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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmc0prhMIg
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCLYPyYsZY
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPOwGMHLHL
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGkHncftxl
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfudj6RNDP
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFAkE7ahZG
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpqXTsdPd1
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTXK60eJOw
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VuCeiAuGX
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc3CcBRHUN
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPLOdZNVYe
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc1XuzHoCH
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf6buOLHRn
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ZebTrCdm
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnUkpU8zjm
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd50iT8dKYW
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHU2CQP8gsW
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreVUcSZAab
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft2WAr1bYw
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXLaaerJR4
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0kbUq34mW
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvJZ248D34
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc1H3FzOQE
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0whCCpjjSh
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLU6ZBGTpZ
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtDU6wQbeK
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOKYMth7nT
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWHFVu5i9k
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovaIH3HaVu
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoByRSazeMk
Evelyn.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsMDxNAzIs
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAxy46DQkU
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwssDgq5Ke
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw59SlWcRBk
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXZkh2QYou
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0qdbzXVEv
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1xfwcg1kN
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHQJ6Y86pg
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlnvpawh73
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSSMKi5pzp
"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?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrSvUtmqau
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquSpymCubD
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O7o5JROEm
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Hs497BP4
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnaHEdj6cQ
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH4DHdMA76
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjRt7THiX2
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Rg1vCjrdt
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUQzTpQQbI
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF73PNHgEg
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI9sIytBvU
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRBZgYhFw2
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7c4sA1J8La
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFWEApRXl5
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbQ5ZdsjyX
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNs6KeibJwl
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt8ZtAV2r4
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwgmtNVlxg
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzltWAnZara
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlePRpFjV5
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPA6ITwX3n
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4pPx26ff5
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?734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLmHoaAFdJ
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wmLbSMfIm
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBFVVtmXcc
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rmi0WrQId
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0nY5fnbm8
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd0uDdG2vh
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZDYfLYdv8
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnau0PssgG
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?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRd4o3l2MY
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zDReNUndY
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6FzypCREB
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJth9rh5ejz
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kCxHnQLCL
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsgnV1CToE
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."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZrpjh9Mov
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI2L3W428F
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxoxeCYBCW
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZoxJ8voJG
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijJUNmeY8q
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGMZv8n0tG
"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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX1dMdYjld
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhF5ClNYav
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2dU96i2mn
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZDNEEUlZP
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWi9v9zcH9
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0NWU2xwyW
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3okMQmvfJ
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuNaL7bpTR
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSAyckhLxp
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcama0JSRtR
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0DRlQyNHb
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsjtx3RmiF
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."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBrEkjfTC6
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhZmQMrz8U
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."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz3WKDGUQW
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRAIIpLYlm
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrkBucFHIT
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z1HJnhjzq
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wRvG6htcj
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFw45pADtK
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpigPzh3cf
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNnHAhOMD9
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!"734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHfU9cmY3x
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIwIspiCRZ
"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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVJz2gYs5i
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ6pEdv9Cl
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscQ4pYANOm
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhYHUxSRiK
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKdpIn9Ium
734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQL2HUG8PRu
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.734Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WxoZIr1c9
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