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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnI3IMchN0y
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9xv0zFMQN
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91qaK1b1O3
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjGPhtFQtj
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSemfnmRBy
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrvADGQSfj
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6sfcpD8xM
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF6MKpoSf5
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUJfNipTuu
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplBIxiaJAL
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2cslbncgf
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrj8vCSrao
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2P2OBMgay
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtGf2rutVR
"What kind of trouble?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkFOth6cow
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXnFqTVPoI
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXreGSUQ9d2
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt9ObRqmyC
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamk4aFlcpv
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN4VTc5eYI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeNb0DBkiG
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqTM7wDwQj
"That's good. She needs to rest."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4y47o0PxS
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xjEY1iYx6
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZHB7F4EwZ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YGADyKMme
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleB9k8wZFP
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohr5aJo326
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicNG6jsd7K
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHnfjZ1Ye2
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXGzWTLSz9
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBryLXzTjn
"Ya, sure."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWK1gzfAEPe
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrotDUzr4Y
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcBLbdSg5q
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexrp9BCSN1
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hBxUstppo
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVL19iD0dQ
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmRPcPhQ1l
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TDYrxTUhT
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgqg0bBpxX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr10GNYpnSs
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCABjkfWvKd
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY9nYbYQjm
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPuI20g4gV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcTafME2qj
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlm8YSrSvdZ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66OCYcAsNE
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrPrKaFCcd
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpN2Fm6i1g
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PkZO1BSKi
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4BjCb9CEX
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCIzN7Kfao
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQLKIRXMFA
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlLVKXuikB
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXm7OVXpns
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeVwk5oISK
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbjwHhiM0M
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWoBXHLauj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwvTBGNts4
"What did you say?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM20MXmXSO
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5YW3k8vDs
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ueFYuFBIk
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfsBQ0bpi8
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwAFb4DfJ7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5WCM5EPTs
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ7IOch8t3
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYJlCLhgb3
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0HUIPOB74
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4kezgZLnM
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlEMnPtCgb
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmU2388p4IS
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBtCXhupd6
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7nTAWCR8
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsVuDkTDDo
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiJHvZBG33
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamgJiA69xD
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNaCerImPz
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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUntbFtfZQ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIY9pxbVX4
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqQPhazTQV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAjznstzrK
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKzUoVdctb
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Fadwe51G
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAor2BZEcc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fd4j4nfAV
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMtlNQknnN
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsVedSpFY0
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKvKEKbnma
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3CyLRcOCN
***619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADxxts7WSE
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxSStSMfyp
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKecTanfcIJ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mEMkdFAMm
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Jj4ZHZR9S
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6NqBQ8JJg
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uh6FYKWpv
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatUjvZVCgW
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSzAszsKlm
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1NLeZ2q6I
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdjFWMwWwN
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyu4hzVMsw
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnThBq1SdM
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fn8VbLzf2
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWSxRH5yl2
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJDlWX50dZ
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJdaS1eG6R
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmzhepRidd
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZNSCtt0Cz
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiFOYUDq8R
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzvcz39kcr
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9TqO5lAdL
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxkH2fCKoP
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP37m9lLD8s
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYExhkSURj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkSWtUgiVR
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSLTj4Jcjt
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGA4qQ7li2
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEaiSvhFTU
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zIPByw6xO
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdiYkhlW48
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39pmAhqaNj
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnStp9zc5OZ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfmQr8ROr9
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXCSpXoGyX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC8Yl0ndLz
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZYvSOoD0O
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1SBroOiF3
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KGRF9yMpR
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWuyGS8Spg
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4rE67toAs
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRGYaxO7p8
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwrs3FbQ3j
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9LWXT6rdQ
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz85HfVlQ0y
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aS1BJPzap
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4woGxZIoPU
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdoyY0bY62
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDbPgCwxyz
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVXMojBkYj
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tjFWarKLU
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciEjmNPgN9
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91Tgwz7H0O
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhikBiGZeIt
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVOHJ8YiyX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j53Pe9POp
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDiSrkqihc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5f0E8pGRG
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb25l3WEjL
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D2D58x5Ta
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNxVuLzAuQ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22keBBT6lz
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgC3hFlesc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkvgCSwCMV
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroL0Yv7Gph
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2uZ0moCYK
"Do you think she's killed before?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCry9iyFIoC
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUoEkO2xWE
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYTQVJ9rNX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EhBANzaDF
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX9k08eEoS
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl74tBF9e0
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ8RYaQ2v0
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneVIRqYM4m
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPT0GjxYvuR
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nhtAzw31j
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3ZNHuyvBF
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwCnpMs2UE
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQy5704lwYk
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AGT4QAoFp
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto8iV9RQhV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0TSnIiSIL
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwozY7YKgjP
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtnzNkvj0t
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVLWmqHjY5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamE85dXgTH
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbJ04TnAPT
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDxqvapzSy
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOk2oXf7Ff
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMld16HDEJ
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7tFyGBO5W
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4D7ujcMm2X
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6mOCJGU5y
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HFERWP1mK
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaazbYCV4gP
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmLYD4Qq97
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DlRpMbDN8
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYFHVmRIjr
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzJ6rD2Iuq
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NhmwysQCQ
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyc9qR68XR
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLiv3jNFeJ
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK1Z42t4rv
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnmT2S0tAe
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDrMyTCvxp
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSYOs6dhdO
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnsaDAgXTH
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfz8lhshM4
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowvGbiJv70
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DlMSpCv1r
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb2J2mtU6i
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVsVVsjA30
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UPD1bX4Ph
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvwkbTu9Kw
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP94HCTYIy7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z9Afxeu3q
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sALatolkQ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpFx2Wp2lu
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75RJ3CYSAV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRTFBHiRHr
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qXYBU8DE2
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sF5lvjnOK
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm0FrfUocv
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NfU6snBdP
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC22Z4iXp1F
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJ4isCdq8d
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHK6FzEqDBK
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhf6dIN0o
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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEceJIgt7P
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbY76O5KU0
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX6SYQG2tw
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbplgtnQQeC
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48svbTOCz5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2tZFcX6Hf
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1tNKzQNPI
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaSC9DdXf2
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBIvUSNqE0
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2OL9Xc7yF
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8io9dWT33T
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHRBahoOAg
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83kutJ3j7k
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4MdzPCobY
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhizflQ5Su
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvd66yyDzm
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA0ueKAHmp
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ir6Jq9Ttw
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOmhmn164j
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMFofMvOIw
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHwCSQ6Ba0
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGzC7VSl9N
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR98DVGXgG
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST3k78rk97
"We will," said Kevin.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuskM9hBNaX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyZE405jrL
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnPpbzprgC
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxZxFxOCem
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L5M14OqCf
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwrnSFCBGt
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnQjZxw7gD
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHZXTgw3s4
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOazITDpwg
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH08pmxKF6p
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc00huc9l47
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9ioxqn5JL
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:619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a4XiCIWoz
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07BDQJQbg
"Rhénee, wait!"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCGDzqyOID
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AXCqm42hd
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhloXtugSMX
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4k10BasVk
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFwauRY69m
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkffcCkt06
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzEGqrS5az
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE6onahgDq
"I'm tired."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4QTuvlTuh
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6q1F4BE6z
"Really? I don't think that's it."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZKTg8bmFF
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY1XIwfKqL
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0AswFg5wc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFfXPHgt3M
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqLG89YdS1
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Y7LlhFlTf
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXGTOcAbiA
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJYPqd5KP5
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGOuz0sPDc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBiRlKQssG
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTufO5ZTrV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2S1TVTzJz
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqP1evSLed
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhI7KeR3s
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIwmmEecpy
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fyY6BsNuz
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWYZZk1bzj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkYX7cKoD6
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk7ckeE4pW
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQrBbe5Emc
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAEsMHynSa
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTUhZnukEq
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmW1dN8mpE3
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDTJUWB3RE
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ont5OdlBv
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrI1mArXHFW
"Good. Let's go."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC63R8syoj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIdNNuE03P
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Oakbq2dro
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dhOCGGoY8
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0utDDT92EU
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJWYqdOuWX
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTay7WHok4x
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3va5J4ICI
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MjK0ZhJq3
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBh2SozvXL
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3mmYYt7gO
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDoaRLqrQQ
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOqxEGgbz9
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nvVBC6fv4
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GQmyovoCZ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMWVGtnr87
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByGiNAsRtn
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfdCYKATjg
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlUz3XtFbS
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5sZCG7lgy
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsrB94IefT
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs30J8vzDj3
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41lb4nRnA9
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaQv40pfF1
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj9gAYsDVO
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOVT7cnwi9
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLUDDm9Wkz
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq5B4O0F3h
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOnlqfLl8u
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKjL4VWFXV
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsPxNArjEk
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvZT84wuvx
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2mkJSczva
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVsFo6PDRe
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9g1ZAguTzV
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4NeZq8NxN
"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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwUv9mo2LG
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5wcfABlIm
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuo2Zj5QPjc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4kHKmY1Wz
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbWC9imNaO
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1PVFvBH66
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiWx9ncskZ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHQAadLYPO
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PBlbOBMyn
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8oPg3ah57
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPOiSKgmOl
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UTGAEZ3Nx
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7F2eU05Or
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzRHuzeYZs
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GAiyJ6G8n
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYmTED3KEc
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF1neCIGWr
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8tjflYMdc
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLtuB61dUC
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB04fLZIQXX
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVasRgwcsm
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGFaZFV1Ri
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAadNN9jjkp
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYLGK8rGjY
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0TPlA11WJ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8adBqwvWS
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJH5VGyAXI
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdhwwVFjjY
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKtCPHXZKS
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWjzMu55IL
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:619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUauxyWOam
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kqjx38yvT
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgSO8rjQYa
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeY2tzwi6V
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTzy4Sar7A
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYRDYu4SZw
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI03w4eTwAj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8up3udMLNU
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsmVSHd5a7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQ97K2ElUQ
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk3oHkD3qp
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjGTJe3iiz
***619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z4vRvHtfr
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtXkOOByBw
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC06MfqiKio
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EjBq3iIv0
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxDYXtHDxh
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60DprIDRpE
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJLMwB1FVc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3bf7CzFe4
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapRyPVozGi
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtaUzg8eUg
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3oEBRo5M7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWjKbJcoVN
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a9up6RN54
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbctIvJLRp
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBJV6dRko5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6waJmE5qIb
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi0gLxUdH1
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFIhCqGaot
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSM5zZBWJPN
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21WkfMe2BF
"Really?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1d8BJhZPL
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH22keUWAE
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo4VLDrJ0n
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpFlVANJ37
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEO122XJ9ez
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3fWQDkz2x
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSwBcty8Oa
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEpOkpDNlF
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGueqWx1puB
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ5rKfUhGF
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasZAOAwwrQ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWlcr2cCib
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe2Xotgcun
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoMqxtrtJr
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj19bdV7hUq
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeJQ58r3ke
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G9iifMGIW
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcF3lPMpRVB
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pc5RGQdBb
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zRNqBATrA
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrEHGiXLCh
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC9tZP5cvW
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Z9aV2y8K7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe5mIqY9O7
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhm5cVkBFc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVTgdkHOrl
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFEXC6wo1x
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm1Jlyf4Ie
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaz7hlbMQt
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaM87ctGI4
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kfJCNd8GG
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScXKFZZ8E
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QA4shpEVu
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt0mSY6ph8
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKg4Ymkftgw
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tzyiKzj7r
"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?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Yw9Jha0iU
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDGE3rlj0h
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAFkumnTUt
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs9UXmRkoH
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8V91vGPTp
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gQZeO2J0F
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOCm3g25qY
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xTiix78Lc
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlutrH0Aiaq
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWL3Sg03By
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5kHDvBzPW
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBOzfVua3l
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbfzwBEEBD
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUdPygfZ1I
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYldubgHHcf
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCiLXprEFt
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRX4AwYdAw
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNjQUlCy4U
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lzdGYaI0Q
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbDWNMXRY5
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe9lkzuCA6
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbww77rfKzY
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mocWv0oUG
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrPEzBsXHn
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8h0xqtHqS
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7UG2fIbMB
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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPOrpOR4qD
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqQv1Y7T1n
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVFP9PeIyT
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXHmrCePsQ
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2j2xL4iHfE
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HFk2H7xsq
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LENRnWb7R
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zC7SVlEfm
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJcEKVctj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauqIk3NNtW
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q0WEGHAkB
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcenajYKXJa
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGXxaXUFdQ
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXPjaESOmb
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl26yhq6mTY
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1cjEYZtv1
"Oh..., nothing really."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uQ6wJ5CJd
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk28FWKgIcI
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxdOpo6S9t
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjlh0aagbv
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0q3SiMQML
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPWhV3Jg6e
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwFEIwMg6w
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8MaQpoCh2
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO7WynARxF
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB3vslCo1p
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjUdIuyDNr
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGL4GJqZOd
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNlbtPIERc
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecRbGqW9VM
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfr7fhFRJ7
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbZLZ6FPvP
"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."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6g8pu5OnT5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YbmlpyHnT
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1dxKphj7x
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFjEZbZzej
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcS5OI1xHw
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDrIlxxECX
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzdT6qg5bI
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oC1kJ2ndB
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? 619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YRAvxVLz5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiw1xiRMmgo
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKlf7wUBJa
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3t7Lw6Kft
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4N6fZuaPZO
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCt0puLQ2j
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRY6wHxTg9
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xnkzLiceu
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCXeDDOBr5
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnrpCwUhym
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡach6vXyDzu
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimxpcIaaUa
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.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE9xb9r3Yj
619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFDwkO9b5H
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.619Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkGGp2aUER
