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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rJPo5y505
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXmqc4bP9A
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ377ivldPP8
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6p470o40V
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLmidFDFXw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8KUbrgXgJ
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRKiztPEcX
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFAP1RzMU0
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz4Uv8Ehnd
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkSm5d24Ju
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKGWFNUu6y
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCChlMtcL9
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolPXNJVUzb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkCXoNfQbG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc405cVIKkp
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnJj08n4Fg
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVBMkdeXcU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhddP9WBG4E
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadEpGw8XAm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJGayo5NMN
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVjhdsimmq
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TFPvNC5DY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPJcxjuedh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qbt25QjMh
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTzhS2eC9G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fY7Rak0zl
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd54fbhFhqC
"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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GDxDUTGfy
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU19AtXsC5Z
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB9VsN1Eli
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfyHZb4so2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUi3OwQruD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAw2fse8TF
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDuNL46bYA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy7bxfcPfi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrecP5D02e
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8LibraZz
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK995RBri2k
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdakggnq5Vr
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovPeVi2sKx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrRjT6EZDi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtyLKTM7bd
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqp8gJms27
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GLPpLU3vU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oaaJOj38K
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2V36zk5d3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiUO56isKp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqy838wigX
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq350K8r12V
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOWabyN4AZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75sB89CUhq
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0TAkkUMgM
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFTNxL013r
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1on1A24Hu
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eIo1At7oN
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDRtxxq6U3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDSQksEmQS
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaocNEIq5lm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqM08cZ6tq
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Raig1s3z
"Should I?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQB7shiPa
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rQuhehyIQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSLLnRCBvX
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8rRY0uNZL
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC82RMU1WLx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmpVVrfVCP
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ27ovTJPfn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTr9tdYeGj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxvo4ifgA6
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RfJFNCs0A
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0AN1H4U9v
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmzwVV9BWB
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbeeqGRBh6
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuBZrr5vOv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx4uKUpcex
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZARczyZIm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO30ZekaOJv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC6gSCreL8
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHZL2URAem
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGylTV8Yxj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggeYWOSvbe
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52ZRxFLkpU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOkyuzSnph
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXeQamdSmb
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCIMHQUYZr
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqHnsVlh7r
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVyTtDG7DF
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgMhQHsisV
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOwQVU9MHn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYx7KIhlIx4
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92fiU8Q9kv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYXT6rKYkQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7hILaf9Rk
"Is she?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINbtYvcvVe
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSbGPqvoca
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxR0hS0fYw
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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8c1V3PE2s
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iFePNplJS
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0oIe67r6o
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJRYWJDoP7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKQ7eWV8sb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmamRBEZVd
"Do you think it's because of her father?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oQi2o75Gy
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb84PAg2BXI
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvaYpigJt8
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1GPKoJGWz
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nr51oux5W
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCiQRjMnYr
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFJANHe6BR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iedjXinXl
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9R4QnZDiJj
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4dqixWxo5
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5FrTv4ku4
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacOJMjsXU8
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfWIxkSFyN
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGTDEfa4xb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysIMpghrV8
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXoJvpLZiA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJK6jTRJ3u
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjqj9N2xYQ
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsqgfYiDXB
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4A9KOjGDIQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWDUTNId6v
"Maybe they did."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH2yV7uu17
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYcylRm0OK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvLGF7lVsv
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpmoeAMcVR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv0k9PHPv7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCqSmz3GPY
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0HT45poBF
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsdC3ZkFOx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR1pexukil
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTMrVejnN
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHsMaQGvrc
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMh9R1wHmg
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzManBFZKR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunkSGYzi1X
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGJTwYn2EV
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHISMizch9w
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SINSVLfcR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDl0jSlvQ3k
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDCxRfPtXw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09xw7ZebSb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rBotYFSDC
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2r76UiRwQh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yRWL8jLfT
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPe93nBcGXo
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfGe9Si2J6
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaaRMZOayd
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjKicOUHjM
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV4Lx8YW2r
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T0FICZaNQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe0jZsqARz
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?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMokjpmWbkh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcfjdFZaom
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF9632RxsY
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR7fy6S6oU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3xQX6MugX
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWuOozOPNm
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN89fxKkib
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7geYvyUPB
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3EYSI5BQb
"Yes."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9d8vzi28ij
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE0hoqz8BY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1vnQsWLUo
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW8nRjBAHV
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwN2KZiEXi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xongNq9ND
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZdafDAgVh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVKsZWqSGR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb6ZprdRvq
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo62gVZu5Tg
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYLycxe4o3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNrbuxioDs
"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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡip9gFlwsM4
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG1hAFAKpL
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQzloX7ei5
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zT7Gl1SXf
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9jsjkEoyH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wXcD7G80p
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZC5xubYv7y
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbUTyrdKJX
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqkBNPPqfi
"Is that why you called?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxXU9iOPKl
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRdjT2AOa1
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSdI3aEm4N
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEFugPhJVH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAPaCo9C9n
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vejpqb5K9
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXJbUdXr1U
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BS4nMwr02
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuNDiAJIfH
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneoAqC446S
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHMaODJz76
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTXO9tD8ok
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxnevXJY9M
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D9rH9hrlg
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9lPVV8FBy
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNfKGxjXqK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpp6pUKpOp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVWhN4V0Gx
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSJh6X1nPp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwd0slFuC0
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFyKOcha4g
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw57OXJouw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR5IkDGE7o
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB3624fmb7
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw7mgJSdh7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG07ffN9tWL
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtA7G4XAcy
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV8Auabkgk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo8JBbcyeF
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6w79DYpbE
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JoNsTvakH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUsAhiPv4O
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck6Z4X5FBc
"Soon. Very soon."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33wyc1jveG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn9NXUJ3tw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV1m8RKflW
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6D6DuzyIn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpo7bsJvpA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24wU8FyIrC
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKbF1XjxJL
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCYPjgSReR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv57jTu8FA1
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGbI3oqR5f
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADvWUeLinu
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hbV9BseJB
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOgAACNtNC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoBzM5Qrte
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx85lYNk6sy
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgVW0BM55G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CNotoAURT
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAiVBZWCFu
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzS1dstY2y
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1sdFcZI4y
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhGXiqLogf
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS7pR30n9T
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pAle8nw7A
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ1yKcJj1u
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWYPjM2yGq
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnQLlKewxS
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLj1yNm1um
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgPjXfxIBH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5UN3mUVVr
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtobqKpQG78
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJBhKpiZzb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDgEvnTrGe
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPToMiRnMyb
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTjrsaCvgB
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWhl8Lglox
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCdEsD7rtq
***511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsyVeGQ12g
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvETh7fDoy
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHofRynd7W
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNz81iS5lrj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh6FeJv7n3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0YMx6BJdJ
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRRJzAOIA4
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FTCbGVvGc
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3T9H6rj0l
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeMNB06Cfj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI2slizsRK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixVwljLJEk
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczbPqmsvIm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH9CECpITk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOg6Xouncya
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AfLeYYSM1
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bBfymWcmZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhEOhbAORh
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOOccWHw9v
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIsF0IANtt
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0HzdXpp9k
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPnogqdHwI
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmANgTym9a
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCqmZWrN2o
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ynZHTPitw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLKBv0AB9g
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLNLzYYzed
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJH9K7x4ayP
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPNc11eggD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXHAT9ygn9
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?511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO7XCgrV7O
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXAqLnzF5P
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuOAhLx23r
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHStQMdM4p
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaywjusdX3z
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEh6DqsEzVt
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiZaKUfvuk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPudkCtuiA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqgolmqxel
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkXsGI2otT
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1900FLBhYC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCfpKGM3lp
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUvks7Cp5n
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw5iTbThvH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7wUGrtGvC
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfbyawlbp7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZoZvPDxb1
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgba4WCPEDe
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJXLQTfN61
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOWL3YwCKY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7sqhaZkxm
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ap3Q6x6TQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglIMulTtjg
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoYBaI01U5
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1fCxNJvvk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FKhFC9s4b
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRJ8S04GWU
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKAAPmxoea
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaBd4AH8Se
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGQo6pggUt
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPlnkCAkD2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq1Uh4kLsa
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtylAfcfEu4
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVTQiSOPZM
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWYAmOcA0G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0xQlcIdLS
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSuBzGhL4y
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXQrGRx7nQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULJqdahSj7
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstXRdi0hBm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lQppweV0B
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NTY3lzdUm
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa7EmGAq0c
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkfXSshomD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXsevXxhxl
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E2XOUPeG6
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDbOjqo9wW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n6crI9EyQ
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq6Ivu8ILk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06vDS8GZUY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1vCJC5hD1
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VBGD9D5Ex
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNhCpKtibQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0xiQ8Rdsu
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZuXHbIo8c
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyck5sUiF1o
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcfDYuxd72
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAYm7BF37r
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9gUPgIDAT
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyN6B00Gdm
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqOsb9FGmv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG7zFQ1y4h
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1ATQyElyE
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMg5gUfeWL
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAJiiS2gKE
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhImnmARaM
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A8ebhQMBK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyaEmUafjv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnJq1IxazL
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjOevlojfj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TgRIoJ8CB
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdLRvAJ98Y
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj23QwsFUGY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvDMsTDqn3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCXrw9g4dk
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPs75RkDbW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sdtc153jr
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6rojkRsoN
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnsITOEWrH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIU3jscZCk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6U88UwVRy
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXSquPg3OO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDPsExzFt2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZPMSO4YvS
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalzkhi2IsE
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxO7u1yDgw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgkFdqOCHJ
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVRXkRlozD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ31qT31BLO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡromWIlRcx7
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumIKZjBXgo
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DTYrrSTLm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlLfHWaIKg
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeNzwyO7Y6
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4VqzhSvL8
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZJbKTJ5hQ
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIlE7t8fda
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr9UFs2QAm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGmzm7xR6n
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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gRR1Jdpwr
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjjjbMGvRF
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWGj3W5ah7
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6jMOQVhwg
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLoTYqzmb2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB6DEYC9vS
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2zYpktsnF
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XSZMfqzyG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnVtczD4B0
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9WbGL7pxx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7pQwlnV60
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDebsG7vOfQ
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLJWdMJTzO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlkTGnwHcA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9fYVSPjUf
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6MegMBbTa
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytn8xT5i7X
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFCboNzTqC
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTdZqOFNqu
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB78gnWVMoZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoW4iANjWj
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVmdSwyXjQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnAqNKkkHR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj74EoOv3rW
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKo4P2mL3Tx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRc2t3V2Au
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3E7sN1gRG
"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."511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJlJhLfZbv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ151ve6CRAC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniti78rtiN
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb3gu0Ev9V
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvicXDo5uJ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXafV8cvjG
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLz1PUCU2q
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s22DlDPuE
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjtD5iotaT
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAUr49XDMK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO7j9juPgC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9lByaWrH
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM3b7v0iZa
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWw0M2zVdx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGwFRROybh
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx36qfIbNn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMzM1ZOStr
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjXZa2HQGl
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgRKtH7tmM
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXHIU7G11O
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LLtHXRKZ5
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WpbhFPoJd
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPb1rZ0fkU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0a0zZs1YRp
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DoQLRGBT4
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKppCuyo2Xu
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytBFEfGV7x
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeISGxklcHH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKLRSPT3Hv
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqEVtFFGCl
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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn21NKhJtbi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxpmaVfs1V
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL9wI6aeXg
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?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPQcsBU0ba
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSzP210r11
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPnQD4iXST
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm53Vkxk9i
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiOGU3ipLs
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjccKXzWhAp
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzstvo1c4wh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhtunEiVeZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eo9jqHf8F
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GXsslKSg2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxNkntxjdJ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKOSk9BsDW
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHV4OlaR05
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLMywFDSr9
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Si065dSoG
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiWNMp9A1w
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTxEy24lyH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHqPoCA9O4
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFG2wdatqW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGoiKMjqgD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdsT1sVqIl
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIICd4VST8k
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VagfgCTRY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6CMRMubeE
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hz1jhWXin
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOwYojixxp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglux5hzXzb
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0aSqLn8Bz
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSxXg6K2Rz
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXXGbZ6Epm
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:511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OolGuzUg4
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ6ylMgpb7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp2kYTZ204
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaQdSnar9F
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOTYS525Sj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunHRlKxJ7U
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizdFXtPWOQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bt0j7LCwD
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNB2O857Y7o
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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05z1v0mAYb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx7Rl0ecDC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxGwd4stAO
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJKTmE779z
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hLjLIhGu6
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroVNHVoB5e
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHifzXrREM
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNBIaOnsvC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTmHK5iJyK
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIIrLiCfWX
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac9RyAY2eJ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6FfHensm0
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqhgfUNZZR
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ5B8QSnEZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5cYykDVQ4
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Us8Jl2jiV
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYuAPyvLGf
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KkHioOjnV
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D6ZvFEUtn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wnLyP5sfV
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaaAzerRvp
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vFvfn27Pe
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHferrSs8HY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeMuj7EZOQ
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqbu41EefW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2hRCtJq0z
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQ13Nf3nn
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHgQSs7zeK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkdwbSDfpG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWMXzYccOT
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuKb5K2Sp3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqHd0Dcchx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU3Rv7ae6A
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzEet5ucJf
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN2GwgVo9G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vk68xOeGN
“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!”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2heXKh9xU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ470sCciYZG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WOggovzBT
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHD2Y9VxPx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqSQFNR5Ha
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJMnhminZ0
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVgeXzLjR7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwzL6upXdW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DVQ6VRow0
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3anMfdyxuj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ8JKpG4sX
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKi4a7VYei
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk3ktWU9fH
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCnIihTlhp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcb12vRYFca
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKbVDtsJkM
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpUw3F0voB
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVfu1R4QYF
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZpPGu2LrI
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8GBVvYvnP
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdwbPmKWg3
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObV9577y7b
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl06siHeEq
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jSAOex0oz
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjH5X6afQQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal9zcgY4l2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HEN0FwQUA
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3olT7PHv4A
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2hZicbuJN
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFU8YxZXlm
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupFrnHccS8
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg0BeFALTd
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zNouKYmja
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0juy4dM6L
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdokLDbUEJ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Lu0RxBxx
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5ZGIXgjs
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetvdq5c5fA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj5jqSoswz
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEaCQf6LNA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLGShwgg23
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQzFw4aE0z
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ptFhFIKNl
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEPbQN31nC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU4VMtIuuS
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarR2boaC9p
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriXHuJRqNa
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfYk6U9m6T
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHOTqLFnwu
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWb7vOqKgI
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6f27yHwKc
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZuXL5TXbP
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXPmxsH3w1
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugmz2HkSqH
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaEYLRAx3o
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CqVmCreHZ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIK5PyDaH1h
“What is it?” he asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhe8i7sfUzQ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGEzchFc0G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsd5nZ9maK
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Xm69qeUG
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwPuYo8anx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT9L90dAZg
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjDQW7oS1X
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuTRhs2sE5
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD0zF1hAhL
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PnQPBiAY7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncOclE9f0e
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdLBgQGwG7
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDhGPasGD1
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY5C13H3fO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpokatoSa5S
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?511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0QKS4HAAp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo48Y5JkOVw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1BpRZrtRT
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SQ52mXBFS
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6WwnnN6lj
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeXiUv2cXE
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyoDVHhVBU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6go3RVYnLF
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Szp7P3RFg
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNALBkSSNd
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡka2Z7xDjaA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hrjiZ1hel
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9C0Dgd99G
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiWiXw1JCO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXUkiGjWjw
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjQD1WYpAU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxWGtWWPVi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEtRcNlgyd
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY7iqnAEL2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3ZksiDIsw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9ci8erMuJ
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLvxBJHWYw
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWkGCuLFe3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9UczM40sx
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcNsV9puJl
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ran87vmAO
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfAFnbCNwM
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0MlTyGIHy
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAj30dfSE2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Y1bKeH3k
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTWOrftg19
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNV3Yl0ANYo
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKAY2ryctI
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Chfe7CRpi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZHOtFO2gp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu5LyiHq8o
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHoKhzzcFA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hNp3jTpyK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmnTfXgylb
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVqYnw88Is
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzFPo3ryL7
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBngtyXWAo
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDBxx6qH2
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEMDLtn7EI
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae0fGtwtYt
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VxpfbOol0
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQ3ma3kESE
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwvXNGDRyr
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut5KbFfph5
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6NEzUQWzn
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLiPF6ISz6
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iVgI7FCtp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxU7eihlnQm
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BGSAM6gB6
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl46uJ0Efcp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsud2nB7hb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoxTb9yZVP
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhy4V8BHu3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI52PFODw9V
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjujmCcvCx
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnt8Wi973d
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGZiX6s6hK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOzp3fkXJC
“There’s no phone service.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPvtGcujux
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlXuYoJWLY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEi2QtsEDQ
“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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF5jPVKcJV
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kfMcPpiAh
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4liGY8mQZY
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU9Be2ZU1L
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU72Dr7p8vs
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRBhEnd8AC
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Hpft1L1CA
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOefBGqfXAi
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGUmeJyHXF
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbBbEWTZ38
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5AngT3CBo
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdCSYQ49Qu
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqwvuZGIj8
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlXBpQuiNk
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9QAzBYIjh
“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.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwhwYkgaDY
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp8CcOAAig
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlbTsQ9h7u
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNwXLeTaza
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZv2wWs0e
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ242tBpDx4K
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuE0Tgez9v
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQe3ppPXU3
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1re8nBo4V2
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TBRt1Wm7E
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF85Y6WYeC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2lw9cxL5Q
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzm69qxdVx
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxCjZtvvVP
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB9s4kD0fy
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y7N0E6OeS
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fSXT4tdQK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TQFKdicjy
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAGSJNhTf5
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCmjM2woev
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHvz8NBnyx
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Eno98UFtC
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ907BFAnFJK
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcyhTa5Ewo
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVhglIg28K
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkuTupQtdU
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HpgyUXH6U
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIovcfV3Jwp
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPcPtytbJW
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKzGlLh7OB
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.511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc2twgR8eb
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJBXCkEAHJ
511Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvnS38yPDk
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 protection507ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCXeFpyrwo 維尼

216.73.216.197