I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DrBuX7bLZ
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAQpyurOX5
"Sasha! SASHA!"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkyIkmdmqv
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsq3qGtZ00c
No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaRDtrYWD0
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLij7XfarSk
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt6et9GpsZ
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wL1OZU0dK
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZwlJmqoDB
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliraQXejDH
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0DQL8pdfq
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkic2nbPAS7
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zMcJsnhiC
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTL0Y5vJPwo
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeByVj1cym
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOvL0kMIyR
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7G8jtMIlm
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPBaeRKkfF
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJQqAIH5Te
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtK3YwoTpb
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bo5wEQmuf
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ct0xFvSyK
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WSIaF0SB6
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCTJbAmwGg
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CY8eXsUb8
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZywuYbFCJ
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bOtDMJTyY
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkdtSGubOs
"I haven't looked yet."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAe8eY4lav
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXeND8NisU
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs43NIFa4Nn
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpKOngfG5x
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtLATpgNA5
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVY9NmS0ly
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPhCvLJxUd
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YgR5t12pq
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabBAmfDXlM
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1g06doKt8
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPfFpXWHmM
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDUI28Mmkc
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95lEY5wY7h
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGRt4ErGEN
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxQXZ6dvss
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmDkqUngt0
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJPAHOrpFJ
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoKQcfQdbW
Cool. But also terrifying.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh9hDLnMgm
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bpNwAsGa5
The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq25kRryohS
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDjTBQaTB7
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMQcB6kgTa
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu2hVFxEdh
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6440AmK8D
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPAWQe4oTn
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMTy0aLeRW
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BmAD6PEpV
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIAYOz56lv
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3S5dMJwS8
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklZPuXERZ5
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eRXecQLIU
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKoAqgScD4
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfVe9fbqgz
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0BZWHeRR0
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcsbRY1Mm7
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFFLhHpc9Z
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32ZjWBlZon
I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4HsOrVWc3
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbBojYmOxY
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18xNo8Qz44
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgsJRQFI6A
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQwK6TNjlv
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBgtPM5fCC
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8s9DBkcsq
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiq2hbMxFO
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoQY6MwSUG
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkbFDWZNLC
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgQGLLJhZv
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx112V3dAJW
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn2lboEHoo
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhrQiGxEae
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqEgTepBRX
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsiV1NicdU
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITyDKFdyBS
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtqjIRdLai
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkGgZgnn1Q
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnT5ShFImD7
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKESMdafph
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7mj4YkLgb
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4H1e3rXM5
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNuEwwoMpG
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacTJT0cZH5
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1oSMI10LE
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Wyk1Fa6py
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVe7tTfvPb
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBHzYiwI39
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWkz8L0Z6N
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJi3QHOtxA
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NtjMku5TS
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC053p0An3y
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsizobJJ5K9
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFwjFkyxHM
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4dvoduCGk
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvgin1TW5Q
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAc5hfOUch
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzQRganYXV
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyRKnA89sK
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvRlreT4hP
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEXrK9cBbs
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr6JBRlCKJ
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeJ8IVKRmg
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85pKfi3Hdd
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lLKXhDZQL
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLsyC3pXwS
815Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDNQsdVIdW
------1234 copyright protection811ＰＥＮＡＮＡeum9sL2kD7 尼

216.73.216.134