I wonder...... What mysteries does this door contained?
I hummed as I paced in front of the door. I've never thought that there would be a hidden door like this in my house.
Well, it never hurt to investigate it a bit right? I opened the door and immediately, I heard chain clinking against each other. Is the door locked? It wasn't, the door creaked open easily, nothing obstructing it.
Then what was that chain? Immediately, my doubts were cleared. The light creeped into the room through the door, I could barely see a small figure, probably a child, shaking.
The chains clinked against each other again, and I saw the shackles on the child's wrist and legs clearly. Who would do this to a poor child?
I walked towards the child, although slowly and softly so I wouldn't frighten the child more. When I was close enough, I could make out the face's features, it was a boy. His sobs were so soft that you would've doubt whether you've heard it in the first place.
"Hey." I started off with a soft greeting, trying to make him stop crying. That didn't work, I could still hear his sobs, and my heart softened.
Maybe a soft and warming touch would help? I embraced him slightly in my arms, hoping that he would know I have no intention to hurt him. I could feel that he tensed up, he didn't relaxed until a very long time.
His sobs stopped and I tried asking him again, a bit coaxing "Hello, I'm Sarah. What's your name?" The boy hesitated before he responded, stuttering "A-A-lex."
"Alex," I can't say it's a nice name when almost a million other guys have the same name as him "Are you alone up here Alex?" It wouldn't be wise to ask him question like 'who brought you here' or 'how are you alive' that raise his guard up.
"N-no, the-ere used to be a man who gave me food." A man who gave him food? Is it the ex-owner of this house that died recently? No wonder I got the house dirt cheap.
"Do the man still come?" Alex lightly shook his head "N-o, it'-s be-en a few days." Only then, did I realized how thin he was, how feeble he looked.
"Come with me, let's get you some food." I took his head, but the clink of chains reminded me again, "Wait here." He nod his head, his eyes shined brightly at the mention of food.
"Here" I came back no long later, a bowl of porridge in my hand "Eat slowly, you must've been starving." The boy wolfed down his meal until I warned him "You'll get stomachache if you do that." Then, he slowed down his speed, slowly savouring the porridge I brought him.
"Thank you." For the first time, he didn't stutter. I could feel my heart ache, how much has he gone through to feel safe with just a bit of kindness?
"Don't worry, from now on, I'll take care of you." His eyes shined, voice hesitant, "Really? Forever and ever?" His pinky finger reaching out. I smiled, at least he still has a child's innocence "Forever and ever." I entertwined my pinky finger with his.
"But first, I'll ask somebody to unlock these for you, how about that?" I could see his face visibly pale, his body subconsciously trembling. I failed to consider that just because he warmed up to me doesn't mean he's okay around other people.
" I'll just do it myself." His body stopped trembling, relaxed. From that day, I have been watching videos on how to open a lock. I've failed dozens of time before one day, I heard a click, and the shackle opened.
"Now that we finally got that out of the way," I said, brushing the dirt of him and myself "Let's go out." I took his hand, wanting to lead him out of this room but he didn't budged.
