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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEHRh8ky7R
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GdsIBV2QM
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGa3U4Xdff
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6mOHMoQii
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqJfG1gYbP
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpz7519UXw
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf548NXgvsh
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KfFGohxeg
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxu5jl4x4Q
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi141uiwP3U
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3BbrQyw1S
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL98fId5dNl
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBKPuizz5F
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiC48SBCQa
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfZQOKdS7H
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYKGgR2VUG
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aMWXYJRu6
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LTcijKwGN
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67SW3rIHpr
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7PCDBP1Oq
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxgagAq0v2
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNuBO593Yb
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTrp3r3ckw
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatuvBBjl3A
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHbeBylz3s
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77UihYrTMX
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JHwa5iXZJ
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEXawdI71b
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRGOxQOOhb
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqABp2UpEdc
Evelyn.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdozCgPJO91
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnbYLg5Vph
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTplSqUWUT1
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn7NusFaTQ
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPgvNiTrg9
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwjlXgVUll
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnK2ZXNlFG
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnATIJY0Dah
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGln7UWfBpC
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPwtcp1CHV
"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?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3EjxbGQEI
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQNZ6dfoMM
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MBQOsFCsB
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrDSaEPFpi
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYEC1KFmzm
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxV1BnweMQ
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFRsRSZPx9
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZFAFoEspo
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmBbV2k6Zm
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RpyHOJgc3
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vxgsq6qvX
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWu1KZUqw
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHUrvPrzd2
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoMz5QKFQt
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvYoAonj3o
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I3mMmiCTu
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTbg5m8HjE
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRjzVL93r2
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIczbh2uMXi
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsaejzuci
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ90h7sycG
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sQJHFvOa3
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?732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk6dnRXA8a
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P9PmnfyU4
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAG0MPSy3S
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgr8ZUw2WVR
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBH6Xk9La0
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYJA6wHZkQ
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3uoybODky
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYub5wzbIpb
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?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtghjOUCYCQ
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8EsmRQ4i9
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxR7w1jCON
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54yP3wJ8Q3
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QTcLEvlW8
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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."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCfY3UWmTj
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxqiWU7Fsd
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfvLcPnBJd
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7osUZkbuku
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjcHp3QU2B
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSc7KCEjdQ
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlRFMypDs2
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79tTvBXdJr
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhP9T7nrFGc
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUJ05AmP7O
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4O1rvkQ4r
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvlFEdWS2s
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJbE8WAeKa
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpaLDAWBMR
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFYKsEvb7S
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUVF0eiVEC
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwdZG1bgax
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAOLBTrwCq
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."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT7tH2fvY3
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQQkHwK406
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."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GxQTh4B0E
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01skVw1zZu
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDDDTPSK8c
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04gZPPs1Gw
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYZU6xoKHy
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKEm0akrvv
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdlgPvrxlS
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHG5fJBiT5
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!"732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LYgdYswcy
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1VsdoxlDj
"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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0tJfjbSN4
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3aT18fv4z
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4sPUYhfo8
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEwr1JvOi1
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMcS29dCYC
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGN5rRCCFF
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.732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjagek2Nbo
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyNuZkRUy9
732Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTLPPRwlwf
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