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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9gKfJjth6
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn8rHXjqR6
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYSoFnbng4
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszxQMhH5vL
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtVUOqAQbH
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ7cBcvhCd
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVQaymonY0
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BOO1Rythe
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi4LVvhSRP
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz3VnQ4gqA
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu24XYJ7DU
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnFWQUuIGF
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWdeOYUBjQ
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRd0K8d9u2
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByL3niL76f
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2fa3MAOue
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nLOnuXX18
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8a0YFBLSY
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD1lkhaS3a
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwevyu3b8fU
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"Should I?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGqFLJJjFH
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22W7Cy4h69
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheuxp4qMVT
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pHJ8xg1QK
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5u9EzJKyij
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgcDEq4k1q
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNnvnN4iiE
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyTajQas4s
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlwRIBtBPE
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvOHM5siDD
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEgSZw2ZNG
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20QB9NQhud
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"Is she?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnCLiUbUZx
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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?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObEnoipKAN
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyWYg6xgvs
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwaG2sKW4p
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN7g6I7y5h
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznZAsgesku
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAQVQmmbFS
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQvcwP7dCQ
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlvUvpvUxL
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA7knhSCTS
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"Maybe they did."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLnLYCDXjU
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEhaQlSw9t
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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?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86awKPUAgU
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMzdkEPmGZ
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc18M0Hc9qx
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnPAwIxYcs
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GleMD2dF4
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeSS0tlhdx
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkyy57iVoB
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLRV3I1MvK
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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?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHxkApVNf
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqWKwLCRnh
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXRrQcVzWt
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"Yes."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgYpoWmlaM
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaBeKRyrSD
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1SKPnI1Am
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDhtC3e7Ej
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqzYvsgaAY
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnluLfXwoEZ
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTarbqwmU8l
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"Is that why you called?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc47vXXmo8
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ePtN1Dqse
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkwG4pkGg8
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sxF2rNrgW
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTLysLuTi
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdh0bOdqcm
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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?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7BT8cS0lo
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlwKJoYvCw
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vaS0jwBVw
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdIRv8ya35
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdu4OImaDE
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gBUXnzTvU
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6PxW5s8Rt
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzqHgYRLQm
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK7zNUA1Lu
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"Soon. Very soon."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiw6J94gKB
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiSDO48wNL
563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamjTIZoCpn
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ5bobXg4R
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlh0OvQ7GJ
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMi73OKTY7V
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkX4DZUab5
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAdUwoCszd
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3lB1qrTl5
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XoFZzesUn
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWDF9KI31f
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKJG26PhlU
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALpxtw3O4a
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***563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4cX9fvaWj
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjz4g3keVsz
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHlOzPcmBb
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMNT5ex86T
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXue3M1PPST
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoiX4dLamF
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgzupT90Bk
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ442g6ifVVS
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnsY2E62sT
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmD77fhbql
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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?563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT5AjRes6E
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuyvnseTk8
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCzRHoh8aQ
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYKJeSzEYo
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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?"563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5UrVuBQFv
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Hv3KddLsu
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxJ5aeKi1A
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHtdYQqzpf
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqSgla0wS2
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp88VblSnT
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfERoViRV4
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr1LzHZZSP
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgPXkt8xsJ
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pnS95EdLe
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxdK8h8CUx
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNzDQWlC55
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcPBExTgVk
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKdxbBBVta
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOvLYjPUsQ
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhokcluYiOv
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqLad6JcsQ
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ637J2rJ78V
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOSn5QtSCw
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK52PnbNCOB
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwR92bB2IG
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaFZOKPRqF
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImlRBXoNGc
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOGNq0I8Wc
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIS6VLtvHX
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMDsnu1Zsw
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMVwsvqymo
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx50iI8iKN2
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9mzT4zxBZ
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCWo7GRFXS
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3v6QH8A5G
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfjiMAqDwv
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXt7fxetU6
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoxSkjkjtN
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQQ1WhlTSf
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzVQEaAMBz
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx32o25Bj0r
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2CurS7c3q
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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."563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjizttDQvO1
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNhNtf81TM
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdEogVgCGZ
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpujrz0zj6
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I3BHHGmDD
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg1359evyw
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbPqb9unsx
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ8tPFigcm
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLtcOaSX4R
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY19EnlBZGH
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxWlqGjWjT
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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?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrthIHxIdQ
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8nByEIdhX
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd1uI7P8Be
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vqqUIUTN2
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1ZBMs0ct9
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRukOLrKfV
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyGicQvIsI
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2biEjJsd3s
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYgO5LTwlY
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80XiQFffa2
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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:563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V0ujApDZo
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRO9cdxFzS
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mEfps7K9p
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5qsZO65fm
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EN8k9E9tZ
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9vDttXXG6
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLs29PkqQf
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsGQJJvJGN
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV10TqS5JRc
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJZIOrFeql
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwwI2ST4kl
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8txvUyZakI
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9dMGveJXG
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMTJk6IE9O
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInwXUsXoh1
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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!”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3off45sqC5
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yVFrUthbf
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6OxgA2iRI
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3nT22L1FC
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfZAIqwFtU
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zDqeVhsKS
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUFvLfliS6
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIjnEwrwmF
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Wk2DTcZth
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw48OsXuZjc
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEzGu9GJeS
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k4V2QVKWF
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1llWhadwo
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR36HbQLTU
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSzvQdNJcH
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74kMg9jGL2
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8dyOZf8Gp
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoN9ueNZfT
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFrMNVOJ5o
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“What is it?” he asked.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqetQapTo2h
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwHmgRP92w
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FHBXJHJKd
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNOA3e3ETJ
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzXZEZMmuI
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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?563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Upupe0R7
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91WWD45DxL
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7M4w6CZPF
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAFz5KM2bb
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssg37FlpCo
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuGIStD7Hf
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYEdgrXm27
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVfdnsACP3
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0ftUBxEXd
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3K0MzBvcJ
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bpvVkJQuB
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlFHLaksCa
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3unG6Qzj7
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr0wGix32n
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRN9b3uD5z
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsnYiYeHa8
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IHW0BlWoo
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QDZxRNtJh
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcDclbFYmB
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitgB86WJXD
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUH5ylTNis
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“There’s no phone service.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6VpbG4de9
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6up5fAg2U
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO71MEemxu
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cafktlnNa
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcLzNHRGHg
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUSSeF0acc
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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.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRpD5UDpeh
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NJemfGzcV
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjhZScfXrd
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqesgonpqYu
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxfiKWSAOH
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u8VnxrFDb
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4gavBYJkh
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR71EaiNqT
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegy4Iw4W0N
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdJG8xmJLg
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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.563Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXUrfDqJBA
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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 protection559ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR0NqypOne 維尼

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