Three sharp knocks echoed through the quiet street.
After several seconds, the door opened slightly.
A tired woman appeared, dark circles beneath her eyes.
The moment she saw Adrian, panic flashed across her face.
“Yes?” she said nervously.
“I’m looking for a boy named Lucas,” Adrian replied.
Her expression froze.
“You’re mistaken,” she said quickly. “No children here. Just my daughter and me.”
She tried to close the door.
Adrian held it gently but firmly.
“Please,” he said. “Your daughter told me there’s a boy here. Just let me see him.”
Sweat formed on the woman’s forehead.
“Leave now or I’ll call the police!”
“Call them,” Adrian replied. “Because I’m not leaving.”
At that moment, a heavy thud echoed from inside the house.
Followed by a faint groan.
“Lucas!” Adrian shouted.
He pushed the door open.
The woman grabbed his sleeve, crying.
“Don’t go inside! They’ll kill us! They forced me!”
But Adrian was already running down the dark hallway.
At the end stood a door locked from the outside.
“Find something to break this!” he shouted.
The girl rushed into the kitchen and returned with a hammer.
Adrian struck the padlock again and again until it snapped open.
He threw the door wide.