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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzuATYk96Q
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tUaNsGzHN
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yKLa4nMez
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAn32x8XmB
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi15qtnrFD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYzZghyIU0
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzYXjGTYg1
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEIWS1nnp7
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECN8SUPR5E
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrI2DWzgU8
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66riKISHQa
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqLkVoJGIA
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SLHi0yIgc
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fBYygCHm6
"What kind of trouble?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMavHY3omS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhaGGuMsUd
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaFENduWDV
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoUKNHoiwt
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpQ4vDzwwR
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybvLMV6Yxc
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUyWJpt8eQ
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcOrDHPLlP
"That's good. She needs to rest."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡah7UyRKRo9
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0lpFvIh4a
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCGpJRZrQS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmGD6EmHok
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCMSVYr3pu
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrDTeXEefy
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd1LfdM5Vr
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy78jPkolr
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2CAUeoyoU
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWUZaBGQTr
"Ya, sure."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxrDB1e5YA
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyL58vq8ITS
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbalS4ohbW
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXHcuyYDJq
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcE2qrTYNM
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZN3NwfQ2A
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWCkV5yYJu
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsuLufhZpL
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxa0nqfTeO
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk4gPgcudX
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkBEI6WN5c
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7G6vccf7y
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi22gwUqq5
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAoDe5AqPw
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhwrB85vD0
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamQjIPR5Am
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwIJtyQ76R
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvgrvqDeQh
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlxvzxUR1n
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8K7wDDxyH
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0uNUe3BrH
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMZuXaSVFa
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcwhbQkf4Z
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaWRopx7Ll
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEUyvCKv0x
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlIrrcw5kN
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM3NJwdr9Z
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckh4K4gqTr
"What did you say?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RkYVZhsFB
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48GP8pcqFT
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0rtzVXAHc
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblqYrZrwAz
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOjnpAy9qu
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyWpvRFYdh
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv6GFjmBX8
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOztTiX0xpV
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSP8cBrCjL
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA4fezWkEF
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlghUBN0Dr5
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoozUtWlr0
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Fly7a9De
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCSlWH1vYI
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf65RpWOAeD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRofkf5ELn
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡen6lCsdmPb
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTtjrDESpl
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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfFaFg8CHm
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL2PSYeoLl
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WP347dbub
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGahcP9z1Ya
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQkuWgMK8d
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGws8HYYcXw
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxEeXtyL5v
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJQKAr0L09
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlraxVljXEF
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXmQ7vwscX
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxomaci00TO
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguLTBKLz5W
***579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdzFmU6Kq9
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPGOlZ3QBD
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY2JPhbhUg
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDW3aNH7d1I
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr448ZjXlYT
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurXIqpuTqq
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFSJgqNfnm
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0mqo0529b
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8qF3X4iYn
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NBuid74TH
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm81XsIYr5g
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGc1RLSCO0
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVeqNPbuKR
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvdhajpZJa
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeWapBwuXl
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEkVWxOCqU
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QkPIJlfys
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjyc9LM9jw
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfWaF2NQU8
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPxln2OBvy
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS55qJZs2zP
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIWmpbqGPK
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5K747pucL2
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxyKDZFo72
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTYuzkHQ38
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa104wYpORW
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmaj0NyOvm
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxipNavBGzb
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCXnIdIsZ4
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yjPr0m4VD
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHOCZWGi41
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1gs4yMKd9
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHfk78APvf
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDBDrreZ6v
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTz1bAcw225
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUs3oZgNKJ
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx7ABdFum6
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9GqN85JuH
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXYAhYqxSb
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsdmAYQv60
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyclxfiousx
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTBJJJ4rL4
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSFbBlnWyR
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP74V6cj7A
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxX5KgkCdUG
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhs8v10Kllv
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc56UjTUgb1
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33alvoq00V
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIIyj0glaP
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGmP3BqUS9
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiZ0DJxFiF
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcX5C6hNiJz
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GOAkJnTPo
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6JhQIkl1r
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeApDLveBN
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlsOklGcVm
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99xFvUGuuE
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLj3JpHwUH
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOscV8CIVJS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32dK17jeiE
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM9P5Xdd8r
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbp2IAUxQW
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPJTQTJm5E
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkg7m2wvGN
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7MUXHrdEi
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfIb8wYnB7
"Do you think she's killed before?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0KP2xJ4eD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gmMJa6KeY
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfRUoxrj4U
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM26GBS1yHZ
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHEwr5HkiU
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqpDti4e66
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HAgktkqTe
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPBqbdaRH0
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINPELJ8X18
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccW7gCHvQn
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTMs88NDbQ
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTPr3ckLWx
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4zvrDRsrP
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRxQiCpdIZ
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsYeNdrBfy
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4c1EyoroMx
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanTOriKBv7
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthg7LwnHus
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B5GR07rTA
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTEhRTfdKC
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOzRnAU54y
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGn6YtNKxQ
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbJGuyDSVS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLTmn0G4nz
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX89ZKIvsyi
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYgiYeZL9j
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFI2Ldj4shD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnqxwSGh6V
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowTAWiXTwY
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPfxV8QNGI
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpo495wZER
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9Y0nBT6ey
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tbJbppk5e
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO4583sBHB
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPWGJ6Dgsk
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZUJdLzTrl
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIex1J8kPTs
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3yYLuS8BR
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLzbabtqpV
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKTyzCmmPQ
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eCtxYUHmV
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLwPvU7GtC
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeM1PlTG3x
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWflwSRZx4
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoZxnI43kE
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjendZFKsKH
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyUjbKMI4o
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWcW9CMWTn
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoB2XswEjw
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1WPeddEgp
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxRU5ohbyI
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I8HGzGbth
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHbuGDuLM0
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLKm2LSF0A
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36qIFWTIEd
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQLbR6fNhT
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj5w1pRopv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RSyDiYI5b
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t10BJUlpi
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAktw5NhFOv
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMaJaQBFQp
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOfcuV4Pu5
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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9nN0aCfgl
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pMIdoiqft
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDWhDHMLLk
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZv6r33O4y
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLqp2PeI8A
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MIWChVo7U
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87vVClTOau
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCozOLElVHS
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV92LAycNWA
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLS9agzsbC
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrTAIEn45c
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SkygJhHjH
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j2J1aI3sv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RowDCFHVF
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiDmfXDiry
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxcXX2AlJM
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiTeLDVUC3
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzapovjczC
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg6rytZrOw
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlz9t7wbv8p
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnmWk6aMf
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUz5qFAqQg
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbIgMlbyJt
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeZ1iTRyjZ
"We will," said Kevin.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUscl3dgMv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsg3tA8uzW
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoTFN8qvip
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp1dv0ALb3
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJbTqxhfzv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqroSrLmE5V
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dCgJxZTkv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiu8ltPlPu
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhqq3uWou4
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B6EJHkdXr
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN7yEfgm8x
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKlwoSCnta
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:579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcRyBa3bPK
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CejS3sbHE
"Rhénee, wait!"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCglXZUzpK
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4c4DJghmB
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡborLQLdi9U
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYLobKQveY
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDaDXXxCIn
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV98PeVJ9as
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P7fZmTKDy
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp9UbBROHS
"I'm tired."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzSU5vUNu7
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEl3v3qVV9
"Really? I don't think that's it."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZzrMbopo8
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmCPankAK7
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADPHOS8GZ0
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadU8hwfEVm
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NweKhLp1m
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhFZFYrXdG
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHWvmxSKF2
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd43CJ1NZfk
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lpWSIWNVA
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeInYXKHV9G
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EAZP72PbT
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGDnJt6akH
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z2r4p8qsE
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM2OEtevxD
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDs08WBcuYn
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrApw2A6HCb
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4bVsnUDVu
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XLtO1kFEq
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIaaTZ75U1
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uWHmTbEhW
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeQORNRFWx
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yD1qufmmc
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjfukqtJ3w
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hq47CFzIt
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2BZMB9qIr
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOdbtuhxAE
"Good. Let's go."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CvP8w8Gkt
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp711W49Rm
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekNC1NXxI3
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rYxU6mxTy
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg4LX2l8gy
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCMPp9WNqW
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAC2BzqM7A
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0KvNVT5Kn
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjifobrFp0n
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdltSnlqeK1
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRvdxdb4BG
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6X0ix7i6U
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgkIHFivbe
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Tf3CyH7q
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqGRXHuT0W
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrTLPz5ppx
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC0nseqMML
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6gCMxnx5V
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hMfZ2JsWF
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IFsarFolf
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVgxhclk5v
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMtR3SrQl8
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs68Fiisf60
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVO3vXZhdPl
"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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEgvRlZYP3
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYOD3qtdVh
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLQa0h8XU
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhJKjI4mLB
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1Dp9zHy7v
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdWeXvGfI1
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKwZFPj8mU
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZDoy44jpz
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbWBWf5yM4
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwERztceWPQ
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPADrRz6cfo
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvJ9c4A3sW
"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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTJFSpinOk
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkZeuUs9Vv
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnX3HtZKyd
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUefeuRylvA
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡby5UKnFYRk
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUgyUGFiAQ
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEi6iXlXFM
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAkm0DUjCT
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzgmq8DR4W
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm61OHjYfhX
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcU2h4W4wXl
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJdxDQr5zR
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgzOhxGP3c
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitY9Agu5b8
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO31tZMipPR
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP0AD1QpOs
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP2o4HmUnY
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmlZtLLcm
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36shgXuwJu
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ZJLhjadQ
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmXYGLcTNK
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5li59Y3jTv
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9Sfue2sAa
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7F14O4XLT
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ367hfPnmZF
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu92AigkAmD
"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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZSKclqJsG
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUWjaQagZz
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GRX6gKfdX
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HJ3fqJX55
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:579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q4SeVk96O
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSRsT6sqZ5
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2DqvqT6jD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqO5Zjw47pq
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyHv8OjJji
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgokdRUcqj
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYxNsgz3CC
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC1kETSE0M
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH5GVOwVgg
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrF7uxwf9gF
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo2NIHxuwa
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWkuGphaxL
***579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILLh3QspqQ
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eMHrOCrWk
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVrLhTx0bW
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZIwDj8Y0R
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWUV3auuHo
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjyqTJ8IvD
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqICy4RzeP
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYsEcqRaNE
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UIIFHlLm1
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcT0QQw7mhg
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuOtdqO8KH
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnsES7Ywiu
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gGnTIvnmD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OzSIz1LO3
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraEoErlPC0
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqIzdj7IWB
"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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbz3M8jqouf
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8beKE1RIu
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM8JnEAHcc
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1K0QfYmFtt
"Really?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UM2hOC8n2
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIcfmImaaL
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzT9zO4QAg
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaNUHAMAJn
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfJ16lvKsS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K46XJUGmY
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO7147pWe7
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOBtgScdVY
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMzJLTCeFb
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHN3cpNeYe
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqS5Yl9yiHo
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojrVKe8MrN
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNbEJJqudO
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyP6BwB2vI
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfxkuYrmAY
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsRfgRwywh
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MzbZD4qQx
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCfcbMs8G0
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGsSbt8RRR
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZLqfOImsv
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjJxBVzr6t
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrS18HzV7J6
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSWXBO721k
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p3nMbM11T
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CJK0eXcQt
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRK5mqgr8n
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0y8YJzfOL
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5MIINz9pS
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGmdNBf97i
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtLSG9FS8b
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvnFKMYcMt
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZouXP7kGc
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DxLDHFr0r
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eq5IvnbzB
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWptGUZPrfz
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbiChfbqD6
"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?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtmgRqtFQ4
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH9dVjLw7Z
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9tSWPdbsB
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpa17V6FeD
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPqW2GTS6g
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAuxT4E3zI
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM4RbmG7oH
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvFtZLX8oC
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xOfnLW5bH
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchALUF8zOu
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnR5d6N23i
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A7ypMN16r
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj5OIVEXK4
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItUEa0gcq1
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymJYV4Z4Xv
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9UHGr2kqv
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP8PsEAqWD
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKUuw1da15
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMKmGhQLey
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRJZUaOFA0
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUPQpREoz5
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGPulWxrt8
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZkQCWKtnm
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpxcrUoiXi
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL08ZbQtpJc
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejUCAqSDH6
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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SlHihtuKd
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobMnjmbPHR
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8ZBiJ7XWp
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtR12tfWml
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtjNQ5OTBS
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5S3wIfBRJh
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVqyIrb9hM
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJSLcdFP0l
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqDMgqcelQ
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKhZGhTyLz
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94l6BmEec
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWak9TMvzn
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM8dxV8EUz
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjynNvyZM1
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvk1sbq8siT
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8QlTuCkLlB
"Oh..., nothing really."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj3Zb1HfP9
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkd3ZpEJg3
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VhDzVwLLH
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIATemQxMU
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhIqpHQqIm
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ynaTpygI
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSUSdvKD4z
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9Eg5FWVOg
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2iKrrS13P
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoAWTgDu59
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Knf7CfSKo
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFgQIgujv3
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltcSiParDp
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlu0FC04tN
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2o7v0x2k
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fIW0l96GF
"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."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwykaRSIF8B
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrehTmxaPcl
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXnwpJXY1
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnVHkh52NO
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcuvAkxH26
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOKt4r2Vfy
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jMaUO9Skn
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskZUVmh9A6
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? 579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZFy9mWtYk
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHE4yG95wXQ
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtASDPhUDzl
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPfbiSkiMdP
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr3ASS15Dz
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMQcWp9kJq
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJJWazeUhh
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWfIeTsv49
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrvJ1uLCBy
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvB9a1zrIU
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOt09Vr2dSU
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot1FPLGRHQ
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.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT07orcGjPj
579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEsXHjnWGc
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.579Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5s4zKUEED
