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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeycKA8zQId
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA1jOrq1D4
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNGlEMquSL
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdzt0rVUzd
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv0K5lktwa
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCYm8B4DBO
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6zpJiSO72
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK9wDzpV8w
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrehks5TOBb
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"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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcifzNkv3a
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Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDq7jUb04X6
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClaNimQwO5
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxVx6n1Eyk
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxN503wK0p
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21rxiymedF
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCbQ9HHYZN
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm51WqzvF40
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4rtYgzVvl
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAbQd5zm5S
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9OiRHQniw
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"Should I?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybu0hqCsod
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Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLprzx4JED7
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"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJTT69NzSB
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw7ukJFQjU
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxL4U87dAg
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC51IUbXYy
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9a3p3l675
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtdNOF2nDu
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrwQm8HXRM
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUq3ubJBIOp
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg6yjPINji
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"Is she?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDjdPgFziX
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCDLeKXdGN
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzdrkto7eI
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZa9XDDv69
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"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtarTlDiXW
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"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tjxwsQHIb
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The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW1QfK0bgw
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2s6wb3Kf4
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx4lJDQ9Y9
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"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCELvXnb8ch
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"Maybe they did."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz0hrGUaMq
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8czFJFhKP8
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"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHtOsnAmdP
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"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1458mSgoN
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlz1VWxNtm
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOdHk5gVqd
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGYH2cbMhT
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXSTVobXgg
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wi88fF2Wl
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo8hHZL7ND
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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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxpmfNxHPl
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnB3CFJC5U
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v6VfXycIe
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"Yes."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EqLazNmFo
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoAbiLrIFS
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXJ1EHlxpl
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvHVWkBFRG
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"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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaFnbn91N8
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK192p4ywD
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2ogbMIUdu
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"Is that why you called?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoefG3DjSPt
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5NNOvCztu
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mhIitoj0y
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"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWO8w9zYDw
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmVB4UaBCF
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcPHwJHQlo
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"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvwrwTv1Ek
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArxDgXMjeD
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡed61TVJHni
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48KljrQAcQ
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwYwaKlWdq
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"Soon. Very soon."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgNUl4ZOnL
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNvjWIo8ew
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9OFWNKzOf
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylNRwp40R9
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pPNzAuXzo
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The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk651Wb2C5f
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXcunZG834
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIECZVARUzn
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQofighNICX
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3zY5a6BeO
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd288Z8wWa
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The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREfSbAe8mo
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***360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZVe5L8Obu
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI7s1oPjuV
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpnrBilX6q
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGf0wWZSkf
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DbvzSJh0W
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE8ivnvpdf
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYBP0BmmhU
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzymICBxgkp
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjlHBhZgoB
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfUuamRR2J
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl56ZUyld7
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJY2jt9dHB
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhctDrpO6Y
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XnJCnZqoT
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"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOHSPQw5hW
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXr94ME2p7j
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLg4sHiwsY
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSi3PEqprZ
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzrf4iO3ws
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPMdTFRwzU
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YzlSJMqBA
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J14EyCDAb
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwM6i5P9vd
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"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ368XAq7lhF
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwu5YkmPPi
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeIXMO7d3h
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"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8b1D7gqVv
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLVfK1AWsV
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmggY2pMg31
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5zWnsAkeH
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCzYj1dUsM
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwDXxISN7I
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSP29u3IamL
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetOsAM2Gvu
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFu2dwL2Rql
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99BnxcZx3q
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjH9aQTwwAr
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbC7H1yEb6
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLSqq7VdrN
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9FyGuZodH
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"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFlkl7RGH6
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAfAcz7tMf
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuY7XyOAVIK
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVt4svnf65
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLm6nUk6yz
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyC9l4gccH
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD82eJ23Hm
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8wMIGIe8d
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhinypst1tP
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xet82PCyB
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"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRiJTBL3ml
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p7ubAJyxz
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"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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tekWtymyt
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLXbSz9rLZ
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqfVGhmB1a
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJWUUsDabb
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV84zp5mmpW
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnPjTlZrdl
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“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DqW7ymsup
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IJN4MR5n4
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2I81qfBOE
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcuZfXAbMz
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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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyZzARbQrE
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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?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0N9ge9bPr
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSFyPVodGX
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8vzzG3uA8
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZuXzCqcWm
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4gfr0aoWk
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They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfhHvrHa78
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZ1qgqZc6t
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZW0YJnHdN
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1exSUb2oBj
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwRDB1A5z0
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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:360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPXoRG4aQP
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYyxBsT7W9
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIb3LQDtby
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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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2UMtrlEE
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJISwhpxbOq
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNpcdgCn22
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUHajRGwEF
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfj0uhna1t
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Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ez1gEB5IC
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxMQeZxcWo
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaTNpQCK0Q
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jr9GElFyh
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLDabpgTQb
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3RailBCrQ
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqurICN4dwz
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“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!”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnua3VSCIAh
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozqMhg8CGq
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2NdZ64p4a
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“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqu4tbWvDz
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Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaEmPyP8U9
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Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSIh097WYk
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKUEUjdpaN
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4i2WARsIv
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw7HVdwmvA
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhV0NCsGUO
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAULauMNqbu
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMWxNdMxob
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“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15qqh4AzLZ
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadzTGDfjcr
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcI8pAvZlO
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QZvNd8YPW
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiOfgCxSAy
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“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko7FoMJCab
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1T6pYKyFq
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“What is it?” he asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYwGnCATl8
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZi9qg40IM
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Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCewdj6tJik
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8LNq3blUA
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzB9iHAp3p
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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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe1cHjhkqv
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOHSOtRQdC
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhiuFNzrqd
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b2nMW4mg5
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“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWfOmU172Z
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkKXdExrpd
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDvOKLAZAm
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“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKoI35Htie
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRcwZaBEnY
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2G9OhkdV6
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKLQjj935U
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2b9N2gl5Pn
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ015FYOc0pC
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWKedB7ARJ
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKfX6wAfw6
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWB97TJh57
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK4CQWWEiI
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD1MAECa4l
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxOnUjxcqE
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjObuEDbUmF
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOaKI4uq0a
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“There’s no phone service.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4TMt8xBy9
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“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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IJzRYrqKI
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEPLMWZoQ7
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppylDxiAaZ
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bSHqnUBTK
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGubFzQBGbY
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“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.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaVHMKRZ8l
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBCCIcWwLx
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRD0LLQzHm
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFY9tWFzMC
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dxFQQatvA
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXBZPnPbIM
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv46H9U3tec
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3kW7XnksX
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGJZLPRGiM
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKN2OSHFyw6
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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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVlzuQoTU5
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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 protection356ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkn15naJ6D 維尼

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