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The sound of the car's engine roared smoothly, and the chirping of the nocturnal insects filled his ears as he drove through the woods. He had left the main dirt road and took a turn down another that only he, and a few others knew about. No one in the day would even notice it, that's if they look hard enough. Anyone would think it's just a simple trail someone made to get out of the woods faster. But to the man in his car, it's more than that. This road led somewhere that only he and a few others had visited before.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAbUcRPRmN
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He soon came to a stop as the trees in front of him were now clustered together that there was no way through for the car to pass. He killed the engine and the car's headlights died down. The man looked to the passenger seat and took the torch that lay there. He removed his keys from the ignition and got out of the car, making sure to lock it. He knew no one would've followed him, but you couldn't be too careful with anything.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CDiA71Avl
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEICqEnpwS1
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The sound of running water, alongside the sound of crickets filled his ears. He's close. He continued his way forward, stepping on broken twigs and leaves in his wake.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CjrHer6md
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Soon, he could see the bright light from the moon find it's way through the trees and the sound of the flowing water became even louder. He stepped out into the clearing and found himself standing at the banks of the stream. With the light coming from the moon, he turned off the torch.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMucdKYM4T
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQlS6jckLc
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The man smiled as he pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Why don't you ever understand that I want to stay hidden?" he asked. "And besides, I'm not the only one."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmG0OqDz2VR
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The man with the breathy voice scoffed. "Who would ever think you're here? You worry about everything all the time when you're always careful with what you do."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRnFMPZpkX
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkycZ0nOQc
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"You and your paranoia," said the other man who just like Mr. Sinclair, wore black clothes, except that his was a heavy, long coat and Sinclair wore an all black suit.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlalEr5Tm5
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Mr. Sinclair rolled his eyes and approached the man. "I see you're still the reckless type. I shouldn't be surprised."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAw39L6jd2
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The man shot Mr. Sinclair a deadly look. Even when the light didn't fall on the man's face, Mr. Sinclair could tell that the man's dark eyes were straight on him with the usual grim look Sinclair knew so well.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP65974sLsX
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdpipSo5iI
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"Bah, you're as annoying as ever, Sinclair," said the man, sounding irritated. "Now tell me, what's been going on in this little town of yours? Not much happens anymore."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qQx8CiDMv
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTKhLAerZB
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The man continued to look at Mr. Sinclair as silence passed between them. He turned to look towards the stream before looking up at the clear night sky.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg10sH1LSbo
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"It still feels like yesterday when she left us," said the man, his gaze resting on the moon. "I hear her grand-daughter is in town."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0bbGVPzE2
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCQ8z8xRMx
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vaXjFiNSa
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjokPrWLI4R
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"Should I?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8aMf3GN9E
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Sinclair sighed. "Thank goodness she doesn't know you enough for you to welcome her. She would've received a bad reception."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXrJyzEk8o
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"Like I said, why would I even ask how she's doing? I'm not close to her to even care."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbko3L7geNJ
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP5vzCJeLO
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs2SoWFf8d
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuYxJMerBl
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfosvaFz4Be
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1bsOZQxYA
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalI5T6obZt
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Mr. Sinclair shook his head. "As far as I know, she doesn't know anything. Not even the past drama that surrounded her late grand-mother."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor1wzfJupt
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBN3AVinbO
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"That's what I don't understand." Mr. Sinclair turned his head to look at the dark flowing stream to his side. "She hasn't been here in years, yet she's being attacked like she's a threat."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNdw2Tmlvt
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"Is she?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb5xSZVNan
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Mr. Sinclair turned to look at the man before him. "Is she?" he repeated the question, sounding rather confused by it. "You think she knows something?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHRRQmrijs
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs248Wgjdc
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3dQcgTcKb
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"That could be the case. But if they were just mere thugs who only want money, they would've kidnapped her by now."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJF9q4PUT8C
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"Ya, you're right. But there could be other reasons related to her father that they would try to threaten her."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1oSXzZOSu
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The man raised his eyebrow. "I forgot about that. That man wasn't as perfect as everyone thought him to be."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2mX0vggHt
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Mr. Sinclair cleared his throat. "Let's not go there. Let's say they are attacking Rhénee because of that, why drag her into Emelda's past? I should tell you that she went to Emelda's cottage and the aftermath wasn't pretty."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6K49LTuIE
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06EEAdcoeu
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"She was obviously told to. I'm surprised she managed to find it. They couldn't have told her how to get there."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lENCAnbhE
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"Maybe they did."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm04vPEg2yT
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"If the people Rhénee's dealing with are who we think they are, they probably didn't tell her. Or maybe they told her because they wanted her in their grasp."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qpmQXLyq7
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"I'm going with the latter, it makes more sense. You said what happened at the cottage was deadly. Did she get hurt?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYP3N6MMmmJ
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"Quite the contrary," Mr. Sinclair smiled when he spoke. "She managed to escape and save one of her friends by eliminating the enemy."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzztBleFoZ0
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYLMslweFM
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1OaP062cE
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"Don't sound so sympathetic, Sinclair," the man snarled. "What did you want her to do? Watch her friend die? She knew that if she let that happen, she would be next."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDkz2qBJom
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The corner of Mr. Sinclair's lips were raised to a smile. "A fairly reasonable answer. But naturally, she acted like a good friend would."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4yVb74cqr
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoE9mSviRXV
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"Rhénee's like her grand-mother. More like her mother in a way, but you can't deny that she attained some of her grand-mother's attributes."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIwRR1b685
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The man in front of Sinclair, humphed. "I can't believe you on that one. You said she killed someone. How did she do it?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qTMyZAZTR
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Mr. Sinclair smiled. "She shot him, of course. Miss Marie gave her a gun and she did the only thing necessary to save her friend."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiLkmEQeY6
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNeMi52fNC
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"Yes."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQtquvLTRN
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wHdIJrwqz
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2iEsacHbT
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr5wiOpsQJ
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"Her aim? I would say it's spot on. Hit the man right in the head," Mr. Sinclair pointed his index finger to the head, "and square on the chest," his finger moved to point to his chest.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2I3Zw7JGw
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The man folded his arms as he tilted his head to the side. "If you ask me, her late grand-mother would be proud of her for defending herself and her friend."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6vXSjGAjs
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"That's because she's being dragged into something she knows nothing about. We just need to play our part and do whatever we can to stop this from going any further."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQXJPSgFjx
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"Is that why you called?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbgFcXJHxk
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBIcCTiqYM
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d0IUGu28l
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"My people working on the ground are already tied up and they can't do everything at once. That's why I called you."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI97bi6QqUM
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhvFjMwJqh
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"I did," Mr. Sinclair closed his eyes as his right index finger pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "But like I said, there are other priorities I've to take care of. Like Emelda's enemies, for example."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcjgoABrNT
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"Don't you have them in your sights? How long are you going to look for people who are right under your very nose?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrjxB5vyZS
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡputJwNj5HW
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"Psst. You're just weak and too soft for my liking, Sinclair. You know who they are, but you can't grab them by the throat and deal with them."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruNJm6NFK5
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"Like I said, it's not that simple. They know how to play the game, old man. It's not going to be easy. Everyone's playing their cards right at the moment."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A1e22OZkt
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkI6zCVROrJ
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"Soon. Very soon."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WdUSfPSKe
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1nb34j3Bz
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaDWt7QLhA
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"Don't bring Emelda into this," the man sounded offended. "I don't know why she trusted you so much to take care of her affairs when you simply can't protect her grand-daughter."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZGzMsBAet
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkipVMIT8T
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The man almost laughed as he felt all this is nothing but a joke. "Stop playing with dead people's wishes, Sinclair."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoerH9Lnqz
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6Y9gB5sa5
484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMI8fUEydT
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tqrIuuvwz
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gha02WRaQ
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The man waved his hand in disdain at Sinclair and turned around to leave. "You asked the wrong person. Go find someone else to do your bidding because I'm not going to."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBywqzS2N5
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As soon as the man started to walk away, Mr. Sinclair said, "do it for Emelda. You know deep down that she would've wanted you to."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gW3DD2WG1
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The man hissed as he continued to walk away from Sinclair and into the dark forest, leaving a trail of nothingness behind him.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFsUIGXsDr
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***484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayBU1bPUxQ
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Rhénee glanced at Miss Griselda who sat right beside her on the passenger's seat with her hands together and close to her moving lips that didn't make a sound. She was praying, and Rhénee thought it best not to say anything. When she told Miss Griselda about Mr. Cowell's condition, she had been like that since.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpPzVTCik6
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Sophie sat in between Rhénee and Miss Griselda and didn't even once let out a meow. Rhénee noticed the cat through the corner of her eye give Miss Griselda a look a few times, then look away instantly. If there's another thing that amused Rhénee about Sophie, is how the cat could read the room like a sensible person would. Rhénee thought she shouldn't think about it so much, especially since it brought up the thought of how Sophie knew where the cottage was.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0yWikHrY7
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She looked at her phone held up on the dashboard by a car phone holder with her hands on the steering wheel. Kevin had sent her the coordinates to Mr. Cowell's house and the phone screen displayed the map and the direction in which to go. They were almost there.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZCcSQ1oFx
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The good part about the neighbourhood they were in, is that there were still people walking around at this time. And the place didn't feel like anything had stirred up a frenzy, like "Mr. Cowell lost a finger" kind of frenzy.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN1nDUeXel
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"You don't have to get so worked up, Miss Griselda," Rhénee said as soon as she noticed that Miss Griselda had finished praying. "If there's anyone who's supposed to be praying, it's me."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kbNmIf3Zk
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"Don't be foolish, dear," said Miss Griselda, "Mr. Cowell has been my friend for a long time. Of course, I'll worry and pray for him."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51DTppHoqM
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFmOQETHQm
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB0YrgIEnK
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Rhénee didn't know what to say as she kept her eyes on the road. They were a few houses away from their destination. Miss Griselda's last statement got her thinking. When she came to Madison, she thought everything will be fine. She inherited her late grand-mother's house and her fortune, so she had nothing to worry about if it came to her future. And she was delighted to come back to a place she considered her second home in years. Now she's faced with a problem involving her late grand-mother that she knew nothing about, turning her whole life into a nightmare. All she has as clues is the cottage in the forest and the sapphire necklace which led absolutely nowhere.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiYrEYMpNw
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Maybe Miss Griselda's right, Rhénee thought. She has no idea what's going on and she didn't know why all this is tied around her late grand-mother. She's no more. What could she have been involved in that they had to trouble Rhénee?484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZmmbrLqNb
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3ScSFPzIm
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIVNWiAnMq
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Rhénee thought twice about what she wanted to ask as she found herself stopping the car. They were finally here. Mr. Cowell's house had a white wooden fence demarcating his house from his neighbour's on either side. She noticed someone standing right on the front porch looking over at her car. It's Kevin.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrwHrvhfHd
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"Rhénee," Miss Griselda called and Rhénee in response quickly turned to look at her. "Weren't you about to say something?"484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnDZV66lf0
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The question will have to be wait, Rhénee decided as she shook her head and said, "it's nothing. I've a lot on my mind and forgot what I wanted to ask you."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuY6DKe6qt
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FskySIoUA
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"I started worrying the moment I started to reason," Rhénee gave Miss Griselda a smile. She turned the key in the ignition and the car engine died down. "Let's go."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsgwPmqiFF
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The two women got out of the car with Sophie jumping out after Rhénee. Rhénee locked the car and Miss Griselda came round to stand beside her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTD0ABv3mu
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They were about to make their way towards the house when they found Kevin already walking towards them. He opened the wooden gate in front of him.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClpXDI3g8Y
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSD2rSrzhn
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYvjny5qZP
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgq107EzZ7
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"I'm fine," she responded. "I just have to see how he's doing. It's my fault that this happened."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAh1cyY3Kt
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Miss Griselda held Rhénee's shoulder firmly that Rhénee turned to look at her. "What did I tell you earlier, dear? Don't blame yourself for something that you know nothing about."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnWU4GNVa1
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBal9ZPWoPb
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"And if we do, are we going to stop them?" Rhénee asked. "If you haven't noticed, we're dealing with very dangerous people."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKQO38Nnc7
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8UGrhd6BN
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Rhénee wanted to oppose and say that it isn't going to be possible, but she realised that she didn't come to debate on how to deal with a menace that neither has a face nor a name. She's here to see Mr. Cowell.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTepZJqstr
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiOuB1DQII
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Kevin and Miss Griselda nodded. With Kevin leading the way towards the house, the two women and Sophie, followed. The closer they got to the house, the more Rhénee started to look around. She had the strangest feeling that someone's hiding somewhere nearby with their eyes on her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZnKchwQ4g
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8P7hA8k0h
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Rhénee soon found herself standing on the porch of the front door which stood open. Miss Griselda had already gone in while Kevin stayed by the door, waiting for Rhénee. She looked around the yard and beyond for something that might not even be there.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97bs2m2L9S
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNjRV6wX75
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPAeX2DQ3q
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She turned to look at Kevin and realised that he wasn't going to stop asking. She almost shook her head, but then the feeling kept coming back. She tried her best not to turn her head and look around. Doing that would only make Kevin worry more.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ761wqjrxpc
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSWwTrVYwa
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMj5jyiddI
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Rhénee went right through the door, stepping into Mr. Cowell's house and finding herself in the small foyer. A wooden coat hanger stood at the corner and a key hanger stuck onto the wall. There were three pairs of men's shoes near the coat hanger neatly arranged on the floor. She suspected that Mr. Cowell lived alone. As far as she knows, his wife had passed away years ago.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6we5a1t94G
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Kevin closed the door behind her and led the way to the living room, by-passing the stairs. They found Miss Griselda seated on one of the coffee brown sofas, right next to Mr. Cowell, who wore a dark green bomber jacket. Rhénee noticed him holding his bloody, bandaged left hand closer to his chest, getting blood on the jacket. Miss Griselda looked at him with a comforting hand on his shoulder. Rhénee stood at the entrance of the livingroom while Kevin went over to seat on the sofa opposite Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkbvcfHfP8
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"Who did this to you?" Miss Griselda asked Mr. Cowell, her voice sounding strained. Almost like she was about to burst into tears.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZErjDIB3vI
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Mr. Cowell shook his head. Rhénee noticed him shivering a little. He still looked shocked and frightened, like a little lost puppy that had almost drowned in a river but had managed to survive. Rhénee could only wonder what the man had been through. And it felt like it was all her fault.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YcCNhNvsG
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIbUCv3eo4
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Kevin shook his head. "No, he hasn't talked at all. He didn't even answer the door when I first came to check on him. Luckily it was open and I found him seated here on the sofa just like he is right now."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR24gzj4TXq
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Rhénee sucked her teeth, folded her arms and felt like kicking something. Miss Griselda and Kevin turned to look at her, looking even more worried.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpISguQTKrw
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoEr6BhbP8
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDn2FVWhHas
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Kevin turned to look at Miss Griselda and she gave him the same look. Miss Griselda turned to Mr. Cowell who still hadn't said a word.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrZ9W9SPLj
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDWuSSy5H0
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU9HFr5Qb7
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"Well, I've to. I bet his wound hasn't been cleaned properly. I'll take him to the bathroom downstairs."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXM8JYL8ij
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxakUedAuc
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"No, you stay here." Miss Griselda gave Rhénee a brief glance. She had now drawn the curtain aside to look outside. "You need to keep an eye on her."484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNMNLCQs29
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzipyTV8j7m
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Miss Griselda nodded and turned to look down at Mr. Cowell. She bent lower to wrap her arm under his, so as to help him up. She spoke kindly, telling him to stand, and surprisingly, he slowly did, though he still didn't utter a word nor a sound. Kevin watched on at the pair as Miss Griselda supported Mr. Cowell, making their way out of the livingroom, at a steady pace.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07hB5TGHzU
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Kevin turned towards Rhénee, who still had her eyes fixed on the window. She might not look scared, but he could tell that something isn't right. She had a different aura than the one she had after the shooting incident.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvJ5kRk3rF
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsT0rZes6G
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugtIhV6l8k
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“Don’t say that,” said Kevin as he stood close. “Miss Griselda told you earlier that you shouldn’t say such things.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtBkcA9rA2
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“I know, but either way, it still feels like it. Malcom almost died today, and now we know that the finger we found back at the house is Mr. Cowell’s. If you were in my shoes, you would blame yourself too.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ffEX0oI9z
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Kevin didn’t argue there. She's right. Anyone in her shoes would definitely blame themselves. Right now, he had to get her head clear from such thoughts, but he realised he didn’t know how to.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqQxTQjXiI
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1AxFS67XJ
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Rhénee didn’t answer, until she drew back the curtains. “I didn’t want to worry you, but yes. I feel we’re being watched.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfErQBbJSBi
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Kevin quickly drew the curtains aside from the other end and frantically looked out of the window. “How do you know? Did you see anyone?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3k4qbVaOL
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdzDmwGz1m
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“Maybe you’re just imagining things after the shooting incident.” Kevin turned to look at her, drawing back the curtains. “Not to mention that you haven’t even rested.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkMOY2VS90
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXeTIKKVPZ
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt228w83Z8F
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They went on to look at Sophie who had made herself comfortable on one of Mr. Cowell’s sofas, curled up and purring soundly.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zfRCKIC3f
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSJ1ahVLPG
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhbXsNHYwu
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXiomu0zho
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WijMzHyBq
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He led her towards the sofa and they both sat. Rhénee still looked a little uneasy that Kevin had to look at her and say:484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyAqthav9m
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsacH8idDEZ
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“Well, that’s what you think,” said Rhénee as she folded her arms. “And I feel uncomfortable here. They probably attacked Mr. Cowell in this very house and no one apart from us knows about it.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRACefbc2Z
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Kevin started to look around. “Now that you mention it, the place doesn’t look like anyone broke in or there had been a struggle.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ7z3vcEni
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Rhénee also started to look. The place looked to be in order. There weren’t any broken items on the floor or anything that looked like it wasn’t supposed to be where they were. Kevin held her shoulder and shook his head.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLN9AiToWO4
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2FJdgebQ3
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpvTp5ZLJq
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr38Ov4Ssqy
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Rhénee couldn’t argue as she nodded. If she tried to stand, she imagined he would just push her back onto the couch.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjO6KCrhjg
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUqDigWo32
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He started to make his way out of the living-room and first went to the kitchen. Rhénee watched him as he disappeared behind the kitchen door. She had a strong urge to get up from the sofa and make her way towards the stairs. But no sooner had she thought about it did Kevin walk out of the kitchen.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIeMfiNZjk
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsJmWYnFan
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgbxI61fW5
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“The place is just fine,” said Kevin as he started to make his way out of the living-room to head to the stairs. “I’ll go check upstairs.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEn5iDLzG15
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Rhénee watched him go, seeing him climb up the stairs. As soon as she was sure that he's gone, she stood. She looked around first and soon felt something is wrong. Could it be Mr. Cowell had been attacked somewhere else? It’s a possibility. She remembered the bloody cloth that covered his injured hand. There would’ve been traces of blood somewhere on the floor or anywhere near the living room area even if he had been attacked elsewhere and came back.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINs3U7ee0Y
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“Kevin!” Rhénee called out to him as she rushed quickly for the stairs. Her shout made Sophie wake up and jump off the sofa. “Kevin!”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iIB5R0hWm
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToXYa007Ym
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD6boDzCor
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“They are in the bathroom down the hall,” Kevin said, pointing to the hall to his right. “Miss Griselda wanted to clean his wound.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzugq37nlw
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Rhénee’s eyes bulged out in fright. “Oh, no,” she muttered and made a run down the hall with Sophie right at her heels.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6rsjjOnPd
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Kevin reached the bottom of the stairs and ran after Rhénee. “It’s the door to the right!” he called out.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyHf5vGxvv
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Rhénee got to the bathroom and found the door slightly open. “Miss Griselda, are you in there?” she called out. No response. Rhénee quickly pushed the door open and to her surprise, the bathroom's empty.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd8gOt625J
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2r99YJGFW
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc2bpYhUO8
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtv1DsnfPYv
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMXrxXIr7N
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Rhénee started to look around and noticed that there wasn’t a first aid box or anything that might have been used to clean Mr. Cowell’s wound. Kevin came rushing back and the look on his face told Rhénee what she feared had happened.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogJH0EnuOx
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“They aren’t in here,” he said. “How could they have left the house? There’s no way out through this hall.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEeIsL4MF4
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“I don’t know,” Rhénee said, trying not to sound or act agitated. But with what’s going on, she couldn’t help but fear the worst.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasrs2hn9sJ
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpTqpPRXu8
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“So it seems. There are no blood stains anywhere in the house and the place is in perfect condition. He isn’t injured, and when we got distracted, he took the opportunity to kidnap Miss Griselda.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ4lHuIoKe
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecdehzZDUi
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“Good question,” Rhénee went back to looking around. “There has to be something here that might help us figure out what might have happened.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzen98htUvS
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She immediately spotted something in the bathtub: the cloth that Mr. Cowell had used to cover his somewhat injured hand. Rhénee looked at it and realised that the red colour on the cloth isn’t blood, but red dark ink. There's a white cloth near the bathtub faucet. She slowly picked it up. There wasn’t any stain on it but she did catch a whiff of something. She drew it a little closer to take a sniff and the smell quickly made her cringe. Kevin came inside the bathroom as soon as she made that face.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3UlvDZC4c
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“What is it?” he asked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqYIu1qmaS
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIw0vkdqEOd
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Kevin also took a sniff and drew his head faster than expected. “Could he have used it on Miss Griselda?” he asked.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfQlmD6ZQS
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns5mS8ZVof
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy23dmNROIF
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Rhénee turned towards the wall where the window was. Kevin’s right. He couldn’t have considering that he not only had himself to escape, but the unconscious Miss Griselda to carry. So how did he get out?484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7crlcKIYE
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She continued to look at the window when she noticed something off with the white bathroom wall tiles. They didn’t seem to be in line with each other. She noticed four vertical tiles out of line and as she looked downwards, she noticed that the tiles were bent too.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwyJxiAHsH
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She entered the bathtub and went on to touch them. They didn’t feel like they were part of the wall. They felt hollow. She turned to look at Kevin.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCa6vfDNt3
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXITjmCPOe
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“Really?” Kevin also entered the tub and realised what she meant. The bent tiles were almost like a secret door that led outside.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDXWpldyo4
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“We’ve found his way out,” said Rhénee. “We just have no idea where they are or how he opened this thing.” Rhénee started to feel around the wall for anything to open the door.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXvWWFoeZ0
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“Why would Mr. Cowell pull such a stunt?” Kevin asked as he came out of the tub and held out his hand to help Rhénee out of it.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG77jP6Bo1r
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“It seems he’s working for whoever is after me,” Rhénee said as she held Kevin’s hand and climbed out.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJdGUu9V37
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo3JIC2Tan
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“That comes to show that we all don’t know each other well and that people will always have their own agenda. Come, let’s go check outside.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVuzwkFHd7
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With the cat, they rushed out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen. But before they could make it through the backdoor, the entire house became dark all of a sudden. They paused, wondering what’s going on.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxcqL40hb7
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“Did someone forget to pay the electricity bill?” Rhénee jokingly asked as she slowly approached the backdoor with Kevin already in front of her. Despite the lights going out, the light coming from the house next door slightly streamed its way through the kitchen window.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcG7l2UvDrb
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“I doubt that,” Kevin said as he reached the door first. “Something’s not right here.” He tried the door knob and it didn’t turn. “Darn it! We’re locked in.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cF13iqj8h
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Rhénee couldn’t believe it. She turned around and started to make her way out of the kitchen for the front door. She had to be careful as some parts of the house were pitch black. When she got to the door and tried to open it, it wouldn’t budge. She heard footsteps and knew Kevin is coming behind her. She turned around to look at him in the dark.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lkdZFNskl
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE35YZuXgOu
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacg0PTeHBv
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“Goodness, why didn’t I think of it?” Rhénee asked herself as she pulled out her phone that she had in her pocket and quickly turned the phone’s torch on.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIlY43N2ov
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T5ZEftnHB
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Kevin also took his phone out of the pocket and switched on the torch. Rhénee went on ahead to check for anything she could use to open the door by the coat hanger. Kevin looked at his phone and an expression came on his face.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDsUQp5URX
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4BnFOctJ7
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCul2lYkp3G
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“There’s no phone service.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVCj11DAWi
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“Huh?” Rhénee came to stand right beside him to take a look at his phone. The signal icon at the top of the screen showed an ‘x,’ meaning no network. She went on to also check her phone. It's the same with hers.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0UaLDaWFr
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PepyD0Rd2
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGox2aOwIi
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElTOoqhqaJ
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyzH3tK5M4
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“This means, we’re stuck and Miss Griselda is probably far gone that we can’t catch up.” Rhénee shook her head. “I refuse to stay here. Miss Griselda is in danger and we need to find her.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1fnDtMaIx
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkAp5kDdYf
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCRvzA2NXF
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEWBVui4zg
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Kevin and Rhénee split up with their phones acting as torches. As Rhénee looked around the living-room, she thought she heard something from up the stairs. She shrugged the thought away, thinking she's hearing things. She went on to look behind the curtains when she heard the sound again. She wanted to call out to Kevin, whom she heard in the kitchen. If they weren't the only ones in the house, who else could be here with them? She didn’t like this. It’s the same feeling she felt when she thought there was someone watching them from outside. Could it be that the person managed to get in? And if so, then both she and Kevin are in trouble.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCS73igU7F
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She looked at the open entrance of the livingroom and heard a creak by the stairs. There's definitely someone in the house. They were doing their best to come down the stairs quietly, but she could hear footsteps.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBIZsInyK9
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She thought of going to Kevin in the kitchen  but it felt a little risky. She thought it best to confront this person face to face. It's stupid, but it's too late to involve Kevin now.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgYwgn16JU
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Sophie brushed the side of Rhénee's foot, turning her attention to the cat. Sophie's green eyes shined brightly in the dark like little green bulbs. She could use the cat to throw the person off. She heard creaking again. The person had finally reached the bottom of the stairs. Rhénee silently knelt on the floor and hid behind the couch right next to the curtain. She also made sure to turn the torch off. She could hear the person make his or her way into the livingroom.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPyrMlnU7w
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Rhénee felt her heart beat. She realised that she felt the same way she did earlier when she was in the woods. Could this person also be working for the mysterious man who had told her to go to the cottage? If she could manage to capture the person, she might just hold him captive and get some answers.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCWquIzOQG
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She looked at Sophie next to her and the cat stared right back. They could hear the person's footsteps coming closer. It's time. Rhénee gave Sophie a nod and the cat swiftly disappeared out of sight like it was never there.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0t1uxmPI1
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Rhénee took a little peak from behind the couch and saw the person approach the coffee table. She couldn't make out the person in the dark, but she guessed it's a man. She patiently waited for Sophie to make her move and hoped for everything to go as planned. But deep down, she knew that's unlikely to happen.484Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrHMIPr0Pf
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The person in the dark suddenly jumped with fright as Sophie's bright green eyes lit up in the dark. The cat angrily hissed. Rhénee got startled by the person's reaction but was quick to respond to the situation and jumped out from behind the sofa towards the person in the dark.8964 copyright protection480ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ix5j3DYy 維尼

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