x

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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx33blvM36k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvGulPsbVF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZlhyFUkCx
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJAkmIjYY6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvIRcSi21p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNXaEGPjCa
He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESdHcxZKXN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7KdQ59GKt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXUYiMhbPe
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAxSz1VlYy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9JdmO8haV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0mcbXzmnV
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiav5EWpYy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQiT8CapNa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wDprqO4cZ
"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGkdrs85ao
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec91OHgjnX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUuiXEC6en
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxPJsAVckm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCCqJHbq8Y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvC71enFwjE
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJB90LdLWCq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrviC6v9Fv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqeO1LUcsK
Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC3rwT915v
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTk2tjz5AbA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFnYg5qBob
"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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFrgXFQG8H
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMvJXOsySE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDqg0LNHkA
Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtwQGPKNQX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWavoqq4kSa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTxLlyDlpa
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6yfkUMRHs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdorA6HlgN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpVsjntEAL
Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0nBdw8TNE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dpbDEU64y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgIoGOZVgd
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9maSGWjqI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRMuZiTkFs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ayCcib7HV
"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurXBbqrg8x
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1eqs61v5Y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZbxLrAymG
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2RXSU7YQd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWveQzo2Q2G
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGGImewvOV
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDuQy7GdTs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ50XGsiQ3l
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I2DbMmBmy
"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyutZpzetbD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5if5OAtBKs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT5HWZfpLF
The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dzt1GlRXo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSEkU4JoTC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6KyZqeme7
Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvAmiflU6W
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGUSTH8dqH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaMoWa78u0
"Should I?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmbUvbwmae
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01tMF65OUN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcJDPoEPxz
Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxgCp2SEI8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X15k43r65
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPUtOm2ESq
"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xawUwFmVr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfQbwj6B9E
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh6ZJkCiB6
"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1y1PbrkFj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfDMsG6gRz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzerp7mfWt8
The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrIQwZT0CP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGX5kU9NsI
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTIlKW0I7Z
"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI61O2JJFF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTCH1Fb1X
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0uijHAU1Q
The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6ZPQTA3bf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4atqM5Kgg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICFXKDjj5R
"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonSkqpFMC9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS0KbadrxX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79q5Cryi2G
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPCdNtHmgS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnXb7ILz46
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArmh3B1nZj
"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kCR4pvcvp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizgNCMz09P
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfNw8t1l91
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc9UEVpiuj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiq7dKkpAC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQq5F99JWCz
"Is she?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqJs4Sg4kr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgvqEP8wya
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSRSUER5Vu
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?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN2jiTTcy4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx2IHpAeg8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdgbIBOoL
The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGMA9EGdRJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApz2FcZAgA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHlEt65TyY
"Do you think it's because of her father?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6oPgeNqmn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2FU8yWuUj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T54UUt5Z0
"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOexdov0QF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iNAb5pnaV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwjdbj8oSS
"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3Ji2RVafJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPX8QVtCyS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTvscQyrbX
The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIWWtKnLw1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfpgh5XfaB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcrlxxemnl
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCd0zMWUciu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuj0P1MLG00
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbE8slSSgC
"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm4oLyyfAk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyVIHHBDVH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mbx2hksxY
"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnncx18qG7U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡft7BwbMiLH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStk5LUbQop
"Maybe they did."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdhjoOIGO9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CROyzyRZ6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXpJx6dZt0
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0GmRo3P9Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwvusYaAJr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICMsa8gFs7
"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWqfMUF4l6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALEipbZIbG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3thi0IwLT
"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsY2jCxZ3N
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuPAysAu1o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ5qSgoaVN
"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGmVosSeXK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhCPwlT4tu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPcxZmajdR
"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf9PVbEPfK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWng2BtZuVH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlR3IWkGIA
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AiPcXdzMG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEj2SUk7He
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH3xeXQCHp
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlz1HXV5Yz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMboGchrMH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdNmWuf0Qv
"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkGx4WnLLD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41aWsZajqo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnldf0W2Piz
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxzKLKmUb9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrRXrCV2V7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVhfOiL2bg
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?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dqsGIhQAx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPiK257OUm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2HG0Cc5qN
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlKPbVgI0W
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8UvDEl9jQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweKjZJvUPP
"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRocVYBQLD7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx8yjG7SS7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTexFSTBptB
"Yes."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABF0tWNmsR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9npyZw6FKQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWp36oxckAm
"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq0PSbsFze
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6LEH4auu1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7OfMQYg55
"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvapX3xFH9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9U9uf10Wd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavddEtg2eq
"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqBCs29Q6Z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviejji4wGh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvpiPmoyzx
"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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosuO8RQNsO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE1eKtyjKx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0pdEQSipp
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zLJon7Sbt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDop93EIdUL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zNj5r7CQ7
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1OLQR6itb
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA26KIpy2LT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp90jSIRra8
"Is that why you called?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK2etA6Jl5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1SPeMIHZJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBYFUmwH3R
"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQ0TsqKMk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMysUfnn78y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GXs8W4NcB
"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4wpou1bA3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLl8eQPuC5w
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvszbMS3WbN
"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QiQ65ZInT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgjvZPh3QA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOIWYM4kmx
"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQDUHrKnfN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFUA2s0aJu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrmq3xIzBU
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtLra8piGF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckh6q8jbGH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHtWfQbUIX
"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZnRRWXSWZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNYeIwff48
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhR57zd66V
"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMP7y4mIHL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXLwRVG0n1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WVSKH0Voa
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXngTYG7NmF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sFeYh3XbU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW87JVGdIOW
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWw3gNk1to8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOIM0kTAwN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiM7buXneUP
"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4obgWBt5An
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8WnHBpuQc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZAeRdIkNm
"Soon. Very soon."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBUhcVfn4q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzjWECWA54
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MvCs5DpHC
"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7otsjwcIJW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD8T8vi41U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rA9nyzVfJ
"It's what Emelda would've wanted."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeAA0vGPU4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAmU6ThIQJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MJoFQoAtP
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMCGI4NKCk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDiLIgZdZq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE13QZYhNdZ
"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHOPx2i3Xd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuXh1TIWdK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbVM4OTI5o
The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYERNT4mNde
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCf4R0EhLQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe56ZmcdNE
"I'm not. Why would I even try?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbFdEixUID
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcomNIhUng0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51RJc85Gyd
"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeCFyJBM4P
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAe4TEssnu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NPuU6bkHb
Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMXPDmxhg9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7rLsEVDXV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0crMz6Mfn
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeXvsl9tHa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxRTO4011o
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GunPtL8JP
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNc5ADR2pv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2vSQZMLya
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAVEa35BrV
The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7oHpycnJZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTj3qnHATD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStibAMgh45
***434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO6VgxgfwU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRSxQ4pCw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjLWTXjVSi
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLlrQpbqQk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQskgLctKFy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCFU5lOkdw
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0BL68xBiH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpHEznQLqK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjBkh8hNAT
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSAse2MSgj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwRCgY5E8e
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nVgs2jL6t
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7XGWwse4A
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOYM4lhF6M
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6IGhwVHwU
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRkkVjeZzU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0KRp4eIWO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSldavBFNdl
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSur0CiTbOx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInq2VeJ01w
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2asopffDn
"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9cGVff2tx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0L32n3NWf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jDJGuDHzz
"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWbbA3nISW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhFJlaozjr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH4XZ9Igz6
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBPK2FIiIQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g9D95QTJT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eLbBJIe7v
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?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a0NnIK7Qz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMf9EP2HhR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mwkgHLlUd
"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLzH5KvfnM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh52v63EjfQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmmuRejEfa
"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWaotiPuPj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduRZxHAlV6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAgEIMdWP7
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRouuR11XU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSBjfi1gAP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbpkI5hL26
"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FnWyF5Ich
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho1rA0wbWd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFUBttMVDs
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwsIRURgtc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLqG8CRv3Y
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ74bzCgGsD
"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0nwHyArEs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQYtrbRJnx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡol9ur3v3tw
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUvbNP5j70
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELQFJGaZZx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dVlFqedVv
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F1CfKDpEj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLozKridOwG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaRRLhyCWr
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVlAcl4Qjt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yWRBj4Tjd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrY600lhRC
"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOTFtybndB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlaLDwZ0jF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqmNIeYJW0
"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwcDtUO67p
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuEl6GmYL5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAKuawGmNx
"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOXC4SCvVG
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHrltyu8aZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Egnh5khFE
"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRdrmGHzGn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1giJ2HkAyS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgOezcnNos
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO7erlIVoE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjasOvp9gEr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwII5Mc7MGp
"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWdyiUUxVT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8s5DXV3ogV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdNLBfHS2T
"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCVUQCp87c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh9AmIRYgY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvlVgLfjKJ
"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QUEro0mwu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB4jihwH6g
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFdJji9181
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0azJQUl7j
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SNkvz3btv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aMCe4lyDX
"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjXzTfPWey
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG1wvEndK9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA13fPag7cd
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJLkdnPxxs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp42tZ0SVD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkIOOjdVZg
"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWEDwb6aIZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdr2JFAdOOs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHcQZa1fi6
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvf16S6wNrt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST04z1XuXd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpymTcYkrH
"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pq4dqjTnQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqrOZCtiJK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSFTBJxkBM
"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIXpaCXldk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX09AgzyVNZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡophfaEtjLU
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUCgA2WsNO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89C0xmdCHD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5x15avRSi
"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic8v8EE49F
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI1yEDzvuv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgNTHUnFEZ
"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP2WofRHbw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHZxyFhdYj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJJvKiOnwe
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnC8aLgvypS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBClTBEey10
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECcmEsAtrn
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZMolFgPh7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySlTbxgRtm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZulvwjOeIt
"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xblzlADip
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsDu48miif
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSTrLtioBl
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnYYkqlTLC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveg1uwcBNW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48CZqgyefe
"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk0FjRnxfd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IdXOHDhcs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiiZaffLfw
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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U3N5DZmY4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRBEJHgHze
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcRihTiWHM
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgRzgwWEPM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnJojKopOK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2oe1Dzyno
"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsA8BZ9atMP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HdBqHcInx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtcHzCBaIu
"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpERhMiifWT
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmpVw93ol0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSZERVzV6W
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgn5HYrEzwr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylJPhUPF4z
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJWQg3K0DR
"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE69hkCDxmD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5cP3R9NXw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBxdU2c1yG
"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV3NMA2UZN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTJ3vMV2oy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqqyyDLc21
"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClAwLZK80K
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16o4B9a8mq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX746rctSNF
"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FV6Yuo2kX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMP25N8ZR8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ucH0V1r0A
"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."434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgnoKQCVC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbBsInrWG9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxJlqpHTec
Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk44koRb1c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh926RMQFv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxKP5TZGoX
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7M8dJonEu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpJkK0rIPz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2I3b89wJu
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmJTqWCCJ2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPKX7YHrQ9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGZidF2IQO
He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeu4s3HRDaZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E8TJZRkUQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ63QzB0sCR
“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTAHlJtTxw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6LyC2oBxL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eU1DMuifj
“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KFVaKRJQy
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9fivTMwIj
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHm0bPsfUIj
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiiEPobykr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M0rIrXPCq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvdfsJOA3O
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnuuuiNnOE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4STzDHn7VK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqJ0WNpm1i
“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA9p9gKxsa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyeUIBcvDk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAqTXJKHwL
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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4snGKDMzKh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhElmtoKblE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0tlLJsXbD
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?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnB9Qfeqzv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LQXNLcnMz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQdoFxkPPV
“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs9VlXnalv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJf2tMaCoz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWd8yx7xJw
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eEHeESimW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoUlQcxWbD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDcCTVA540
Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBZLj96Eb4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73qKpqKAaO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkPzjbW6yp
“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVy2Q5K1BH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdB0iglvQQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNaS8ihPpU
They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR9iL92c5x
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDdTo5OhHZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXUdlGFpWd
Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV5k24jfTz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH3g8omxSu
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupR6sX8tSb
“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeHDfmizfx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r4Jpj8G9t
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkv932hBjX
She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG67Xrq0flw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M7O3sDgDt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSVGDWjOr7
Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdLhYpqI5b
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcz3FC0dRj1
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1vKRY529x
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:434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV88KnF1oX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkQIbsEzSQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYebiUfMyK2
“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsWG44TjyE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9oN0geb0t
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWj8qNqoic
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiCBInb56R
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClVsKGkYiF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4JHCWFVbL
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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jtqlTK7oZ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJTTxpTI1c
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR3an2QShg
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgufsADFh7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZfmkpDjTW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBRQAmTIjL
“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS46E3jJfn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DK1H2YylW
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVP09slCsr
“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbCc5xCjqh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4CS7KB5L3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYZkcCKd6a
“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcsqRtr43s
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49aZDW7LBO
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqpYZ1M7VM
Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnR4BAXEal
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMvB28pxxQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwim6CDTeJp
“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQ51sioQqc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuR1vqr1FQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrkQfRCL9C
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqEbWvhjc5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfzjv6WZPa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysPoQBgeai
“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3z4rLQxPJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ivKlLfIAQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwcXfYbiZc
“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8KjC7KDWr
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38tk4rwvWY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2SrRfcdXU
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwP0cqPedc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTKOWEu1yP
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxUQV611Nc
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxUCgk8Qmk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo74UgLn8O
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsA6YbAgoC
“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!”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eNuytqGiR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZIRugCb2U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJagIkHorxA
“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVtPY5szYn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyWGtzMaYq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZANQkIZCn
“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHRxqzcRhq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIsjRPGcru
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszuXVJTYVv
“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqHaiWuRt9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3I1Egld0Hq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRf3ISph2Y
Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6YCEP5LtN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5TC25SOsX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDcEQL8kIb
Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99wCiVV436
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivSh0RdAn2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgshnryM0X
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUxXJWlfva
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOFcyuKk5H
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvOTdmwK5G
“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQKvCmyJgH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLtkYMPlrp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCcqZ9NGPz
“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyUa5T3cIS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAq2eLvOjc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81ndiGKJB5
“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvqvyB6ina
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXwHPs5Usa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3c07PlwqN
“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7YWbsne05
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmkRbna4i3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYu10SQuI1
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTvHqnyHqq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1dnuQNk1n
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOOrKVRddw
“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8CVmAGqpB
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9npftAquo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Kb5taOir
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDogqIXnK5k
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblMtByHHS4
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OPSvmdwsp
“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HvbZStrUh
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEZVjCTtx9
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuCxVGmJbS
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNEd4ZBiao
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSWbcoOoXR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReO5LWWgNX
“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlK45eoDYc
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjKskuTodF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS6JaF5Dwz
“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeg0PvSrAv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8bWEb4tf2
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrPfXLRiAJ
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYJpZumEZ6
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbto1Wf8Ix
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2rOsSqMM0
“What is it?” he asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoqRK0RfmH
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4wA2l9mYN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbqnn5WjXg
“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4RH2ldIfD
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmczTgE0KbJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI7j1pqqYv
Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1h1dakQ6U
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEV4ZHDuhsN
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSbknx2PPX
“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcEFusLRSt
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3wvQBhXNd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVvjSKHqKH
“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhpyilTiMk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHAui0YZjs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXpVdax9gl
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?434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5N82wrzcm
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U3rEJEVIs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObZ9ab6ToJ
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzao9qTnfQV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BtMXdk0a8
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspGF6pXxcl
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWdJhFMX43
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad3NNh4bXE
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdZ7mMPLgR
“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3o9PtFVLk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDWQHMqtFV
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qE8vQr8pN
“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqUI5TToiQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6fcvKc3m3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIctyTveJGF
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaeCS0w3fA
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86LSpN0kon
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8GOavjDUg
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYxBLjz011
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHvLWzVby7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFDXcL6hNr
“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGvFBTe1fY
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CncS10ixL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO1VVk2y0i
“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BfuEEbGMp
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I48L1YqRg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj53b8m2Dcx
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE2LyzjMQM
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp2fhPU5IK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01ucDDmZie
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3TNL3Gu9r
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrtp0AyEiK
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKDfI3iBmg
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7scIQIUcIX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctBw72BzF3
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFTlhKb9rc
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUzkh5cDZz
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCylk9mi84
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLCWyEcicU
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bdhnJUViv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTwBn1p19v
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSl0oEPKYt
“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnL755Ge4W
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZhyk8fsaq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPFaX45FOt
“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IT3v0tU7
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyJl12Tg2Q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiRMPTeb8P
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWUqDbv9wk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWncDvS6asl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGErQG43QyX
“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsAwMMIWRx
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdFI3G6gSk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmAiQxNEXX
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKmH1qPhlf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrB1Bz5HxV0
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30GyTMtusH
“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC52BGYn1mn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2cnuZD5lf
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhS8nIqVwdw
She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAbn7sy6FQ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHwOjbQEtR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsskKmEInJs
“There’s no phone service.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbDgRqj4Dv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5Hp84MF3x
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WE9i1P54d
“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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis0Y6EWBpR
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfjKxnP0Bo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvxFu9YGg8
“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIihh2Cd4iL
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoSfwCYlcF
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChy2nYAeoN
“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsFNbvfpg5
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jUyxw0NSw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRi9cLLTAh
“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffkMJnoXpo
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KMAoIQbqn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJqdMmGcrL
“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhayRwffPs
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8SpjvrhRU
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU3lYDhy5s
“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.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwJAzGr9hS
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKir19HXaPa
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xeVOulXB3
“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduUxTN1Jls
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhgmlyHj3q
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0DYnYWO3v
“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsROfwVxKAJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCUTJhZo80
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpO8fHkKt8
“I’ll go check the kitchen.”434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPFSmyfniC
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycO5UbYlWq
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ30faDh19
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzfXQyDfVv
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM8TwpO2Pe
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpqe5i1Ojn
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLwXwn0M6M
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiMmGmUQwg
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQys8qEDUU
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9PhiJaRIl
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuheevd6LjX
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabUEXZQREJ
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXSapgz6tk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdbuQxUqpJ
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxWw9z1cWX
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM81s74XDd
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup5EZxuO8L
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZDkNL6xUF
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC3jG1Mc81
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchHZ8u3Rfn
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OoqErZNWv
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.434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqpyKsPbOw
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5SmlQMwBk
434Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyZwzRogvu
The person in the dark suddenly jumped with fright as Sophie's bright green eyes lit up in the dark. The cat angrily hissed. Rhénee got startled by the person's reaction but was quick to respond to the situation and jumped out from behind the sofa towards the person in the dark.8964 copyright protection430ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEkd4LMYLF 維尼

3.144.200.28