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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TlexMBC70
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhYYilQn8m
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoO0OYJQra
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgrczdpRhq
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3K3eHSmWaz
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5giWN7HMz7
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dhKtwf71V
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGid0MhrX7f
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunXLlBytVo
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W4phSKEP2
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO5qXsYhau
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWcaCxAjYy
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKS8lUQqR1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmbVn2SBlW
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEamvu5t0ow
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jp7LrzSGj
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVrHZOJa19
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1oWraY8OL
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQxKuYCIAL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdEF0Zmmrf
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVzOC0xN4u
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9OCw3c96b
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAQ9OdisnO
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8txILwd63g
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8IMGBw2xP
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASDk4s7nWf
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG4noFWc48
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1iEwSoMZv
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GBpip8XJF
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lkx3ptrSY
Evelyn.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbADNCPy1XL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PgkPMbCjN
She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypVUyxknBr
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2utlC6g4r
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO0w1Q2RHi
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad0SmWTd0V
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWhbPJIR1k
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8C7mS2rxJ
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLh8DBwJyu
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI84OrsEdpn
"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?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kAwzYSOvv
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKpmqiEDlV
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5T59aHoIP
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKtv6HYmbs
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCVSPhhQJu
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1lobsAjPr
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCH3oaXNww
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICZpDi62U3
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVU3htSxc6
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsMcvyjrSd
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLkWL8QKdm
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJD6yP7lpG
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oslORF6z9
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMJVKu5G2l
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkt5gpkFGAB
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBxyHJ8wSQ
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AjK2gAOOU
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NOVszijuh
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxdXQeuBr1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCjuuoq5tJ
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtJnn8F98K
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpx5vG7JWm
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?262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRThL6DN9hh
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DsoAw4LY8
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7VipqYVzw
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUa5iehBGOC
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7Dk2MfU2V
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXUcz3hkMz
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mMJQB0VWP
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw56FFs89f8
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?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdScXFlyRFv
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx4GbBxoLj
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHzWbaT452
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvOJXGeTcn
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6nrkOFt4A
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9Os6tHOjt
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."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡberEDA1oCS
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYOQECVXny
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh63O2eZz3
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNz2aGzREn
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDzNgeCRsA0
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrpuIndKUi
"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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNagEC7gOM
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPMH0Y9Ew4
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1db0877hA1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1Zg246HEm
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvU9OjABnK
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L4qdIzozV
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVStCaZu42
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxowiMAK8uY
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVyUs552Vo
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbuykEnsEA
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo2PBaGch8
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBIItH0Z2
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."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKVCPIFNPN
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXYDX7d3Yd
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."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGG3WSqDWS
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE575Pu7kq8
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc1Jg45i8Y
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kcJzf2soS
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoITzGMKtRa
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHNRT7zsM8
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb2yrhC1K6
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfdJVp1oxh
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!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkJWK4Awpw
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodVcXHA64W
"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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwGcZP30y1
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1ZY2cU8vb
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QfNQasVWo
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLRIeHJu8Y
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr47M4YYbA
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULo2s2aVF7
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.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlTZnalfEX
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTx2GDgH0V
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjutSsjP8B
-------
Penana
search
Loginarrow_drop_down
Registerarrow_drop_down
