x

The sound of the car's engine roared smoothly, and the chirping of the nocturnal insects filled his ears as he drove through the woods. He had left the main dirt road and took a turn down another that only he, and a few others knew about. No one in the day would even notice it, that's if they look hard enough. Anyone would think it's just a simple trail someone made to get out of the woods faster. But to the man in his car, it's more than that. This road led somewhere that only he and a few others had visited before.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8vG7n3aqA
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CMyCNbnfl
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhPS4PTp8b
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDPIapHx36
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDFjVY9Dow
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT19oa7cnvN
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibUmGCtErl
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh9Tor3woP
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RktlVtswo
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVBVnZpUvR
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMHww8moff
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvM9BwTa3FB
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1cO8eRTkf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbRR47xc0Z
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG6XTyvbXe
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqSGC8aogN
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKyBk7QWHG
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCQ2Yk0ovV
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nLzZpWamM
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zYs1UtIl9
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CYcv3km0Q
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB1RoKPJ8e
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C5mMX4GuS
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"Should I?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDE9vAWKxj
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnVEnjvbLQ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h22HWabzI
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9o67mLGFj
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdehQ0wJEda
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouUgQZLBZa
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dKzZ4YptG
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxlxT7VsP
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfLW3oyXxA
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek8Uhsr6LB
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAWJrMKuPO
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLyqLPde9o
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc4Kybew6l
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU4S5vkQn3
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"Is she?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX4emHg3PO
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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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgDtEQ7NAZ
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVyiUTLbrx
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBHJtBnu01
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEEZQQ5pX2
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzQshBD1cF
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcecieu00X
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZisMQ2XJ7N
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdDLMJ1RFl
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHDZatTftj
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"Maybe they did."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl3bvtKyQi
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXR6uE1WQQ1
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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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRb4Jr10w5n
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb0M7LcTRB
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRMFvTAfwG
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ862HDiQ6UA
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCVRTZOqr
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIHo5D6zFn
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHHhC8XgDa
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCmyVK7nnq
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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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJylt5cR06s
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhWH9EFByX
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJoqyP2m4P
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"Yes."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA61whY2Gp
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnCqpgK5Ps
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zlDFDZJ87
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZP795eupU
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuTIHXBNSK
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAEJUcDWJe
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoBGHDBFeK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nYrmuEEer
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"Is that why you called?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWfx3tvK3Q
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW2RPJDgiu
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FMUJ0tL8O
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYGx2tumvg
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYoGdogPly
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI52GQ69pxe
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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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZOTdyIg7w
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDVEeTLFBY
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfANnoVwoST
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESWjlZKQCQ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCoJxRoGhB
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopau1RoTAt
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeTfwAmDMK
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFip5YUeebW
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6znvJFFE3z
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"Soon. Very soon."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR8o9q3Jtr
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486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMP2ZFCRyE6
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaNByBAPih
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfNjWfxQmP
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm6NZY0DVN
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TvZARBI8q
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i20GERmRq
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5tS1bUdmp
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRvcqnbmR4
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2kVAHxfjK
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZURjgaguo
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFQIwlVGoi
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpKjDERmI4
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg0K13JXDq
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB4kCuKtNT
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxbaMW0eMT
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNnTJ3l7SD
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo2NNTKa7k
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***486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7leKYClKsA
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevHMQxFGJx
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1hbsPv1Yb
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rccfXQrcN
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTfOoBP9fT
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hcMp8KYvE
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDe6HG9Fgu
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySDR95SUxZ
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4tHY8HH8o
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPfOWk7knc
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfPlfkGcE9
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90aj8qHLiJ
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cjOlpDSju
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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WnFC114qf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4h53ULJqi
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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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObv5VBmh0w
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmy5BGTKymz
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cGiTKBNN7
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm4eXYDJMo
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwpO5aIiUn
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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?"486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycyFxa73yo
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEf8s29zGtr
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cx9niWTxj
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLX7zrFAmTO
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55P5XqAUi2
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72FGVvsS39
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAHVbx5bWb
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz2hmr91Gr
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Td9wJjvn
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZEEOd4Qkf
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQki53u9cH
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6UWlfLZEf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mYtCI5rJF
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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIlqB0Kjyl
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7eSUuqkGZ
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiph9QK0UH
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMqAzc4KvD
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKROmyX6841
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNvPkc9WBA
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfgz7tEbE1
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRk5EZn6HE
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB89s6BOyiM
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrouu4wf9Hj
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJtVaAwKhM
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsF3CykEy3
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA5XqKApP7
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7WDUyovGo
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLs3I6g142
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoOJwYCM8i
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1wgFz00HF
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1xz0G4VEH
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nwUooCGvv
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tB3I4X9df
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQolbnrLbq
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWZmlvzxwh
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoP4ohca6q
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pmhFYNnen
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Kt0MkmuMi
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxC7THwiNU
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD49NFaJnAT
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnykaAgCrWP
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Kc7UuCOP
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ896TgFurCU
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wqTMrfmlG
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1LN3kaNp3
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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."486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZaoA5qNDw
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ3r0eTsIT
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjcc4Lgv7O
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyBdyMoo6g
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1cHQQ9CNR
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUpBBuDr3r
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZb56EJmvGd
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbthtLwNcHs
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfbFImvwF9
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw696DHC1m0
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMquZpuqYA
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL88gdDcedu
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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?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy9R3gp2k3
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1t2wOW4i3Y
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMS2Zrlx8T
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE7SzDpOaO
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy8u0CmlEI
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTDSnT8iIz
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMOHJXQxi5
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKLsChnULn
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u8HAQANsg
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRNAfEQdjo
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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:486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2c74nZuDl
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodIbqTy8gt
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHVkgHMvy6
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwgd83EGa1
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWL1UiGlvh
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMYGoBmibg
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHd6Ypjp3WI
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTSKOwCbi7
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTnTg31cbh
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ810DFViJp0
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtB4HfAI4g
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwhGhTTmbr
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosSQlTqQOd
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzpWaiqfLx
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28yOZafzDU
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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!”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0FK9ghXCU
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW7Ni5puyn
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Qyxh9uHr
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwGd2qIDeF
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklUZNP31ih
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgCSQcIdQi
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFRb5lpRFa
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapgtNvlbPF
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm3YOmNzJ1
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bV3fdU3kK
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iviXZfy3G
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A63CvhPpu
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34oi8PkhEQ
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw2pLVUtqV
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScB1yINeig
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK0oZAjSpv
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4MUIqwkJr
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXI6IHuV9p
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDyR8gZWEq
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“What is it?” he asked.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrCI3Ne1Kq
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZbTZzvBVP
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDuzPLFY09
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjoGJGZFae
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCYEcUIYly
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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?486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbGn5FDPfy
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyApL5cxdy
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Jt1dadwW
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOjMRnLiYj
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtiwoRe1b6
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ4V4YXZrs
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjsQHBw1uj
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr34aqGl483
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ2ZTsZgZc
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkiYxdwlPn
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfuy3EfvQs
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUYiFfHCav
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe9il2bhOq
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUjxtymL35
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGR7duJWwK
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiInFcu6VG2
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODaAk48it4
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡru7hCswQee
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABT8W627fP
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxLDlaYWUh
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsCFCQV31I
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“There’s no phone service.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUZQN4pS2t
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ75sD2f4e
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr74rmmStr7
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADKL9Lijwh
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozxXXKMxba
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqXUsucQtL
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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.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJz86dW1FLP
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShGecZVi53
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8ODwqb4hw
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2Sp5bELkz
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCJFC6mTUk
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQNkNs5Tzf
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioD8gTW6tL
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjipbLKyLdO
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Yg49Pa2Gy
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZGwjPfozx
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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.486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmszbvMjhZ
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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 protection482ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfLU6csqoJ 維尼

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