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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNp5LxpcL3
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTNvVeTv6v
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihxTKzZMeU
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJipIWZlSW4
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32tnKETN0g
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLetiw761Q
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf6RttCK7C
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Nq7y0nFbM
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdwqHx8G5r
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy9lndhxjd
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzL9Wd2RJb
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOUgx50MNI
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTA44RGkuE2
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7LevCpE0I
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ejMkC85S4
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ylGXVgM58
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pbVjqNvD8
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ352CIiBM4h
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKtf49cQa0
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm7Z9xsl7s
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"Should I?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatELMUosJZ
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppv7c62YxP
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtviuSHtJq
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYbwzGY47O
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUFcOk05jw
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54d12NFcM2
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1d2qv8JEB
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa9DZQsFZJ
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS2HSOdQoM
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TqzHAIf2b
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUlrWM3dkJ
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"Is she?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN2oa19uds
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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?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCEyROTVn6
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTxe5ESygc
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFdB6sSZ1g
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVVC12h2NM
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ98R1s8wb
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1S9Y8xFdu
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJrWKqqCMS
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaGObt1Ong
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bP3NEMugu
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"Maybe they did."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk8KSyrpiU
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBl7b2e18B
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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?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs2b7LefX9
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFCIMYsgbV
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq43MZfM4nS
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqsuKdIyu4
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7nEC9P8ji
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMMVUcIanj
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpWAUucogB
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE7izjypTY
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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?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu2BiXPQ6A
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFdxGP3xgB
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJKPuLODSP
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"Yes."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzrEIQ3nP3
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju18QFXyQN
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKKFeXGtB8
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrWWm06haS
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRp9nmERtcX
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRb6PLxcze
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKGdOlB2Vc
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"Is that why you called?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOn2jyBu82
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhGI1y0Vbl
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8EW9SvvsI
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ9O4zvbSM
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp5ORIpb6S
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrFQaNCVPz
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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?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjze7emKnP9
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iWJPHjllO
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mD1ba6Gn3
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpploIsJlx3
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUB0rDDTQU
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"Soon. Very soon."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuz0f3g4Fz
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4KoLvBJZ2
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl90pcP3kdm
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvR0QgVM22
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXGy80sanL
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzyPb3wwWI
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DKk1NMxct
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVg6c9SFpL
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11Pbl2RS7O
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnc1I77FN1
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwEybU6UZu
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlolioy1lh
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***437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcvsN2yOM7
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj57I0nAn9C
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtHr9n8syo
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFWLarFPUI
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzmtHkG0DS
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EdEnTiI8d
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3JNgsHaBJ
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmrBpXfFI0
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvtIlQnM5S
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj2rabYsiO
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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?437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHoo5oFDOs
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHZLzrhY1y
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhThbIALVx
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj36epGWkh
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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?"437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWJqXx0ZH
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2Weih69Pz
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwSu7GCo8O
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWs2ITK1NB
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDRSKU83NA
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA6wDmFhJb
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBoDa5tGmi
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p31DPJoBQ
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpURMtjaGP
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSfwe2x2cV
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJW7Fl0Cp6i
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fhjXW2WB8
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCG99plymE
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROeytk5u2l
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3lvOXN6AG
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzN7J9C0UrI
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoLe1FI6CF
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemiT91FNQ4
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuDOgoW2O6
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vke0Wi613
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK18oHLPIb
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGMC9fWZ4l
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv92mbPQ8o
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREKy5I93mE
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcIA8lnuH1
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwVv540aKZ
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb77MhQgpw6
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRhK4tgUB6
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdWS8BFjp
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy9HzFHeTu
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0UpwzYjY8
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRITZqFtoD
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf33TemuOwQ
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLjpaqbgNc
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK8y19tvZp
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yt92CRk34
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6TFrItQW3
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefzST8SJZ8
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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."437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGKCyumEtM
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4LOPI9fXg
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJlXz6YGWY
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxekicu5E4
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxls1I0Srnw
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTznnYVNukh
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8d9jQKLw
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhAewi8sDN
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4z2uOvgeS
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oM50fWL5x
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueqFU4W6CV
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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?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RCd0DuNTS
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8N24Ygv6z
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Bh7vIEdf
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA0cfVqteF
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydov7BZNQB
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Nqls50qt
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpUctkbhnQ
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I7wygLMGU
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2G82X7wu8
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXpNaAhSGD
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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:437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKshkFRlgFz
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdI1RkkAJX
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLjWqylaIO
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MaAYOA2f3
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxtQaATObs
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG1HO2hq41
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4dV1mStsP
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoesdgWfi0R
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqh5nubmh8
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mxuMELtXe
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQA78q0WJe
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUYekbhQZU
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCLizU9fVS
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucJCEy8wiQ
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRQLcHdl8J
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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!”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWj6ME54ak
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefu72YE3Ic
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡociAlxnsXF
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgFCr6xJ2x
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX3vAhrWW9
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjOm0A6tkz
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwK8qsojBYI
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB5rmdARug
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DROTK5GHn
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yMBmLvTL0
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6liNjuxGV
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRzNN40dC2
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yU5gE5VMf
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SqCcorZ4W
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLwRXpH38R
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgL0yRIFIM
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF5i3JqdxQ
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsPSgeU8wZ
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwryVOinJSK
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“What is it?” he asked.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWWPjgC2ZY
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A2yemqLkt
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwztBwCZO1
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUmxVo0P87
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgIQ5DBmno
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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?437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTnVTsV9oh
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAhjTBxZvI
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGHreJi8ch
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqtlPt8oMz
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvpNmUEq2u
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuFJNLd3ZO
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXfSshWNWP
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jcu0AVEdc
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cGkLZ4lZ6
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVjW8oo012
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo885La4JYc
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNgUmbDVQy
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDrBnD8csP
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNthCYDGrOF
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgyP1TwiRG
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GLgcQ2ca6
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBky5B1tPxQ
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlelMCE7BRA
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd33N9h0oE
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbvzyqx9uX
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UG1gc10iP
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“There’s no phone service.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjPTPGgqMu
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyGUDfLPsH
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLdiaue8rG
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokBTdxCYVQ
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6GBHi31oW
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucivWfXimo
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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.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJHsV33lJs
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVZaSUEAQh
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRfO00qNae
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2f4MMlKeN
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8D8PUi1Fp
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYa3swfaGA
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU16CwFCm5S
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElMvnAfUY
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xNrOF0UKS
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xAUQpKFMJ
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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.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7DXDFaOvG
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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 protection433ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzY8RZZpCF 維尼

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