The boy vanished from the yard, and eight years later, his father looked under the neighbor’s doghouse and went pale…

“Did Michael ever let you leave the bunker?” Caleb shook his head. “Never. He said it was too dangerous.

Sometimes he went out for supplies and said he was helping other people hiding from the war. Said when I got older, I could help him.” Thomas was stunned by the implications.

Michael had kept Caleb captive for eight years, weaving an elaborate lie about a fictional war to keep him compliant and afraid to leave. “The dog,” Thomas said suddenly, recalling what sparked this chain of events. “He got the German Shepherd to guard the bunker entrance, didn’t he? And the bigger kennel was to better conceal the trapdoor.”

Detective Morgan nodded. “That’s our theory too. It seems he was finding it harder to keep Caleb contained as he grew older and more curious.

The dog was likely an added layer of security.” As they spoke, forensic teams arrived and began examining the bunker and Michael’s house. Police cordoned off the property with yellow crime-scene tape, and curious neighbors, despite the late hour and cold, started gathering.

Eventually, the paramedics decided Caleb needed to be taken to the hospital for a full medical evaluation. Years underground, with limited sunlight and physical activity, had likely affected his development, and that needed assessment. “Can we go with him?” Emily asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Please, we just found him.” The medics agreed, and soon they were headed to Maple Valley Memorial Hospital, Thomas and Emily riding alongside their son. They kept a respectful distance, understanding that to Caleb, they were still practically strangers despite their blood bond.

At the hospital, doctors conducted a thorough examination while Thomas and Emily waited anxiously. Detective Morgan joined them, her expression serious. “Michael’s not talking much, but from what we’ve pieced together, including Caleb’s account, it seems he took your son the day he went missing.

He had that old military bunker on his property and built the dog kennel over it, though we’re not sure why. It might’ve been a response to his own family tragedy.” Thomas nodded.

“His wife and son were killed in a home invasion ten years ago. He was never the same after that. Probably triggered some kind of mental break that led to this,” the detective agreed.

Emily wiped away tears. “Eight years of lies. Our poor boy doesn’t even know what the real world is like.

The psychological recovery will be challenging,” Detective Morgan acknowledged. “But kids are remarkably resilient. With the right support and therapy, he has a good chance of readjusting to normal life.”

Dr. Levitt, the pediatrician examining Caleb, approached them with a tablet in hand. “Physically, he’s malnourished and shows signs of vitamin D deficiency, which is expected in those conditions. His muscle development is below average for his age, but there are no signs of physical abuse.

It seems he was regularly fed and kept in relatively sanitary conditions.” Emily covered her mouth, stifling a sob of relief. Thomas pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her.

“Can we see him?” he asked. Dr. Levitt nodded. “Yes, but understand he’s still processing what’s happened.

He’s been asking about you, which is a positive sign, but don’t expect immediate recognition or attachment. It’ll take time.” They found Caleb sitting on a hospital bed, looking small and lost amid the white sheets…