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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgUlOqFCms
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcHPuBnxKX
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRvONhyory
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQu17joyVj
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNIMlFgXTX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5YJ06dNJh
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGKVacVaU3
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgXNQJ6FFO
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTYJeHbh58
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75RsNX1uro
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU9qzpW3uN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbvaDkS0Ft
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fc5wVeM9p
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPmOAqS1cb
"What kind of trouble?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseTOZmtiYD
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3ZR8a1lP2
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKdLQK2Qli
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oSZLMQDos
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMms9FSUva
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31cV5qznaM
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Gt9u66RTA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMQomdvHYC
"That's good. She needs to rest."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cpTWqbDzj
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKjkk6ABzt
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RSADPQbAo
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFVTWcBtfh
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxLLWXhUMX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbaXZfVfQK
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAS2SzgoSA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAkfjcGSX2
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQsedd5VeP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU9cDLV25k
"Ya, sure."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv3tLg4YN8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz3ohfBCS2
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMgHiotyJW4
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC5FELMwQG
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yuK87Nj7Q
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt8AcRaEry
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgPG9B7I0F
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYoMCHbZTf
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nCIE0CCQm
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lkCJcthZR
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbO75EfGZD6
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9ygY4Njsv
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgv20gEmSO
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo75QbBuy2
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicCYcnB6rM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08WKoyq9do
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vGm2wnN7e
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkBXVWt9sC
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ7shw310p
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XYmMCUXcX
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYDsLVxqRn
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1U5lcHq2l
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm6RE5haNq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEFfCI5l6y
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo5Msrf01g
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yBmfQgvI1
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzt5gtRhtb
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41e47ootRL
"What did you say?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9sFHDX7nEx
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsMtBkqcKI
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JFmiU6DRQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx992PyZGV
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2BWAI4dOX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNS4GrV65O
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFtHiYaiSz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqHjfv0Hq4
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlz3lLGryn
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmUDioAi6j
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrFpk4JETs
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iNAR4BTX2
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNXqsNqCe0
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt9JZJpY1n
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iRDYyHCdB
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bw258XxyO
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqM9c7aSzw
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMcjifHNs6
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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1NB3sG9If
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN7m4fDyEC
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9r4CjJqWE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdliCstvyAw
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKz2Eck39J
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSuzK32wRc
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Xq8cid3J
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxsw9hLXI7
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdwOXVlF05
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRcSdVK2M0
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanS0TmRNej
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3grt1Xo3x
***620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGesLtxArU
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDuwBMMA4s
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcG0tubOLH
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Rv3UjTBZA
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWultFeRdo8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZRHLP3x6t
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQpnXt0Td
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6b5G1PMiGo
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcWmjz6ZIg
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRwApiI4S9
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH5yyvkg6p
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpo9YlgJ6i
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxObHHC6lR8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQnrDrx3jH
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPjbJZ0f35
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLpcq0lGUt
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYsML3YZHC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkiLzX8yIG
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTDgrdBqwT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihcw2srWfb
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflKOv5t1Rj
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMoLL1LzUK
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEbHUfHcV6
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxajbWQzXCu
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0oBD4c1fT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxy3iYPphy
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2RzADMLlt
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtz45L2rIm
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjp3l5QNZp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdvPZ2nF1b
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGNFD5YkTw
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGlWnZNZLW
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4oHaGi2k5
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qM0aYgaUV
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAnlcSrrus
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGJCMNbEAW
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvtbJT0zHl
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHsrOedOVX
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdn3DsfULA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDql9ncNTe
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhBUwy1V9f
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGKbPJku67
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY7EDkjyHa
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuEb538OYy
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoqQdJi27e
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp4ZILqEG5
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNW5L9efvfE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNBZI7caVZ
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXOuPztlhZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChDjHTIWJN
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1shJFpTWK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJDs7a1JZJ
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQPAteoUrK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidBlxC1i9z
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1E5N3DOqR
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM5E9iA4W5
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjETmco9Fq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGES1oxFnu
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgRO7YRKbQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f3175pcJR
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YJrHUYyLP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRmjN1IpM2
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgfaQp8AlT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSadD3gGXox
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQosL9I767
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs8El7iq7g
"Do you think she's killed before?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyXqCqIzrT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU1fUnw175
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFGD7J7KS2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ9CrX67os
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLfAxZnKpe
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYEKi2nRSi
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjiNde0Pdg
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYnEpCFgzU
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXNjPYovgn
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdyNC1dIXk
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SkhIO1a5
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgZ75QIskA
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVOaT0Pzmi
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK4MYCnxSN
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZDFvmvyq0
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP0iikvuH6
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruQLY2qGZq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIdT756p3g
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAaWMYQYvo
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulfvJ3Ocq4
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMcZvfKjZN
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJmuKFKUC9
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDbeOxWEpA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32RormxFNV
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQHLLDnuoV
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg470i9pxZ
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxG69V34ZX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Sr5idmVjP
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcigzzVYkaO
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGl6NqdlKs
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw5CByvrQa
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZrhSD9teK
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSKhiIXurv
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0u23grmdld
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVadLDM5dMG
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzP6cJfadK
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBknxxSW4y
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTACCoxvghN
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I3wQ9f3Er
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5jZ3anKoz
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXlyOohPl9
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaO6EsfZXc
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pRg57COwW
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZVAMBWxVl
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUR2NiQGig
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO60KLbPooh
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrz2I3KK9A
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48YrI4yu5Y
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkl2T0TyGZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA4XwZree0
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdV2qs13uK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZHJAbyMg4
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1gW6zyrr1
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWod3liGSfL
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMU2DEGWdph
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl8DksK96J
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsV5dWXBMYS
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd74hJ5jW1W
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTB8nSLeJr
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf51fkg5mTL
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMuLlKGfN3
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2wEqyrLop
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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ijy49qrnw
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1LqzfpAh6
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzR8w8xahQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4nQwwHN9c
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgosgrYr5cr
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCO7iUd50N
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBnAJC5IoX
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a13ZXtWa3
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi5nRjYc3z
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iAdKORDC0
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9NZiloJyW
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNQRwE11fi
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWVJ6LCvT3
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqWz8K7i4I
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF82yUTh61T
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsa3nnthnRx
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cC4h029sU
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6BmuKDL7c
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzJuLlWUQ5
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgqDI6zeKc
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4abCZl52Gy
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgqInrV1K2
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ869fSk9pZR
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaSE41e8q6
"We will," said Kevin.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVC96TmYOt
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeAAZwZjsA
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRprwZrmug
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGecrK6jdEM
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdYwCqIJU1
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvi03p6p96
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ADV3hzf5t
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahmlmdNjko
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvO4dv1hF2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkRRlshmQY
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWQMYBmRe2
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNViR4d5KA
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:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4n3sPxZIz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYhE3fcEqm
"Rhénee, wait!"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR76EOkAB4U
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqYhVQcI5F
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPLTyZ9T4k
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruiQ8m8JaJ
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhtsSmj3pJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRgTC8Yfwc
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XWfh8B6m8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpljbnPVvid
"I'm tired."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLThRHoti5
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I6SQNrkEM
"Really? I don't think that's it."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOEsjzqyWr
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXnfELp5Z0
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnDodteJmM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHeH1UYJKs
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3JpMVTESC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7AaL4bivQ
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaDcrOlHgI
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH7W2QDme6
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxCtI3OMrc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyHbotCeCC
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepEe5DNNQc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcp0TXtJg9
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70Nop2FvrO
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId6hWH4GB0
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcahSF6hpSz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqxd1P3F8W
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgqnholGBi
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCzXCJuPKN
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v1gY2kF6H
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh4Igljmwd
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHmCn3jrih
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kmT1dbZTd
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL0XTGy5kz
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQWRMCWY7w
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmn5QMrvbD
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfXduhhAHi
"Good. Let's go."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24myyZh06J
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJx2G2uhve
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWbCZRfNtk
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcPkZP2Sxf
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIL1HYrhRq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPuk92q90K
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLETJN7APpq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AVtaEq1F3
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWWv9n9QQa
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGR7TNUuOo
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5QFwRMDEM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAUuvFtvJj
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJggI8ehiP
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2ZbX4Iu0s
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArjIBLYZAk
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4mO18ol17
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9gmqrnEvG
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGAetbsZxV
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpOtxiu46P
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyt1Vt2PwZ
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKIulwrWyf
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuLpeSNWgOj
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbNhbcAmhE
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pwRFjLQWi
"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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3NIzMCV7l
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31brmtALFx
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMedQie4gG
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYqlBGcK5z
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLvHCFxyNK
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErQw3I1fJb
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPDxmA4sQ7
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7jQUJoSmS
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhMjzwgdTn
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaWhbDv8nU
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rms8u6xzJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPui1gzUBj
"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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZVF9LTQ6z
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONoJOjlSS8
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphWDJXG8xW
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn6BdwHnFR
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtoB78qlUA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNsHHPL1vh
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh4Khndfdg
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrsL10mxMQ
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyAsaUHA6T
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66cVkcIhZR
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTDdSRhCbM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeYCJMPYO9
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF48JGnqys
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Yg0sNp5m
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZSXFwe4WJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7osyqOxz3u
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWB1vXlWFx
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlmPeIRliE
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCC7BeDw5jF
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaZQaAbkr8
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Oi2sO56cL
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QIAmuc0Mt
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0RuUnUEWY
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKWyrMBN8G
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCx7TtvIXb
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaomKbUnPa
"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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvPm6Sczru
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwonGkskrFd
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBBJcbHVUx
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYN3UotA9U
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:620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAf7e2z9Pq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUkrbIzlmN
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtsB9uFN6y
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mz8bIkVLb
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPQm7xHqgc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcPJcFrLBz
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbq5rumqf9
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI9lf9DfnY
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMdaiiDmDu
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhjKUlTTtY
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5etU3MROs
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5dlnm7ORV
***620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0clfoq6MRc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWevXvuDr5Z
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUgEbbidZA
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ63uFR8o6L
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwSeEYxNcO
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJF6Q9qxCn
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpLjBbyfph
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdsOdaEknB
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yyDrj2fBZ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ21Qu7leE
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy03y7BKRJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsir7TsFLVv
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDhLcPwqac
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTk9zbBAmL
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1hPvKrqeM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn9kA5VwV5
"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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVx7yJDARM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor50klEuMq
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FGLZSn2Af
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDwgaAV6GT
"Really?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3931JGRvl
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ErzIqkNxi
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hdkuf8XTv
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7BTdYERNE
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCVvQe08S6
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOaf3bppDX
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1D803RNFq
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGrJy2ylws
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqurKrDE6aD
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzuEWtVwP5
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU8WH58rLY
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WUuXLXYAb
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eizxV9BCq
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQC3eWpLHm
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNhGnXMfwJ
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYEXUc5ws8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iANzhv8on
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9YnPSFiOJ
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUVrG8xMsh
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM1FLD1KiT
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI2vSo57PJ
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn4KxILpuC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELuclcKQwM
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQFDX6GIvh
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDAjRLz3bx
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjXPSXsq8f
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uxe4gmyWD
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIguCyqzIa
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFqutxDUaT
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym2RX2MT2t
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ39axCS0Y
"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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCj4qyaijJV
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmlLCvWde6
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0gvydNuWM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAxeRqVaFR
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJatUgPkEb4
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEveW0uBTf
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAYktrQHlJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3OcjHqS5E
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJUPT0mPCM
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkM2UoffAw
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp9lfF6WBE
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIKzBEQ2Lt
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8zsfHCo2z
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFM6P72hM5s
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6ZbwTPdXr
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVG8yIjS1N
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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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm6NHkMwGc
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pQgjnd8bE
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFB6Ar2H4T
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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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vGh9m7PBp
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z9XeRzZeT
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LLZQrCsZC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDAiXjfSpN
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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRAzibyNZB
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL19rmvFxM
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KlO0v2J6S
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP1EoiKu9I
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqQK1ecJ4p
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXpvNx54On
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwoyyKhuJ8
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK0XsfX87C
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3SeBIWEER
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBCAY4i4q3
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc9iRvzS76
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JktCVXzS4
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPQz2ksqDf
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vAJ8S0IrF
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiNVGZojIT
"Oh..., nothing really."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlgOVgXAJK
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2UYeSbs7Z
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8spQO8OCTX
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRDuFQMHrQ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gYYniJAcz
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZzLsdqv9E
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0LpXPh3HH
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe3sSwr7ln
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ7Ci3bGhh
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIipthL42O7
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wLJPpBxMP
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡongR6MsN9v
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA5BxOrCNz
"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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWdTJZ1NGT
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXUJDcdPIb
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cMcPrssIO
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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."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9Y22HXDFJ
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vk3GDkUUF
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcPXzH49x2
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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? 620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMVvgwUWTv
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOlJURla3C
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mEZbS0aGR
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPvUs342E
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50UCkPpWdY
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jdd4gtX5C
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZc2qhPIzC
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZIj0wdTXz
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGCsjFqdyy
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1Wx4W7dmB
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAbeQ8lelo
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxBWPaRrTL
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP2tiisLeg
620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO1Z80tX9D
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyVUtYUaU2
