I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQJ0xvTm8w
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"Sasha! SASHA!"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTafmMeuOZh
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc1cIx3qJL
No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4V4V7ritj2
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Yq02KeBu
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5CeU7pm8I
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M9jghVoqM
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR9p7NP9jk
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U0rmVSn8R
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4AILWwQPG
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RIeDZi8dm
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtRrgIoUtz
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Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ugIp1X19H
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOWPtHlF41
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjVbOdMwPj
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQtEpysFal
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hxUgloybg
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB2bXQ5z4k
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprC3njPXbe
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMZslyHkEo
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPbOCu9zrP
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iy25GO0Kh
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDevuZvDnJ
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"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW32OFpEvO
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDFmQbTcW6
"I haven't looked yet."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcfBw1jdfd
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiEPZh2NDn
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ2EucAXPR
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uTty8UGOi
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX84Gi3LhZM
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduGlghk4jI
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dFs7RnvEi
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFYD3QVVxT
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskKU5UdqKd
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7fbVlMyQw
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuh211TChp
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CXvlHxYEu
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0LwJUfpB7
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4K8PXD9bI
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlyp7aCOsX
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wEdrMebxV
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmjSHRzETL
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2paQ9hcWM
Cool. But also terrifying.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNaePmNXp7
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The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MCKpCN7f4
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNled4jV15q
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMxsweCxJ0
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NvTzeBmu2
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe3aAlV7dH
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXLrxQ1t6U
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrVccYagYr
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGSKwzTFNI
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJvJqKjP34
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScFnhyU0i3
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmbMk0oQ46
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIstp5VbWhK
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvteAiuysTf
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz3Tl1RC5j
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw4WOwbt1t
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPlzqmqWMO
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVZaA2I5rC
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbClOdsZ7f
I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ573df1v1up
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OBSPXOwOQ
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuJYiC3pC2
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmn06uMu8G
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73XJzcqmN9
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0aZWBs8Lz
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5oGBOuVrO
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x6KBcCBnk
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCtEvmyiyN
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmv5IOSFGL
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXVC2u12dI
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6mMNTBJO7
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4PnKokoN
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFJCrsyIBt
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijMfOcJb3b
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt0cRAaCo7
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50bJedSoaU
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByJ4WrMyBE
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIa2678eiJ
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF1HpzPfsr
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB5BlUlzFN
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1Rw6CfKsP
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVj3UVwKKz
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD1GoLz0kO
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTlNidN3qT
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgPUQuplyH
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUF1PJaw83D
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TpExZqzTG
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR376xHjZhn
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hRt1uyUgU
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYvWnVFZ8p
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iRlmPKnsU
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5uJ2tJ9kO
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp5h1cac9K
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwax66aBGJT
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO08HSC6g3
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqarzl4eFAs
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpZaGnOWGP
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GI8IbIBtQ
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYz0P9sNDT
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcldpN7Qte
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"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEzKdV2HIX
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAnkCPhqPx
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY3jWyXzR9
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The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrzYmFzOvI
308Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8wnOpF29z
------
Penana
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