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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrwCdSjXaV
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiI5Uh8twnn
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FCcWP20Sy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a0HPlfROW
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kCVJwqe2k
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6cRJP9XbV
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3263DOwm3
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH73cd9Oaa4
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XH3SWid2f
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDDFzrsesN
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucPoYpjh1l
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7P1yUGeWT
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3dteXetz3
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8haooTkLvi
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlcTvAGqOf
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuauCEHGF49
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc362NsGhF
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zcvIDawD0
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOHrmoQZxx
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bx2ogzkk5
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLquaQGReN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwimI5xzpYn
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHqFRNGveq
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSook1vRfaM
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXShpvfBUD
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrDiwXjR6S
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmkNZXrznu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRsOs3gU1Y
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUliWU2cq0A
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmP1zrpQgt
Evelyn.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuuUam65Vc
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnunlyLvWku
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTX47pHKDA
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71wbFyqlGq
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o8Xq6oBcG
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqP2Wj9S1p
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XEiRvL1jI
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWelGF76Ub
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wikLPHT1W
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwysSGNQPoI
"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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5YDhHPCBJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvw4bqLwzo
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4jpATXJfC
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qrg4SIAuF
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS8dvhJqKm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRNjMWMCUQ
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVTul7Mzvv
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov5c2zwIXG
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFAM0AIdBe
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaFsjX1KYp
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkqCmMgzXW
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzlaf5n9Wv
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutwPy3FtrA
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXMcNDey5r
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCcoiKz9Jg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XVvRiMHfT
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIGvTn9GqN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51iZLcz0c7
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzWwtd4dCy
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboIUTVLeBZ
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCOJH4B0f0
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxy4yPyqDeV
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?163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxAcfsXNJ5
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDLm3FfeT0
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoevwPHhSn
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q4xaduTBo
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO97VevVWDu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q6vQ7EUvs
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmaPnQbNv0
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpjvV7vOKM
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?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC1bgm5144
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG4gQbOIJw
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAI26iaCgN
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs975iSO8F6
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6uExVrb7R
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTS41MPtaj
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhf3lTscuAs
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QCvk2bEnr
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIQ4D4q7hm
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dLMHaCzeT
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC2T6kuQUg
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6bY8YoFba
"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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax1fJyyavu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcj6mviWAF
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzgzd9t9mM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YMYEx2tQl
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0Z4QnDEfU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlW5ZeagzN
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXX1b9PvuP
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRLTt4HAeK
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeuxUwS95p
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfh8sDCSza
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhz9kzjGwM
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0j1eCx6Su
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZsrmdsXik
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uilOsKQtx
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."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA7UqyNOiE
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXDSDoOxwD
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjSRN2m6Ts
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoRdFO4K8I
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHIw7wQbl4
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQDvh1yFJB
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHDDyla3gU
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGVwCS7PUa
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!"163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTR5dgN60U9
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK4ySysIW9
"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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eGPHHBB7L
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFXHLpa81g
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBIxXgz3QE
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAdZoG7Mro
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Vtx8EGT7
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nkXg2fpxV
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.163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgLqmEprYu
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tSyProQMJ
163Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40VPHJ8obZ
-------8964 copyright protection159ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b0UZEyiQ0 維尼

18.189.189.4