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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97gbxR32U1
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDO1MgjYrD
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NppW1SeJC
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m5H2xz9Zl
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwx8TiVnFV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHOC6AjRY4
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7Ysa0Gm4S
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1u9I1NaQP
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dgiE7ft7C
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrR7KahqPRX
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtaOTmOdPn
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGq1LKFj6U
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmG43hHzok
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfibrI9ndvd
"What kind of trouble?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YGUm9pTb8
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqb4akaHiP
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII67YEgfpc
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHEzuI9Vg
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsZwSYKCP6
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8gHNv7b2D
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVszHFexWN
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcLQhc9pVQ
"That's good. She needs to rest."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuEgBwClvK
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBierongeBo
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7NwjMUQAc
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlwdHnb2x9
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OVZMOr3jY
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGGZVQGsvf
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4vcPlfcyS
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpdgOD9QL9
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaF0SDtJXk
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCKV2rgviM
"Ya, sure."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPVgFt1dyA
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpMjitVBmW
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dGMDSiD0X
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIrwEERMiM
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREOcYgrMl1
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o9DcYucHV
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYAw5ByjQh
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AtLfpG3xj
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YCiLCibnO
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOB4NKRtj5
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEMHKPOhj5
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyfCDGdW2C
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ05LeG716V
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdpM7ss5Bd
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkBP6UMilC
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wRIzwD3RF
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RumtdOxty
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICKO1JhWEx
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTUts0tZMG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYW7yjmVeaW
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiEB8JxmGS
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yXUgOwP2a
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYy50c4jZTb
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hr4OGswfh
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUsAZczO3r
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uqz4mCgPJ
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp17DXnSjZ0
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwN9ALxVua
"What did you say?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnHSRrdB3l
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNM7KW1ZkZ
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfY1dE3Jfg
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPwvlSA2lx
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvYpYv1kCN
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER73QBpcgb
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpRkb3wpUA
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJ4e8zePp3
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXymZxe5doN
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvbJanYSug
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0zfOK59XZ
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNGF02oz4C
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlONmNu9IG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGSUPh8dmd
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAlPJYFr5d
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Je8eSwqmh
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmFuppx8fy
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEz0gSfJtw
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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSftBWZdvRG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GSOVJvMh2
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXR5Sn6OGW
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3GH1Ptlvz
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZvqCsfeUw
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5zlDohOuz
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLPK1nDu4S
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPXjvFO8Xj
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5ENKyHn1B
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQwC37e5Ec
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUsUTFmxPf
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw531olH1q
***588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmbv0F3kfo
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmjC75nhOu
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbbBbXyBsk
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywIi9cYNf7
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MBNotEUWn
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6qDq5ltex
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VABSs07Bm
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXGM1QldcM
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV4w9JpHxG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5E2c896Gt
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4GggbQVJh
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRl7zDumxF
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnZ2ZuktEg
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UO3GtlEP4
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmao3ElduX8
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNSLVfHT4
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBFiKkOzY5
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXaLfjCTI8
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPrU7VuxKh
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahzgZVXfkp
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyTVwTvOL5
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeajHtLML1
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx35s7hufv7
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7bgtkOr5U
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHI5ZJHnlo
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0IBayJA5a
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavnDsp1Grt
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKmtC3Vrvz
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbclKXRoVN
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzDKMusJ8R
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxDN6OK1Vd
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tSxe58ev8
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3IV0lgdsH
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJNztEi2E8
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitlVSIZYfq
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmjB6QUD7Y
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJzei7LF3G
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE08cR1Ajym
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Hn0Zq34G
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlaQCsBJpX
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86gNOdYCrO
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2NR1oEDE0
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPSr9ZZUWV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqXtkFDsrk
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oZi8RyMeH
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7rV5H86FL
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoh0fJGQ5t
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJxWYPIZIk
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4PBzcEgFm
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWK297O3t6
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpLp68l8fz
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP6pvRAtPs
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR13xkpft0
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSv77LkAphw
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz4uxWjjK5
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8tfNeuGfV
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9u9ExlOri0
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIx7hiIIwI
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iia62nYbl
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfZBAOlsAc
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr327Ac5Vcl
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspf8ZD5ytA
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnUjhYhm5r
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1LK3CrEoe
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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwGdquVzLE
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOHHToepea
"Do you think she's killed before?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x8vHEdxvZ
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDFAzuXO9g
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGKfY2h2rp
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeSO1yA5m6
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aOTmCwm1J
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58SGJt6Aoi
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fdjOGHCpq
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzMX6HM61D
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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzULQHpOdT
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGkxi0qMdQ
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KQhYKtE4H
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5eHOv9Qf8
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBMY1yccCb
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPDNQXfsQG
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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtOesNGRt4
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgKDsku7Zn
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNER5xm1Y6x
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSprO7RQiL
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SvDZJSclx
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5H3PdB1sn
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaOxgwC4bY
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ0RBmxn4E
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK42I3jRZ7P
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDG1vIZ2MC
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcH5CJo6dqM
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISU6ROcwRN
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXJhmbtApP
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YpAT8cHzd
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bc4kOiNbb
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSZjhiSheq
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Mawh14VMX
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW3CFW3HwK
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrcovW7MuF
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSddwyV8dVL
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95qDLsp7ML
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXeFbfUNPN
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfofzlGkXD6
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4fOk6Z8R5
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfQ9hI5Lpz
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxMjOuMEVs
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVJ7lMwRsA
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdIJlvcD9h
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDE3qjwDTmO
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFDL0Siy5r
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLYyKZhWRt
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDy92zxj3T
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3ncHwO5IM
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bpIE1v4e1
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSChb0K1w2
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf88IAHnZU
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavv5YpCsrj
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKAXRpwDAN
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ0J7MJ4nX
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIaTqBs2bd
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonGcbOo6v0
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGzb9DorHe
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLEMhSIN87
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG8DqVZCPf
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiQIpD7RwL
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0TXEMcnwz
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnKWFGnDhe
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN4GGnD9Wu
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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW57IYpVw7w
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmKfeE2qdI
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHjnzx6Fel
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpwSMJaZWA
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY6PXQPd1n
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FDQqTyCXA
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalZVkWBT6P
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFusaYN40k
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6YaKzWOfA
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1sFkrRp3a
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOfb1GzbLy
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWxqJM6NkZ
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2MItqC4Ht
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWAJoI3ZKz
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxLZTQNn5Y
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZSu8UJXnP
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSZRB3NZjd
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuUnFGXu7V
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1ucbqVf87
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQnINsGAoC
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2SfDBF7Hf
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx8dr40jqs
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrdE5x59kW
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3LSs5HplX
"We will," said Kevin.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTGocQQGBR
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmTGOz7kbQ
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxmBMEa6dd
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECu0dCsyes
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxph2Cw6iLP
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBzIDs20Kv
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW9HTdG8z9
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIpLuAKlo6
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhCI3sXL5y
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY82SILLYg
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGNEjpD49N
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr4uKgKDmJ
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:588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWudl6ofBL
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqarudJUiUu
"Rhénee, wait!"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZmq1t7aIU
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGlt8tcRdF
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ256yd7iGQD
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkN9MNabBbT
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEs99M9fNct
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedaTJYulhc
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGmEyx4o5m
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzQcIdhets
"I'm tired."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi1FMacfDK
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBH99yEIPa
"Really? I don't think that's it."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cHLKx2Ulx
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijYVI2OlSM
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiAvQxMC1d
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTn0Tsqfyu
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIBp7XbgoL
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY2rpjUiw2
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKdvK3Apmp
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDqYM9FY6P
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2pY20rRJo
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGhZrNgXTK
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSYXpswsyH
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSyqrnOywU
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb93lfS2xJO
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu6tutqpV2
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetCDE329p4
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuteAFLEyJ
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooSHUzOPBG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3qeoOLOTM
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GPbM8Klz4
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46S2bn3aU0
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKufJgsxro
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx9Ossa1Cg
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGXH8adBop
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjz3OTG30P
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb7ZU0iHXQ
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0TJgdkm1x
"Good. Let's go."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzwrlhgCWZ
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZIQOR6Rhc
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZNptMjgbz
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1CVXPLHt0
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3CTbKVk1H
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAthZN39cf
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lBbSt68XG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0Cli9ydH5
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnN5S8OufK
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4D1jI9bzT
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIwmtTauJ9C
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8uCkibjZD
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ubZpklqed
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVSOXDYRmc
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuybB155enr
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSrBpepPr6
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86ddKtX431
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHlhRkeVRi
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8QVFHoUvV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69nLdEwYzg
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgOTia6sRl
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHfOnUUrno
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMslOnhjKC
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4KDpxGqbW
"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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryD4s7IvsW
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9OyplSVoJ
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSywFrqDva
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZH7fdpO7IX
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyFTqpurKU
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcZTcBB54z
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGycJY0chE
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2fUXrR1Ih
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiioYvsgHbA
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7eDOOi75h
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgMBKcwX3e
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ928C7aW0pk
"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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStUk1iVEim
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x9J0xesF7
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWJT4LMBpw
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFYAPSSnOr
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9XzTIwMJW
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDitKgJlR7M
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfbNs7Omf2
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsP1gPc4Uj
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmrveTg7Xn
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TIRxsJPOM
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxrwE5sYbw
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5UTvqnCTg
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrE6DFTceN
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJenBjbBv8
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNLa7ho2TR
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2wjoidaO8
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHTxOoenxc
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTCK0QnlxF
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwccpuIXMTm
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrcaiiSnJY
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4CBq3xPY3
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuGEHdLsDv
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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlBzNxrEqm
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4GBrnsie5
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajK3X9dwZ8
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihYpTJi4NV
"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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjppSwOUMA9
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqt4S198Y
"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtmMfYehX2
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MNoIanERw
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:588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gLoCjk1UE
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVQBYlbA4r
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjI6Nnjrd6
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD2tmWrZxY
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxIklx9gjQ
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH8LQnpU8N
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmuUoxBJXO
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGIbLg8Mua
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyoURMg6a7
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRODNZd1zp
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKG84Eshcc
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5tD3MbcSm
***588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY4RNkMOLE
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTW5K1OrTc
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyelTmumYrq
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmppBElGdE
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6nvrMST3d
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVsA7fpHcK
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5p3qIWLwX
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNLK8TYVzN
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nAG56ZGnt
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBEyPNvgxe
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolF0bvfQSV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKWocdBQlX
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNBgtusy26
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuSOdxhjrf
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAdkCK8LQf
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tpodHSdVu
"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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3QacjiHPq
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z0lmPl0im
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnqvueAAvW
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBX7Oog7BaC
"Really?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2xBHJ9bnV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZuF2VD5IR
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlIpo7WHxf
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSriOA9WO0z
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGCuzI0CQV
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FkWW6d7tS
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jDJhtsMtm
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwgRpMLJ6J
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU4J0KZ31n
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqYlI38guT
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJx5jl7KS
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGM17xYAOc
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9naGaBZp8
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlQhHfhLEO
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSuRhsNIYg
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlcr78ww63
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCCGTzgh9V
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2CxG2orCH
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE4vpRl7h7
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGolpdiEdgh
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8eylL0Al2
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwJLqGgw5w
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Nt8ICFW5g
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFauVJ4f84L
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs64vLjwdq
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqt04x2PB3h
"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?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZ0wS1Vg3a
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE84gyIkv47
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEsLdh0yow
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmy0hnvhHV
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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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHFSg4yqIM
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2twpl26B96
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZv04r6yBG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy43OuYscP7
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlk3DhdvhV
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55lntvZKLM
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hxwtR5qvn
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSuENSBpJW
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIce9IFosZq
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOyy041B5X
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"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CbaZtoVS0
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNjN9Y8W9M
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUOt4psF4G
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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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKysIGURyz
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRISmn4KWS
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhkO7WFoZ4
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ2RMxrWS5
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXRtOQxYUe
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtd4b6vWGDG
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡds7EOdbnJr
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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeIUepRNgk
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxDQZMwvAC
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d0f7L5D7n
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQr0dTzQEl
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"Oh..., nothing really."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8Fyt4Qhlu
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JJh36l2Zh
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIrTjRuF3B
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUlKxKrbF5
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqiR3NV5xC
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqnrTtrxLx
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD4SSf3Baf
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhYDTa3KSa
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XdzUishpG
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDs9glKgyg
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"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."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBMw6yA6GK
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaCV6IUJbk
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIVxrdnh2x
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzbhGEKWnB
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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? 588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalQ2FOd1hJ
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv9rb1rW6T
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9ifv62RPk
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoWilsftAd
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF4HI1sL1p
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbklicEUTlz
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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.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqj2hDyGec
588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47OkVy4iWV
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.588Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPewr1oPgyT
