The sound of her phone ringing made Greta jump in her seat; startled. She quickly withdrew it from the pocket of her jean jacket. Kevin was calling. She quickly swiped the answer call icon and put the phone to her ear.372Please respect copyright.PENANAJsTAQ0o4no
372Please respect copyright.PENANAIAhNfPd2g0
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.372Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ivu5JFizp
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgLKzBiZ6l9
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.372Please respect copyright.PENANAs5lBFsLMoC
372Please respect copyright.PENANAb5rKBOYXxD
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA7lrwgn4SgI
372Please respect copyright.PENANAEYlhC8900R
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.372Please respect copyright.PENANACLqITwWMDG
372Please respect copyright.PENANATeJh5cgdIJ
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA4v7yg3BTEi
372Please respect copyright.PENANAtx2qEcQSZv
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."372Please respect copyright.PENANA2shNkcnbIF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXiLZZSO60R
"What kind of trouble?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAThlVcCKHOp
372Please respect copyright.PENANAZUxeI9Nubw
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAAfF9QnU9tJ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAovY51tdKfX
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.372Please respect copyright.PENANAKP5Neo1kAT
372Please respect copyright.PENANAs1csCrfZs4
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."372Please respect copyright.PENANAC1vPU2SOOk
372Please respect copyright.PENANARlS0YMI4NG
"That's good. She needs to rest."372Please respect copyright.PENANAtKQsPuBFju
372Please respect copyright.PENANAt5jO4ddLaI
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA2DEXXsG13c
372Please respect copyright.PENANApattZQBZ3k
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."372Please respect copyright.PENANA491oY1Yjyk
372Please respect copyright.PENANAp4Znvxb9K2
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAM3DS725JIW
372Please respect copyright.PENANA6EFrj5SPQQ
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."372Please respect copyright.PENANA9pA3c7Wewt
372Please respect copyright.PENANAr992YVJagA
"Ya, sure."372Please respect copyright.PENANAPqqLlywqIw
372Please respect copyright.PENANABHLNt04TSD
Kevin cut the line and Greta placed her phone aside onto the chair she was sitting on. She really hoped everyone was alright, especially Malcom.
Miss Marie shifted her body to the side and for a moment, Greta thought she might wake up. But she continued to sleep. Greta felt relieved. She didn't want to be the one answering her if she woke up. She wouldn't like to hear that Rhénee had gone in search of the cottage all by herself.372Please respect copyright.PENANA9qL6nG0J3K
372Please respect copyright.PENANAywKCFfEPs1
Greta stood up from the chair. She was thirsty and needed water. She made her way to the door when her phone started to ring again on the chair. She quickly went back for it and almost dropped it when she saw her mother calling.372Please respect copyright.PENANAvGLaul1AZ8
372Please respect copyright.PENANAkWee3uqQbh
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.372Please respect copyright.PENANAFUxB2p1ULp
372Please respect copyright.PENANAWV08Su5B0X
She had to answer the call. She had a mother who is always suspicious of everything. Miss Griselda stirred in her sleep. Greta knew her phone's ringtone was disturbing her, so she had no choice but to answer.372Please respect copyright.PENANApKYqWBf1RF
372Please respect copyright.PENANA4If3Bxs0v9
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."372Please respect copyright.PENANAGtnkRMktux
372Please respect copyright.PENANAmbq7eAzOC0
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."372Please respect copyright.PENANAECehTPzsf5
372Please respect copyright.PENANAg2FvBocdMA
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAvOmwM5mkdi
372Please respect copyright.PENANAoLpdBpSef6
Greta's eye twitched in irritation. She wondered if her mother would still be calling even when they decide to move out of the house.372Please respect copyright.PENANAVwPmXhoIzw
372Please respect copyright.PENANASsVTXCAlJS
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."372Please respect copyright.PENANAsBFHccyr2T
372Please respect copyright.PENANADkd7AFDHS3
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."372Please respect copyright.PENANA2kknRvfVrb
372Please respect copyright.PENANAkcO1AUchSX
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."372Please respect copyright.PENANAZuxj5iEPTF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAvGazvWUjGl
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."372Please respect copyright.PENANAdTZUaQDDJo
372Please respect copyright.PENANAB6996E4dPS
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.372Please respect copyright.PENANAz6ELANEqPk
372Please respect copyright.PENANAMOS3w39wBR
"What did you say?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAPwU66sDNqz
372Please respect copyright.PENANAT87sSeG6tx
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."372Please respect copyright.PENANACltmfna5g8
372Please respect copyright.PENANAyv99vbJu3K
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."372Please respect copyright.PENANA43kJvAeumN
372Please respect copyright.PENANAQBI8F95lMX
"Mum, we aren't five year olds you've to check up on all the time. It gets really annoying, and it's embarrassing, especially in front of my friends. Whenever they see you're the one calling, they make fun of me."372Please respect copyright.PENANAHaNySQH7tb
372Please respect copyright.PENANA86VAP3Pr20
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."372Please respect copyright.PENANApKdioTlemD
372Please respect copyright.PENANAdbjIESI6HH
"Sometimes I feel it's more than that. It's like you check up on us to see if we just dropped dead or something."
There came a long silent pause at the other end and Greta knew she had struck a nerve. She will definitely receive an earful when she gets back home.372Please respect copyright.PENANA8x8tnPW6Hq
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKi3MS8rfxf
"Tell him to call if you reach him," came Mrs. Derrand's voice, now cold and grim that it sent chills down Greta's spine.372Please respect copyright.PENANAleh7MzaF7j
372Please respect copyright.PENANAknTnD79fCN
Greta didn't say anything as she quickly cut the call and squeezed her phone tightly that it would break. She's really in trouble now. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But sometimes her mother pushed her to say things she didn't want to. Now she's in a hot mess.
She hoped the others would show up soon, especially Malcom. They would have to try calm their mother down. If she wanted, she would go looking around town for the both of them, and that would be a disaster.372Please respect copyright.PENANApq6BvogLvq
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgfUudwaaWj
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."372Please respect copyright.PENANAqgZPfscLqo
372Please respect copyright.PENANA6DLRoNN3N8
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAb8xYshmNLq
372Please respect copyright.PENANApiFGxx9EYV
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.372Please respect copyright.PENANAwYmb1PZFix
372Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ijd0DBb2k
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.372Please respect copyright.PENANAhXWwxE1FNt
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgBl1jQQFM8
"I'll be right back," Greta said as she stopped by the door and turned to Miss Griselda. "I'll tell Rhénee that you're finally awake."372Please respect copyright.PENANAuoCpQ331j0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzuqeJU53Fv
Miss Griselda didn't say anything else as she leaned back on the headboard of the bed, looking a bit relaxed. Greta quickly left, walking down the hall and then the stairs. She knew her little lie had calmed Miss Griselda down. But when she goes back up there without Rhénee, she will have a lot of explaining to do.372Please respect copyright.PENANAwh4bYMJDgr
372Please respect copyright.PENANAL2pTrTbn2g
"Oooh, you guys better be on your way back right now," Greta said as she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the kitchen. "I doubt if I'll be able to handle Miss Griselda alone."372Please respect copyright.PENANAHk3KIL8ZKZ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAYvyor2NtC7
***372Please respect copyright.PENANADqir7DmueA
372Please respect copyright.PENANAtJY2JCTE4b
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.372Please respect copyright.PENANAiWAOGE2Qjw
372Please respect copyright.PENANA7DsC8KAwV1
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.372Please respect copyright.PENANAUPFYyIIu6e
372Please respect copyright.PENANAtz8nEyJzuq
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.372Please respect copyright.PENANARLLzE6aIsj
372Please respect copyright.PENANAuxM9pAhtjE
"You heard me," she said, not looking at him as she put the bloody wet cloth in the tub and got an alcohol-free wipe towel from its box on the floor beside her. She wiped the towel around his wound.372Please respect copyright.PENANAunCGDByxxY
372Please respect copyright.PENANAlwRaBSOlBg
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.372Please respect copyright.PENANASAjgSiki0O
372Please respect copyright.PENANALhLoQZSqmx
The two of them were in Miss Marie's bathroom. Malcom sat on the edge of the bathtub, shirtless, while Rhénee attended to his wound.372Please respect copyright.PENANAk8RHgpxZBn
372Please respect copyright.PENANATbJeanXmf7
She soon took non-adhesive pads that laid on the wash basin, laying one on the entry and the other on the exit wound. She was glad the bullet had gone straight through. If it didn't, removing it would have been complicated.372Please respect copyright.PENANAnh6AyJmFkG
372Please respect copyright.PENANA2YsoZpNzlC
She took a bandage and wrapped it over his shoulder so as to hold the pads in place. She continued to add more layers of it until it felt just right.372Please respect copyright.PENANAGExwBr6oyR
372Please respect copyright.PENANAxG39lQQF6x
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.372Please respect copyright.PENANAdNmKIZAdY0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAJFVGT4rU8g
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."372Please respect copyright.PENANAlPHAQvAfRb
372Please respect copyright.PENANAInyl5ohBp8
"Oh, it isn't talent," said Rhénee as she started to clean up the mess on the floor and putting back all the equipment she was using in the tiny cabinet above the wash basin.372Please respect copyright.PENANAUrY84SvIqQ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAp2wOZVOyva
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."372Please respect copyright.PENANAbS0KBvugUr
372Please respect copyright.PENANACZHDwpB39p
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAL4BgI1YxRf
372Please respect copyright.PENANAGn5s2Lol28
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAT9kuzVGDQV
372Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ4byIAGYH
Rhénee didn't answer as she looked at him and he looked back at her. There came a brief moment of silence between them until a knock came at the door and Rhénee told whoever was there to come in.372Please respect copyright.PENANA5R5yWa72YD
372Please respect copyright.PENANAsaD4v8K6xS
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.372Please respect copyright.PENANAyQUFymbxXq
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXmuhOsWmha
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."372Please respect copyright.PENANAjAV01bJ7yh
372Please respect copyright.PENANAc0NdOg9WhY
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.372Please respect copyright.PENANAdhOc8dhblW
372Please respect copyright.PENANAn3Hg8C7q7W
"I know," said Malcom as he smirked. "I'm also impressed that I couldn't help but ask where she learnt all of this from."372Please respect copyright.PENANATUMhT2SXKK
372Please respect copyright.PENANAAIb4aCdtHd
"That question isn't necessary," said Rhénee as she threw Malcom a look. "I was part of the Red Cross team in my high school days."372Please respect copyright.PENANABeps501NUs
372Please respect copyright.PENANA14oIjkpyO8
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"372Please respect copyright.PENANArnC01Gg18U
372Please respect copyright.PENANAMuUsTKovWm
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."372Please respect copyright.PENANAE8DJanTE2f
372Please respect copyright.PENANAMSYpXpldwi
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.372Please respect copyright.PENANAierzWdxiXF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAaEdERudTAC
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAXDx1vUNtLF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzFRfV6sSZS
Kevin and Malcom didn't ask her any further. Rhénee turned around to look at the wash basin, avoiding the mirror in front of her and their prying eyes.372Please respect copyright.PENANAju9BvEtm5p
372Please respect copyright.PENANAs1grZb016m
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."372Please respect copyright.PENANA6TtKpbB3t0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjLjZXS6Zym
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAi9WDSrIqi6
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXz7YvQ4hRd
"Ya, I'm fine," she answered as she looked at herself in the mirror and then turned around, heading out of the bathroom. She almost bumped into Kevin who moved aside just in time.372Please respect copyright.PENANAEmDpB6Y3gx
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXOWR6jxTWp
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.372Please respect copyright.PENANAeDHqKstBOy
372Please respect copyright.PENANAV3hwqdoPG7
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANArIspVPJEnM
372Please respect copyright.PENANAFpmfMBQ8dz
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"372Please respect copyright.PENANApYTbqKxSwT
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgHNYcJ374N
Malcom looked at the open door. "Most people who have killed for the first time usually aren't themselves. They tend to be all nervous and tense that it's hard for them to stay calm. Rhénee on the other hand, has been calm till now. She hasn't freaked out or did anything nerve-racking. Even when she was patching up my wound, she didn't shiver at all."372Please respect copyright.PENANAFB4iclcGBz
372Please respect copyright.PENANABHcxU8qxBd
"Do you think she's killed before?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAC15Fs4fsAC
372Please respect copyright.PENANA15IwbyEIkw
"She doesn't look like a killer. But it's either she has and she doesn't want to talk about it or it really is her first time and she's pretty good at handling her anxiety."372Please respect copyright.PENANA1pyQfeLxR5
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXzqJhEhMXL
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.372Please respect copyright.PENANA31AvBDNz76
372Please respect copyright.PENANANoqCB0keVZ
"You saw how she shot the guy. I would call her a sniper if I had known that she could handle the gun so well. She made sure not to miss. Or maybe she just got lucky, and that rarely happens for first timers."372Please respect copyright.PENANAJOvtLnqUZH
372Please respect copyright.PENANAlqpOLYR5Qv
Kevin clenched his hands into fists as he also looked at the door. "But Rhénee isn't a killer," he said. "That much, I know. She did what she did for you. You would be dead if it wasn't for her."372Please respect copyright.PENANAjgzL0CvvL8
372Please respect copyright.PENANAyJtyBfgAY9
Malcom looked at Kevin and knew he was right. In his heart, Malcom knew Rhénee isn't a killer. But the display she had shown back in the forest made him curious about her even more.372Please respect copyright.PENANAqRORMYRmZN
372Please respect copyright.PENANAm6xceeA6Tj
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAsukIzjHcgg
372Please respect copyright.PENANAD8FBrs05VY
Just as Kevin and Malcom walked out of the bathroom, Miss Marie appeared down the hall, approaching them with a grey sweatshirt in her hands.
"Here you go, Malcom," she said as she handed it over to him. "This belonged to my grandson, Miguel. He doesn't wear it anymore."372Please respect copyright.PENANAiCnQLOdE2W
372Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZElXVSPjp
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANA795UAoDnMu
372Please respect copyright.PENANA9ATchALBjD
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAWPgrrP9fHH
372Please respect copyright.PENANARIr9OHJCjA
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."372Please respect copyright.PENANANhFTzzf1WX
372Please respect copyright.PENANAMQYKLun193
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAJzGHld7Qt5
372Please respect copyright.PENANA93DHhne4h7
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.372Please respect copyright.PENANA03FhvIMn3h
372Please respect copyright.PENANAASZ8OqLqWV
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.372Please respect copyright.PENANAw56XBFOErl
372Please respect copyright.PENANAqryZ31idkd
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."372Please respect copyright.PENANAeX0yQssC8V
372Please respect copyright.PENANAvSnV2MkJ1N
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."372Please respect copyright.PENANAvhOM3Wj2Mb
372Please respect copyright.PENANAAzGe9FWEmD
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.372Please respect copyright.PENANAaH35asAnWZ
372Please respect copyright.PENANATIOF1XmyNn
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."372Please respect copyright.PENANAWzqloE10Vq
372Please respect copyright.PENANAPStWgmxi4R
No response came from the living room and Miss Marie went over to check. She stood at the open doorway leading to the living room.372Please respect copyright.PENANADkY1Kk6auC
372Please respect copyright.PENANAAgFJ1GIcAE
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAeUCmE7jbFT
372Please respect copyright.PENANANzY3HnQA0N
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 372Please respect copyright.PENANAIGXro3hJ6Y
372Please respect copyright.PENANA0BygTsRDUp
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.372Please respect copyright.PENANAavfkCkj81O
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjxZUQUf9c6
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.372Please respect copyright.PENANAe0x1zt37dy
372Please respect copyright.PENANALTLQWKVSUL
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAajLetbJXwy
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjvDWNReAT2
Malcom didn't answer as he swung the door open and walked out of the foyer. His heart settled when he stood at the doorstep. He looked at the car parked outside and saw Rhénee seated on the car's bonnet. She looked to be lost in thought with her arms folded. Sophie, the cat, sat right at her feet and also seemed to be staring off in a distance.372Please respect copyright.PENANA70ALo4dejn
372Please respect copyright.PENANAPbYSSUbknl
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."372Please respect copyright.PENANAkrJ5V0wM9A
372Please respect copyright.PENANArb45o2NwYT
"Me too," said Malcom as he continued to look at her. He noticed that Rhénee looked all worn out and tired. And a little sad too. He wondered what she could be thinking about.372Please respect copyright.PENANAw5rGG4NVhj
372Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7MCuPVX8b
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.372Please respect copyright.PENANAuw358mYrrZ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAqiKpAEd6PK
Rhénee turned towards Miss Marie, lifted herself up from the car's bonnet and walked back inside Miss Marie's yard. Sophie remained by the car.372Please respect copyright.PENANAOdXbakxwbm
372Please respect copyright.PENANAW57Iw7pblZ
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.372Please respect copyright.PENANAm5qdJ67Hrk
372Please respect copyright.PENANAOQNdcBnq7I
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."372Please respect copyright.PENANAGK8UpxTYZq
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKmqdcY0kth
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA6BFT0Zt4md
372Please respect copyright.PENANAOrnu0Uee56
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAvpOMBufHog
372Please respect copyright.PENANAe4FPRiHC0U
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."372Please respect copyright.PENANAXPisw9m2iP
372Please respect copyright.PENANAkBbrLzzckE
Rhénee remembered Miss Marie using the exact same words when she gave her the gun back in the forest. Except this time, she included Rhénee in the sentence.372Please respect copyright.PENANAc6PDDZojgy
372Please respect copyright.PENANAaRjZLOAnVg
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.372Please respect copyright.PENANAQWD84E05Zx
372Please respect copyright.PENANAaiDEsOqBzk
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.372Please respect copyright.PENANAQPgGTvY4PL
372Please respect copyright.PENANAE1o1n1xpmP
"Don't argue with me, Miss Marie," said Rhénee as she took one of Miss Marie's hands and placed the gun on her palm. "You need it more than I do. I still need you alive."372Please respect copyright.PENANApZILP6DL9z
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKxKQEIH6Bq
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.372Please respect copyright.PENANAZyUyoETxdx
372Please respect copyright.PENANAO7RhOpgqaX
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."372Please respect copyright.PENANAHXmbbnWvTj
372Please respect copyright.PENANATSf66f30rB
"I'll take care of myself as best as I can." Rhénee looked past Miss Marie at Kevin and Malcom who had been standing by the doorstep, watching them. She gestured with her head that it's now time to go.372Please respect copyright.PENANAWqernCMgiC
372Please respect copyright.PENANAODOGrzw5cu
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.372Please respect copyright.PENANAzQZDfgByPJ
372Please respect copyright.PENANASPN4lJZU2s
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."372Please respect copyright.PENANA38bEPH3xxO
372Please respect copyright.PENANAlCc4jdoDca
"We will," said Kevin.372Please respect copyright.PENANAkElobBqkbz
372Please respect copyright.PENANADBeCfOYYVc
Rhénee, Malcom and Kevin made their way to the car. Malcom took the wheel with Kevin right beside him and Rhénee sat at the back with Sophie curled up on her lap. Rhénee looked out of the window and waved at Miss Marie who also waved back.372Please respect copyright.PENANAl9S1KD4O5z
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXhDlCTs1pF
The car drove away from the little neighbourhood. After a few seconds, Kevin couldn't help but turn and look at Rhénee. Rhénee noticed and looked back at him.
"What?" she asked.372Please respect copyright.PENANAhiY0slFDih
372Please respect copyright.PENANAvPRWEwLrIY
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."372Please respect copyright.PENANAB3CipX5uqb
372Please respect copyright.PENANAV66ClLzK2U
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.372Please respect copyright.PENANAYBycWJbzyR
372Please respect copyright.PENANAqG90d43y8C
Within a few seconds, the front gate of Rhénee's mansion came in sight. The car went inside the premises and packed in front of the fountain.372Please respect copyright.PENANA2OKgCQ4YaN
372Please respect copyright.PENANAER2strI1RA
Rhénee came out of the car first with Sophie in her arms and started her way to the front door. Kevin came out seconds later and called out to her:372Please respect copyright.PENANANFyXL33BKl
372Please respect copyright.PENANACGXYtiqErm
"Rhénee, wait!"372Please respect copyright.PENANAqWQcIvZanf
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzVbOukpynF
Rhénee had almost reached the door when she turned to look at Kevin now approaching her. Malcom took his time in the car, waiting to see what Kevin was going to do.372Please respect copyright.PENANAjTJjQNs4NI
372Please respect copyright.PENANAG6KtlmqyOe
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.372Please respect copyright.PENANA7Yi5teD4DA
372Please respect copyright.PENANAIHxN9AdkJ0
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.372Please respect copyright.PENANAD5eJhDgao5
372Please respect copyright.PENANAbzTV0lyv1r
"I'm tired."372Please respect copyright.PENANAz7Zah3c1u0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAJgjaAwL9jo
"Really? I don't think that's it."372Please respect copyright.PENANAS0JmPNXO8C
372Please respect copyright.PENANAfZbeXF6EIX
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAzGEvp6PzlY
372Please respect copyright.PENANAo3kP634TeU
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"372Please respect copyright.PENANAShUSuS2Rkr
372Please respect copyright.PENANAJSnALejsKc
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAis02JGmPmB
372Please respect copyright.PENANAdcFQ6VFkTk
Kevin got caught there. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He looked away and scratched the back of his head, feeling stupid for having started the conversation. Rhénee sighed deeply and looked even more depressed. Kevin looked at her. Her eyes looked like she hadn't slept in days.372Please respect copyright.PENANA6xzof1sZp3
372Please respect copyright.PENANApyTPhBWyoe
"I don't think you're a killer, Rhénee," said Kevin. "But I know what happened must have affected you no matter how composed you're posing to be."372Please respect copyright.PENANAsCToyEYvNi
372Please respect copyright.PENANAGPwMGKpHca
"I'm not ready to talk about it. Let's just drop it, okay?" Rhénee's eyes were fixed on Kevin's chest yet her mind was elsewhere.372Please respect copyright.PENANAaA7cOyBDtj
372Please respect copyright.PENANAR204rDmCz1
"I'll because Miss Griselda might be awake and seeing you like this will make her sad too. But promise me that you will talk to me about it."372Please respect copyright.PENANAGRWXGkQ13e
372Please respect copyright.PENANAAWqIFa3yWZ
Rhénee looked up at Kevin and put up a sad smile. Kevin's insides shook at her expression. He didn't like to see her sad. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her to show that she wasn't alone in all this.372Please respect copyright.PENANAya45tXB7lJ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAoDqv0yJJdC
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.372Please respect copyright.PENANA6iuCkNEYiC
372Please respect copyright.PENANAFy5K5ycZZr
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAmJ70j21wQp
372Please respect copyright.PENANAs512OiCRaJ
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA8L1cVI3WkF
372Please respect copyright.PENANALSEzYRHzCO
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."372Please respect copyright.PENANAtMmc8d6eBD
372Please respect copyright.PENANAK0p5unMJzK
"Good. Let's go."372Please respect copyright.PENANAaawPCNW51E
372Please respect copyright.PENANAiVbUsHcGz2
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:372Please respect copyright.PENANAB8gOhq5LLI
372Please respect copyright.PENANAwOa19tqtyl
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."372Please respect copyright.PENANAi9XwakSekn
372Please respect copyright.PENANAV1eur4lCAk
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."372Please respect copyright.PENANAIZGW0eYiZm
372Please respect copyright.PENANAFOJw5RN4UC
Rhénee led the way to the door, the other two following behind her. Just before she could reach it, it flew open and for a second, it looked like it had opened all on it's own. But soon enough, Greta came into view behind the door with a glass of water in her hand.372Please respect copyright.PENANA5uUHLYQI5o
372Please respect copyright.PENANAfTzDpYE02g
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."372Please respect copyright.PENANA12BweZbX8R
372Please respect copyright.PENANAHdd5OFlacx
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.372Please respect copyright.PENANA7dQs7Kkqzu
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKSzvrVbPe0
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."372Please respect copyright.PENANAKPG2Y372w8
372Please respect copyright.PENANAut4TnoI12M
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.372Please respect copyright.PENANAL5d0XwFgeE
372Please respect copyright.PENANAhSX9GXHp0K
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.372Please respect copyright.PENANAQjF0tIeVGc
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKvt4JegaUl
"Nothing that you should be worried about," said Greta. "Miss Griselda just woke up and she really wants to see you. I told her that you were down here. I hadn't told her you left."372Please respect copyright.PENANAin4ZFnmLU7
372Please respect copyright.PENANADI4ifA9u4J
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."372Please respect copyright.PENANAGbCXtZz09S
372Please respect copyright.PENANAxxoUdOfbuA
"Wait, you can't see her looking like that. You're a mess. And whose blood is that on your clothes? Did you get injured?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAP2zOVV3agV
372Please respect copyright.PENANAztgHR3Tr0N
Rhénee hadn't realised how messy she looked as she stared at the bottom of her blue shirt that had a blood stain. Her trousers had a few drops on it too. She had been running for her life back in the forest, and not forgetting the injured Malcom. Greta is going to freak once she realises that it's his blood.372Please respect copyright.PENANAgIRAHqUVH0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAErpTsnegrU
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.372Please respect copyright.PENANAifCe5H1Ete
372Please respect copyright.PENANAiDbcDv68Zj
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.372Please respect copyright.PENANAgU36BVnMT1
372Please respect copyright.PENANAmEw2vG4Nhc
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"372Please respect copyright.PENANA8cKpPa6R6g
372Please respect copyright.PENANAprd2YusdPW
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.372Please respect copyright.PENANAalqzDJQLlL
372Please respect copyright.PENANA49mSeKYpBR
"That's not the shirt you were wearing today," she said. Soon, she gasped that it surprised the others that she hadn't dropped the glass in her hands.372Please respect copyright.PENANANOTOBh3PcA
372Please respect copyright.PENANAKCzBY2tdlm
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.372Please respect copyright.PENANAusjUz9I9Bh
372Please respect copyright.PENANA0FgsUEtjZg
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANArDxr0E1FVz
372Please respect copyright.PENANA1ubniZneZa
Greta gave the glass to Rhénee to hold and walked over to Malcom. Malcom at the same time tried to back away, but Greta got to him quicker with her hand stretched to touch his left shoulder.372Please respect copyright.PENANAFNDWpgENxB
372Please respect copyright.PENANANanI9HA3Rx
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.372Please respect copyright.PENANAnaYvYGQmOn
372Please respect copyright.PENANAyTZcL93NX0
"Are you hurt?" Greta asked as she started to check him from head to toe for any injury. "Oh, please tell me you aren't."372Please respect copyright.PENANAR8xE1PPEWV
372Please respect copyright.PENANAg6VG4RmlmX
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAFDb4l8eLFD
372Please respect copyright.PENANAenda1ybSmY
"What other guy? Is it the one whom you ran into trouble with?" Greta asked, this time looking at her brother straight in the eyes. "Can you please tell me what happened? I'm curious to know."372Please respect copyright.PENANA9zknKKx56g
372Please respect copyright.PENANA5BsvnIxqqk
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.372Please respect copyright.PENANAAHhaqJj11e
372Please respect copyright.PENANARqaSXcoRAE
Rhénee hissed and slowly looked up at the stairs. There stood Miss Griselda. She didn't look as weak and vulnerable as she did the time they left her. She had a grim look on her face; the type that a mother would give her child if he or she had done something wrong. The look reminded Rhénee of her father.372Please respect copyright.PENANAkKMN1hnMJc
372Please respect copyright.PENANACLDxX1HjpM
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.372Please respect copyright.PENANARtHdWtFz3J
372Please respect copyright.PENANAVrxuoy3tlh
Miss Griselda held on to the stair rail as she slowly came down. "Yes, I am, and I see that you three went to the forest."372Please respect copyright.PENANAzVE0vGXVfm
372Please respect copyright.PENANAbRLahHHXk2
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.372Please respect copyright.PENANAaEW8AcwrUq
372Please respect copyright.PENANABm1PdOzNhC
"Why did you go?" Miss Griselda was almost at the bottom of the stairs. "Look at yourselves. What if the worse had happened to you?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAnVkI3lVp3l
372Please respect copyright.PENANAbsaml8Lu1Y
"Don't blame Kevin or Malcom for this," said Rhénee. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me. I went there alone. They followed to try and protect me."372Please respect copyright.PENANArFZZg7IzuV
372Please respect copyright.PENANAg0U87wkI2H
Miss Griselda reached the bottom and walked up to Rhénee. She gave her a look, almost like she wanted to slap her. But when she spoke, she sounded calm:372Please respect copyright.PENANA657aHRcCAH
372Please respect copyright.PENANAM4dFO2l0Gn
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"372Please respect copyright.PENANABqXLC07WPB
372Please respect copyright.PENANAhjeA4FcuLt
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."372Please respect copyright.PENANA67XtLeVp1T
372Please respect copyright.PENANAJkOuMXWhFp
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.372Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8XMvwagvP
372Please respect copyright.PENANARGCDEsn6xM
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."372Please respect copyright.PENANAF4NATiUXoy
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzo9tIUfSMA
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."372Please respect copyright.PENANAw52vaZ0lxq
372Please respect copyright.PENANA4rdv4YLgZr
***372Please respect copyright.PENANATM0FJUPS0R
372Please respect copyright.PENANApznpea8ClI
Lunch time was almost over and Eugene still hadn't heard word on Mr. Sinclair. He had been working with Theodore, one of his superiors over a case like he was told to and he told Mrs. Clarks to inform him when Mr. Sinclair arrived. But so far, nothing.372Please respect copyright.PENANAWHL0UxaGQZ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAuHtx9MTFPZ
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.372Please respect copyright.PENANABqbNe7Ki5M
372Please respect copyright.PENANAJPGeXcylDe
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.372Please respect copyright.PENANAUgGTJcigrs
372Please respect copyright.PENANAUcNrHiET3r
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.372Please respect copyright.PENANAaz6RLc1fUa
372Please respect copyright.PENANAnmyVOj8c7H
She smiled at him as she tucked a long strand of her magnificent black hair behind her ear and sat opposite him. Her dark brown eyes looked at him intently.372Please respect copyright.PENANAAnSp2uUUkF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAhMPm96bVNz
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.372Please respect copyright.PENANAjdrW63qGgz
372Please respect copyright.PENANA27rn9SwYIg
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.372Please respect copyright.PENANAiVdbjF7fjK
372Please respect copyright.PENANAUjrmFDTDGa
"Mmm, you've barely even touched your food," Preeta gave him a dominant smile after staring into his lunch box. "Are you sure you're okay?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAK9nnE1WAbG
372Please respect copyright.PENANAl2CFEgufc9
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."372Please respect copyright.PENANA7X8U8P2ATn
372Please respect copyright.PENANAyDVqiCVPIq
"Really?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAxu65FzCsBm
372Please respect copyright.PENANAXLW1AzVZ3x
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.372Please respect copyright.PENANArD63iKUfAf
372Please respect copyright.PENANA48cGuFx1xT
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."372Please respect copyright.PENANA0IFyXCgvEA
372Please respect copyright.PENANAQPE9Dk5Lwk
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.372Please respect copyright.PENANAKY9355GzVj
372Please respect copyright.PENANArl6W0T3CyA
Preeta slowly made her way out of the staff lunchroom and she met two of her female colleagues. They seemed to be giggling and whispering to her as they made their way out of the room. One of them stared at Eugene before leaving the room with Preeta. Eugene couldn't help but blush as he stared at the door. Were they talking about him just now? He hoped not.372Please respect copyright.PENANAj0eIyLowXi
372Please respect copyright.PENANA9qDKUYG1i0
He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.372Please respect copyright.PENANALyeB2Iu1a2
372Please respect copyright.PENANAy6GMX67A33
Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.372Please respect copyright.PENANABKLiY4eBOv
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgrc5nwDRNc
He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.372Please respect copyright.PENANAKOhNUfz9WU
372Please respect copyright.PENANAZlTWkaFzxA
Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.372Please respect copyright.PENANAOXa39LODoE
372Please respect copyright.PENANAxQOZhLS34X
Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.372Please respect copyright.PENANAS337f9ybG8
372Please respect copyright.PENANAenY1UpEulm
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.372Please respect copyright.PENANA4zwOswo2uC
372Please respect copyright.PENANAE3epYfzKG8
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAyg3w4BX027
372Please respect copyright.PENANAIsTJB1YKsW
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.372Please respect copyright.PENANA7GCYG0wfM4
372Please respect copyright.PENANAI3rtv3lzeB
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.372Please respect copyright.PENANAjOB5Ua4nhL
372Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZWzndyN12
He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.372Please respect copyright.PENANArYD5qs50sA
372Please respect copyright.PENANAU2uvmp8lbU
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.372Please respect copyright.PENANAFyBysxCgtH
372Please respect copyright.PENANAZtNaeA7oLx
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.372Please respect copyright.PENANARblfE8vVca
372Please respect copyright.PENANAqnfZ5D2KOF
Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.372Please respect copyright.PENANA78LV0Lyw6w
372Please respect copyright.PENANAHkgaAlAgW0
"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAWiYLJN7d2Z
372Please respect copyright.PENANATOvBNlAGRr
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.372Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6NtS31NmK
372Please respect copyright.PENANArCtdWIYnhf
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.372Please respect copyright.PENANADzjiaqqHhn
372Please respect copyright.PENANAB1d94CMJNW
Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."372Please respect copyright.PENANAot0on3pAbl
372Please respect copyright.PENANAgAHxDytV1Z
Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.372Please respect copyright.PENANAkjB2WdzZeR
372Please respect copyright.PENANAN1LByeWiEn
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.372Please respect copyright.PENANAQjoKAMnoqh
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzLibsSHqNc
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.372Please respect copyright.PENANADARFreDBeq
372Please respect copyright.PENANALQj1G3BZtg
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAvUy4D5cjRH
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjUOiJsRCAt
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.372Please respect copyright.PENANAeVKk81z2Z5
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzO76m2ASjY
Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.372Please respect copyright.PENANAqwG0VHXx4I
372Please respect copyright.PENANAkN36Y9H0Qm
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.372Please respect copyright.PENANAztVMPt7Q2e
372Please respect copyright.PENANA0fFbcn56ks
"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."372Please respect copyright.PENANAN58QMyhqj4
372Please respect copyright.PENANAAFz62KC02j
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."372Please respect copyright.PENANA1RrwPZR9KO
372Please respect copyright.PENANA2lynuhXIJn
Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."372Please respect copyright.PENANAGdFalu8gd0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAzrWNmflMm5
Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.372Please respect copyright.PENANAG5D8NBqsgG
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjaSvrGCmgu
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."372Please respect copyright.PENANAMVdx3kTPzO
372Please respect copyright.PENANAqMykXfZw9g
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."372Please respect copyright.PENANAC9b3Ew7OzS
372Please respect copyright.PENANAQkdYuiEbj1
Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.372Please respect copyright.PENANAuCTkQDRYTM
372Please respect copyright.PENANAUyYqg1ElB2
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.372Please respect copyright.PENANAejDBdLBf3t
372Please respect copyright.PENANAkKZUJWQjz4
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.372Please respect copyright.PENANA5V7bXB5Zih
372Please respect copyright.PENANAvXRQbZAQsc
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAZH0j0V2qL7
372Please respect copyright.PENANAeau6GX2ytx
"Oh..., nothing really."372Please respect copyright.PENANAsxvhH7hJz0
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjdv8gIXwVA
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."372Please respect copyright.PENANAiJycnrsQoG
372Please respect copyright.PENANAUoxqE77FNc
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAcvK3vhWo9z
372Please respect copyright.PENANAsHTBa8bsj2
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."372Please respect copyright.PENANASwriuknJbE
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjQhEaCIeqB
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."372Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7Rw92Kwng
372Please respect copyright.PENANA47BScN0JOO
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."372Please respect copyright.PENANA7v26IoHWxg
372Please respect copyright.PENANAtXeth3eLGo
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"372Please respect copyright.PENANAIrzqfATsmz
372Please respect copyright.PENANASnPTxgotFx
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."372Please respect copyright.PENANAMs6yrtHRjN
372Please respect copyright.PENANAuSFnegXjpD
"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."372Please respect copyright.PENANAX4waBPtPQO
372Please respect copyright.PENANAhs7Yv34qHO
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.372Please respect copyright.PENANA3TFeKkBDyx
372Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ts40TjULa
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."372Please respect copyright.PENANAmbrMslFloV
372Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ar5PKTmpY
Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.372Please respect copyright.PENANAGkauQFjIjE
372Please respect copyright.PENANA77TpKXyZCS
He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 372Please respect copyright.PENANAhzOaVQoBJM
372Please respect copyright.PENANApMmVbxWOkx
Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.372Please respect copyright.PENANASLcNPJw1P2
372Please respect copyright.PENANAZufhIwp4QP
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.372Please respect copyright.PENANA0OFD63uUTi
372Please respect copyright.PENANA80tmmr5mMN
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."372Please respect copyright.PENANA2wM3Egg4YV
372Please respect copyright.PENANApTJBb6PdhJ
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.372Please respect copyright.PENANAD6LtcyEGrN
372Please respect copyright.PENANAwnJhTL7Q0Z
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."372Please respect copyright.PENANAagODQ0YvGZ
372Please respect copyright.PENANAjpa79dawbV
Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.372Please respect copyright.PENANA4vjxQWGRzF
372Please respect copyright.PENANAYtKEKHRfgr
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.372Please respect copyright.PENANA845JyC0h2O