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.192Please respect copyright.PENANArGwXILEptI
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192Please respect copyright.PENANADu7eTviVRH
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAB8S7VUDQCx
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmZR779OHnz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAzt2PbggPNK
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.192Please respect copyright.PENANA7KhEe6iURb
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7q4VpkwdxQ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxRyNmtq3fH
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANApiEDFmwxZV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAo0GcTedKCz
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1sFo6PhUAh
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANACcePjClQAm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhV9bN8KijL
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2tFNx5dM8U
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.192Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q5GIAo23j
192Please respect copyright.PENANANZCTe9seTf
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1RRrpodvjg
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA4AA2ly9Tje
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsUpPeAZ68U
192Please respect copyright.PENANAy1XJOUyXpg
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA6FHoVA8Du8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAotI4GxzZhl
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlg8ZeTiLBM
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."192Please respect copyright.PENANAj0ZcVLvOqH
192Please respect copyright.PENANASn6PBLCwN4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAKOBg64Tqih
"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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAb7x5mhM5X5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA4EUQe4hyMG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAt8AYhyfxL5
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."192Please respect copyright.PENANAxrfLcCQ05U
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwTc6WTUmL6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAE9NI0sV3i
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAKMGXMv0fnm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGdZWpAih9w
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeAK7XwrPKp
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."192Please respect copyright.PENANAoxHlA7CSWn
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8ynNaID8Nq
192Please respect copyright.PENANAcDeV8mbMMP
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA7t8BTvQayF
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5La5Be0l8a
192Please respect copyright.PENANAcLs5ceLPZE
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.192Please respect copyright.PENANAmwU8nwh7ML
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsUPIDygYJd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAW1e9dlqRaY
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAV19MeYbMPJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmiDQArT0dI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAzDZoN0bMeG
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAfdBQoh88lC
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbqcvO0zIFJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAI8L9kRjaJe
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.192Please respect copyright.PENANAprXCSUoK90
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmfVUeoyIDk
192Please respect copyright.PENANA83tnGmwoLk
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA39gWwKOs8b
192Please respect copyright.PENANAukNg3OEjpK
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMLZHq6qeQ3
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAWCXgZj95jG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAcor8fR26np
192Please respect copyright.PENANAA3x5xVRvLo
"Should I?"192Please respect copyright.PENANATUNqKkBGqW
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJMYj3Xu82Y
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9DeUsZJpNO
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."192Please respect copyright.PENANA2TbvYNmtjp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAFFYLH7o51U
192Please respect copyright.PENANAU3xD4VqAuv
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."192Please respect copyright.PENANAsr0Ar6TtJE
192Please respect copyright.PENANATyY8Pxvj70
192Please respect copyright.PENANAwXRofkxnMF
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."192Please respect copyright.PENANAagJgse7Fh7
192Please respect copyright.PENANATOXmgCulbk
192Please respect copyright.PENANANU06sTHf6Z
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAtZx1oL3KDp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjKKoMhoCoZ
192Please respect copyright.PENANA6MjUoIwQBg
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkhvAcvdOl6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsm1E2OItom
192Please respect copyright.PENANAy4yI4RZ7HI
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.192Please respect copyright.PENANAJkUFrzVp38
192Please respect copyright.PENANAIUxep8hHND
192Please respect copyright.PENANA4aFL0HoAKB
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAQYzq2iQ7rU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAsxGbYIxiAU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgndtY2gIph
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAcKZVj6pmbl
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvV2U9TjzEh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQnqResCFp7
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAH4MGdiuhaS
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhSEP51QHDD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUP23Zm2OCo
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAEJWX7yMePf
192Please respect copyright.PENANA55nCZDG8Ib
192Please respect copyright.PENANAC8KUmMJ0RJ
"Is she?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAWdMsjnSrhG
192Please respect copyright.PENANA22lIa3Ggh7
192Please respect copyright.PENANAZhGCbZS8se
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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAUqYOJbH8s7
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhpDKVUDStJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANA2wuxrlvDfd
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."192Please respect copyright.PENANAO0dmAjJcHk
192Please respect copyright.PENANADErQklNRCG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMyWfJgJjbU
"Do you think it's because of her father?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA3ixhspO8rq
192Please respect copyright.PENANApHshnMLubr
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGg0tU9LxK5
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."192Please respect copyright.PENANAKgs8MLelj8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAv6Kj09rPwm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeoyWmoalVi
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."192Please respect copyright.PENANAXGWgXRnhvj
192Please respect copyright.PENANATlgkIcR3UM
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA0KQimX9SB6
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAqbhFP3ImD9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkVUokdIiHm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlqGEBLgZ1V
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAlFiy0qjSxK
192Please respect copyright.PENANAgLPFAeptV4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAC4E0f3hGmn
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."192Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ov4afyqT4
192Please respect copyright.PENANAqaaC57MIl2
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQWgNWbnMie
"Maybe they did."192Please respect copyright.PENANAOFcxcvC63A
192Please respect copyright.PENANAyZlYgRdsPj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjMUrdmfDhL
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANACnVJ6LvT1i
192Please respect copyright.PENANAp8twVyvM2e
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGJkhCDqONL
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA9AsbUykZ0A
192Please respect copyright.PENANAav6xQjZldM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAzOUIGPKF6W
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."192Please respect copyright.PENANAUsYDEZYEmX
192Please respect copyright.PENANAl4Ma9jsA0z
192Please respect copyright.PENANAY2NcRqKoQK
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.192Please respect copyright.PENANARwR9707fz1
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQGQByM6882
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJtqCNINqrB
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."192Please respect copyright.PENANAmiTjHiGifV
192Please respect copyright.PENANAfNeLRtIIWh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAaoNVwQjZw3
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAAv30BwNwPf
192Please respect copyright.PENANADrNfygLCWa
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxopKgTQYfr
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAFTciDRadP0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAz3T2QjEJA0
192Please respect copyright.PENANAetsbB1D5r3
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAInKicyD7sx
192Please respect copyright.PENANAVDxbCDisSe
192Please respect copyright.PENANAPuHkBsyctc
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAQkguU7gf2Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvRwkRIScUN
192Please respect copyright.PENANANqEWqFZOX8
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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANA27q76OHGhM
192Please respect copyright.PENANALQZf2n8q76
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAcNr8pAochz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAg9WvZDkYAd
192Please respect copyright.PENANAehAkOeYJ8z
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.192Please respect copyright.PENANAaCnM2V2Qg1
192Please respect copyright.PENANADv6xy81QMQ
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"Yes."192Please respect copyright.PENANAtn9VvTw4bi
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9tNEQV7rvE
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMRYDvDxDSi
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."192Please respect copyright.PENANAnwGJDs1LRM
192Please respect copyright.PENANAopZblvNiUf
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUJ10i80bMC
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.192Please respect copyright.PENANAk085jrU1er
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMyq8QxbrEh
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkcD0OCKxSa
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAeWxlqZHwLw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAIyMcLW5xUy
192Please respect copyright.PENANAv5T5A6MPJ2
"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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAKPuR2izPPw
192Please respect copyright.PENANAjlkId1Gsst
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2CRnyKhjN
192Please respect copyright.PENANANGmCn8ql2h
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhVCiu0cIOc
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAxaZG1KomU5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5tXNtRRfQF
192Please respect copyright.PENANAEcrveiRnYX
"Is that why you called?"192Please respect copyright.PENANASxnlYOrc4v
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQI5OAeb23l
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3F2E2FJ4X3
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."192Please respect copyright.PENANAVesEiQvTr0
192Please respect copyright.PENANANdjtY4RJOL
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtcHZJtQhsT
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.192Please respect copyright.PENANAbcABJIlAd8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAO4SCe2Ysas
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3kyYwYOOyp
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."192Please respect copyright.PENANAHWtR7C39Zj
192Please respect copyright.PENANAML2WKM5OvT
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvyf2UD5s12
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAxTJMRZWr3q
192Please respect copyright.PENANACccwgFGxb3
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmvXhePTcXk
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAzk5xd4rGgi
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJRGDMWISIY
192Please respect copyright.PENANAUYUvw5oson
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAXdpzzSdd9A
192Please respect copyright.PENANAn9oVJLdKl2
192Please respect copyright.PENANAga8UgtU1QC
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAnrH5ewcWjz
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQZbo4gDji1
192Please respect copyright.PENANA7vPSCHt8wZ
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAzW63NchIvv
192Please respect copyright.PENANALCKKku2gX2
192Please respect copyright.PENANA9guKEnlBRZ
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAqoCCU8Ikso
192Please respect copyright.PENANADfUXCjWsJ4
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5EaDOVdI4f
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAZUtH2aYpRp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAzvOR8w1oEF
192Please respect copyright.PENANA6iLF1n8JGz
"Soon. Very soon."192Please respect copyright.PENANAepabITVItI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAODnwCcHMb5
192Please respect copyright.PENANA3WrhFqnMcR
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"192Please respect copyright.PENANALILOVzHx8Q
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhmERX7dhnU
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbWRfcajuDS
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."192Please respect copyright.PENANA1FNWCNzRXS
192Please respect copyright.PENANApMfePH4nxx
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxdShH8TbfD
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA64IWHdegbR
192Please respect copyright.PENANARCebKXvrYm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmLWJT5W4NJ
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."192Please respect copyright.PENANAGBmnBY4AmG
192Please respect copyright.PENANAmjssn61i4t
192Please respect copyright.PENANABLQGg8Ny9Y
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."192Please respect copyright.PENANAPlWvEUcNfS
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbw5EGZbYET
192Please respect copyright.PENANAVun3wYvEf5
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAfRSaTmVSoW
192Please respect copyright.PENANA089TcK8619
192Please respect copyright.PENANAzw0WmZYpe9
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."192Please respect copyright.PENANALvxs2d3vGm
192Please respect copyright.PENANAhkn2ZikesA
192Please respect copyright.PENANASX3u1ViFq5
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."192Please respect copyright.PENANARH3wWTbrRd
192Please respect copyright.PENANASggoYtAVY6
192Please respect copyright.PENANAosO5HNlXXg
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAUzGTcJ7ODx
192Please respect copyright.PENANApET0slyWhB
192Please respect copyright.PENANAeffGN4PrfG
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."192Please respect copyright.PENANACvrmdSiwaJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANA5J9XpsUG6r
192Please respect copyright.PENANAMq6O3LvSAl
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.192Please respect copyright.PENANA8OXBatbDO9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAj71at2Kh51
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWZcyYnBIwf
***192Please respect copyright.PENANABAp9HEfEsO
192Please respect copyright.PENANASXYHuVBcA8
192Please respect copyright.PENANAQKRQCd9CbG
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA2EaK2iaYYc
192Please respect copyright.PENANAbWE2jvGQwA
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8wMoYppwHu
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAygMQkXGIyo
192Please respect copyright.PENANAu5zi5yQs3d
192Please respect copyright.PENANA29BSrWd1Um
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAm4t2NxPRfY
192Please respect copyright.PENANATaknwCxVca
192Please respect copyright.PENANAAr9Iht1X95
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAWkCDeOzG5Y
192Please respect copyright.PENANAvHFFUUERqK
192Please respect copyright.PENANAJjfT6zG1LI
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAMCIkBDutLb
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWyiHBjSfeS
192Please respect copyright.PENANAirzxbI3t8o
"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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkkfjj8fAlv
192Please respect copyright.PENANAxTetYiRHX9
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkD9Wf0gzu0
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."192Please respect copyright.PENANAdZWU01zTys
192Please respect copyright.PENANACFEx08jJtC
192Please respect copyright.PENANARrWAU4YpYV
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkeQVJWUqtp
192Please respect copyright.PENANAtIsIPKPRyr
192Please respect copyright.PENANA1JVflo21wN
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAhLTYmwg94r
192Please respect copyright.PENANAlPAaahhT7h
192Please respect copyright.PENANAWkKCevE6fl
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?192Please respect copyright.PENANAAtoTrHDePM
192Please respect copyright.PENANA8NFvADJIpI
192Please respect copyright.PENANAkSFwTWzsLl
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.192Please respect copyright.PENANA4ptiU2GoGO
192Please respect copyright.PENANAEQiRVtDm2Z
192Please respect copyright.PENANAI6LGLpB543
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.192Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4Yr6Z4IGJ
192Please respect copyright.PENANAm5oEOO7KpD
192Please respect copyright.PENANAGUpjhcX7so
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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAh7rk8ORN9X
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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?"192Please respect copyright.PENANAsAIgBvgd4B
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANALNwzxWMUrq
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."192Please respect copyright.PENANAUomDZLUWrf
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA5FD1qw3jws
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAHLmLbd0gFM
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVPUIhKIEMa
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.192Please respect copyright.PENANAuyXQ90BYwy
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.192Please respect copyright.PENANAjxufWCuPKf
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.192Please respect copyright.PENANAd5mYMU1tyE
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA239nh3F3MS
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANA6OgSpFf2Lj
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."192Please respect copyright.PENANAHeubf5eZNu
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAAmyNoYVl9m
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."192Please respect copyright.PENANAfQcWKQ4NFO
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAR6ZOngIqqx
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."192Please respect copyright.PENANAXlDonmfc1m
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAZGYPUc3Th3
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.192Please respect copyright.PENANAIJLVjf3O3t
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ6CBKlo5Q
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."192Please respect copyright.PENANAzyA33t7YNL
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."192Please respect copyright.PENANAYZW2HsoCti
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAUkhtriyaG4
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."192Please respect copyright.PENANAR3CVP9q6IP
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."192Please respect copyright.PENANAexbyoNmiKB
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAoyfHtxP10C
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAljgIcRGmo7
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAw5uxJxlgIb
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAV3XQ2J573J
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.192Please respect copyright.PENANAalF1nov5Ey
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAkC0gMwysRL
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAcBbjxeJ1PK
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.192Please respect copyright.PENANA4RkUevEbmc
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVw0sbOt0EA
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAa6UEP6V0Y4
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.192Please respect copyright.PENANAmHxTdFgpvK
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPbe1wI40J5
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3DZXAq0tc
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.192Please respect copyright.PENANAesKn8ZrNZ8
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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."192Please respect copyright.PENANAf4xrBiI2ju
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPFN60IlHf4
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAkh6tQagU03
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAYvwTo2EhEN
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.192Please respect copyright.PENANACT8mFC5jJm
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.192Please respect copyright.PENANAhJxR9FtXjc
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANASsgWiUKxRH
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAwNPiJNuwXW
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAaBT2IX4QGx
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.192Please respect copyright.PENANAm8Y6nMIgkM
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAjbc8g0DNvx
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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?”192Please respect copyright.PENANAEkDFJqSzV4
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAwqUQUNxbD8
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANA59zAlSPNOx
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAwo6kO5WQXI
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAHFtqUNLn3n
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANADNh3TfIaL1
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”192Please respect copyright.PENANA3hGqOLdTFS
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAds0E9DYt0C
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAhqWgpllwBd
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”192Please respect copyright.PENANACrPBoX8EqY
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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:192Please respect copyright.PENANAXtAedhjzdn
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAaJmIqgRLpu
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAfgnswQap5A
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAx6G815mn9r
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAbLVEvKC0Az
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAl733u7UChm
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”192Please respect copyright.PENANAy49pJxoSqs
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”192Please respect copyright.PENANASNBUGrdXei
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANATRaAqgvYsJ
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.192Please respect copyright.PENANA5sqnH5FuI2
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAfkRCNrtj5p
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.192Please respect copyright.PENANAznKcRZdAiE
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.192Please respect copyright.PENANAPz9UwoUcku
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAcQSw5OBAIv
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAzOIZjgkucL
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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!”192Please respect copyright.PENANA0BQTw9g2TN
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.192Please respect copyright.PENANATcYJPholen
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”192Please respect copyright.PENANA7VmRqKJfdY
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAMjNrnmXKqh
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAkI1ptzV6Is
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAsq7dkDf0KU
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANADoA8iiWlm8
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.192Please respect copyright.PENANA5prLEHTuBA
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.192Please respect copyright.PENANAgh161rkVTS
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.192Please respect copyright.PENANAJi79zpWUl2
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.192Please respect copyright.PENANApDABK5Ra6o
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA9IvjjjSRcj
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAehp9fVcDpY
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAhPRHszilTQ
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”192Please respect copyright.PENANARSlvk7bRuJ
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANATQoW7mx7Da
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”192Please respect copyright.PENANANXmcAelZEG
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAjheYQI9yn7
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAjQs3ASTAZR
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“What is it?” he asked.192Please respect copyright.PENANACFg80XlR8U
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.192Please respect copyright.PENANAKkQakLWTbA
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAIuyQtHbZNh
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAlto7PGcbys
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAXs7gmTxe6P
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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?192Please respect copyright.PENANA85g9w1vNkH
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAlM6pMMwP31
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAZKPuDU3fvE
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.192Please respect copyright.PENANAACz13C3Wvl
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAMjV5OVF7k4
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAHcTMQWt0QD
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAYtycUiuzoX
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAgC8aUtLx3G
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”192Please respect copyright.PENANADk97WDmVHa
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAlwEiroOgzH
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAYTocubxliz
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANApMvQDPGeCm
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANA9rQCZGElyG
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAB4EMJE1zZw
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAFOaOFLb4SU
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”192Please respect copyright.PENANArcAXwvYiFp
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAJxIcHAMEN1
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAbztWinLP8w
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAVVEfC0vSJ0
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.192Please respect copyright.PENANAy04TYHHHk7
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”192Please respect copyright.PENANAfQdRP4YZE1
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“There’s no phone service.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAROdMBPE0kQ
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAcszfF2vdRm
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”192Please respect copyright.PENANAoi6N79OrWO
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”192Please respect copyright.PENANARejPCzymlI
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”192Please respect copyright.PENANA1ji4NqfPD7
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”192Please respect copyright.PENANAeUfU3BMdMH
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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.”192Please respect copyright.PENANA4MQq1h9NOW
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAtrXnq2fWOp
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAs3Ih50O2Lz
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”192Please respect copyright.PENANAB23uZfg1q8
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANA1Q613ozGwv
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAMM4yOYe3es
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAnfsde2Lv0G
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAbESU7Ke7k0
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAT4mXgWliYJ
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAe1sz4cD8o0
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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.192Please respect copyright.PENANAoRUOgwBst6
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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.