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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlP7mN7ey2
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnt9IP0Bst
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1stY7MLpK
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVnQz9gw6v
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IpAsnB6V5
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyflKRaLR2
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZwlOiA24j
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK4osXTZkh
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7DddSxFGA
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcEyROVX7J
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhLH8MV1j1
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wBDGnizd3
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX3ba2uaO2
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4TAorKE9b
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B8KH6M42L
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4L0SxNvcE
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72Y0lMxsys
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lxSH46dVc
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSwHwgq4GI
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgs954x0gg
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDEPZ9LgXJ
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7TwTL1brC
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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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYlrm5UX3d
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"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDmMi1rfnS
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmgK43CNVK
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2lWmjQMh5
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25N59qMyT5
Evelyn.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z6ShcG0J9
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5nvfzjs4l
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWLXRdUcbA
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoavTMwRIG
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAytZyy0JGh
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLDl1Fi6qH
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1xGpARos3
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD4mQETpCx
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb7bqkCmnA
"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?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAFIW45XJa
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXFbStuZSF
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DdKNDdWh2
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU5h1NjEn1
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPGTToG5ho
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTWFPhEnC8
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0H6TwrpzF
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64EABP6cZb
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdewgvlkAD
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIhjgN8NVF
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K3vANzmia
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxMki43tgI
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNDXFqSs7c
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJCELvdYod
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A9LljlTm0
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3TlVULCww
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfGYyYc7uE
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsebFkXrZs
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoLDTGvuvH
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvFdkJSsZd
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2eGhTa8hz
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0nTQYXSWr
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?780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv2cz4GoO5
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyQWrhbb6r
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ2k6nC3fO
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi2W8lnTqC
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"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnAtASrpii
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxcN0sUA17
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?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1GL1reNAR
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTGVPiLrY7
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYkJOBW6pu
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IQ0SoqICS
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcSzfpKLKV
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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."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAJku6xayW
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikhPOSsSfL
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaqLWlYFbv
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK3RcyQjvl
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMYlLmxeTL
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BoNIWjwRb
"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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFdtMf5wmR
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADCiuTN8UY
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnFdTKEOj2
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiDQxQgvIJ
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyPNdtfYYI
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKBOk83PhR
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZr4BLWAIH
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI7yTYdgli
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeemhSR2tGz
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLN4ZrQAF
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbN6sPfuhZp
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21WeyU7a2A
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."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzombH0kud2
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqYsmqbonw
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."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzLXGmsCHy
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKflDhgi4u
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cZlXsByPz
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIPVYnE6VX
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqoccfB23Q
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4p7V07JNJ
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOHEEqFj1y
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkEMKAVsIX
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!"780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7guNvft4Y
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FWiwU3sYP
"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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguGbIO2L0U
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ546mZ8fOdp
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6fE1N5o3T
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiyL0U5Bkl
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY0sbvZEiM
780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLky0pTTzrU
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.780Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKm6PtRiuZ
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