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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmzIVKix4P
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY4RgijwRe
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc0yOv4krZ
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQqBvFj7xK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWq6L8susO
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQhGowMDtn
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSalPToESDP
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEih6PNrv5A
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UYIWlZMZN
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1w7MAoOjF
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9llsb1pMni
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmck0GclnR
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsPw2tlktU
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Gao7qoJQk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4K1r1XxbU
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12L87l9yYs
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAwCgAPDIx
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoZWORrf9G
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4NAhtNUNU
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQa5WP7lWz3
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinQ7uFRvDK
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKVbhYUsDX
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Vl5X0olDB
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuehzlAYHZu
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK8yJHKPTc
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ABhJauFKy
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwLWW13gqE
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEsNHdw3TD
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Evelyn.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsGzKfXApu
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy0B2MMsQu
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c04gW3AMb
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRNhMiDKHY
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJB6tcBwN6
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSMnmxkJ3X
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YoCb2m63a
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHCodvQGUY
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDfASwTFUo
"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?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHaCT046uS
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6O0US1LMg
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI0AY8Haq6
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoTeRMvJCH
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwrhCfZKr3
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqv0cclyXO
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdChNbMYp8y
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnSPV69AZF
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYBCmv7zMW
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuyeRCyFYw
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoyWSH3Abv
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XwYIq9Vih
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aKGV6Uq9q
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkGNp7mkPa
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc8H9Pnn2P
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuO1UGfmIm
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx672yQGW95
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUga2AJAZ9n
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIXIuQyzEe
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1k7av9vED
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelQP4CJ1th
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?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfTYpyA2yX
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPkEFSJPOV
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9okfGvPRx
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGUvYyXC7B
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97XAgWfdMh
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXESpH09Yy
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKA85oViXv
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?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aXiseE6BB
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlbfy7PwuL
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMsXvQDc3y
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"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlmoWNHukW
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Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz2O0Z3Lc2
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjA1Dw80K7O
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3L84P9877
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LtuPy6Pd6
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWeJEvTER
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh9y8CvTlO
"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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1kxAVdPj8
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0nuK6lhvV
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZHU3C2pM
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM5lsB2Lf1
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N2tYV2I14
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSnhCIviBm
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0qfY1jjHl
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKvfq3s2pn
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmU3q6eRBO
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQPlieyGbr
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb1PXH9Rha
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bQLQZG4vH
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG1etIxd9W
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T7bcgJwsn
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."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t1uHrZhsU
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxqvLdm5fc
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfUi7teiGh
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23PBRFlPCT
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqlIgRXNb1
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrxzUxWpqi
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJcaAa83tL
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5eg10i5KP
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!"222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEm4aLKCJXK
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAztGQuxce
"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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgXsEGThNb
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhig74Kk9N
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNUG9aabOk
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DApXokCJ9
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5KJLesvs7
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m1nQmm7pb
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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AqqPuNtPU
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡconwlGq2YD
222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVCG6Pgnsl
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Penana
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