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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViEEN7KN9h
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRU1qEW9RN
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCTMYa8Fj5
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxlkNzx6v5
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dJaxApMuo
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUNXYCQgwN
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwHGEzZzRC
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqnMXZN3NJ
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8ZXpWzNJw
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYSRu13xBt
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaekEEXG9B
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3t8cMVWndp
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDs3XB7g9i
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XsHFDW1sa
"What kind of trouble?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJFqreNYfR
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBreUspOs5s
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mq8NIbJwS
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2HDSUFB34
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDsHaMnc5Q
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiFV98hlsw
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGqoXBFMtJ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPajwYtz5fr
"That's good. She needs to rest."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLnZdJR3mr
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUrWIHgnDn
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGExNtXSHIL
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3pobQGGvJ
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfWTEpx96t
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOyMUEK2i2I
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RURvqB52M
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TJdcV6DzS
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkXv8iEhk5
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoK0Pf0LMJq
"Ya, sure."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRymiWdQaMj
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxX0ksMp2A
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDFpoDcSzL
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVeUNqSqbM
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡis5ZmYzAC8
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48hbh7ITNo
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebVks7KZrx
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpispFi8oc
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz67zMX91y
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4rvujoZTD
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwWGycm7oy
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUFQWE1JwL
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckYPdg4TRN
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM6OofagHb
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiyBXalEZn
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXOFirZj2S
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTtw9ZigwQ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelZwpN4uZ6
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzPmu41gOj
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcTdjveMWM
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKbgVAfHwp
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJyuNqaFBc
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06quHt8g3o
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcDP7FgBVX
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuEZ5khytR
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfJ5TXvMUC
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaJXzg7z1J
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PfmhLqeVx
"What did you say?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsnx0fLLwd
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjHRAvJGQM
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ942Jt91x3f
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIuyhhi91t
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCIkG2zlUw
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOFuh9X6ur
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLoDhXJpoY
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQymbovpAsW
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROe559PitS
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHTXJTous7
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWecuiI5WjC
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApZzEcDgHG
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl8LEJA6at
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgop8fisqHr
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lDZUvBQdt
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1fvzpbK5K
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDQ0JEMkPr
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgo68o9zAxb
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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU7mf4YLou
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3KBuwuYcW
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z2zud32s8
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYy82xZX0S
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7statxZkll
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkT2uzNDnwG
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYvZ9NlTYE
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIBdVxdhpk
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wObo0xk0V
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIy1GyM0lU
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxrhCZ6uR8
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDih7xJSDf
***580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE0JnRUXNf
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYB1pfoKA7p
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKzwpogFjx
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnpiF4UCTp
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2oATpxXOF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UHvKHVS23
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd00QDTQnRa
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ85NG5GI0L
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUP9VonvzM
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDF2xylVgl
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdoMfL4Mbf
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswow8ReJAY
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoLsfgbB9w
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlClgSYN7yR
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYASvdsMBcW
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ07psPLvFH
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIUdh0Ybxg
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRtzN5j8A9
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkGxuvhbnk
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yr9njh4cb
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiy4yQu8MX
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRdxn5SRvq
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDvINMdtlF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HoQdO0pXh
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe2IZzMCBv
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCvYHe7OIX
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEKPQMaX7J
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpjlN99NIT
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQF4nk3Hcx
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOszzDO5Pp
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKa0SDuVQMP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoHRRNR1Gh
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dlbSjIMR6
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjetkzgIOTE
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXASzO0OJa
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ynTouU6qe
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAaT8MyklP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXPbrp0PQc
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP51uowynlc
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRp9shbVCY
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQy80CIZaW
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1rePbykT3
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeEGipBGMz
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74EKQvMoMi
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyuvapoUJN
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweTWsucShZ
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5JFR8VgOc
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAhVedwm0F
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn2HOK0z86
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcApRpBhl9
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7KHrWeBBv
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpBVP06SrF
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuMQWm0dGT
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwz1xbg74R
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3RxWlV3MY
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6G71pwAIpZ
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW70i3h83hG
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEF8XCbeTP
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B3p6T3dH7
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRZuv36qdX
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDccLZhMJc
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡianEPSS6lI
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYAA1R0jEC
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3Q25BJ7PQ
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsZ1aH2bNF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsiBLfeWhu
"Do you think she's killed before?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVxixpYfRI
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZkCfnnkFO
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QnjUmkFFb
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14NmXBAB6I
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1SfdFuNKA
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOKhRtXBfV
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPd3paMaYl
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiQbaRZwSF
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ii3oIAPa
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykqDSouMts
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo7NAyd72U
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kkzenynaC
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUdMerqtsk
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajCyhWv03a
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5Ft7JEH6R
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAmWHf6j5B
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMlJPctRX6
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJZtckqjQ1
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD58mUxGbs
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7JB0DpTdM
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jRn4s8OIP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWqWqeIqa6
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhYOyXxyD9
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuInNtbGMyr
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOmEkC0BcW
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8GOSkdlsj
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGXGLPPefk
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDijsNUJLBq
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbknjoiUXyX
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡati8kcj9j9
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvMyJqVYOq
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HxIF2UV3l
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqFAAQoVKq
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKKIfLY0IS
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKvZ6qdAkX
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZs1g2y66k
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEWIVkh2ZP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIR02OpBBMJ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tmj3jLqcY
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0P5fzN9F4
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ddisISASr
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgftpzrMSS8
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8px4tUJZp4
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd44pPjZOZ
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlC3B0rAkzc
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFxMrlrInr
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdH1KvFZKIV
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcvnl6j7QY
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjsHeOQUMS
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEycCBLthh
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dZdxW9tH8
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoJLywMemS
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtX7WhskorK
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8K7eDnVus
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KNimnpXZh
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPMicMCEzU
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Df9q0JQSm
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKARzBLss3
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHwv3nNza9
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdwJwVFPPV
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iO40Op9ic
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfWXVSSSfk
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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq6gBOH1Ta
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbUnETFkMV
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhTEpdYdg0
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogR0F1gcc1
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mAax97ETv
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKXrimsKdJ
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMlnZgMVzh
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78xRdcYbOv
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYy86ggii2
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXycNwez4lD
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHhZXuFBep
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqvxp4Gg3l
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sNym47QfH
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtajV165ez
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFbwu4DBvB
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwQ3jhrOqP
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpbMQfxLJJ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhHX3jBHqw
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlXVmBKeZ6
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKuXc86PXY
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCJqooXt9c
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwvyK3WZU5
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRPTiYVOaA
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vaEAcY3tc
"We will," said Kevin.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRBbEyUKTs
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyvh1GsJ6z
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPNHgEgvT4
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTEUAyj5TX
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVptadoqYQ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlChxXyNj4W
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5DPI7x1rO
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2vsci3b5e
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSJCGXZZIO
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5llNyWwTQd
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR8HgKAIVy
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4AfNZOMo6
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:580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiKKcFr452
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdstPfz0kOt
"Rhénee, wait!"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfEQkc9Q1i
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KHwRZYFal
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NRPXS0FZi
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7Rib7Nbfr
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1GWT53n7h
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVGUbCCQWm
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0WBQQsAle
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRAIbSj4OX
"I'm tired."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgOZvV0NFF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBkWNIX0tC
"Really? I don't think that's it."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNrPHkXoA7
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAFu7ay1VZ
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGRRVBSsKQU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY680stliq
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gIaa3bf1D
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFKfeCdVbE
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSR1iI3Gyy
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeowbHhDd2
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsJOpdw2j0
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1bANQM0hA
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwGDl8hlFP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmNpOPELfe
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRQLKBR1qr
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dFfqpO1kp
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTr5ssDYnT
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKppQkTdU1
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclfqvwfYkq
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBrdnsYOdO
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6tntvCer3
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HLNGLeTp7
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU6pB7bnpL
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZYrcgqp4Y
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCKQhzaBe3
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVxWfjL7Qy
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTneIPupIxp
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGbPRbcaWk
"Good. Let's go."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwCiFERIwT
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORaGu0rSOQ
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIgIa0b3xu
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChZqPN00yu
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxeHWvaahw
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6KG5n8uth
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh54xi2n94
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5DRD38i5o
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDSax8fNtl
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbwPjlWtyG
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mAeLIlqTJ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UCAjHfJOd
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9QIuYS9Pq
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GidfXTdOD
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡngdMTwWudF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZxImjM3kV
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rY6qIf3l2
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjtwNlfB54
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrfonzdYtd
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7u9vrDUDcA
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡop2JNxxEVH
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MlbC6KV0e
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg323kFSjZi
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBgh8pycVA
"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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLW3UvmzRQV
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwUlqmKGgU
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvR2Lykike
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrf6NCSjaPA
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqCcDKAe19
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOvKZ5LqXJ
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvWv8oulF2
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMXYdyMtPW
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaK4zizWnM
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0CZGkpQ14
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt0i2mW86S
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6TK3K5bWc
"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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIJ1nupDIJ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoD2KtuxtC
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnyTpFJ2tU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8Kn7H7EgB
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNQiaeTt7j
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBycOFwVWVS
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvt3YdO5IJ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqvMqsImvB
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaXUjWqZef
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORjLYxkFxO
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJO5XJctpWa
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lHrnY46oL
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2YIc3DtAT
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJ0rzCAYL2
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEngovgLxa
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAhYZFrnG5
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLCyMhD3W9
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJVJ14KxGe
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC7PGMj0Cw
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPl7vil7Gr
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70e7wDiQPF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRkhetpZSr
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsncJ8UpGI
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eniSIiyRF
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnX2FZ8s47F
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwenETQW11d
"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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPGKqFwtFv
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHpfCxjput
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58FhnfKhIl
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq7nXqpbxc
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:580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNViw7DGg5
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiQaLZ5ZNo
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZRjtWzvlY
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUh3pneH3l
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz7rIo2U7j
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYR0Rs7v1l
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYR5NuMYPg
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcuxb0k317
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqo3YCpZwdU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04HaHyoWPi
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQf3wh0Dyk
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0TrcidfBw
***580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wznW0vgvo
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbhGkKMgl3
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKmcSniBgv
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmFiPpJNlM
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOOpdQhdyd
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPblRG3QPQm
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhy72VLw6K
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKtLvAsJg3
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QwFs7vQlR
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwDuIh2vMv
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9czz3HAPU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa2ynmE32q
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5hdsTn3jF
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOuBUZZs0p
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIh3xQR7eh
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLJmu4zs0W
"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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aSjfGKInn
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWTVTa5MeN
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTev68aiuU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIs2sq3X1u
"Really?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMwXOCmJrs
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH34wfMRfaV
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFvyRlcJbX
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGEJJp2I0M
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHft9jadSQ1
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dOkWl5bJH
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHDVKiwbZM
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMxwlnIAYh
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtP2Cq1kP0g
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukqiX0WfEa
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw7cDmSams
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN8KXocgxD
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEXsZiLyDW
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt1kYa4lwL
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0GL7lMeGX
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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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSxWqPQW7S
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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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe4ogjzafQ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTAW39aHfU
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJkWY5d7UN
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITAqvxjxC7
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAC4w6aoUE
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rdB8EEd5I
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFId4Iw6mH
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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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSRyUuuFV6
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QVGLUf2I8
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD5BVw5tYr
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtgI7Hz5Ke
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHgdt5j7ei
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzzkCxotwb
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4IKLr133G
"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?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KzPyX7QIQ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpqO13XUVX
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSmDw35XL7
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4HR9lW8SB
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxBff74xBY
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhW4TUP0nH
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58M2KHmdqQ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSbg0TsmQm
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YhX9UPcpn
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD6gy0ViqI
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8ukP0l30M
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkioYpotHQ
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsNT4dOoMP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAd4aMcQu5
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkgwcKGdJk
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGuXYiC3nV
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJqncSoEkU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52lqDdkov9
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVb23sQkgP
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLa8v5gJpvA
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktkPdxDLGK
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYG3SFByFV
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUliJGJpwRC
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwQBCIhJ2V
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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70N3vlwV5l
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36VVonGA5B
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz2HYvJO2l
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEhaefKtTS
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtX1SOGWDU
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzkySBY3CJ
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz7n37Xsbg
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjBYY0XPGP
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKROlbLrQn
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYQiL5htJf
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV3Nnt6V6R
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsquffNwTA
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD440oKGgEX
"Oh..., nothing really."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFfndGds7O
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV15dpf0dp0
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHVqmyPzmX
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu45do7mUXx
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4QeOs0y3y
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygoWJipXLb
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZlRgv98xD
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCpOtOSr06
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sH0AYPlEh
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUFiuG06zu
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcZ9UMpJLy
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhmkefEFbT
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PouXVfBgu
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIcSPEEBin
"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."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gF7h87stz
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDf7qF8e3h
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpBEAzepbr
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxRSHWujgd
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2jZtKeERI
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgnYZPQiA7
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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? 580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW17IZgySq
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYHZwJ9yXp
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmx2JhT9Et
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUxS3VELhe
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzZPPT07VZ
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcpLDhXyO7
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HBlLK9nHj
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM1Rv8ERIh
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY58wFpMlR
580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTboSNnETD
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.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivA9lr4SVy
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.580Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2KX5wM7TS
