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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQH3Gfstwy
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He soon came to a stop as the trees in front of him were now clustered together that there was no way through for the car to pass. He killed the engine and the car's headlights died down. The man looked to the passenger seat and took the torch that lay there. He removed his keys from the ignition and got out of the car, making sure to lock it. He knew no one would've followed him, but you couldn't be too careful with anything.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrkmR3ZQ9e
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAj6uRdwY89
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The sound of running water, alongside the sound of crickets filled his ears. He's close. He continued his way forward, stepping on broken twigs and leaves in his wake.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnc6paynBD2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS0zN94jkp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTGDbQBZ4w
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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIKJXWSb3v
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqfimp5fL3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2J2MvqtiCg
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIjvrsvwkU
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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdJhrXchTr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXH7swPQxA
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The man with the breathy voice scoffed. "Who would ever think you're here? You worry about everything all the time when you're always careful with what you do."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14fYoV5Uot
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwI9Rb5UmI
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxwVxelv04
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyhcTtyYwY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdK9L6AobL
"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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiGsStve3B
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYvZWrLHst
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Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPOujKwWKR
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQenZdCm00
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5usLwbk8cU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvUCM4poeG
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GlVYG9ztc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF37Ob5UrRS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgeW8cNF5g
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEdcmXB7KW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn43m81OUv3
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvihMF6AWG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpFC76ZgOV
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The man continued to look at Mr. Sinclair as silence passed between them. He turned to look towards the stream before looking up at the clear night sky.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOMBzYdgSb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFEmBHjvI6
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"It still feels like yesterday when she left us," said the man, his gaze resting on the moon. "I hear her grand-daughter is in town."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2pKrz08le
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVzYuHILmn
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQQdJVOMsu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbRSPQ8FbK
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCk7KJvL32
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb97gZ83mAq
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu1CMC4F2c
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9FRMHL7Pu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0MtXdzG9X
"Should I?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCprKMeVLAs
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r3JnwAxsZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDw1s7edPH
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVpGb3KK3n
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4jJoEvi8Y
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43PAxNEQOp
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhSA17tI8z
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpotdhV9wp8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DDZqcLOCG
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cWc1A64bk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnuD3Y18Qa
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoiIobcoBd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysQwU4JvMo
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYEjrDbyXE
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0n9DfptE4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsKAOBp6GP
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV5fatt9ap
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZluNmzvKd
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoQ9jTUVu8
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnLJJym9g1
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Mr. Sinclair shook his head. "As far as I know, she doesn't know anything. Not even the past drama that surrounded her late grand-mother."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvG2nQgo1q3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtze6dLxwM
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYfh3xnwNW
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1Ynd2MNj4
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee8wUtvZig
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE5DAd1jaL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkeptCEB16
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"Is she?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXXif3eomJ
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462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hjcvvBVsQ
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?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KOdg40DzL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1aNRfAQ01
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG4SFFVFdI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhXpHjcHAH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmE8DuJbe2
"Do you think it's because of her father?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLICJMAKr0H
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yj9FKnyqB
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"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBg3kvvmcu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH6Lf0LuTe
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"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqJb0KumJ2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpydGLRhc3T
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The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2OWTrM9bZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSgYk9Cycz
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Mr. Sinclair cleared his throat. "Let's not go there. Let's say they are attacking Rhénee because of that, why drag her into Emelda's past? I should tell you that she went to Emelda's cottage and the aftermath wasn't pretty."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRWfRs7dc2
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ1GbeiTh9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS9WeHMXha
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"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7YAfOTcSG
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqwh1ruTCR
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"Maybe they did."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9pDDrr6ds
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgHAKKzxtK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaUZP2SkTI
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZE1nLPBUh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXh2tEyIrq
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"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVU81IwyBI
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"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ22Lebk6NV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVksGdoPF6
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD52W1yTTqI
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9L7nsM4c6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9nsTt8CMM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0KUMnKNdd
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYwISWnFhV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKq6Zwrm3F
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The corner of Mr. Sinclair's lips were raised to a smile. "A fairly reasonable answer. But naturally, she acted like a good friend would."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgFrrzM2f1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9r6chnx6f
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWeZNuBDIy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt1wpTYFP7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjOOv8t5Gk
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKWCc5PMKC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHTjeYBGTQ
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The man in front of Sinclair, humphed. "I can't believe you on that one. You said she killed someone. How did she do it?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywNurk9dBY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN93VZu9qb6
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Mr. Sinclair smiled. "She shot him, of course. Miss Marie gave her a gun and she did the only thing necessary to save her friend."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5JBHWtXuY
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡew9LA2M6Ti
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpnAz6UMPu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGR7v01owf
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"Yes."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFhcK4GZ5a
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HW3owCcKE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNwEEA2KRH
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rpH2khjNk
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k5gzwNblK
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvEsTl9Tt2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DKK3wm6vX
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40bICj1irV
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7V1wIZZOB
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyNuJsEg2U
"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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIldeoLh4U1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65PLtxw0uU
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The man folded his arms as he tilted his head to the side. "If you ask me, her late grand-mother would be proud of her for defending herself and her friend."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3TBLp0kjl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9kapZQgHK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OheD6DhHM
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VqvXyDLxZ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5kalvQXDr
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b7yd6r31p
"Is that why you called?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Q7obtDKI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiXhE74oMt
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAfIDuikAr
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvDw94p8oh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37sQZ8nQYx
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52K8J1zgzd
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ADu8NPRW7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pMkIV5lht
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE891GERHa
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojYvg47QXJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIIYJXUZbd
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc2EieNwO0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSfVuifnrH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kEFPwtdts
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaLF06kmJ2
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ei3vRgI9V
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBquMawXAfH
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpt5Xf6gtU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZImZLqkQWj
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jzgxwBGbr
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsEWy9kDkS
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFB90zqQkmn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8SIFwj2kv
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g4yyEV0Is
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYwrIZr7AQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh1Zk4wy9r
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgICFtZ5z5
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dTcx1QvaK
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxA492qhY2w
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0zZoE7iMJ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc85YvrVobn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4XmeXWcOl
"Soon. Very soon."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9gfLJvw5I
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcymI5q2ndD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdgdQfrdg3
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxTvEuXBJL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthMjFilhIc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIHI8H2pcf
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbbbidBamm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Lr2DWDbU
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZKcLtzxkX
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYvHtvK7Gc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXV8tlbeEH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVvdgd8JgJ
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVsuVR8dHs
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhaETa9dar
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1DPL6kXka
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvayPHtUXpe
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAH3EZHQA1
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamlQmuI8kN
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHoeqBhEth
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUpBkG8DRV
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1azpP4folE
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLSm1rJFW1
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfL6a1ol9L
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jbm9iYb1i
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As soon as the man started to walk away, Mr. Sinclair said, "do it for Emelda. You know deep down that she would've wanted you to."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcA27nc7UO
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbIVL3LO6D
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The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATdaIiERvn
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkq7AedymI
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWn0RP38Gn
***462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOoZDMqW5l
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe031K4aMmf
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Rhénee glanced at Miss Griselda who sat right beside her on the passenger's seat with her hands together and close to her moving lips that didn't make a sound. She was praying, and Rhénee thought it best not to say anything. When she told Miss Griselda about Mr. Cowell's condition, she had been like that since.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp1TFi8wPq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jyOS9SuX7
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Sophie sat in between Rhénee and Miss Griselda and didn't even once let out a meow. Rhénee noticed the cat through the corner of her eye give Miss Griselda a look a few times, then look away instantly. If there's another thing that amused Rhénee about Sophie, is how the cat could read the room like a sensible person would. Rhénee thought she shouldn't think about it so much, especially since it brought up the thought of how Sophie knew where the cottage was.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO57mjrC8Sl
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUunkg2B00
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She looked at her phone held up on the dashboard by a car phone holder with her hands on the steering wheel. Kevin had sent her the coordinates to Mr. Cowell's house and the phone screen displayed the map and the direction in which to go. They were almost there.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXEFkPZeK0
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E33lUCNIB
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8udLHeokOS
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUttCUTRKb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gUMaI25Fz
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17LUv1NgOu
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvowCktu11f
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WQzikyynM
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJtx2YNJQv
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0wcU1WnDc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETe3g6v6WZ
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Rhénee didn't know what to say as she kept her eyes on the road. They were a few houses away from their destination. Miss Griselda's last statement got her thinking. When she came to Madison, she thought everything will be fine. She inherited her late grand-mother's house and her fortune, so she had nothing to worry about if it came to her future. And she was delighted to come back to a place she considered her second home in years. Now she's faced with a problem involving her late grand-mother that she knew nothing about, turning her whole life into a nightmare. All she has as clues is the cottage in the forest and the sapphire necklace which led absolutely nowhere.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcVl5mcvA7
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyPa1zGSok
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Maybe Miss Griselda's right, Rhénee thought. She has no idea what's going on and she didn't know why all this is tied around her late grand-mother. She's no more. What could she have been involved in that they had to trouble Rhénee?462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs5Ipi9uK8
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9NEyd93Dc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTawHyMeoa
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo3TFrKRS7
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eg3OCYbyc
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfDaSE32y0
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"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeciNHSIhz
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlp5J5ysEV
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEnndCImN3
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSlsRSQzMJ
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbzlhbuKKi
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIT8rbdwr3
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"I started worrying the moment I started to reason," Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smile. She turned the key in the ignition and the car engine died down. "Let's go."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN51LaRI5wu
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicEWoTXzuE
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzb0DBPg73
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoUfgIV6D5
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybx9IuZVZH
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz731OL7AFV
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx05F8XBTy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWQNVyAjKk
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ0F0z1SHh
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNiwdPiGhm
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Miss Griselda held Rhénee's shoulder firmly that Rhénee turned to look at her. "What did I tell you earlier, dear? Don't blame yourself for something that you know nothing about."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja9qa3SZMQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk8LBG8MXc
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPyTqq7kK0
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZjEUZE76p
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBGcU50xJ2
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjmzsvP4JE
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqLNng77yQ
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz9fvA93nX
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR6cgwqste
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXHsAz0iBZ
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgB9NkYZq0
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PHDhcpsY3
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAIrUqTtmW
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6wwFhiOjk
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO2qkgGFsW
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjA7ldSnxH
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofu4mgfD1y
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMca1RQIj4
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMgFsiFlB7
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiezdthwg8y
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWxRRqZCmk
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"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhBVo7IiTb
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlGH3Mxvj8
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Mr. Cowell shook his head. Rhénee noticed him shivering a little. He still looked shocked and frightened, like a little lost puppy that had almost drowned in a river but had managed to survive. Rhénee could only wonder what the man had been through. And it felt like it was all her fault.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6CVybdZhM
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzaMxy1Ci6
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBinn7ynwin
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyRY4PWpju
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45WSOzNtmc
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2oNGr9Qpz
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LbQzUFJ6H
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3NZ04sxOc
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQobuLGg01u
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3LfwwiT4i
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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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRhvwmjaXp
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W360L8zIO
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81pCApanPD
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQIzJJ2hpq
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUyC4GVr0a
"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."462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje9u5al0kC
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSARkLOrvm
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpyoj2F7Y9
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIeofXtYPK
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Miss Griselda nodded and turned to look down at Mr. Cowell. She bent lower to wrap her arm under his, so as to help him up. She spoke kindly, telling him to stand, and surprisingly, he slowly did, though he still didn't utter a word nor a sound. Kevin watched on at the pair as Miss Griselda supported Mr. Cowell, making their way out of the livingroom, at a steady pace.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jmOpj5igL
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrRckklZQZ
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Kevin turned towards Rhénee, who still had her eyes fixed on the window. She might not look scared, but he could tell that something isn't right. She had a different aura than the one she had after the shooting incident.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EA8rJ25ZY
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFqATf3Fzl
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqpwkjSHqy
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPcTqUGvJF
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1aidEJoOA
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLofzSA1cvG
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobxeT3jsbm
462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96Ow1lHRaP
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9154bJkFL
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf14NgWbVgN
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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?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFpk8EkzME
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nGWuOga5W
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK6udN7BZ0
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIUNR1ajcQ
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKphIqrCWYl
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaf5FKdbPT
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpTgN9vYXm
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8YFPVGEyn
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHKqbFs5vs
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExczLGBRlh
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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:462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n04JuZouf
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5y1VgGmix
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbtgb6rWeX
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjMHwJ9RcW
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ213JoMvTI4
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFTqsgAxDw
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7XqgdSFHR
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bO0K9eOYj
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9TgxDLrK6
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNl939ECI1
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBt57b3tFW
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIuzfrY5xZ
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGFKHKZRls
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5nqlt8ULJ
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzqEOdQwCi
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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!”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Beyrr6qy
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsrQr4KGpV
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3p7tLPS5N
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPRwmJ2YBl
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOATg8o82W
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqyaEkEaPE
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSWU79lFlK
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIiM96qIN0
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX1K0DEKVj
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSrEvELfOr
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo9cCjbGtS
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAu0QXLs5W
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XsN1hhNvf
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThYxCbBaBi
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjqvnXXovn
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7688dUWWN
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5ZEt247v0
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytbuIM9ckd
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3xeDzhPqV
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“What is it?” he asked.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12pM2S0bbh
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOJuhWJJs5
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVjunp9qOu
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4l9Nu3K1HQ
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kisNtVWil
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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?462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfUO3Ae1dt
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Igxq6hxj6
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRVWu8PMw1
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhBcZyJBTj
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEl8z2eG5Wu
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yPjU7kbGi
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41RjFNwENF
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9lLRrGqza
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeU2zEEe9J3
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6cSyhuJkx
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7v4IyKXQ7
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLvmFfIT3L
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhOr991YbH
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe3ew2puct
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEXtlKpjvI
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dDfvrm7yx
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjPokIRJzm
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2AJpYKZ54
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxFIkW5ndk
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeFGAoNkPu
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pOKkSjxqO
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“There’s no phone service.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYom66gpFo
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡta6lyfhksh
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7ON8n1Ybi
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBNqyG6Z6t
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNaCs1iQnk
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mDbRJ196e
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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.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GrMWkXcvH
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHWttzMEGm
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHQJTxr809
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDng8kTmhdZ
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsrMbZbwOJ
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7KHHz3tdb
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBSoxsNYG0
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraEnFCHCr5
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleqzfe4DdV
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmt7pwJ1S1G
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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.462Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3GO4JE3yM
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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 protection458ＰＥＮＡＮＡglWcA4oh8r 維尼

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