Instead, he heard the shouts of a young boy. “Help! Someone, please!”

To his right, he recognized the dark corridor where he was originally held; the thought of those conditions still brought a feeling of revulsion. A girl’s voice came from down that hallway. “No! Please! Leave him alone!”

Trying to turn away, knowing he didn’t have any time or the means to rescue others, his feet obeyed his heart, not his mind, and carried him, rushing into the darkness toward the sounds of crying from the young ones.

Reaching their door, he hoped his keys would work. Still no sound or movement from Scarlet, he adjusted her body slightly on his shoulder.

The third key made a loud click in the door.

“Click,” Scarlet mumbled.

Realization dawned. “You knew the lock was opened, didn’t you, love?”

She didn’t answer, but his grin spread wider than it had in weeks. “Smarter than us all, even while unconscious.”

When the door fully opened, a wave of the foul air inside hit him and he stepped backward. Peering inside, he said, “Well, I haven’t got all day. If you’d like to leave, now’s the time.”

Two sets of wide eyes approached, staring up into his face. “Really? We can leave?”

“That’s what I hope. We have a lot to do between now and then, but if you follow me, there’s a chance—how’s that?”

The two young ones couldn’t be older than seven or eight. They shared a look, and the girl nodded. “We’re coming. But our pa will need some help standing.”

Matteo groaned. “He’ll have to walk on his own. As you can see, I’ve got my own load to carry.” He paused. “Not that you’re a load, my dear.”

Other voices shouted from rooms farther down the hall. “Help! Let us out! Oh, please!”

He stepped quickly to the doors, opening them one at a time, handing the keys to another to aid with the doors, not bothering to see who was inside until he reached the end. Turning around, he stepped back in surprise. A sizable crowd stood in front of him, a good group of thirty or more, all looking at him with great expectation.

“Now what will you do, my darling?” A soft voice, muffled in his jacket, sent warmth up and down his insides.

“Scarlet! Are you awake?”

He knelt down until her feet reached the floor and then stood, helping her right herself. She leaned on him, unsteadily, but when her eyes found his, they shone with such a brilliance of life and energy that he filled with hope.

“Well?” Her mouth lifted in a shaky smile.

He pulled her into a gentle embrace, careful to leave her standing. Laughing, he asked, “Well, what?”