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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWMwas9a6S
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw04134Suay
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2w45mVfT6X
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLcEQgfnJR
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7BOJ33xas
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7rHhoh5FU
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeGNtXaXq4
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKXQSXk5vl
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzjvn7AkO5
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVUCexZgw7
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNm2Tl40VEQ
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoolHiK0fvy
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzMCWxLRrv
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgUXcwsjXY
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66k65nJGZP
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj2cKvgKcR
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXYzmGVMEc
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe4mSpV6hr
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsSkxi9Gqw
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1p0Jygurh
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64eWHoEv8K
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQPlbujzvA
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxdymeoqBL
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2THIP5bun
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2C1v39nAtt
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Rpjvc2qlF
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrFB5mfUNP
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RGiG1Rrfu
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQMfUqjGjM
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMeXNVvH6j
Evelyn.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡee9H0kFrEW
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrD13BWXK1
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LtDGJf6RA
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgZ9HHSwIs
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2LTljCa3W
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNfHbErK45
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pp5XmtazD
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMHDldIH9Q
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6pUMlvsUr
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEmBDkxRHh
"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?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0zHauuKVO
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0crhpLIKi
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAoHWCIoQL
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVizOBBfo9
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgyHFv0QWm
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuVDce0WYa
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAlhnlZpNc
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc62xhjRBs
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DRvoOGyWn
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKNKzT036k
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuVJPOLzrf
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQySvUTOtLP
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sCcuECCsy
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu65JkjwZK
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGiZLjbEfW
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXNRctP75H
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK6CBCOMxo
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ueS1LC4Y
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVbRsoC4Ke
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGKbOhRBqj
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEvOTE5Gum
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdk23Cl7g9
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?366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyolRWqTcn
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6nqUUQFVy
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GxvMJeYEQ
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYJj43aEpd
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyK7teG3U1
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvHStzOCCV
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18kw6LEPxi
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo06w60I9XC
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?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBRgxOsc3P
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAKjlWsqBE
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8p79ipY6v
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWLoEFyzAM
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHYgOKz6xW
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo6CluoJri
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."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfakuLP5qf
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5FwyNrumv
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBUf0cAPkB
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OgqbXBZiM
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf1jCC6DkQ
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2E8TIZvzMs
"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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHo7l2PcEoD
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnNotp7ZKB
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtaFVaenqh
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMsfS3rkTV
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmA3KHr3QK
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVUYgPJPeJ
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhD2MDfnP5
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHR1KQexZIC
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZzH9WU1KH
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwBhx7SVuF
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OBdpcpt4U
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEv8RtOmNL
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."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89e2rdFeFi
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRJafnrH4E
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."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn7uovhkoB
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLlDObmN51
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUNsuvfHFG
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsRjwXDsQn
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtLbjXs10S
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVoUsG0uQZ
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVqNb0Kx30
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMKufWDQjs
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!"366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAbRr2Rru0
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ348RsnWdqO
"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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pzagBAb7D
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfULIXkmyG
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtjL1HtMvN
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzNUvW1DWb
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw4c451tYW
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur1nTlWbu5
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.366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWOfkghzdf
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFbghhDrSe
366Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe3iOfZ1gG
-------8964 copyright protection362ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBEo86bvLg 維尼

216.73.216.139