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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcll9A49nBu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShldFuPVSL
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOntQH7Ttju
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2PLSxvtfi
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPifnmGt4XP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQAw7POLjM
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ij51NrX0n
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxs9WZvt2h
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LfGLxFSbI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPG70kE5Sq
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJXm7Kwh9h
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaN6P9jRbE
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFOJQV75h6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHUmwU9hzQ
"What kind of trouble?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXujYCiojQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVvgry00j0
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPNKIAUwZe
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO7LYKSSFk
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ixtEbqMRc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAzKJFAq4L
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4atTpBxrLa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTFgaEGuMN
"That's good. She needs to rest."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguK2mJCS8E
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs85ryiCYf5
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdO5nlhynD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumXl6zMRy0
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmI7ei5I0Bc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS9L65QQ37
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwfbfDUag4
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHzyptvNRh
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr2e3dDJsZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEJ4Oa7iZP
"Ya, sure."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU63rnCalyW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3P3g8QJRr
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAGQ0apTee
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqNgDbtx1k
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7GovEWELb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRpE1YGA0V
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTno7MPE5N
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3xxQ5sgyY
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk7Jl5FMtA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEd1buPGRp
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NTTrlAswy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdA2ijWkDH
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiXGBoCdrD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BLYextFTV
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzrtaX59tz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKIYpbyBoM
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrLwJFcT9A
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxBvfaMBrX
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI1mDohZdJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRHPKkJsOu
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWgctOZaTY
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhsVuwFCZj
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRFOBVL2Qs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ujfAPooZh
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL96Hl4K7G3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJgJrrQMx8
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyfrMXj6Lj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsG1ATJf8Va
"What did you say?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIC7Vkoqby
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PUkJaeQRd
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS0nt2p92J
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQY2rS9xtr
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdew8h7IJNd
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML8xUynp3k
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ5Yd8KaSs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwV12uisQm
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL7ApMAm1h
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEGq3M362Z
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd1iB6ToOs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3hqKaS6KC
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs8az5xH3F
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNwCuLRt1T
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxIsPDPUFN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHHGeToWun
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqJd08VE5v
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7HPziI3HR
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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXgGHfVjGl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnriM2EIYmB
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV25ZSuxsf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0cZ7SROBH
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrknMfxnFv
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpuSSaxGwx
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJilNXwGYch
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwHnBrADVF
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR2ZjX2dnJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni4HhAZCYr
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWe1ICgqH3S
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qvwOtomZy
***683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPlyMvc9v7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy3QYFPg8l
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR7b85cfVE
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHGmMaYujb
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ003wGCR8Sn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtOP7fzimN
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJKle8ClS3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaRwu7R2Mk
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglhG7UsIfE
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPgm4mX0lc
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dsyn1hHWh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsWoV8dhG4
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6i1qJPpbg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSdx3bEoy9
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMOqwKGeqU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKyxb1x7zm
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4zgPksEuz
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWWmVmGTSg
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG3VS7h1Nu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSnyfieijm
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8wQzK5Enl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANA8KeZgQv
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFqaS0EMIk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML22RMxrq9
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2QqOzWs1Q
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG0cgNdAbA
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp78o6wpy1M
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1g6o4A5MsN
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw2M6KxOSl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCh9UO4DiMC
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXMDcOl3CB
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcB1PIG7sw
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXuwliodC0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OxYF3Wxap
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9KTo8NwQV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9xNrmOR1G
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2nAmvdIxB
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsn3XqYSx7
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt1Pq7TwIL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlmmS5vQB6
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ8fzts4rT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSXPWMq2iW
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG3Y1GnmGj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3eLVUmPyi
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0o2o0zpETq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpsnR73m2W
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2IMakP8wD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTD2qnxm34
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr6J84wAlL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiBweC7mMq
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxEcJjmbWh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzm41W8zOi
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQjQz9eJPt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJT5Jiy6rg
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmyBkISUHK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LSgqvZ8k6
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHGWGbkURq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO3CuYozPb
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpIMlF4IAM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfRe4dcwin
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmoEw9d3SH
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSY7EPGhof
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLM4CWBAbf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX03dsDc4d
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wsH751cLN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lClq91l3x
"Do you think she's killed before?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4g4VX1zK0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr8Bfzt45G
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThQVi0TLdN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo140M8Qpz
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeF4pR3iFSo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejXzaKrhLm
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9clzlv8r9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA2Nf5Qpvg
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfop3IxJb2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwQUCGbcs5
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVliBhGCIZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhhszD3ph9
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllKASMyeCu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDZMioSefS
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzo1p0Nq5l
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI62zgOWRsR
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgjgBgLHuL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiwkhr4ONF
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ocOz90ztU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG1JfZ85TG
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4NLcfjxb3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZv3cDRAwp
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu02zo6FPAI
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI9z5kyorZ
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Y3vP4e7o
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXHgcdnStS
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhN1dp2UtRN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiPLLbYLuM
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaIquK6Gbf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp6WXIMnrd
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipe8NukkHx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVCUxpBuRq
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUYKxS3EWQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU3IUMB3w5
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluWWfh8nK9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0reuYHWJx
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx9ypcss32
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUckMhcMsB
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrh3ZwcVbh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNykiQdBMA
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31sX24hG6F
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSceFWUXa1A
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLcVPVTbqr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIpkMP30hW
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iUkWrBWDl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENINGxk6do
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdVzJmWkig
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18dEmwpPug
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P53l4pUXy
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe103UJxnBh
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxUbrxJXJ0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx5NyXXzgL
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CzwOwJHPL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmlJLkmn75
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v5UWLbdgt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6fxgM8KW4
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6QT6aak70
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5oo5m1sJ7
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yDpcCo5ip
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaaJc3W7WI
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0z6CI7JX7
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XKRw4LkFN
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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPci52lBnN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GvPm7AOLV
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQUSbK9gO0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbyF8zI7uC
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquaFJ23DHt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG4eHpkWkx
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKSsWdAMom
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9XtmRO0M1
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQEDuEsKgx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyjQe0UKzU
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ekeubrBBe
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsa3NpFXN4
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8MQtHC1Pf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ziTbfiX1
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtO87TdFsN
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyAhIgDwAJ
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5kNIByu8H
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cGCxOLdRt
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsAi8ABeaq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5gNaZn0Hu
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HAv3PIY78
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkr3NK6wEZ
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpDfREfo6O
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEdoBdhwPe
"We will," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRziHB01jLZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38wMyjProt
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx9F4BTUCm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimufHRnfGR
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdvSphnyJK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGOkZPBAo1
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjAKlGKVbm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNdArV6lUn
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA6bLqSGVK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3lQ7zyH2f
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0zN6fXXnt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZKhW3RGPj
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:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYRpDc94ha
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2ypGyeMJF
"Rhénee, wait!"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCV1gOrvuZq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlBvyQcAMP
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgAxJOJHFq
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb4qcBQNVd
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBydcydOx8R
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qXDx8mz0r
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRyL2ebmTe
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzbpFufOx7
"I'm tired."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YDuKY03VV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFptqVuj6mY
"Really? I don't think that's it."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShRjcObN0n
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoqa7sO8uA
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0mSedvAS8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqT8qAmKlc
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pE2Ym7eFl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkKeAgEAkc
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEVYYsdXxR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ecd7wHiRw
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY9faSEwJb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED5HZ3Rct6
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3yeT16Osl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeF3i992AL
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUo0Mi899V
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7SKiUqquO
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vUrD5D1ST
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAWDuWvT3K
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0ft2BTnqs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLU2FN5wq2
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS3L8vC5ff
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZDuGZ2PXa
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPjIg9bCxL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9O63qY4aVu
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcr9n4oMs1x
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXO94z6IhZ
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3KXqMM5kL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmHohIUV1N
"Good. Let's go."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeKu4GPPOC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotWhOAWqun
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfz2S1NC5O
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cYvFBPbCx
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0RSyLhVYt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7phYh2rxwq
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37ANFJBFSh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaZXgXoGsg
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxGr66aJYL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnOhaTgNN8
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS645gU7Hwn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX6PWv1BqC
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16iWYapwpl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKcqGz6NkD
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaDHdgEUQj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJUbuotTLh
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHZipPqwJa
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoDz71ffUf
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1FWYrixZl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRODWbdUfds
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi5eqg3zVk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxXPSozZDY
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RqNHojP9i
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRE2Et0PYp
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5pgbqiJql
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC4ZdWSSxX
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPi2VsjhuGA
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujoUbaV7v2
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nrSXQqhU5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNw08ym796
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSTDngncLL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaWNBMElhy
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRcApxc1H3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYFwdP9Czr
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOayklORo5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXhond3Cox
"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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPoXI57irJ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzchIwvdqt2
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtDsffG5WM
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJpg5wQboi
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNNGxqh9qT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFiDmw2529
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNyhxeqQ6J
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbfn6JVS05
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNG2hTgf6T
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TDSZ8b1h1
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYwCh1R2Tc
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hAv3jflUl
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08o0YwVnBg
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkw2M3O9nb
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0tArRJUPi
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWybfBiKjPW
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYIBIFLEsn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lwf0tWyHq
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmDGeOu9DP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtharfzIdi
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7s8yy54iZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PA1M7myla
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEELTyX696h
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmYpUesZAL
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu0XV1I9n6
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ZB8QCRN6
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzIFfelzHW
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByl3YG6gcg
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4PJldLz0e
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzRzRIjQxP
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:683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWb3H7tfa8F
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqrfqANlHj
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeyL1FGJQL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalb3ZQX7IR
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KW0VmxtXK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhVAmYkTPU
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSx5X1BKf3
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLfK4JGbfe
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniPPPNLt4I
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2MzKNqSBZ
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjkJ0VGK7J
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZpONbYIpw
***683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsSmu4AONs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSShxTlzIkK
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqk8Ld08WsV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiF6jXAsS3
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEDhH3rWJP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTHeqTsgKk
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMkXMVhyez
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJkuFJv227
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgm9JqlrNr
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjTeQlTVHx
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzeMynB912
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ru4MsuNp3
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2rLqvHnpT
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxawyp7gRiD
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tFIDq5vof
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzkJoVcsgT
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWlHNQhQAf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2nagMEx9F
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfifieV65zU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVd7IFjz9t
"Really?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTEepijXDk
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdbpHfYt52
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXawmQpXgQ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCGxn3eC25
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WOJENneE5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhfbv8htSA
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rbsEe55t8
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGQqUa3JV1
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgcsHXNQis
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN42a5Lg8sU
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx209ua3Cag
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPfXZTHOCT
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsSNf5Ihqu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvykEcV4vq
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDbo4GnZcP
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNTXQ3Knw8
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUNAPC2mqU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDxXeFdk9p
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfeYejDkem
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gUdDVwliM
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW67zh8zj5
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd5hE30myQ
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg4RFdmor9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhEl7A5ASv
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0AGWyKgVt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZL7DV8WWQR
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfnHAL1k6j
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDJLVothtl
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9YN9wxnuE
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8EcolECml
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZQU2Jfc6N
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr5cHHvSSX
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDZNM5DIVZ
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLfkWLLmZH
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7HdCifyFx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmoVfel75M
"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?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYycCeTkd9
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbD3bsoY23K
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFujJUTU47
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CRds5wN3T
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LYY1ojKIt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaCxEH2h0Z
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8JYq4JVof
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ljwWJ2iFT
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6k1yyHFYio
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUoNkc65lZ
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z0MI6vSpn
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjP6NZg7Ah6
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrhsxLMSDo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjsxsOKv9N
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5PFBjcltt
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvv00Sth0R
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZXUggG0aj
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBRhrd3J93
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpeXXHGYkU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHcV18fV7e
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPCGz9J4fh
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVnbc9jkGm
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRxzawFUAw
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9TtlTr63j
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhCTYbC6Dl
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CL05EgcCT
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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumRS84cBqD
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEfwXYlcrw
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmp8sJFXYe
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKERoXuVVs2
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMDSJnYEOC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgHtmgNs9J
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe19DHlDFev
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMN3F0He09
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhRpjBzBkx
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfthbMIBmak
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYwLqw0IZK
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡupfRxOGrUG
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ18d0Ojwqu
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyfj0dCWij
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgx9F2gJ78
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8pBWBtmWE
"Oh..., nothing really."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRVZWSH0JU
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYDpuljvYv
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxugR2c1qBL
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCzdNC0pMZ
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLut6ij1tG
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNMb4tvGFc
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4kaQXD9tF
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVTG7XHvc6
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhFEcLuPvb
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPPgDOVnxb
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UhySXLXZm
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9U7hA5SUG
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDGAisTTY2
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJmwwDSJcp
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6dZ3iLPZs
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVXnZFIkU0
"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."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1kaWiaepo
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH52Wo2jNJX
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4pqguALKC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8WNjy5PHU
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMg1z4SPt4
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZpQpE15Np
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWXbb8WFDX
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWF0bfd65i
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? 683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9kPXY9jn0
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKxJYqTNxl
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVWL2XgKNS
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IfFukcjJx
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo70Pd1b9qf
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ7gtuUD5x
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK64Thxpn0t
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGfQRNemoi
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurLtM1ucnC
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNQNdNTroZ
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVaDmgqQIV
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1iVud9HUhQ
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.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYYsjdLSoR
683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXhvkzl6Tx
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.683Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmZtEDVOFT
