The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65ViOh1Iky
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k3jWJ3tUo
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSGfUS9Iyv
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns4efgD4KB
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1y5vwvHvY
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGMZekJFlh
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNuWLKezAX
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniDV9TwIXU
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjDwXzZhx6
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDtHQBTCKO
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFIAYIoSJ9
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNpBkvJ0e8
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtkv8SQz8p
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQlEfxGtzA
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw1JuyGk8L
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9Jqhgfe3L
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOj4pwIJpQ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXXUff3J5t
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbRcKGnSUF
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtwaDpaTUA
The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVwYV4USFY
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ys9xQFsFX
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerFgH5otzu
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZtUnM6LEs
The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLz3tp2T4x
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcg0HuSyde
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWWuNKfZEf
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJUh4QHs7b
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9onEqz8b9U
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJLMUKFBQ2
Evelyn.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZjEkkqJ1K
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3S6McZNAN
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhf9R8kX2X
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEod0Tg2Opk
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOWH0c9AxQ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9YtHCOnvm
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mFiO8fQ9d
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5sQamQDGX
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGxnDfTt05
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc74arOycRC
"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ETXyYO1t
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9G5W5sQW3
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVDDe04Ngd
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxFmi8qm9R
The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTxmLeJsf4
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuSOJeovI2
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRiSXRup2V
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfQBBcx0r4
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpofVhVLoZ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAAuq61ZTN
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l1fs6mIzg
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxpnT9WlnC
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdYxKx8xme
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen5N6ifjRl
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIgd3sZyYO
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkLWzkOECr
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZnT3OKciQ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EblpJmaM9
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkXmJVRiC4
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLpcxSJLwF
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjo5D68Epk
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoB4WLwt0O
Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKmHTROrkk
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjPBsrqwGE
She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyObMfon5Vt
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHkhfHgVC3
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1wCwEabgr
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiNd1Lw9Au
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOauLnqkxrJ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRJ0WzR6Y3
But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN2sC0VluO
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7VYsijasP
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaCORkhFGx
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbhDmVYrV0
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqgEJ1ehdK
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yPYanYyrH
Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0mDsNmw1R
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNQcLTKkJI
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJS8lGjZkyU
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8GOv9DY8A
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UDPvwoMKu
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2xPxhNsBr
"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqZiqsJUXb
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKjwqKxaV5
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9cAUeq3PT
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PMEwX4NsQ
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU4cXY5jPm
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJ9P9sXVvb
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6NY7wDcZt
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5zPBqr0pg
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP5vJQPE4e
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkFG6UMt3y
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw6ZrQr62A
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzmTyFVm2s
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLM6fnVpNM
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmHUzNyZrM
I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5JTM0hmC1v
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu8wqBbpaw
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS18NxvVuDq
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhB2VQm8fV
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsqiwLU1bW
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGISwnjye2
Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNjRT8yo6O
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCsC70UNDR
I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt14iHxleZW
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ821ZXvKdhZ
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJY1nUeLZHH
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnj0XfQEraA
Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefrbmy2Wtq
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP1RLQP244
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD3K9eifnJ
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXUgupxDJ2
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a23aDcjO7
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOpKiJP62o
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZMUKnE26U
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Penana
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