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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rnZE6oJ4a
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKk6Jl8VjP
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHwZiPc2LK
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyNPWQ6koy
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1HjXKtuu2
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyf316Fs45g
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1yWbLCCtb
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXcvCG2dn6
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYdnY6OSCs
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0otBzXCSu
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYL6o8M3qrd
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9aXShoKhgz
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfjGsCwnaW
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRV69Tte50
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIN85fiUm8
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7wj4RyoNW
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc0rPNFnoB
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOu8LnV0v6
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPewz32f3k
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz82Ye5vax
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCshxlQknKU
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1doQeCYyH
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf92iabilr
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFcfppvqmW
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AcWW7L3YB
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡax22whbG3W
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH11Oi4KIUv
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TLOIZwCVO
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp1prGhtXW
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Evelyn.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwreorcwBuP
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgGZ5RVBRn
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyS03yOBQp
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJB8kjkgFx
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooQ2eK7M0u
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1wCvkkE1j
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNolv2KkWMf
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeimsYvzuU0
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNPyisqZxZ
"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?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcZm3kznc5
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP6DnW02aJ
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZf5mmjw6h
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0gM5y5QrB
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDYPN3iPPp
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCykvLukgqm
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFcSU2GP0E
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEvDNfI957
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinyJ5SJWPg
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1OCEl4l3o
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQ5URsoHWX
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyOzPtkrrQ
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWYOTIL4X6
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0qCxolEBg
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2u2mQPvVG
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR7fHZnX9T
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhv0gUOkjz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dbFqaWt9O
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4HpJu322s
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohZqBEZvCv
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcMa8KnD94
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMeYjLY1Bx
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?280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MOX1qsivw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoInIDnfYQ
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K8iUeWr5f
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ632tBCpKbM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDWWb0L1Do
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQVn16O1kA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbu4mjpLGB
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?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsznEkOAn4
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3NJyeRDEk
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgAfh4aaeP
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6nAnCoUhx
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEhsUDwlW4
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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."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztvGoXdEDf
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEdIe9GEwp
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAsGfEz6T8
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IMYaF5Ii1
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfigWoPSK0r
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0cnQtaWGp
"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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHwP0Tpeym
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvInNRVNaZ
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5v2xrt9Zaq
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiwZuMRvaa
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2zZXFnQiw
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AP88dBNra
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNKhKcPEpM
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIP8Wab1GzU
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBPNhmiZmj
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiaPj6SOXM
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbU7EWPuxO
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNxdIoZvfB
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."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvYBKarwHP
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FkuAZNZvE
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."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlcZm0GhPz
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgd9I8jwgB
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1WEIDVLKh
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHqDBlI3yA
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dpdZG4fys
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gFNi3i2zS
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F5WRFlPCU
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjffyJ0NZ71
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!"280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGWMXMIOSr
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyp81Ymt0I
"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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl5moNU9Le
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ef37pREmA
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCScpenvBc1
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wa6xCuECc
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKz4T1j3af
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdZaD4dOtL
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.280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GD1A4imDA
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9bcJNg4Fs
280Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SfKgG8Nmt
-------
Penana
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