Hiding Within The Betrayal

Chapter Two: Cushion Soft Squeak

Before so much as stepping onto the property, I knew that the grandmother had taken Matteo.

But why take the child? Why take Matteo away from his parents who loved him and did everything they could to keep him happy? Some part of her twisted mind had evidently drove her to believe it was the right thing to do. She wanted what was best for her only grandchildren and it lead her to a path of lies. This was her way of covering up the truth to hide what she did so that we couldn't take him away.

The officers had had searched the entire house and hadn't found so much as a trace of him. I come in for less than five minutes and find a hidden door, quite simply it was the only place that he could be. With the state of the wallpaper, I could only assume that it hadn't been up for long, that it was put up in a rush and that was hopefully a good sign. If my assumption was correct then in one shape or another we would find Matteo and this is where he would be.

She was a compulsive liar. Trying to keep us from something and for that reason she hid the door. There was however no lock or key hole. Just two bolts. One at the top and another at the bottom of the door.

Though there was a volatile rumble in my chest, I knew that I had to be the one to open the door.

To unveil the mystery.

Taking back the top bolt of the door, I paused briefly. Crouching down on the ground, I drew back the second bolt. I stood back up worried about letting the door swung freely. I rested my hand against the handle and pressed down. Followed by a sharp click. There was no resistance from the door as I pulled it towards me, only a muffled creak.

Without so much as a scratch, the hidden door swept across the wooden flooring.  There wasn't a single sound from anyone or elsewhere in the house. No movement, no murmuring, nothing; even the withering dilapidated woman had stopped her nonsense and pleading, completely aware that we had uncovered the door.  

Tension lingered in the air. Under my breath, I kept up my guard so that no one would think I was nervous. I couldn't have anyone suspect that I, Detective Degarmo had nerves. Truthfully, every time I came into one of these situations my stomach was hit with a wave of paranoia and fear but with my job title I learnt to conceal my feelings.  Taking a swift breath, I allowed myself to be the one to talk, "It's alright Matteo," the officers' eyes were burning into the back of my head, scorching my skull like wildfire. I knew my own instincts and I had got to the point where I wouldn't question myself.

"Can you hear me Matteo?"

No response came from behind the door.

Curving my lips, I let out a shallow breath and gulped back as silently as I could. I could have swung the door open entirely but for his sake more than ours, I thought best not to. Without startle him, I had to convince him to come out.

My attention was diverted as I heard footsteps come from the front door. Allowing himself to enter the house, Mr Big Shot tried to slide in unnoticed but he wasn't exactly light footed. He was frozen in place as he realised the situation we had gotten into, somehow he was able to hold himself back from speaking his mind; not that it mattered, he had already caused a scene by barging in unwanted.  My guess is that his ignorant ass decided that we were taking too long and he was ready to laugh in my face. That we weren't getting on as fast as he would have liked, clearly he believed that I was incapable of doing my job.

 Over my shoulder, I shot him a warning glance. The surrounding officers were caught off guard by his presence but I wasn't going to let it influence my actions. Unlike him, the other officers who were stood on guard outside of the property were courteous enough not to intervene. Mr know it all wasn't going to take my hint and leave, he just strutted towards us lightly thinking it wouldn't matter if he came in or not.

I turned back to the job at hand, I gripped onto the edge of the door, peaking into the dark space that sat behind it, "I want to help you Matteo"

Kneeling down, uncomfortable from crouching, my heels tapped against the flooring as I sat back. With both hands still firmly holding onto the door, I allowed it to open another inch. Letting light bleed in through the opening. Bleeding into the small space under the stairs, I breathed out hesitantly reaching my free hand into the black space with the utter most caution.

I had uncovered the secret of the wallpaper and opened the door and yet there was still no movement. Tension was growing thick like algae as I allowed the thoughts to trickle.

The rude oaf from behind me was growing in frustration, his judgemental foot tapping only partially visible in my eye but I couldn't kick off at him for it, not until afterwards at least. My attention was therefore shifted momentarily. I turned to him but understanding how it wasn't the best idea, my eyes swept back to the gap of the door. He took a step towards me, clearly not happy with the fact that I had chosen to ignore him. Like a ruthless moron he said something in a slurred manner knowing that I would hear it. If it were up to him I can guarantee he would just swing open the door and ruin what I was trying to build. Raising my hand up to him, as if to say stop - I waited for him to get the message and step away before I continued any further.

Another inch. I could see into the room.

Nothing much. Just a silhouette. The body of a child.

"I can take you to see your parents. Would you like that?"

Timidly, from within the dark shades of the basement outstretched a small hand.

The hand of a child. Matteo's hand.

He was alive. Thank god.

Resisting the instinct to flinch from the cold shiver his tiny fingers sent across my palm, I didn't clasp his hand. My body was stiff, I couldn't think of what to say.

I remained waiting for a few moments until his grip tightened upon my hand, his tiny little fingertips warming up against my skin.

Steadying my breathing, "Matteo?"

An almost whisper trickled out, "Yes?"

The surprise was awoken in all of us. To hear him speak in such a gentle manner. A soft smile came to my mouth from knowing that he was comfortable enough to talk to me. His cushion soft squeak.

"What are you waiting for?" the brute challenged me aggressively.

I turned over my shoulder and mouthed, "fuck off"

He rolled his eyes at me, crossing his arms irritated by my reaction.

Disallowing myself to be affected by Mr Big  Shot, I looked back to the outline of Matteo still engulfed by the shadows. Though it was infinitesimal, I kept light pressure against the door. I lightened my grip so that my hand was hovering rather than resting on the door. From the other side, Matteo pushed against the door. His eyes met mine as it swung out knocking my hand away. From the brightness in his eyes I could see that he was going to be alright.

Shook up but overall unharmed.

His attention fled from me as he became aware of the other people in the room behind me. Butterfly lashes flew from one person to the next as he took in the random people who were staring directly at him. His expression took a three sixty as fright took over, a doe in the headlights of a motorway.

Matteo dropped my hand. Crawling back into a seated position, lowering his face in fear. Immediately aware of what had happened, I outstretched my arms in the hope of him taking trust in me. His eyes flicked up momentarily as he noticed. Like a sprinter, he bolted up from the floor into my arms. Taken aback, I swung back slightly as he buried his head into my chest. Like a safety blanket, I wrapped my arms around him, pleased that he felt comfortable with me.

I let myself be consumed in the attention as I felt that I had done well to earn his trust.

Tilting my head back to the group behind me, I made direct eye contact with the one who doubted me. I smiled at him sarcastically and was met with a snarl. I stuck out my tongue. He wasn't happy with that of course, it caused him to storm out like a toddler on a tantrum.