The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHdr9VO79f
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuAWZmMSx1
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD4mF5m1i6
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QZcXnxHG3
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpLYOZsXZA
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlCYDPO2Yg
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk1d75P4pU
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB9eHd90R5
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SnDgbF0Cp
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRRR0snsGp
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnrWIFnSs0
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlKVqN07Kh
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm5dRHIbcA
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIBdOoo5vU
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4beISvde9
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExeF5YG4AJ
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxDBumGwZm
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9DKvy2XGT
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8nnS8YzDS
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCbxRnnwqE
The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXlfcrYzi0
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2dmJiSS2i
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8N8ljJgdk
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkhBq31aK9
The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHveh0rxcoz
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMxrF0Ibbx
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCkcVw4XG3
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubDK4BImZT
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciyXunGpGl
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71AIkgdKnb
Evelyn.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxphxIvvMx
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJx4xs40yS
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGKqO5N2oT
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzAF7ecaes
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIbjN055gz
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0CAFEXP12
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqD2rAzMni
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceBgEWYxky
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpFpje0kdO
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwrPGCrlE8
"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMETH2J1lGX
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpngUU0k5X
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcbIr95kcf
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaA3fzjoN3r
The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe21aHY2Lu
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONp0aFfhEu
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXieQ665a9
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzl1tLnI3W
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHSxGvBscz
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzkAbF0yMy
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQW81o1Qha
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPQU3klJ9J
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFygAEF6Qs6
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslxagvyHln
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40KhS7Y4FL
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwycHDAsJ2v
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRs0c4Zw0t
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedTpdkbEgJ
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvK79zKVin
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3yMKe1Dvz
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiXVp8oEGw
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfmrna4Cro
Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDyo9LeGdP
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuTVFzZ34c
She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOML76I2joP
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLWIYv469m
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjB3Tg1syw
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe43D1so64
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bbSuDKmI0
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1bSqMXkDb
But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTvzmuTjiU
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZqhqbSnNi
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B4HpA7Ier
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u4hpNDq1i
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY724XkVMnR
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaMsKmE8Tk
Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX1fCxEsa6
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM15wVH9NwK
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutz4O2dEN6
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQbhNWAviI
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXsefpzZcJ
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb68Hct4z73
"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIShdi9AGD
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbzIA4Skny
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHjVmIJgcB
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaroTjbWKTU
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKEBXJNOR0
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJwNQxFQYH
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE16mUxcCaA
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyjKTZs5Z3
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBdwFjhejx
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq9YMAuTRe
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnoFG7r6ek
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdv6DZiz5E
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXt0WNFxWB
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSCZVNk8M7
I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhS9v40yyw
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ebgiBpa3n
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYuptyFyuy
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIgcWDsnqa
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJvRSdo7Bw
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEH74SN6qI
Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcPxM5KZbs
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpxNSbwfbU
I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbynDX0LFL
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡummajQq6g3
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKiXKh78hg
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYZwmSU5hO
Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxohSxIYUN9
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG5N8EeGJr
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7hc6legAJ
731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxveQwQqtXc
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QXSBOF1uQ
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