Chapter 2: The Iron Cage
The darkness swallowed Thomas as he left the warm glow of the patio.
The manicured grass was damp against his polished dress shoes.
He strained his eyes, scanning the thick shadows beneath the ancient oak trees.
The soft music from the party faded into a distant, muffled hum.
Only the sound of his own heavy breathing filled his ears.
"Ethan!"
He shouted the name again into the void.
A faint sound caught his attention.
It was a small, high-pitched whimper.
Thomas froze in his tracks.
He turned his head toward the furthest corner of the estate.
The sound came again, slightly louder this time.
It was the sound of a child crying.
Thomas sprinted toward the noise.
His heart pounded relentlessly against his ribs.
As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, a large, bulky shape emerged from the darkness.
It was sitting awkwardly on the lawn beneath the largest oak tree.
It looked like a structure made of heavy iron.
Thomas slowed his pace as he approached the strange object.
The moonlight broke through the branches, revealing cold metal bars.
It was a large, ornate animal cage.
Thomas gasped.
Small, pale hands were gripping the thick iron bars.
Behind the metal grid was a tiny face streaked with dirt and tears.
It was Ethan.
The boy was still wearing his formal black tuxedo and tiny bow tie.
He was shivering uncontrollably in the cold night air.
"Dad, please help me!"
Ethan's voice was raw and broken.
He pressed his wet face against the cold iron.
Thomas dropped to his knees in the wet grass.
His eyes went wide in absolute, undeniable horror.
He grabbed the thick iron bars, shaking them violently.
The cage door was locked tight with a heavy brass padlock.
He breathed heavily, unable to process the cruelty of the sight.
"No... no."
Thomas gasped the words, feeling the air leave his lungs.
"Ethan, who did this to you?"
The little boy sobbed, pointing a trembling finger back toward the glowing lights of the party.
"She told me we were playing a game."
Ethan choked on his tears.
"She locked it and walked away."
Thomas felt the blood run cold in his veins.
Vanessa.
The image of her smug smile and crystal champagne flute flashed in his mind.
She had known exactly where his son was.
She had done this on purpose.
The crushing panic inside Thomas suddenly hardened into something else.
It ignited into a pure, blinding rage.
"I am going to get you out, buddy."
Thomas whispered the promise through clenched teeth.
He reached through the bars and gently wiped a tear from his son's cheek.
"I will be right back."
Thomas stood up slowly.
He turned his back to the cage and looked toward the brightly lit patio.
May you like
The jazz music continued to play cheerfully in the distance.
It was time to end the party.
