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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbFt6NkB7x
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63bHR22NPB
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0xxdyPYfS
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIWmtjcGiW
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnlGPsU9KH
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89E5QDuDLI
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIc4EuLCDw
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI2zqwJWvh
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcuJFHentH
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRC7qUuXDvW
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRgp1NkzgJ
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIsGPzkP8C
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqUaNb47F5
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lZQaHHeSt
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGm0flaFFb
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLvt8s5ggq
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoovYKmTn5C
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv7RwyteFq
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNKtgkAqQu
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNyzMjJF4X
429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9JSwu1t6e
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"Should I?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsZ7ZZ30yn
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm6HFgQ3vD
429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MqLTV2tRK
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLSvrNngfE
429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokWetkxvcE
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO0j9qEfds
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnUIgejfG6
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS5uRFWZ3e
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoQWVqZKaA
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaph3NoQt4
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjfMdmagYJ
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYjN57fOM0
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvJkpw4auT
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"Is she?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxXqZ5g8xR
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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?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrRoBolfsu
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3qEEUsTuy
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0DXTNAMfc
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX58BoxQds
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X2ohgZ3IX
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrEWJHgo0E
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oSo14S6XB
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx6Um53RSm
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaXgh5YWLN
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"Maybe they did."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGRmnT7Khc
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jQJSsUOIk
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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?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNVB5dtWf9
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLhBTWfqaL
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSlviB9up5
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o62QboxF7
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAtb3ZOQ14
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKOedddpDs
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOv6Q6hfFV
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xRzkJaq6o
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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?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7anNrORzqc
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT6EeAN4Kp
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoBGdNdxv9
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"Yes."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNGTQFZRna
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hvlol3Aw4
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOkYgFyuGs
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf1DdZ0jjY
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW90ftAlgeV
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm3r67cNHk
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngJ8vfSFlF
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"Is that why you called?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4Scd6sD5Z
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmoLLJaPuR
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpUPL2d83Q
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYXdty2SIm
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeN7nM5Z7F
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxTZtj5cS5
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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?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VMOpE7zKJ
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZniuFNpP
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiqegVWRMm
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDudnhivXw
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DQgwXHZ5P
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"Soon. Very soon."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydDOiUO6Lr
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtiqFn2QbQ
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGcUt4hs6c
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFmc9vglKy
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgelY9Vok9H
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0n6sYrhdp
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hqQpYOdSD
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeNXShrPha
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ERxWJPciv
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdcX4VjlUu
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl72fHnPnU
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLJJUQubJx
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***429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEywT9R8m9
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruoiU6C4Kh
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKjkYBizBg
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpFXn2Kw8q
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaFusfdMgR
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAbfxae7Fk
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpWELqJc5g
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGtjGLLlpG
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAW9nNaEl5
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIceFsMWTF
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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?429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCACRy6k249
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl4COYCjQV
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdZEGsxnoS
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrRw49KmhH
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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?"429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4zwrVoWBK
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKU6Vda2UX
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpisduBppLv
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XTb4eNyyV
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aEIxOWWG1
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1NzsFyqht
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQiu1qhbmQ
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ICDrCCjSN
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6GR5o81lA
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOa5B2vQJl
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2w07RrUQN
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ0wJWAsLW
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnvyTBSzTb
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x1LKdYhxe
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUYmwMSMVp
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvxhrjtHBJ
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVnjtBr4GR
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3svk1QYu36
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICne3NAg20
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V8G0OVlp3
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZ7C2y2fL5
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmKOL5dfbb
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxXNmOaFJ9
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJRhReImlV
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplLbVKfLgV
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekPvRbp20R
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGUI1FCjzU
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C7ou8u0w0
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFNvUZbxFH
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfZX6qGerI
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo46xBCkjZ
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9V621Kxnl
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWO9nF2spF
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgRKlJ4Ofl
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99HPZVwuSW
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pBsM6qsa8
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61DwQrWZbW
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxAy5XLROJ
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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."429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXda2gkBiH0
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95W332ZhNW
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9IHOsdzKP
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kpoabepqU
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILMO0fDFS7
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru54SMmyl4
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCKQQbGtgl
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiH4XhxKy0
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRfmbUpDxI
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN5g6GDeFp
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXYiWkohzN
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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?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9MJcRVvWX
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3YAtb9iRf
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg2ptelIaZ
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEgEVunjur
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHsI6jfnVp
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr3aUnx358
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENIPQ9XZNA
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXstoEdwPs
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvKo4UzsRX
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhDAbIKd2i
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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:429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc2HM3i10J
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIhvE91ukc
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrYcVyFFJf
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3DtVsX7I8
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFzhGUFglz
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ0R4Hcb5a
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8myJRvehY
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N775cn8Ea
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu19gZ2kRT
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoZZaxgcKs
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirpfl0dHJI
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv2SBWMZa7
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL3YIHmOE3
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG7FWq0fhn
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7Sfjb7pW2
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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!”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUUcSKLb6h
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBiXLLq8SL
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ28Q0ageGX
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIL05DsAbF
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasmZU1nYTW
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfu9FnSwFz
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4yDEWVAnB
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbAu6mh7y8
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6MaWvuayo
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwr3vIkEGO
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhzTR8zzw
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtEHxsWKaI
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr6EaXRy9i
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaRyrFURnO
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqYqbhC8l6
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYXAqI06NS
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezM4oJCl6D
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zuey6McMm
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqUD0i9nEu
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“What is it?” he asked.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lrhYYAKGz
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefJhZU6Yr2
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uSpeBUx5E
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHQX6YNFzK
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bh0CmP4Ic
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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?429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZnftZcL98
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvDOanKBGk
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNzFvyZYWX
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtgqTglxa4
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagM4YFQASp
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRsOUpYPEw
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVq65prUDs
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE9fJdO3gm
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuBNfXAlYz
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6Jk7DAX5Z
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeekR8EGhY
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEy8aUqkMZ
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPGXeWEkH7
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMosFgZ591
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmRekdzuGR
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp8CALhPAZ
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvA9Mxwvfe
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLmTK32rqP
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGAuUMjYvh
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPQsqu6wE3
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq0cs5Ck71
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“There’s no phone service.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqvP9Opfcs
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLX2jHJyKx
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGon3AZMPoY
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeasZO4h4dE
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBistR1rti
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXPHwBIfvh
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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.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eOj1va9yZ
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI4iAAeFXM
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnuYFZSs0j
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJNroTgbVQ
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq4NXXBkbC
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPXM6EGGUt
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yPl0PKrtB
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMip5uCai7
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwSK7DaelM
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9PSq1oK68
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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.429Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsn8sEdhze
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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 protection425ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JJl7WUoYl 維尼

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