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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKRgyd3MjR
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzvfnLum7H
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03fbeR2y9Q
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qaocz36oC
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FXpM11pAx
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJnxLSEAsa
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxCfwpv0uw
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBww8If2mw
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkpdBRuQKp
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEZPSmBzlZ
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv1TBcSCb3
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkTSATwGLm
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIFgZZ4Vol
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR0KUOVHv3
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHJyGN8Q4f
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRnNQ07jHn
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD4rHQm9dA
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTdOtuKU8q
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sTKUESBk8
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwIEYqkdJk
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"Should I?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWelNKGO6l
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizx5PQ7Iep
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpVz1yBg4M
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgxaPFOoTF
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhkzaNP52x
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOwgnFpqr4
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qs9MYpSYF
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwbdspDqp6
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrf3tmQFd2
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX1tNwBvHp
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWUDMX4vMC
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"Is she?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTVE16tH8v
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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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQgqM303ZD
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyLyGrTv9h
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoY2aoVpCW
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCoRgJuHzO
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkR9L02fB7
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzmp7pte6b
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4aM87Xnk8
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uBfs8HBZw
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bQ7vN8XFf
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"Maybe they did."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGWFWYMsxl
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVGy43j6WV
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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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe26Xfr527
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxYx0ELMiq
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XdFTeiI38
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBnIz0CbK4
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTZwjyIjoB
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5hXGYmLfH
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7JKMUnKlZ
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqpNuXDfeP
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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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbLXHI2P8K
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBuAaFuOIf
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r3OxFdgiZ
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"Yes."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqaHEiUNbJ
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii161guSDx
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0b2sOn2zv
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxdlVWKRdI
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwviTLUnzk
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDger3qJ3Ir
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHx12VKdzJ
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"Is that why you called?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn13OUm5M9K
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mUkZmqOBn
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxdKqtrNw0
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl4Novm1Cr
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRxF0UTxIq
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzX8MFahBA
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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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7i9ae8nas
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW3fIwfjvQ
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtPdVOCrrW
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzjlD9rU0D
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa8B9QYy0u
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"Soon. Very soon."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhNTkhSxzv
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eTpS16kTY
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxN1o7KUwS
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAfV1is2pD
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUmbuT7LqO
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXB75x6KlPr
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojHJoeVuF5
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfWnS5fd7O
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvrbYERtcO
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9xA8gAF2M
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyRoGHBcsA
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oDqMYtEN2
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***400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ke5chiS2K
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWi6AkeELm
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIElT8G3KAY
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡON3wiEMPJE
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPlbtx34aD
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHUi3ETwq2
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpjO8kCqF3
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ210uHg4Bky
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgcoDnaB3F
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDfnLghWaI
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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?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ3pGGHVei
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlI2l3Ba4sK
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ461tuxy1z2
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hk76W6g8y
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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?"400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII52KR5b4E
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRzAMMrPdS
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHZrDO7tFP
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBuFFCklm9
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSr6MNDclC
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQmUuCcFMq
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNWmKeX3cJ
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhALXBnT6B
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIszWS6YOrH
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYB9Sntw6z
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcutrzc3Ha0
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykaBC19Yky
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi28nZwtNvR
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ5b0MOn58
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w4wDn0PLe
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPlv6v6b7O
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtWsdSXHsZ
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx3bZ6AbHD
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdcneOcO2g
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5mxFBs170
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrg69RYLaY
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmfnaCAx3J
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9VmFkHLRD
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLy2d1xcm2
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCluBGjfTuj
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLbBNss5xV
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiQKtKNaAj
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nQFs3DZxp
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lDlqzGzzn
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVWb07LkdQ
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL32tKh9WX
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdRB9niNkc
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QqVR5zxz6
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡak77rZBu3S
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gfTYFPJnJ
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcHhD1Lkvd
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl006SX5tT
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfIsxCddEX
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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."400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49W9ENd39b
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpm1gT7LTM
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT8ewtYOfl
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0KBLaoEPX
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPqu04VqvZ
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvfopYxiwC
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxQn9CNjlX
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OAnhVVhoD
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRp7CJ3K9
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW3P3iyZb2
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8Rr1TGJm4
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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?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRnz4BHkEo
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2tY9mLkyk
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfaTOvqfb7
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqdeLibLPg
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxsdIUJ7eS
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6zNRUOw8q
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0ZcuYtqUv
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YVcOwoqfK
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsresO0jU5
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1j6NCoSI
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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:400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh4pX1Ofh2
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmL3DVy46a
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusm4jXJHEU
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ei1v6J1rs
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIbS4ZJNXk
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoQJMXODQm
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT5L35g5rD
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HwrmIgOEg
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4uBQvCUIp
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmueGydBpi
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2CczZtn0R
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7r1VzUvGP
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVarUwZ8ab
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvu6HFhx917
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QiekT0Fio
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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!”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArLRXQDL4J
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRbdis39M6
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMONsI6P97w
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZctKbqF454
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja8pWp79XO
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbn5MnXqDZ
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJ6DMeF5ni
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU5oZo4WML
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TpbOdvdas
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4qXJawXYb
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1tc4Tk3Lu
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLqJJzQnQW
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hPXuxEfvM
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO56Emd1OBC
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSlexmY2jf
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6IJNvVV0Z
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbqAran8RY
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT6Tbx1715
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVthMxLbPk2
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“What is it?” he asked.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM6aNaIV42
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GP6AzHdOW
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpYLeotToY
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVhXLV5qrI
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dqKTyK0FP
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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?400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyXqoFoZri
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EHYQu6zN8
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvROj3eF1c
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjQMyoQpZB
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcgK0Ksp9m
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMWlR25wyA
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5nWvy7fWk
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBfc6Kgtyb
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgnue6t5Ke
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8TREf2wp
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeznfOtoVA
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJGHBp5V1g
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvub4MZWLAS
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu3pZ6JwVX
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VyZQ7uojt
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjdO5aS8Cc
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaO5LfitEGg
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cEauiArCZ
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9fbWtHQHK
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDKtVKlXnq
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdQqyTD2UK
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“There’s no phone service.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ307SiIoMaj
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx29I6emPgr
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsYj011qx9
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbwHRORk9b
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiX3OcQgD3
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLktFxuVPzH
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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.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDJTcdlQE6
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOO3dxGD6v
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I0aMVHzyU
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37T02I6YEF
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEboxTeefdQ
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGClZc595PL
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpZ5IVtDsu
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4YKuT51pJ
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOk8vyM268
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudl5tCvjPe
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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.400Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlFsRkCrIH
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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 protection396ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AVCb51HgM 維尼

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