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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G9LgMpkkP
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaUno2wZDD
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT5ojW01PA
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8zibfzprk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kEx8S7vJc
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBwMA6bprO
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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1kRES3Uk6
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oRZ1qSibi
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459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwFZXJcB0q
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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoeHwgzCyZ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMhi1unLk8
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblbbunslez
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObri474vnH
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAWCGHIUB7
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumhogPJuTF
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxRQENlJVX
"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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Tc5VvqsJ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7McwASU0i
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGdV5shevy
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrtdeAYlzz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRn0uNv5vHH
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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVMtPOhVoq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6Za9gcIBP
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5aWvweHAX
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTfVS7Wjoe
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoADA9WEN7
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtdVUMvsuS
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0SB8vhMgv
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2Lk68SN3M
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7wXfA6AD9
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla58UOKhCq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBhyZggV9V
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXclnUPAfEV
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qlB0yjtMa
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtUQdVIWko
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaTKaa5p3M
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfv3pC7wFB
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAWJfkryBk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrd51LvBCTg
"Should I?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK23pxYxC2
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhqhu0PCu8
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wu0JmHemf
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv6gS0ybHk
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tA8A1L52K
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqAWpn65Xl
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUpyzwRQs3
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3RZT4JN55
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmvAihslur
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2FdW72CVv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Tj5ZJ0mbF
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKqD7RyXO0
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WeFMNkTK
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMv9EJ1xtS
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ87tF8V7gi
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVPnWP0IaR
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbtCiLv9ge
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz56NTMvWNf
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VTxWhJRCW
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEODiyvcnrb
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2nqvhPycD
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtRE1OabGC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gdNWPYtq4
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjp2TcDBcPv
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"Is she?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfo7G8WnMg
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459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM7xln4oC3
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?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6YSrAKIbv
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYauNGIGiEz
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTFnOQN4MC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbUqOJpMFz
"Do you think it's because of her father?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B6qMR2Co2
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZK3Z3lv0P
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0qniapEaA
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHTdXq9JcL
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZIYkyWdab
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oCPSqSHZz
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nlnP8uUnx
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBG7sgdB4y
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyesv8fptxE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EAPZn44zn
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"Maybe they did."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMy1Tw6ACe8
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459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaksZOjpT9h
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8pkireuga
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiabEJqyrE6
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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?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZMSoVhTzY
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBXW9JngFC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR4IVt5dRf
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxFrBG2cy7
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdPzgiTnMY
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtExJppDOe
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSuQDkDNnM
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKReU6YHZxE
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnww2CViT3
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60D1F7P5VJ
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0nV4CEJpD
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHXfsgUMsd
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdxvyD9Zpx
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYfpPSJAOa
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemXhUnczxa
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeSMuuGs9v
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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?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ113uX583cp
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82DhkRoWrc
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wGE1yhsQb
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGUXv761bo
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"Yes."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc6fVO4RL5
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLwQc5MkiB
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MmNRHH6Ty
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lHgI5yhU4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xeLqvst7c
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy89eJUWhjb
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFtjriAdDz
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459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbALLw0gfUN
"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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafmgHPq02b
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzmfPYkfjT
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHBUVnif31
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2d3eIyQvP
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBA94mf5gC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBwU6L86YV
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"Is that why you called?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7umxDO4EpP
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaztw4xj8qH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqY21wl7kg
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQni3UvnzaI
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9u9IR2gIw
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ctGGp49CN
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAzKuHHzAa
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7CqfauQ1n
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUygazprC6d
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxpAUmtIHH
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuZQGhM3d2
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwp1n4kh1b
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM7tYX4Jvv
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVcyLSo4I0
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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?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAgDfw6sRA
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFFVUpDRoj
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRVEJAyC7k
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNYkgbPsia
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGeoHeEuOs
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5y3ovcqYn
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOI5fb9YY4
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcmKhUx80T
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCawN6lwuq
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHOjOwmUCl
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODDzvmdNlO
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOrmEJKFSY
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLnz0iP8yf
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3LZx0L7wj
"Soon. Very soon."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5NBb5sz1y
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJw1HoUiQu
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ155fW57wzz
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZVPAe0Z0o
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItZLf3uWuC
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbUGZAvrnT
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKxcWMnDKG
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjFKd4THBu
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnzpwMYjbD
"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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen7TR3mJlm
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3yK2WC0WJ
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMEaHVlLkC
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP006OCkNa7
459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd128vkjCH
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpx7gKcqbW
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklTCz3W7Bj
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm74UDMpPk
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TAMfcRnvS
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeMQ8vH2JG
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***459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1CUvtrrHo
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN6zoxAgUj
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sKuaMPmvU
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNPRIpYqEf
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnyjLXHiBi
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaSWdwkpUY
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cdmi8zmEV
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrJUtEyqHS
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0zdTZAC8F
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSJgowrKKS
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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?459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2jtaFAEuI
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxrgEN7D8V
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoqJByB1Ol
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaWUFPfl1z
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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?"459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zc9ysXo8m
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lCUDKaTI4
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQUQjqEfYv
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh4XLBjFud
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrn3ub7aSr
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbqoQe9jbc
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJq17k7u2Lt
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fOcOGlMa1
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLIeI0Q8jT
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu88tSrZFNO
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXSnwMRzle
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqdaSErpCd
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTUtcGyEg4
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl3moRvgQs
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUF0e7icrH
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG2qEvU018
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeW6VZzwMG
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1gZWenKFB
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTLJEHBEkx
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXHyDdOHdg
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw8xzDUkb4
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIP3pT2rQ1
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWvIMtQYYg
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybR9LzpUMS
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdQXMyK0V4
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OlJMfdBv3
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2xw8L6evX
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwu6b7bAyJ
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQn4YYrwp6
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCfu5R9uK6
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuyKiCIjFy
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1O0Tt3jfc
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgyCPGvTTw
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LJcF7JLec
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInQFGInltl
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVBTEJYiEk
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimnWYEwZVE
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ZEuxfhI9
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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."459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dIGwRHtR7
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6StZNQ5mMS
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdt1NvKtBHQ
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePlpG5OOAt
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW4HXuaVPK
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYhOCKgeTD
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyl2I8lEwa
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWs8ApD23C
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gReJ6y7Rx
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcggqWIGkO
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1Rajttf7w
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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?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0cyydERwT
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0UpJDSLvC
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq8nNsmaLW
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM2StBAiT7
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudxO4qoKlX
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDq8xVA8eF
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gWcsBIi7C
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBS6u66geQ
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOESCv3Pusa
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9jewJAD7A
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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:459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsFthYg9L1
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtQ3UyIYJX
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqxbC5wsEI
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALhhWCuCpT
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTryyt4iBu3
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3JgAo0mmJ
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQiY7u8qVr
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExUDe3XMUE
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmteUJz5BBn
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt7ICtlCNm
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrorkbcnrHs
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh962DYhDV
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9hExwg4pl
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEVf2DQjvD
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmA4Yj8bnY
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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!”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoSRCFzE9g
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0SZ1pGhHk
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5IsKcEoEY
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2G8gPpyt4
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDh3C71KBL
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnJ9KkhHZ
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg8NkTriVm
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NNwu8gRGg
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV25XqzhDI
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvRVZrqXRM
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirsYvzpE7i
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Uj4tvMaD
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlkFZi8Zy7
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YA1wteB8H
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlatDCtPFg
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsBPRd7DQ6
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPBZNVFWMW
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNKGG7BUTO
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7477dHNEd
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“What is it?” he asked.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66BDrAQkB4
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBg7IRfAOs
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EsyLkTI0V
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPtSRBzjvg
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXIWoP9Lxo
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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?459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KOLWyxu3V
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5jM9yOhOL
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IC2H6LKOn
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf64QaFMwhU
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XZETyPU5n
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vzFPE7qOc
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCp5nbFp8F
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU02vQduvKh
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW68z8UKyH
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXTfhenu7f
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa3IghiM2W
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMzJbNzIBw
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKvWbDg9z7
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhUP76RzWt
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaaRkohxra
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXS38tntBDH
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIsGmwz6Zs
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmCv4vIYI
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY8ms56EUE
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBHUTDYly2
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwagQdNSV5
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“There’s no phone service.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzykZQJdD0Y
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUYEZEe8bz
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB4IF8NTOt
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxnRQw8GNf
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvz901FvR2
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eqyzfRaAi
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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.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk6DdiKICJ
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rkVEI0RLG
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzRyQeKKi5
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzsYRC7p9v
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WzPTUB9td
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMDOwQl8yA
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisEb3TVahL
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UpasxGqa3
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00IDEDYJoh
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6gyiYzyTH
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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.459Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlklVymJXhf
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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 protection455ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBbpdXYEn2 維尼

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