The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76sTSv8Pr1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9lQ5vyail
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CeH1anV7a
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oEoYKOu4T
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuSkUWR58j
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR5WDOTkqf
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZGkk1Lh4I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoahyX0Wg0u
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqk2JlSwKS
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjVPu1XYcW
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhK8pTxSg8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5muaFMh3Z
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSE7NZ0QD1
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfbNr60PPo
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uxs5eAsny
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8gnt0qXgO
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIvEH3Zn97
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8hytReIWM
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CKTdBIJn9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlBlS10wuq
The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49yIGzUoL5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOBJD2Nqup
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYn8MQ4xZR
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacGRhmoadT
The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW28pCUO4Wy
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FIVWFbeFE
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RLgYVRt0g
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqTpW96NB6
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmosjFlbKaN
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8XtwApMB5
Evelyn.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUuJxcOmZG
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmz3iPBkdX
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGe4GmLqwx
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUVuiLGkva
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXDhJp6GzT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR27aO6p3GZ
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjKsJ5oJSa
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpma4UkB7zC
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFOmyEuqqC
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlmu8NXMwW
"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54cqBarQ4I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QoesJvN0x
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbZnMdyFq7
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXTjYkrlML
The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTGxC1oShA
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJCX3TLhqa
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXlWeOpUP5
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCjDcnHtCp
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxlc3NqlgZ
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDYWYDimkc
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO1S6lPN8l
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxecNV6I5Z
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3CGXLdO7f
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSiiBaVZVD
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vLrD1pccT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNzzWUHTKY
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMascUFUNk
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtGMeUeZWk
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgIWQPcBUc
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDno8P2Ue2Y
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAY8gw3vIj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHYkyihX2H
Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrYxFMX1cM
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfzzPRF1MD
She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky5jI99UH9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtzlXczgV7
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxAm2oWoIg
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzibNNPHSy
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU5blSfFwf
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVLCj2KvPW
But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd9blCJ6j9
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLgHGBVy0N
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdmz2AVlhW
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1j6XhSmhx
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UKgZ39y2W
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb30DuXzfhu
Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLKAesWWQe
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORsraxyTMD
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFXjDs9yry
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqowgTVER1V
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHp9aWB8Gp
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sABd0HNg7
"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzochcdWmmL
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcP7P89EFm
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynJXltlezz
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMg2UATZC4
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTJ73Foy1I
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRmcjbz001
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl1I0tnVrH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKE7YkDmcA
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpziCi2cc3L
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8onhLtWh3
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkaQTJ2DLq
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEoaLpIqxB
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23pe1N1AB8
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbkVxlX31G
I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYx0nn04aH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZgS3ogfHl
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHJzt5gdj
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDamdFB0Xan
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8v014DMA3
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJVCMNgsCU
Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZWDkwQnsH
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqljBKb9uE
I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALYTERIXUK
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4X2iWxuwi
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIg1jbI9tY
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyscClc46l2
Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXOBAJslvT
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29aBpk1x7M
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuHiKrljdK
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRRoNjgZj5
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP2aE48zew
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEyNhAabUr
107Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkR4IgKioO
-------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
