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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I0YNHwhWF
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQWMvRfcVU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvAkC2v1uH
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtd4qjZaWk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufWlog1WEb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLF6GDPfyj
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dZ7Vv7L77
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RDUgpwXHl
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JDtLbVmYv
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHuzbwOlbB
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvp3Mrcnwd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj9LMvVqt0
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5Kpfw13cn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMy4FeoNUT
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKKYvNKiTg
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T68LBwKnS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTrOkkxOC
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2Qa8M6USB
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLwnfW3bTn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrB0KeEMrZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhSIKseH6q
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs36JLuwV31
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhek6p0L3A
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhiRj35c1M
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4xhgECi7l
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe1iHOOO1C
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDmDzhVdA7
"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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY9rTilrKM
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAek8FMQxvt
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrKc2Nc0cd
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgVVWz5vnO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrLdn99HZn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaqmz8Fu8t
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6O0wzQTGB
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdcaG9euAk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleRVlSpqG5
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLKqmbGb8J
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzOscGLUqD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbUT1EsZTN
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMbQUHgznk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSdNtJnCUm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbSGQObdHn
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGoLXaLWit
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw64OKJ7As
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSGvl1ylQD
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFJjCQk1Eu
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLCbyTBEhP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs6GRyiD2D
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUMwJjO1qa
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8HptzHfxL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh9JEmlwBt
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxwqSqAveS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFT4prtzMd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGP9gxKixw
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLey6ewCsHp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKu81Wuly4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRMo6OI6Vf
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEz88b0AKO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmd6wsKrvx
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH86bx6irpD
"Should I?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5faWKz8jmg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvGkQdP3X8
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWcDL12i2x
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFysXyOX7V
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOJEyDOIos
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxii01ISVn9
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tjb6EoSNb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglZ4EIUh8p
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3JSvlTOSs
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVheQUNj8u
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8rdmx2o51
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG52JMXbSHc
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSl3Zck9vc
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuToBQY5KSh
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvi1aHeBsN
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvxJfrEmob
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIecVvRETI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ppkyusPqL
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG7fbluqdg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQBwWFOYrF
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlOvPgwYYw
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VRvHLavAv
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm8hWVh1Xo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjNvpGQsuM
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVsu7FFwqe
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1EvSehPlz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXQFPSz08c
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifMqPCyVoo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL81KuOfTt
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9p4e4BFyX
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2KUMHHq8R
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuy0bxjhTX
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGLCDfkEck
"Is she?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOOQX4uuc5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zcyPnLfOx
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFtOnETBwX
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?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERtvszuL6b
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFtSQxgjUF
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBrvLr6ZNC
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVJeHVniKP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpJ5ZLDYH6
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwaDuk0BZV
"Do you think it's because of her father?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGPiVkgYxm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzliAntayOj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP2UnitZSx
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5zlFXk7HT
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubZDvBBnTD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IsDWP0xar
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPybmkYsMV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcoxghSBH0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTfmCAxmDe
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY420HBXlf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQso2Bkt63
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefO3JoXdDe
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIYI3HYEtd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqpom1OEEm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdotOILj37o
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPAwGEuHz1
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAhHcjStpN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9kmtQa3pA
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzSRDpyadj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHBwTtDEnz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxsBTbgRWH
"Maybe they did."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MkzGOufu0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrfBcUOWdY
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvf0vk1CqM
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR67le6GKq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0J22WJ9Qb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpKVFbgnKj
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVOYUOsshh
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsIwNl4rXx
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPTUnLzjgq
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDFOsApRFz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3032d5C4nk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn0e6a7XBK
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WGbblL2iV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXUR49yddy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvXe6V8K58
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJICxxCN4DQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaihh1UG0dq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi3brjnnp9
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvZ5l08ksQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf7MfbKinR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFalmftOGHA
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ83juzByRR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgaEE5SqyO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrlcujMro4
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgjIucGJSU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWz5GyrPd2
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmNSuzDoI1
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1JbRyJtmh
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlNouSzc0X
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEsiWSDmpg
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?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtukswvrgme
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTwSHEw1CN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxcMpdMZhh
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAW9XiKsmH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JR4G9BDDq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBDoxa7n8P
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRG6LiMbdK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU1kjKpyO5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlbKBwnq9r
"Yes."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdf8y2fxKVT
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFTGrX9ndQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJXSc8l9E4
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaUOXyI0pi
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoSeBzdxsf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fE4NJcCtG
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELZUwUwabn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8injfmXVH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC3B19Nm7R
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8lRktKIVs
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2M96z8Kuy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn0F5YT2oL
"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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwltcMd9ONf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKXysBCjnA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPmFsOc0Hx
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAM2aLrbVL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21eLNsUo9p
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxojpQxeGH
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3KrQWpaIw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi33UhJYZ3R
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I0qJtghIA
"Is that why you called?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJOY531xw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JEKsfM1YD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFs3Ik428l
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiP6faeXWcZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2lczSlryI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSxAZC8Euj
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBKB6lroot
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMjJOXpVBQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvikjOZUf0I
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KJZisHzok
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcosChhdUO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7z1gPuEOY
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9Y4vI50PI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdVQmqIc2j
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ie6vG558v
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6tmPQVcKZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H6YkIEff7
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6TEgKzaSs
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvBozhjIKP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCDPeQ0Svg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv9UXSfAMZ
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jsG879ML7
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6EhzDTTys
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cc7R8J4Be
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIH7Z95BGv
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJk8uoWRcY1
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA78cfR7Vp
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuSiWPxNPP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOB4sFIGqXn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5opJdBkv3u
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31RphfajiN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHDYfqpUPN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdMIxRTqpj
"Soon. Very soon."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFnPxBXllj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JlAkvyIJR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnKHjm6aCU
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B90SptAuI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMyKmaJ7r1
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQxSXBrYfP
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7PAkikWN4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT4hOTCNCK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYqKvaShdn
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQ2F6QVcKu
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hlx7DKMcW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9GA5phvF0
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZOYAqwuan
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd01lGts9t
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTTPQlrdMG
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz4l3Hsfcw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwF4v4xIjR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k3n8oBDaj
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OtQ5xxYzP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KI5h4ISCy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodd2Tw3QYy
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUixcNQStNa
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ig7QDBfSc
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4fGSxFub
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8a4kFPl13
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW06jGwsvK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXmO14qOat
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAoXfe6xnq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq35wTaFAff
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH9N76pssf
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDGrDDGb0a
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG7z9ezAER
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSl5HaLmgT
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJOVwNOmcJ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANFFSXEGL5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm0HJshCEB
***850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl4rtV0EF9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWCV83K2OI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rQuKavei9
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7IPB5GNeW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdhOR5P3xz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRJuE9ZzKk
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WJmmZQ1rK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg0OjT0ohP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz28LPh7hO
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWfHQX9TdW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXAIUFKxu9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAJcMcCuQm
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCFMAR9hAo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyL8k1tQwT
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpsWjJDida
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT43klR2u4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3aHsP6qAp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO1XMvaf2A
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LVC5ARR87
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1hMyjuwDU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98QvUNBLz2
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrumWsic5vM
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEyes6L3bi
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuPK2tGgVD
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ5YvfqrzE
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArvBAau2Vg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLyEAwWBL5
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOrRWRNM5E
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJqZ8k6frw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tdn510ese
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?850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBg9KdROUm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1aQ90lK5q
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifzluuJ3Jc
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlM3buYoLM
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PLAZddP5X
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EzFgQTsR1
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U6OtijfXU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa6iHDmgbY
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjubjeiKka
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbx3qhvPsP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9M84jGJbX
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuetvPxO0Ki
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEkRkuzKit
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAINPDCYwn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3X7qckEcOf
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tAT6RobrK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAPWkrE6j6
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJPNXoum4U
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IV3agFcdO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzENNW1zxFD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDOnF9N66v
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHBrmUkTTF
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyEip4cmsN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEUhPD5PNO
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5g5OOeISg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDudqdzfg1c
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecweg9Qtrj
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhkuTN14gu
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AycmoIawH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fM1bbeaao
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7w0qyvDgDD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXqVs6Lhqk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4kJm1AyT2
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRFmxZ8TZH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmwSWa4ITc
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKeftOkDGq
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FP1WcnY1d
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkCVJssPO2
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33oXoBjKaK
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V5qMD88o5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4Pl1TOKtJ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWVE4O3SFZ
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4uD7emJn6
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfYkyWUdaG
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWO71ItE0k
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rT22Qw7Sa
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEl3Bb7Mrf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOfzWOkwCV
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6HwBamq0p
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSHUADB5dR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr6SeiTm5E
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKiHMRBEHI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlovM2k4Ag
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ006eYXfMQ1
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PQniXfVDL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtAHF8SwiS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebg0EZZ7KX
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM0ZlCJyPI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsFSHFlyzA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpZcg1VCub
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUguV9Qi6yU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rYcqKBw6J
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kLbRFPdfn
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmNInRRpDX
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuJl3Tkyzd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqdGxaloog
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwdR2XxEny
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLss8H9reG
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUxcQsAiNZ
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AvbG0w23j
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JMauMlv13
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq1HWIrX3x
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxABfxqQh9l
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7ofsWQEu8
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqXNaV2EUH
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QufQFE3E1
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XNI0LhHc2
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a8VtCXFWM
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNfbRWfdaq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvyDryXY1Z
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqKATfWPN0
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZVMZWr19x
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMxtIif48t
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxy0REkzqt
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj0dlY4C5a
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLteFdoWg58
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoGyhjshjg
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAia1DorJd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiUcvVPu4u
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaMb7KI7DN
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQfh4QVfO7
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASYv2PrYtC
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkzvajXWIt
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ca0HH4rfs
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtY5k5zHvOQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOKVjeS4aK
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFzSAKU3oX
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvjMQ66KPw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj80PBLN6Mm
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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeyxXO0HBM
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAYulaujhE
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4mMxthmPU
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9CqzKOA5F
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvdC03tN5T
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQHh1HaNs7
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigwUw2S9nm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVqWS2sfxd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxU0EsLapz
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCivmNxRSbf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbWvqhhSUp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LdjMAVfUN
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJewNQKv9S
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSWb2JWRST
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwf65hUTGX
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWEvH9Sze1
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX7sBnCNRF
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIJzgpjwxD
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yhBN9JDou
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnm8lkX6j6
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QVIaTPcwp
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GpH0ONzOb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0QjWkeFAb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu84q0nq1D
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMROPixtc00
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ7RLs1kBA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6UbRKfEJQ
"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."850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH1BzSLtWA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZlpWe5GU
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEt9ejY0Nk
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhBqgLqk0T
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIR23PlfQO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpadOlcoEq7
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgokE5ZbTeW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgDoTohEqt
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx1veX3aUp
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNevoId1My
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrbTehD1hy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkPJnScU22
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVECugwmzO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWngKS250DG
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡermvZQiZCC
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr30WzvOvHj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhycUISKyTq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eJRzcTjYX
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GWbHNWLO9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8fvlrtNEr
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBw1uQB7v5
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcEiTFz0F7
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6teSTMYevp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QgpYLaWjR
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f1qSuJbQu
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NphO29Pmg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGbY6jgFca
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNJXTbLZOb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SG3WmaLfP
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssjUj1jbNG
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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LAkLkgNN8
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Pg6S5E5EA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0zQRmYmiW
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?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5iTem76Xk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3WfLOe8eI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NyzztjmsV
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66HWXWvSq0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qdzitCASu
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmcQMhOuXy
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ0ZUT3MLp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh1b91QMrR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrzTnUqzmr
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HjSe1kKNn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81ToPSJBTb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LUeFN7dnW
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKAwxvMgyA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qIQgeiSQE
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ7slbwc0r
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bnp1MymQt
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS18uNlbBJI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBptWvGS182
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYzLJK99Az
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV99Zg0YtS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpuynIIG8L
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnhWqBX6ku
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgrEcsPZzc
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqbDTxjrik
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqmBmICxXn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcJ96WdjPG
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbedk0urFU
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsXzixwTrL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1qfvWFPPm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRlcXOJ4Jj
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:850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0S7AUJoqo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHeQztNG0Q
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j3dDqXPvQ
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2OxIxC8oV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1obJLCQBDW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IttaUvGOe
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLjK6sDqDH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0DVjtF5FN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkMaT77xFL
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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesdnXut4ve
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsghPsUZiSW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFt20HSzLY
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuppUISq8KA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbBKel9vFn
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7jRczwTnH
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkNa5cps6k
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1CNfymCLw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBfp81Inyz
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KABJ0uHg8
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fgKqqBTXH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO2mUfZDsL
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfInh18kn3
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN43ymjKZve
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCztXztFhHC
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeZ2l06X1i
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYJsJ9xb1s
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgnTjMEWB6
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsWgGbbXZR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOar7oGgop
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRLz84iyWL
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJBpmxWYjO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY00lNxZEaR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyOix9asKm
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGkPeF1ej4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQBjvkJnjZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D0cD2pzHm
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGAkLS1H9F
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2up5OOEaJ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtUrFtWb7E
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPdqJtCRKi
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLVVRHLrwk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgggKPdm15
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBC4DYLnnB
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MY4WrjX0f
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBhcopGu3V
“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!”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HQvvwu1Hm
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gceCzHAJO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42a0BU1l5F
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFmghQYBs9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGRxmP7MIf
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c101jV615
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmXh6GEA7U
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBhSLk5Fnq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIhtou2KXA
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqEhsPKUjH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mnoNmXbtb
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZlyuxdYiT
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt5G7gwcMp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsvY1fEKeD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ste2rswba
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLXi064uaL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUUmhZeKRH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGMvUcFtsb
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtfw9YGKuC
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlg0g9jWWl
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrt3AzOPTb
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWcOqKOJEK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9c30JN3Pq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LF2esuFms
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Goqv9dIZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqew9Sj2m7f
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW7ycXItcC
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9EQNcLWLK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5XRp7BPhR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVdmgv6lC0
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39DpaPjBCS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9w0LKolwe
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3192fZzuG0
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjO3I0smfy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xf78SVwK5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtsolM4bEj
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ROKk6y7No
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrRPZEVw3F
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO3oDRq4mQ
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeNuEMzvp4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDJAJceYN0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxI8mzKB3m
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHz17Atv4v4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80GFTUbBS5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuVmaH4Ixk
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN0X2UkCbI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTODbvYaxtg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh00C0CeTh
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfun8hy4lq
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTzF2hNp9z
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGprdbz9YH
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKDgLKdXon
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfbZkCXEB0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQKTzIQMN3
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJojkgZbfZl
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg3MI5OuOE
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mWhrNEpNE
“What is it?” he asked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDZoiPGd6I
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf3dTH5WWe
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4sEmhhHkp
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr31OpicOEW
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcm2OAdGr6
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnm2swKSm1
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK26Km7vBK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNiEVbZVUi
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00j58NQfpq
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmpp86Ul9E
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyYENVeSQp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74fEHJRtq9
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuZvbAtbVa
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSIof49I1Z
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSaF6mNRsy
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?850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h5yfGqH0D
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmImE1pRwRQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHi5vpnu6kk
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkvqjdIv1x
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOgmEHNbVk
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKGcHCZQoa
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fPEffZe9Q
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74DcharEjl
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbQy2hJyuf
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahPq35jlAS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgOrIlO5k0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3p6iPQvm4
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84pfK65HhL
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyqcTkJBT5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5kTe3INIP
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjJcUSbewB
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfROX3uJOj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDLtVpQKnQ
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqh99SxmEo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LMs3lAuzx
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYWL5QVneA
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9NdY5p3k4
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBSVYlwU25
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfUFYkrIts
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ScHiPvLQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1DgAyi8Hx
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdMuXaN69k
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7AxZrkMn0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzuW5r36RJ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7MP0NjuGz
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsK6Cqc0A0
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4YHU27CsB
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJi9FvDHdaK
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7nuxhKtYO
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigR78jzvhz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfHmEx05La
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2ciwq9zUI
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYbrOmoDdd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8WXrK1I0M
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKiax26NWj
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7AmZ0OrK3
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqa0qX8Y4j
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡginA44XCSH
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7DD7cGIIp
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02FoeUwjxN
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqXuuDbJ6I
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXLjvNgt9K
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qxeyamwlk
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5yzUTXCuN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAZJppFOO9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ4IBKLGHP
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fD9q7QAwD
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JD0ZXFUeY
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJWFJrWFH0
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡum9bwnek8i
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ck8CYrbAR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDeSDqHST0
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0ICqYLdAZ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4IENmyf00
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReNVBDBsa1
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc6Kcv65YQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGQHrjPrxV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd3ns4hamb
“There’s no phone service.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW2k6bWORQ
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DdTvReaF3
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0c9z87KNf
“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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwQUBxY4IY
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHRMX2vdNN
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmZPXTOhRx
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedo9UCPcwv
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW8TWgvrgw
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nUdGhU5Q5
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNmKTch7g9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbAjL9n1rS
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPtFKyLdhg
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiri54zwevE
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RaJETgprR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16LzP5XoUi
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyfmg2np8k
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrwhtr9Ykl
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2rEm54B4J
“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.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6gbInEMDV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxY8MuugYR
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3FSw6kFcS
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjDzXzV2Uh
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocf9TptzP3
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpLmXgYbVr
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxbkBeDB4E
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSRE3SfIGd
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvIKa5C2Pg
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiPkfEpNsg
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciJyMgDTt9
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkyRfBC6aH
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF16ySimzs
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKPUeNJ0i5
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WpVnrGrop
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyZ0srstCi
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVKzpKE9gK
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtAiV5l5uY
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieeKCsUA01
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRhn5UkaIz
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeXlpEiX5s
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9c2PfSMJe
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjmFOwOPaV
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZEyeF6vdL
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUmancIHWh
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFpigEWxJy
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiqxWxO4Ow
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4LlRhoJeo
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1Pj8iHw5E
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZuTcF5rmA
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.850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqKg2ANrSA
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIuB9O58e3
850Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIXjRZI1pE
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.1234 copyright protection846ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwMcJi9m38 尼

216.73.216.253