x

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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTiolUdYpR
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2y49unaWY
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoyK0l4K9o
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjbZ4S5ANn
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgnzsYWnqd
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YSDHQBtw3
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CUOZf5x4B
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKr8usMam9o
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f6Zv4Ftib
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjXygpfBCe
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIm6No1o20
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxI8xJji8i
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh25lZnSJg
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Iokx2j88A
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNwb7V2Tkm
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCcZZ12nEu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TyRTpA907
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJRbDTPfko
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0StV1xfjgP
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjHPghECQu
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"Should I?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwYKFlzw4i
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHf5RoFR5
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h4wSOLLf6
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrPCzl9qPi
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoZRaWBGzQ
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsTHVjE97G
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv7Or9mY43
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQEW5iPYeT
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDGXIejYUT
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZVHbk3euu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBqW6WlET2
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"Is she?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvrD6k1D64
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGZBo71VCL
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ058bBQdsKH
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3F0JzofQA
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDNlIZ9p3P
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwwvEP85WT
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNYYP9B2C9
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QqkMOJ2xM
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gowklP8aj
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctqV07T374
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"Maybe they did."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSP7QgJtFN
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5tTOX8viq
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumaOsiWM6o
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycmPI4yrda
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5w4BtHgRX
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt9ESIOC1b
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRGcq9z3lx
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5YLNehhyy
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeSvItsvTV
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETMPjUnv6g
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfdPuOyndf
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi2Lv1zD1Y
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX7H6TMVwj
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"Yes."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhAEKy8ity
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DedUV7raM
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc3SJ61Ntc
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MrsMwmlGN
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlVhfcUmMe
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJT5EGhJ4mm
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW1XUJkAHe
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"Is that why you called?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RjMuVrH3l
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugngiGJopM
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZOPymtyaR
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMMHw3wM38
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoZw9n5Qjr
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZb6pFWaqh
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK5D8EkWRE
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMzxFv18aI
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9x9pu3O3Cu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXrPfUKjDG
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVpECzzmRx
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"Soon. Very soon."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6UJnMsf3D
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixkQviQvvA
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nDqj0BWdk
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglt9Qb2LqL
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh27P8no0Mq
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOss622KlQN
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPQKVLrxeW
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLhTlKCIWA
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylc9Qw761q
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBeAkaJIT5
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCABnH0S9zL
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1qKkp98tu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQJHP8c1bz
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S8HD3dIwD
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***479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOLtXryj0e
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyFxQv7s1x
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTIbtTAevR
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmj8mfIpVj
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1ToxVfx1
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOufXxjzWGI
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCynhRg3gW
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfKUY1fg7r
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ME1Hltdfq
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoWndYjGq5
479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KfnxpL7g
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcwdZdYtg5
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUloLEuQ5uj
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBj2cAAdjZ
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rj6XuwUxf
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ472nRjBICY
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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?"479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgakGOB75uR
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSnHqAT76A
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8eG6J9EGG
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDWOZ0rq5a
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIeHPX8AAH
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugRWvEFjPE
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRugkGRZas5
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXgPwOxXbu
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMTpfKYBsu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tjTy0IlsJ
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMYgd0joiw
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtGaNsVZvk
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZB2OmANmQt
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxDVek9PHN
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40ZdH311rp
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7a2pw2sjjA
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bJPbKs9Jj
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5dt6eaNeq
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrUIL3zGCV
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVv9idBoTx
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOR1kHyK2X
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurOgVlbn1
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs9X16NU9H
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R4uM1IZvT
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIodIzlAZj
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qLhZmAZvE
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vvbLZOKv3
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPtwCIIjsw
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaJJMrScSu
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulHefNp6HG
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSO8N5HQYr
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbZM8qfVDs
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rLJHXF1EA
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1GoquF4Fm
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pEenHGVL9
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW40neh4p9P
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AINoMzBbg
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VOYnvfwUq
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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."479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsbYuBF9C3
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeGCCp24db
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBqHbTYDX3
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe3VXdrpEZ
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QKCQOLu3j
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzpOwDzwKU
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTeVi5c5Tg
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeNWYD8reA
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycCh2G3WeJ
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfowtPLDWR
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetmiQQjos2
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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?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrJgNppLpK
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRORF1JySrW
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUeRvgVG15
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCMTqP6fh3
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCIPkDSpuj
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3py0dCbXd
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIjwjNBR10
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hpKlr5IlA
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zh9F00lnh
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREpSzvpJbk
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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:479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzm5AvAvN0
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx11ZxPcEBS
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vCHocNldl
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dHZafVzhl
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu06gS1YV4
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FecX9ndSp
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf94mS1lP8
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsJHagr2uS
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOazYxBHct
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7u4f2pDcV
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMLQCSEDkZ
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqOW3A3Sc8
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTXjb2fB6J
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI8huOvi5L
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HiSHDQn4s
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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!”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVjddIwZl8
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI3HSynzoq
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kDcmkSlyR
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVHnpBJPRm
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOyvIZzti3
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1KO1qEFsD
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx7O6mQuu0
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvEbz9ZVyA
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXPY2zFiGQ
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpynCQBhXX
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSntF7tMN57
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDedC9cKIy
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFb3fHTlek1
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ6XyR5OmA
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPlVcSkEJa
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCYJR87AgQ
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YvYJacC0E
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1CBhpD3Hp
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6JypWWaja
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“What is it?” he asked.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TtNwecnCd
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYE2ahelmp
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2CunVFmeH
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzxE3fUR8p
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsIO5GGHJ8
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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?479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBCBk04mLt
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZb6Q1rPV2
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhUMNxqQeB
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kaaqluhpz
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5XuBVRXQm
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQCPfRwQqY
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi62zdUWgeE
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALIBP1jik
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS0Pz01ISH
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoJqsPVzJC
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VYvCdXcRs
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbZOVwEfq1
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN02MCleG6o
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8BLuLhzA7
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1mOocKyY6
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FaAmLShbT
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei92XQb3RJ
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ408tbynIeH
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡges8Rhkc6d
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQei3TAB0u
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxi6tLkcym
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“There’s no phone service.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnpV8Zb3y6
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGFPi1DEsb
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOQGz2Uu3O
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx1snjlaD8
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCY1X3xORP
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSA2AVu7Nx4
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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.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1H18BoLkuW
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX38IUR0MC
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPNz5QWnXM
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCldTYxBVGw
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClUp1lw1li
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7brXQjbh0
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3umFy4KDlq
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2srDn2lKp8
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlomdYDlFk6
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFgURG3NeQ
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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.479Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1Y8gIMpNi
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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 protection475ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lPkLHfOGE 維尼

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