the long hall floor.

Lily came running down the corridor with her wedding gown trailing behind.

Her blonde hair was styled with pretty silver clips and white flowers.

Her face looked pale and frightened under the warm foyer lights.

She grabbed Mark's dark suit arm with both of her hands.

Lily: What are you doing near this room right now, Mark?

Mark: Someone is crying inside this locked room, Lily!

Lily: Nobody is inside there, you are just hearing things!

Mark: I know my sister's voice when she is upset!

Lily: She is lying! Stop!

Mark looked down at Lily's trembling hands clutching his blue coat.

He noticed a tiny silver key attached to her formal wrist bracelet.

It matched the old antique locks used throughout this ancient family estate.

His heart beat faster as a terrifying thought entered his mind.

He reached out his hand and grabbed her thin wrist firmly.

Mark: Why do you have this key on your arm?

Lily: Give that back to me right now, Mark!

Mark unclipped the small key before Lily could pull her arm away.

He stepped away from his bride and turned toward the door.

He slid the key straight into the cold bronze keyhole.

The heavy iron lock clicked open with a sharp sound.

Mark pushed the double doors wide open into the dark room.

A pale hand reached out from the darkness onto the floor.

The hand was holding a long strand of white pearls.

Mark gasped loudly as the jewelry clinked against the hard floor.

Mark: Lily! Who is in there?!