My wife, our little son, and I had recently bought a small house in the countryside to spend the summer away from the city’s hustle and bustle. It seemed like the perfect place – quiet, a spacious yard, fresh air.

The previous owner of the house had warned us: there’s an old well in the yard that hasn’t worked for many years. “If you want, you can fill it with soil and remove the top,” he said. But I didn’t think much of it. What could possibly be scary in an old, long-abandoned well?

For a few days, everything was calm, until one day something terrible happened.

I was sitting in the room, reading a book. My wife was beside me, and our son was playing on his own. It was very hot outside, so we decided to stay inside. Suddenly, my wife ran into the room, her eyes full of fear:

— From the well… — she gasped, grabbing my hand. — There are sounds coming from the well!

I looked up from my book, confused:

— What are you talking about? You must have imagined it. Maybe the wind or some birds.

She shook her head firmly, holding my hand tighter:

— No. I heard it clearly. Let’s go quickly, I’m so scared.

I got up, though I was still doubtful. The well is old and closed. What could possibly be inside?

We went out into the yard. I looked at the well: no sound.

— Look — I said, trying to reassure her. — Everything is quiet. Nothing.

My wife pressed her hands to her chest and shook her head:

— You don’t understand… I heard a voice. There’s something in there!

I took a few steps toward the well. The boards on the cover were cracked, grass grew along the edges, the chain hung down. I leaned over, but saw only darkness. Not a sound.

— See? — I said, though I felt uneasy myself. — It’s empty. Maybe the sound came from the field or the road.

— No — her voice trembled. — It wasn’t the wind. Let me get the flashlight, please. Just the thought that there’s something inside makes me feel sick…

I took a deep breath and nodded:

— Okay. Let’s check so you can calm down.

She quickly ran into the house and brought my flashlight. When she handed it to me, I noticed her hands were shaking. I took the flashlight, leaned over the edge, and aimed the beam into the darkness… And that’s when I saw something terrifying inside the well

Shining into the depths, I froze. My heart sank. On the wet stones was our son.

It turned out that while I was reading and my wife was busy with her own tasks, he had quietly gone out into the yard. He had approached the well to see what was inside – and didn’t realize how he ended up inside.

For almost an hour, he had been calling for help, but we couldn’t hear his cries because of the depth. We were convinced he was playing in his room. A true miracle that our son survived.

I immediately called 911. The rescuers arrived and pulled him out. He is now in the hospital and recovering.

We sold the house. And now I want to say one thing: please, always watch your children. Even the most ordinary thing, at first glance, can become the cause of a real tragedy.