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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUr1zroE4E
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVq2TX3fAd
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8ED8C8bYq
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCOznNzBKC
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqWWyiHXNZ
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoebtR8cfgG
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVMFYc4B30
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYszHEbRnt
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzqkfFNIvD
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXmxDCzr7M
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB5DBZklSp
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAQdzsHLjx
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFciX2suOq
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCVv427PyT
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMpjNezLKz
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMt8znlW92
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3tWGlf8XB
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgzZUhoVl8
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiKfoblgKX
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2S5BR8uhTQ
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"Should I?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcIY2nRjxjL
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2xnVCFKAR
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R4K9V3PP3
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuBD8OCQc1
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP9QVau6UW
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sYdOwIHJ9
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyZshVFww1
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTkcSofBja
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuJ5AaI8zy
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ADbqWcc1n
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18eNgGjItW
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"Is she?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CIjGj167l
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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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtkXaGicZy
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOuAWGuj8p
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5ooAGSkli
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVThWP7HfNH
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnSTh4mzJu
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVugyTQ5jEn
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqNR6sT5V3
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNQS3gWrLs
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5nIcudNCT
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"Maybe they did."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVykcC5gEIQ
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmPMhrZkIz
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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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQwAG6zxet
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkOQTAEnQt
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoo5KRBcPtl
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmjmXzXMkI
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3xnxTu2Bz
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aMpcGJxDa
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDknFBJTbkf
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy67C54zUMA
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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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTduVlqFZoE
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwjVF9r08L
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmfLjmWiME
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"Yes."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDcxAQkF0t
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZBqKkoq5w
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTF61An0QCb
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGIgQpbItl
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkA1xh4NIOZ
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TjgLxeQlm
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhL17GYE9G
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"Is that why you called?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxBG54LW22
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmgySM17eH
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHWk138Rt6
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0awe8qEsK
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g5ACLHFBS
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2fmjOvqf3
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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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8g4FCVNNL
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJx8ny0EJkS
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH4pmYVse3
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBauRu4MP8
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMChtfSgPrh
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"Soon. Very soon."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW0mHMaNzd
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00tKkkcvq1
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjr8FHr0Spa
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9LX5zNDch
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1uxWTS8Bb
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ2hVwMcKZ
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i7jliXLKx
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlF4YEqjVTE
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm1YKtuu1s
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ423pUOZEwX
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSS8bID5Zu
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7kGdJHSBY
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***511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0hv6WetA1
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPmgPi6OIY
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGtEi0MKRF
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnfKGSPUBv
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Pa1jzUSO
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbVQyVko2D
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8MY4qci31
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvKsJnsyWO
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZLJ3yxyvo
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8pvddViKt
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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?511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWOY5k4nlX
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLWxkJvDVx
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uZfx9yhNP
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAI4iLE2u1
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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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPo59fC20P
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNktq2jN2sW
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJkL1gnEo1
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2A5G2o07T
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjzSQmnQzt
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSxPX67JtE
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL5cDzHeL5
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxupXkIiMDi
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2li7CGQ0o
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvXzN6rflM
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZpqd85hi0
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVKRIpOox8
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5muwxn3gJb
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz0gOS4AmO
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q28KMXdNk
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yFRP35cN4
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XMwM2E3UU
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag5GieCw2J
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbCqyy9vk
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsMm40MY6E
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdW3fzLeno
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgybHty8EVY
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoc9cUasMI
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVJNpfMJcU
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWL75oZ2FX
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIeirzN3IV
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nZgtpe0gP
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ln1L4Mc4t
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrxekd04Eo
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EKysY5rvF
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1hJjkvgsb
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeqmGDOJcF
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWMdRQgk1f
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVTB2ftBXb
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn4w1b1O1Z
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjB4zamKfX
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06T9JbgjwF
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH3TyVuv2s
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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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK7dLcG8nM
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFSLdyxs2H
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bux9vC6UN
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjsvGj8mrT
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvNMlIFDTj
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArez8WTBdh
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoAhuAtKdk
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH6JcZ69mo
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a0vB2Ally
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYZFKEdVXI
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip1Zy3Lo2E
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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?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39AiZf6P3g
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjjaIaslEq
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75lklCapGt
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ667gbs9r2L
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8Pw3u6cb3
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eoSLzfqoN
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jTBOp0g3Y
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SKqLKPV5A
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrZxrtZZUU
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgcDneUXt3
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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:511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aXE3VyDa5
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAEeAwucKk
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs5ExcLuLC
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnbeBew1sI
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtwfe6cDmq
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡay8oh5K4OV
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHY0ezLP69
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifqdSyau6w
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8cnwwp8Nc
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7xDLGULTs
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFVu8DvHkh
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uahTHuaVu
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BQw5YQR3r
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKqmGwzLKa
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDEoiBbNGM
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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!”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W3YjhreRM
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf8paZtU9S
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupllPRs4d9
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J4df0NE5z
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE9rj4P8Nk
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrBnT4yurQ
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUg1FOFYA5k
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh6rCz3MMu
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbAN0ZcLJw
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgh3XRgBy0
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SEZbKp6Lj
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGFveo88AD
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkts1koB8P
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPeHFrJlUE
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMHVvbPnVA
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYbGybC54
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsog5P2Ug7
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnX5UQXGAl
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gDjJuBAf1
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“What is it?” he asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTmkSdU5JL
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDXJpYk3tc
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdCgWx5hdq
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5gbzB1dfe
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGr2V8rhNw
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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?511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRsdqP4ykT
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI2MhJIBsw
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj2AINg8hr
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIpcqrTjQP
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9t5NDkdJa
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSRZLwjyHe
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1AUrVkp4b
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBs0Hopibw
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ofIGEvGQZ
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7KBPInm3j
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibGvcx5qNw
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhQnxhjrtk
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIaU983JZw
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ5W4GqTNi
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMDIy6StMw
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1PuzL0X79
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD5XTawHbz
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIKY6RZWZU
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh92wreNGIu
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uQvlNagG8
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHuo604nrC
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“There’s no phone service.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh41ghX5oVG
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ny5Rqs5hN
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKnDh3axqj
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtKTGUzU3n
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTR5HhWMx
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01bgZQZfFN
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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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvDmZ0haVy
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjV1zQ8Epj2
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPZkwpI9aM
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2R1jwaWUW
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GSsAummIG
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f0to02cb3
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznduzFoiRH
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS3NsDjOcG
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdvpQNaHn4
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiHFQUSg9S
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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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVYkgl7AB1
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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 protection507ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI2cYldicF 維尼

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