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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhZ7T4pNHT
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2WNrHRm5D
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgrlMCku0a
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOFCFpk168
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqgV9JKN1P
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvSMHxJutu
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0bzPTa3Tt
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN8xfVS9Me
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68abnnoCc9
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ARZzO6tEd
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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAfew6sBdH
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp2nhc0boe
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35biPFSzPc
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8OePWkJbx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2taLiTczBJ
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz9xYURyTP
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRtBMv8S6u
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPGgeflVNZ
"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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfylTs7xdu
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAIeoVbivf
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl3vNBUp7h
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwNB2uBVUp
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkXd38Mues
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqauuUh8gx
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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oPZIt0hQt
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtguB7az1Za
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxneeYrshs
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFQIY4dXB7
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENOj2QLpaj
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOTf3BEfFe
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuk3RTQj5Z
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipksP39P47
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmoPtvnyRU
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaEsGGIfHG
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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYoQoDfyOR
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalHeciI5lo
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATIFzRFK1b
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAUiBP6uR7
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf5zXsMwY0
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfVvv9KCNZ
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyuUOA1e42
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoF6Wxe8S5
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnzny5RdN0
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13F3d5RsPE
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hE13LIbeE
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX07gUChRc
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVEl0LACxX
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdKnU3ojAM
"Should I?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0jedGoBZ7
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVh3A1VMr5
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXZYCM2w3X
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg50LCghUwr
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCPyC3ERYD
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTSWq8GwhA
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirVkKTMRKd
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGDI7OQ8Mr
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2T20GhwBN
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdsMT5rQfJ
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXjuf8YOpx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpua5kKjVQY
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Vom1rzii
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgLUxdWJLy
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE7iqLvIoB
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW3qQmEDnx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEachtR5cqS
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAvD7lGXe3
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdMgqlOakC
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZHXBQeVvE
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCulPhCtSy
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN9LxhTEFH
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZNYHGzTx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgdgloEL90
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvkNJFyYpM
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69JhtCTvqA
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdK2cUQSms
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9xCY9noSl
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhZF4GFlH4
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"Is she?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnr20Uoco2
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490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7JRchkiFt
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?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTuq9bgyYk
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzz5HYY49L
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBLP5DkGLN
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3wzLOHUX1
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48sbayHG1i
"Do you think it's because of her father?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLWL43sLez
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJh2nM7VFS
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcjL6z7Ywj
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbNETdDOEB
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SLVrDQ7zq
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEwvBzMtLe
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSeWDbvCIp
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCFQ8JTE0P
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cL5eqZwEw
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C73UeNOz0
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW9zuMIK1H
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk24bmW2skS
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeLJnndiEi
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U4w8QCKTy
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"Maybe they did."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP4JQ7G88W
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4jkCXnv9n
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzLjKFjSGA
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9z9N7mfVb
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIukV6169Ou
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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?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zgQlTHoY7
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkYX36mDtA
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjneguz291g
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMgB1X1dNJ
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX120b9crA
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYk89FGhwY
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MyeTY4rOP
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRsLcLIxvg
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWd4hP0aFf
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzS5djlICh
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv253nVe7e
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiy8xi0IIq
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbi83f4vMq8
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWZ62l6THT
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGrzHVRiII
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNTmhA0poz
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhV31Y3Uxlz
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcsKY7lisY
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQiIM0sTja
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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?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWw8a3fs1t
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYJXnEHnn3
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqUbVfsvOr
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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCjFimLv6C
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaP9abc8iK
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFktxorino9
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bd7EW9iTs
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Hs9GdoLJ
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"Yes."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6KwYlWvxx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKt7S2wVw2r
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgagvzc3pe
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKR64FSGRC
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z1Ru6dDxA
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZllP5zAopX
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJL3jZevYbj
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaoG1VR5Q8
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR2q5BcBtx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzAhMi8MBF
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhzvv6Lq8D
"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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACOOS5ztc1
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F2sPluOfM
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k3V62k0a2
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGScOJW0f32
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6P1Pg3OaN
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZbVPUBute
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhASCVsOVqj
"Is that why you called?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9k0A55CSV
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8WQTZQmio
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEAXwgZzDc
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUWAyzO9qh
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRq9tfY3x8
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6uVKqNay8
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQLT2itYS5
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDrH5fJyHc
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5OLM5eLgI
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsFM34Ywqc
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFOLSVYwAE
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwEyd3MtCj
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZn9iXTWRa
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH91QkMUX5x
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6dep37M11
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaB5wi40fk
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjcHmZv1ai
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OgqdfFjmf
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgytvscXMFg
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YgDfyyGjV
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZigd5rrj21
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1yxkrAkMG
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbEEa8wKwj
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BOtj78ZxK
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45vZ3ccHJj
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDGVUV2dok
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJSUMWlglm
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3f1L6XXum
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWa7MhJ3NC
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUDqfkA7Ay
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtPZsq8AsP
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QQUO2T4su
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eOhJsdIv8
"Soon. Very soon."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkN93iSAZr
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSiaVLBcte
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4uN8mW3OU
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfd2A72nWU
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7gFGRqbyq
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUWqc95Skp
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZaV3QqScW
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh1GumR8yx
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoblQ95qYo
"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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymihREJhRa
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490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEpdmDeueh
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtP5meudZi
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyhfI1bSIL
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMN0qMpwvi
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL50MLfEIX
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawzCWQrxX3
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeSm855RS0
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1TV5kZxjL
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGXHAb5Rey
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gRRCZ2zvZ
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJgtAYwe6V
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVdd5oS9Qk
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn1To4SmvE
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***490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAKed34DPF
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrvoW6qEWB
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6xGMoYCSj
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9dlKqbHZL
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxJ4ir6EC9
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOilSSMv5S
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqh3ivNUz0
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLofNYaMOaW
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFoCQoxodu
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSdYnL3qZf
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22DCMociXD
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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?490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29FVVCvD7y
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFzzEo1UcN
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgnjoeMoh3
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x2F56TPu8
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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?"490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGIm3aFxyE
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplHJRdqmWu
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTSvFBLyVM
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAmwp0PdRr
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqmbMcjCtA
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KXCAWTASz
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U2YJ8gNiI
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyx6zhIgIN
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqGEKG5xle
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DQaYsnEZk
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DPhv2ZeF8
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2oopTq6K7
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpL0jybvYN
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUYTpHjEwt
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj80aOIclf
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E8DYQasUJ
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0C2UhWftC8
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31JYxUjkSC
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnC3yOxB7F
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFExaUH9i3N
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL3zguVX3L
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzJtaHRTWM
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj97fUZB5RN
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKclmUFE11I
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZjjHMHcVG
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYXJv8oDsl
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogtpJ9lWLn
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEAqzCqTgp
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V1ZCm5Zfk
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpibjxHI2Y
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUqN05XtBn
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnguhWgSJdm
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EWej3K7oK
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXasOnKFw
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY0lePuZPs
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARX5sdF3kQ
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7uMGdrpg7
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa0QD8WfV2
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWKFBzLMc5
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEljbQkIxQf
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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."490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVZmisAOa3
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4QkazrGSn
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gwRTAPo0V
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMvGOfcgpf
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwMlPNcM9O
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOemxGhRpv
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRkXxDQFXx
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxk7TPuEppk
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiEa8xS18u
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzc3ELgNwx
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo4WxvgdII
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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?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q5eLVz2jB
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m0DizApZs
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVZK8ag9rO
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUq0gsguBk
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ngyxxomp5
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHptgpiByE
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQJtsU55Rw
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzWVmGTcO6
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU1muivVxe
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBhJc7mPEk
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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:490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQZhqiu4Fw
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOfJ9KcMV4
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU80RBF72I
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBDI1n7taA
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wl3b6PUnf
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDES87qthE
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0ze07s1zJ
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9W9mSH3XW
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYKDUT8UWj
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuMw9pOPLY
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMOzb7O4Hi
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH8Pi2LsxD
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vD3XmUKTa
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbY8e3LORa
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLVCxHOCt9
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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!”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Acbd9Uye
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9RHFwPb3n
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPuSBIJUz7
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJTqjEpWZ9
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39zLPvlQ4z
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBh0TXs3Y0
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOpHa44jfC
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbTMc4st46
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmUcSb3s5U
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27tEnYwl36
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6bhry4S89
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXpAAiweKr
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ78EMTvq9H
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtznYFWNcmf
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkv2Plg1sq
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUDDf3fWgy
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJd1S6etbe
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjVvvd3V2E
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W6CE4JctM
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“What is it?” he asked.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVJNFMEa74
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NMLLiyfA8
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IQBRsMizj
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnnzxzoDJE
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwwNDQPpOZ
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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?490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46OmdVk4yH
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNlGs35Rr
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhxX9FVBJU
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OoV3JIfSx
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDq2P3up3J
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOzyrRLmNs
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54FGjNIrlc
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7XrTFw1Og
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08IKouUutY
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwcw1BbsnL
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTR6XHyi31
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDiRTL0xJT
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGnQg5YoAE
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjboxZNHfnC
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssTa3yb38J
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsveoebguYO
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXBIiyIIog
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeYmXpCN7H
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm2krle1rJ
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6eKrhreXJ
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwW4auQowM
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“There’s no phone service.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHButGX8ZGq
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzSf7mErhF
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K9BWaFur8
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2niTuJiVw
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtHEitJ1EI
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b0rFkh4V8
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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.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoKER4mzU1
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vUWGjoTFC
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcnjv27Krv
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s5JpUYsIy
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRcm0zQxtd
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukOVaLx8rI
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF0F5bUXP3
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzJo9fmGEJ
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhl8RW6Vhb
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPb7vlnLtE
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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.490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrpsBxz4Bt
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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 protection486ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYnhE1dfVq 維尼

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