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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKiOH9eKTn
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyz6h5cldc
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYKrAHyhrP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV93LLA0JV
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFovbaBm6P8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6S5MyCMPG
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6WG14cbgO
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB0MRwT0pE
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe59rd3YB5z
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRXqydOel9
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJHqPD9Kpr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFDw9Lk9p5
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkKVbi1mg9
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwtiqkM3LO
"What kind of trouble?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiLRs4oZ7m
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VOEzXUh0u
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9blrWpoom
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzSiZQBEHF
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZkTuZBCdG
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsEqSXQURI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9lrcAMBWF
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQnojEP5Ea
"That's good. She needs to rest."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QKFYlQLO0
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISLXQRyC1Q
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8g3kKcqUE
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0qiXWcXZz
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MSilKCO8Z
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SKpQrqOMa
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIwiJH7RNM
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLycP6KD3Ny
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvwbQV2sXt
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡND6NjcmFFj
"Ya, sure."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelh0kNr19C
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeoKbZZ2Ld
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S9Ky2vVn0
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF5qnnJdzR
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQzcO54j34
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazxdO6sXFR
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4OsAs3ynr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdw0bwz1mI
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0j4R0i56s
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPTt1nxenE
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYShDTy2RlW
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ323O5c5YRk
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMkqTe2ofE
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT15eeo1oTs
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmH8S9ZGg1T
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok0v2YuKO0
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnnhbSQRV5
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVeD2pY7JE
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRGONHGkll
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpOGeh8jNE
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMquLNWLAJD
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykdlE89Ucv
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12lZT50OMZ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZH3uMeqTM
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcDV8OY29H
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywGJN69b4q
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMCnpoWGTm
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnIJtlzvzC
"What did you say?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMj7ZNeppQ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8mdmaJrOe
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWO8eQQ7Zh
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezubRh7smR
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNR1bfUq2U8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhbz9V6ipN
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxmqcJZVK4
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88oZjE4Eru
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmWo2vOYML
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIH7YPvLBTR
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOHbrRiYZH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4H6n5wLJQS
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LfOKQGxq2
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeI2vWSMI5
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWD4YdTP7Y
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI7HfJXdb2
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyq21tNtCP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCTx9kLIUe
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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJJ2upH2L4
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjcej0afVD
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZlO3X5uT4
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiXZ70FFM5
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm3BYUi5lB
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e5zAOxmbj
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskk0zIAoqb
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsLdnye8u2
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGWt5kjlN4
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPm2nWvBcg
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9P5dgmLIp
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpYKCF0144
***581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf2D46WENA
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcqqBeIjfZ
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWaZFPWfpj
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TvzkO2QOk
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHWzdigHVS
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1hJhPAyyN
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwtcvctox6
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDYmbiz32o
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfymEI7sOF
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThnQzQsUYm
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7g4EmJHci
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNMBinDglp
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHGmPyVkK2
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKejaKHwudX
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRnDx0VxSe
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rfbpvOHff
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJIgouJ3lf
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlMEfKmtn9
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOgt3sxaW1
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4pvtDent8
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNVZokhbar
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpucCwfz1e
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD2yh0cQMr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wcHxwcauk
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObFaoYXThr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQ65SvRJ3x
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeFXJl6Ywx
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M6OPAvCPb
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ883m7d2fAg
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIJYt1cAEa
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNeOfzbt1w
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJEYYmx1Vm
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJs5vuR3IZ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KbjD7Mqm0
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlevZIQu1OU
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFq2xYu2eC
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qxseXAKju
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT7Bj9NLXj
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjHg1yzRfI
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZNd6SMnax
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgYGR2pAoy
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd1HSEsPnp
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGa1R3NDsz
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx7MLYgoQA
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmojpL3VIDX
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKBfKoquN
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTkXvRu7nZ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqRtMX2JIq
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxWn8rRqsB
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvb2yoeGOTY
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9no9AhPZ9E
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIom0OCFu7a
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzANeR8r9VH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYODDG5QsPS
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWSdBpJNzr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhFufRrv8U
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMEyH48jFQ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWmDKYkbcW
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmsmv1QILxv
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUAefKAcAg
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMt5y2SAhw
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYj3z2XtuW
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWCSpMOUwH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbv2FOE8yv
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGNqhahlK8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0IP93dfN7
"Do you think she's killed before?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHhlwXbe5H
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpEDFP5nX7
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRPd3ve9hY
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00vhMm8v72
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndcIpMMSDM
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0qaYB34CR
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8dm656yws
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6qpFZZ69t
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCs6GE10Zq
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LXYGNBxSZ
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea0Y3ONzQP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVpmHsvwmb
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KodekZVvz
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XVucDzBsP
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN8tGX6ItY
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRkLV8YmAP
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTErG8HFwLM
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTaenEhQiR
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXVMYbekbR
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq8zvowt7f
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuCZhMxqBK
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgeZDIpv0S
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy0UzUBIch
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5ndkA0IN1
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4oleAgm44
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs7ZEVnRlN
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSr1YB7D1l
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGr9C6pMme
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8LNVQL9Zw
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EnwJ3IDxo
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5LgKjlKQw
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLAiRWhDQu
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftFyUlQn1q
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfje22vi079
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYFdzxBcvL
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0DTF9A7Ok
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr6uuIhIZn
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMyGuDVbGb
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcVcIUvEcM
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNeR1G9NKr
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbSaMxvwUz
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQFRF8MxDG
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCnogGyKUx
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnrrktF1sQ
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6YqF8lGoQ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTa15JLzwk
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjTr1yZ0fm
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhad1xu7tBE
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocXe9iJOl8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPicu8WUibI
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtp9o3D4ip8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKEH0CI6y5
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE5u50s6P0
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvKug7Zeo7
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5vUTSKhB1
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZtStCQGWf
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpumJMxebYO
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeHZim3QiO
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnzlZitB8W
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SUsxSQv0u
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgklH0wcVO
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ6uQ486SY
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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR3ewzgL3A
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz02N4xOUlr
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHA7a8iV3TF
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGxKEiH5zi
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtm6c8wZfI
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8JzGOtzuz
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6HYmP0L1C
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiF2NBCjf5G
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVKifkxMD2
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvzLp7T5wp
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBKuchAg7X
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8qhtoVf0h
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPXzWE8j4p
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMiwDvYWwT
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXnKpKxUKH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK1nEkCZwc
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7jXgxYXdB
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxzFZBA1go
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpYK8LakZq
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8K0cx7kyT
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13hBXrGdPC
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEam1GIYOp8
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQivwwvbcnh
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMUTULEdCw
"We will," said Kevin.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMXSJAyRuA
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WLR4yfEqo
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yqXCjrKko
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLh2pNjmsY
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFENmt3fqP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaRyygWV99
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszdJO0nnl9
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzk42IPMM7
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjSNVit0xU
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZK5QbeMUne
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYw2IotuWO
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNOE7Wsaev
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:581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtZoPt4pI6
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNL4lNFny8
"Rhénee, wait!"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqJmoa3szc
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vPUka8TD4
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn42hyPNPlP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUCjzLhkB2
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmmjML6s6j
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYvCb3peXa
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW57jfWfI2L
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV9utIy6yS
"I'm tired."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3A7WVZU44
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNLShu8mDQ
"Really? I don't think that's it."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad6OVyNlHI
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkJEEye3sQ
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3VJQaBiHr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUeMWanIbP
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheX5p0ll0F
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q2K3ox0BR
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9y9ZlP8zv
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B8NmGFp4G
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfraGFzJnn
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNXRSr3RTh
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9SVYJFlkx
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpySle1wZh
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZotaA1Lzs
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0XeOdvyMp
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmfmsWe3aC
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B5vZiTMCj
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFHlhUT4al
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgrCRhdCSq
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOasqBU20FZ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7gQzvNewi
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g9IgLWiar
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSJgV5ZUnm
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyGnrgUjXu
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7HMxwHHRV
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8BvroTMZZ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO49UAE0aJ
"Good. Let's go."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEwNDMSHdv
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAw7BtSBW1D
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWlUIF2f5z
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW0a7ANqWM
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1elv90mBF0
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPE8zLxtZj
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lcQaYYd0K
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznpP4IL0xl
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqE2LSlc1k
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p4aSBhdZC
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcO3H1jj1j
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwthzw31XJY
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yltfABZC5
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLEKc453kN
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTe55Aa4Xd
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TtZF0gd3K
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ800ODOARIG
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8Ys6gw3XL
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F4CHHcWmC
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKYSegFZE5
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9nkIQqD4F
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P6kRNdLu4
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsBDMKBTzz
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7KOqcIMn7
"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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGAB9jCk3c
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0WOspyqJL
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHrO02IIOS
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRJ1BPcUOy
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC23YEnF4B
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIZxZCBhmY
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRwTWiqAwT
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42v4XvpkRn
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9ckmKIH9Q
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rKbmmDcOW
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiltK2x803v
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DFBOngMiv
"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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlu4YGVrev
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWIC5v4pmQ
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIZ681CGxy
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iYqa0mw74
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ55t1SITQ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsImXwEekT
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DFYmhUXTX
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8vDG8Nx7z
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOOtnUWLXn
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBtPDf3Nw3
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iJEQkhI1Y
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjofau97SId
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAm5dpmB90
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBroPzog5v
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vY1ZwR0TY
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VAB4LtrxC
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqGzdrXOoe
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3Qq37vb02
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTmhlYlHih
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFvulfEB65
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ27umYJYa
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipS7zLRrPp
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgOeyJK33G
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuvrjaUmv1
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy0FE3ntW4
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB04fcV5Ovq
"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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FBdVM9ykd
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIquCLDBRy
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwka774q7QR
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLby457NIP
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:581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsc4rJLqSZM
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkLkQALLnE
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc5af0ryEH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oPtizp8Bg
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBLtsiqM6z
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUZlAljhjP
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn2kArLA5o
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbArr1vWBzG
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5RMrm11lh
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHbBP2Wuyt
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W5LF55N0R
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4jjAQTf59
***581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngUvYsWwVH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ip6J4Y4u
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspWaDTquTu
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOwmUy2m0A
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwWzGbELwr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqUtkAKE0S
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi9TV0CtCg
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3dwUcLpaN
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUIS123NvE
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNfzB2AoPT
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0Qk24DSgT
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oyajDUQfF
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpF0CffKlX
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKz4NfIHqVb
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhVTh2qCBB
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRBDS15qHO
"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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcF5VWIJlf
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1d5H1728s
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkIkpPinaz
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7I2hBU48K
"Really?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAq56ogUB66
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCULItWxRG
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVAQBeC51p
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAdZeEo0ML
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowJjikImcJ
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusxQfWI7Wb
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QZJGmtXUn
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQclYrG1jYx
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpL6d6E1VL
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF20yRiFVIv
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUB3bxhSEu
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VQGYENqpk
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ069QOq0VKq
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IAaJwexaK
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ2SecH0Uk
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqhiQ56YYE
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqQlzwsXDE
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFarBMwAq0
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanszz3vKy5
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9KOaMmMM3
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjganyTNMH3
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9wpgG1rCz
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Zz3E6C1yr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1bldIXqex
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7erNE12YAS
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gPwwueoaW
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDzWdYnu1y
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9lRsuEhJL
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzknk5NhnRD
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZuIgSB4z8
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbQ5LS6FaN
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j9hx8Sr6t
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hHHgusUSN
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLCz8agazL
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpt10w39yC
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcWNJESnGn
"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?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJcSynlzmf
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJzz411TyD
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDCNotgkuq
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPVRDvkduC
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQLybok1q2
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdQ4v7pWTW
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJXl5oyddk
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwxiero8Cy
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO5JZmw1nE
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtFqIWeAnA
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDvOdk8BAp
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfQk4tZqnl
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IISqRMx4V
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4WCNYarfj
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIh4nGMn0Hq
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutpClO54Jf
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHIYfzFqDr
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PnDlug1gb
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBRikXUJMh
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDN07fAj6V
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3A77xLj8V
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPth8WxkAw
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jGaUVIxdP
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXm6kjGmRZ
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3lYfFyoju
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Uww02Z3a
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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZvvlh4DCN
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg38aBKgc3
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBShqigPs8
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7zHyctTw6
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0TsWUWDZy
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29TldpaXqd
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVdCGnYOVG
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtQh1b18O
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFisE6qdBYU
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kBWRTvNmj
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQloO1gcJD
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdwfJ2z5Nf
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe09XDaSLc
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt41sVZhFI
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLsnmTvsC7
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OfSOpGtA1
"Oh..., nothing really."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqszuJz1MD
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ID6cE9KEb
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLGbQB8hap
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABBxcNafa1
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaAZhsTb7F
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOLHRTn3LU
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I3sSIu578
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3c2kO5lHKr
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8kzER0EJk
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7bSWwCwHp
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvrCHJusQV
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mbCPkYl1
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8CO7jTwm3
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfq79GdQFkS
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbBSPXG3fp
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nuLqGRO8K
"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."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOQ6wg1sJ5
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhMDMhgFR9
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWSVb4Ekby
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeahvrbozG
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7pgRHQ25W
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl00eBtgZAy
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPA1zevWSy
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidGOxqYmnL
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? 581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZ3AcMHpEa
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfeVvmxpZI
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWnu6lsuAF
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtPa1GWFr2
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUKnfizXx3
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKYT9DOwJz
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshPwjlhYuH
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E6DimqVH9
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM5JVPqwOj
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPmAGrDPK6
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wixAGxvOR
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7coALWOw9
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.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLxPfNFd48
581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡickEwZzme8
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.581Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCTIaJCzvM
