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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3swSfAh6Q
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnnRUbiGCQ
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfmMspKpuW
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4W6kmFOYJ
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRXIk6B8dk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zuCZTzOe6
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zPatiV1xJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlqAnUfDzK
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmTGxGWzHX
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaxBVBsi7h
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4OxDRfSoJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQFPoprWCl
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLAwV1Xr8D
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y6Ttm2LTh
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEMvrtMG0i
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUdmNf8cza
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1aL1nKzBz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0eIdsV8F1
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgUjXoGtFO
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylcxWwdD4Y
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmGszCh6X1
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3adPariJLt
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoXRbaIJ9P
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9C1AjsCUY
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8RaBbvaoJ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJPo24j27m
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSTSFWVWt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRgbIdpWcz
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwBBR1ZUiN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzlzLgfn3D
Evelyn.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPLtm1NuLT
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzecmZkr3W
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMiw2gqkVN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP7OPFotWZ
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH7vhA1ywi
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpMI9zgH65
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VTby8Vbt6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LRoTmAhdF
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48XRTOPWJa
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFOEZeG4xi
"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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwQP83fWjR
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f0DEpgR3b
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVUPabjLUr
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd3uZNO9mz
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKmzm0Tx5t
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp7Ol2FgS9
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdcUQrRZg9
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMaDML0nT1
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB9arIT2VY
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdyfcb8cn4
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnmR6ZR5ct
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyEZZKjctl
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbmPcBQlET
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzATnXWmF6
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSEChGhgOd
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EDII6NUj1
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQROgnXLxkt
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrMRkTLv87
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG79N71Zx8I
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZShxgvj9Y
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA673eTEdLq
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzLk7QN236
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?176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ52EtSUbNQ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg7UeNSDn2
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBiQVtB2Ga
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19tbHFXCvx
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpFZrmJbLM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WIfMuhrrp
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziNK3x4ixw
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99eH3KrERY
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?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dOMNzS4mC
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IBnzpfaSv
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uiuQ0KqwM
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRjz17Mnmx
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0MZDciol7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnj9dcTG8S
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiiBIDkAJA
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc33PNm023b
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyzMg6Qse6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0sjutQFaP
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre1oxJzdSG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCfT01UYTI
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh4YIOgvc7
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq3EJwwaIe
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrsgL2GN7e
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3sfPEUgrD
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1fafbxgrF
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSy6piBLgF
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvlwijDXl
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2w3kOXPZ5
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyo55GIfYz
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBejGgDfPyq
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYacz8Ceuk
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh02ciVFwid
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ150VGHQSun
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3tOJpJ6x6
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."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxyxQO5zBG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRELSHPqmXm
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDo9lR2uyN
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZGnEKaRFg
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKH7Vk9a5J
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX52naoHB5
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWhoLa9vGG
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAhN5qqbrp
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!"176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepFqfUFH82
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFiJ16iGqi
"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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lz0N3UrWy
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbeXmItbiF
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gdySzPv5C
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhNkaD5ObF
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKmogyjlrZ
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nPttAPlk6
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.176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5e7q5EO0mx
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEErO15DYL6
176Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCp3Do8gU9
-------8964 copyright protection172ＰＥＮＡＮＡLocGwS9x1R 維尼

18.188.29.0