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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSEOffcMjb
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTF80ModON
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He looked forward, turning on the torch to see where he's going and headed for the trees.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUJ74JauI6
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y2OksmjGi
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3BCPlWW4t
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"Do you always have to come through that way?" came a breathy voice behind him.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eZlQuaO0h
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHWZp5bWy0
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPHYmLI8Sy
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Mr. Sinclair turned around. "You might never know who's watching."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPrKIu0kX8
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uwPuIA2WR
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLThWjRuKnd
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDzIkA3msF
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Mr. Sinclair stopped within a few feet. He smiled. "I missed you, you old fool."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z9DCPyCqk
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5tw79g7dY
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"Ever since Emelda passed?" Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0rgsX55XF
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gmmxevYpr
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNZbHC09sf
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"Seems you're up to date," said Mr. Sinclair, not sounding surprised.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQOYovwp7k
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The man scoffed. "Why wouldn't I?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgwEKh3M54
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Mr. Sinclair raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask how she's doing?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhdcWhmR4j
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"Should I?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3S78YhdjT
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fZsVIhc6i
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclASl1Icjs
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"Well, you should because trouble woke up the moment she got here."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5iDct28xt
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The man paused for a bit, contemplating on what Mr. Sinclair said. "What do you mean?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCUMngq4h
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"Let's say that Emelda's enemies are after her."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DhLcxrUlM
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The man didn't say anything as he continued to look at Mr. Sinclair, contemplating.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU13gcGHD9
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"What does the girl got to do with all this?" he asked. "Does she know something that might threaten them?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2Bsb5okvN
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eu9ppI9dc
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"Then why attack her when she hasn't done anything?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7dYFqHYQa
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTVtzCTNLh
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"Is she?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RZElJozn6
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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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSs8Ik9TzT
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The man shrugged. "Who knows what she knows. That doesn't have to make her a target. Emelda's gone."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzl0agtR0d
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"Do you think it's because of her father?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCt2ZCloRZ
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2VcZOQ4t6
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4AAh1ZBP4
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFRFblOZ1t
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0skZhIy1X
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"She went to the cottage?" the man sounded surprised. "But how?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1sxhKbtdc
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIRtNTzLKI
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"Maybe they did."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcpGqwoIw5
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YpX4MIAK3
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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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNFPlOrtyS
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsFOZENRUU
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"She killed someone?" the man couldn't believe what he's hearing.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeL6XeE4Ct
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"She did. That's something her late grandmother wouldn't have wanted her to do."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh72IH7FlB
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bQpPiFaBC
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNB0FUH8Xa
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"You always have a reasonable explanation to counter mine, don't you?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVAlzZxDIE
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztT7ZJJDHJ
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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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhIcChGJ6g
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPymujWQYq
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"Miss Marie was there?" the man sounded surprised.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz09EyDeq8E
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"Yes."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcKqBmnk4g
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"That coffin-dodger. She needs to be in an old people's home where she belongs."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TvElveBdZ
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"Don't you've to go there too, old timer?" Mr. Sinclair smirked.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuG6au1maB
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"Never mind. About Rhénee..., looks like she still got it, huh?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvhLooo1Pm
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yHQLywkYy
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd21rnQzR3l
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynoceP0KiD
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"Is that why you called?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuM6JLYoXs
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"Yes. I know you'll do whatever it takes to protect Emelda's treasure."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnm2yHgaQ2
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"Why don't you do it?" the man asked as he turned his head to look at the stream.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZf5t0OLtJ
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkVGDEBynQ
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"If Rhénee is your main priority, why don't you protect her? You did make a promise to Emelda, right?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Kua3NXH3
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY7kVJmJdq
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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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Jvk0PKxvE
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"It's not that easy to snuff them out, you know?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZSQ9sKrXt
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pLoSDdoUo
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnwQwxRoPK
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"And for how long do you expect them to be that way until they mess up?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZb7yy6fw3
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"Soon. Very soon."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Oonn7a9kt
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"And so for the time being, you want me to keep an eye on Rhénee?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoF31Qgdz1
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"It's what Emelda would've wanted."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvwF0JIFWL
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtGIWw4H7V
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"I am. Asking for your help was never my idea. It was Emelda's."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMPQqS3nUG
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVx4XMov3e1
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"I'm not. Why would I even try?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGsNTkK0Ae
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"Because I've never liked you. You're so full of surprises."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCBZE3vwca
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Mr. Sinclair scoffed. "But I appreciate you, old man. And that's why I called to ask for your help."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwTx07RJxN
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqaYcTlE9W
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6llRqBXwxF
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UKZEmvlNw
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***525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS61T0MO4V
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIykTXdkzVO
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdUDb2SkbU
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHxfVIapUd
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUaDYRJqWY
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcknQyKuHT
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyL631j2xF
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"But it's my fault that he lost a finger."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6OzQzs8G4
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"Don't blame yourself. Don't ever blame yourself for something you know nothing about."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdg16C2mo8A
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFzhkcyPjW
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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?525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5i7iuSLpY
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"Miss Griselda," Rhénee took a brief look at her phone. They were close now.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwYA8JKPCg
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"What is it, dear?" Miss Griselda asked, looking at her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yAjofSPeF
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFEmeoulg6
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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?"525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gs6hIAdGB
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2idZ3vDsFb
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"Don't give yourself too much pressure. You're too young to be worrying so much."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bi9ZvmNDZ
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5guXDWhGjb
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr8x1pYRuX
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTKOTXB3cT
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"That was fast," said Kevin as he stood right in front of the two ladies.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQvHTTRxyc
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"We couldn't stay home a second longer," Miss Griselda said.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTutyJ5Wjv9
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"Are you okay, Rhénee?" Kevin turned to her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqsR5aX2SR
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcfxOB78aP
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzGL7ZSeQC
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"I agree," said Kevin. "Why these people are doing this is uncertain, but we'll find out either way."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrZx3Xoxuf
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ2ceXxQOn
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"We know," Miss Griselda said, "but we'll figure it out, I can promise you that."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjgWLrysye
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVsH1lIQTr
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"We better go inside," Rhénee said. "We can talk about this later."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyYyasNU1u
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRc2uXRkht
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"Hey, Rhénee, what's wrong?" came Kevin's voice.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekzD1CFF24
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECpFCEGQ8f
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"Sorry," Rhénee said, looking at him and then back. "I thought-" she shook her head. "Never mind."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcibVY2psJ3
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"Rhénee," Kevin came to stand beside her, "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR78L7XI60
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb7w4bGsC0
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"Let's talk inside," she said. "I don't feel comfortable out here."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqCgtLp4rV
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"Sure," Kevin agreed, "come in."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkK17ixbwPv
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5LYSbVBWo
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G2v0haJPT
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EzfA59bsS
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xrt2fyGB5
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"Did he tell you anything, Kevin?" Miss Griselda asked, turning to look at him.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMHf6aoYsN
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcnTTa4u1v
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQLZAPHosd
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"Please, sit down, Rhénee," Kevin said to her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iIuE5Vwro
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"I don't feel like it," Rhénee answered as she turned and walked towards the window.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIATdbFCWR8
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3ohE9hW3F
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"Let me get that wound cleaned up for you," said Miss Griselda as she stood up.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi52kTeQEoP
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"Do you think it's okay to move him around?" Kevin asked.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsjy5xxP87
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl57VyRn4XE
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"Then let me help you with him," Kevin offered as he also stood.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrcI5NGrEf
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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."525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbopqjKq36
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Kevin looked at Rhénee and gave Miss Griselda an assuring look that he'll do as she instructed.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy6vo5OQYV
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VvgLuUsAe
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaBg8Xqbvm
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He slowly made his way towards her. Suddenly, she turned to look at him and he stopped in his tracks.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW552zv2FOJ
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“I feel all this is my fault,” Rhénee spoke. She quickly turned back to look out the window.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3PrdjdsnJ
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe1fWv3XcZ
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOg9D7938d
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ep2ViSAwj
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“Do you think there’s someone watching out there?” Kevin asked.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN1L6GlqKc
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4TuDT9wfR
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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?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yaPJH0ObS
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“It’s just a feeling, more like a hunch.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3oOuGY41Z
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X2qyxnSR9
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Rhénee scratched the back of her head. “It might be fatigue like you’ve put it.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADtUDRR1Td
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“You better take a seat and rest. I mean, even Sophie looks more chilled than any of us right now.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHGyTPWq0O
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8rteZa3C8
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Rhénee chuckled. “She’s a cat for crying out loud.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UsSoifWaH
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“But you also have to relax. Don’t worry about a thing. I’m here.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LqPiaUFlT
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She shrugged and sighed at the same time. “I guess sitting down won’t hurt.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UOQFLYKW5
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Kevin smiled and held her hand. “Come on.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENKrqAYRhX
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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:525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsmuy3x3KH
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“Relax, Rhénee. Nothing is going to happen. And there’s no one out there.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlhvx60KfW
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqBNmti1vx
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBZUe5rvpE
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypt3UiCyo8
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“You stay put,” he said. “I’ll take a look around.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseeSeXf8sI
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“I want to help, Kevin. What if they had attacked him somewhere in the house?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VSppgzWo9
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“The only way we would know is if I check it out. Let me handle it, okay?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWr31oF64C
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZsD3HgMWS
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“If I find something, I’ll make sure to call you to come check it out,” he assured her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvB9PO8tSC
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbqASmmruL
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“Nothing is out of place here,” he told her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wn0RMZUz1
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“Did you look thoroughly?” Rhénee asked.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvyyXzw6R6
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt6AtqRLrr
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0HKbPj3Nb
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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!”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxObGulrn5
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“Rhénee, what is it?” Kevin asked as he came into view above the stairs.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkTyfmOUFt
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“Where’s Miss Griselda and Mr. Cowell right now?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bvHNU9TfC
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EzeJNunEH
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHzLdx8gvX
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUFfQ0jMmr
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRglCzzfJiv
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“She’s not here,” Rhénee muttered to herself. Kevin soon appeared behind her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfLip9ruhH
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“What the heck-?” Kevin couldn’t believe it.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUsvMGobMl
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“How could they've disappeared?” Rhénee asked as she entered the bathroom. Sophie and Kevin stood still by the door.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N3194dN1L
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“This is strange,” said Kevin. “Let me check the guest room.” He quickly rushed towards the room opposite the bathroom.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaOMW1Uwcl
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwMf4WLZPO
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRasMZrgXqF
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xioXwXnFo
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“This is bad. Could it be that Mr. Cowell isn’t injured at all?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmTzuIeiP0
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk6W2MuabX
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“If that’s the case, how did they get out of the house?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovAYdmpdrz
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFcmL2sshe
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXh0UnIik5
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“What is it?” he asked.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgR2BtL8HX
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“This smells like chloroform,” she answered.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zUwThjIvu
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBTamEwqeL
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“Definitely. Maybe we couldn’t hear her struggling because of the distance from here to the living room.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGmMdi19LG
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“That makes sense, but what about his escape route? He couldn’t have used the tiny window in here.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh5v2IKKmm
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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?525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYr9KPGD7g
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKBF86VpTD
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sbNxM79uw
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“His way was through here,” said Rhénee.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKo5MbwYUB
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYSKSTfkOY
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzLkBRkO4T
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQTsfZgyfe
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm1VWIMbmq
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“That’s weird. I’ve known the man for years. For him to pull off something like this is shocking.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XKV1JB8Es
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vohhlJxut
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HZ4zafGHB
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaYXhwFOtF
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9HGUITcOT
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rBK7vlZDs
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“This door is locked too,” she told him. “We’ve to find a way out of here quickly.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHtM0etRpv
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“It’s too dark. We need a torch or something.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoExQaaZY0
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfg9aiRdkA
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“Let’s try and see if there’s anything we can use to break the door open.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzDFcwrmkc
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmvwjxEykV
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“Rhénee, something’s wrong,” he told her.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfXn3RDHP1
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She stopped searching and turned to look at him. “What is it?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkz3NRmsVDl
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“There’s no phone service.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWN1OJeMti
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnOXdTJkNS
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“Strange,” she said. “Didn’t you call me from here when I was home?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBCrvW98F7
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“I did. There’s always network in this neighbourhood. I’m surprised that it’s gone all of a sudden.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBNwKnGzpC
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“Could it be that there’s something jamming the signal so that we couldn’t call anyone for help?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nC6wR0lix
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“That wouldn't sound so unusual, right?”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRww6i85OR
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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.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2XugzPbZw
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“Then let’s find something to open the door and get out of here.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOkF03uPiX
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“I’ll go look in the living-room. I can’t find anything here in the foyer.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXvoWolNDt
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“I’ll go check the kitchen.”525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQZfexEFpL
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbwn6H8mt1
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsB2Y5X5GF
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSqnUOXdYq
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoxg4OGr3s
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnxFUZ6LcM
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvpF8JY4DB
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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.525Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGdyI0ocXb
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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 protection521ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7iPErDfid 維尼

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