I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAyp9rUGIv
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"Sasha! SASHA!"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xRYEsGJyd
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No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JbJSFBI0z
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKIVtTXO4u
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXwbHsm1QI
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpo8Vqgu2a
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOfUGU8GqE
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTbPbVgx21
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JHJ0w3Xd8
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMqUkfZ9uA
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxohzQHguiJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsTqdgO1Nb
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroEWodiKF3
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUFPJ25pZn
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5Hxbn6AyJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC25ClOdzYk
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwGoZer6NU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEPUCrTtnW
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmVREcZb55
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMRk0sIywP
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpj7Kec979
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAauaaSlS9
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALqjTYD1RD
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"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1DvairziJ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0PB12DJCV
"I haven't looked yet."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKuzD3KBVp
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6lImIXTP
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKA3jjYASG
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3GxHSG3h5
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg29bhk3T0g
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUjPqhDqs7
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqzpPNOxea
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I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplEogYSpJO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p3JZRRhn4
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O8UQq9NhQ
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTUxVHxyaX
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8IsV377Pr
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBCPJosA4h
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSDQ4ZvOVS
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCHdrCjSK9
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn5rLjRUEE
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Cool. But also terrifying.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0kdWxfF35
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The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvKs5SkTYa
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOrh3a7Ud0
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4K4OSk6D2
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDZUvsJxlO
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW64NNpBUp
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡardJEvZ9o1
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ818iaQiNj
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54fj9ThLfe
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuQATX81rX
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7wetLBh53
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPS3Znb3zT
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OdqIHJJHt
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ811bNrGtrh
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczyet2g6OO
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVK6RQZD7x
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7nGQYyeC1
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ORWEuomBW
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I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZvjMf4kHs
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88dF7QwWmU
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZHd1tnADV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqMB4Pe6yU
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkTFmy7hOp
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxARq4cpMnS
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mCPMVIrNO
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzAmyamXX1
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69wB6MZFSN
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOennFRvKZG
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqozRsIDKMC
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"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6BAq7gsPa
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7AwsVpM0v
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR5QaXQaM9
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM51VNVTYFh
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXfevtarJg
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18pwFHLXno
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGAjeWPoFq
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D9cATye80
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iUwOhTTws
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"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS9d4vDw2l
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsjBl3vs4c
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurWqY9HWW6
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OEI70ShLo
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqZh9VUHfK
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTzjs5QLuK
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwWMoDyrF2
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhMmkqMx0N
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8mDr1Omdp
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I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpI3w0gouV
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ue6zf5Stc
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpndrkcnUQl
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRpWGyU9y1
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiqF5WlkXs
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDU43AhHxP
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jcgPZTWLu
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEVj5qH1xn
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRIfEzB9lE
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdDMEiH0X0
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL9ZECRWvl
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ6Hhu1Qqy
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW18JHPKkI
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG037qSJ3yE
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfZTQwyXXU
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccEDMfogE9
------
Penana
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