The sound of the car's engine roared smoothly, and the chirping of the nocturnal insects filled his ears as he drove through the woods. He had left the main dirt road and took a turn down another that only he, and a few others knew about. No one in the day would even notice it, that's if they look hard enough. Anyone would think it's just a simple trail someone made to get out of the woods faster. But to the man in his car, it's more than that. This road led somewhere that only he and a few others had visited before.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh3O8i3gIP
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He soon came to a stop as the trees in front of him were now clustered together that there was no way through for the car to pass. He killed the engine and the car's headlights died down. The man looked to the passenger seat and took the torch that lay there. He removed his keys from the ignition and got out of the car, making sure to lock it. He knew no one would've followed him, but you couldn't be too careful with anything.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUu2rUVz5B
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3MzhFoJHa
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The sound of running water, alongside the sound of crickets filled his ears. He's close. He continued his way forward, stepping on broken twigs and leaves in his wake.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA4VTPJWIm
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwf9CI7e9I
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Soon, he could see the bright light from the moon find it's way through the trees and the sound of the flowing water became even louder. He stepped out into the clearing and found himself standing at the banks of the stream. With the light coming from the moon, he turned off the torch.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo1145MTcx
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYtp3LWcTr
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3eeTszxw6
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The man smiled as he pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Why don't you ever understand that I want to stay hidden?" he asked. "And besides, I'm not the only one."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7AzQUqmsE
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFlNYb2Pwx
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The man with the breathy voice scoffed. "Who would ever think you're here? You worry about everything all the time when you're always careful with what you do."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xcWqbdZdb
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WZrGfvyEy
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yediAW7Zi
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOrywBux3d
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFq6hnTUxD
"You and your paranoia," said the other man who just like Mr. Sinclair, wore black clothes, except that his was a heavy, long coat and Sinclair wore an all black suit.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0mmgnzJwW
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OnAbabT5Y
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Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfX6yGAVf9
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZG9DNA2uS
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJDZRtOKOW
The man shot Mr. Sinclair a deadly look. Even when the light didn't fall on the man's face, Mr. Sinclair could tell that the man's dark eyes were straight on him with the usual grim look Sinclair knew so well.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uTiUtN1Cr
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSnzJ3vCDi
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4Ck1OEDWo
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6SvstBRuW
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"Bah, you're as annoying as ever, Sinclair," said the man, sounding irritated. "Now tell me, what's been going on in this little town of yours? Not much happens anymore."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSFSsYbeYu
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANTXPzqA8
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfTxr5OcdB
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1qX7sIfFn
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The man continued to look at Mr. Sinclair as silence passed between them. He turned to look towards the stream before looking up at the clear night sky.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPFXsdXad1
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyaDKhSpI8
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"It still feels like yesterday when she left us," said the man, his gaze resting on the moon. "I hear her grand-daughter is in town."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OathW6b2A
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgM7bD0EHZ
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GNLHdPM31
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHa2I9LGjo
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡircdbp1mnj
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkoPsJPm5T
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92bVmZEoQX
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlSbF6mboW
"Should I?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Ur5KwSXr
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa3Ggka9Ua
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4HG5EX1zl
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXhKk57hXA
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMyRVntC3W
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9cOOI7l5e
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1oJMDg8hC
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo40escqJ6Q
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZBghGW9Wr
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlvnICZJD3
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbbRLnOa3d
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfFcla8wRg
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1pO2EFF54
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTyvyarm2I
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wtN7kWocu
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRbYhCZFp6
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Mr. Sinclair shook his head. "As far as I know, she doesn't know anything. Not even the past drama that surrounded her late grand-mother."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoRufuQAdz
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap5Mj1Ieb7
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ajoXlmxZE
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvGeBIxIrE
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ551bxsztCI
"That's what I don't understand." Mr. Sinclair turned his head to look at the dark flowing stream to his side. "She hasn't been here in years, yet she's being attacked like she's a threat."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp037lsHNYi
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Xz832oGw
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"Is she?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilbQ95ocLW
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565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqYD6fvws5
Mr. Sinclair turned to look at the man before him. "Is she?" he repeated the question, sounding rather confused by it. "You think she knows something?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD0pf7mO7c
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2K7hRCsAy
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCga6MQENP
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpUMujtA4q
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZiKiGGHCH
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"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR4r6lB6O4
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jtQ94KXMX
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"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurO0pMmJDb
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The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM73fYb77n
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCc1zyp863
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Mr. Sinclair cleared his throat. "Let's not go there. Let's say they are attacking Rhénee because of that, why drag her into Emelda's past? I should tell you that she went to Emelda's cottage and the aftermath wasn't pretty."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMfXRNZqNG
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvEgdeHYv3
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qUZhhk9bh
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"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQhkSrqbl6
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdi9j2rx4Bc
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"Maybe they did."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2IYJpy0CT
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"If the people Rhénee's dealing with are who we think they are, they probably didn't tell her. Or maybe they told her because they wanted her in their grasp."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mo8d58gia
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NfvXcxoSZ
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"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFk7fLSs0E
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"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIhelm39P3
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jkpP4eqXM
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8dIbMyp1b
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"Don't sound so sympathetic, Sinclair," the man snarled. "What did you want her to do? Watch her friend die? She knew that if she let that happen, she would be next."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0qfNFMQ7x
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The corner of Mr. Sinclair's lips were raised to a smile. "A fairly reasonable answer. But naturally, she acted like a good friend would."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXsUsywa0R
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRcdKwLwOp
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccoWrrpHAD
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61SQcULrr5
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxqdw7hpJJ
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgwrcilUG4
"Rhénee's like her grand-mother. More like her mother in a way, but you can't deny that she attained some of her grand-mother's attributes."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBjaD1s8LK
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The man in front of Sinclair, humphed. "I can't believe you on that one. You said she killed someone. How did she do it?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtHS7f1SAi
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Mr. Sinclair smiled. "She shot him, of course. Miss Marie gave her a gun and she did the only thing necessary to save her friend."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dcvVzOiuV
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LRwpPdffo
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWwuAnesz4
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClTy9asPd4
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"Yes."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29au5VSIg8
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3PVllQmhH
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozIwCXa7td
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFz7PbE8ie
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bq5fvWRao
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fQA8QtiaJ
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkAjqJvrny
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BDllhAUOF
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9c0LkUYdH1
"Her aim? I would say it's spot on. Hit the man right in the head," Mr. Sinclair pointed his index finger to the head, "and square on the chest," his finger moved to point to his chest.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1lvypLtKv
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The man folded his arms as he tilted his head to the side. "If you ask me, her late grand-mother would be proud of her for defending herself and her friend."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrElSwByKek
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtlko7GL72
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"That's because she's being dragged into something she knows nothing about. We just need to play our part and do whatever we can to stop this from going any further."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48gqg7RBuy
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuu6xMSpEf
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"Is that why you called?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJsovxrgUS
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565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19CLAFHDx2
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlvih8AuAR
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4CogYYLyB
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFtjgbDQz1
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjczNvHAgR
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBWxBMKHhq
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"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzGEKYTSDt
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsU7HYmQczO
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjeVw6ghKy
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRXhoAD7Ob
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyaIQTpzgz
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHRqRgQHIY
"I did," Mr. Sinclair closed his eyes as his right index finger pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "But like I said, there are other priorities I've to take care of. Like Emelda's enemies, for example."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LhOc8M94c
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGW5sXI4Ip
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"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgksB7J1mD5
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc522zMYGoh
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8S62Jh1dC
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfjo1wLNWy
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoci9apd25E
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"Psst. You're just weak and too soft for my liking, Sinclair. You know who they are, but you can't grab them by the throat and deal with them."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4a2YG6TKq
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jYxHFsrRr
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"Like I said, it's not that simple. They know how to play the game, old man. It's not going to be easy. Everyone's playing their cards right at the moment."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZjmYtB8Ve
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGZuYNSyi3
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBfSk62a7p
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayh55b6aQd
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiDiD8H34N
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pbOeGUPVr
"Soon. Very soon."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFImRzrQUSk
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGLQ7gHc9Q
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0htpYBuFP
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuDwZxFUG4
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOa4DVqxUI
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6buHj7TSst
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLauKIiJVc
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0dUcol9AH
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJcfUv1zti
"Don't bring Emelda into this," the man sounded offended. "I don't know why she trusted you so much to take care of her affairs when you simply can't protect her grand-daughter."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDvXc2C63K
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevIAELzHoO
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The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzRj6M31xC
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3KzvGuJQE
565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb9zVMYgzk
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT6skbONJv
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzPFEHhOxW
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The man waved his hand in disdain at Sinclair and turned around to leave. "You asked the wrong person. Go find someone else to do your bidding because I'm not going to."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbnxoPx7lP
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As soon as the man started to walk away, Mr. Sinclair said, "do it for Emelda. You know deep down that she would've wanted you to."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xqxSasYuV
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The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymAds8mIa5
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***565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ljpLZiIjj
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Rhénee glanced at Miss Griselda who sat right beside her on the passenger's seat with her hands together and close to her moving lips that didn't make a sound. She was praying, and Rhénee thought it best not to say anything. When she told Miss Griselda about Mr. Cowell's condition, she had been like that since.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO1du6YRDH
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Sophie sat in between Rhénee and Miss Griselda and didn't even once let out a meow. Rhénee noticed the cat through the corner of her eye give Miss Griselda a look a few times, then look away instantly. If there's another thing that amused Rhénee about Sophie, is how the cat could read the room like a sensible person would. Rhénee thought she shouldn't think about it so much, especially since it brought up the thought of how Sophie knew where the cottage was.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3F9IgsStKf
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She looked at her phone held up on the dashboard by a car phone holder with her hands on the steering wheel. Kevin had sent her the coordinates to Mr. Cowell's house and the phone screen displayed the map and the direction in which to go. They were almost there.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFZ2JgLo1e
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The good part about the neighbourhood they were in, is that there were still people walking around at this time. And the place didn't feel like anything had stirred up a frenzy, like "Mr. Cowell lost a finger" kind of frenzy.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhabWF1aJZY
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"You don't have to get so worked up, Miss Griselda," Rhénee said as soon as she noticed that Miss Griselda had finished praying. "If there's anyone who's supposed to be praying, it's me."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWEhKMHvet
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"Don't be foolish, dear," said Miss Griselda, "Mr. Cowell has been my friend for a long time. Of course, I'll worry and pray for him."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTg5AlXC8G
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0DqTCDXe2
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQuiviopJi
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Rhénee didn't know what to say as she kept her eyes on the road. They were a few houses away from their destination. Miss Griselda's last statement got her thinking. When she came to Madison, she thought everything will be fine. She inherited her late grand-mother's house and her fortune, so she had nothing to worry about if it came to her future. And she was delighted to come back to a place she considered her second home in years. Now she's faced with a problem involving her late grand-mother that she knew nothing about, turning her whole life into a nightmare. All she has as clues is the cottage in the forest and the sapphire necklace which led absolutely nowhere.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNKzAoHY8H
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Maybe Miss Griselda's right, Rhénee thought. She has no idea what's going on and she didn't know why all this is tied around her late grand-mother. She's no more. What could she have been involved in that they had to trouble Rhénee?565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxEBhJEOb1
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPUw5E2kVI
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ga2buoh5O
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Rhénee thought twice about what she wanted to ask as she found herself stopping the car. They were finally here. Mr. Cowell's house had a white wooden fence demarcating his house from his neighbour's on either side. She noticed someone standing right on the front porch looking over at her car. It's Kevin.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxyxmoVPa5
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"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1TbvosqkZ
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The question will have to be wait, Rhénee decided as she shook her head and said, "it's nothing. I've a lot on my mind and forgot what I wanted to ask you."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26EjSSRXek
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSZnE0xvKv
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"I started worrying the moment I started to reason," Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smile. She turned the key in the ignition and the car engine died down. "Let's go."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubPZuLEMN1
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The two women got out of the car with Sophie jumping out after Rhénee. Rhénee locked the car and Miss Griselda came round to stand beside her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUYxNbD9iq
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They were about to make their way towards the house when they found Kevin already walking towards them. He opened the wooden gate in front of him.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VYmACOvg3
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kUgVYhCxJ
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkACrFU5AXc
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZwl0y8B9i
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"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRWCvdKH8d
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Miss Griselda held Rhénee's shoulder firmly that Rhénee turned to look at her. "What did I tell you earlier, dear? Don't blame yourself for something that you know nothing about."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUFuXv2DJ8
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOrjaefjKo
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"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifnxHqk0gp
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskzU7b6RWd
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Rhénee wanted to oppose and say that it isn't going to be possible, but she realised that she didn't come to debate on how to deal with a menace that neither has a face nor a name. She's here to see Mr. Cowell.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzyUtHM20S
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDPC9ExP9P
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Kevin and Miss Griselda nodded. With Kevin leading the way towards the house, the two women and Sophie, followed. The closer they got to the house, the more Rhénee started to look around. She had the strangest feeling that someone's hiding somewhere nearby with their eyes on her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVcJWFQMbN
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdzrexkgPz
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Rhénee soon found herself standing on the porch of the front door which stood open. Miss Griselda had already gone in while Kevin stayed by the door, waiting for Rhénee. She looked around the yard and beyond for something that might not even be there.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI5eyUbfDR
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQUIFUb2GL
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnKlnvrDpI
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She turned to look at Kevin and realised that he wasn't going to stop asking. She almost shook her head, but then the feeling kept coming back. She tried her best not to turn her head and look around. Doing that would only make Kevin worry more.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uJqk7sWTw
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGObTCGty8
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XikUtyE0h
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Rhénee went right through the door, stepping into Mr. Cowell's house and finding herself in the small foyer. A wooden coat hanger stood at the corner and a key hanger stuck onto the wall. There were three pairs of men's shoes near the coat hanger neatly arranged on the floor. She suspected that Mr. Cowell lived alone. As far as she knows, his wife had passed away years ago.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94D6MH5Dbv
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Kevin closed the door behind her and led the way to the living room, by-passing the stairs. They found Miss Griselda seated on one of the coffee brown sofas, right next to Mr. Cowell, who wore a dark green bomber jacket. Rhénee noticed him holding his bloody, bandaged left hand closer to his chest, getting blood on the jacket. Miss Griselda looked at him with a comforting hand on his shoulder. Rhénee stood at the entrance of the livingroom while Kevin went over to seat on the sofa opposite Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCXZChR7vH
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"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DDgUl4YoY
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Mr. Cowell shook his head. Rhénee noticed him shivering a little. He still looked shocked and frightened, like a little lost puppy that had almost drowned in a river but had managed to survive. Rhénee could only wonder what the man had been through. And it felt like it was all her fault.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ3ixfz6Xg
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoY5t2iJGS
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Kevin shook his head. "No, he hasn't talked at all. He didn't even answer the door when I first came to check on him. Luckily it was open and I found him seated here on the sofa just like he is right now."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkwretQY1M
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Rhénee sucked her teeth, folded her arms and felt like kicking something. Miss Griselda and Kevin turned to look at her, looking even more worried.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0fO9xvFcc
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglynrRakUi
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7PwMqfwns
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Kevin turned to look at Miss Griselda and she gave him the same look. Miss Griselda turned to Mr. Cowell who still hadn't said a word.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZEBoNc09Q
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gIrmpQE8s
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W3olI3jRQ
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"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObg6a32aQp
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPFiIkr01M
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"No, you stay here." Miss Griselda gave Rhénee a brief glance. She had now drawn the curtain aside to look outside. "You need to keep an eye on her."565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY5HGezzpi
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPY2vDuJRr
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Miss Griselda nodded and turned to look down at Mr. Cowell. She bent lower to wrap her arm under his, so as to help him up. She spoke kindly, telling him to stand, and surprisingly, he slowly did, though he still didn't utter a word nor a sound. Kevin watched on at the pair as Miss Griselda supported Mr. Cowell, making their way out of the livingroom, at a steady pace.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDf6MZv8En
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Kevin turned towards Rhénee, who still had her eyes fixed on the window. She might not look scared, but he could tell that something isn't right. She had a different aura than the one she had after the shooting incident.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNGR9w631H
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucVtjDGLXF
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gDWDtFy6B
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“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLyrHPsPXb
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“I know, but either way, it still feels like it. Malcom almost died today, and now we know that the finger we found back at the house is Mr. Cowell’s. If you were in my shoes, you would blame yourself too.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GNOQgOeWZ
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Kevin didn’t argue there. She's right. Anyone in her shoes would definitely blame themselves. Right now, he had to get her head clear from such thoughts, but he realised he didn’t know how to.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iDY4uqfHt
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKZ9W85QpC
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Rhénee didn’t answer, until she drew back the curtains. “I didn’t want to worry you, but yes. I feel we’re being watched.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQHa4qPZiO
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Kevin quickly drew the curtains aside from the other end and frantically looked out of the window. “How do you know? Did you see anyone?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmNSJCWgRK
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kz2kHzabt
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“Maybe you’re just imagining things after the shooting incident.” Kevin turned to look at her, drawing back the curtains. “Not to mention that you haven’t even rested.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMBaf1pCUj
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObIi1p5Abw
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo7WBAU0WB
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They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLXRdHKDq8
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAn8Di3Sp
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tEG4M9ArB
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNdJ67QLca
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgKPQtUVns
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He led her towards the sofa and they both sat. Rhénee still looked a little uneasy that Kevin had to look at her and say:565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KL7rwBb6a
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6FDJ9WQPi
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“Well, that’s what you think,” said Rhénee as she folded her arms. “And I feel uncomfortable here. They probably attacked Mr. Cowell in this very house and no one apart from us knows about it.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB3GwLdHUQ
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Kevin started to look around. “Now that you mention it, the place doesn’t look like anyone broke in or there had been a struggle.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuA9eahBkWT
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Rhénee also started to look. The place looked to be in order. There weren’t any broken items on the floor or anything that looked like it wasn’t supposed to be where they were. Kevin held her shoulder and shook his head.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRsD91eHm7
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuOi1ydL7k
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJOXgFr4l2
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSER74KEBl
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Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTP8UQsOk
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJm9svneZs
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He started to make his way out of the living-room and first went to the kitchen. Rhénee watched him as he disappeared behind the kitchen door. She had a strong urge to get up from the sofa and make her way towards the stairs. But no sooner had she thought about it did Kevin walk out of the kitchen.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB13LCE6gD
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaT05T6x1N
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnIADkq5Z4
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“The place is just fine,” said Kevin as he started to make his way out of the living-room to head to the stairs. “I’ll go check upstairs.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sU4r447og
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Rhénee watched him go, seeing him climb up the stairs. As soon as she was sure that he's gone, she stood. She looked around first and soon felt something is wrong. Could it be Mr. Cowell had been attacked somewhere else? It’s a possibility. She remembered the bloody cloth that covered his injured hand. There would’ve been traces of blood somewhere on the floor or anywhere near the living room area even if he had been attacked elsewhere and came back.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQ6bOpuqFq
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“Kevin!” Rhénee called out to him as she rushed quickly for the stairs. Her shout made Sophie wake up and jump off the sofa. “Kevin!”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8pWRkYiCG
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNKSRz6Zrz
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnxkmUOY8G
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“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUBr7DfOiq
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Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTmS2YmghF
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Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHPAcQ9gOw
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Rhénee got to the bathroom and found the door slightly open. “Miss Griselda, are you in there?” she called out. No response. Rhénee quickly pushed the door open and to her surprise, the bathroom's empty.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxsVbIyaSP
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4GPDvI1me
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP39M8HTxku
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFQsIjVo4Z
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOKb8lPO5J
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Rhénee started to look around and noticed that there wasn’t a first aid box or anything that might have been used to clean Mr. Cowell’s wound. Kevin came rushing back and the look on his face told Rhénee what she feared had happened.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUjBqJ7l2U
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“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdruIp2vdg
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“I don’t know,” Rhénee said, trying not to sound or act agitated. But with what’s going on, she couldn’t help but fear the worst.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3IltkWh8K
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhibHBbQeg5
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“So it seems. There are no blood stains anywhere in the house and the place is in perfect condition. He isn’t injured, and when we got distracted, he took the opportunity to kidnap Miss Griselda.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgLGptkTDH
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrudajqQma
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“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QMARrIb0h
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She immediately spotted something in the bathtub: the cloth that Mr. Cowell had used to cover his somewhat injured hand. Rhénee looked at it and realised that the red colour on the cloth isn’t blood, but red dark ink. There's a white cloth near the bathtub faucet. She slowly picked it up. There wasn’t any stain on it but she did catch a whiff of something. She drew it a little closer to take a sniff and the smell quickly made her cringe. Kevin came inside the bathroom as soon as she made that face.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNwBjlQjMD
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“What is it?” he asked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA1jTDSAqd
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEo36JVoKF
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Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhUDSL7aFP
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0EggZVKU0
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmw7Q0biY0
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Rhénee turned towards the wall where the window was. Kevin’s right. He couldn’t have considering that he not only had himself to escape, but the unconscious Miss Griselda to carry. So how did he get out?565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbiGRgS8g8
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She continued to look at the window when she noticed something off with the white bathroom wall tiles. They didn’t seem to be in line with each other. She noticed four vertical tiles out of line and as she looked downwards, she noticed that the tiles were bent too.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyMGSPkyJe
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She entered the bathtub and went on to touch them. They didn’t feel like they were part of the wall. They felt hollow. She turned to look at Kevin.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnqSXTqrp1
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCG5QMevWY
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“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc00YkvnQL
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“We’ve found his way out,” said Rhénee. “We just have no idea where they are or how he opened this thing.” Rhénee started to feel around the wall for anything to open the door.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KOHGRsvTy
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“Why would Mr. Cowell pull such a stunt?” Kevin asked as he came out of the tub and held out his hand to help Rhénee out of it.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14PNPsBcfT
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“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRscwiBLyK1
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLGnFc8VPj
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“That comes to show that we all don’t know each other well and that people will always have their own agenda. Come, let’s go check outside.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrr2ORvE8a
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With the cat, they rushed out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen. But before they could make it through the backdoor, the entire house became dark all of a sudden. They paused, wondering what’s going on.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXCDwdzhUe
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“Did someone forget to pay the electricity bill?” Rhénee jokingly asked as she slowly approached the backdoor with Kevin already in front of her. Despite the lights going out, the light coming from the house next door slightly streamed its way through the kitchen window.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVBea6ihyo
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“I doubt that,” Kevin said as he reached the door first. “Something’s not right here.” He tried the door knob and it didn’t turn. “Darn it! We’re locked in.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8I88VeayLE
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Rhénee couldn’t believe it. She turned around and started to make her way out of the kitchen for the front door. She had to be careful as some parts of the house were pitch black. When she got to the door and tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. She heard footsteps and knew Kevin is coming behind her. She turned around to look at him in the dark.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49cD6geHSI
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEIEcUb9qp
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SUyk2xk5S
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“Goodness, why didn’t I think of it?” Rhénee asked herself as she pulled out her phone that she had in her pocket and quickly turned the phone’s torch on.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoaPgrJVZd
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOUhNFOkac
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Kevin also took his phone out of the pocket and switched on the torch. Rhénee went on ahead to check for anything she could use to open the door by the coat hanger. Kevin looked at his phone and an expression came on his face.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcsPltwfl6
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXGA9JBcyC
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OmmGItVr6
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“There’s no phone service.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d2WMMmf8A
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“Huh?” Rhénee came to stand right beside him to take a look at his phone. The signal icon at the top of the screen showed an ‘x,’ meaning no network. She went on to also check her phone. It's the same with hers.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq5HzVphgf
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtgwo6S9Ui
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pp6NiArr7
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s8mkWkxyP
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36BQ6iC78L
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“This means, we’re stuck and Miss Griselda is probably far gone that we can’t catch up.” Rhénee shook her head. “I refuse to stay here. Miss Griselda is in danger and we need to find her.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4r1WBzMEc
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwUZTLFRF6
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n61GrNfuw
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtz80GG133
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Kevin and Rhénee split up with their phones acting as torches. As Rhénee looked around the living-room, she thought she heard something from up the stairs. She shrugged the thought away, thinking she's hearing things. She went on to look behind the curtains when she heard the sound again. She wanted to call out to Kevin, whom she heard in the kitchen. If they weren't the only ones in the house, who else could be here with them? She didn’t like this. It’s the same feeling she felt when she thought there was someone watching them from outside. Could it be that the person managed to get in? And if so, then both she and Kevin are in trouble.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkOn5XR5Kc
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She looked at the open entrance of the livingroom and heard a creak by the stairs. There's definitely someone in the house. They were doing their best to come down the stairs quietly, but she could hear footsteps.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNMkvmEdCh
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She thought of going to Kevin in the kitchen  but it felt a little risky. She thought it best to confront this person face to face. It's stupid, but it's too late to involve Kevin now.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hauX5AFVV
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Sophie brushed the side of Rhénee's foot, turning her attention to the cat. Sophie's green eyes shined brightly in the dark like little green bulbs. She could use the cat to throw the person off. She heard creaking again. The person had finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Rhénee silently knelt on the floor and hid behind the couch right next to the curtain. She also made sure to turn the torch off. She could hear the person make his or her way into the livingroom.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscQhqDO4cK
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Rhénee felt her heart beat. She realised that she felt the same way she did earlier when she was in the woods. Could this person also be working for the mysterious man who had told her to go to the cottage? If she could manage to capture the person, she might just hold him captive and get some answers.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzE4FH88zC
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She looked at Sophie next to her and the cat stared right back. They could hear the person's footsteps coming closer. It's time. Rhénee gave Sophie a nod and the cat swiftly disappeared out of sight like it was never there.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6uzlM2xhJ
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Rhénee took a little peak from behind the couch and saw the person approach the coffee table. She couldn't make out the person in the dark, but she guessed it's a man. She patiently waited for Sophie to make her move and hoped for everything to go as planned. But deep down, she knew that's unlikely to happen.565Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVzsXDS52Q
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The person in the dark suddenly jumped with fright as Sophie's bright green eyes lit up in the dark. The cat angrily hissed. Rhénee got startled by the person's reaction but was quick to respond to the situation and jumped out from behind the sofa towards the person in the dark.8964 copyright protection561ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdjjLJT2aK 維尼

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