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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdoBaC7BHW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lsOJM4mF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueGE6mHFI1
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhd4lzWHkr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P9vo1OwqI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx8dsqm2oD
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTRndppTaA
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXBF3xY22a
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI0kdeWuSG
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjCilbq0Pb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ02gMXexYX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWntS1ZPjP1
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PsoeBuFmL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvxnn4lqdO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJbrzWOgam
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9YDgzACHn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WNMEgZcAW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Stgso5bOu
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzV5werrgD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq4WzG2KFk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Vq5WFaOT
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWEpBV0QGI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHjhAPtNPC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv03QWJJtn
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQC5j34RNm
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds53j6T4vS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCWUreYRRe
"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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYru65Rsw4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VUtcWdDYJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QB87a5NWi
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFlYkC9cGI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPtVB9bkSO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiMcb8pVma
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa7pw6u5Fd
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaNkLQtHZj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYalAJViCxv
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5oCxb2JoM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwE1N1eRWA6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTVHTsRKqs
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0IDUrG76j
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FFVcujH6X
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bQsy6gvJE
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTojwx1iZfo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOXoxQ5P5T
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo4kZO6rnn
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVTVNmlCNl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k7O91iztX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSjGVDh9Ca
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu5hTHvmIj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsoPTpDX5r
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfJ2dyRcPX
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH88ZGmyrfR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzOk8FntiW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN0NnTNKeh
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXc2CT3dCf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIGU6I5W6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XRC96wq6K
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Hb6FfiBG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhDyzuh0xA
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy4H8gjG5e
"Should I?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5GZzupmF3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ndu13QSrl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjFqOFexoN
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgKhpsv4so
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIPvGbfs0B
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FCsJMmTrE
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjxJW4QlNP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrad662BzeW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J5OBgj7Bw
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlRVH1pc1u
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLKpHAlpTT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmP0SkGzlA
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAZpong6qS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIL06A2XIhD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuFKActar0
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJQwlcDS62
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTbfdpNDCy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7OyOPysbg
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zP9N0lmbs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRdpTxF433
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uokhHXpvR
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctDldd1daJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXC5IWSsbl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItNf79OIf5
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5H0hUJaQK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw5BOPuy9K
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGg5EjL0DL
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHcKTpfowH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4jKUqtqka
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVamHo8h863
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxpkSsB9i7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhINH05p5Xz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLAgBwiEgL
"Is she?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mzoqcodzR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9beqg3O13
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTv0sKQ66i
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?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfcWe0iglS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndAeu2zplj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WQQIG3B53
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMB5gF0yhl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ4gLqI2DK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90Tbb5Tg2w
"Do you think it's because of her father?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByEG0eo8OF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5htJoykX7C
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD47UBOZvE
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBru29KWrZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlK6bOvBOf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopY8lKWjOB
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKftEmZtWp
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDZ1YIYAvO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDioN3lz6l
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7G3MveMnc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypGGFVhCCr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTScv0i1LGS
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7p5aXGKy6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o6GGB5ihe
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlydOGYRL2R
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoHFtAkn6g
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkos7UxOamr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTDOwGlTh8
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtpnXrmrir
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g1vQAUuDg
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUdOj8KEd9
"Maybe they did."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiiKq78EZ7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1k0YKNlQal
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb4SkVkoU0
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVKrZaEEjM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaX1y0JhoC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoj2kPgKXE
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19AnkdsldA
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTCbD933kU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBrVGuYz7r
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNvDXs509j
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsomuywhESr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc0UKoAzjK
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoKBVvnBDw
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96rpyevQ17
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHOnJi8FsE
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINYsSrhCXT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56LIBeKSXq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv95QqqzIX
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEuFIjWeWF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsckyiPLUbG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdRV5XZr3j
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rexkgTVTD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1q3XJv4oh
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVWMgdoHdx
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpoqWH3qkw
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kn8Ya3zjQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE989ehjc6X
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLUarAotje
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡminQIrfQLH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKH48Komgin
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?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4UYrGf0ac
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc33EQ5ieWC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVyOQgQ7cd
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tLEN6am2l
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlpdRps1YW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmdmT9JE37
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBakxhgNvh
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2DywBDDwy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgigQOOaO7u
"Yes."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRGs9tJjGt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbsSvVfXpc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsQx2vPEAf
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xhJPY881B
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDOyrGqzTn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgqyaUdbJt
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ0dDyIpLV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP8reAfU60
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8MboMtlJS
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGhnhijt8T
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TZ3arkDmX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G2hDT02c5
"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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIqs6HMA8W
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZg5F8tlOy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMZ7RQdwEy
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8WR9N5IjX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvhtRdSbzz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5yZiyKUP7
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4aFST3TIS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc6E5blIT0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntlXGg76cG
"Is that why you called?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8XIWvjOQ3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQWb2PVzSU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilrTnh36bs
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC4IguapXo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5QUmdIYYl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXBZ4G01A6
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjwKUbYCKs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlQrh6PdCD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4ckfYl9a7
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWG3N7dtzC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJQxTv0mzY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f9ZbDJOc0
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0z2WPsn3X
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzgrPIS4wp
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9XbRVX5cL
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWuOSittmJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAvj9SzaeI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyFRsbgSU
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡws4uMyzZ2S
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVZs8JYEJ7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb7yy2f2MR
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrSSUbsWRP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJtA2ZZ8P5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhkdMIoqNq
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWzygdIned
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vCrQoAW0B
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFL0LCPt6E
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsPOKHGmSF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SsdWxwbM5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK0XTPxptC
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdkQMsWMm7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtJ5pZ0BcO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnmPFWoFxB
"Soon. Very soon."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsggdDjrV9b
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81YRR9bfKL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZhvF6G5Xf
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJpjnfbx8W
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi2FqtQ7tO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBG2YzLyMg
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR83YHu6wk7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLphu8Je7JM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ih3qmQUQD
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJSQbv6rkk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8WWODBkQ7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh35VIxaNkr
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdFcNAs4dK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AyxTvzNdx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn50qm77hFC
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTSJVaUKgx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva4KDbh2Bu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EMXIeuIiA
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoq8gY3zKGs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRnwCO58um
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmfA0iAZlD
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BITYjKuIh
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7TrAKVr9L
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthUzttt3gF
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxTQ2XRxZb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgtfhGQGua
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa7s7xDfaI
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHIPXGPTzE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaFPGAU2Ai
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIbcOIbdNj
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXlkhMq6SN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQk2K3ldwL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesNttLw9mE
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9DtqPvHD6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90czE9AxA6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluUt7SuhDF
***460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaV3ocxEBS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJBQCjUxll
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKQWB1ANT5
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZvsndl1cx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXmellSUXc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79z81ozxHF
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxeO3fg9Zt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAb9zE5uJ4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwlvB94Hqh
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWM2FF9SbV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg09415vyt5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChOMd7RZex
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTMeHbylTs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiicDyju4t
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF6nrW1XIl
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYqWA0koBZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnwIlQfAYs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb8wGyVzGL
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO0MV0b5WQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0NFnnSJel
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUu6PF86xj
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfmO2sKni4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MDeuxCit6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKefFJ6ZYE0
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquzy29aXZu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiqBHpEUEY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspqFZbHubo
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAygZdaVpU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQsjxrD4Vb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQo9qBVyNW
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?460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YwrCqPvbj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaHFcqIHqp
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRQViBOlTG
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uMsAV2Q0a
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXKmga49dq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP44kF2gtH
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1edEyJPpOS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U0yv7XdZo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMc2xC5QWa
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuq4FxZ20O
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0woTi1A4lI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrnP0mRanl
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNLG35QqTM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Eq78ghgm
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaFseanKRv
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjcxoMj0D6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmMRvbcrhq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6w51n6NHw
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiZUUk5i8T
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3932uAqxSi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ILIeCiRsZ
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yJXSr3LBk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQIsCQmJB9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQTtGpuXm
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCEWbFsGhd
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdrBbPweug
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HDJS6iFFU
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMF4eNQOkr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JymlPQJfe
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvQMu7WiGk
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4TYOvE0S5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x8Iuc9TNc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP4ty96lgY
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vLJii1gjP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR3AsmYYOZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB14dXXnrxE
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR3p4Mo8l9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqE7XAXAc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdapaluNu6i
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH7PxybFUs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyS1r3WRGIY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnB0aOIo6H
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADGPm1zZQ3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3z2XNpPf3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVcoxMlD1M
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47caze3EsT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ooUePS1sO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFJvSYhRSS
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvVmobiE1X
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSALeMwHZvv
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7K29hTaZJ
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6nz8XSRR5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFR94fcsNb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NhNHlZguk
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObxeBNEUw
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0y3riZuHj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezhcAQ1uVA
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS69WRgdW0Q
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDpQSORjQ2
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn3TU2Jds2
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgP7LsYk1v
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtSrYBZ5ay
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBNSEfsjYZ
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWgKsyzFdb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9nSqu3kru
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8lwUGzPyS
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAnVew3SJV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoefquk9Yl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK3jFK5cdE
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyfJJLvx8f
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtbZi69Fg9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbRldXBw3u
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6ffZ5Mx34
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlZsJxopZE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsUHRsIrbW
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBksQsnU5Xd
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiLRTArVMY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaYgW4PmBW
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINShpX5Bs5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmDzP3oZeU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeTv1tA2Ac
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKIrwl9Nx3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuG8BdacjH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiogcMyP2pX
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81L9LdeuLS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W8sZXXGmL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk1kV1TJfI
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzfgwWCOAn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH8v65e7Ao
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe53qMHaBE
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTH6xVCqfbG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsQvTC28up
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhK7ERJ82j
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91bMYgURmw
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCC4tAAyPI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXv7NUBJ3k
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2xMS2Xhbu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7mdUW2wpa
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARwG1MTfV1
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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9US9v1mDnZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsYwQqrkKy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELYZrTMQ1M
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4WD6KeC6U
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVh0JHPoNh
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ3sdMstve
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVZZvqR0WM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeKiZpgl2k
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GeajHGdsD
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa42zriBUob
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Rhslhdi2
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4tnsRkJlA
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz9XGGuzkl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwc96u2004
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvJfeLHWnG
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l14oQm5fi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurY34uduNV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ELfIbJxNV
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdWZBFNMT6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq1NzaANef
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVKbpRKvYk
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeup7bvIhga
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QDcxpV95O
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqBOVTfXas
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHayIdKWma
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbkLMhX2JM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUXIYaoOoV
"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."460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH2kvmonMu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtULvcxRbc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdlaT3YLLx
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Axzex5tcI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYg4tfqXlm
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdNbo5NqSH
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLetaSzSvdt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFQvu4vQWY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnYe2kEp0S
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLhRgL03XN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5yaCSd6Rr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMSCheqPxn
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxU6vdGkof
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbQEpznLh1
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2Uj8kIdqu
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFg9qXnIev
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLEqXwsy2O
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlgOpSZ5Yk
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqAAX5OmhB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8o1PoOKiuO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAykFeXROW9
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ046rgnTnBz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMfjMkkwL4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyHIl1kOjL
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY1BHbJ3lr
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZsIyTXQ23
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUv5uKIIso
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX1mNPAgPb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNZrVKu5MU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkfDfsV5vl
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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn03RJYsv8a
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Aoh96JM4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVfOL20lK5
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?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnkLKkTAVa
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tzUlVUKJE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEg8PKDRgW
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAS48oka0p
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bu8GcL6Yc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfeACEVmGI
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFtpwmRQu3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDi2pVt2CM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQrFfUpwQf
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw82qHbcTR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZO58kfGxi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF4SfaK5z7
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa6FgB9Iow
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8fJIuCEp4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DJmZxdIYk
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEw8s7r17F
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4PY8Lx9LF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVkBXYE2dc
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4HNZ7bbSM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVHl0Rt9GO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ1vxfmI42
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvncquFA8C
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStSD0nAtRf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMutZI0iWK
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp6M6BVY3r
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs24H56Bu6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgK4NwFLguj
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8sAHvXVhH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoaaAZOWxv
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡid52rWEZi2
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:460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ0D7j4frF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbJgUJptum
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s0Oj7GbRY
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9IIBDeTKO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalJ6ZIrlq1
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXwn6mhAXl
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYEQ0lAppO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eT6nlJGDZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jg2cOUNAx
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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPST2up1vYd
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vAs5yAGB4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOj0eu8JMh
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVPje7Yged
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgIsjY7luU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmOlZczODr
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQccdP9cGjV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1GX4mNpFb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqtqo1KAUt
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPbXw7rWU2
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxuPuxdrVT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1zrwC0tTx
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yFUdAhb9V
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp8aNTyq2s
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m1Mav7gvU
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4YGJCT6Ya
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNeltKBa9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaHXgD3fAY
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexIumyj3Wt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Ep80y4ik
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrL1KVtKKsA
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjWnphNjqb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07iWRZskAs
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWd2WY9xMJ
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Ts8IIyve
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhlH2Nw6XG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmrneN9dl7
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYABpJaAHsO
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbdDJ5H9tD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkkJmncqRP
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4BthS1eaZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqrtdB4495
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkD6Q8wf9E
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvob8nFXws
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYwXHWYeeI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jaIDH5sQe
“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!”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoheQIeMaV3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7gFw6VXJn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivCnh02vbg
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9cyhFZgUF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjEkCojDJN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBI19FEG4I
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShoJOE3lfy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ4V20ApvN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYUPdJ2Ew6
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47bq3GOqIc
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgprUknFo5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZz8fpFLtf
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbuLPIw2J5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35NQvote7t
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9bjE7exBn
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5unmieABMz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWVj8uZWiA
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4SH8CH7bo
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OGVyS8Prz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtKqez7gui
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETYqcG9T2y
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO3CP71Kd3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03HFedNqyH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD3gFCusrd
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaEnvK1ME4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzCFgawTH6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRzjBZMP47
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3pUVAPCSZ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYmBGVv21y
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTsKalIgNp
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD676cPgEj
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFAAwWTHlJ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLWcgb8b5Z
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMnLQPt3Qz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQH0yInrYM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQu9fMxvig
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIR2etYoO3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5ZmBmPi83
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdLji6osEa
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kdLIn3TdU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQDPZMwewo
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z0pzIfzyG
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5glppKy2iY
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuC2b6z0rG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHuSAIl6W4
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILjeZKbiL6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelAYsBHaNx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMWtlK9t12
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynh7iQTIwV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA0ByFhN0O
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBwnunK5vy
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJfItdvAUx
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iZRD44PWM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesT636HTJX
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0SxSPFRn0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMIN0KMuC4
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFZbxWFaQj
“What is it?” he asked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJPhGbQDCN
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq7iYxhLXk
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa6P8yVm2B
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNtrkukglI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmsw6TSQAL
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2N7HAUOyZW
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnZtkwEw6r
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZUMLL1YdK
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj3UUBSVac
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtkfVqXAgF
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6LoxbCHWC
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ECJw1Rj0j
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMVhYOhMlq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtwBkt93Tb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYylRowrXS
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?460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5ttkhcfqb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOGY3am9Rw
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTjuRtVeg7
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTK5kcLTxG
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtStgrfmnHW
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUcEdyZGsZ
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hcUFkjvhT
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYolsbxiWQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQA2qUHQVpL
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLcT26NVA6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPKvfKTuCS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTfQuKVWgE
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcxmFN8uQM
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2PdPUb8UV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0mYlQizPx
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGm0y81VG2
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kpwTarGeX
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHETN3DeIw
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xkfw7FZfU
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNcWWnGMqy
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFdU3RXLwk
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMowVFMp5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEtQjl6mme
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkjqP4A4Sr
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsNTnjZZEl
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5FpsU226b
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdha9Jenaf5
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXINBYKPxu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hnOqQPQ0g
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhdyXdwQXe
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6hfdFws2B
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gzkqDCP9T
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHfDCkO2Im
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaY36d9rZq
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEGEBTyOVI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecOK8eny4g
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDXpit8vzR
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7vbYjcHaD
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBvTDlPklo
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObU6PIM4Ur
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTUTKjvsny
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJCM7d0tkp
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqWDgwZtlP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80uDUM46P3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6vOiRB15t
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrrWVeeZHV
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYqMwEZRBI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tMCDC1CoX
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjyzI46yX8
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4907pd4WUb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrILITPWE8
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzkI6glyUi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgrJQdbcC0
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgd7dR2CwO
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7wXAqa87
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs5nwtYo2N
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ241yVV0aHr
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8mV71fClQ
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeGtTfvs8P
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqFrgpuVoe
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUFkVIpQQ5
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvaQEiAfJ1
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOVyzMYE4j
“There’s no phone service.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mXbDurWwP
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ivPrsUcB9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqmEcsdOq9
“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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrxBe2pNEf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ128fglffXb
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO2gZDLzCU
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8xQ5Zn0IE
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA6K4BkTbu
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNz192Z49h
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0j2N28eGB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DG2iDslST
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXCDmoI66T
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33HBjKw052
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpcyBNoEYI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCYqZUTCTT
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5G7vFBkEf
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj7gT0jNeH
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqqM3S9AU8
“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.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdlHMIeKqz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiuzJQpJvS
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQIjCwu2Mj
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIsWrhe9O3
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TAVASKcON
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjofvm7AL2
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw6hgkOo5Z
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNsq8QJat8
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0YRETfRz8
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC1RmUQ8K7
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMH1tOinEt
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqDbpjO158
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u5mN0Qr8Q
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ86YbV5tz
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYrBQfUziP
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl2ZYUaRT6
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi9TFjbUXI
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2p5aCvuSq
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5lm2FPGth
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2JCtqMnG1
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDijObeB2k
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeACMi4chWg
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW11seh1y4l
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcRLuHs7Mx
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yoQ9xfRMi
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cbou1xxWn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfPNswwzjp
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dZQmWKWeB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdxcuB0Md9
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuCj9Nlvc1
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.460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yE5E7GvzB
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH6725EAgn
460Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJgOK1CZCO
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 protection456ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QoeOA42PH 維尼

3.133.142.101