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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6KbVXKYih
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrQnJneH69
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInhIcOhs4a
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcftf3TXgd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyjUFeHLS9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡra4HiuWlFz
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ4nmJ3YkH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLZ0y8aCY4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrboOaSbFtK
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0cl1pCu6t
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT82yb0Oola
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FHM9emor7
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA5lCzuGeA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHvKg8Nh2j
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo8AQ2NGqn
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKH4tURDOp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WRV9tBPcP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYDWzlPnCS
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡga8EnNL62Z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsYCmq8hKo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4M2XySyTHW
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RZI9nCSCs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRbSLzSSp0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhstdfnEa4c
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEkCZF8g3E
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28zNMAdVK6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINSHUyTeiF
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCicdwOQM0O
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuV5m1s94B
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5vmIwdayn
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEUGTTiHHY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TlcBWqs1d
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXWbxRFSSi
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRD8bajI9A
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWffpOj030G
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqylEw4KV2e
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CTYOBUYX7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56BGT87pqL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zdLk18mGR
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4ojLkr0wE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5kSPkpRkI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkn058V8Q9
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BuJrgagII
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHw6NvLxxO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9VzyQvuW1
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaepSvWFLqA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpGQCOeeav
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rj7GOD3yJ
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ8iOJg39e
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleonBBFnMX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzEIvIgsu2
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3DawMTsPJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6SokK0ETP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYkMa6CwE6
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUbdKGlQ0R
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60qvKHC38N
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj2PQrG0uv
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndei4DIhmK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAc3vdzVj0r
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3O0C2oOVZ
"Should I?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn3lNZE7RY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8vkTVFFG8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ47B98G69
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xqJGdSuN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhZZ2O34K0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Tsy8WZ27
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u832Pt6e7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVj6tDGDcV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4aLrbnYiK
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzzSiYtq4d
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaZLHoukGA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi5lylUSgu
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbLApQd9ra
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXipbqGs0St
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfFHyqXLvM
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffV3nnCF6P
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUXA7AIYEI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKpmGm8EkV
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrdCWND8L8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5COY3Tr8aw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHaGhWA1cF
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyyHfqYqrK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqYVAzmdC7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdv9H90Vhx
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wlFBKWeLo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPEpaZCU9K
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwDkCPp3cx
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5HdyX3QOs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv2apB211P
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV57krGb4zP
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT5Do1NXcA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaKzVFP1AW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZasT3R7OX
"Is she?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIA1CkivTl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiPXQ0UG1M
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JEmtROLfD
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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPODhyEstP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoCXYO4vQq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVmSnPEgdt
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQhHWq4p3x
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXAv8e9Or8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFD9F7xbIO
"Do you think it's because of her father?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZBB03rLnB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9cy9sD4gB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG74y7DekMu
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4pCPVOx0Z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX23KSEAqe
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P0zcEy3gN
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74ucszXVlq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4XVW9vXsf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOap5EJxJit
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdty2EvOwo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoQuKV23nP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6lapeV4gp
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwMR5Ce2r2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJUdlgg5hU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSPxrR01bk
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWG5FLzMMm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxG3wNAD1Z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbfeHoYzCR
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs026b85UC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qZhUm68Fv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9YAOPZmQV
"Maybe they did."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA08Jc61XkT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5vPTpnffw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1aPP3mOE3
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIRFcKGTNf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYnZgwX9FI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu6ucWStwG
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxYfCeaxyH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvTPwLhqXw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZN5f2sYrPl
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx74orSvy0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4MUSSil1P
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9cCF7ZwwZ
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV10FVnEbS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGL7hm7Xd3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWrbsDcPDA
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWumHMFt6ur
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4TZmOiZvl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOGFnxGsOb
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9WRfxAlUd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaH5dzCtkd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjwqTSup7h
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgNvbXLvjA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYypxJinu9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV9WBLsxU3
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3myktB0zG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BlUkE5qxO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5z96ELJ0hA
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMic8kcKX4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKMronz24z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx89V3GfAw3
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?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITZS3EYPou
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZGcYIGRTc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvyhYyKy9s
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7qOyYS2yE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW49zssAnv4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIkDA8pW0P
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi578mRcGQ5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLKpfd2yjb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXAUzNfsYx
"Yes."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODlmuUT2k1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KuTAogZ9E
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sdgIioyQF
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42acPfQIk8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehCEjjIMXk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJii6Wplcaz
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3Z2kYJtCS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoJ6FRwRzA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xVkWDkaSX
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WNKkvUFN5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgihexoU7p9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnjFBvqSgi
"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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq67uTimITW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ665WbmXkQs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWi3yRlJSc
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpzK0F101a
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqBqNsBwAZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJYSHqSbdk
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqu2R0DF6Uc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzZee1mVUQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4dyayefeI
"Is that why you called?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIZ2SsreJU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSTkMQ2mlB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8fky3a8rh
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQcIe2XyPW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGHSXxnani
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlJkJ9Arn4
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95fZyMTPAr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXksASAufQh
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoeANN1vwu
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvhIePOZem
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KdrA3P83z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43jUPX9qQ7
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBON8sYsaZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r83d4RxQJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡap0iwQ05QV
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWaVHHuGfS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClXfvHm2T9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBzXrNvGgi
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGifXAA48L
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1LjdIFFm1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEim3aHMAg
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkTBJD1KZL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSH0tktaTH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3GdI7xjpS
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5ZB98MTHi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt0RLO2ASZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCn8aydwkmt
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTxNUt2KGw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYT7DWV8am
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8pzM7naKf
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPDsCDnFem
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYSMXD8uQi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39V3j0aSn1
"Soon. Very soon."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1QNXQSQq4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wHKbRby9h
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0gzkW2vUG
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXC1vQakVMj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOmSlInaG1q
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkkgnvfyGF
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJxJcmT4ep
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCsl0UuUvZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nhJYRhWpL
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Etr5GCCdr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dGjZRwnxk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcHjLnfnuz
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbbZdNY7Uv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn05A2lJ4tw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12UAcqqdy4
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UxpT41veF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYLe9RHe2N
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn4ZjhVp04
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScGVEaqaWs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gj7VOcb81
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyxBpqkvWF
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghQDa8GSf0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUD7AfIVj1A
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtwCgRYXJL
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOonSLPtc7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8uUuX6OH9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7a8cYFf73
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hYcR41nca
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSBdUg3ll8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Na5R6OIpn
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbn6Bg29fJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ck1MIEhIW
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNgIyjctOn
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2wE9ezOdy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG88vcAz4eb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡign3wmAeFJ
***361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mTTnSFqHM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbhhVniwuc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQy9QIBlly
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd4n8bFQJQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb838MreaJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvJOKZfcl
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCXoKQU6ik
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96n3jGXom6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mIa64JFql
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJyw3iull6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3OB2odF1U
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRTcS7kiOM
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzzjcamo7B
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFS4dw0aLZ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnM3Z1Q2Fq
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxZeSmS3Uf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUye3vSQs8a
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSfWv1Wuuy
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk8cQL8viv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIl0TfLqvR0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDxh9aRcT
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi1YIgXPeX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKuqZ1vUDG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YrMP3VGuy
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9hu0t7HlM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiG5CL1Gqn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5RhHFpBXs
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosUJivcZ1o
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70K6eHsOyH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHITPr5CkdW
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?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvaP5juVqc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw4ZPZIHV1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRB3KEytXX
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUJRIGV4Ub
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvONAFdBK8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDiuwCN80V
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh2M7qdIgx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBhIADkwc0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWwfU3hCpA
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDwjZXZ2q9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8imUnL7oY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz9tqpf3xV
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Vj95JN7O
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTd7rfYyAa
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhUoglKzjw
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo6GEaOQuw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj891JCoq4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30VytGQaAb
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrliNu4iMDl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvuhwIfZxA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPby6cR95M5
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6BnU5meCq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLsHcEAJtL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIB3SwsT4PH
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn1FEMXBvo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXbeL6yfsf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5w8nhGlQ7
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0nWy93MAP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXiQpzgU1Z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoG3ISqs6s
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjw6BHAFwrt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVsf2iSAoj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fgWnftu2y
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl57WmBWoWe
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtScBSY9RTx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73F0NfoOVO
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNih046uJX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p1fXergQc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykrWYElR8G
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwmjdKzUpf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqNGINoiQq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NsXqSEqI5
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1Pfnk2neI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg65uGDXXU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJwK4vR9LS
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wuYzXAsP3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Op82LXtcC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1a05hwpJj
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvmistObE5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIY9wIFCtl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ylYMZsymh
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOekFRAtJo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8agHRNPN7S
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiDx3yb4H5
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdYpmUPxpw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GWj6qUFVw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtjBZEjsKz
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzmTqhKDxY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTay86pJoE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniIlS1UfEG
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYceQxpyFS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqyrkOae2C
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8jM32xwwi
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwtxNV3zi5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOJvPyLSl7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqvYAUIiaV
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZrAluzQuy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMagcKbVy1F
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGec3xwKWra
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZn97K8LOw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueuhWQY6ep
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6PdBBSZLU
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMrAlfAkzn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSh1TDd3XB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf0gE7Kur6
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyEkNMfZAs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18ILBNMora
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ci3FeXP6
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwvKZqfGcA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uz2DW8TPx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcwgj1bw3G
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr02CRdjiK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbLqqdJghc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5MFwELWlp
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiXuCUaDJ9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IoKQSXWlf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRLAl8WabM
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54oQ2cSXmU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxJUKdHceU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNQn5NIeIl
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqeKsuCLA0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfM8hRekx3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1t5NQf0Av
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKtiyNJQcg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKmWySI8Mk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ULziUwdYJ
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEfnc0w0hF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiPmHm23vJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdWdIwtESO
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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3ZYf8wxqk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgaWXUfvrp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡud0Eh90af3
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yuSabRiEl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKuqfEO6rm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegvdqib0Y6
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1BrJJFWwk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztt8wp2X3U
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj2Uu6zj2z
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyLoHZc05Y
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlIYKHEBsD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWJJHd4qcq
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGzSbzBjo2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GsTtCRvLP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTyO4RktfS
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK6hARVX98
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2gpCo9hnX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WtR3YxKRm
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fu6F07hZ0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsINmAif9XF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSphOrcmfmh
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3ZZvvOIy8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qQdv22h4E
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWX9E3wLA5
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewOgcB5ylJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsjX7aMiep
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16NUp3wbiv
"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."361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LRVPf1q7E
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HrpbbzRRK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79Hg3xqYeC
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL1n8Tu1ns
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGDHR9oOVT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3ExMGTQOF
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZP1y8ojkM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1SPdECcuP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJ8p9Z1i4e
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cTj0Evk0t
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfUffOK36D
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMqbaf9SHf
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKZpaNcnfU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohaTAFGEvk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuVkSLfMS9
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQunYjdvYQq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ085wqgaYz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0esoWsyyx
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoWtC8hGhy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq6Cwo5uZg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R1jn0ppcL
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQbjaxv2dq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAMRtwMNpB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsIohY0HBL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd9ThzzK8B
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWiGHLA5qH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZyD8DvfBN
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAase3H41Hu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9IWmo81j0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn9n04UwPb
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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ruxqUPktc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWkAoOOoPQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HHNHkxaHl
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?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hfc08AIg1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi699AnJVV4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI5fw2QTs7
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBTJGnD4Zb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkoGm78DQm
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhElbgQC351
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKAHqWdjVa
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pqTQ9sYzY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLERtSouPR
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq01Nn2qDb
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySoDs2fobf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5mssT7zId
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnbSsX2jDP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRFkgU9Lj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxiI2Q7Nfk
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3ZbT74VSK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ydy3UPwF1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXN0wmBYNR
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaykVsawGp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5flXr1PKGk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3XLWRPaTt
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWW6jfONjB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QlFIuclyx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sxnO6w5Z9
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoYRC8NoHC
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IJxMBmKXD
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM1HhDNVTs
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVLvqcDu8N
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt8CCd7CYF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIKTmco5IQ
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:361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtFLStVIlr
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp0cCTvpCu
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHyyf5fmz5
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJN1Ch71Qj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkwVBYnfB7
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwnWI8M4Rn
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PIgOzOSMz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5GfsaNhK6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX8o3pO0pE
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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fHzYZZZrl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AvuAGcU7A
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKH8DYowxJ
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMSaaLfKcs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeGBQ1ghhp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFn6rZpezG
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKehPqQzMbF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEUIQcmWkz
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC10hk2JMk4
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMDMfCrhmj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvLMG6dIiJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhabrG2QZy
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn33UCfmAXV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jh86sV0lJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTHebWVaTi
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2hTZsZ51p
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWARQoLnh9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47KrT4SoDs
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklGgI5q2jG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPELwF2KeBc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDOJ1u69UI
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dYhXecS3T
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfiJOKsURv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZQd5WIyoG
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvemlkJKZhn
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjczrsGWtFL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJ7DItltbn
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiZedseaTq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswlD77HMxL
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIs4fWs8bh
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrRHkHCTbG
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTykVzR7H3
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgthblCB0i9
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdJTPy6VIi
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrM2LI0VKj
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UCMybSV3f
“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!”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHAPJ2meLP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQjk3qZCBw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfWh89227i
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29W1wAKP1n
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpekZgTmMJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhPM5sDVqN
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu8zYO098w
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yn7tHC4yc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CDQwqYYIi
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI567yr2QT5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkliAv5jmJ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5x1r5PAnC
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgOpa1Th7R
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI762xcl677
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ0apZ9Xfx
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwbLJ0leEU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyfQM37SZk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXFscSA1QH
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAbDGkEIWs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrzb6NV4Pv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchB9LHco28
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsibm8jlqiV
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGBJD547bF
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvDaI2HCAd
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD64yG9RWnT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIPd1tPTZs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfwqK4MAv6
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eWtPnNZ1Z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwx6KaSS9z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51uJhZGYp6
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpd9jiQh30
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMVL7MO8C
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIe0hUdH79
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3fdWArP3j
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy5xRBGAX1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjS0mKdexT
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ6UF6GNDR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZA8Jz6YSP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYis3IjKFft
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjdhkmQlK0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN19hqYFbwK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNVJ0UokLc
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ubSkgukAO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Vanc2wf8
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uEPTzaDHG
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpJf8wWI1a
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnC8EYtGOE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEaVFR6OTI
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHF5bPrHi2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaK54KaO7Qx
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2gONrTEhf
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZLcZ7mouR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZDGy2Tx3s
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjls9iMbsYp
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq0fD0R8C1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXoWvYJ9AP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO4WuYEQLm
“What is it?” he asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGOReZ8fsE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1iKyS5pKy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPbHnaV8u7
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXHn26FAYQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT5PkTkfj4
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0w0DMEkVh
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfig3BWZWKA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiOyi5j9Y5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBirUMv8T9H
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy4m7q98yT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvSTP88r6j
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxBisWVdHh
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3HAjKIFpY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL4rHOyTQc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQaQDFXLuM
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?361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIMcNdZp8d
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQETWzhYeg
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7fCOIbSUL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hjzHw5xeK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fAjKH0MsM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinxUXWInhk
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobOiakh8uY
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnU8IlOVxI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGEpCdoQuq
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6FYxHr8Wl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxxbHgMvyB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRq9rKE47Xu
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aefjTgBt6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FdI9caCFs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktVeiHDQfg
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19HX7JptyQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iVPnSbzjN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ImQXVZAZi
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzkeW0rArd
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgOnIq0Q7E
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJMge3HjNW
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3Hmt6SPvU
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYbKVQTpot
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbau1hzjenk
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkckxPDuWy
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6IwW5ThSt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUCF6S8MuQ
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCChavXr8yE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EXcy6PyQP
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjGNyUIZzF
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDTRipaN3K
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYtGKrIzPt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmf5tyCaOY
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbVKDQEBM0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYk9DH2YIv
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOVHhI6Ob3
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkxmDVhwxQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqU0dV0kzT
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ORLal3le
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi4KIIemyR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLmXB0OBbq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk16qfRnETi
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5xssXlYlq
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S16kxVPmB
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzeRY7UCZY
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJQK3Oo8wp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnGkadwJ2F
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AvdfSyLWv
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLSRmrDvYl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUAesmIzoR
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2F7lsHddI
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW88IT5P7g
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnicXAXw2l
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiylx7BtQhL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBsNOddccX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONeTXJvVYc
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ3xdxqpTa
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3h96xioyE
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURQXsaRAZf
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanLYJyL8tU
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyM2rp1ACWO
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sm0yhrybk
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwKEZE3fMw
“There’s no phone service.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMghf6X97hM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD7PltTzMQ
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsWMFZFVYh
“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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeaMms4LwK
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVE7IF2t7z
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRoTubGWLF
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlBpTBam4g
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6JHRN5VrI
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdSeH8wyBL
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRobI2cHtF6
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPhZvTv44R
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSYAqKQR0O
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeToNmsZCl
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQoEX6lD7x
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEODPIpAaH
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVgPMZZoES
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0K6Q8hKpd5
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN04C6n1stq
“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.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2RJE6jFr0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbpSVRYAeN
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGRIDBaXMQ
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJgPAYqk0w
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS3QGldqir
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLagEzQHK2
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraTNtAYtk2
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlFKhx0hFs
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOFo0K9MFg
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyi522EMGw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoyHjqykgt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxL6yBOPHR
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZmAeH9Bfw
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOzGxiSwQ9
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ynqy3BcPk
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaibcMZOJIo
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEULKy5Afa1
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6QhcNpwTL
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDQnuYqmf0
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv8nCeHyCX
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZckaxzZTUf
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpta6CW6DmA
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUSOJfj4HS
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbFU3gbMO7
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqJ8Olt84t
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7Nhx1ogrt
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCVgKmpc7R
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSPwUYSyck
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjgrMRol3x
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKbd38WNX2
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.361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRtBEue2pM
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tXazdMqvp
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrthfsG9tN8
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 protection357ＰＥＮＡＮＡouZ8TLyokT 維尼

15.158.61.6