The silence didn't last long. A low, guttural moan echoed through the mansion, sending a chill down my spine. It was coming from the direction of the study.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzmiYkaCmu
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"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBKgU9vHwo
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"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq0HiMx66a
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEbBdTNRO8
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYVOCpU838
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsatKnKe3dO
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL7aFZSFM6
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My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMP57atehq
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The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloxb60Xa0a
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWsZlwdRap
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19NJuWX4Ap
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM98mNqmlI2
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqp1HkF7ai
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ101hjZTSQD
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks0zxXQL98
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The footsteps grew louder, and the air seemed to grow colder. The shadows in the hallway shifted, and a figure emerged—a hunched, humanoid shape with glowing eyes and a grotesque snarl.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jVkjTr3ZG
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"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7BmDI08qk
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The others didn't need to be told twice. We scattered, the others disappearing into one room while I pulled Sasha into another. I slammed the door shut and bolted it, the creature's moans echoing behind us.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvnEJRzNH0
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"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDKC0PFDcS
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I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ghyacnX4
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Evelyn.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4BQXj4GHH
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3xBvsxoZU
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRZHGZyARA
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0vE6TSWJJ
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"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTAcZ1UKur
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"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFODXYErQe
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"I did," Evelyn said, shrugging. "I got back a while ago. I didn't want to disturb you guys, so I came up here. I thought you'd left already. Do you know what time it is?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q9RDgLsKz
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"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hr7ULltX7
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The creature's moan came again, louder this time, and Sasha gripped my hand tighter, her nails digging into my skin. A cold chill ran down my spine.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs2dtndWeF
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"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6PvfiJ0he
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"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZebXqGUQE
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Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeOXmZqJds
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKFrSrCebs
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ70cptAEVi
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgtknJlbBS
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECKpXPXG24
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMll8f15mC1
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkNEov6Hmn
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"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCxEN5ztW5
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvikztAEku
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJZuKPf8sK
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Evelyn walked toward the curtains and pulled them apart, revealing a hidden door. It was small and unassuming, but the sight of it sent a chill down my spine. What else was hidden in this mansion?258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVB9bD9JFMc
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She pushed the door open, and we stepped into a walk-in closet. Hendrick, Maya, and Masha were already there, huddled together in the corner. Hendrick stood with a clothes hanger in his hands, pointed at the door like a weapon. His face was pale, and his clothes were stained with dark, drying blood.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy6zCkNgU2
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"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jwIQudg8N
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"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcbFOPoAC9
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But Evelyn wasn't listening. Her eyes were fixed on Hendrick's bloodied appearance. "What the hell happened to you?" she demanded, her voice rising with panic. "And why is there blood all over your body?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXH5EZknjI
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"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXceXPIJ2m9
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"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e3mAxmLXv
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Hendrick staggered back before sitting on the floor, his face pale and his hands trembling. "Earlier at school today, when I heard you talking with Evelyn about coming here, I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity. A chance to grab some valuables without anyone noticing."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklUgyms855
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"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lo5SgcbZ8
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbjNPRhPzu
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnLSI6nsei
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"So that was a lie when you told me my sister and Evelyn were talking about doing drugs after school?" Maya asked, her voice trembling with betrayal.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HFJmZWHeq
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"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuJAgk7RHK
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h1Xzpd1Vv
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OMJFD0jv
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZamhcgWOPV
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFveureBAE
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"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNpZgw3737
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"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72PmM1Dp1j
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlIMN8HY54
Hendrick paused for a beat, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an ornate box. He placed it on the floor next to me, his hands trembling. "I managed to grab this," he said, his voice barely audible. "But Martin… he didn't make it."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutQdmdwxkR
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I grabbed the box and opened it, finding a strange-looking stone inside. Underneath it was a folded piece of paper. My hands trembled as I unfolded it, the ink faded but still legible. My heart sank as I read the words: "Preservation Ritual—Day 147. The connection grows stronger. Everything's going as planned so far."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jAkzgaw46
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"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ010lsvWPnT
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvzmOUw8bu
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmvv4SNlp7
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Evelyn's eyes widened at the word "killed," but before she could say anything, Sasha lunged at Hendrick. "YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT!" she screamed, punching him across the face.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cDrTocKMj
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I dropped the note and grabbed Sasha, pulling her back as she struggled against me, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Let me go!" she shouted, her voice breaking. "He got Martin killed!"258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNbB2B4FKJ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6miQaBVrmR
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his gaze fixed on the ground. Maya didn't say anything; she just looked at him, with an expression of disappointment.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb33orOHEV
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Masha turned to Evelyn, her usual quiet demeanor replaced by a rare intensity. "Is there another way out of the mansion?" she asked, her voice firm.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhTn15SVht
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"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QDA5LL4ZZ
258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sd0QFcJkW
Masha turned to me, and I could see the determination in her eyes. We shared the same thought: that was our way out of this forsaken mansion.258Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73kPRf09i7
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