The bright daylight streamed through the high windows of the grand mansion hallway, illuminating the smooth white marble floors. Clara held the heavy iron axe tightly, her knuckles turning white as she adjusted her grip. Her sleeveless beige sequin dress caught the sunlight, glittering with every frantic movement.
Clara: I know what I heard, Richard! Stand back!
Richard: Clara, stop this madness right now! Put that axe down!
Clara: I'm not stopping! There's a child behind this wall!
Clara raised the heavy axe high over her head and swung it with all her strength into the center of the massive oil painting hanging in the hallway.
The canvas ripped apart with a loud tearing sound, and the heavy blade chopped deep into the drywall behind it. Wood splintered, and plaster rained down onto the white marble floor. Surrounding black-tie guests gasped in horror, stepping back to avoid the flying debris.
Evelyn: Someone call security! She's lost her mind!
Clara: I HEARD SOMEONE CRYING! THERE'S SOMEONE IN HERE!
Clara yanked the axe back out of the wall, tearing away a large section of painted canvas and plaster. Behind the shattered frame, a hollow wooden wall structure was exposed.
Richard strode forward rapidly, his black tuxedo jacket flaring as his face twisted with explosive rage. He grabbed the wooden handle of the axe and snatched it forcefully from Clara's trembling hands.
Richard: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!
Clara: Let go of me! Listen to the wall!
Richard stepped directly into Clara's space, his chest heaving as he swung his hand back and slapped her forcefully across the face with a loud, violent crack.
Clara stumbled backward, clutching her stinging, reddened cheek in utter shock while tears welled up in her eyes. The crowd gathered in the hall let out a collective gasp of terror.
Richard: GET AWAY FROM THERE RIGHT NOW!
Inside the dark cavity of the broken wall, a piece of interior poster board tore open from the inside. A small, pale hand reached out through the splintered wooden slats, waving desperately toward the light.
Young Child: PLEASE HELP ME! I'M TRAPPED!
Clara ignored the stinging pain in her face and rushed straight past Richard back to the wall, grasping the child's cold, trembling hand in her own.
Clara: YOU'RE SAFE! I'M GETTING YOU OUT!
Clara pulled firmly against the cracked wooden frame, tearing away the remaining slats until the young girl tumbled safely out of the hidden space into Clara's arms, leaving Richard standing exposed before the horrified crowd.