Chapter 6 - The Devil’s Mansion

By 3:30 AM, the Callahan estate was locked down like a maximum-security prison.

Floodlights swept across the manicured lawns every thirty seconds. Six private guards patrolled the perimeter with guard dogs, while Julian paced the Persian rugs of the master study, downing a glass of single-malt scotch.

"How did she escape?" Victoria demanded, her voice shrill with venom. "You had her in cuffs, Julian! You had an investigator and a deputy, and you let a common nanny slip through your fingers!"

"It was Marcus Vance," Julian snarled, slamming his crystal tumbler onto the mahogany desk. "He ambushed us at the quarry. My team is tracking the truck's transponder right now. They won't make it past county lines."

"And the evidence?" Victoria asked, stepping close, her manicured nails digging into Julian's arm. "Did she talk?"

"She didn't have anything on her," Julian said, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt. "She’s bluffing. The lab data is safe."

Upstairs in the west wing, little Leo sat in the corner of his locked bedroom, pulling his knees to his chest. The storm rattled the heavy leaded windows, but inside the room, the silence was suffocating.

On the nightstand rested his mother's antique bronze music box.

Leo reached out with a trembling hand, turning the small brass key three times. The delicate, tinkling melody began to play—a soothing lullaby his mother used to sing to him before she disappeared.

Click.

The tiny mechanical catch at the base shifted, revealing the edge of the black micro-SD card Maya had hidden inside.

Leo remembered Maya’s whisper from just a few hours ago: No matter what happens, Leo, don't let anyone touch this box. It’s our shield.

Suddenly, the heavy bedroom door unlocked with a sharp click.

Dr. Robert Vance stepped into the room, carrying a leather medical kit and a stainless steel tray. His eyes were bloodshot, his white lab coat rumpled and stained with chemical residue.

"Time for your medicine, Leo," Dr. Vance said softly, avoiding the child's terrified gaze.

"No," Leo whimpered, clutching the music box against his ribs. "Maya said I don't have to take the red shots anymore."

Dr. Vance stopped, setting the tray on the dresser. He pulled a syringe filled with a thick, crimson fluid from the case. "Maya is gone, Leo. She isn't coming back. Now hold still. The faster we finish this cycle, the sooner the pain stops."

"You're lying!" Leo screamed, scrambling backward onto the bed. "Maya promised!"

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Dr. Vance grabbed Leo's thin arm, pinning the boy against the headboard. "Hold still, you little brat!"

Just as the needle hovered an inch above Leo’s vein, the entire mansion plunged into total, pitch-black darkness.