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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4DFJPHrrj
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AQ1MbcGwY
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHKULfNxTj
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p1tjWcFaZ
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRqo79M2MC
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQyfFkNDrY
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8BOim0qx9
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDQDkSzFWa
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz7P8sdwFY
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6izIVgfPha
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ajTLtF6ey
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvjWGsJh5M
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpkmFzzNUx
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FOl7bURQo
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSrHrEVEyd
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIAUlZFhTI
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8BBOa2zrm
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6kq9PnOUI
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ifZDbsys
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpD8gupFvd
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"Should I?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRx8VfP0Bhr
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPJrbDeerF
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzbTNkvOz1
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjwAjdCQT6
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4wONNQ4Hb
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25yfmegftV
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgHxZZElVt
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPexep9Wdh2
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKzkUpfExY
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOjeKS1GP3
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC5E8Hove2
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"Is she?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGDZW8qswS
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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?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu2HDfkpPr
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOByahxRWHA
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkckhO8UeZ8
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMe6YFisjg
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooan9b79wT
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgCY7g4YwN
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xDDMePRN5
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pZ1NzyPq0
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvt8fjr7YB
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"Maybe they did."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdqbj4QrEN
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSebgcIeDES
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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?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxB5tU3CDxv
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBu3DUtXkQ
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKX958qua5
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsW3NAzWtl
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBGFFthQ3k
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVUhcJPWvP
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L8NZLfaSK
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvhsdeYiCM
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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?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKvS5kI0HW
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCIF4Cqpno
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA5kmpSahd
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"Yes."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7S4A3KyAN
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkOcBzYjyH
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfzr4VxHa8
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gGakNyF90
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKO6IRYPCOs
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc6xBPj2K9
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJKtsqmq8p
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"Is that why you called?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCga13ByB8
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgar7hxD3DJ
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeJxKSSZVW
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTNLpwwkgu
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXs7bS6lNk
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaL6rbjMdu
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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?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce5rkQuJoq
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDgdbTTun6
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3a94WLafa
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6BsNS3Dcl
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHehc8pd5Z
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"Soon. Very soon."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimAeSc4eUu
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYalWA4JJHK
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuEU3G8EF7
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphPpIvK43X
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA85LhQaqjW
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSK68QoUV13
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN4HyhGJZ1
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5leAXAyLW
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7nrz79gLw
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5IKN6tldw
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwehQMximVE
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HtpmUzifv
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***379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWAtX3ZEFF
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpJF1XB2lK
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvMadOJNJe
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdqkDubNDO
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljbVPs6TnA
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySAwkjvNzZ
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiifyukI0Mm
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSR4059YPN
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqtxBlzi0v
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74P776WTIg
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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?379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcHftxJSLm
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrcnfKp0yZ
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDpxPzDf6M
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rs3RyPrMG
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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?"379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9s9BCZrdb
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9x4MIhybj
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpT892TBDDt
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGcErVnOio
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fzpjnfPLn
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCfGBLAgck
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCobo3vDnrR
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6o4q4oCG8
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxdGPEF29a
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSOfe0SHuV
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDeVsXPJuD
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK8C7S0czm
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYkNdrD6I9
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGvMpaznV0
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIMyyvjlg7
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfAzabJztz
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ8diLT8gK
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABpmgktXfZ
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi77tPu0fC
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKPTmbK6FY
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjm4qACWG3
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3LOJmNryo
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLSdDfu1Ma
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb3iVg4swK
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBcctY3JEn
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4DI46PlI
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASqRwW4Pw0
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD96BTSYpHJ
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5WYFUGWf0
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryZYGQs9Bu
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUSDmuJYxJ
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51tGwmxTaV
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7oRhGfNQ8
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzOzJUBmvh
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgb19co4OR
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljYwnyPO09
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaB1lf1PU5
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidRyAjXipH
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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."379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM3DYfErej
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBkl5wOhMw
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HNHjB5uuc
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCkwXrREi8
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBpdoDDBHS
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrbBhIjxdb
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzpVN5IU8a
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjM5PNvrPA
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdlXD4BQzr
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJyUPMemeB
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaXMbRGtKW
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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?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzLqBXPIAH
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwFhwyXxjj
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNGDVxKei0
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgApQA9o57H
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgC3JuIkEy
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OJTSAZqSE
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9u0rE4SVF
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNr3BjlS0s
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP166rt0fu
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxscBKCT1A
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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:379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg5hg0AG7W
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSlj8xh2oS
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKDBnbvZ1x
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdAtgxYC30
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLAegQm1Um
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA6FDPgS3B
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq0fHkznwk
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOliMOhWwpW
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmt5VFvZ8s
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdd3RRqJhQ
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWutXUSO96
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKvyi3IzaS
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFPOVsu2NT
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6KlPoAXO6
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvnOgMr7V2
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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!”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8qH15Gh21
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFw99WYfM7
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONS2R8SalG
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrKrR4q4ef
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyXEowxxcB
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU65XXP3UKg
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePcjhrHJGj
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmDhZHxFAM
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1sqI4GEyi
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK1HcYXpOn
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWHZ5dkk9I
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj1CCINxzm
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eBrXrfIVR
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbzq3loWjF
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg7SvvknwD
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOPN6UxhID
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw6uIgQrCO
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEKoJKHNrl
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCebGZU33jI
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“What is it?” he asked.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm92RomdTE4
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NrMo81hlW
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuEd4Ze6zh
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf1dQaqBVx
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjDDINOIgo
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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?379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XDNEn3ee3
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkDLHNh4G1
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybk66xXThT
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qWMsvmHw3
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DXp05958J
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPRyCAr3xx
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMpZZrAoC9
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLCsRxdTOs
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8ow4Rza8F
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBg0DEwkHy
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliF7mPTiZi
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZtCzIJB1Z
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xjurI15CQ
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkfXEOpLpL
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfI7xzFIUp
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslOjd0MtAc
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC4f0SBqaa
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08J54WYy6J
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVt3psL0eY
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu5Zk0Z1Q4
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzBHsXHY3U
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“There’s no phone service.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRnzwEAhEl
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgnS91BsQk
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHilkogcoo
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj21KmMVGv
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtgD2Ydqk1
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAQwKrc3Jm
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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.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZCvj8YAsn
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKGwA101kV
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIqlZj2ped
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvCJGdyNMm
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE3chNthLH
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu3RBczKji
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJszCE0ww3
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitzVw16KlH
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDigmukGlz
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJaw0iIdZC
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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.379Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zkqEz0mjq
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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 protection375ＰＥＮＡＮＡRycUSVFaQe 維尼

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