The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlXMm9WegX
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O2JtkIhnL
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOXf4bLSPX
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZqvLMJuEq
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvRp8zp6Gu
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYb63abh2g
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhulGj4LqSW
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdZ9X3uDKK
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQ7xjQCBM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dqIzxosru
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cZWjMFcTZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsQnTbGgFo
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLgR3SZNYI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJz0OM8VIE
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz4MlfiMSX
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCmjVJr3Ei
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkVvLlOR8G
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQslakvLShS
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj6fYF1ZUw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlTaEB76gC
The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTT2SHNFET
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKm8QjycSO
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxgUuuu9NB
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQsoK5cAU1
The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3DQT5XsTL6
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYRH9hzqO2
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSusCVF1D3q
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtXpJSFCvD
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVocKNBX4P3
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxJiV65lYl
Evelyn.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkeCDoqYl9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKO1XCCCpA
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOpMCfCKCZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF45Ls4qQWQ
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOjx61XWM4
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjoYbyGWq2
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnjYnpFv2z
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pmUYnMVK4
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCw9NMBj3Kl
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY9RrATgUq
"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai2PuDdKPH
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzh55Jt1i8l
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxuBI3FE3S
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLBFsnQILM
The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHi8Mo6ad
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDurI2QFK9s
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmg2dFxLio
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49Ydzgmj8q
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwlc8guzjU
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItBzJQS43S
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHilmUTa8Dr
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEysI1QKWH
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjL24Yc3hH
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnHWWfq813
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXev57B5YtZ
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaZvOWExX5
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRrzFjitlM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrT4riUAMRB
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIoG242AGM
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHbfJ1S3hc
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd5eMs3R7L
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcoMHXcMgw
Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0GnXi4FwI
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmthtd34iM
She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUXmTHo0zO
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYyfccMTdG
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY636EICZ8
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVuo5kg2au
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorD1ZFh83V
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfWIysreKW
But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYifeNL1Uf
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdpTgP6MS1
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsSeZBRxxB
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGMZisNyoh
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARs5inHU5E
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyK0qpJcAD
Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzkw9OntLU
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFfU8DOzH9
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiKo8ImoDl
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0goKVcC49b
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ001P9HXVQ3
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OnNiFmH52
"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWqyVWUJSb
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQLxGzIBBN
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrADSMYHngn
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQmUg2w1hP
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKdLo4ylYU
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxGlVWPjrG
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj5K6KXLR7
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W3oe60lMS
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX8R9mvRm4
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI56YFG31IX
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKIcQfaf8j
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuej0M5XIAv
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsv3xyF9e9
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgyxBJB8M6
I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktDk7LlqDe
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3moNHdSUEu
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2K7FLYxWj
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUV0TlsG63
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2u85oOUvr
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEdWAbxWMt
Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCKTZOkJTr
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedxpK0JKtD
I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxkLdqFEeY
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKyS3UWqaQ
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNoxUlQyF
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVM2MkjWw1
Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7CLtti0Nw
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2YiC2jNbh
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSXPfhCqOk
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CY6KhXL1t
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh5U5nCw4K
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRDpnjy8Yt
251Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSh2RDXgN5q
-------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
