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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAgpUTX9mGyj
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANA0sbQnR91Az
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.209Please respect copyright.PENANAT3eQ6922tz
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAZdkF9idJ2m
209Please respect copyright.PENANAe3UozVJv3K
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANASwrHgGW9IK
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.209Please respect copyright.PENANAzCzZebNdAk
209Please respect copyright.PENANA8lAtp5nNhX
209Please respect copyright.PENANA54WqRW0nCd
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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAtPd84LRRPm
209Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3T0cXnS5R
209Please respect copyright.PENANAkAAf1ETjBK
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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAhaIHj9XYdd
209Please respect copyright.PENANAOjmBS6iyZn
209Please respect copyright.PENANAtwxK4pxKgf
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."209Please respect copyright.PENANAMe73QdGP4n
209Please respect copyright.PENANAl6V16T5o71
209Please respect copyright.PENANASMvXMQuWPo
"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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAS37Le7eABJ
209Please respect copyright.PENANA3lg8Q1xpdW
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Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."209Please respect copyright.PENANAq750JF5UVO
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGbrkmABs8z
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWWIXjNfEQ2
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAlg3MdLK453
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9e8EnnLjVL
209Please respect copyright.PENANAE4NJmdPBc2
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."209Please respect copyright.PENANAaSxX8L3CtS
209Please respect copyright.PENANAfx6VG6NopD
209Please respect copyright.PENANAF3qayaEIzv
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANACmkvuCsEhW
209Please respect copyright.PENANAShcv391QX9
209Please respect copyright.PENANARX5LsBcf2O
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.209Please respect copyright.PENANAknX8mbdD2a
209Please respect copyright.PENANAi6rRrFPl7a
209Please respect copyright.PENANAoJRdNXQ262
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAlfZM6PMJrN
209Please respect copyright.PENANA8BujpPiU5A
209Please respect copyright.PENANA5Hn930nd14
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAtgQhPnOr0N
209Please respect copyright.PENANAneKgXsbv2O
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.209Please respect copyright.PENANAcO5XCb0HiC
209Please respect copyright.PENANApOVQAzYBNS
209Please respect copyright.PENANALjkHkalmKW
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"209Please respect copyright.PENANANWIScgUu4C
209Please respect copyright.PENANAwWaIXcmpF3
209Please respect copyright.PENANAQT7z5dHnl2
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"209Please respect copyright.PENANARdJ13nEQwS
209Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y4sWljtuD
209Please respect copyright.PENANAAfU7Q7useJ
"Should I?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAIM3GIshyK3
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGLDO5psYK0
209Please respect copyright.PENANA4zGENvMFy0
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."209Please respect copyright.PENANA3ti25W5h1u
209Please respect copyright.PENANARD8MhD2kBX
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"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."209Please respect copyright.PENANALtEqAATuMu
209Please respect copyright.PENANATIfwQJgRDe
209Please respect copyright.PENANAIheF1KavdV
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."209Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5TVWrV2qz
209Please respect copyright.PENANASfTnaLWsBd
209Please respect copyright.PENANA2cbvBkmIJ6
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAQFV3fwe3vk
209Please respect copyright.PENANAcdVt95ZNin
209Please respect copyright.PENANAqH9Lsnypmd
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."209Please respect copyright.PENANA3HZYjUGz7d
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvDj8XOeQ4K
209Please respect copyright.PENANAIPNA05LGKe
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.209Please respect copyright.PENANAWesNbY4fLh
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9TzSrFL9wj
209Please respect copyright.PENANAMVm6ifaAYj
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAZihHlpWtk1
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9kZyfbcbqI
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAtBlFZaE6cR
209Please respect copyright.PENANAl59MaZxs2S
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVn83sCFwKb
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAjfwxz3Q4GU
209Please respect copyright.PENANAS2wRnY8qhA
209Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Qt9sh7F1
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAkhbSJEG4Ia
209Please respect copyright.PENANAORgaSAbQdU
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"Is she?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAeGmZZQz4KX
209Please respect copyright.PENANA37uiPMG49b
209Please respect copyright.PENANA4m8eghhCLv
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?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6goQ7BDD8
209Please respect copyright.PENANA7lSzf5DWnI
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."209Please respect copyright.PENANAzbNcWSUejg
209Please respect copyright.PENANA2kIWAEKh9S
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYlZaCoI8dH
"Do you think it's because of her father?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAFIUtuJun8w
209Please respect copyright.PENANAn6yAIgK8A2
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"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."209Please respect copyright.PENANAyU5QKAsHPN
209Please respect copyright.PENANAHOGFjvDLCT
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"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."209Please respect copyright.PENANAeMFRpHz43U
209Please respect copyright.PENANAMil6sQmvi0
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANANGHAgLG56S
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Mr. Sinclair cleared his throat. "Let's not go there. Let's say they are attacking Rhénee because of that, why drag her into Emelda's past? I should tell you that she went to Emelda's cottage and the aftermath wasn't pretty."209Please respect copyright.PENANA5Pl1LRyQQb
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAfhPxJUjGae
209Please respect copyright.PENANASEUulv9lfT
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"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."209Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9tJnIegJo
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"Maybe they did."209Please respect copyright.PENANAqA7RgcOnJy
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"If the people Rhénee's dealing with are who we think they are, they probably didn't tell her. Or maybe they told her because they wanted her in their grasp."209Please respect copyright.PENANAoQyRspSc9N
209Please respect copyright.PENANAmcKBxoVXMT
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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?"209Please respect copyright.PENANA8lsadOgBQK
209Please respect copyright.PENANAzyJgPwBNCm
209Please respect copyright.PENANAROxyO9UeOn
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."209Please respect copyright.PENANAgVubbdf9SZ
209Please respect copyright.PENANAf1vZyh9IWt
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.209Please respect copyright.PENANAhykVS7an5x
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."209Please respect copyright.PENANAGmDvYxffrE
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAqg45kDSxc2
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAeRVkTOf9gM
209Please respect copyright.PENANAgC6hhDhGJB
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAU2NkzyOaT2
209Please respect copyright.PENANAmY2Cdpygar
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAKDkuoNOaME
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209Please respect copyright.PENANApBwT7lqIas
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAQP1Zawibqt
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The man in front of Sinclair, humphed. "I can't believe you on that one. You said she killed someone. How did she do it?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAY1wImOxKjD
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAwhe3AEigDB
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.209Please respect copyright.PENANA28m6sTl2IZ
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"Yes."209Please respect copyright.PENANAIrKXsKc48s
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAvjT1UHhQD4
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."209Please respect copyright.PENANAq7boibCNS5
209Please respect copyright.PENANAL9z4BbcoK3
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.209Please respect copyright.PENANA6KsgCKeOXD
209Please respect copyright.PENANAh7UPGyLTcP
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYd5PtnhkFV
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"209Please respect copyright.PENANADzmIbHSHQg
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"Her aim? I would say it's spot on. Hit the man right in the head," Mr. Sinclair pointed his index finger to the head, "and square on the chest," his finger moved to point to his chest.209Please respect copyright.PENANAQevtw1KaRx
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAOMibHAowpP
209Please respect copyright.PENANA42gnPriRZU
209Please respect copyright.PENANAZBZlpfBKID
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANARjElqZWeoY
209Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0LVR0alGB
209Please respect copyright.PENANAz0zqfBBa8H
"Is that why you called?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAgSWksc6VFg
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."209Please respect copyright.PENANAX1CkoEsVlL
209Please respect copyright.PENANAICN7M6VBvq
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGLndWiBWQo
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.209Please respect copyright.PENANAKlBmCwPnq9
209Please respect copyright.PENANATGQsNZXPGu
209Please respect copyright.PENANAzzBitXsnLi
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."209Please respect copyright.PENANAmOBhskRofh
209Please respect copyright.PENANAYBjCYLf0Ms
209Please respect copyright.PENANAZNELn0Ye5u
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAuoDS7CpomG
209Please respect copyright.PENANAcLyeqlkLj5
209Please respect copyright.PENANAaY3pAvsHrC
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANA0E9I50Vnlt
209Please respect copyright.PENANAWsTtS0fGvh
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"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAimmYz3wOJa
209Please respect copyright.PENANAcGv7dNLzIU
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAybddPQgSVX
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAmeeF1PMSrv
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAOcbAoYmv6E
209Please respect copyright.PENANALeIRun2oYI
209Please respect copyright.PENANACkB3gYoOa6
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANABcp7Tipf39
209Please respect copyright.PENANAiSrLOMhhad
209Please respect copyright.PENANAUHWCDfDFOC
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAi1LHuzWU4G
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAtEI1gdgWep
"Soon. Very soon."209Please respect copyright.PENANARXzpMC867P
209Please respect copyright.PENANAP1g4cJwToZ
209Please respect copyright.PENANAQUUUXvwmV1
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"209Please respect copyright.PENANA3O4cGR6FN9
209Please respect copyright.PENANAIi31i7NyNd
209Please respect copyright.PENANAH1iNLOws8g
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."209Please respect copyright.PENANADe0oNHShUv
209Please respect copyright.PENANAD1Ta16An5F
209Please respect copyright.PENANAt470NsygUu
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAWQ1hqMWNgi
209Please respect copyright.PENANAfm39BgKNRA
209Please respect copyright.PENANAGZh1jg6tly
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."209Please respect copyright.PENANALOKBoFOvDu
209Please respect copyright.PENANAkwilmdkedE
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVB0X6Ye4kJ
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."209Please respect copyright.PENANAYJCvHkhSuh
209Please respect copyright.PENANAvrC33NCbBT
209Please respect copyright.PENANAfNcrx9Ouny
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAeF1X5ElmVX
209Please respect copyright.PENANAgK3Fd7S5aU
209Please respect copyright.PENANA25neMIHqwo
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."209Please respect copyright.PENANALFNZTVy8zq
209Please respect copyright.PENANAhSJZkRedTW
209Please respect copyright.PENANA1XWjMM65Jf
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."209Please respect copyright.PENANACXM6hlQsXl
209Please respect copyright.PENANAhtuoC7mbyZ
209Please respect copyright.PENANAOSZSZ6Ne7x
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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAmPAWJMJScI
209Please respect copyright.PENANAVO64piR0aM
209Please respect copyright.PENANAB8BynbaQdC
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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAAgZYvo3GwR
209Please respect copyright.PENANAz1YLLQEWfl
209Please respect copyright.PENANApWgl3n3PaE
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.209Please respect copyright.PENANAyXCrGgdJ6F
209Please respect copyright.PENANAjDE5kFWCQn
209Please respect copyright.PENANAuKuLOLCn8H
***209Please respect copyright.PENANAnL7u4eb4XS
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209Please respect copyright.PENANADIMPeZ5q1P
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANA76clYxsYWm
209Please respect copyright.PENANA2hA5C54L00
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANALExVbM7MJz
209Please respect copyright.PENANAONT8SBK8x0
209Please respect copyright.PENANALgSvxlZNEJ
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAnawOfme4et
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209Please respect copyright.PENANApruHfXbJD5
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAL2O3i5nuAX
209Please respect copyright.PENANAFWbAaszpCi
209Please respect copyright.PENANAEjoGLtvIm0
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANABnR11Xd4Xm
209Please respect copyright.PENANA9sgnZt7MUP
209Please respect copyright.PENANAnoly5irHxi
"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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAOWnAHR9wHm
209Please respect copyright.PENANABlAwkcDfF8
209Please respect copyright.PENANAotW9gY7JF1
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."209Please respect copyright.PENANA9WOU7d58eo
209Please respect copyright.PENANAOLJ5NoCQKp
209Please respect copyright.PENANAAdLcFcWroL
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."209Please respect copyright.PENANAYxOTQKX6eC
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAxG9F5j7bpv
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAJwPWxwwJbW
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209Please respect copyright.PENANAzEvlMpKjXz
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?209Please respect copyright.PENANAF0bbsEJ6Fb
209Please respect copyright.PENANADmTcGtD6Di
209Please respect copyright.PENANA6gDysrbpTb
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.209Please respect copyright.PENANARF2CE8ffjt
209Please respect copyright.PENANAFHvU2XMh9V
209Please respect copyright.PENANArA0nel0u6D
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.209Please respect copyright.PENANAgH4qw46FEj
209Please respect copyright.PENANAcrSVcMW2A4
209Please respect copyright.PENANA663USe0cU5
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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAAf6aCQa2aO
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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?"209Please respect copyright.PENANAzSydbJh2AA
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAgJTsRa2ME3
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."209Please respect copyright.PENANAYq6hiNo9aV
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANA36ILN4hCzA
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAwGZolZRlyc
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAJtNL0W31yf
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.209Please respect copyright.PENANAZedvEQtzyZ
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.209Please respect copyright.PENANAUfN1h0bpiB
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.209Please respect copyright.PENANAkTUlae7O95
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAEghBp76RtQ
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAqxYSDqPiTT
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."209Please respect copyright.PENANALnQA54ClAc
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAadHveuE1DW
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."209Please respect copyright.PENANAv9DUgH17TG
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAQaPz3g5o2w
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."209Please respect copyright.PENANAqIEkfJEvNJ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAT3ZXwYYjDD
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.209Please respect copyright.PENANAEcwYA5cpfI
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAACjIaNKev9
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."209Please respect copyright.PENANAZOPxzgA2YW
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."209Please respect copyright.PENANAaTSeJpcRQJ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAm4X9Za8Eo7
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."209Please respect copyright.PENANAHG8ikXKw00
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."209Please respect copyright.PENANACBdsTxJBuR
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAAewwVWUI4O
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAt7P8EcR1M3
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANA51jO9lSz44
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAPNBQJG07EC
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.209Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fy5EFUK9O
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANA2whHLjlpP4
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANANQbDiZXHd8
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.209Please respect copyright.PENANA1a5Wv1hl9k
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.209Please respect copyright.PENANAFdC114WKFl
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAiCA8Lmptjn
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.209Please respect copyright.PENANAoWM25KSHB2
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.209Please respect copyright.PENANArhcBosCXJA
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANAghepg5P2x1
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.209Please respect copyright.PENANApM46EeIueR
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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."209Please respect copyright.PENANALO93n8QcAI
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.209Please respect copyright.PENANADsW8uUwLks
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAejDDuHfdLU
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANACNmaxeHlI9
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.209Please respect copyright.PENANAhsxGQy1c1r
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.209Please respect copyright.PENANAr93cpySb3O
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAoYak684K8A
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAI7lL0YhtNH
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAsAka84v30K
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.209Please respect copyright.PENANAtt5H9fQqUp
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAcnFi84ltFT
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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?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAvCFUX78xxU
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”209Please respect copyright.PENANALM8vJLaD5q
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAoGLvVhd6Wx
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAcgAL4SPDgu
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”209Please respect copyright.PENANABZsFg7RhuU
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAQVKwSbF5kL
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAz636LZj8O1
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA8BCNAVRtsy
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAgE5Y4RZpGx
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAg5YPlwSwTv
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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:209Please respect copyright.PENANA9lcjxNRBZi
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAvS2fOE99kF
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAIJkAvLODQD
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANACkZTRtZNdV
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAV5uojoYlGq
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”209Please respect copyright.PENANACDUtgHirFn
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAln3GesM8he
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”209Please respect copyright.PENANA9AG3xEIUDQ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAA69xND2lho
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.209Please respect copyright.PENANAFWjU9b55Vv
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANANFT1t17vij
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.209Please respect copyright.PENANAvxM20INXc2
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.209Please respect copyright.PENANACP2zLhOWbZ
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAya5MGlkELV
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANATVk01rMDq5
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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!”209Please respect copyright.PENANALSu06VEiuu
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.209Please respect copyright.PENANAvUsMjtDz3l
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAzqpnD5T8ad
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAPAg9jZcuX4
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANARhS0nMG3RJ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAEFutW0jw8c
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAzq3mCo5qNZ
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.209Please respect copyright.PENANADAdzQlzlKo
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.209Please respect copyright.PENANAk5k5dWcfgt
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.209Please respect copyright.PENANASQl7toy7eI
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.209Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0yYrptHk5
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAYBvMnjaF0a
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA4Eu2T8NOnp
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAbeWi1FodP7
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAJU6kL2S7ZR
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAeuu34nMlqm
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAaTiklmI4ey
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAf8uNbd1d8Y
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANApIs73PGhlF
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“What is it?” he asked.209Please respect copyright.PENANA330vwBtekQ
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.209Please respect copyright.PENANAZNeobI8n8L
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAnH03qgNP6z
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVS6ssyp6wC
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAT9wjgp1o1Y
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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?209Please respect copyright.PENANAStwvLbYOD7
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAvC7LOgt4oJ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAz68IqQl65o
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.209Please respect copyright.PENANAUEcEIIpTmY
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAfLvma7OwiJ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAzFIslH0ZAA
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAZ0fY0lYF82
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAMINWLPTzIj
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAADSfH3bCgp
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAK8QzGAeETm
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAaIAeoUd29i
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANA63MkM16pwU
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANANxWlHzC2ro
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAdktx5U8Any
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAaYB8NqrKbr
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAHVBSgNYRSr
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAOydYYQfCTl
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAmQtLeZPbPy
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAVKfu2HlKoQ
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.209Please respect copyright.PENANAnEFk3S8v7G
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAZcx9xqGyE0
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“There’s no phone service.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAQuLrceNNBo
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAyaeu98TvEr
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAunI1GEvsnz
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVplWlXP5b3
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAVZpn8sG9CJ
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”209Please respect copyright.PENANAxZKfDZfYFs
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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.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA5qcrhVBHWp
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA99YBPJGfLo
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”209Please respect copyright.PENANAXyRd8dZRC3
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”209Please respect copyright.PENANA9MvE0xifso
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANA9yG0XPLEFG
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAANjj5WWirQ
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAHtKCnlPU7r
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAaaRzxYpQeH
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAalGFwpHVVd
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANAOfqqngl1VT
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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.209Please respect copyright.PENANApeiyw8UtV1
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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.