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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXshhxyVUdG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKgD9kcYv0
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacFjfO7gEJ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3mYQimWDN
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIspsLpjWY
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkcSSYkGXz
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Do03tQ5cW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe80mP2kqrr
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NPOSW4Zsv
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlpVx3SCWO
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpteu7HVqpS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cLPQHNwdG
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDjznXbNOv
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2knly0Ve6B
"What kind of trouble?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5NebTAF0I
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XTolPNR07
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3damwaX0eW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3uJlJjadT
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1KFHUP7cN
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2otIjvoaCi
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk7H0MGuGQ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRMjMzpltr
"That's good. She needs to rest."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LT6IrbfHV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvojvISDma
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs3LtM0hQz
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObzp2BCEOo
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLuIsAL7Ho
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHJN4HXmzC
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNVaWRhqiK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAlYVBZuQg
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ036Drt3LUU
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiypWx4J2Ij
"Ya, sure."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLUqQMIadK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkWv1hJ3pY
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4nriI7Rxs
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ora0KvlIE
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZQn5UwzvH
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWi5tEjUfj
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI4Ur3ukys
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakUzSZCphe
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbMKFnUyQp
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbqCxtC8bi
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkuVE4Xaqk
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBSzt69SE8
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgw4eEMadD
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CB5y8YgEm
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulJJWX0bZq
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V4IvioP9q
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefsXo7xHU0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwrCHy2RZq
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrk0HMyRjf
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTNhNO6MpD
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwxqxd0aq6
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWStCM15OPZ
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfEwuuCtSB
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOofoM8BxM
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6cKx8RCZV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwSlnICCDg
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdqoJ7VeKj
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDFq9MQSHD
"What did you say?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuvWDtn3jx
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQiQNA9dHN
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv1T4TdDbV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcLj7i149o
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldGTA3On1n
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQdpQgAmEp
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JlEgAGNmh
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGQkvxswnw
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePXYd5foj7
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fbCGZTmdh
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2thY7qjcmS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi2xoTqcPi
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfs9kJQWbK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUBu5YSofE
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWcW4MYpUt
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw43EIwln5
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD6D3U615S
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrU8EVICXCO
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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCMhD0wr9r
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2IFJTkPGr
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVsG3vGMrt
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjcGoAyTqt
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCwVUbdcWh
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxwD1rWfeT
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPKrIoSOMl
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvFe2MaIWH
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N9oxvpr5O
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlzpTmdJUc
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVekb7kMHTC
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JB7Z3cta5
***643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4bAAm0LEG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPSi9yBTsd
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadcD3ESQQS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0n00hdbuE
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWFk6ONLrE
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeJ68bkiVY
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKY1Zoq8TW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3gRC3xNGj
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc6mMty3rY
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnoAqiwugq
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCDxBZMnnd
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvlGnDlXWz
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQSAcxhSn2
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJoHF0ogUw
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bG4GgoATu
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOjjJ6cvZK
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZNNdCUTTb
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQE9g4EzJE
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JBhzug4N4
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitngJDXjQS
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB0OxrZhZD
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O2a69KWDW
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5RO4osMbz
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHWiiAReRE
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b7UaEb4E7
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27NIbMQ65Y
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3xHog7HRs
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRX3igpIVk
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4eh1Yk9ON
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Lhu7jp40D
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MLI5K6C6h
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhLLao4GCr
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe1kYjWFEZ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT2nmVBSan
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIV7jJCD0c
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuc7Sy1AII
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTCBsjdUAc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLbmK8jiaR
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovTJdmFlLj
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsYaV6pBzv
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULGaxJvjOK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0guWgsKXjb
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9DSjeLJz9
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYFQoxJ4yC
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ilrQkWM4z
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7x4bpgJQw
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡob98M1aMrx
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6Qz59qMUe
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt79lAfZssN
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKamK6yeKs
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlzQ58EHit
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlCgG7IncX
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBsMrbOTik
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeqcKmXmDv
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQFXUWj5wH
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRlYzFlFOJ
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSZjQyM3Uu
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bRdgpiml9
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1BhkoLEaS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLQH1vrL3A
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfsnW45dS5
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbQAKMV4KI
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY5UU45flq
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJfLSQmxS5
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR3P8ypnWW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jg1UJB38Y
"Do you think she's killed before?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3ugayTrT6
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQVxnhPyEC
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGyGGIex1M
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIGtarxU72
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhMniaM8G4
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9fO66Uu0K
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4O1UNoimI
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLyZymLzdH
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuJAgZJtxz
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDNzkD26eU
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vGeOrseHc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxAdSSMEuF
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAbO5Lhg1z
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvfO8tAVo7
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uIJbXymAJ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXcY1RG5lh
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lKqoQHk4W
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WH5VKv0hu
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIjxyideQG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zs6GUBoH2
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIMiSWowsK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtclDiLFV7W
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1v3KcwuhV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8ANQ6zJj0
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QOcrZ34nj
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUeWvcv6zR
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU2mK7nTyx
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrglu44P9M4
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvFCmLd5uv
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraROZDq0Ff
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0aiw6Flw6
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCkESW6y8a
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaqQaucTAy
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3gfwvJrms
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RiIHebI8j
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqQRpwuowR
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy26m6GKfZ1
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMCyXTR7Bf
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRWmoqN4w4
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIxccSr0IN
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLLkEzSygc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjmvCJ95bo
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QeXYDSZZt
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAowjwetTUR
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjGdXsG7Fs
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDTfuCknO4
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gZHAVwKPM
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSLcnQBOt4
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhOdOCyD8v
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHndUKI7AkC
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2re8Btjsu8
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRorpwtv2N
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCbnxZrijc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J2Jbta898
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA798YudFj0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xXhGe5vM
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp76CWSKvq6
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb8TA24hiW
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqAm2HWRex
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHTS3Cnfti
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7roypy18o
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTYRYpERD0
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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcQr5o8cwJ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpHD9jl62F
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTbrAPwAJU
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0v2rQu2va
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm8PgTsUIC
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNFoiOHxxC
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGY3t9IUhO
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGWrxZODcG
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBORQKrmUX
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnjkhb1Bvh
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75NA4OWt3c
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8aXiCmH73
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyOSSz51NA
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEcq9Ky5YNK
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8sQuh8XQB
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgQbiCidsB
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkixAMClZd
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0UJ3Gs4KT
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs5o6RSy1K
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANNgIJV7yY
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TthNe49iG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP0iaNcZQd
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3uiPcuisJ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTXnGSdBop
"We will," said Kevin.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPujITSDqT
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJdsMap72I
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGG55zXQ3Q
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh82cAlUunZ
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYEphcXHs3
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtdshoIHle
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmV4mBqPuxo
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzcTomo46k
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXXyFgDYEG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbaPInoQXE
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6beJl125B
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U2jBXPQde
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:643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrDseXmEJH
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj9oIiv5NU
"Rhénee, wait!"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JED9yBzvc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWoY0u0yHX8
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy8dKh9vB6
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0WEkqPvdP
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev9jxLfvB9
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZsYHElstt
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN26CjDnrAF
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuZGkymh6v
"I'm tired."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pcNOG49UL
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8p2mAslWT
"Really? I don't think that's it."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26OigLew6M
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuAOMK1ykA
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MO5sqOVF0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYzYAY7Hm9
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63dMdvZUsc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrcax2LayY
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2PEgUgSUr
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqBHLBG9qE
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiKKxQ9T0C
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS4Cy4gRTl
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuBbPfeDeQ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8jNDC6Rpd
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjctPAG3v0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjGe0CKm0I
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRYxU9uraA
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfkjjj4Vex
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7lYBrzct5
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk6kbXdArn
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡix7Kor3rwo
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7FukxaL8e
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmiceoM1M3
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuK6qUDTtyL
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4soo0bo5vl
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡactjtGjfbL
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3hFKQATLi
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkNm4IoDeG
"Good. Let's go."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zFcl54YFG
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSQH36HEgx
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIlVnNkDiK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDsPoWt7Ar
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw67nBD03d
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHkInwBfYB
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauSuf4Noco
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZJShko3Ge
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60ppMXJp8Z
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bGUyn24La
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB5yTR2W9H
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswJMLj7P8s
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkgd1XPIsD
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlim0KPbeW
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHIE5hvo4G
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphWIWPEj6H
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnqrTFbDBc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXhuPb3rZO
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ot1DMwRt2
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzpEDQuJZm
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ltnG9DqJc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7mXdA6aaj
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6jD9SvyRD
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYefgNjukAk
"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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iqLWuQt1M
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8d931if7N
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj8JdiVq06
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCLr9SPwhd
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EFzFDsW5a
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tosyk5fnL
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwdqBF8s6s
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UQDVrIQP9
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJG80UpfUi
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9aGguBQoH
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhiTWHk3QQ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptNujvfOM8
"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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe5MfBXEaV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LtWmtb0Mm
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjBCfIYgMm
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziouvChuQI
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPkAth5OQv
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmphAm0nlKX
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9aHAxZuaa
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl61WU5WnWH
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0RKSKN0mI
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyevFu79qfV
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y7F8Agihd
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi2PtcsaM6
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3VKEgMGco
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKwwptpwsM
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NoZ3YI7NN
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62CtIs8RVb
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXncFSyR9dm
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkd8CWZNm2
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBnZLdTjrY
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBqVPV14SV
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3wWn5aEwS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX3Evs6ZTK
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8CQYhawvv
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M0Jt4ipxh
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHkPVSRD1y
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg7jzjYAqZ
"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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML7piiC1G4
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eobey6anq
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmq323dtia
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBDTgcrpkp
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:643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjGImcJfB5
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARins1WPAl
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDKWaoO43J
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P5aspCrKf
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAhcqLhVAy
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nDb4CZVNE
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwPq42Dcu0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtmqF6eRts
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZzh3tadOm
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36jRPjsgXD
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwva6ud7EX
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15hS19RuEi
***643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL8alzrzuW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4KgOseQIl
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWThGjimbac
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy87izeeM2
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QlEycxSNM
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG55VqA59q
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJetY1V4xoT
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjIThIkFDh
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLZCE9Jotp
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTHEzUcmcZ
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSqDp2FHN4
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraQ5bgFIEt
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1tEuGA2GV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPe46EFetO
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFclIPZLUlQ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPCvxWoFFa
"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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfghd5yeEO
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92bM3M6ICZ
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBq9DZcTlQ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn9BHkMAqR
"Really?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk2IOAe5qk
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hQzbH6VoH
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHrlxBqidt
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6YgdpZRcu
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPiVuRCSTy
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnQJSfSJIR
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhGrigrQiR
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9AFIhB4jz
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHjHKIZp5D
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySKX507mUI
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AsLCWVMwS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xXoxSDjQ2
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJHy5NUWjM
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy76WkDlukx
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqv0IxctvK
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRr4sUpuJ0
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiplWrcukEb
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWgZBNySmG
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMS8hekx6K
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mj7RvyRLs
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IGafeklwW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboyx1FuMcT
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDw3sBXExf
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqIjf0TvZr
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlx2EcKaqS
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWTnnA9jGl
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQu9QtIXSbk
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNsfCxN2Wr
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkyQT5sjuC
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVv0ccojWU
"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?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSJvX1YkDA
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxT2Zqu7ka
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuPxh6rMiA
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt6ubG5j4N
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIk48ZXeah
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TpraPfoHf
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB92a15vWRc
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FF2Jktsqv
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf5gQFbn98
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCpsXrTx3d
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuECOHISq8l
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VTfL6ibaF
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbSbBF8JjW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmokaGwfM5
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyzcVlqZxm
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4AIPbrwno
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0otZ4kEreE
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoFEBLkNXW
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjHpHLndV8
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuSnGdyBkY
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkmlyPoP00
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvObgZWMRt
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9YHzvtmvX
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYiZgOFkTu9
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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcOROaUfPK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn8Lvye5LW
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡec1IlbQ2VC
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij18mp2hK3
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j8s2UQMCk
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LPgPuyze4
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiA0HvNU3IK
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj5xJ0HMrw
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3XemY7N4q
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrC5MiuG1S
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OVodKgZsq
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIImxeg2MW
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoyQiazcgC
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTDlSUReAb
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngeqkkbnKX
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"Oh..., nothing really."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoa3abet2s
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTNWtnsfji
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcSrN1Vxvg
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezgrg8bVB1
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFIyqdCVzd
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoYUyz78V3
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxO6a2YbwB
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFePsYqeUTu
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfl73T4J66y
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohg8u0vCRW
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20PerNGqJH
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfsWVcwDzg
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnlSGJ7hjS
"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."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJMswD6D6n
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbez6fY70Ro
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J57Bgcnym
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57JEnLsbU1
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC20vU8vL4
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuSv9AIiiV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKicVqgRs7s
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ns0pijSPJ
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXuOvPD3j1
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hmdc8g3sQ
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvzMyI6zEP
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA8asIrMad
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZDRUoEiHU
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdqKlUBnI7
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9FId7D0VR
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.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r1tjFYiOV
643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKm3sd4IzU
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.643Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrURBYVLSB9
