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“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufJzyBpjaN
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He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5Amp6FJUT
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He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAqK27OFhV
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Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pfoED2SWc
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“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0xThPWrbG
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“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiAvfNzfIG
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She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44RUK1yhHG
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“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzWZ1gOa0z
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“As you can see, I’m fine.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubJOXMbvDm
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Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXWo86QqsV
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnjrKz6FeD
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“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDfRO1Wj9n
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Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFwOGqZgn3
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“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZSTsBHZ4b
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“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbIelQhBPq
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“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlB3tjtzgH0
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“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAoI7o2jO4
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPOpaDSh0z
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“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8FUos1dVt
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“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkNmZqWrAI
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“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzqcJMXYOW
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Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pDgAKAzLr
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“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROCSGXWfKg
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“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJdwtfXBEM
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“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVnRiUFLsf
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Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYln38KLrl
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“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5eHG1UZqT
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“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFn8CL3QnZ
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“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2YGdhnIvi
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Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKUznWtst7
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“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJarlxatQBO
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“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm11mYMrofQ
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"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEOAbr6VdA
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"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B7wGlRV4H
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His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUnOxHinKd
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"I think you already know the answer."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39wjn4O5Zz
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"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Za3lpbD93
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"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaXQ0p3K4f
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Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFi71rIfRvQ
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"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYqBkZEAs9
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"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbAYWOuz4k
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Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ19ylUMA8z
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"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOczCit5Hn
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Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr0rc30SpS
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Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ZZNsuD0E
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Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53KRz2EtwK
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"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer2RFswzsS
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Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweg8cFzoq7
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"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1YioRQGkd
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Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvpdELf6FX
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Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJlGenEMvP
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“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnTxzfdrbG
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“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCCbo4XQKl
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Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzZD8DeBc3
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“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3uO0eM5WI
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Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPWyFZtFc0
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Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAlMsyTKmx
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“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1KTmEI9px
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Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOnhQ1WVNx
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“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiixQQyPgV8
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“What is it?” she asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgJER0Nnm0
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“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVqv0TOtsP
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“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXG8DA7uFm
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Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5nSRXqqh9
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When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmGXexMEyv
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"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FrFAGoPfI
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Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBrXYp7c4W
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Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHF4YYkAvSm
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"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cAPo0O9qV
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Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUE58ZMXnQ4
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The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw9lmJDwGW
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"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtC7XqIkaU
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"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDVdPTtuIs
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"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLXfLiAsnB
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"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrS2lQ3RgZ
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"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH85EG4a9G
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"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwPO3P2KVo
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Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHHmXxdVMV
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"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SYCISNGNQ
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"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxZWhBbru3
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"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgFIRvWxKw
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He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzaSr4rR2g
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"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgyoZhMbhp
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"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuR0je2gPVA
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Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2n3YgjIVuh
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"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAu4KlLKZl
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"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJGbMUjxMC
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Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctPg49NAq5
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He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l0uYyW9YJ
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"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BjGCXDsXW
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"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOs7ZKiOV5
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"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjK75bzzxV
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Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrLj6P6xXW
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Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC6JAcKqqE
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“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzsrGcAT0z
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Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP8nfPEl4J
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“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nkVnSYk9i
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“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEo7To5q8F
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Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iuAK6aFop
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They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah3RSewYug
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Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYltr9YbdDT
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“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXh0cR4epd
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Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPM68av9Hc
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They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkUzyBLH5s
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“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8XzpHZoEx
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“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSeojn99IU
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“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQvD0FrJsx
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“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO19oaWpQa
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“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AFOS034BF
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Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKTMrBkN8M
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He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h2k5xU0cu
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"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YeRoKqheb
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"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtvLn2fQhE
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"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp88R8Conn
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"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1765lPCz4
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"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvACNMQtqq
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With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6rjdj9wGa
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How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWcv1Yncz8
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Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWcgImjhT4
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"Kevin, help!" she called to him.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTQsaGd7ys
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Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyku3msxT4
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"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Y6JEhBgs
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Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OjTj8EqQt
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"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwNGGkO1lu
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Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVRk1bh1ZX
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The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj8uVPwxb3
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“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RpLDT0z6A
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Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4vN4pbbG5
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“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1519pNaq5
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“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW8jh0nnKk
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“Where did you learn to do that?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuBOssVm1u
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“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WJ1nltS1g
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Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ivrph3O45
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“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBivYpardJ
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“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nUQrJZEmV
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“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWFoSzytpz
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“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62Z161UBHs
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“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7JRGMH7m6
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“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKfqAP5Agn
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“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSRDNxHo89
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Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFNVUh1R8
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She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3wnbc4b8T
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Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0muzRJtkTE
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Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpy001ij14
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She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOrey5HYSz
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“What’s that?” Kevin asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpejHmkdaS
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“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvPD7JP0mp
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“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDxw8dn5SY
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“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYS9LKrqcA
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“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpooELYcHGY
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“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDUmzsI8rJ
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Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyMwrsgGi5
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Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldUhiiEY2Y
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Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsbWapZFiD
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There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lOdUO5f3h
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A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzfaRhB6Lk
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Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwnGZHsqMr
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"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9hrNGSUQk
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She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z0yYxeYyo
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“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEMFGMGaOr
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She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbQIjTEoLG
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"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2BeGbrgyZ
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In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDJH6x1Vlb
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"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QZY4qAvsS
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"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LWpkVIDJh
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"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4orLdDaOft
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Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIuXvDho5f
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"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsOCnAohgj
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"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldvVgDUFwJ
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Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTXa4SFFP6
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Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEYyqSIB1h
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Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuuehGlUt6
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"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxvaeEYtjm
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The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP0CqreXT3
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"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Yu4e6agUa
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"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONZxBfwCDl
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Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHsGOVmyi4
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"You're right."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqsZeytTx1
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The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8ayXGK9fL
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He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqE5M9Hqzm
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The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1xBNPJ3kr
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Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxpXVPN2eu
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“Kevin, did you find it?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYkh1VRjK3
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Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzH3UzpBPVN
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Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX5KxXMWrq
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“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj2WC1OJ4J
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Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4PWLqHe2b
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“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqtM3MU5M4
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“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfOFysuMeh
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“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVeLHuut3L
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Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OEy8wp8e7
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“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0djk9cD3q
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“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBVRop8ruI
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“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzeVTpcD1Y
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Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfoFKsWlxd
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“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oAk4kxO3g
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"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvITcorO9WI
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"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7eyOZgKQ6
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"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs1fz15Ey3
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"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1braPZdva
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"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4zN7SkU9N
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"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC9IJvU5cW
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"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSjHJypHed
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Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7410qSVrZ5
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"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyl24KPBW6
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"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMFrGWAGUX
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"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2v0Puepyi
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"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWMCdCyb1w
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Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhafGuxlTp
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"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjOHtKIn3N
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"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqaFVhQ1dJ
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Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9iUx8YH4x
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"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUi0iEcaTl0
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"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9daDTYlJp
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"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztW4By4kw0
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"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudee5hjI5g
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"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Fn2bAkGSx
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"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN2VtOrfah
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“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfS1daJfKc
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“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZ7buPiWHN
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Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR2IRCF4NN
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“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84FZRT9NwS
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“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYOFP8BzKm
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“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cgUYgTRtD
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Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTQS2bMSsu
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“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaD3UEqZHOR
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“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tuHhJXSVv
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“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlWedSB9bXR
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“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I9fFmZtmq
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“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSZ1wUZCOf
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“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsYVNYOOVy
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Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcPB9FQ4pX
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They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bMVrVjiSM
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“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80paIX1COa
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“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf7S5KDAFe
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“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkK8mQuILW
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“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpTMUoXjAa
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“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLalPX5gte
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“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGiAeumjs5
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“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”403Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2agFE3mp79
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“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”8964 copyright protection399ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW75hmSBtl 維尼

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