"Ann..." Penelope said, catching her breath. "Can you tell me how you came here with the rifle?"

"I-I..." Ann replied, also breathing heavily. "I saw the man from the window... and I realized he was heading in your direction..."

"You saw him from the window?" Penelope questioned, her suspicion evident.

Ann looked worried and unsure, making Penelope's suspicion grow stronger. Just then, the other servants, alerted by the sound of the rifle, arrived at the scene, except for Dr. Jenkins.

The man, though collapsing, was still alive and muttering to himself. They decided to carry him and take him to the nearby police station. As they prepared to move him, Penelope forcefully took the rifle from Ann and approached the maniac. Without hesitation, she fired, shooting him in the face, causing him to die instantly. The other servants were taken aback by Penelope's action.

"This man..." Penelope gazed at the lifeless corpse. "He could have done something and harmed us." She then turned to the servants and instructed them to tell the police that they had killed him in self-defense, emphasizing that he had not collapsed before they shot him.

Nyx couldn't believe the events that had unfolded that day. Why did everything terrifying have to happen? She even found herself questioning her aunt and Ann. She felt conflicted about the mansion as a whole.

5 days left to leave the mansion and rainstorms had already begun.

Ann visited Nyx in her room, but Nyx was horrified by Ann's deteriorating condition. Ann was always thin, but in her current state she appeared skinnier than usual, and it was clear she hadn't been eating.

"Nyx... " Ann's voice was barely audible, "Run... go away."

Nyx was taken aback, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. "Ann... why aren't you eating? Why do I need to leave? What is happening?" Nyx asked, her fear palpable.

"Nyx..." Ann replied, her voice strained from coughing, "You will know later... before it's too late..."

With those enigmatic words, Ann left the room, leaving Nyx with more questions than answers. Why did Ann want her to run? What was the imminent danger that Ann was alluding to? And where was Nyx supposed to go? Nyx felt a sense of confusion and unease, unsure of what steps to take next.

With only three days remaining before leaving the mansion, Nyx woke up coughing, wondering if she had caught a cold due to the ongoing heavy rain. The downpour continued throughout the day, adding to the somber atmosphere.

Over time, Nyx had noticed that Thomas had become gentler towards her. She wondered what his current thoughts were regarding Seraphina and the revelations surrounding his true parentage.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ann had mysteriously disappeared from the mansion without a trace. The maids searched tirelessly for her, both inside and outside the premises, but to no avail. Penelope insisted on a thorough search.

Throughout the day, Nyx's cough persisted. Her aunt checked on her and called upon Dr. Jenkins to examine her. The doctor reassured them that the cough was normal.

The following day, Ann was still nowhere to be found, adding to the growing concern within the mansion.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Nyx's cough persisted, and the situation prompted Penelope and Dr. Jenkins to approach her. Dr. Jenkins decided to conduct a more thorough examination, so he donned a mask and then started examining her.

Mr. Charles, the maids, and even Thomas watched on, Dr. Jenkins turned to Penelope and delivered a distressing news, "Miss Nyx is suffering from a highly dangerous disease."

Penelope's eyes widened as she stammered, "W-What do you mean, Dr. Jenkins?"

The doctor proceeded to explain the nature of the disease. Although Nyx herself struggled to comprehend the disease, Fear began to well up inside her.

Penelope asked, "Is it... is it deadly?"

"I will do everything within my power to prevent that," Dr. Jenkins said, his tone grave.

Nyx's eyes widened in horror as she grappled with the realization that her life was now at stake.

"What are you saying?" Penelope's voice trembled with disbelief.

"My lady, I must provide her with the necessary care," Dr. Jenkins informed, "I must take her to the laboratory."

Penelope and Dr. Jenkins led Nyx to the locked room she had been forbidden from entering. Nyx couldn't shake off her fear, unsure of what awaited her inside. She wondered why they hadn't taken her to a hospital if her condition was dangerous, but she trusted Penelope and Dr. Jenkins nonetheless.

As they entered the room, the door was locked behind them. Nyx looked ahead and noticed a staircase with ten steps leading downward. They descended together until they reached a dimly lit and eerie room. The air was heavy with an unpleasant smell. Nyx's eyes were drawn to numerous bottles containing various liquids and solid objects, as well as scattered papers. The tables and furniture appeared old and worn.

The tables and furniture appeared old and worn [https://img.wattpad.com/b87f1d2edfff2fd554e846541a2cace653333ee3/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f62673274314555787a63704138413d3d2d313336303736323334342e313737316262306531616530663737383132393932333432353539332e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

"Please, have a seat, Miss Nyx," Dr. Jenkins gestured towards an old wooden chair. Nyx complied, feeling a mix of anxiety and curiosity as she watched Penelope and Dr. Jenkins don face coverings. She wondered what they were preparing to do.

Dr. Jenkins busied himself with the bottles in the room, while Nyx's gaze fell upon a large door to her left. Soon enough, Dr. Jenkins returned, holding a bottle that emanated a pungent and unbearable odor.

"You'll need to drink this, Miss Nyx," Dr. Jenkins said, extending the bottle containing a green liquid toward her.

Nyx recoiled at the smell, feeling both disgust and fear. She hesitated, doubting whether this concoction would truly save her life.

"Will this really save me?" Nyx asked, her gaze fixed on the repulsive bottle as she held it. Her doubts and fear made her hesitant to consume it.

"Nyx, my dear," Penelope said, placing her hands on Nyx's shoulders. "Please, trust the doctor and do as he says."

"But... I have a bad feeling about this," Nyx replied, placing the bottle on the table beside her.

"Nyx," Penelope spoke firmly, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. "This is the best chance we have to save your life. Drink it."

"I can't bear it!" Nyx exclaimed, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Nyx!" Penelope's tone grew even more resolute. "This is the only option we have. Please, drink it."

Nyx's hands trembled as Penelope picked up the bottle, urging her to drink. Reluctantly, Nyx reached out and took the bottle, her heart heavy with apprehension.

As Nyx took the bottle, a sudden loud banging on the door startled her. The banging persisted, echoing through the room.

"Who's there?!" Dr. Jenkins shouted as he positioned himself in front of the door.

"OPEN THE DOOR!" a voice from behind the door yelled. "IT'S THE POLICE!"

The mention of the police sent a wave of confusion and unease through Nyx. Why were the police here? What could they possibly want?

Dr. Jenkins hesitated but eventually opened the door. A police officer burst into the room, his presence demanding attention. He scanned the area, his gaze settling on Dr. Jenkins, Penelope, and Nyx.

"All of you, come here," the police officer commanded. His eyes focused on Nyx. "What are you holding, young girl?"

Nyx's nerves flared as she held up the bottle. "It's medicine... by Dr. Jenkins."

The police officer's expression grew stern. "Did you drink it?"

Nyx shook her head. "Not yet."

"Don't drink it," the police officer instructed firmly. "Put it on the table. We'll need to examine it, as well as the lab."

Nyx complied, placing the bottle carefully on the table. The three of them followed the police officer, slowly making their way to the mansion's main hall, where a gathering of police officers awaited. Among them stood Ann.