THE afternoon was heavy with silence as Oswald made his way down the dimly lit hallway, his shoes tapping against the 3D flooring. His parents had just left, and the air in the mansion was as cold and unforgiving as ever. He reached his bedroom door and opened it without a sound, closing it behind him. The instant he entered, he sharply turned and moved briskly toward the door that led to the smaller adjoining room, where Orlanda was being held.

The door creaked as he opened it, and the dim light from his room spilled inside. Orlanda sat up instantly, her eyes wide with fear, her heart pounding. She...