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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkcOxOROnI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfx7kLysvwQ
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SzZohzWe
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vsRtcbA3K
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbM5uMrPtm
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxgeLRAQ6F
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5R6L9x4Cg
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhq2DK0miX
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvJil8EwL8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PK4onAEKw
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM05spI9pT
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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic0elTnXWF
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBQQ5fxrFS
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMqYdhCLPn
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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq90nMGhNzt
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEMVos76XP
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsOBwbprKg
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBM5plCLP28
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8l4NmqgCQ5
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVQtVSPJkN
"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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6X6CfZbFi
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivtaIRTBOS
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmRO4ngQFU
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQe2HE2Jr2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhkFYySLJT
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPpcWetdIv
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUy86kT97j
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36xgC1jfuS
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWyyH7aaHp
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94nXbmZP4X
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBNXxseVaq
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko1C4VMFqC
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0zgFkDmFJ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd1DKCeHWI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE67yD47zCn
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z9uE9BUuo
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQpz8XC9aQ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUaIUm99nm
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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HE6JWTGwY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgczOF8EEpt
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3tTM0FlGF
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfyXEDSniV
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqj2cehH0c
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXC90pbIVN
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbRWEerkuf
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW5uLsWoKG
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JGuwAyElV
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglPmvnby33
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LPAvcmyRI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2pwb27oMO
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJFIMnB25h
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWbe8lHdBW
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAEykfbgeq
"Should I?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlzaYuwg8Y
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAheNjmpngx
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ54HFqf3YB
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6NtmkSitD
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2p0ypEy6k4
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EvgSrX6cg
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvtr3XOqmx
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26PFHfuLj1
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9hB6500Qf
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKT9KBTeQ5
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpwQQ6W8r9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYgsS5Zryo
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFiG1M2wG5
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV4pWmdb0R
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BW3ebvhTj
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBZHKtlKg5
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe37SLLGdjx
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXcQBHThjl
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWTS6UqZ5p
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULveVFySrl
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Iy1iK907i
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwwooRzOz5
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsgNzOXd2z
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RGMfcWMOG
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySSlbkeCNb
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5HhGvzka0
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhmu2rT6Ej
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1IDUmwtTn
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHPAtdctbG
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYiF5nNJMH
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vhjBg4YuZ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S7tyFqBz8
"Is she?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw67pneh3R
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUXfbnnzun
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBZ90o770I
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?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7Sy7fgZFh
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwyOlbgsw
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUNvOwIeUS
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP2SVnDrAh
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjGYohsqv8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0i51qCoN6
"Do you think it's because of her father?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtPO4Bj9Z2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gjUeaLj8h
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o0yPjyl4J
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEuijsZ5rx
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9K1tP5sxl
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdqkJOYFsr
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJkUolpMf6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5guYHBrMA8
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3B9wgpJBpy
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfx1NwCKc2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ9b1DN8WH
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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EDRIYMJMe
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1vU1oPMsj
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv0hXvwqx8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs20K3FWHZg
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWct6g7CHRD
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaZInX75Xd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPmFmMRG72
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCHaiWU06g
"Maybe they did."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MXsaoj7lr
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl05pv3o1j
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyGMHDf9kK
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxntB7iZGmm
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuH3PK7bZr
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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?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkHwF8Epdg
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8pLfbMW6e
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxUuAf6NZv
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfci1Edrlo
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViE28ZDPVl
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGrSh7q2Tq
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETgicH8qwY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SlbgXuKvB
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mL79yG9GX
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZRNagAxtY
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzJibNwhq8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqTeXds67T
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXEbgVPxQ9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGIy7erdR3
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ppG7reujU
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e1MHFA7fi
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uQ3qVJ1uA
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHErgZxg59V
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA0myCW48Z
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bxPJApObv
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3WKLcXeFO
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN3pRnxgmA
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLqVSsET8C
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?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VE7BLNpcO
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmKfoNlQU7
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHs37JiJAi
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVul5hVfP4
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXweZSwkslx
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkikV2CDUs
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrUDwgXlyE
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVgFa8YUGN
"Yes."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE6I0lYjUt
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcmO5nABT4
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlECIZV9etu
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKjSIAwPH9
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiJsv9Ckm7
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNNxiNVayi
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFvNu8M7S7
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxmj4FcpwX
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq0lf2QohC
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY5xZP9ru4
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8djiEKyJsC
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL77lJv5cK
"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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWg0MHE6rd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu3pT0BCts
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUaO6pDa5Q
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivDSCcIlp0
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfMKMJYMGY
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEPpWkCo8s
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsLMQ2Qjid
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyplVUktmu
"Is that why you called?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYGU931idq
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNtTbXYMTR
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu50rSdtiD
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJy8GOcF6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPN9pntWDE
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mbA6tEiQp
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxEq2hMJC6
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg5FqiREnd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMtWO9V6pn
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhay20UIg6v
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3yuU42nZm
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNu1g6kM6to
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY60l76xzSN
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTrrRrgr9I
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4Yx63g53Z
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgUdVZS2Lc
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqd7AT1tWr
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MzYa2gQjd
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseWiIATQJ8
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdE4XTtiqN
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9YzLk7nd7
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5vRN19Xlf
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FDyQTBLma
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBgnW70oPN
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zTBZJjIsI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoPLECQUxd
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMA544sXnWt
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv3JuIYuyI
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFOKvtvCbu
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrCFJMvgI7
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U04v0Jv5M
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvqV0WYWad
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMNU8TdIwH
"Soon. Very soon."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35BYhWQAjt
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHobcDI3B6K
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiESOn3rbW
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqAA4eH49H
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYRHh3tuYa
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl33oXMRzs
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SAcDIkzkQ
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIa0kIIovg
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UAV0BJc8r
"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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZkH9sPC0o
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZyHgj7ZL2
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwn2DQEcvf
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsbutbkMjR
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oGNyDijT7
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVDJ7q62Kg
558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh5gH5eFbc
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTjUDToY28
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR0R2yD18l
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk495QrrIX
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTkUB2dwlN
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGiyVAlAEu
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***558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurZPeSjBeG
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64VlLggzRW
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa330cgsyvH
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7RixSFgPA
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZhUntt0Mg
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2d7fH0BCuE
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Xh9FmMG9
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaJGXxijeW
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnp12oJ8lA
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OLnE9cCui
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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?558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnjfeGxHsr
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFmnsc8RtN
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3v7ufpezG
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7F98HZUv6H
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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?"558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6u9eLYKZj
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBl79JavkL
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zUX6kbsJG
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghASPEVZln
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykXYgiKN4Y
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN799BQJsgk
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFqt734mjx
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLUaUU65g5
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8KipVQjmm
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI4UNo2hkq
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rANDwFV7C
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurntWySUJt
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyoCwOzKIX
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5F4kGyqgs
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2W4HZY4qs
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8vE8VmRY4
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfqRyEV004
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZR23hqrGC
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOFakcLLl9
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0QuWgnh3m
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOp9eWwRnn
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5Wc7JuUsW
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJCmas2ptD
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEzRzEykjo
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81NT2Jv39j
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jv0ndUq13
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim5IFoPpyF
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCbMSe6iqf
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuAAlEB51i
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamKNV6hOBH
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvu9VQITmq
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK7px1jso6
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZDwypDWDN
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvCxrxiXJU
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vWawbf3aB
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvJIgnOg2k
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnvI2WWP8K
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1Ya26Dyz1
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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."558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElWMErPHzr
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7m5L9ek6cC
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVBbzQMDCB
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEWuegGceN
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcqOLQHMNp
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDVe656iZh
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VDMXMrKhN
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1DqBXrkjF
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0zmrulF5q
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXIKEVdfYO
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTRl5d75J5
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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?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4C67pY3gP
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjYBr8LAK2
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VzG02HyE2
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4vFElvAff
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vu0MWrZ0f
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCU4td7kyFh
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N7TAX9oy3
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU92tOy9lq
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPyvJqxVHp
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyNRjXlpPx
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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:558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmOqE23D6U
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsoybOJO3j
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Q5O4xbbnw
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3SSF5MTsR
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdthFk1VDnA
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl4DcP779g
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELjwlpdbdI
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivwWxcpbfN
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aQGDhPKvy
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBy300ZcqM
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqfMVwJNuY
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6SP7nTe8q
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4jVZx6sKZ
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctEwD0EUMT
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBabb89Q52
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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!”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9XgOzfb2n
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKOaSIkZHM
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Tacto0hQ8
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPBelTuYXZ
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gkHQgFVhH
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSxcqa2yVx
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3E93MF2dN
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1uGb0gjCY
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjd2agQPzoT
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZlL5gAtz2
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Y6hd2kslX
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoAaSMnq2u
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Zg9A5ItR9
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUX3N4h1z7
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aVcq3hca2
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtxcRAcVDR
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjmW1IRfz6
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1YIQxwbDf
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DR5smzwln
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“What is it?” he asked.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFoN6QxRVX
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJscgX113Xx
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ccHyRUZQX
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLx2iLTG82
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaVdL7aAqr
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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?558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQArD6IXGxR
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwhggS46hm
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyaZT0gs1w
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3N4E61DXk
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlfLEomQNf
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwYbFY5sGm
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTg2srApsj
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdHOeNv4I9
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgDvtRkQw2
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTYUk3OiMe
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZroE3PKU6
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9yYAABk2f
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9db5tBwx6
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkb0YA4Qdc
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyiq4KWv0i
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7nMcXuUuj
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsPDVY1ec2
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgcrIwpzTX
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yVP9nJg9P
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tRyrk3HPM
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc09mpVOmxP
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“There’s no phone service.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAyPuwxDS8
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDR7OISjcA
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLisH0FNFW
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTpCOQj0In
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Q3y5lZwJ
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufLgMqzEbg
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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.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk04gfWOAV
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvEnINXpVo
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWGFvpvXrM
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTRT2jEIxQ
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDxvtJmjxN
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ0wZugwJ8
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HYU2ZGlq0
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSd9NmU9xGV
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4OJzHfNrK
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiTfy19kdJ
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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.558Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2sYI3SroI
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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 protection554ＰＥＮＡＮＡcchFEJx63t 維尼

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