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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02rYmMzUUa
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhP9YBSMnF
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOQ1TPXs1N
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwesEGXkpO
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEspTlyh0r
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5fQ8Wf4To
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcG012Yk3Q
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzFdfrQwTI
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm59JG7uPl
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"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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqQl4BEkrn
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuofUIgWTJT
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSCfZUIVyX
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VSDNIovG3
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe791Yd3d1p
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIkX6OFaco
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiNmTSC3t6
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG2aem6gFz
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ukn3aJvLW
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNpRqHpK29
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59DwRZbPm3
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"Should I?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66nMXJduh9
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Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz6hmo59N6
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"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9tTKsR0wJ
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrnlgW0Rh8
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazq0is6YSR
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4OwEKqZKN
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzMByjHO4s
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvqPqw1nho
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHOfeydfcP
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFbuPiQGMg
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zyKLUrTJS
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"Is she?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGTsQAWhMV
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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?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTyq1g1SJs
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZ9IFQdqRH
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMvTV3vDam
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJVG2vW9De
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjWbzZVBJ4
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRtVnWKbSz
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDIguuY30Z
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJfS4SbXZo
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCetaf5Lhct
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"Maybe they did."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksvtIunFHg
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WXlagqgej
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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?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqS92Vprll
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x3CwunVUd
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DR9s5Sbx1
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEAPwPHog1
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGBMuHOS7T
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjipzipyUA
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoztSnQrU6
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7oJLsnsjC
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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?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK6mrybmf2
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnQ5ErRJq0
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VGo24vNCg
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"Yes."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafuBb6ZqGz
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLN5GvNIv4
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLG4Smy4Uw
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIp7NzmibwY
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"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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8z5tEBftf
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2Fru2TrRv
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZydZstu6jd
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"Is that why you called?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggYFM8V3bw
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt90vvPxZOB
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjrzhp0mF9
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"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcOmsD0QJg
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AEhmskrEQ
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhjw3nGDw8
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"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqi6XTk0Tq
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhxCWTnmpS
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C1TO2pDRd
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgv4iCo7gY
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0flF7USWA7
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"Soon. Very soon."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT1LtFoHID
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoALMSk7lo
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyPbt7q8Jh
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquQRdgtR0v
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1doOkZ2cs
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuNGBUkreF
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xePdv3Hrv
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKkgulUsNK
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe5WitG3gl
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoiby2jK2x
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82CRHXsTzM
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51qCctz1Pe
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***468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0dei5pZQm
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45R3dR1dGl
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjMzoDRNI6
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ225JV5vQf4
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOIqpiJEPv
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdihPoxFq2
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Hkkq1Rql
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d8nOMhRLd
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaVbIO4fYu
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz765aCzRb0
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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?468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOSVnz8BDU
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkL7LprT30
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL7YrTqzdi
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzEr0F2t3Y
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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?"468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFqq4x5bvN
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRurim94Mae
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLbbcjPYO2
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wD1WetbQH
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmH3JZuoxb
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJbzH6kmWX
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WX24IGy5K
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaGMbtlG1I
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjlDp1KapI
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGFVA9FTZw
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOdVwAeDGi
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAIXaaondI
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbff4e9bDIQ
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG86A9KxFu
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gxnSmsnLe
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVpEQDuBP6
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBRcZ5iU40
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrhUxl86FR
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUm56CY4YCi
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtzeTIxe9r
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dNzgDjAyf
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzMYJ0wFh2
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3cBbEfKF6
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhxGrW251L
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFZD8DJ4s2
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIaaK5DCUJ
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNv2IPpn7t
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtskIwhQe3
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87Jf3yDfWd
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOL6u9yp3B
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpnvUwDVdt
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgf9ABkWPV
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGqYjkQWAi
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotxsETBcpl
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UvqyhXLNw
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOPoKOyWUR
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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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkH6n1goQq
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6dzl0yyFu
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"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."468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBb8BkOXYR
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMAsGldit3
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmun9GQYi47
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKU70YhJST
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1OICzSYvq
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOeFdCRU3w
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNOvNB6ztz
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCjMvWlSWm
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbFm5n4d7V
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gUZvKll96
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXEyam06YS
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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?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HrLrjIPa3
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNcApRTDu
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm7iIzK6Vg
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5WAuFOjx0
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJa77f76yw
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc65OBgqm3C
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76ucB0EWcN
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuWof5jQ0O
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe8HKZmZXz
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4by86CnPWs
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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:468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qNoeAqpCk
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L1SqAWpKb
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlclZ43pAr
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnHU356ivf
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdUDIS0BAh
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBVzcLkotW
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkdYJXzbRE
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI16URbpk6M
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5xRLsPLbc
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxO1cSiWBt
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEERaRZETP3
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOzXw1EdtO
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzKIhSeaiy
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp9lZ0DLVm
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkL8sdGXix
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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!”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH4NWaQP8Z
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZgH9bHIDi
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX3gjcXRXq
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSKBSeBB5Y
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtqO8ZLNf5
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHsuCpH9p9
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhfawZNPtt
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLZCQnCfiB
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhAFzPGInl
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKgMXrI8cb
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey8maAAARS
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCBWQroht
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz18NZUDZC
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6OJUngkiD
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzsrsYzcrK
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKAClXWa5d
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw1Zlj17EZ
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wc5SOvSw9
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3SKZS7DsC
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“What is it?” he asked.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBajbawpNDs
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0QCTljepc
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ70sqb2spT
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OSWWUL4Tt
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90XVGcskQ9
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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?468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0vKp2kFD7
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoQnez1Y1Y
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HWK1Tvti2
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALOjP7GBzC
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZJWz55BNl
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc3ByN5BRA
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyyjVq3m0H
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06mPsYHSvr
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjm6gN1oJj
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5JHkIzpVT
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03P3TJVAj1
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj9CjY5VT1
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMjgrO21qd
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgumEoMoS1C
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5MfIe7bzO
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvc8AIhIS7
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0SJYcxo4O
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X3PipnSBS
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bjw2sbAbX
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgof7eAhpkp
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVYXyWiOtk
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“There’s no phone service.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8Gc1kX0aF
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLQ2Y3p3nr
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8T143mzud
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW0HUiDSuz
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR7gOIwouy
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmZfprvf6E
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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.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9RWBfHhfO
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Rob5ghieX
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB3KjJNi00
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpStMbZLMI5
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjVUN8CsUI
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDWnhnlrK6
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYcoflvtBp
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwwnrdbI54
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkdk3dN4Gs
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rAovvGeyF
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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.468Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rXB86eh46
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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 protection464ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvqb4jq1Kp 維尼

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