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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZJVaT0EBP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIxY3olZQZ
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4afYDCzaBP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ehABnaw7S
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTxB0IJ7lo
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGFIFXh926
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy79wXI1oo
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx4uQkmr7P
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWZxC8n2KT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3euuSFPosJ
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JGA5BpIKp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAUxSfuK7P
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK4lzbVz8p
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoinhJxGo2L
"What kind of trouble?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hDxxP1TkD
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFlpXRXr1p
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a8DX9ln0x
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj4NsLLVwR
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfr1k4pZRV
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ853sQxcvOv
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x1jTX0Z16
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsdTOPf9XV
"That's good. She needs to rest."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAkPskwzq3
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgAy5tarcP
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9bRA9idTF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAkp6BgrLK
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKn0m9bl1A
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9SkFT6lqm
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9d1UI9NVP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsHMEqNSRo
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXcpWIGeXU
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHtVh9lFIJ
"Ya, sure."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiJGitvbFO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJgxOuZQKP
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrky3pgO4UF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnH5smL5lQ
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXuFZ6LH8W
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqmLBiKyvg
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Yi1U8vcJ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvULOyzw8lS
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5ckvFBFcE
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXhHvUpNEQ
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHy0DVJDMn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtsa6E9dRQ
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNpJ7ypwKC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjJCswFETW
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzjEhVQR2z
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwJK1kb4OJ
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRsz8gJme2
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXjWi33B2U
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0zt9tzlSC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzGuIyVyob
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpy18kgE02
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmLw8Dqp1J
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcntsGj3Hy
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufAONc16Hy
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas7ZkT5s4x
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNCB0gsvED
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcCk4HrFXk
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmX0boxt50
"What did you say?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dCJyEvEjr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwZRwZZmv8
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE9jiuMIej
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyJcRdsHSS
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKz41Tc0Ml
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGngGYNF84
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECvavyBssy
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Oc4iS7ahA
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IEbDG7XdK
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnigcwJ7jpX
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoQHxHIN0o
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKnihoywPO
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57sFH84EtO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcN8TpVwSp
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCSBNjc6LP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHURIly8Lc
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVzVXIURYb
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYTaggu4dw
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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0U6yLa3ym
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kKFNlJzPp
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdM0V4KO1pj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZtGRGev8T
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeEcbj76Zs
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM1HEWhKXC
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNYsFnPIVQ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghQwG2VzAZ
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxHIjq752G
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkFachlIWH
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9hxDmatei
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaTyFMg6Fr
***647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoJTDyemdb
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMNFmclX4W
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslBbi51ZPq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1S0y0o9Z6
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqjynqOqRq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9FiwmzQk4
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxnGANTBKW
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSGbyjSlwV
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfyct025Gf
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviZe2OmREw
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7u8NH5Lhb
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7cdejeIio
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr9EsbXMqO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlke41MKZyU
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo42rqwJ5G
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqFlc6rDhI
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mfE00zZzH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaIjpGKBXV
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSy7BnHYwp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFvI5qZeO6
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5t9I8on7wd
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP5zaKNasH
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡju8H3Xpjtg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjxeVw65vo
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjl8rviJP6
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSHqjPbLx0
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhxTOfkcrA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIbzmf4KKN
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKF5qh91pxl
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAntdlNmDo
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oGLKrBhQW
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHacTL1HNa5
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8CpKVSaIm
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNzqBpwnJm
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dt9pnB0rs
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOK01wLXh6
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1myxA97JaS
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyvZseelvI
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5c2bQwtkoy
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3CP9nnIQN
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzemrRdhmQB
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcs43mSANE
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXWAkUunv9
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgYsuIqk8Z
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucP20aDyeR
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKWaOyEbIl
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytwo1v1ijm
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3qV50yH0O
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4yk4fVfQo
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR27i4ffgi
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuEobSerFN
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktOOsm3iKb
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N3ryjfi2Q
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh11C1LszHA
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdvF4PpCZo
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY1JuThzvY
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GbYl03jku
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANen3gxLqw
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOSxqLE9FA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUM7a65Bg3
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPTLeuP9Ot
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuomeoql4nZ
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFoBMIt6mu
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyRq5kQggI
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESCMMj4HO0
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwOrIEmgmH
"Do you think she's killed before?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EYiALqFqG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnX3WXxJTf
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZODxenWSb1
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBRd6Qa5aS
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpQWYKeE5s
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt66mHtlpFF
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JnLaa7R2u
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctUyc3xABr
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdKZ5qHXyS
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7BFRAchl3
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7UpDrJmM3
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJlgoLdOFI
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGp8DA2v7yr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ9nWeylZX
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZEZ08jhJg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQLmKWIjlI
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9KtKPZO5L
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGphuK29tL
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h94DgwMYZ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CJUDtxYuA
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHjHrG97JJ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCFECLzA14
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsfzL5pu5E
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuhEEN1wvU
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmTUJNfxzg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbA0PHu05N
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKR8P6C4i2q
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddWjiBorNM
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIRwOri8U2
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6dHXThZ8f
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SdoRTkdOj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLYhHdFGsE
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXipp7yMpK3
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlesYDocGz
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpwHH266T7
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnm8u1592c
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uuhpy0ocg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyvjUHNP24
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeRVJMa5oT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKpok6n5lT
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HW69PlV4B
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURmt6c6Clq
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6ARdsUCJX
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa62jV3tt2
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxA5eeiJHC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYkeyFOTPc
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8GQO2gDWt
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGAFaHoFJt
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgW0ZCksBja
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFOqo49U15
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nYbXjp9lj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvfSlZ9U52
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnMt38sPC7
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuMxFnkJfp
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwphYIkK6E
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPduAZZll2
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsXIjRRRcg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYI50YIsufl
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs25Wh6sMdG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbAI4wwROz
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LVSvvXVhf
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUnruHKHT5
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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdXvwRV4D3
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAHeDHtCl4
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9i2E0wkXlG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxPShAWc1M
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO39KFLDkR
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwryNBtLjII
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSg9ZU15bV
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GnVb5ck77
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxaXsLTAzM
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWki39Zjva
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCDTfSrrNh
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCbnDcC07n
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYe6Q7sI4l
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N0zfPgTKS
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg80qIi1OAA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzmyX1BU1J
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXH3EOW8UF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdCb3SAPbV
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHbVqMMXRU
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxj0mUCbJH
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81CB3nIj1A
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHBdVon9uq
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1mfU6EBvI
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzOICVlTU2
"We will," said Kevin.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePrAoi8h1b
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxMJ0yueof
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rMnLR3yJq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5YEnQ7542
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUboWgyaeMe
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWkA8sRpGC
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M8N7CDQcL
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M2B318ZKE
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBooVhlka2N
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1La55sQJKT
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqEu8XneRx
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaIneIFLNp
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:647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpq9t0VCv0
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjn8gqRfRhQ
"Rhénee, wait!"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpsidis7mg
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPYIW4zjKC
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSaeeaQDCf
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMo4sv6KVe
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3J1aa7n7f
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvk0OROwF0
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L8R4kevjF
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB0dw0IUrO
"I'm tired."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP2rvSg8lt
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e1SbtazRe
"Really? I don't think that's it."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzeu9DLOqT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8GqB7r8HX
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCEtM9zKBY
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXN9nSzdNr
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mYMap8BYq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfxyllmOmB
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCNopr2usp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1uRYO1kxq
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfCvR1Xa3S
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDeS2LaPeJ
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZerCTiLkPq
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TEIUDMMgE
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHudubUehA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcfcHBD7l4
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nw7OAhnlI
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5cv8nYC00
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe17qOHHNSn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9gfaHoeRw
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8qQKjaMAA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nfdTdtgBR
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wkejPiaEC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XfO6PJdZg
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruDqkkPfps
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlusoy06dyU
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZM86aUsFp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVvwScTCRN
"Good. Let's go."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kJbjPpmhH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0uHMnjg8H
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITKJ3W8Dr2
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1DiVNDJpB
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjEsSdUPQ9
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHUsmBIMYE
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4vkHzkSkr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV1d0ZlclX
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYJNGHeFdR
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s02d9ZfuN
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uYZjA2yth
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdcviX6BDT
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Ww2PYxVK
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ9COJLAai
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBlNHJGnoG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxhNmOmOZU
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvan8fdb1L
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANNPJUxd0b
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXap2wvYIUH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vkqrnXtV7
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvAG3FXI30
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mtISkEmwS
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2duTdA1YZ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANvvy0ww7c
"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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahVPjnQP4v
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKyP8BGnSB
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm70A2XKyGw
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡke5YRUOxU0
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC9kSjbSAk
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEB2wH2xEk
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6729uHtfj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvPYxWsLVQ
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPo1XyUXVr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRbEdBGzkT
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCsNKzKW3Y
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKI1naQIhpV
"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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXsU3dA0Rr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTs4GPt51S
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uGj0PB3ZB
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7EfErcb8
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqarATesaBn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfkxUGQI8k
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNaITghN61
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR24h40C1A
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIDGxTQEum
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuONs960mu
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3GDqFQF0x
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti6YIOBrVB
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXFkAPWG81
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j1X08fGu5
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpA77EITlC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmmWxsYzvB
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Yd08uOUE
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpEYgfdjwX
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMZXmBc4m8
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOS7P9HbfvQ
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6ZZTZUwOP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1Ve1I2IRC
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiuVScTVmi
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jRZ0K6fs0
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy72tKneb06
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjha7fnrhO
"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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEN037scDI
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbdxZUnBd2
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnjBk4pRdE
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EAHKHOuri
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:647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9Z1Jv4vjj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEGzllCr9O
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzVIshzJfG
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ079EOvBcqT
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2vDwZgsJ4
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFnHkT5z1d
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsElnHFYVku
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIe58xN3tX
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj6MMza9Sj
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xy27KCc7U
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8cAK0CIJ4
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYath8ZFgh
***647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb3jECbLU8
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlamKPSCoet
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ro8Mv009s
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPOYSJLlkG
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnGgfModmX
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLssPxA6fMY
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbnIM4PdJs
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR42RVQ8KoG
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppfP12vcsi
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsWUpE3zjU
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJgsSrskui
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC9lqAFS7l
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwHOoX6sNM
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDqzdBasz3
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEGIBZdb9W
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6dVYV7UJ1
"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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqAzLZ3PwW
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe6n93GAYi
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswtJd5pSLh
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVyHAHRBHN
"Really?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj4EAn1nYU
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIp6ZB7m9g
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTCS6398AK
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqT3q4yMuy
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8cWOHFIU1
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qxe4u7iek
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJO5r7C1mv
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZN4DvMXz4
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuipeGsOzb8
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2Dj07JpLm
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArjJlRIFjK
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UbwUV1OjN
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmQVwcAAgW
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnCwOCU2oG
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXk6Mak71b
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nwb63oOh8
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDDThUUcvV
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8lSiM4x3S
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZZYCMr7ek
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30JHuy2Pth
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5YkrxXW9O
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhIiTnF9xv
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxE2E1tqj79
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtST3z8fefu
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxOZ4FA5sn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqqN6dXx3Y
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyDUDrR9wn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2J0YBKk4s
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXIwYu3scr
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriZlNcjQTH
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGmJ7dabNZ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4qkg61AXt
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7N20TD600
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav9CV1xoui
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSolb1nnIfn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbENmMHbwJ
"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?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17HYKU0lvC
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGze2Cwcg0j
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6cnU2Fis
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hHJUBBvYo
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hgc78tyCy
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSfVG8wfoM
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cZcQFsx80
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW4OoUy4A0
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00tJ4Plmk9
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O2fPv2nPq
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Irebijyax
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4pgJkG9eu
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbV6KUKcc2
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv4BgFRjY2
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0kpphKQTK
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAGo1MXsrR
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7P5kCOZAB
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7x0jz5hcTO
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsWepUgkgp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRAPBCtePF
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzoRcY8oPA
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM0nVCHa6a
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk4rbXmIqO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQUu1uuMmP
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTrOWRBdD0
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PKobtaHZl
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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gACukDhrh
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd4MXep8Ha
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBM6ayPCbd
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLC3SCos0
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D2NUO0qs4
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy756SfNlt
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTh6lpbJwz
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2sf2FVTnN
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcFXLIuKvn
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXEzjus0fa
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnr93VQA85
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWnH5haktU
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxTDhfq0z6
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzINJATEHU
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKKMklHfh9
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasM6IGCVCg
"Oh..., nothing really."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9DAKuDJIs
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemPff9nOOU
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWtxREd2ad
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNtDkHl5U5
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyL9wjphbz
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs7oZZd7Cl
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD3Cs5JsFT
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnvwsTZxzh
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3jiSlNYtJ
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHzfuHzdMR
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASMVWVKAqS
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk0Mi6tKxh
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmNVwKgoYE
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoNYQq9O2j
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKOmHBfi5u
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujGOK5FqWY
"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."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jh3LYapkP
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbrQgjp1Jz
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2qn6e3YTO
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65l6Z7hnNe
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllgqHl8aoH
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21rK4XRIVc
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSMrpxHdyk
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpEaB6cjxG
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? 647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ48YDkleY
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2F0yrfwsw
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48Fy251msl
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp5vKvPVQn
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2FoB51puw
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMecLtY6rTK
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp55lnfwTSp
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfoJCsHZZe
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmxyUzIV7q
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5iBbaL88G
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqZA0grmrY
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQicgr2Btc
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.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnCKZKGNz8
647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXumftcFRh
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.647Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmArwBji8un
