«Don’t go in the house!» the boy shouted. The millionaire stopped and a second later, stunned by what had happened…

It happened in the suburbs of Seattle, Washington, in a quiet neighborhood where houses were surrounded by tall pine trees, and the streets became eerily empty as evening fell. David Thompson, a well-known entrepreneur and millionaire in the region, had just purchased one of the oldest mansions in the area.

The house was in a dilapidated state, with peeling paint on the exterior walls, overgrown vines creeping up the sides, and windows that hadn’t been cleaned in years, but David saw immense potential in it—the rich history embedded in its architecture, the timeless style of its Victorian design, and the prestige that came with owning such a landmark property.

He planned to move in within a week, right after the interior renovations were completed, which included updating the electrical wiring, refinishing the hardwood floors, and installing modern kitchen appliances while preserving the original charm.

The contractors had been working tirelessly, hammering away during the day and leaving the site spotless each night. David had visited the site multiple times, envisioning how he would host gatherings in the grand living room or relax in the study overlooking the backyard.

On the following day, as the sun began to dip lower in the sky casting long shadows across the pavement, not far from the mansion, a 10-year-old boy named Jake sat on the sidewalk.

His mother, Sarah, worked long shifts at a 24-hour diner downtown, flipping burgers and pouring coffee for weary customers until the early hours. Jake often spent his time alone, wandering the neighborhoods, kicking stones along the curb, or watching birds flit between the branches of the evergreens that lined the streets.

They had recently moved to the city from a small town in Oregon, seeking better opportunities, but money was tight, barely enough to cover the rent for a dingy room in a rundown motel on the outskirts. ..