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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUU4kGUFkjX
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0YWQ3R9Jw
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAaD9wjSWr
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTlgtg4ZYs
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLAV7TjL0w
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdgVKi8Ak0
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCm8vIaIHZ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEOHxkBzQ6
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJbh0nFNCw
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDWmcrN9rV
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjou05h0Rmg
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmFYOGmYHJ
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZNxWvtRVU
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzG27UlyYH
"What kind of trouble?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uuSFZQcH4
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6cS9CwOgv
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9bXNUNFi
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kTdh2zIsO
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0RTvxAeaI
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe4R2GtZdI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KDE3TMBE8
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2arwbTZaRf
"That's good. She needs to rest."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlijD7sOkt
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfS2XAXsWPI
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJf72xMvtUA
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7of7U0lyj
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnbP3J1A2C
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTQ53JEht7
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMczNSAd6z
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH7KtiEGGp
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw10rTscm7
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKT35kXbNa
"Ya, sure."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUWJglmAB2
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYlGAqBGIx
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDqRfc9RfU
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2cjQQ5O8Z
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaQ4IU0kMZ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQlAlaNK70
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoexaHYnh7
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU7L1TQ2NG
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMStCaF1jx
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJR1Ec2bDm
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjDWApLzcZ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDVuadauxS
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKxnM89yax
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7H962HAak
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnUqVBHJE0
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75fpzb9Nix
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRn7RjYCYW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxR5EKhnch
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7MFnDzJXQ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wNiMJJfhu
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXvA5recHR
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcgxYrL0jI
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArLo42Zb9h
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGFSvef9cf
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RcrB3G4Ge
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGJASXfqXm
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzMJm23YNR
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s7QIt9Q7p
"What did you say?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtB1EFQ1Vu
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMLo9gfMVD
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAqGM7JlJS
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVqTE7sOqu
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMJp0QPpqM
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"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cUb17HvqW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojWfAsJPgB
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uZFROksIK
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9SLQJm2J6
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENOi1r3Nkz
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5moEOnEkb
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX5bYENSKm
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMVEm4wzT5
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9Dxts371E
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblrhfL21se
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDGNZ1CLyy
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpM1E4Ngrtj
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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu1Negu5Ca
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU3R5VOUph
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHivlZZMxUC
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHmzxhXapp
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t223AyJBV
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGEhLOsIza
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDsPlHzoQm
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuCAiKeJPw
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUFqAf8zE0
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"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkLU1FN1Ck
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***644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j43662Ujw
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"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxJTUv64eL
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILsNcExHxK
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGvZojL0vu
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsumKm3H2z3
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUAhBV4u9r
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQFm6DCkJU
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYlTgbyPub
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ds29WYG1d
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SPg2LloW8
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWWrvO2aq2
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8GHqrLsco
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WN1ASoXYi
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKKjcymuyL
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XAhIdJuel
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvxG7hAmaB
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN3dnr1DP6
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBlIJOJnJW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl2civCbuE
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDWT8ET1Zw
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B27NIFcYa
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUzRe4QQxz
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstWkCrxLwJ
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISFa2PTVXr
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNprkRZx6sw
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrkttxKQTf
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlLIhBtHxG
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlTtxDFlF6
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw81jbETs9w
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU60SxGOKa
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgMh3B1oWb
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxNqEvojaM
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4jowIuASn
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nehhqSov8
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhLK7uyfpg
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1wsDEsMen
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbwL6wFb8q
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPomctC0Rd
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQZ7ROUJqb
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGLAJmGWHi
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTvtyS3FCf
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApfKJxM5OM
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10UvIRlfS4
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V17Vt8bQh
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwbckCexhJ
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9gA02c77Q
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nlxHueIwi
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyGcjzbWbs
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA8RyszuSL
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCz7aICnoe
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTJ6Bi6Hx7
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hEczzjojk
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0l8xvjA4X
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mQHa129UN
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOu3hS9qmXR
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTKkCyw7V5
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZbwJHcO22
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cYnXerRjf
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYPBQhEsIw
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMqL865WIK
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcglK5RFOY
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25m9JQdqFK
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3pvlLR4Aa
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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIILIt6AKJx
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDTf8hKOt4
"Do you think she's killed before?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdCtKHTfjX
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaTJQXE45Y
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5EEITZZmH
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiex8fIZeJ5
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvj8N3za0yZ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawMvA4dFCR
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBO31gudhx
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknbr7qxWW8
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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAGrT3Ephv
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡup3gQNbMee
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXSBHv0qsD
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl4gSYeRJm
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DmPqeEyJL
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBfkMpjNh3
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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKl7rug2uV
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNCdK6hjnW
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk6QF6VoXb
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QSNmRoa8z
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vZiFmjgFE
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRTTb0gXax
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzotLdK2sz1
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYqrvDmr3b
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBixV9oJsqh
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPeQS3daXC
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXm94COzCi
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS5cotvDOx
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3PVifPT8l
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy1QLLeEs5
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOzltyVJ2Q
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YQRVMQyU4
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Vtxzil32
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Aed1j4C1
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQIi9p9saG
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPLdD78y2O
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBZTX7BEIz
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO6g93ROTN
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7woDGtsJC
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR64tti5tMw
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz9QpRBl6m
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gE0M9jh9p
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbnJ8Ez1tw
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9G5cEatTj
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpPAhRadK4
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdio7TbMIMl
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyBRmFWRej
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJnRMtxzJ3
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI2HFxI6hw
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo8p5sHP6E
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZyi3DbUrW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjF07V7UF9
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QKgf4IBGX
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruEr6motMY
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rBVYpLha9
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmxI2qbiQK
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiX5Ar8YoN
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiesUWkLxA
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFlZA3rsXg
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVvjvVG7Rq
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpUSedgwpa
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrG8XD37soT
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiEP0C7Uf0
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK6JNqNIvg
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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm0nbRsY90
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng2vOmfee2
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEyf39eKFd
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjDltZJ3sn
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu6SlAWBX7
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xKxQKKUrk
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKEtDuqKeS
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ7rW7BRte
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCEkJUbTdW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAwRWRRcZj
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz8Mhh6Ada
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjSNERcz6I
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXA5y6cl5B
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvagHuwVvU
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJrHwhTwSG
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJlS3AoDNz
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWt6sq2l1MO
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqsFbMDFdp
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnJw0QpKXG
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn2QrHxJ6O
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasXnW3ukQi
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjkpwFAPe7
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFANi9DC79h
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4F9HSUMJz
"We will," said Kevin.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93B1TOWT3s
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRamIxACRN
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9qSYp2QFR
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMw36JyVzS
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKTsmAnEaf
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiiHoqcDIa
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGZReorhCj
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaP0aC9BPo
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50MlE41rji
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkebYbDsnE
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEJIc7oUab
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkIc1jvUxK
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:644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AsLXmAOBD
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI23iVss0zI
"Rhénee, wait!"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJX52fydLN
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH6UyJgzwJ
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmj5mv3Abu
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYbVlYEbsi
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmhQuRgBiB
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQpC5TzhuF
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT0nz7Xbvd
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtzYQWN9rX
"I'm tired."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQC888PuWj
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnzk9djBZU
"Really? I don't think that's it."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkZLRBz6oY
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8OSMqN1yD
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1SN8o4DgR
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZBQl1KjYO
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwf2HFa1Zp
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOEJgmEoU1
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHWH6oUf9O
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDFJqs8pQP
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzjop9oaVH
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnmVbAqTNb
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVENQSfFfI
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxFim48PK
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgrT2VN7aJ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XeN0zhyHt
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UKJ7tGfTv
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhrx8YrDxS
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUINTIEvCMW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHZSTHnGqO
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nDdvCIWkU
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzZr9EBbU8
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowp6s2sRhI
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpini5WPJuD
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpyjWQeqPw
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp39jmppZiv
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYetHjggsiM
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yJNy2HE2a
"Good. Let's go."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwOrhJ654D
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHwohbD00h
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKirnO49rc2
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSc1BJixjZ
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h2iiIWp7W
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWupL3HEHJ
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDk529OygX5
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6Y4pEYF6H
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkw0nJQV7Su
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0JMlAH3iY
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9OHx2mMmU
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Nkqf2QPku
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXKLJvngBS
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRjfs8vhZ1
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVe1LZMUGd
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R2nn5H89v
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSlJe308SV
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tkl80PlBD
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8X3MIE2Ww
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZo24P06a7
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqDnAX9ZDg
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgrVBqWI8Y
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBH9fkN3q9
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dLyHSzvBq
"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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx196oppDs
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5Wytkeh0Z
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOvk7srLjL
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANiKGM36t
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkslaiLsiOJ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0W8Obb5LQ
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjSKz985Jg
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsfESZCRuN
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDtufRxeBW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCuzKPRLqDY
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzW3bcoyke
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NlCEx1wUv
"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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAkqdQ2fIr
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3jqiPZzOZ
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG4jdY5rbe
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z9TrAgRT2
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2jLimYYVH
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0vAIOzcUW
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JWkpdw5PY
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6SzUAnosE
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNx7fMaQww
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0dKb35CdK
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsTkHxbFnN
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZbYtSF995
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiIour2ycE
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCXsLfybK3
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj5xTbm9lF
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdlmerSmt2
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuDGeL3lWi
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwuLqdJ9wy
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMmM72XIZe
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcwaWllQj2
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmD6zFY4YWn
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd1tTWjNel
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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsCIK18oyI
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK8bsKpjVI
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGfGuks8tQ
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXZokFxtkA
"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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMHyO6XYYM
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ7LgIJqvO
"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb8kfgoPsG
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B3LBzupxT
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:644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatbbxpR7FX
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvenILrTtcz
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU3tnLfT5w
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVO1pmMuKN
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05uwhGzimr
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxSZGQVV9Z
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCb02bzjj5
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHMhF8WUbv
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx06ODh7Se
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEcbKzW0xP
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nONsilRam
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkrLcInZJy
***644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FhGHo0Wjh
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7mmvTVeQi
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRFSRx5YX8
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4WJZhEoKj
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UrQa89ofe
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOqjEsQd4y
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY8ARGOPX6
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQswWBJ4sOe
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT85Y58eU9
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqODZBevSES
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYLIIzOymY
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBXUxK5mAQ
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodLIIvSyf2
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwULthwAtlo
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYR3eWe3nZW
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3rsLBrzCF
"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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRilz2aohBV
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBfQ08VeEc
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqKciXApMj
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4mWHEbpUB
"Really?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkGo4vBWQd
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOfYemUMwZ
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3zc3FlJnB
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYEv8O8OT3
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVSs9bqfK9
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvH0iMHUHF
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUd4zGadQrK
644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwBUkOGzjW
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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71dO4RXwIC
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbHLeirhxY
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG9VxKr11r
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls40nk1qkX
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mYr2QV83M
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwOCIIlXC0
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJTwsPZ0JT
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDGyvxggL5
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUltklCFaFX
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1N2Eqa43f
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7QdxkbyIg
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwJoTust7l
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLqgnyE0W9
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mqVCGRv9B
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"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?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkvYRQbJTl
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBrbSPUFwR
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0a98wroRH
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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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLMdkWfq8S
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeDBdCuf9G
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEE65zPker
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvf2Zfn96q
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs2mxdHuXe
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaroRNLAQ3i
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXVhgjfz6s
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAGugNVYOx
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"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxWlu4G5ZS
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmaTRfiN2C
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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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ4Kn7bVj1
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1efE0drETz
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeLkmCKkAkS
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MtMaN1uYJ
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPuFs2tT6f
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4hQpNMCHF
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePFlgpZBZM
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRh6XZnPYI
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"Oh..., nothing really."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjQGFkYRco
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJvul82tST
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukPshXSoje
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId3aD5iLPN
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRPiSqiMvV
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7A8Grihv2k
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILltx5L4Vg
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvrBYrbnq5
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"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."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRXNqRwMyf
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiOU2907uV
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNQv8Q2O62
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZEj62RXnh
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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? 644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfwsgccNMo
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8jjvGbyjG
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtMwYc9sw2
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2QBkELsPh
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2lcTZXmLl
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1WQVYdNAd
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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.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ342HrbKrDT
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.644Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWD8EmGwrCq
