I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZYBNZ7Xh5
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVMQqTiWsY
"Sasha! SASHA!"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL2JLrUsag
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSd6auJ8Q9
No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6oNNJB8vt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tffTXhLrq
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKT1FmUpx5
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCwMIl9rJI
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTr2TMPm2Cr
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA6OnU4jMB
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyZFlluwNN
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5w77TwJUN
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2uwbkmvSl
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhqOyFbH5E
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVGaVd6TL7
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvchjtraTl
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwFdMpXXPj
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI05zWljxV2
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j7jBEDsIo
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJyP4hQxkL
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTSScSw5GN
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jc615hkqJ
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH7XOIw5RH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mgLgbA3N5
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnzZYpbgNG
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUM08x9zzT
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMgvHK4Kez
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHidad1OlS
"I haven't looked yet."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF0JQPmooP
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jwiN2yqgT
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP5ol0gxlf
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA07hcgJWGJ
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtqCosEBc8
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjRNIsZcHc
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukAFdJOnqQ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlPXjH9RtV
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZspbCxPiA
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr011REoKge
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUoEU8CyfQ
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT1pIZBXFb
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSHflv0P3x
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK643tiQiKC
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZF0I0SQ86
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P6hsS0Daq
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W9keTyTfx
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13VJCFXkzR
Cool. But also terrifying.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JEtTpeSQ6
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqpqisQxzZ
The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNIJqTbzsf
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhCochMX9q
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvAA5eejGH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxPkfARYw8
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5p2LwKHPBx
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDVqza2AQI
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNZjMwtwo
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGI08VcB0rK
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj07aVxF9vy
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvLug0Kvf1
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jr5tIs4R8
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQm7LELaQD
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBFe1eXXlE
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn11wZjfN4
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEDRWxRdiK
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1qTkNhhZm
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYWKIN4On8
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno4kx7PeqO
I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLES6DkIdio
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx0Ny7szoi
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSwygTX6oH
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN3lPAuXDg
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lGzWbBnUv
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygiVUJQPUy
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcz96AsNJv
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyyi0vZMka
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyyXtvnpiY
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaPoz4RYCp
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhClDxj7Mf
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s2vtCrpTQ
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohanfQoDtO
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfLmAGtOyi
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ396fi04eB
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8C8Y3aD1Dg
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5WDjbkq84
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgabzfTze1
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AEY3xexvT
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6cJasSslb
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3dInzpD0U
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cspVSuaO6
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc86wDOWai
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkupZVF3fCW
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKj0o9OAw9
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguGMrQxYRf
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqSYoRLBwB
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCZnghLxNR
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOLNnXhs37
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWqvR55ICC
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5si96ofrt
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkDxqEdFW2
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUML7FJD2Q
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zJCTUmEgk
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAhOF6yk0z
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bUnDzGAt2
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9Ooj2iFfn
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZXMH2EtrB
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKavCWCVAX
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzOVlpVq4Q
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxQxp3aQiP
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHonqZ8ngc
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8glccaiC6O
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCfU5AWrGo
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopQeeuzLzE
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxfJqQ9FzC
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhGPTNKZ2w
128Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmu2BUPvzk
------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
