I rushed into the mansion with Masha close behind, my heart pounding as I searched for the source of the scream. It had been Sasha's voice, sharp and panicked, cutting through the silence like a knife. I called out her name as soon as we crossed the threshold, my voice echoing off the high ceilings.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMSJ9MAgqZ
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMx59yQTXo
"Sasha! SASHA!"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2weIDGdgN
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOwGr7TtMk
No response. Just as my anxiety began to spike, her voice came again, faint but steady. "I'm over here."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtboODoXpYJ
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7Hsf5eNiI
I followed the sound to the study, a room lined with towering bookshelves and heavy wooden furniture. The air felt heavier here, as if the walls themselves were pressing in. At first glance, the room seemed empty, but then Sasha's voice echoed from an unexpected direction. "Behind the bookshelf."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe99KPpsdxP
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4iSVLvc1Y
I stepped closer, my pulse quickening as I peered behind the massive structure. Sasha stood on a narrow staircase that descended into darkness, her face pale in the dim light. A faint, cold draft wafted up from below, carrying with it a smell that made my stomach churn—mildew, yes, but something else too, something metallic and sharp.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjrf32ZZFa
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J8gWIZIWR
"Can you believe it?" Sasha whispered, her voice trembling despite her attempt at excitement. "This place has an underground room."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC8NRdsAMK
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjIjJBbyg2
I stared into the abyss, my heart pounding. The darkness seemed to pulse, as if alive, and for a moment, I thought I heard something—a faint, rhythmic sound, like footsteps echoing from deep below.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGclhfvv6Fk
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr7iCyKaoK
Before I could respond, the others filed into the study. Maya, Hendrick, and Martin must have noticed Masha standing by the bookshelf, or perhaps she had pointed them in our direction. Either way, they were suddenly crowding around me, their presence making the room feel even smaller.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5ATDb53wE
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YYRSVUbgh
"Are you okay?" Maya asked, her voice tight with concern.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKzceUDGO4
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXPKS1617f
"Is that an underground room? Sick!" Martin said, his eyes lighting up.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sr4QxJkY0
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdvxKoInKa
"I know, right?" Sasha replied, ignoring my glare. "I was checking out some of the books, and one of them triggered this mechanism. The shelf just slid open, and I freaked out."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWl3kYmBdb
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6daIqaEya
"Which book?" Hendrick asked, his tone curious.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x45ErzwQ3
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbEZBGLqm2
"I think it was Catch-22," Sasha said.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJg5SGiIWL
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OM73rHjs7
"Where does it lead?" Martin pressed.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBj1UcJhYW
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8aMbeYnDA
"I haven't looked yet."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypxRioXrJ0
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavB3RfXTkT
"Can we explore?" Sasha asked, her eyes darting to Maya, who in turn looked to Hendrick. He exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible smile with Martin before nodding.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAFuaUBnNH
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHX3orf81sX
Before Maya could respond, I stepped in. "No! Absolutely not!" I said, my voice firm. "Are you guys insane? This isn't our house. We can't just go snooping around. How am I the voice of reason right now?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUc7bey4ZbG
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hyRhpskTq
"Are you saying you're not curious about what the Whites are hiding down there?" Martin challenged.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOFni7LAZ0
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTICCzGMWJ
I was. Of course I was. But I had the decency to keep that to myself.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lmhmlRXCq
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve9ajJ2tk8
"Not even a little," I lied. "And even if I were, it doesn't matter. We're here to clean, not play detective."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTI31R3W25
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3jI8OoB0B
"Okay, spoilsport," Martin muttered.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHAihbaq8M
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6UgOAzN8A
"Very mature," I shot back. "Did you forget why we're here in the first place?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEylcFO3Fba
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxYiQVBW5f
I reached out to Sasha, helping her up from the staircase. Masha, ever the quiet observer, carefully replaced Catch-22 on the shelf. The mechanism whirred softly, the sound unnaturally smooth, as if the gears hadn't been used in years. The bookshelf slid back into place with a satisfying click that echoed through the room.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoFVqdS7bG
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQIpUop8Mb
Cool. But also terrifying.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ323tJbhQof
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudxhNPZsWq
The group drifted back to the living room, but I stayed behind for a moment, my nerves still on edge. I stepped outside, pulling a cigarette from my pocket and lighting it with trembling hands. The cool evening air helped steady me, but my thoughts were still racing.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghM3M6PZSa
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqJSmjc4Ar
Sasha joined me a moment later, her presence quiet but unmistakable. She held out her hand, and I passed her the cigarette without a word. She took a drag, exhaling slowly before handing it back.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGZn2z5HHk
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX09GojNuL
"Since when do you smoke?" she asked, her tone casual but probing.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVKSsJIBmG
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QzxIcMI3B
"Since when do you smoke?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN3jLMRW8M
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uoz5oELM9
She laughed softly, the sound almost lost in the evening breeze. "You know, this is the longest conversation we've had since you got back from rehab."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI7Q5uUVMN
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7yU6iHbjq
"Is it?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHv5fjbyUF
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkWMguUaEX
"You've been distant," she said, her voice softening. "I miss having my best friend. And I know Maya misses her sister."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV6jldfdPE
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjSK2KF8Ra
I didn't respond immediately, my gaze fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped lower in the sky.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoPsmGSyP6
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwbPzI6wZZ
"Do you hate me?" Sasha asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90Fm68U8bJ
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS4ucxeSYs
I turned to look at her, surprised. "Why would I hate you?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUYfP3tOo0
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgOxjlFdPm
"Because I was the one who told Maya and the principal about your addiction."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLULFdToucT
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoblbh5t8Mj
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don't hate you for that."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprzhvWq1gb
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt2FM4LAwY
"So you do hate me," she said, her tone half-joking but with an undercurrent of seriousness.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGaxPzPEWc
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7ZSwsNsTx
"I don't hate you," I said firmly. "But I've been avoiding the clubhouse for a reason."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvoCrIuWPx
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tz68PEgO7
"Is it because of me and Martin?" she asked, her voice tentative.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHn1l0B5VGT
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gVvNKuQAU
"It's Hendrick," I said bluntly. "I can't stand his face."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVBDV4Cuy8
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJgRCIkawz
Sasha gave me a look, her eyes narrowing. "Why can't you be serious for once?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbsVdgg3KJ
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLo4vqOSBa
"I am serious," I said, though my tone was lighter than I intended. "But fine. The school counselor thinks I blame him."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeBgo1bGrr
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjNbU1E9qP
"Blame him for what?" Sasha asked, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes widened in realization. "He's the one who introduced you to drugs, isn't he?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjB7ge8nxR
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9J6fZzPOO
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. "Isn't he?" she pressed, louder this time.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BdGhcecu4
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqNuJlqG1b
"Yes," I admitted, the word heavy with unspoken resentment.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtDirYpz5t
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLf9KJp1cxx
Sasha's face darkened, and she turned on her heel, storming back toward the mansion. I grabbed her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu3NL0zS3e
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX58t2sdqPK
"Let me go!" she snapped, her voice sharp.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmylpGBaBwP
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqdbMEWnEZ
"Why? So you can punch Hendrick? What good would that do?"822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C58jTWphL
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7vigkEqU5
"You have no idea the things he's said about you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with anger. "He acts like it was all your fault, like he had nothing to do with it. If only I'd known the truth."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII2sABvoez
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqJbFi7GZZ
I looked away, my chest tightening. "It doesn't matter what he says. I made my choices."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ43SNVgseH
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcJFheyvud
"But he made them easier," she shot back, her voice breaking. "He knew what he was doing. And now he acts like he's better than you, like he's some kind of saint."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXBLPr9Yoo
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer22TAqt52
I didn't respond, my gaze fixed on the horizon. The sun was sinking lower, casting long shadows across the lawn. "Maybe he is better than me," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "But that doesn't change anything. I'm still here. And I'm still trying."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiAYGSokIF
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8INvCEZoez
Sasha stared at me for a long moment before nodding reluctantly. "Fine."822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs7me4hYmn
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKQvjTQZJ3
"Thank you," I said, offering her a small smile. "Evelyn sure is taking her time with those groceries, huh?" I added, trying to lighten the mood.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJSxDyaXiH
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYQU7r8zG1
"Yeah," Sasha said, though her tone was still distant.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVZNHQiqQv
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXbqymVB2K
I sighed and sat down on the ground, the grass surprisingly soft beneath me. "Sit with me," I said, patting the spot beside me. Sasha hesitated before joining me, her shoulders still tense.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gQB8lsu5F
822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVqCn9sWJy
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was cool, and for a moment, everything felt almost peaceful.822Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bcPkBFeL0
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