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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjeEYIPwy6
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3UwRo9plH
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XJSoxHrWs
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn33N4OrYcW
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloPOsD3OH5
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgYnrpeXoM
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiuw27QS9o
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pZhxUMBcx
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0miP5N7zX
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPRzysklJs
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo04pK1YWE
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHwXdWV1eg
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgee0DZ0CM1
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sbWQfp3VA
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO8P7VOiGc
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgplpYi2Ac5
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPmy7BX0r4
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdvJC8C9Fe
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslncBddwP9
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6eC1XVQcb
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsjYUgMeGJ
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10a23So2JQ
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mv326LuXV
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBY0K3q8V1
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r4rfPSvxE
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGtRboRFw3
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoreshc2XO
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhKgpA7dxX
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBdG5ETAbN
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNQlDVodMV
Evelyn.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiZhU5eSKP
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUrdfHAq1v
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlAZZbHuSv
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNxsXJiBGd
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMTcr5JSDF
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fjEQYqKdX
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXQb6DcSEJ
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIlpts89r6
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtOdvjlnjs
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA2J5bnck4
"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?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDqMie8912
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59ALomFeYF
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNWF39hRNX
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfg1WkO8CI
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJqLF66DMn
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIs7JsgETu
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLfYBOPfde
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN84eFr1aPo
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQmwhjcDLt
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgYO2R5JYJ
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84thqm9dPz
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHrJOx2LU6
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpjRMvLWXO
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcicL74fv2
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVp3Cvcmsd
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZsX4FRo2h
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C1GnSocj6
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOG1WwnduL
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtjR0EX5LV
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qrbjijfm7
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuM32OA47T
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJO0PvQd5Z
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?733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCO2KWBgOiO
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88R7l0uErq
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZESDbsjeJ
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Km5s4IVO
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KisHqwM4X
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXOScb9zps
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC5PQAlVIG
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmAL0moy5U
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?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETEYI6ckJ8
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxjfaxMTh3
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRwKxaTXB7
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk7rjNcWY0
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY40i2EX6MG
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmzXQ7ecWJ
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."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgba1DQViZr
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomKttD3FZS
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj47aWojRy
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0GngOfy9l
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy815T1ub6
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiYuKK1ZWS
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dzD1yEr9o
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK147cN7kqR
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVu8CRdH5L
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudsEhasyEp
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPzosmNmEf
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ge7gpu8n7
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4hqiP0Z8p
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKHjVKZSQd
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTFfEWqfn
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR5y3KFI0a
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobozXa5N9I
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyGSOIRJYv
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."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcnFuJNFZo
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76g9bfQF3V
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."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NY9W3i6cO
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoygdAokcs
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdRJB2OZwS
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDyxb52pdn
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQxUC8LgKk
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1XpXRrqxm
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7GIpFRuLD
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez0eHzDV8n
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!"733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VQwNQugsZ
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3qzsn7bfx
"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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U5wWDFTTI
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfXXiAN6f3
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWsQ6rEvB
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ272kypSWUm
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P2uY9Lv0S
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNWru9wE1D
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.733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoxSa45kSv
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtbbUYEPo7
733Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuofQ7lvmU
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