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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ794VmrQzWP
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHy6y3cteZ
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GvOyF8JvE
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEThLV2YA2B
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksYtQlR9Uk
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRdQkk4i4I
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbjCtHA2D8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GzUF9ja7U
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh3wux2mf6
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JISMsUOUP
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GjORXXG1V
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLtq1RdZod
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6lHxUR7DU
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoD7OqCm3c
"What kind of trouble?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf8FMRebOs
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RIwhVcDad
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m7bKVi0aG
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIiv4Q6bDs
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLlcumlrPw
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrock29P51
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYetk9uWGC
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc8EPvSCKX
"That's good. She needs to rest."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1vuwRLeoZ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiirQUsJPJ
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNaELN6yVv
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx24LKcEysy
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCGgeFT0Oe
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tPdcQ2t2i
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dq9651eVS
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdh8GjrN4C
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgySx75K5U
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHJMR0Czil
"Ya, sure."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ196zYPQia5
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhNwnaAgjR
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYXTqgw18n
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExr3s07kZL
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRb8sVdq8t
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNtd5l6PBM
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ZbF9pOua
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhU5OD33VI
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFvE0JRdeu
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1sK8OGEjo
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPP8FiTK8K
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dPwUCfnXk
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSr6eNexjkp
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmWH22ewY4
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfrBusmB4m
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmGwIcBEEL
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYza646pIpF
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhGRvYlGpm
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSXgztUYAl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLochqLg6s
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwywtQ1XGB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmOwRhKG6M
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2LbmLPzzo
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLk67OtMuw
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0VQJjayEE
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Re6vdeG23
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BxBgCLp66
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ynJFGVGjm
"What did you say?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgr33KFMud
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJFgi44sFK
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr0cPdImDe
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiNvhMQFD4
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiD6NYilz1
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZLBHY43Tt
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTqUWuVb6z
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyEDyWx3mA
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixr5Qsex9L
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRMszJBpUB
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4mMPJsiSB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC56BgjfGiP
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX7q9dF0Lo
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWJ9CSsPrT
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHNmWRPANV
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegkzY1wfUG
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQPkOF5V8x
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaEq2L8551
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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0DpqQYWRg
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7TB7iHUGC
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze7VTMLTXC
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV7YoiZwRV
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z3Zs4DujL
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbojHAbpiMD
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36mc4jgfD7
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HWV4wygjQ
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1CvxIpzGX
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvwfpVDcTf
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kZe7ornxt
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQmut0Or2m
***706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjhzOGJPw9
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQSiBX6iGs
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzesWRvPX6
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSpfWwaOjD
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbWghETM6L
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz68sxgcjgX
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnPJM5ioe
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOepYTDwASX
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63Nd36qQPI
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovgovpUhVx
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxMynOowu6
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgwnzydrMQ
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVJh11lmE4
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Ew4syKXf
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZQAvxH2H2
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXfeHBCEbp
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRoPP7rVM
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7BXlZizNV
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8tA6GGtUa
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEAOdi4AUm
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DKMbx7d5k
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKzEZOi7u8
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdUO6kV1XJ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKF54J5RDw
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3owADzs5yo
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQHDbTFpij
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0VDhulp6m
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSfR0NMd0u
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmEKvocx0s
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX4c4HcBTk
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V2xn1TqiQ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4KeubDNSe
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aPnP4sHPc
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwtwPW1vyk
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhohUn48yb
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQVD7t4Da7
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl0yDhPrC0
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbuwoioGpS
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYsftlsfFB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkmy5FA77h
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXamqOM7yJ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhSmBviqMi
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ph1zRQXlx
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66QWvqErCe
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmzCZrazef
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Hy29WD3g8
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU6mWjHHM9
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZj1ApGc1a
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujCTLaOsWC
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjSst8Xk14
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63X6yTTYb8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oAPv0lYp3
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt0YdKDfEp
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7SUW4Wjge
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL4gkGlvUF
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeL6fb9jl6
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHk07eZUNS
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiibonaSbOc
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqQMEZD45I
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfT88sUwUhF
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBs9xS2zKb
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKSd7VcC2K
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugZdWcAFFk
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9t7u1Iqbd
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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8tQXH9BfX
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqeuWUDx59
"Do you think she's killed before?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftRE0qM6Gm
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuykHLnhxtu
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYlYYOAcNa
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxymkCsblCY
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMAQUgS6MO
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf45MDfYwb5
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeSClqB3rG
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxBSA9lbja
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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKhyzfvGit
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4v1jjt7puK
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8fqlHQFVJ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGClJHBHLtI
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv40o1yjw4
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtYtE6HC9f
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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWMTgo87jT
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwOzvCdpir
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhRGXwYftU
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnzk2fxxWA
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z4Ir7WFV4
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yNj6N5Hn5
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNnBl8jtCy
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaMAbqk34J
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMP4IJ8Hel
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoNe2XW1Iq
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO3u62CTJg
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45Ei5P8JG2
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QjCi1RiKa
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu7osoJYld
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHf0HLyMyL
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPkTr9E5du
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9OZCBgp9J
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxWFa5cZws
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgauHJswNwF
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV07KyboLSa
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbr9OtXAVc
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKR3qrHQVB
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeVKC774aw
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxJvWM4kjU
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpeHpydiDs
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NMG699Pss
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R9YAl4hC8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qYwxOJVWZ
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIXndHEK90
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtJ6ava9NU
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9DSDR3DEE
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN81C7pdez
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX56b10MVxM
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHl4APW2or
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT94M3h7HPo
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKjcUNmI9S
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOX43bTOpN
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJb4e9dSLs
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevt4VYnOBB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJMtuwW38o
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXs8UtwMVB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSQ532xyku
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzuyPkBeYI
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09tzm9cbld
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qjq4l7AV7
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWWoITIfYD
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlilSBHsefR
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0Ilfxkdor
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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiGFydwAWj
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xCiy5M9zY
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCtKqJ9aCu
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1KIba6MiE
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjaoZwYBDJ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl29MzS8nwq
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rH4R9I7ap
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzHu5tQYqm
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMvlX2r1WO
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15Ml7Lnpfh
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkIFLJvHoA
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qo7fYDDij
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvv7jCfiF4k
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f8O8EK7Uw
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5T4l0Zh4L
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnK707lrfvq
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkfo30iTFP
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI34um1nM4m
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtYhNMz3Tv
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuA9y7oLbI
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqvWv9ZuDE
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiqslkY8hH
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvS7AVGJAN
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmHnXE1j2C
"We will," said Kevin.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8rtA1f1LP
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkIBt9vaOZ
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK9aD95Nrj
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnlqLKcxA0
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiegQEUcie
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFBzzGM3CN
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ764WzCIE7N
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGxb4hChfn
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vC1NLb9z9
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwkF0BpDw5
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmsQW5eE83
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMCFY1UZz6
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:706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgefzOPFL0L
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQ1CKs65CA
"Rhénee, wait!"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFVds8BAbg
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoASfwmA0hu
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR94SH3oVCc
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoJBaxy99i
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7faEdBeSl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LmwYa0KCk
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijK0Ova6B3
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gXadkdnS6
"I'm tired."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnf1pSrwXF
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ooDEQJy6u
"Really? I don't think that's it."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhflJePRnrM
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMPOicxmlR
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1egPnO951l
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZmw1lJY9M
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ9nCT9WOl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDvgOQfp0g
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCPUfKOyT1
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50gKYfdJvZ
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjJPK8g2d7
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw30ODasnV
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEORPEorNTy
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEvzi9aLep
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkWgEFXZS0
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OWxO5jAQM
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6K01Li8jRv
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yrOYJEsSg
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG27wRdhze
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadPT9WUly0
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zKcl59V8q
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qFmR7i2MS
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3EvuQeLSt
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHKIXMEiF6
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI918IkOVbn
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K9PhNSYrj
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkY0IHgukl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VOJBx0YSL
"Good. Let's go."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj8YZ9mso7
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvobOMkExVe
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGC9jGAbkW
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17tsbBKhBX
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenIVCKus7O
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxzG5WTE40
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOPG9dUbUA
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q3IEFQYuw
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGwCOJR15L
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaPS1bKmrr
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn73fgOV5k5
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYHaCaeJqM
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESklXKIonb
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23UAOgtQOf
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71gK9uD7if
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZVcsb2Oj2
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqI1AcUZGm
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWPLUllvt0
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzbiq9o9QP
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcVdlZZ1dH
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvqvOAc8cf
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxMFQeOfDx
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60spPLbj4X
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXq4zUmL2l
"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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HdT5IVWn2
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbymxIOsthU
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHEbWGfpO1
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5SySgQDCg
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUEe2DaNHl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5nNkPjtWC
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRTwK09POy
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWE0btTLEh5
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9HBnBVVcS
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiif4I0oNC
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQLfy3OjSj
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgAAp0xm2e
"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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87mx3EgI4d
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s0QIR8X99
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFTnw7YmAd
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE37q61QvV
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblYvHhWdE8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ghE7gebOh
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AD1MJ9B4c
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ok8X9cu88
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFiWiFM0WH
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6n0zpU8mD
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboSup0HeGb
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2Smsshhyl
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nzvltVcSy
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvDs7LFQrm
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPUMEbc1yq
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESMIxyqq9E
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q0WxFPgnq
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxkATSt1ME
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqpuIub3hv
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WnP3uZGhg
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZVU01TfwS
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UxgSMSnSO
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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwuqrGRbJy
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zeRTKIPc6
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVu2qg0BG8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKx4KD3nV0
"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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWc27ZGQnw
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJPBhcomWg
"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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJODObBdee
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpMDLS31ZE
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:706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7lOTBrGw8
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPFxxcpsEv
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JE76EAxLA
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxmyoIXh0Q
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXylqeovBD2
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwkB7tKtPa
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jWisBFnIZ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7HGt05TDq
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXM373S58j
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaXHMqAZv0
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9aAxAouPC
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF51zM6nsZ
***706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0DQ1SwL4M
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBLNMcjmAb
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHHEi5ujf1
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsC4RX2Aay
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN79P7AfAog
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZKSTsaazB
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiH3U6uoMjc
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy7S3EcXmd
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvHlId8IlB
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yM6qM3J3M
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQB7bmpIm5M
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBRegzeEhZ
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBdmgljFIl
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4n8SrNLmo
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHSpfBIfsX
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzlcTXLDhP
"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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF26xvmTi9
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSdjMPfsev
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSS03m6X2ee
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPJpuuHTIw
"Really?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ480xR00TTn
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4RJpPpBNk
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMErE6OKGC
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5reZbjnSV
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1xZiWjwQZ
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bjW380OmF
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYbp2JuLtk
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYhdwobE7g
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVncgaQFSd
706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0T4pUvAO3G
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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDRcrzQ20H
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Jt0dIDiNH
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQAvn4SgG0
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZtDEMzKtb
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihXaxRb63X
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXCloyxIsU
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXnMBBg4Oa
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAFyAzaibk
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICj5doMsi5
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYbjYZH19z
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGlm0rvK3q
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcAVCMXrRw
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3j8rpncvoE
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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?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDFSb9ZudS
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlRr9SdP0U
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7p9Jh2YAx6
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiuLR9NHuw
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdOwOZFZzr
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRH7keuXfJa
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFqLH9CGHF
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2ybABTay2
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJceOB9Tvwi
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2O3GiUTB9
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V54BDwgEO
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHINx0dFmO
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhYjG8xh4U
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNMQMwCXnv
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjcXt5YoNm
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC96ea7UMTW
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeseJO9oTfQ
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12ShaqFg5t
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mbukoxesU
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ5S8QaM7B
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7uZLUGRMJ
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"Oh..., nothing really."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk0ZqBZxO6
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7caqJy959
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOxFKRcwCg
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1OmHrUDzP
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkRJTzpbZ
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HnHNOCx5H
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6qNObRYVR
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBr8byssEl
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDyq979mUM
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sYh2PI5w8
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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."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FLXlzGvFt
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNNSs5HJdv
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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? 706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEjAlVI9zB
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO9Daazr3B
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkRX56wOuo
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6bYB0r9sJ
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQnOya5IT2
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymrvzQOJEn
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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.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLvoeixYXD
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.706Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj8DEGNJkg
