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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4glyvFvf1
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OVWkngRBf
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX8Z04FMFP
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhZ1LxH5zB
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJinx06o49
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNHtMcsFxH
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VK32tnTiD
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE7ePDbsUT
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJG7tcT0lqO
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ss0lEBVKm
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZGvsLR8AM
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRQ4XdehSV
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLNt6Kdc51
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPucwU5YJJ
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOOXI1e0Zm
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NS4Qhyzco
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rJyzYvSzt
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmZIVjINLY
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpymXIn4Yrq
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcMrf4J4rg
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVrXeJGz2U
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EJdiqNCx5
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosk5pZVuzE
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIppI1UfKI
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY67mb08SOK
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUd5qYIXaJ
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4L5qYOJJz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6wXa6m7UJ
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nYJAFmaTR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKnOYdyh4x
Evelyn.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTX3QeHYbW
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7CyeL9xaI
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITaX2nKXyb
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ogrLn59e9
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyvW8bddAS
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOObBMzybZi
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NF5ep25xY
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQMEzR5gmP
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0VvHYxKZ2
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblItQ5Wnx7
"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?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqXQ5zgiIq
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSUiA9gdU
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTuvsOPgIi
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi8AFVu0Gh
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCANbz9rNPT
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU06Cw278wa
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj7HxAHC3V
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOVasEXjpp
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbBEhiZ6Dl
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNANLme2W5
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP7XYjruhP
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pF3kHCxDv
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt2R4PVWGC
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17EHbi23gF
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNJP7PdBz4
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G3bh9SfPC
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlQWdE7v7G
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfA5QL6NjFo
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtGHKEg0uz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9xQW2EnWc
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g7jfTopRU
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyIUKoJ7LT
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?12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N1Igk9gwC
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBf2HCunK8w
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdaJFRMnze
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGawNyi3Doa
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgh1WiP5Q
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbvCqkgVSb
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZIJYuWvcp
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZa40HcFnmJ
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?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRslnxtE4XK
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI2vOtWl35
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CojP7ZNxR
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNGJCRQrZw
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gVPWSAEXi
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmob5bcBfmP
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."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZnGPAlVvH
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxo88HovMX
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEZIXm5dbn
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQDKLwuksZ
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejztnoNyb2
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47XNONGDB7
"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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvx7wTTsA0
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kKLcIIUaT
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpK9ELEdrJ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwfxFijfIP
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4UF02ieqz
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe07VyvzBbY
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGfriPPkrB
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGtw025kNQ
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqH4gQikIJ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATOzMSkZHC
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnFak7Ckm3
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvedu2l928p
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."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiEJzWpx9Z
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0TUodRGaN
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."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IivZQu5fI
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2pINMA2oo
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDi8BQSxN5
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc0Ie2HCyB
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcseKKFwvJ
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOst3sj55C
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTyVOpLPHL
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8daL58g0T
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!"12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCit2wu42K
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lOSqtdLGR
"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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5Unie3HTc
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiS9YuL8UtJ
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpU58TEm4m
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccCfmN3a5A
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIHX4nlaU6
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmVwqeVQqb
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.12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA9z3HZ2IF
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNo0VT077h
12Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN74KaSLPG
-------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
