The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC5gq2SsDf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQ023BRBQj
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1YOxMkXIA
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66PvUFwbmN
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmS52ZcOFW
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86F0sPVgiK
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaMo92pVpe
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7FjtviRSL
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjEIRIAqof
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLRarwRdTg
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMVfF5re6Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNvTuhyn71
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCclhdSN1sw
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89tJZUk1tj
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OiFDa9UQR
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXEpDsnrdY
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMFbDLy8pM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCy8tKdtbF
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfj7J5TCX9h
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeES9pKKTwT
The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JSUqE2rSU
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbXeBjyQXx
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjj7wt45ZZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP6s8dJBIG
The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o8cRqeIPC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oJfHKMOkD
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkaPL5FJLM
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCBqAjdWqJ
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiXqBdyiYg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBqavkPyYI
Evelyn.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB69ecnHNfY
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY5kTsx8xG
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkMIlBQg64
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIkp1Ah8pu
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst2MbBZ5tf
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0SRMoa7lu
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMgTELmNxp
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv9Z6nJfwf
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjjl8Dtt8Z
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzt8Xiicu7
"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5EIgGJFss
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG2f4HpZJw
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomVOcjA2IN
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIF7BuOQkr
The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE8UOtW1NJ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGLrhFDwFd
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOwI68aov2
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc59gmPluZv
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAnVaez1ok
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqCRSIhs73
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7fFOxjngG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayVYM6N5Kl
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJU9HJGAvs
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCGiBvibZq
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k6zRUxVOO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHZjjf96YT
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD803DonBFc
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu77j41wizo
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYTqESsETZ
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZuZkLmyse
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrbAwL5ubT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2li3ugh6Sh
Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdnIqKjQji
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5RXvqeyLg
She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXBsoWHP0c
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ECWLEEOPr
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdckcYJVAn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SizZY4Vk1
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatceBKBt9u
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb55mUKoZE
But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesnx2XIBPG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqDw9JypRn
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGawJp8scff
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy1k2YvDws
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaMwj3ktbT
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRapVt0eSt
Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLMw8vMVYK
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB4kHshvj6
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdn4Bctj2B
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu33Ysolzxw
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWqdFuTacO
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1r6RR06ey
"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIF1arYz7b5
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNtN3ZjShI
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwBGvtWEqG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YURImt7aa
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnEXxMdi6T
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1zSkUoXMq
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwuGRhDb4Y
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSnHZgzHP4
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0npyk0hsn
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjLclskif4
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyP5j2WoEm
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZNMEyldiV
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqd1tnDCRk
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ293as0nlPN
I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjxrLtacU9
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDDPpPfMJs
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOQjYMwkHg
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4My43Td5kK
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPNdr050kP
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt2qmfGeJb
Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBtrPYrJA8
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTg77YA4xJ
I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FfV0G6hco
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WU1TidYgQ
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBMyAvM2pj
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgE6bwXTaA
Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8JakIlMDV
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33Vevqy1Qo
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KG656XvtC
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ORB1zj46z
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7KoH9QBPa
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I4Bz6STRG
226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwo18mKChKk
-------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
