The man stood facing the door . He would not move . He did not speak . It was as if he were scared , debilitated , ashamed . His constitution weakened , life draining from him as if death itself were leeching off his soul . A few moments passed and yet he still did not move . I was about to say something when he finally spoke .
“ She ’ s my only daughter , Mr . Kade .” His voice was shaky , his lip no doubt quivering . The tears in his eyes shone brightly in each word he spoke . “ Do whatever it is you need to . Just save her .”
“ What ’ s her name ?” “ Sara . She ’ s only thirteen .” “ I ’ ll do as I can , Mr . Holstadtler .”
The man moved his head to a right profile , his eyes downturned but focused on nothing in particular , and nodded ever-so-slightly . Bringing his gaze to the door in front of him once again , he took a deep breath , slipped his long , thin fingers slowly around the doorknob , exhaled an empty lonesome sigh , and pushed the door open .
Chapter 1
The room was almost as dark as the hallway , save for about three candles that were burning in silver candlesticks , one on each side of the bed and another on a wooden dresser by the door . It was difficult to discern the corners of the room , but since the room was small – smaller than expected for such a big house , it was easy enough to navigate around the disheveled wooden bed .
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