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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxDY99Oui
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kmXTi5Ie2
"We need to find another way out," I said, my voice low but firm.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUllD9nWMz
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6puB9S0dz
"Where?" Sasha asked, her voice trembling. "We don't even know this place."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBgBmEN6sh
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAEi4mB78i
"There has to be another exit," Masha said, her tone calm but urgent. "A back door, a window, something."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXjQTKxevM
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIQp1tugJJ
"Windows are barred," Hendrick said, his voice hollow. "I just checked."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHKgDrdEeR
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmihzXHKgs
My heart sank. "Then we're stuck here."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPYLnOKNUd
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC0MgSf3Hl
The moan came again, louder this time, and the sound of footsteps followed—slow, deliberate, and growing closer.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsfX2RZ05i
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3twkow1B8W
"Whatever that thing is, it's coming," Maya said, her voice shaking.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yqkItROlx
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc33cb4RZId
"We can't just stand here," Sasha said, her voice rising with panic. "We have to do something!"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkKkAT2Afh
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQBafmDUC
"Stay calm," I said, though my own heart was racing. "We'll figure this out."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfILQOfqkI
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgggve4niQ8
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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm1x3XNw7g
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3oN5NMLOq
"Run!" I shouted, grabbing Sasha's arm and pulling her toward one of the other rooms.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEFfz6Jkhx
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcg0WLJXH50
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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq66Q4ZbD45
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"Are you alright?" I asked Sasha, who shot me a weak smile in response.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLm2pa6qBR
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkkK3WyF6O
I wiped the tears still on her face, but from the corner of my eye, I caught sight of someone else in the room.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVsImQwkl9
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL13erYT6T6
Evelyn.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGaHgRI4kA
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She stood with her back to us, air pods in her ears, completely oblivious to our presence.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE5FgT6yYk
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgZqsY79vt
"Evelyn!" I tapped her shoulder, and she jumped, startled. Her expression shifted from fear to surprise as she pulled out her air pods.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyk4BTl0op
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ePxVLkCy
"You guys are still here?" she asked, her tone casual, as if nothing were wrong.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2A5KflYkr
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE5lQa8CqW
"Yes," I said, my voice tight. "I thought you went out to get groceries?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD88iNo8Ft
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXpbF1VX5M
"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?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCV07KnBBS
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8L5DKZ1KE
"I thought you didn't have your key or something and were waiting for you to get back—"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ab2UfgoWu
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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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkd6nIDo07
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwzBzq68jp
"What the hell was that?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzAEV8IWyd
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaahe7nNKCb
"I was hoping you'd tell us," I said, my voice sharp. "Why is there a ghost in your house?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMEtV7ZIYB
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTzDFPuA9S
Evelyn frowned, her expression a mix of confusion and irritation. "What are you talking about? There's no ghost in this house."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrkgPSCe69
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0kxCX25UG
"Then what the hell is that?" I snapped, pointing toward the door.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePZs1PGMKo
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOKwA9UY04
Evelyn started for the door, but I moved quickly to block her. "Don't," I said, my voice firm. "It's not safe."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKhoEFuta0
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhyJ21wI2n
"Why not?" Evelyn demanded, her tone defiant.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ1DBR8J49
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiajEY0ro2
"I'll explain later," I said. "Is there another way out of here?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbpqz4wvUr
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn73zPUcFe
Evelyn eyed me for a moment before sighing. "Yeah, there's another door behind the curtains over there."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjLlcRFJ6N
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9oM2PxlPS
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?740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyyB9QTaXg
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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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfKT50Mwh6
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHMmAyJ221
"I thought you were someone else," he said, lowering the hanger.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xmSoznZp5
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhi7IAyPwt
"Evelyn? I thought you weren't home?" Maya asked, her voice trembling.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MuTrYkBUX
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxgjsHQKjF
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?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nCkkQfodd
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6DmQOQA7V
"I didn't see this coming," Hendrick said, his voice barely above a whisper.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7p4WcLkj9
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mKT47FlEV
"What?" Maya asked, her tone sharp.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiB5D0vRSI
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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."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7i1p4NLVw
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9DgoqcOOA
"You wanted to rob me?" Evelyn said, her voice rising with anger. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZvpr2OmaL
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l6IsXiqDY
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I thought you wouldn't notice if a few things were missing…"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gUFZ4fZCr
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zguCeBLQ2
"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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡae5ggWu9Nf
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhyLutB87X
"I'm sorry," Hendrick said again, his voice hollow. "I never thought this would happen. I wouldn't have done it if I knew…"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XCuJWvqbw
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpgCc8n4xR
"We went down there thinking there'd be some valuables," Hendrick continued, his voice shaking. "But Martin… he must've touched something…"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Vqrov80t1
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYssETF621
"Down where?" Evelyn asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL64mjiObi6
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmTX4xeWjh
"The secret room behind the bookshelf in the study," Hendrick said.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIDDOhSz07
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q4xWFkuk5
"What secret room?" Evelyn asked, her voice rising with panic. "What are you talking about?"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aWkrxMkbl
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rVD2Bw5GD
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."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadqO3aQRHD
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavp7f02y16
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."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCdSekYnxH
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNdItrQkqx
"Guys," I said, turning to the others, but their attention was still fixed on Hendrick.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacdxGC7iXd
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycjA1g15cG
"So you led Martin into your stupidity and got him killed?" Sasha said, her voice trembling with rage.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoyv8MXuor
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jlEWd9j2V
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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnJhOAK9YV
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jJaAIgWsx
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!"740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68Bceu33YS
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZA39jsaK3
"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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvUSUQLnFz
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5ocJBcIPC
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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwMXZT12pY
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7rewDsPA7
"Yes," Evelyn replied, her voice trembling. "There's a back door in my mom's room that leads to the garden."740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70eoFbQzu1
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2xGmiW5hB
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.740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt8Y9OLt3C
740Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKESGymHjih
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