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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UoPi52mBQ
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh8EeBWJLM
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEQVLgz6rA
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2LV2ezcER
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjcZapfEV8
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9coOLNeTs
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWbHySQmqS
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUoyaqhL8n
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxHXrqnz4D
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DbswNd5Hr
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMMdxyB2th
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYwJ3YpiJA
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZcyp4w7ct
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aeSE9syMd
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhd3XNqLae
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWbF5WBBXe
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0E63Vqh8No
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElgK2jsYVr
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAWI3R7Hrp
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85FlhOyf6d
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nJK66fJ0X
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6SSRDyyGf
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmz6VXgOtgE
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMoEPGuhCG
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhwoFGMOiS
"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm45usxJkzG
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScMHqetrLc
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsULCHpRN2l
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5lHNsEt0N
Evelyn.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhsbWJpJxR
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWbQWOsEEP
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HJGydI6uy
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95tCsP5xq
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdg1OHIq2v
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyalkG5pYP
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO81hPchVqE
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY8nviXZJe
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZiuQGz4zE
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk41TqQeDoh
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifQxV9iRZ9
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5pkBfGlpM
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSWj7bm0fz
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0yaOStQXl
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgQ3Tc1PyA
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNvSHSAZuK
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZObqSFyJ8d
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfbivOhGcX
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3me6OEVGj
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiKR8UYSt2
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡps67jEreWc
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD4opdy0Gr
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNy71pCxmr
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN50KDKhlCN
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhcaVVTRHr
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrxYI63PSX
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj3AFFAB6l
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmNZGSkYA5
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNJFxooBcQ
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm2p13C1tp
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSykIiPIe0P
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbhJXYOQhe
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5ajMYfAm7
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcZNVM1YiT
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqF1XQSEtS
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDRNzXxpQx
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisy11VfJgW
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcfSw2TTTF
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvupXbVUkR4
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEBRXA7Jcz
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAM3dDWZQt
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOl3ND7MbUP
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrPpe4vwxJ
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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."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWNUtdudlB
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1eak0bqrn
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsbtcob5P7
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqMyLkvVKK
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoJRQdCOQv
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaWLxIRfK5
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7yDyhcTUu
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCubKEEwRy
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H62xjuVta
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeLikbBgxZ
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Xd6H0L4V
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXA4fmjSbS0
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqZPJGLKFe
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGrgsWNuMt
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfhZcLCbcS
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlNu1cM6V8
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPtKZzgEG3
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLNZ1FX0X3
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7ZoUDTWGc
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbellJqsETM
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmLNKE1ReV
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PHdnjVKYh
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCj5tYZGYY
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyYd3y6HAW
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnZfpHbogg
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiGcRYPywL
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcNE7Rbdwm
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJwnIwCK3O
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtZtV2f9d2
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBFJeenaIa
"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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4RQjUDR2q
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUiH0lKaZs
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4nio8IACL
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgk07OfzNL
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogPQvCgjZp
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdWdQddWh4
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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2miXon07Y
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCy9AYQyUF
262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3CqpAIra4
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Penana
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