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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvitB4jXwaM
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uOHXl3Aef
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZH9AJcjQo
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WscXaCvVH
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJicZq6ToKG
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyDhXG4ZTC
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOxvyGlewR
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgHBw1XM6Z
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz6CUaOSsO
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFjAjuotsa
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsB76LiYZP
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ900IYgOdrq
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRmPZGqIPQ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBG9ofss21
"What kind of trouble?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4094BaZao
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n9B6qItY2
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TRybxHbbj
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5GA5d7k1k
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrUJLbKMmd
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvjUGejavK
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLMDZDJbe0
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEPpErpHLo
"That's good. She needs to rest."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagyjbXbAin
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KTWaoKANn
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR80h1m2Ot1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KIXaqfYmS
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUV1mm9Q12
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNxcoQEAs4
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwkuJ51O7m
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk2h2CbZkh
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EqftLUWTv
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4KCGq6cd5
"Ya, sure."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylwg4IBQZU
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zix8Y0pBK
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Unkr8ZCSy
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbZgZGfN7B
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k3c1vxMSo
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEfkIAVdQU
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3huqnVYF9
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk6VSsDrTw
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9IQIoQ7jb
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjnHxraeLI
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoMEYi34IS
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCX9PwxqlFj
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCicZ6bDDNh
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaywor5e4KF
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfkTKbPj0T
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOqDK5ospC
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX5lfdCIzO
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhthgGzoTKM
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHyQJ3pcmW
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eWyuteB9a
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoSciNrTcT
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9PSF1uBcT
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8CiH9AugW
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAVljlOcIp
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxCkqYgL2b
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBrqcR3ert
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVl0vk8mdTf
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFc01lRXSm
"What did you say?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQszMtdcuL
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLak15ihPA
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEZpH3Y410
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVGth78jJs
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoeF9PZp4Z
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckp4bUXs1x
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUBjFmXiXm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9ktRSVgwq
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKzrJw8sk1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ABIdPKxwM
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Er33ZDnGi
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVe7ZuKbMa
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq504XQuwAG
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBDGVIfQxF
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuRLFlJsdN
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU07JsJy5f9
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmx5OpMobi
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrH76UJxzu
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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEwbeWMzxz
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCucoXYs3vn
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDVW2TltwB
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4McdjPHbu4
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs08rLUfXf
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFr52X9EZVG
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3EPOPVUr4
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAi40STuh0
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gZA3mXoQU
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHNjhqB8T9
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuWkhaXRzD
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Idk7oyuYh
***685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurfnCKUGH0
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe82I8yTXtz
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdINwgarRH9
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP41pKws8pZ
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtkMsVmAy1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Wy6jfp9a
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsDYbzNz1A
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OXy5jolpO
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX5NFfT1SC
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEvTca456S
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIHetrFfMz
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e03JvyVqW
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidtOVRXdlM
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TaDgpeUpl
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYgDBKZK5J
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTsWX4G5Q2
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMT96sDBCJ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FMKtp0tfP
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsFifEkYkV
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqszMtr544y
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07ZkV9UhtX
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVZHR3DxRu
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQET9gi8OuO
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e3inu4tkV
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOZFW3x10l
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Wn2ChRW4O
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlQe47ZqN4
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ02cL9SsOQ
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvGhtrdtk5
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BdCGG6U1w
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3hO4moh4H
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHqXCj0e0c
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtEsdeMGSe
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjjZQgUAzu
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTGmlUitWC
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSBDG3412A
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGM4G47xfK
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nyWo6Nae2
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EBUWa5N4O
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GZFUhLMPT
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaMHezE9EC
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaivmHC12O
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWgkSWjTNu
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQlF4jZFPC
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FPLgrI7EE
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XZ6cPfGlJ
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5Awet7e10
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxhbtcD6tl
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvnsiJXnle
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU16mcM1cHI
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR6WlXt4eZ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGyXFL3JTY
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhJusiXJLP
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoxUK8OBg2
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgs1OEOlxk2
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0RCpPbvxd
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n8C05cfz2
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cG7nXJ2LN
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpokUKCQ6p
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaWr8s3iuI
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30zbH7d5wO
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXajfwfelvW
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5DwIJNXgN
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2zDLkIP9Z
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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfS4xkurwz
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxJECHSVxE
"Do you think she's killed before?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqArNkLxnNL
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7CDIa0YxY
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOaeN3bWHv
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoN3ik9JHEt
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVW9Fmu33Wq
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4NCJpiLPI
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbJO4UX6nm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqybsGdJgZ
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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo551hxTWE8
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyxTVveOXi
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnBKpCu4z1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBFqAxetme
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4GQomvbre
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ43C96pbZz
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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WKT0lsFco
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4DQbQkIUg
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRCFhW2Dvw
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDj30T2Cb5
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQpYgULBtv
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AocMJOAVO
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZiJTrIm2n
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVaA1taJFj
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG2BKCjLty
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aSFXZCkt7
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbGU1yIuDh
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PJYYxyj76
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImZg9CQvcD
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtckaPdWmOR
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpNmYFv40R
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOhp73rJhL
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYbL7gxltX
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkCgUPurn2
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab1VknDQ8l
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxS2jl03O6
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIvgSVtKeJ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxvviRSWd3
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpBiVIiDPV
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlXSJew28a
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidz6mGIjy7
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHSSbxcWd0
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKMmcfg4b4
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAPjyB0dEM
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA8iulee7A
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LAv2sQ8cn
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYbea0DXLA
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5Bh35qcU6
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2YAmc65SX
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhBEtczL58
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmJVOWvAD4
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqRuzHYrdX
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB64BSLM2o
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qaRzJFkvi
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa12FNuRj8C
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguyrVEp50T
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2NtuRppJy
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8vDQMiARx
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GlXQYrALO
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu7beM4jUQ
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2mt36FxEk
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85UDWBYMhl
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtYZzAp9FL
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmDF0hK8wT
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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EDjSIocDG
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuzkCR9lSo
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC6Io1vgeT
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9imNUWDNue
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKTXV9qLa
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjws6dzqB8K
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ1MdwEU0b
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcRsb12HTf
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPofROYu6K
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTdWAliQLW
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCRKTPUkYm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FHxMRw1u0
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPFTJq1V1v
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PJgLhCG8R
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BGYbUm9sz
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys43SrQFEN
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGv2pYatk9
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRDbhbVz8W
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi9nUefNLd
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsskYpccim
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhNNgR23QB
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkVg01EzJu
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB28yi8rTOh
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMClPdwpiL
"We will," said Kevin.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEu6IcO2BE0
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu2Ivl02im
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TuQEVukZD
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8A1J7fFDc
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitLJFcVioW
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHZD7sLGOc
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUhinMD4T0
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaLDfFEjUw
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7Q3Y69aQS
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJGkt6gGf5
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR27P0kukS
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSTsoVNO2F
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:685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cjw9p49xi
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGMBCElXRC
"Rhénee, wait!"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS64hkg0yp
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKgyCMlVQx
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMcutn1mkm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXA3uy5RPX
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGh5R4JYVyY
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszuiq0Wid9
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BpIJm7fBZ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD7V0g4fts
"I'm tired."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPoR82YIZm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQ21GFn3zV
"Really? I don't think that's it."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHZ7VU3mYo
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ98bnLbFO
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZmZNPvOcY
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBm6CqVKcm
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIcWIeYwbQ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf97WbVyrr
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6rR2datgf
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWAsX4uqxj
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGolc2s8y3g
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA1z5Dl2J5
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCX1Df1AYd
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sauqvpESl
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWni55VzTbZ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScFKGEojQ7
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVVC80nO1B
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX88iYA2jdr
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpY0qKRIQz
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhQUyBQOOx
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrGoiv0sWS
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse5XfLWORx
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5ObXSPhRe
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIXVYOtnYc
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVR7j6fk1al
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkRodvxYll
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU2iwqhZIK
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc3KpIDctW
"Good. Let's go."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzErwPjsEzh
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorpa2KEVEl
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7coRI0taZ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox0O9UuvGf
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DuotDPp5o
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBXMMyxldH
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSDhaN1aC3
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtadVDnQ8w0
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneaKdLrfjg
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y5m5MlBbI
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmOsXQAdXT
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmYxk5PdRC
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXfOzl9uv1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpJRNbdSxw
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsAqcRK5NL
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFRlVhCBxk
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDomcZp0bd
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sL9b1J2P
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI9nkMzS1Y
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIS80Gu6jZ
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6BY0ONDoG
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr1acKLZUF
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRc0hGNEQa
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalT65jCRRi
"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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1JpCXMeDI
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcnlPTGLTK
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGMJZxNjA9
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlEFViTtYf
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TMbasG7GE
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACjrnGT5SW
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWzz8hroTy
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkViOnUYsv
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYkX0Z18xe
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4SWrxQecV
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAfRuG9s4K
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYdZspi3AX
"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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVVYPIjB3U
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PCSsyfdKo
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVeu6sHKET
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHb44BcD2Y
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZJx09yghi
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsKAkBmmdb
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlE4VSi0e1
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP3TdEVk7O
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXdi10a8sg
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmkSl9w4Fl
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmKDRRlg8m
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf47UPj5K0
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZkZo7BGuJ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELyFuBbA5V
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnZLlYwP6p
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjSNZYal46
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzksf9iIGo
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt26OifDqcM
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsjBLiHxpA
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhyYdyEYyu
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquEDj2AVhv
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMmyW7Yzrp
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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EV4H8ONyB
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrBP2OLF1B
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTsZLBs8Sa
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbeaBfWKrU
"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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbRjZCL6ei
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK7bfMo4Zn
"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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXKbSV2jCl
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdmHXMXCS8
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:685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBx3kZzLc8
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHW8Q2Huiz
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR67oasfDJ
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FHLEnZyGW
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshB4Xkz5Kf
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZa90gm6Ce
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPnqajkXIc
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4cP9lIS2k
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRjNrL5Opy
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvEuAvXYQq
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDD5ODyxceF
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbwgDRKT4j
***685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOOV3VZZ1H
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYocSHIdIz
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk5Zy151ED
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMS8qjV2N6
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVd9zi1sQt
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ769yVbKktK
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRWw0dBoqc
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87FkE0acs0
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyarvWmxjNW
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vFIio9AJT
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYv9DXIlFK
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvPC5sxlIS
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MYmDH9czu
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMGeizd3Dq
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg1M5qK3Yj
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumhDNqLfu4
"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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPnsuOirwm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBkU7YotXn
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMipCJz1P1l
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yHA3pVSq1
"Really?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kpvjp5xSV
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfnY6lehga
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqLtyF20ek
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfSuvKHBBf
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEriZqATnP
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqo6zQiLfT
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI5HhcQm5n
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZfpoLye4U
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaaHLWbVG5
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWWeogAmfb
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypln7AR1GJ
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO9YnNMC2E
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwC5kwRWV
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFWPOaLCkQ
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCBXUR6867
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSiSEUlV8U
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdddY1JRigR
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTVjdjFgsu
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj27tWscl9
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpEfbxeARI
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PyPDXHqQK
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTIxpPYrVS
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSmnGHfvO1
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrkEgZNblL
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5hgBQn8Zj
"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?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzrfxBLxmm
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSbhFmWPnB
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8SzZiExkS
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKybYuVnCC
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3taub5Wsc
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBNlzb5vHt
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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lwbNyAzpE
685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkctuvZGky
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2c3LnM4HL
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNpbOXa2mM
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfgKu08TCB
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkggHCcWuNM
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiOPPuGXNp
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6aWS4xTY
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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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwzlmRujFA
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ4NzohvPM
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bL1tSyyD9
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoKzaXcY9X
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyZQTVKxJU
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8jGzAdFJp
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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.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyEFqyQrmO
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4qY2A3l5E
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPkcOGskwO
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBDnzYqSrP
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"Oh..., nothing really."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ipdTydNZS
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp4732Wu2N
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfEh90t6iD
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmEVzaMYyK
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosKyZvMVtC
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHo1sCNtPx
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU8yObQDaW
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsWo3VObmg
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RJpd1Eb9S
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI26uBxJWVY
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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."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7O1Dhg4W1t
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3maul8yzay
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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? 685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCFUpdVnnr
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirtTxA65K7
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KELuaISZg
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHEZ4QV4oO
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoW7ZkNQy6w
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2B9c4uCtC
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYSfO6t9Km
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.685Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yK53ES0jb
