I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGOHX37ghX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpspAG7bd1
"Sasha! SASHA!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tFqruiAt5
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No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhO8mZZmcy
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dc3r8EG6e
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW78QZxgQYc
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPZMq6qLr3
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQM1mjfyB9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTyBzoqJ8P
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqdPdHC4Dr
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWereccZX5k
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobnwOZL2kp
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6bu7VoirH
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLpONypZlT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVdnuh5v7C
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnXNSkE6nI
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEGU1nuEqI
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWj5FynAs3
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"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3asLPXy4y
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWZCHk9zG6
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqDWDX64h9
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ABcKQ2MRi
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFq2xkhZHz
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhHjSyOL9w
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzMwQDDqGD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIQIPa2DHT
"I haven't looked yet."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzH8PpQUVP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBARyWOHii
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIT3YBOX2C
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ncQNroM4
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUMH9HLWzM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsa6771Zno
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DStJeA7zq
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ2hkISL9C
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9SYY0S9UX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf00CdAJdw
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sEE2WyQfm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHe1idJzl5
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe14qyoX4Ze
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8pYNrOyl1
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTZ7Kdlec0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eRjMQIWSy
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHRIt0jHkY
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Cool. But also terrifying.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2FOpqyBS7
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The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm7dy1SEnn
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA78q1HNMi
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBzp4E9dXR
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Amkt1OmPy
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiMLFgU24M
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U1VA3NeY9
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8ZIJAsP75
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHWdizmzbI
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFUdrad5Xs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBXiOwluek
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MlPIYjGm6
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4CBgDMQ1B
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoga3YYSuR3
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB7tf7Whns
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWn5zt4IXx
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4fKRHOwVi
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaRPwPzvFM
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I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdqWSQJ9uv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0aNQsS4Dh
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbOyfKOOHM
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOSKg1lQRV
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchccqQBO5L
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97aVMT7Vnt
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfypVqBkt5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBOn5KLkDh
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf1BgXbugX
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXDvukW9p7
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUrfM3FuXs
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrOPhUmhce
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dnSfT17B0
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5suejeYyix
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo41uQ6VtQ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgnkZLKL4P
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50JfLu51HP
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lKOhCcKXt
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizboQTgrkD
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrVQZS2mBn
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZUzarkU98
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriz2JMSdih
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dkxilQWei
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNb74HS6Gy
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96xHiLMDJF
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU8B3qz9i5
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JgsqU6nvu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZxRdCeOTD
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tnTW0eiDU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdLEf13TDe
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6nRa1S4X
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjhWauLe5J
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5HVTbGeij
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXOIdxUu5g
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrybgJM740
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHEOYoZbpY
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvKu45YESw
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnnx5D3xTy
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvp25F8CYY
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAUSMDgcbb
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh5iUh6yeN
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTeuiIhkNe
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX8535Fvfm
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJCobk6D97
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw90DrYpviu
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RF6xXaidm
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6uYr64665
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYahkj3M0m
------
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