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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rfZM8c5ay
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNoLYsjSSV
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyUvMcHhk3
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0QUV7QIeh
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Utx2gkKP
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwOOvttl8Y
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzWXCJFGPj
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4NYt62nn7
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuxOL5ahAC
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJxqUbjO8q
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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pD9xv0OMn
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDEkdOifhe
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1YSKHkq0K
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9fTvseaIc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiirdnLOnTP
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TCt3BoJiA
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2TMtZ6lHj
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAzfIj5Hpa
"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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TyvOxtQat
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHgnmTDSPO
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHCYanZAED
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pZPhlGaYL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz3DxaKr4N
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GwqbmD5FW
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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MCZAedDSH
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfiycEd3br
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSEquO6Km0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjgWz5TaMn
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LvnxjeHpQ
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gqcBog0tZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrE6DZh4Wc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj24e6nTOz
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Jyt6vGEsQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsYSAkGRJ4
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nN06a4hx6
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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WhdzEqu0B
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl44EFlXqOC
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEVaDVyNMt
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh6OrY1xRg
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHt06Aa2z2
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDwEnWVnum
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx3cr10OwU
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOStVOczlo
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iETm4n2vS
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXKUXqJzyA
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJutVRn1n5u
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkJvYTrxoo
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw36rsuPBw
"Should I?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4kp2xPACJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSm9xB3NErI
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk67o45jGvw
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ539JOOV9qb
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuuVbeTkWJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXAb8CW51z
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd0YgthGR0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQQFEWNyDY
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOqBiUSqYt
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAW6zveNEZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJNTV43MSL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPpQWRHtlj
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o89N8sZFX
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WmmguCNUL
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTAZqvJxNc
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1ANdR8xoz
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26nwDL3Mur
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xQndzl7rn
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFZzWFaUhD
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJK0JP6v5M
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaS0zcDjnta
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJU9Y38uM35
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedumO3881N
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvevIN3pRLD
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8AOcYljXh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ZhDYWzuq
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59rxI6lhYQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtCBMjkCZ8
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GsvLGNHG1
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2wCDTc6zg
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7zoopsMbQ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUEd1H46sY
"Is she?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntzWXofVIf
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2MpLX5xus
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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?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFVWfcmFvV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9iqMdgamj
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cDZAUstT7
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXWXePM5xA
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDEExiUpha
"Do you think it's because of her father?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQKxXFvcVw
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tTka9vhR3
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gs21TYUwK
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkBTlnTCcw
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZgvVbFxmK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B7SDbmfay
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYcco1MyBU
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEsWTNSuYt
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LUF53vmxJ
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWcypoSB9K
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReG4ffPlA0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsAN9ABL9z
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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCk6ufp9pz
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD5uli7YkG
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sKQ16SThE
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNmpN0dSS7
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ2HKf9pHo
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zOjdGiNrJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6lYxit0pO
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"Maybe they did."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8V8HI6yfc
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL0Qi7uEIn
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjsaM3uCL2
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxABNtKM54i
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvIhY5DWus
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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?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlnK4vMEGv
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnskSZ7b1sK
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAtGke7Nvv
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNfyzfH8bd
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNGHBfi13H
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun6OVjcFDS
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv3WjE9bTT
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcX0u5sAf8
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8INy0Uv9LX
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoqBDGpWNO
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wLvyx7Vxv
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLG1Dgh7Oi
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrx3MZPLmxm
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKBxiHbcQ0
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yHvMiPwhS
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXWDGAvRkH
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8zzQEfGtB
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5gcucJfj5
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gwVxMlRPi
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbm3Fnte8R
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?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK2kKkb2S1
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV65ahqB4Q9
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mTxz7LGvW
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX9SaLoY2A
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzSqA6tVyQ
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUZrghMpG6
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCbJMnT68G
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLohlSOLsA
"Yes."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSRibp2MFW
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxxYYddhpI
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vVQkOIW5v
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ObO9UujK
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0A1LQSOEk
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfvH91SdlA
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo18NhgRxQY
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPENEQ8hQV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcniNb5dATB
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRlMx0oADm
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMab0PnJE2L
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUVnCiV0BV
"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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ544fucvBhb
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH53nKC1w1
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlYZUWTW6Q
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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznU9ZRFRP6
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx97ex4ajx0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV2lJlNU0j
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmm1rrkFjz
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXk02Js2Tu
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDuZTZPVOn
"Is that why you called?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZy1aAv5Kw
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtROzHocIcT
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdq3ODrgSQ
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRppDRDrypP
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepkX8FS13V
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFvuKD6bUT
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVxA40LuCs
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzidwalNRB
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XT8bibF4q
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKRWEQT8ON
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFFxeYz9aF
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpQABDGYKo
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMQy4kinOm
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1Wx8mA47Q
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYe8aD5N01
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrDMEexAXW
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qgkrXGjVC
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs3nVgNqsW
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6PK96YLhh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm4rp2ag0u
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWU39Idkg1
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGP9pZHvIh
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS8TISS03p
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSVuqh6mKd
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zTkqexuaJ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY4MgZWml0
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1YXAX7P6z
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLg9VpU9L8
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeBrbnYdI5
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ36LqixPY
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EqyuH831E
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHnVMCA0pA
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98O55IrXHG
"Soon. Very soon."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjgXoAa6lo
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG88mUDR6xV
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAksUf8ZLe
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMB4TVmbTI
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDCCjnu0AZ
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDZOoP3Aa5
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJHiflnc3w
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fcgu0W00r
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ389VDbQOCN
"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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwU5g2l2vP
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjnPsIulAj
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzRTdDOvuL
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU82I61X2XT
556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpm3kkZuIz
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsvTbXh8jr
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3RU5Noefy
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlomoXwxm5x
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsqwEIRZyh
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGCuwUKoY7
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***556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltQAX9k94P
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevyUPA3gDe
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR7VGWw56p
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ3iqmR4gI
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHT7IkWObE
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAPMcPSVnq
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeO9c2QvPW
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORJKPhIzWk
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdJyMi3O7d
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0Szwp0DvL
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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?556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadqrWuSqiZ
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsqv5Lxj4v
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqoH1WGbHU
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOd7VrFE1f
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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?"556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoNUd4ZOhf
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsYvP1Enek
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEGWJt8DIL
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3tT92m0BD
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6RgXfSHV
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43J5SKMRXQ
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50wCUPQnsL
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rasvzS3rQ
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Ke6qcrIT
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKU46w3UcI
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE74NtPkWvY
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rFV4gTtoQ
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5jiILAjfX
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8bZrAvnb2
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEtyr2mWb
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmm6KQbCL7U
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k7pFMl5ch
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX71ELX0oT
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSAaPbmgdf
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIuNG5wc5l
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGGpgx6wQU
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVtH731u7M
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CMhPOAp6T
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwPEQfjXok
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdNvz9nUkT
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcWP9DW9SJ
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm1hYlCYTB
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd36e1M3izN
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThrNYNdt6V
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQA7VkKcLk
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGHkhrvDyo
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg3T12rbNk
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg71Vnl2huF
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFBGGNhwP9
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4TpC6PnnY
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3gD1jftIr
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEpZzgukr
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeYj43YC98
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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."556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfLcvxb2TO
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VSwGQ4p3z
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14Y9MgGmVX
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBJXSdCy5K
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUgvC1ymK4
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6BBUTLDKL
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6OF6HOjUO
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIgNRJs6eK
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NwMwmAUEM
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu23CpMDFJd
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQITeRXpRyB
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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?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuV07Sz6nMP
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33sznZNdF6
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1osDxYx1lr
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJcFJyYsUp
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrW0oteLZ3
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDI7Fyhb6W
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI0L0zypX6
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRZL1qf50P
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAnt61v6P4
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6LDAbJGF5
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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:556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwsCkcJ2mT
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7m6P4MYob
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdd4LTWXls
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQK2XcVkAO
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUfBdaDVMC
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcl8Bmw2Yt
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCOmwoOiTU
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WdEDprwzW
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ076gZL1Xk
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4JrhLwoKd
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKFkqVeFvq
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUz8MtbQuc
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡersYOgWjpH
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1AX7b9kkN
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62oDqkIPqT
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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!”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBqwgm6rxG
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX3EyBxNe8
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpX7uiq3TB
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ohuG5vIIx
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjhGiBkUwh
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfzU38qNYJ
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2tspkJYd9
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiJm1s15xQ
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpulhJNcICI
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjBh7ibu4T
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk9zxuYAHj
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIisJXrNab
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD89QdaWAb
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhBl2HKJB6
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0zZMeAQBR
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbNC4AJIZc
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoHxhSnf4n
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkWSWrFbGQ
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalEfLpXQca
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“What is it?” he asked.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlIBRZ8o41
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNAdA2GvhN
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjlJROEqaC
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnIxxEktvT
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRWoG5iXTO
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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?556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WkBZaP7Rl
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPtX93nEN7
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOvAAIHW8y
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktSxKLOYo0
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SOBKESaqi
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNpCz9kd7X
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QETtxymlR
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBMQSkTXfI
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIXdmbkTuF
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKyvuOPqwd
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYzvxxkcCl
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8YXaNdO4n
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9NX8lQ1jv
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5kblxnqfK
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuMS8mL5C0
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMHNJFdXSV
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUOhjv6WIP
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yESxHSLko
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0afopkjHb
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xm6PDqda
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ6qsoqIZ8
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“There’s no phone service.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsfOe8RsyM
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRASyEvCoQ4
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvET9txVF09
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibR7RbSFn0
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gK71ItA2t
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuSokqPpq5
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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.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcukMhL8QQ
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnB0KFpzTY
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6lXGHqLw6
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkSmevqug2
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnfL09n3Ql
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUM0RfbRR5
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Bx5MM3osm
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpAIstyTMI
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeT6tRr0Pn
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKDALvszVe
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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.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXHEbywUWU
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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 protection552ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e852aKGu8 維尼

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