I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqRyJpHjJ1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpx0T6L0Qm
"Sasha! SASHA!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb7jIEscVn
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No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowYmHwBBSL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5us6ruYnTB
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknAsqOk5S1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bqGYqUoKT
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9CoxQOjvv
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh9gGFDTw3
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrxTNsO3EW
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbPVzDGn95
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsNcfJc5Ou
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMx3wYDWjV
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNMwwfwQXN
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvaAkTXZBf
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulbZrQ8OFv
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWZXLQ4qbn
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxupzMeFlF4
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAciPWBC0ZR
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNqbHrmgHA
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM5ddHd5B6
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWwucecicz
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG5c0VaeBC
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDQi9VqqU9
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiSoU4RNtr
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEISQVgBuV
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOADoBHkbV
"I haven't looked yet."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf5arJYW1q
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eXK8lt1Q8
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmfpGDcz3S
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe9opumIEK
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HPURQIYT3
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxkRq03xSg
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLmgctUAiL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ckHOyBg2
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N9QNKW0aV
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi51GKs9Fw
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbOhTlPsUq
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTKHPgVBA9
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5eBhvRs6b
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKixUyzrNIS
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Af6XfC5iz
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAFyKQ4cZk
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4K1B6N6oA
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvpRCSFuIi
Cool. But also terrifying.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCk5mbQtxi
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3EM9I2P8g
The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeheJybYC5C
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7XQ3JAMW3
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8sjqf1c50
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdhkmL6ZrR
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltSvvIMay2
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZD5GpDxTW
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4zOQB2Z3j
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPpPeYXSjf
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8SndYKZJO
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytaygOfPbC
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgLSVM1mjY
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71grWfIvi4
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j0YOCBLvK
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgxVZ2yhpP
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb5b73qXZl
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0gyQdxgiY
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OD8hFdB54
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I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QcvYrpp2f
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbRxmLFbLn
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGtX9jX0xx
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgCbGGJdLf
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEZgIeDmAu
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NslG57DSY
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCkjO7JHZL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Biu6UUyg0
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0oPPqSKre
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDVo8KSWdp
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkfAKJnMkd
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nQsHYc2nu
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7dPuRLRKM
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtkgGuxkpk
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5EIpqHFqN
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5swx6zQe6
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lOxST9VKW
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C9Du0lgoA
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT26rIlXIVy
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE00ha31Pd
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAcQF2lEZ0
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2pvBfU2CH
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelTG2fuuO0
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRoSpI6Mlo
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaaw1OzeTr
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLZfrh7Eg5
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dBcjI331Y
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMX2Z5X5KV
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsCuBM9d2B
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Cry2WawJT
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNmRFAYdXo
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8DHdj4wUV
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM7jYzEBqd
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrxJnsEjTX
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8k449ztJG
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYfIRsADBO
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NIySPeacs
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOktzA9Ccy
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzOT4JmutG
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjz2DWqf85
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzbQgQyCHn
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagh17Iz6sB
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J9BahbVVu
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMfNhxAVjU
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxBnpBJhbT
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ooR87TABz
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePL6uxS8IM
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsAeuy8leH
------8964 copyright protection258ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRVA6S0Eey 維尼

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