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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfXWQrng1P
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJJkQzsMEt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjTgk0bAca
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2daxr4tub
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QtNQU1Abh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IfCsRNsf5
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZW7jIHjMQ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURRmFiNbf4
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54l1vnARsQ
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uuCfCbhke
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzP3itNOx5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdfguv0UE2
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCYeA8QakB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFK5OFWoUO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMYLaep525
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsEUiK7n48
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzHkVmDAVF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkh6ruFO0k
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6i3oBinr57
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DvdkpJW73
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfDu7I0hm0
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpYbqvrgRw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEtdk8SG8h
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStHJds3nxU
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j60sTGyKq
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA9eJf9Zzy
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTADrOb7fJb
"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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnCcGYHFpE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtVHeJhec2
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLCrB9aCOx
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tlEspjBUE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOxfldGMbk
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtWA97EenP
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLemky7wl89
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHM0tX1x84
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTDfiYFIY7
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPac4wNHsPE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZtF3Av37W
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceAUe37AhZ
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8vIelPtIv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxokNFmV0L1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdMmfPqR7O
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheVuMeK8zA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamQvDLYSa6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU69olesEJ
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXw0WKA6JT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsAE8WvbmD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZmvmQYSSl
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXKYCDeT9f
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6sNGFICfj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwfoUMzJSC
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFMeDRyqte
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXzxKzf8S7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o3o7LQ0or
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxUF28SrbB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vLp2CYPZF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9HgxHCPyN
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjDl8GTfL5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpawyZR8H6t
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd9Q5CJXsz
"Should I?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzZ8Govs3L
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e2q0J2q6H
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzOd1niNsL
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv4WkxWcxg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQc5y0u9Gj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEch1l4mlnP
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1VTkPTLeX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu5EYJ5nvd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFg8CiKWxI
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClaRlEGEsl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxYU2QxyRM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGdV55Gq8N
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWBFK1saD7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUuoJuVieM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYv3OW4dvX
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bpoLggls
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoz8AE6AV3
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2iTQndOFy
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGavti0PpL
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtARLNQuNXI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikxyPi7WsI
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNsAKNO1fM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoo8JrUCC1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUewUVJvvKq
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvfMjLKXoJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlfToARVKw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMhnFLiMZZ
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJWfzoM9um
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHdqFHAk3h
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KNr23MQaJ
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiWP6OAks
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp78MF5d3cE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtysMB6qYzR
"Is she?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z0EZFsXvC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9GrjtfGwW
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAABehKR8FS
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?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4N9ROVOgC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMttz35qWzC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqQQ9lXeyZ
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOtCtTm3ZR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvWTdVp6Yn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G49AnSLFv
"Do you think it's because of her father?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5nTkPJaKq
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmu7jcyjk1T
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHlXvId26s
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUOBRLeK9k
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJIzD5cmQI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrGrS53ePx
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMFUwrAQ2I
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo0S0Dxnjv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wqrJXxrnA
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhqnwq6lQf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrYAZrhlR4
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuljZhkdrge
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMHubEgIzX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5CyAq3Ul7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NWKTxQXHu
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7aafLOgIs
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Tml7aBcqj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSfAxeYLhh
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71CBxgY21t
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPdkWziy5q
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2HHwnWlOA
"Maybe they did."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FvBwPBtLh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4AVWfn1hQ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfM1mprkXT1
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i7Q5BLL4R
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1d3H1MRbd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86DWK6a065
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxGWo3vevz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu0CyGR6SD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTXhvlaFL
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaJtLczPVS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8x5NWFHaN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl0TOOcRTt
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjiPZtnZC4
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIiWQMAPTj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsnHL4uVmw
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZpHvjQc7e
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVVIjlz0qF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsACbm4SCa
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq5H3iflNR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwYe23SEXj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPz1Tof6vFf
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mnZUt5ZXb
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt7D7OqmC2
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuH57e1Qla
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKEMafAPWd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDFRVBgXsZ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PXGiO6Ihz
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFBpZeLv9i
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZsETJ2mIv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgWRoa5kLu
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?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MER20wN0G
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bNlebWv3J
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbmDglldLK
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIx6wlvQ05
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgzzgkAKWl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjEjv0MC2H
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdgNqOOYZN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1pqHTs16f
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpH07fyYAR
"Yes."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5MC5PHSGt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv65VMbw0OS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAeY4dNpHj
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQhQu5TrpS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXkUmg9aEC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdruRHsb6co
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJUVMdtyTc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyPn9mcheD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG78EazD4wr
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCEe8k98Og
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsPgb823LX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLXFvg6DPY
"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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNb4kdg7XA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e3uLMBLOr
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3dgJBY74w
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTfFMj4Htg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3v10TvzNf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy0nBTR1Dl
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoHZybPwd7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGDNqYRREe
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPTjzQdnaR
"Is that why you called?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03gnK5tFj8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQKdMxpc83
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDgamW8hzx
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByjt9VXV8B
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzofp7ScfbT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU9rWWYsdN
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN8VuB6q9H
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaMkzCaC4i
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUA9FRLiWz
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUwZKZu8Qj
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LjQxnLnMD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgcl3lXs6E
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSANPOUWuDX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfik3tbBKVy
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVqdrOHFL1
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEbfuXpe3s
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdZhuzbL0S
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZWkEdYODA
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSkQZtHSBA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRl5Wwq90a
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhIYmrhmpp
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur1Lj2smtl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSKWnI8i8g
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCslTBhUUFL
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxBKOlAoMd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgho94RmRyY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xFMqMudJu
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCwLude5aX9
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz86k1WUbHc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMmT9fVIkf
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6PXXRhhhc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZfipJ1YSN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfSpvfZKqx
"Soon. Very soon."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdsxHjrbwg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcIZnYnXrM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUigbIyZai
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb8atQwpkR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTgonlceiV
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4qsx44T0c
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EpiXwSMe9
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKIGBjWa5b
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkAPfeki5f
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YKJrryMrg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCwtGq2ZsK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12dKZvOmFy
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgq3RbOYCF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzqt7rMWec
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMjcGiki5s
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkltJWjiCUD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwXpdpUuPJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQoEOpTw5L
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpEFF97inn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHhgTOfXvb
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDgfuDRHdF
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZkfjrxlfG
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0tmxHRDAZ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQhHkrtDwM
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mbFMmnXB6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqTrPB5Pzd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsPqmPdpT1
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDni9c2mZC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D4PpzmXw7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAcIAG5WS6
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJovET60JU3
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtGyt5TCYN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9hpRNrlOp
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NjMb9bFer
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYHaCUPItF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFEewluBkd
***426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYk5D3yWHU
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh4qPDKqy5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB594xF33XM
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcSiUKvbr0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbq0jwMS33n
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXFdndgieJ
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFDzRTjB0k
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5udHQp46n
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbySklFkKIm
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCXxl9hOd8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd848GNULzC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNl2N5pjmd
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk29wozsT2Z
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjlUFkLzfK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07mGo0ezpW
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgbcS7NZJX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KXtvLWowg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjv0ofhWp5
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8fqZ213YY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEAUXRJJTh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6S9GWjqUy
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIEehmxhLn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVniE29Gh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qw8FiV8Vh
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpXjELsPxP
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVwr3xE0ED
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55ovwTtxRZ
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9Hxe4khlY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyuPDBMw1K
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Kox5nNQ5
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?426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEEZlKkSmc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOme7Ur3Jt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBu0ZT1YGR
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm1axMIav5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTI3vEaVkn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEL2oLRmxn
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYecdGlKE8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsJ6DOSUBF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilqRxIhskg
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSlN0k1Ueb
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡye7SutZ07R
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMqzt1EjVU
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOYgZ8dH4r
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQbNllY8yY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaQmeN1oGl
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC9omisGLs
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsKes5Hyay
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b6rX2QCcw
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilAY2Opz3g
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoRe3QEHMT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwvI3IWd0Z
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukzXGLqwP6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc9W7dKx07
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeVJLoVGaX
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jLlUmeLFn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7ERV7pisA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvkm2AJVQc
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlMXSKE5TS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDrUlHWSTT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9MNzHQ4tq
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqZxgG1P4f
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv84VamhlE9
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPppGIb8TZ
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxnVgBUx2N
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D0gcMabnw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToBwagkUEi
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxCCIthBZx
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJBEmJPrBO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdHIDQXoN4
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2tnLXjpcT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CcDruFP5W
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD1zh3YtG2
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mAcPGZgLn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03USSC4Byf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOrqPayGlW
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb1AkhHnmS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmePbM16Fvk
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLsXC3Z6c0
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwu2vatkhda
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRd12pOaV4u
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDS0frnE2h
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOoBzeOpn4
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcxRFvvGYw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00MkXE3vLI
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDhPHsRT21
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcOdMiSzU7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKWD1LrdA0
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeRqIzApUC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQq73NLjK6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzI8sxvvOkN
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3oQgaLvkv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2euCcQU4l
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMrBlgRkN9
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1hfMGExbT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjBP58ufYM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOwEDuZFsJ
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkvYjorn3o
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FjjKsir2Y
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnF9na0WqR
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPNyBefKlS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJiJHmwio0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc8eWGoLXA
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb01sp381B
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDJZvRksSl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHw654DW7hz
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNlVWfQIZR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MGoBsrAHY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ3sp7e3ZF
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwlwAIZ7Jx
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG33T4jsRX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIaKmtO0PC
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNaZ64bQyn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWUCW4W1LR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfIPm1EFwr
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99r9w8o3V1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1efY3798IY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jNQfzqwNs
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYo8LBD3yd
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhit0mCOPjS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIgr4HHdcN
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgVVifERqa
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsED34UsOB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmlA3ZJRGp
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTVCjXz3sw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1NB0BVWt0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9U60S8s3k
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT5XDwidS7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNXL2gpk0N
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1KL6HHmAg
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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTajOzsSCvh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FAc7nYH3B
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWKeDKPMYq
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFJn9WLbMK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9PEFFikUf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArn8DGI8ad
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7C9tJLF4xr
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO39NAmQiK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoir2XzPlNA
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1uKfMAAuB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVy7tFxjXjz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF3KCeXOmX
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3N5BoIbNa
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJUojqB8aE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUuJubHixV
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18dGxhXKxC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYxs9YHy6X
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet8UrGCRHh
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxaKiMVqg8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzMAJvcta7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rk9V5MPNB
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoulnHXf242
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBlv75Q9Ib
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbAFyenVN1
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4exqZhLFv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5GZIDs7iQ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvzAh4rFRR
"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."426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfucn8jGP1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVw6vOxbst
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qOTwzSOAT
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgtth8mJLV
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAeQjfSpNr
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjoB9i3bz7
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibO5DtcuRB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhV7334MCO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNcTNUH20m
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUNsaqNMLS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf4oHo4OS1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiHhW4324l
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuDzNc0lrf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RCPsp0NCy
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡji6IhHrm0R
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUamLlgl4j0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJko7L3fAZf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqABYNyuUT
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2lUYFefsN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOix3w1rxaT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDWTXD9O00
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFiljUB1mI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqifSGBUHmP
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWyKXvRAS0
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2wmewyJJu
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a2spIfFOE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQYHMbEKsU
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAzCn11Ngk
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkCKzFpoVY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5JxkSzN1j
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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX95tNZ0yCU
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoRCjvXUFL
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsi78F0gqXn
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?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovYN7TjmFM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRVAXJ3KUY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFlWbqcTsa
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OwGCoSAE0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2JljydZPs
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh84plQXuv
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRPljHGMNt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQe0A8pDMh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1JxQYAMON
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgy06cehdt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorQ5VhehVO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarvxLIBB3Q
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspySCqKCRX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZf44jEjmx
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFrZnKwUhY
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2yXdTapFB
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwk8Bvd2Pl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtwWm8sEYE
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavErikKHnS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi10HfJ5Oz8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtKqY13Dbs
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYDz4tZ3sh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Oq3tCvWF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHq8y3WZvJ
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b1GHAs1ON
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99Zsfz29WG
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYyIeXNxce
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfKZOINNZM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcauBR87JO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECf5ScDGKz
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:426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMFDxTsaPC
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8A2xUnH33
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dscAqOAu5
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1u543A91i
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0OxbtDiXz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7gBO9U248
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDejUh7prHs
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0ARQuQAgR
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmlksY4Dkg
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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbvxTrHoPF
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0KYXkavqQ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFahaBK2wyx
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUhYQznEF1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp3gB9Urs8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E0tJG2beF
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gDgNp3upn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoRGtfYa2l
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnQH88OIfh
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF5wCf7u1H
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfdk9kWstu
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ345qCLCpQJ
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsE5ved06yT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgoMwiUBsH
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3CGuawZUz
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsDTWnocOZ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kFiZjS7DK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ucm80rJZR
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDcY1pU4gu
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWJE8WhHe8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkU1ClNMu
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNmgNNOWXf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BdJ4MO0Dw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYvUFBfbgJ
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxdI5e3BLT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO3jNZD0nZ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡha9SjdXgMB
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4wt52wp3v
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUJ1tickVJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLMeP7O2DI
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE2aX77jF1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT8nBZN0Fb
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdfLAtjwS4
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraoMeFhXJz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL4CgfmW6j
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kTFNWAYgp
“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!”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxcCmGPStM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXifPgDywk
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbKtR2P3zs
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6riqViKV2U
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoxgr7XGyl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1bMQXPff6
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOuGnl4uO6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDQlAxirVK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I2tnLSkIu
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS3zXbRrtG
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvaQVygicv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBKougEz8E
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MXdZbgupQ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1WC8mZfxU
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvgB54n7Em
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcFyQfMFM1
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoJ1SMe7DU
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSCUpfhCXm
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKl0OCmFM8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjokxJiIjf
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcXPPWvAuv
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LqXLfKhC8
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcamD07DYbv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6w3cCt1Q1
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzjB28iS51
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVDvZb1dBz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mb7cQopIR
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxki8H6R8Cp
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZJutcTJKx
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOh5i7BScot
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfTN90bpr7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52QwHFoezz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AzwloSN5Q
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTilMYGEXc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVad74AMri5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOgpF4cBRX
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEmDuICo8u
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HQClnC44a
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4rYVWd6ng
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjkKzoJBiO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoiIb0FMTi
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMO7jCYYbN
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceW2876G1p
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjFDvsdM8F
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBhSgdTa9I
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr6BbcITav
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCUfSysuU7
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1LSJRWWMq
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuIe3QgbkJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vRmFPJKyc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCMqDpoKTc
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0V96gBPhI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI4cfT2xRT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLYHsEWO2J
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH7AYLpovA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmzPaF6gyn
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtA6vo1fMx
“What is it?” he asked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8XYMvMrsD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW5lefymOe
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wykZRKuSx
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DB5EByzK5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX2H0rXiWO
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yX2lBczMc
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIAtL1dV6D
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A7pu8GKsk
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ382Zp1J5o1
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xHKB0F4pN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dO2bNOg2i
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJunHDT3yi
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrYnH5r2MG
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu93X43rNR2
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQAJZN1rIh
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?426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxKc2Znr7d
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiDmHP7yOV
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIjC90zKEr
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV7cKNGJNH
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPtxt71B5p
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGFG9BUimo
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZxkbjoHZJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N2A244r4V
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88CKtjKPPJ
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ29jJM7s3
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYX0CsAI77d
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsK22lGP7g
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN3aYUpasc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx90VAisDRw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwVEGkM94H
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKu16zKDKdM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibCQOmGbaw
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftujURF1l6
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS5B7hEX7q
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KS0f9uirT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gg84BzLwm
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0Yj1mMxmh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmpnOYGqdL
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR8zgru514
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR8RUkG8AN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EzcPlqvgI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhfbXpURbn
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tv190bvls
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7I2sNqEJp
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaubIbougA
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXWzJp609J
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUn3u0GDGZ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9deMBfB9A
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp4MohpdZH
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQcsOpvX3P
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ3262I0tP
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaJXM1hKIS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDx251zQuh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6ntt3yQcK
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b8p0bblJ4
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DrHEtHrXv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFGBajLjaF
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeFNZ87a6I
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RKobO40qA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTg0zJI0Sc
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0EPJSsccM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G1KhDBAZE
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzWGH57Bho
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGNEKpkELz
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgze5VZgufH
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Ce5EoWrn
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jb48jrjon
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6eQOhbqyV
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovFabHjIil
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXewOmIUp7D
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfJWKoobtc
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNxBjvZ3se
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i7cR6GHnh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2rlBCcWWT
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zOL1xOb1Y
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRo5S7IlOv
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2AX854cbg
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd7rw3rAMC
“There’s no phone service.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0rFvbudaA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6WgLiNklM
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h4JhQwJvJ
“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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuHsSuUXc0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYgNZMoxUK
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MrNTweAQr
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZom0bVm2r5
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSkPY8cfhN
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYowHEPS70
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8TwzPFgem
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdavyUKmDp
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53Lv32OoUc
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYqivrGRnJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABxKqyqHgD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI8N4Ytm4H
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4rMW2HMEi
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslMrdB4flU
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQFiURIHSg
“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.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwKZibxqJW
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyGSkNqtVD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8203BscJ5
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1trtDSnqI
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZppxYvaAS
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcxFkgwDMY
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztv3GeOKEy
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5TySzfknl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWvK1OZBsO
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70idOTkQoe
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TtfOpfKuJ
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZjnEFrm97
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaeefFQWrA
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0Aj5h4Mj0
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7jdBa4Lzt
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoK4PriRnY
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsIHF1Pamt
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LIt06weuH
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX0R2z3i6e
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBcJyNuHcD
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sFeiPPj0y
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qRZzQMjVl
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DsFbbx2ep
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VHNo7sIEH
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7GWkWPGup
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63t7elYP5B
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DdTZUYEFm
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Rd46mwd6
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGL3TDzktlX
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrqYGLKjYH
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.426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrqWctukgh
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz5omvf9Ut
426Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpAB1jNhFw
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 protection422ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQAYOUvChG 維尼

18.222.231.86