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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuY92CS9E2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUNeHyopzi
"Sasha! SASHA!"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGhxFovf78
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58EdB7SGcJ
No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqP6iXxhIWm
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5cw9ogz50
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMysr3RrUcG
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d5acaxBHz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXZVex87cz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJo4i4Hpd0
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QemC2sx3K
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2lnLMNAVf
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqT3SpxiUL1
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrAdm5c1RG
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaGafcSOdJ
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0JPYTRa0l
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNDz9OmA1w
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpics2uJg1q
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhlSdzn4nH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowurZGubpp
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHd9pZedH2
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfv93GruX5r
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1w7pJcr4V
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVGwaKSTcZ
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvYEfqYniB
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6W5cOmgKK
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQjXH5Upty
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jHxUEeJkt
"I haven't looked yet."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKkVoagKOL
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqf7UxDbHkW
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWDdxXc0Tr
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3eSHRgs8i
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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivralyjHvx
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGOhzFn6Hs
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tl0N30pS7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrXmRtMhnG
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikaZ31yQRI
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrHXDkk15v
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyGxUqv4Kl
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNWinBSYL1
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pH0OHRRN7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo64alW14B
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDhfWaTVmK
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUoVGPCggz
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0imfjtARP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrMt5YdgdQ
Cool. But also terrifying.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6OK5siEsj
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksgwlq5acR
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjAvkS6Q5P
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbU1mhECBQ
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLX0b6kvuV
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDwZSjWiIc
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWAfLWfjih
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW4ysHo1np
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb5z18i508
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFFTiLFD9g
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxly763BAy
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyrX3FXnqB
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIxdyZxUcS
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKAzH4q6tX
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidHqPM8t4y
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33NWFXlkb0
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTBtwL1yOp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi9OLQMsNJ
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQs8pwGDFP
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5HSQ2IaaC
I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rTvMiqJGo
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAXiNTrmXz
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd2GCzYv2d
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJTuJ9kZHy
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKklq43C5HH
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwItcdeYgz
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79xIEnQX3J
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfIHG8M05m
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tx23ZlEFO
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ27Kmbxha
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchKTyeQB3h
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5XX5IOnpV
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynKz6XleAp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpqPjHhZG2
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmyEG6tyya
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UDjcQAhvC
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh4AS9rWk7
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFxZ96wlHl
"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?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5gx55MMsU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvwiou5lfw
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9czM97HRa
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZlZ7OtVd0
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63i5QYBU4B
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApSaMHgL0o
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkSbyvppOk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU426CgdLQg
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciK2D0W6Kw
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwamA1edFu
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYosxa81uU
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC0XDL8Dpj
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0oU6vpuVz
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUOsY8P5Gr
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVndqg0MIOC
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahRNpnTToc
"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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GwUXsqu6f
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEH6JZaUYw
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."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7t8CwWC7Mk
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraVhSceXm8
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMktoFtxiPW
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUjlXfsh1i
"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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG7W25JZsp
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IiUce308u
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLttZ2jDrx6
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU7QaJHhXN
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA2m7IWMcT
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb5vBvSPka
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.166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09sgup0fgM
166Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cIoJJPzYh
------8964 copyright protection162ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7j8jO3vPm 維尼

3.148.202.164