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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiGHkAhFjK
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYlGgxJWZK
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnlEU0Ofkd
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOUTrqJrcn
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbE0jfUxmWl
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkvM8Lresh
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wXqQSBwWs
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRqjBPcnjj
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPwJBdFny0
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQHqK9hwwW
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3b75YIas4
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tbzJD2Miw
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGjVoQaVel
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q88g4IN6d
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhM5ilSUVW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcd577lnWP
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeq7eCokd7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTTg9NxOBF
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo6BYo3atZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zVwzpVUjC
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxBsRybB6J
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDQYN6jmou
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYm8eTVTSv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyeA70TGc7
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfqibqqpcc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2wRWrJtjr
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O66z2gUbF
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR3ANaGD43
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jETrJzf4R
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Evelyn.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw47W6ujhI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjRubWZExb
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYUbyJCMUA
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysFMwtf740
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAwAbi24ln
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIwV1OeBl1
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinqFQEHHZy
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3p5Bhsou3
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEJnLzoM2y
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ8xBrSEEk
"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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HH0aam5As
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdT2quNOV0
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8pcQYlVxQ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnGfR1G98W
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6PjuXIHVU
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkikj4eQmr
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpnm7173dv
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlG7LwKZnv
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTqm0SIzfO
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjCPDVP5vk
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedJ8u0Gul9
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFefHBmrvEo
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39OsqE5wzW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAh0Dtq79Ru
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQNnJgqHYB
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux5vGq5CW0
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKq5YXZFpyD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIsqtIR0Yt
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kgSZW3enY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoj20I8Rbz
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXphRgiLcRE
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwuA3M66Y8
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?174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlhaUThe5r
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEqTQSyx7x
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrrICxdfFD
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1R5r9dymp
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpDudBgwGa
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLJNYcdWIP
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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?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNWkfw22Hf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2FZ21AK42
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92wLbV9uC
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4flM3epFFN
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TlE1wm9qF
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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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FVv9kl5XY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ddu3UOeRx
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2BPhN68Ag
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvBtbGCt9i
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhCnXATCq5
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1TvSDoNS4
"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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mbana4MgD
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGA2Prhcvi
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3NlcfybkR
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ7Sy1S3Od
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1c2RQwyhCk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2w9dGDCBu
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t4uyU7LDk
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3WkE3n3Q9
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuaQChkWYX
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K5uq8HOWT
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcUlnhiNQI
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpl9hdXKGZI
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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzVGORObcc
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa2eZPb13A
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."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc23n4Jx4Q7
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnq2vEaFEU
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCX6KLZvwW
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDoI3vadZJ
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4omIFKwntY
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsEK9LDxF4
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeG2sOwHgO6
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9QyGNMNip
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!"174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOgySv0YqP
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRpzveNCvS
"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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFALzlsaHb
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPynGYe8Xd0
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQm2QPa1uZ
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCMXqozr1E
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXh7YDKPXrf
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LTbyMGPzG
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.174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcg33NQJWu
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kqFqdjB9u
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLVT63P2wG
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Penana
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