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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQUajeyu9i
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2e7YVRNu2m
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"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEXS4HI7fG
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhx3W0jEzci
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMJKQDoLX6
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4frMBsG2S
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQbdtcdksI
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My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6x72sTjubZ
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPTRlaKzyv
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTwidO0zIX
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqgC1L40L4
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhLuyzNxHa
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"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOabjpqbt4
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWRNbGBVUa
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVRkarl5z0
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPatn5VcYrS
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPzbbQxw4F
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVHIkynL3C
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRSmbWeULV
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE4vtSNs02
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNbKISIIzr
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoURDgv0B8
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzobEMvL4Zl
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEOXWGe3SB
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIJlBBuBSM
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Eg20ePnSJ
Evelyn.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1ZppjAeMM
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTd55pORdX
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBm7tIPngv
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnffVqwS65
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayMM6Kz1vA
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdan50R2FC0
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96cEBiPPZG
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"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbUnOJA11
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7UDZIkOmh
"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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDY3qfoVdv
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9v98GL5U89
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmB5lPQqaL
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxaO93XtLS
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KN3ecH2hi
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBYJBye9Ka
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGJXfnbF5u
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8NpTpqL8P
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxGQVViV0v
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebWfHUZLFY
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoFO3c7dfl
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZniofmyBq
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W86xHGr21
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM8lzqP5Hi
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATxQqsJmvY
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf03mxhsBL5
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBURJYCTwh
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34hbbZGy3S
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJM76uUL9W
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7gJCyYxcI
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9l0c9jIqq
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh13DbChrjL
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?360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvYsu4x4n0
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ThEKblHR
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6dhRSbrKl
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvSL627scZ
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f2Dc5tLFl
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7gT3OBeHu
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWxNpoy66i
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDce9S0GvCT
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?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqlJL8dKnn
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPfnsw6uid
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBlkKGOFvK
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcHHweC0Eu
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAlynhFzra
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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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVhSVQc6PT
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHpxfqdaKk
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi3Aq7YJia
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDhrVRyBeF
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3mLYF8cZO
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWa7H2PwU1l
"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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIECqyZZcTU
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxnBDhSnhB
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAYreCTwWU
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBOiExo30e
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XBZMyaTZ4
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMF2PVnkfB
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcthPC9itF
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTB0GFk4EI
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxV297sxUL
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbyBy9K0if
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvaUf0mfDV
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyLTs79cqx
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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOzydvoee8
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60Bq4gBj4m
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."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYC119uZzyY
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ynLJLFkUr
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigKHASgT9i
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0s9Wyob9K
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5FRkuBq4K
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSwEXru971
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdivHIk0TRH
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtxluZmO8q
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!"360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb9mTwN1tl
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPGReUgeH0
"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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvDxEMk9rM
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZG8kmsZ2w
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtxISCZ03D
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETppOiyWTy
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0X4AjOpXA
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3Z9NZelRg
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.360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHyYLKp5Vb
360Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5S4D17aaV
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-------8964 copyright protection356ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0vGxe2ngp 維尼

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