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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMPqRaDyOE
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC60sSGuIQQ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7JuW3bPi1
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrMY3CxoCR
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDxEVKckry
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkasJQTV48Q
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWY4cX1KIU
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw4XNYJ2c6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC005lm02CH
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpYQ68t7pS
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC1LMlIN4g
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM1Px0qlyQ
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvy0uJmcic
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurwa2gJO7I
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TRkSJhUGx
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo4E72Wz05
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVjQdDS08G
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrtpZrd43d
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod8k3PWoDi
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNB4FKC3es
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTAzLTOC3r
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQQfEdlIIq
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX7z6kFiSJ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QMhhyZDKg
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4GZ2pccDd
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmhHH9Ufvy
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqxjVetPk7
"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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJeP75fPfm
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtAd6EkN3x
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF3HPYfnZS
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5suVqJWjd8
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdPaG3NZBW
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f69U8L2HW
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWRzPF6Mid
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2yXNDgw9B
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF8IEBO7Rs
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPcOaaVw4g
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AJXnvn6d5
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl9kyMQENl
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZB97mOLaD
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TN4Y503uh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhghraxZJL
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLz3Xmwq56
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XObYD6atd
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71OlnOQuXh
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhC4ER1bYDy
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYadlFEAH6d
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIddFD7eQT0
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOPymDKqkY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sh85KbxKy
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uEwd3qYnY
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwA2Vw6YvGL
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyea9t5aJqY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr5a76NmdZ
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mqWBnvU7j
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiJl5ib9X2
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YvQSKiYyE
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ln5zDPjvA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZe7gbi7bU
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1MoajGaGy
"Should I?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4LF0n1AU3
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nuYFISYNx
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF68ItBeLQA
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5po8eFtYp
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAztRqc6sY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvybQ2BZrtz
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rkZdrfz4C
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡValvkO9JyV
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq7HBk8x2B
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDIGgyXmOr
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIHZJv0hV4
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNuu2uIORs
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFlCXfDxv4
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJYL3DDnCP
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ8jEotCqN
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3gUKNmHJP
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rjhY1zOOg
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh4SGB9FOS
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm9SY454dX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUA0aBfdUw
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrAI4lJN3s
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTNbn5tmoY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJig9slfFX7
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfZlKNQJGv
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRFhQipg6k
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQUvy2mGxs
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb7nWlVR4i
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVZACP7FV7
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV39kUfvgd
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8frkWimqoI
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0dLxB7haT
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIViyuI2xLs
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxqWlkJM3T
"Is she?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvszxIuYLDN
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALGc584qso
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLohgQn9ay
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?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP3NpcewZl
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwePaEV8LTH
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7buEkqeZA
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzT7LmEGY9
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2rtuIGnNJ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6qRNBHMoD
"Do you think it's because of her father?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFNnZoGhLk
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt0USrw3ab
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4YwX4vYeF
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWtUayZlSH
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpbqwFzMww
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiPnnmjEbD
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0WzrfRw0x
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWXOBtNOIA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWOPhUbBKf
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2qpurkjNW
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9aK3reTZR
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptDOx9BeDx
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKBXBUVvPN
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVjjGZJ38N
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjcVvY4Zvl
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfdFBJGEEY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH65gJPzNcX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoc8xqXUWd
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhXSCvNR1b
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dza3rCexf
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj2SqlQNqK
"Maybe they did."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv13NFNnQa
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb1tKP9EkK
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIKL2PII4g
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3amHA0KBim
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2q9FaoFCw
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJW6SXKLqe
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vOgzZeNZS
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ut8TwYfN2
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbqfrUNiIv
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ABxsG6KBE
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVXMCNyaCA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTP1b7YaD6
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRTTWkDiSQ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WvYtwG1rn
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAYDkiNZiC
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7G9S1rfq7
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg90cU8Tdd
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLcCJrqhCl
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4L0ONZDGV
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDG8N9MjSX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06tdkxEHAC
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDKfOOM61k
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQyUglJirD
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbEhBOE3Vh
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmvxghinAX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHGso23afR
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCHnDDoSEz
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwyOLsPrwM
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4aStJLqus
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSiBuhKkJt
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?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM7DGe4qdI
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA5p9CzeMj
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWh0rTpndT
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHT6TGzqZF
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL4LHWbCEJ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZLWQ4Hta7
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLU0DQtb5g
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3pMzTB4YP
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaNqL2u46a
"Yes."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHYlWwXxhn
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCErfVUgp6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRP7YeSHop
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Q3ejZHOov
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKqHoynw40
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tM7KuzlYa
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1LvUBxSGR
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNecLJjXWyl
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWT9hntlZF
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcQxXI0gCS
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvdVFX7IfB
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5VtBmbe2c
"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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH3CA2wbxn
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzUxOXvmFA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SoRMTXXiw
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFPkZxKanJ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7OfwYjczK
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMCDw2aBIh
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xspa3UM5Y
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlCO3JuVI9
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmueHupT9D
"Is that why you called?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOxglL80Uy
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1kyk2h3Vk
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMDn3J3EfX
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTXoIEYn1H
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXjdXozW55
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG88Edhl2F8
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDqN9PGSYs
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N3djETkXt
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnfYOPLPbD
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCePf0WDoSY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUWuS9uOvH
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueNa8qhubB
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXyalQ8mpR
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqxlnrKGK0
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjSGDStEXB
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVWpj8kLEo
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMcNN73fFa
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgRiNGzKcf
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj9eVoJmJD
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPmwprxXsL
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaqVRx8ZMo
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TU7ZooflS
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT80ZEePI1
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd68smCNXNE
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EO7C9i8IF
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6dpHjhcYp
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJwUsKV0iO
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36G6X2MGgg
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIJm6QdOBg
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2JmGGUJYm
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1wqIYeVbt
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwz7vyOy75
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuiGAuw5BH
"Soon. Very soon."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwu82ACDk9
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgF0XzngiW
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwYc4MNiPo
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAf1md5XUb
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULk9HYuGO6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0VOkmkQNB
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEAPBZxdbG
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs6LMYyw2i
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow23kwnCS3
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGN13wGj6d
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxaAkHBdSw
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi7KdCyqHI
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNZHTPlifX
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The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIKX9m3uEd
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvszdaOXowA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dsGczhqLi
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiWNcSncZ6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpIvUkhvjX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OuouZHBRL
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhc3YfQJSh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAsD1H0adk
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsSG2JN5f0
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlG0s2ve8K
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The man waved his hand in disdain at Sinclair and turned around to leave. "You asked the wrong person. Go find someone else to do your bidding because I'm not going to."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQjZ1LkJrh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXatJF13kaX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2bCVzigu0
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAVbHvpgnX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41kbnkgs1G
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J2DY3r1mc
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjRzJuCJG0
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpFpgpGIwe
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***562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu71K7RUnXY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUOGmmOSvD
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpznfbTAmho
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVAtGi4yQA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcXsKyZnK6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcVr28pnGi
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nIxwU33GF
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32Ci5udKyM
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAgJAR4MAD
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9W0RyyDKj
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHkQNQtLJb
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The good part about the neighbourhood they were in, is that there were still people walking around at this time. And the place didn't feel like anything had stirred up a frenzy, like "Mr. Cowell lost a finger" kind of frenzy.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlFNVdvNib
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DPYo74mNJ
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"You don't have to get so worked up, Miss Griselda," Rhénee said as soon as she noticed that Miss Griselda had finished praying. "If there's anyone who's supposed to be praying, it's me."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8bGufuwds
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"Don't be foolish, dear," said Miss Griselda, "Mr. Cowell has been my friend for a long time. Of course, I'll worry and pray for him."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dUwjH3wkO
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblBW3CVwwh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe1j1Pz8Ow
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcHPJfbIeh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomVXyiztum
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgXWsLSZg7
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtDwWVJ83r
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnHT01c7C1
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXmIRylaWx
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKomfOn0Xt
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzlVOZ6mng
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS8PVWgYVH
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?562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NxOFFDULh
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQOJfwMY5t
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKMhkby333
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjghOHdggK
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1PkPBTdol
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMMpvNqAd6
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fqJ4hVXxu
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Rhénee thought twice about what she wanted to ask as she found herself stopping the car. They were finally here. Mr. Cowell's house had a white wooden fence demarcating his house from his neighbour's on either side. She noticed someone standing right on the front porch looking over at her car. It's Kevin.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpeVHUByPx
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtFr6qZVYp
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSiIfwInXH
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKvukhfQIZ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiMhwbd8OP
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The question will have to be wait, Rhénee decided as she shook her head and said, "it's nothing. I've a lot on my mind and forgot what I wanted to ask you."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU4FHNFPEn
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgEWMDVb9K
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoQl3r8YnQ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ybgvECGiC
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDudZZxlcX
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoFI4t3alz
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The two women got out of the car with Sophie jumping out after Rhénee. Rhénee locked the car and Miss Griselda came round to stand beside her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMUqrzWG45
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They were about to make their way towards the house when they found Kevin already walking towards them. He opened the wooden gate in front of him.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsJSc34NHZ
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtiVLUpq73
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwqufJL1Mw
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT06JaqrYe
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuiOllf04K
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUpJILepOl
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaowk4orJE
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvyAl3bOzs
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"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqs0soOoKM
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYxALeZQrp
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcDFHIHLOs
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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHURcZxckW
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lPUtLYEGt
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7DbZSS6lC
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeODLmxU7Ff
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"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp4Eldcptq
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6y3A192v8
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKWKn1ZS55
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Rhénee wanted to oppose and say that it isn't going to be possible, but she realised that she didn't come to debate on how to deal with a menace that neither has a face nor a name. She's here to see Mr. Cowell.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKUpl56VbY
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdWZG3uPCJ
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuXKnEzCtq
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCcP5kESKw
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Kevin and Miss Griselda nodded. With Kevin leading the way towards the house, the two women and Sophie, followed. The closer they got to the house, the more Rhénee started to look around. She had the strangest feeling that someone's hiding somewhere nearby with their eyes on her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaJn7ahbP8
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoIWbIDgNc
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62NsWhAbFk
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Rhénee soon found herself standing on the porch of the front door which stood open. Miss Griselda had already gone in while Kevin stayed by the door, waiting for Rhénee. She looked around the yard and beyond for something that might not even be there.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4usGchjloX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSnELXEqeK
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJoWGmXUaL
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUzUxIpvF6
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She turned to look at Kevin and realised that he wasn't going to stop asking. She almost shook her head, but then the feeling kept coming back. She tried her best not to turn her head and look around. Doing that would only make Kevin worry more.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mCi6G3UX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRArE2Waww5
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXadSUSKkyB
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hvaI0UM5n
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4nbdHo2YR
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Rhénee went right through the door, stepping into Mr. Cowell's house and finding herself in the small foyer. A wooden coat hanger stood at the corner and a key hanger stuck onto the wall. There were three pairs of men's shoes near the coat hanger neatly arranged on the floor. She suspected that Mr. Cowell lived alone. As far as she knows, his wife had passed away years ago.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfHDCG6aia
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SpAqDL6rK
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Kevin closed the door behind her and led the way to the living room, by-passing the stairs. They found Miss Griselda seated on one of the coffee brown sofas, right next to Mr. Cowell, who wore a dark green bomber jacket. Rhénee noticed him holding his bloody, bandaged left hand closer to his chest, getting blood on the jacket. Miss Griselda looked at him with a comforting hand on his shoulder. Rhénee stood at the entrance of the livingroom while Kevin went over to seat on the sofa opposite Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2SRklJpsX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpgkiBfXHO
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHffIL0w4AL
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBsgx6V1lB
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNTTerIRvU
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwi3ydDkxS
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvQ3nmCMUF
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbKpyiqJvM
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2kc7KEOcX
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Kevin shook his head. "No, he hasn't talked at all. He didn't even answer the door when I first came to check on him. Luckily it was open and I found him seated here on the sofa just like he is right now."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5xHZ2txvN
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1vJmUMYey
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Rhénee sucked her teeth, folded her arms and felt like kicking something. Miss Griselda and Kevin turned to look at her, looking even more worried.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34yk3yTbwj
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kfn3xC3DW
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLwaQ8ttx4
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1twxzwoBA
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Kevin turned to look at Miss Griselda and she gave him the same look. Miss Griselda turned to Mr. Cowell who still hadn't said a word.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyvHn3118W
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshvQ7ZQgOX
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjjLxpFtGb
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6DQdicj7d
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562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL9GpIsW0X
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq4M8XDO4j
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2SKU5q4rX
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"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OVSSVn6sK
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoiuuJbHZP
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6iRt7OYxg
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562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVr76i95yX
"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."562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6GDLf9SGv
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZXdd2EYHC
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoAEGCkBBK
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBTjmnWow2
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtLlPTc9RI
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWQmH3BRwo
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562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nCIyp29Kk
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.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9a1o0TujTG
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NwRTldGAC
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch4snEcLBL
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfwcdOOl2X
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7dEGXd4e7
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“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdfPpobi28
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“I know, but either way, it still feels like it. Malcom almost died today, and now we know that the finger we found back at the house is Mr. Cowell’s. If you were in my shoes, you would blame yourself too.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLwA8ADvJ4
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5bBF71M2R
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Kevin didn’t argue there. She's right. Anyone in her shoes would definitely blame themselves. Right now, he had to get her head clear from such thoughts, but he realised he didn’t know how to.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGXUzz1OKA
562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA6lexJ01A
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlNA1UpzrI
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Rhénee didn’t answer, until she drew back the curtains. “I didn’t want to worry you, but yes. I feel we’re being watched.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8CgPGHc7a
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Kevin quickly drew the curtains aside from the other end and frantically looked out of the window. “How do you know? Did you see anyone?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqmFK55VJV
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfMMktyx6x
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“Maybe you’re just imagining things after the shooting incident.” Kevin turned to look at her, drawing back the curtains. “Not to mention that you haven’t even rested.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAFQukGmTA
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamv9v79qje
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFnuPKjurk
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They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujc4U18hFY
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFuS7bkTt5
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebXCLvlV5C
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH0pK2v60a
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2zkuEHbLj
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He led her towards the sofa and they both sat. Rhénee still looked a little uneasy that Kevin had to look at her and say:562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7Nlylberz
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS1y7RAITj
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“Well, that’s what you think,” said Rhénee as she folded her arms. “And I feel uncomfortable here. They probably attacked Mr. Cowell in this very house and no one apart from us knows about it.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyURzpM8ySJ
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Kevin started to look around. “Now that you mention it, the place doesn’t look like anyone broke in or there had been a struggle.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgdlVdPEXl
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Rhénee also started to look. The place looked to be in order. There weren’t any broken items on the floor or anything that looked like it wasn’t supposed to be where they were. Kevin held her shoulder and shook his head.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ApgmMJwkT
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OwntFokQ6
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0msvoxF16W
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iqKswaSHl
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Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb8usF51RV
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN7Boqt9Jx
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He started to make his way out of the living-room and first went to the kitchen. Rhénee watched him as he disappeared behind the kitchen door. She had a strong urge to get up from the sofa and make her way towards the stairs. But no sooner had she thought about it did Kevin walk out of the kitchen.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz1mlPnuRR
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI71WGfDPD
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGYCUnveg5
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“The place is just fine,” said Kevin as he started to make his way out of the living-room to head to the stairs. “I’ll go check upstairs.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIm945cEc
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Rhénee watched him go, seeing him climb up the stairs. As soon as she was sure that he's gone, she stood. She looked around first and soon felt something is wrong. Could it be Mr. Cowell had been attacked somewhere else? It’s a possibility. She remembered the bloody cloth that covered his injured hand. There would’ve been traces of blood somewhere on the floor or anywhere near the living room area even if he had been attacked elsewhere and came back.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCmQfoeEmK
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“Kevin!” Rhénee called out to him as she rushed quickly for the stairs. Her shout made Sophie wake up and jump off the sofa. “Kevin!”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQffhYPbYX
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjd4n62SgS
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoF5pbAwI6
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“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUesq04ntfk
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Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZknCD18FZ
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Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4GXAWT1gN
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Rhénee got to the bathroom and found the door slightly open. “Miss Griselda, are you in there?” she called out. No response. Rhénee quickly pushed the door open and to her surprise, the bathroom's empty.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdthQ8roKcD
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTVvMd6rNM
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJKWCNsFbo
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQYr6hnrk0
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcepsLAyctJ
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Rhénee started to look around and noticed that there wasn’t a first aid box or anything that might have been used to clean Mr. Cowell’s wound. Kevin came rushing back and the look on his face told Rhénee what she feared had happened.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSoqY3Q2cs
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“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaFpIGZsaK
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“I don’t know,” Rhénee said, trying not to sound or act agitated. But with what’s going on, she couldn’t help but fear the worst.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtV4z4LTlE
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VNDKzD7JL
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“So it seems. There are no blood stains anywhere in the house and the place is in perfect condition. He isn’t injured, and when we got distracted, he took the opportunity to kidnap Miss Griselda.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmi4GsbZ6g
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYV8qdiXAn
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“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs29RUvk4dM
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She immediately spotted something in the bathtub: the cloth that Mr. Cowell had used to cover his somewhat injured hand. Rhénee looked at it and realised that the red colour on the cloth isn’t blood, but red dark ink. There's a white cloth near the bathtub faucet. She slowly picked it up. There wasn’t any stain on it but she did catch a whiff of something. She drew it a little closer to take a sniff and the smell quickly made her cringe. Kevin came inside the bathroom as soon as she made that face.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvbY96KwGp
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“What is it?” he asked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LzOsJDg5V
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDJvpAZfxo
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Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaemZes8ZrE
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBVQic7VqV
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcps9nM6u2b
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Rhénee turned towards the wall where the window was. Kevin’s right. He couldn’t have considering that he not only had himself to escape, but the unconscious Miss Griselda to carry. So how did he get out?562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OeUEUJj4t
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She continued to look at the window when she noticed something off with the white bathroom wall tiles. They didn’t seem to be in line with each other. She noticed four vertical tiles out of line and as she looked downwards, she noticed that the tiles were bent too.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9lrrZ8qVB
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She entered the bathtub and went on to touch them. They didn’t feel like they were part of the wall. They felt hollow. She turned to look at Kevin.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWdMhxIfZH
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUknLqK4dKN
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“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7IyNvXR29
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“We’ve found his way out,” said Rhénee. “We just have no idea where they are or how he opened this thing.” Rhénee started to feel around the wall for anything to open the door.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbvc9rHwF2
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“Why would Mr. Cowell pull such a stunt?” Kevin asked as he came out of the tub and held out his hand to help Rhénee out of it.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURY4G5fulx
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“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgG2Aj3evA
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTIJ3QkaJy
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“That comes to show that we all don’t know each other well and that people will always have their own agenda. Come, let’s go check outside.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89PTcxCXpQ
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With the cat, they rushed out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen. But before they could make it through the backdoor, the entire house became dark all of a sudden. They paused, wondering what’s going on.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccCRSPgWQ9
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“Did someone forget to pay the electricity bill?” Rhénee jokingly asked as she slowly approached the backdoor with Kevin already in front of her. Despite the lights going out, the light coming from the house next door slightly streamed its way through the kitchen window.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeiWzAu4Wj
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“I doubt that,” Kevin said as he reached the door first. “Something’s not right here.” He tried the door knob and it didn’t turn. “Darn it! We’re locked in.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b6exZFEtf
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Rhénee couldn’t believe it. She turned around and started to make her way out of the kitchen for the front door. She had to be careful as some parts of the house were pitch black. When she got to the door and tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. She heard footsteps and knew Kevin is coming behind her. She turned around to look at him in the dark.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9b7usZwQZ
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uoibJnIP8
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWrrEebmwQ
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“Goodness, why didn’t I think of it?” Rhénee asked herself as she pulled out her phone that she had in her pocket and quickly turned the phone’s torch on.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5fxbXEWV3
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT37cbju34h
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Kevin also took his phone out of the pocket and switched on the torch. Rhénee went on ahead to check for anything she could use to open the door by the coat hanger. Kevin looked at his phone and an expression came on his face.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ6nWadSxq
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ91ScG4wsD
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7lgbeAmZi
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“There’s no phone service.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKO3KwSwrW
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“Huh?” Rhénee came to stand right beside him to take a look at his phone. The signal icon at the top of the screen showed an ‘x,’ meaning no network. She went on to also check her phone. It's the same with hers.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzuiqBMa9A
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyqqeEhTwz
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHSWwkJxrB
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vrzMuixNX
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CZeAPPNgh
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“This means, we’re stuck and Miss Griselda is probably far gone that we can’t catch up.” Rhénee shook her head. “I refuse to stay here. Miss Griselda is in danger and we need to find her.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIvm2IjgdY
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNfYlIxCS3
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciX5HquCGB
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X0mnLYSr4
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Kevin and Rhénee split up with their phones acting as torches. As Rhénee looked around the living-room, she thought she heard something from up the stairs. She shrugged the thought away, thinking she's hearing things. She went on to look behind the curtains when she heard the sound again. She wanted to call out to Kevin, whom she heard in the kitchen. If they weren't the only ones in the house, who else could be here with them? She didn’t like this. It’s the same feeling she felt when she thought there was someone watching them from outside. Could it be that the person managed to get in? And if so, then both she and Kevin are in trouble.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZGtKFKQkO
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She looked at the open entrance of the livingroom and heard a creak by the stairs. There's definitely someone in the house. They were doing their best to come down the stairs quietly, but she could hear footsteps.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiJrGeHWJL
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She thought of going to Kevin in the kitchen  but it felt a little risky. She thought it best to confront this person face to face. It's stupid, but it's too late to involve Kevin now.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWyZYmgXzJ
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Sophie brushed the side of Rhénee's foot, turning her attention to the cat. Sophie's green eyes shined brightly in the dark like little green bulbs. She could use the cat to throw the person off. She heard creaking again. The person had finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Rhénee silently knelt on the floor and hid behind the couch right next to the curtain. She also made sure to turn the torch off. She could hear the person make his or her way into the livingroom.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8SpJWhyLx
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Rhénee felt her heart beat. She realised that she felt the same way she did earlier when she was in the woods. Could this person also be working for the mysterious man who had told her to go to the cottage? If she could manage to capture the person, she might just hold him captive and get some answers.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFbxCKaIca
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She looked at Sophie next to her and the cat stared right back. They could hear the person's footsteps coming closer. It's time. Rhénee gave Sophie a nod and the cat swiftly disappeared out of sight like it was never there.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUqIutsOiE
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Rhénee took a little peak from behind the couch and saw the person approach the coffee table. She couldn't make out the person in the dark, but she guessed it's a man. She patiently waited for Sophie to make her move and hoped for everything to go as planned. But deep down, she knew that's unlikely to happen.562Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m5go51P95
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The person in the dark suddenly jumped with fright as Sophie's bright green eyes lit up in the dark. The cat angrily hissed. Rhénee got startled by the person's reaction but was quick to respond to the situation and jumped out from behind the sofa towards the person in the dark.8964 copyright protection558ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6x6rUoGiq 維尼

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