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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUIRg7KR1L
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKvbn1mlfv
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVenzB4HEOf
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKTgIjNGC
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNmQL1fAIf
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4KuqQ09T
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hhkThalC0
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ybisX3aGH
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eMXrPivzJ
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMJpXZ7c2O
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e1yUoNu1w
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDSyD24YcS
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxWabYy8xa
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dHSzOuZZH
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUcLQrhjPd
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe5cSN3fRT
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02Pg5lOMZx
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXy7PynwyW
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv3HqhjI0w
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEWYuj6LyN
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"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE2ju4P71j
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nUfMPVhma
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfbOc5eAln
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"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOfPcDhbqs
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I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAJ7fR0QZr
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Evelyn.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa7dHJEQHG
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡst32WgNb0O
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRES8Lj3IR
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD7pZxIwfq
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqTNiZr1qO
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIMIrXdewn
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrKDLmtpNH
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4i9og0heq
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLuS9hEBS1
"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?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3NTVz09vz
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN8VJo4PIv
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetmnQ2oOeu
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17XRDSlRYj
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4d0JsLpnM
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5JIcrH0bQ
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVDwPcl3b9
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaal8O9wIKi
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaM6otbVNod
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVRFICMZo9
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95Enxo78B0
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qZGrfbNk0
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69YLB1Xdyy
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyIYmmwaAv
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDv2bO4mUqM
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmacYT3Rkp
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgUOMVF2TI
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"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQSCHSYYoM
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3blJyHHDY7
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HlBYPll5X
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW1HIQznST
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?288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLhpH4XSxK
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTc0iutcH
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZIeCi3N65
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknXHPiToaw
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"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIwF3McJ7f
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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?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mADa3JdqB
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoVc1mYDFd
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEG2prNPLEW
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"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Zz2CznsQC
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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."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6garpt2C0O
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidZw5diwHH
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2Pdb67Zke
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz6anJmTGL
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFi0AVqqau
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBqXrL5lWk
"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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2lK59H9D3
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO1fbYtSbR
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3TU3WZiaM
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKR3qQHlrd
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaJxxEfCAB
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SDBvSYl1x
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbakHcDZxW
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipwiT823z3
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO5vNxYjgg
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pZ7STL6Db
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAsceWOuB2
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgRgL7SMoA
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."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tCBauWJzL
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxixR5lWpPv
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."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQqWhMwM90
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzd8XNkM6F
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFyKOb7LXK
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezyG7s4wDW
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBwH2JMXhB
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVOmMFIgyT
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BsmvpFi1U
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUp9f8XogpZ
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!"288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcShbNGJtDU
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvpsbfOvAf
"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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnT31h7X88
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjReKPRyr7Y
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGehUHDYGiw
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPGFMkIZMM
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GCjthLVrG
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3mGYZtN7p
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.288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhu7jZxJpK
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHazcbR1SwJ
288Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFBuvMmJ7G
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Penana
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