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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO94RFNOqSA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EuvQWvY2r
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzjI3Wtxdv
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmnSD0o2li
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gCy13IPgl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW8GUPfwYJ
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS53IMfy93
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Cc2dm7HR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v1teECjBO
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFYLicITP8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI2BLCPjwC
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY5Z0kHP6I
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN20lKGn365
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXgTOdJmrv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZQ36TW4D4
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUkOJy8jrl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxTcNAf9RL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqDjda8rNJ
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYawuJEFfxe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWaHG0IwWj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQPpHW5fd1
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaKTwJLUFK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyhAWyYpwz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf11XAWEWjB
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpWzRhw5zY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73k3DqGMan
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RN5UBogKe
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXarIfRSO73
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dTJLlxRBS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5R3CtAcprq
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Cy5U66VA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zN0KdBDlY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqconzxrSS9
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgk5dE9b7E
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K6j1O1xcj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXREUDwbjpq
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLllqDawzhP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESK7yYfphr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVO0zz1ZSX
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5eLg2IXSI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwiZj9jGLQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnLtGQVzeX
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ1EjYjre0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxRniAxag7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPuLp5V52M
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OOM5NXnQi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUERed9tRfk
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb8wdiVtm7
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsB7dodrH1w
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ298sNaiUCU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmb3bfP1Ke
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS33Y00Yl5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwSy1LxUaz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy40AwCAiFo
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkx2VzBDvu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrpLiNVLJ2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8cfkeF22F
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjbrEuHAsF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWGFo8fpWe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyWRFIwAQj
"Should I?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy8rD0TjMN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnByBn89wsi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPwyvSxsbB
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKEQlmcJzs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk4GIN4VDx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIWO1PP0Cs
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj56GDppAwh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2KNdDn7pf
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLOT76Lkjz
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JKf80PwaR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfOssSU5wP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAmUZ3QiQ6
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EXfKbnLUJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2gELK4a8a
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdvXw6VBVP
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6203g6cLW
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYJHSnsk0w
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qZwJkik5P
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQE1ykELkm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPahXXl8TD5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnFUFWXAaC
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeoRSlYmXs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlJa6lpRmn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAQwt4SNzB
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38Rl6wJnJU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOJTHKwSAi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkpPXkLrRa
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnS0Z6AyjgD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyEVVGj9in
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9IVmSymSW
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduQy6RAJkq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh2xxw47Gs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JP4v7RjlT
"Is she?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFePpbCnqBa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBLJ4Mfu1T
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIUl1vbcZE
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?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1I9AebtlQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlizyvGG47m
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bTbzh8Mhv
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgwudbgw41
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu353q7Ocz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT3QYGVWoP
"Do you think it's because of her father?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmrtN5CHI3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6lHusqXO5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZui1vn179
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInEwIxkxaZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHiiBp0vpS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCazLvV5ykv
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa7HNL0QED
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxOMUQEHxR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77h10nDERs
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdcyXFrH9f
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeTVBJJo6X
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF9iTvebuU
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8XX4aeNxp
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkFyXfoowy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu3MjDexml
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaLuBNozdc
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPNg2jfEUt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVSx4nNgC8
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU6f7Mm9pG
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoGJuvT4wZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXFdE1UZxt
"Maybe they did."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzydM6tniK2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RJzifB0Zx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnSxs0GOSe
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bMXfxnGFx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhacrJfsQYu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6Q92KpoAZ
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHg8PfIOx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlOqAgXec6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJLbHkRAFt
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NhaQr310Y
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjgeR4KYTB
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIziHkqGkJB
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxJ3CD9bVL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwMxpiqVMO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCo2xQHHEN
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2OoihyK6m
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlA3sbQWqJW
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9eB9wMAlZ
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEFU5aRb2l
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGoAFTnfEm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyTBgKKcZq
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxaW0GYJAq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX4ej7TgTc
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOkbwowatu
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXvIG8hmO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAwVsAx3Pu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRcSuC1Egy
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFGO7ZCtSo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQABYkNND0t
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2POTl89WX
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?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQpZaMKSSg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwPqHAuMim
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnq2BiljQO
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1WDW0ItJQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBOuE7pXfm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6wNYDvg3m
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhdsa7TI1X
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzTnsiYHuS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLyuMYVFt6
"Yes."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK9vYFurdY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6SOCwjTPn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoczZvx0SKP
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDdYBnPlQP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfSmEG9UiI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfy3xPV2Qv
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65LD6fs95p
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh36QuYlB0y
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGxdLNMn7I
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlEFWNAYBI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmQCaeauoH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrS8z4O8r8
"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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MQMRcjITQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWcVs2D6B7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4naMB20aCg
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iFlkQDjAK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgDaeognW6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePF56h16J8
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAnnsCgHsO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMkzkbEawj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5xOJS7TCj
"Is that why you called?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeK1xwDtmZD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTpGfO2oLd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VsKAyhtfG
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyRexkcHDa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGga8kj7qs7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpdqvX6Qub
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerFbtstOgH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr5OOXXHXD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtYxhG4W6A
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVejslZMQ5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZCAc86Ue9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhMrdoGZGj
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2XcPk0mcs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFYlMrEejN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqTUcnAWe4
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDO1tq9D5l
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6WCYOjS59
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndaTWazJjN
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjI6xKDskl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqauDPDz4Ac
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WtlofI5eo
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mhgf3jQIq
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCXjRwCKVt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0RmFzRJdi
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UZENpgT5I
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpZHNxJAAY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLohOm63mV
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLHnWzYZxj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnpzb0Uq5i
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi2TElJ9CJ
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFn5ZSbODB
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrM9B4WqXHe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmcGOxA1D3
"Soon. Very soon."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2HR5VAhRn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZXnnxBhWe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgvhKskPU4
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jzSPe74va
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jcAiWzXSM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ2q88Ghjj
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IQIcgEewj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7GoUCC5R8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzU2v2lqkY
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iKs2rdA4m
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w8HeUp6Jm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqJ774BlEs
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRyZHzYCVA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaDz02AkLE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrTrPR2mfE
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTO6BbJTMQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI46ypWld0a
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmzfhoP9UK
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3KMBG4gau
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRJYY4nEl8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCnMgRGhWK
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CrZzFbII3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ13vvHba1x
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JakAxXARC
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU9zqp3hM9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZueF1QuhNd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DsqzR2mL8
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJgInxUkjz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPvXTGsYxw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz4mSL4Eyr
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxfr1qa4zY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEBQlPyqn5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoFUWF4fRy
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtnOm1MtJv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUEiRLPwwl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhwUJPLf2r
***489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmGoxvwyPo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQNDlaiUtX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER6qyDEue9
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBDVDxek7x
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ245eIgKJXK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpex7o8OzY
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvKsjyVhkx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKk0LMoxzx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMz2MrCFnG
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ14Vpg2P2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97e6aO3VwQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybmks1icVg
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABAsVUmkDL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLzuKXJJLD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyTPToV2O7
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlh3fAQa6n
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2f71GVxhi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rbTe7qpEg
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQo3ef0di7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3kYVvopzF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWu2yswgf5L
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTbuqOr8NO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8zEXucBaP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6LuYnYJYj
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eJQQ20j7G
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq1pypaDt5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrqvrPDJhF
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIeSQAS2z0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bDdcm8WAi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTif70YLu2
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?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGqB82bMWD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBcJKzAcp4
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKtBGoqBoG
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg0c4C8Vjc
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JWCVVBd6R
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIztFR4cOwk
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkJnO7VMrJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFUwod3RI6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEedvNI7gz
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ435JlYoxBA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepC3xmZGsy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtRvb6QIaJ
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gkw1WTl8b
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8ptw9kY8Q
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLKmuLsW5M
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9TQZBZeVe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5yVCzg93z
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknJP4IYEV1
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6g0TFtNwr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52XsktgCOT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozqzL9YQzn
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yOI3rXkiE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP5fpFVEuj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XSmLw26wg
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIk7wTOOSn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgYuLnr0g2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaQmp5rkf7
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iQlzUjQaA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFURgMl6csj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzpFMCyKH3
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNOyAwFrec
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmDg3nKXGe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIvTtDFhzE
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxnYM2nxVf
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fQq7Dlh0d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtunDZJUUDH
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vZOawWNYZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxlPIF6ztH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsoVq4DvSh
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDOMU94NrH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6joygDGZJS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIRg7kRiaw
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuFAHkzP8Z
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQB8xgYgXF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDWJZixPyY
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4YA9Avbar
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFyohahyTm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPHFKSIcbk
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMsyEnLIVV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58wEjpwGrQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhaM8VNdOn
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d8TmJKhDQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOn2pOK1Oz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju8ewp90xm
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe0v4TCQWB
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70Q084T3u3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcTLw20UzJ
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuwnZFVK99
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmJFvjfqDG
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWLgX1HUvK
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtquTsRFD2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ciVPqX25T
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVdZ29cnRR
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGnmiRxeR7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyqYlJwj9G
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfouATuIHlV
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSARoEzlk3n
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe5CDGehfz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ075yTINdAc
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVBrBWJgFK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L5DWzErBU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvDt8JPzqH
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mJcddgjFP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyNByAGOOO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavhPY7RY8l
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3tDOyI9vo
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIcOB9ZAxC
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexU6IkbWSZ
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ10qytCyD0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO14JqL5W2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t2K7fFket
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS4wA9UDhW
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdJVMGYKkD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2UNPBWzaj
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotB7uFfUdO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EFwhZN4VQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUai4WGQbJ
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwf8zBS941
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ3qiRf3Wh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS8hha9sdj
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRfIW8HSxX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDf2EgWPAE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IuBjcqQHF
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLe5ob4eww
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9MCy61xnV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnKdxDa5rH
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyLPkVCojH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogUrTA7S60
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodxz8ATHYh
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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG7kV63HK5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuGM6mlyz3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwVhdQLh6G
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81x6A9oNpt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyfZNLvtLa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCtIN56B5E
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k02n0E6nw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPEPOhrlM0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMZOpvO83N
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm2hSOkhKn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5w1HM20pr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuXjRSXdGf
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTVqfOL8Wl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXsPeRtZLb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHFdfnzsiQ
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTlak0tKzk
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxhLqzJm41
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsjubNAigd
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIINeqVbD7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHKoCtDmVv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDCcWR7n5J
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFxS7qBmoI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdevHCra3Z
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqMGWSG2sl
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr79XNq37ux
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho75VTqnVJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVnaOb1gLm
"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."489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuCflWAnF5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR6aoSwKEM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LhfgD3Uxm
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMtv0InFL2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQZWCl8nPO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML3a0Q0iy3
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEGrMAeUY5
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4suj4nbhTa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd0J2qd94a
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhBS9h2gFy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZXWbkXNGK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDhvunCwy
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZt02yFfmd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8eCQvmuf8
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOWLX0h1cP
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFX2V2KMN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPTPOSHQeR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6kO9qgwvN
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX2I3CsACy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJHONa8hqL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBoc7ikO5Z
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JSg4HfiiV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAEDgVAouu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEpKQ0HDc3
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkYbTRatrb
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCyX6zvM1I
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPwUYd0uOG
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM8lftBqtc
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AALJZRk6C
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJML83a42Jp
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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcCAZ4Fwng
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5HqtJ8eDN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefQmkXfj6U
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?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBj4aZPeoR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiayg5rC6d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTYKCQ6SL4
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8C7D0aTbd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVlJLSe6bH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6DFVYDypJ
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kIJ1rY0B6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHgfRtKuyQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDFvdKwaIf
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeielNHEoFP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMvTL33crA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rchhRzH0f
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxeei1PkGv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdyVefA0ly
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuYIyCMSLE
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjDCsqlyFt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HSh2IUTg9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYVEvJUq8j
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG0LBTqAey
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWYNaOjbmC
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxr3KwDhgy
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3eWY6D5Fe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnQrj1TGb7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiExJaljTS
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT6Qqge3RN
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZePwu4kLK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv7sogjEM1
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCqCdPEw5x
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt64FeNhEYR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG41ZTHy8M4
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:489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbibCZVQP6s
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWaVF8eGl0
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLwLfyI3fI
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8vQ3eEbP6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO83FwLdv9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRv4WLadqO
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCshdYEcbI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zJC0C1B7d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE9yeaKwrR
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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D0wYxGpA3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3xgGL6jWz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y9PopNZf3
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROdXQyiRKT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeETjUqTgTI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBGXowJUdH
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUv9wLE1XM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkDLaQ6rZg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXJmq6RZJo
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYWizHB7sd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9beEPlNNgr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzTKYvUzEt
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlmBmYhh9b
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs27qcoUJ1
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyDoGhkMkL
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rrZqmzWyH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7oitBHgqQ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Be0BcuDRk
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBPygnE27A
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dDdJSFDHj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIebtnHDoQ
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4IwKVjULw
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7ERlStRYT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ika80ao9
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kZTyOLNFM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wo322lJCj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3OltHMinI
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOstAfXuLd9
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiS8zHF0No
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKGvlHUHVB
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcabzplHTGv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq8hsXV0An
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR2F3yzZhx
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZoRa7OYab
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MDFl8xM3X
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEHWqmozNs
“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!”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwtZmmdbR7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8BpebkmL2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODKJXM0M6z
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3vArN8RFz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnaZtEVBvm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjizCbY3RTM
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMa367B4MD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiZjgKAz2L
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hj244WOch
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy3QfEaV1a
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRkKDwB1kc
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY1U0yllEZ
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEjUz9PjHJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGhkU087gF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fHShJ7URT
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyhoMYUglD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYbDCDgoAd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JsuvgIM7E
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyx9cICLS2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89OtT82dV1
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICIzm3Qva2
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUOpoXo6mO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOovBlgPTn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o7QoUJSKS
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKP97go3pJz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjHp9ljwuZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd7k9deJTo
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXbiRCJh6E
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ia2ZHQSuu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlypH0UTjVI
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2TPxyzXmh
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDWGXdNx2X
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1GX38PNAt
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OZah08OGI
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK1zfctnSi
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQlTX6dhl
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDSrPwWLvZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLp96zDfQl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3ngxqGvhr
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQsxzRGe8h
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFnSYrbd25
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFlUMOIULS
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7rKXfJcBg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlkaGyq6St
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCk0uCJaPuB
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJBjAXRfwJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLI3JKDU5P
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP3wGF2M5X
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYGsvMohHJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdYAbUL4G6
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPFZ2sBlUi
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPXZgC4y2P
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3FUziLHTv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKPpoN5jEB
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XzGTmG5xO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEFiqif47I
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jRejP8cDp
“What is it?” he asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHypLPQ19OZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYaCDg2V6j
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNkOzGelFm
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDruff6KOyj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqtOwoOQ0e
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThhKMvsK5Z
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXJ1YJOHtT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdUkeZDVfO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMAwQcasXI
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTECYUfXpj2
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtUSyIIkLn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6QLAR7ACk
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYIvi9sYRa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNt9g6fuWY
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRlcaUUQ3o
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?489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzcPekCfkd
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4nk6BgKqS
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqf0ntR7P9
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRv4Mep69v
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53rtuAlzCK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9twMsovMC3
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaJDizAZ4y
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbovIR5pwp
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTt1JxBmqS
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRz49zzQZjl
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ335ZPguB6m
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6UQMTnnss
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wYjQM1nRA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9z9B7QGZT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqbrk6QO2T
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1PjBNDSQV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVAyViqHmz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZK9ho6Dav
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39HQZYe03u
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPLSAOukjr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoPn2Jl6Qf
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrYcm5wJMJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnOsRQe7bX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdjpGmf77x
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ214CQZKF8a
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SQ8RDvSyV
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQTkZZn6mZ
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPRuClYaer
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLENkSIDDF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B5YXojYlf
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9us0oN8Esn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymzgh0rCwH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPG5SnjPKN
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn957IpZyuF
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwb4hXjtqW
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeewUpc738f
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBTFG0QGOO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWaBK78ytP
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI3RaPY5qS
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ774xNvFk
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq09BbLf3XW
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeBWhJGz8t
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mltzgEPYr
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnqqdN6CrM
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuTVKWD4U1
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkONHU3D61C
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKuLRTl8Ll
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNjgOn2cID
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UR8wXxq7R
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvDRXy315w
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0yJbVORQW
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroSMu1oJzz
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMBeFwfP7d
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHrmmf0l1s
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7PgFxeQpK
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4aXLe0wZJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzYq8DMdCF
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb8d7q41pH
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud75RZGUXE
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgAfCQyZLn
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4UBTwuUwD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqFbHnVa98
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWMAv7U80r
“There’s no phone service.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5uDZUUYAt
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU0lsVi6BO
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VzG5q3aOb
“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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKch2UPV6pL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXled10tZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlNrgoGl3K
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHiNsnlOyf
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FE3lMGSMG
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUYOGmnmf3
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLEUq7UbvT
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv9CvgOtUR
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEB4iDCKCe
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlPqIgCyg7
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbQauakpA3
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Vtw749PbF
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XKSSV0PkL
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt7FJE4mBJ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvIjtmYWEp
“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.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivLULnKRYg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKhO9M3Yuj
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GT2YeHt6o
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYc7HIwPsVs
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1ZMcpAaf1
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHM60G5o0Y
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQkPZneAsv
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7WiSbZOSu
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzBkUM8HzF
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSn5cIoM0w
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8r58q6HtUe
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBt9TKWMVY
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9EQZ6U2Bx
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtq5hqwxKRy
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5XyLpmtoN
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCmXxz0AYa
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXomYiGjG1X
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPtUJbgbii
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzr3CiszH83
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1HgdIrxOg
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx87JBW1IFB
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCM6o19ZLm
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWyo11Lt76
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1vlVy8J1K
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOvGdrwPRZ
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCmQwW0vZD
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwVz0rKe4t
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja1Sx00pcX
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKPvjhkUrU
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe697nvBUSF
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.489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxPjt7gKjA
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSctNQJOpn
489Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUH4PQ8O6nb
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 protection485ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaBlIFiwbU 維尼

216.73.216.156