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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYG2rslb0y
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pnl1SkDhZ
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zyGm4ZQht
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExFXvpXVDj
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbn8m7Utm3s
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAuHqqwNWB
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBCvg9vsQw
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvGN07HZHi
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjwOVaO9BD
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXKAbGctZH
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z8cNZW2BJ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SBC0nPj40
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFboJrqVohI
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5z1A9mio0
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoeJa3EYQt
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjfUWtS3tn
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMFROwizel
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ElF0WzAop
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrOHvxcHPQ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEtNeFrSG6
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm0t896k71
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhZjgo5RrC
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePYNe4uKBK
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwcBbTIjgC
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8gBJyZsMH
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTOVtn92aO
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyQRLuIDtY
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAzcKSfjCK
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFJmm8slIY
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8UB9l1NR5
Evelyn.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOLlCbiJnF
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS94ibmovTH
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IPdgQOm8j
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjIHjFzDTI
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vR1DsfFaW
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30gMgCVb0O
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiunXdosHz
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuwWutDgxa
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAYEyQmLms
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnHPNLPzHJ
"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?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw9GE91LO3
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLCDimBm5c
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvGAsoya0R
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDvdp35ger
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtpVOo9FiH
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovlx5jIpmM
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaveXPChM4
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYmubIOFRy
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDar8DiPLRh
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjtJiqC97Q
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0BGXEi5Yj
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDiRNzyIcE
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolTDFaNvn8
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80JEtithpa
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyItESFfcay
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbt5ONGpVP
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qGKqCmGJ2
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIzunxOnuP
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75eddJQZY4
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SElIPmVY4
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxC3jWStVd
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N2owWJjKR
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?326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59EtREvKKB
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSixrvN3lmP
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfYhweQYQ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyckcaKkJe
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGpO6QUsGY
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhioJFr3ht4
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumtScQm7cW
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaYdG2828q
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?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ovih7EV3Z
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTGRvtdAqc
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbIHeuhrVH
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"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgPHPtrv3U
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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."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJkpjYtM3o
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQoOIoxmVn
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0SVCQWqqX
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxxCHijFmz
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoDhBHtIIJ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpSJjsL44z
"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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzRmDZE2HJ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SJsO09WcF
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OHh04Prbo
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooZYVWRTzQ
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡordc6IYbKk
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9zmr0uOqO
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhP7KRwNQS
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ701nuaRjTj
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdZvzzJzdq
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AysW6USgT
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAqAbUjzKm
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzdoeHkZEN
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."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAJKMGTojK
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwo89M8Vju
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."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocKNRAxl7Z
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6cx8jHojE
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I4BFsC63v
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7mzZALsnh
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyyqKxselW
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYxjEhNZnb
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhiyYFrcfG
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFub5K9jhgD
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!"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoNEqCJjzt
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeLbwzPwvq
"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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuczQEy5kmB
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8jl8HeJpI
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLzo5VPL7U
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCPiAHfROs
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSXyyDV1m1
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKArjeH5PoL
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.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo0DXJoOTL
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7133bt8L8
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