The news about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAvKgg5V4H
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YnD4cJL8M
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHmkH3LwuR
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nTmBcBGxh
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNHiBZMJMT
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1LkQQbcQg
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4bt3Xx0No
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pKz6saIjF
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6tjUlRaqz
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrvVq1yX6T
There was more to it 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyV4EO1LLK
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSimBf5lHkP
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jJtphZNgr
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXf7Hb8gczO
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwG0U7rfhd
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcb3RN4Fns
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN99EnZ5Ex
except from a few individuals. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0QaqzDOyu
And apparently, one of 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxRf8RwBoV
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHVlUvWxVF
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWGAUQ2o9m
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWMxLxudKt
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibmiZh0uuv
really going on, all hell would break loose.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg7b7P245L
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxUvh1BaIy
Rhénee dropped the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHI5x0ANXeI
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Xqy8yhJaL
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1HoUIFBtL
ear, she took a sip of coffee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCJ4Llv5lS
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCsYVILEP6
"Ya, its crazy here," 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUXqGBJvxO
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFqK2dYCqs
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlzgxJ4bw8
broken in."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJHpKSyX8G
"If only they knew."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5pH2B7y1X
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGuDd4FFQ8L
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuFDMJWZ6O
"She did. I had to make 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JhMFtchpa
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq6apYoAaa
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyK5HrSE4N
"I doubt if she believed that."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KElMHoUOe
"Haha, looks like you 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpHwzADja6
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyzx5darwe
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMvU0Er1xk
"True. But we did. I 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUseRlImkE
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomN5xmwmoT
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIJCsvesoQ
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcEEfXmsWW
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOodQUHgOoU
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQqdYB0tvQ
"Okay, bye."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhtOoXSsDG
"Bye."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNDoCNery7
Rhénee cuts the call and846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj7yXDj4cq
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06RKdQpDvT
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPg6BBnKTE
wink last night.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGcd0ig7gt
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nZgSJsdF5
"I wasn't going to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryoZu7RgSS
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIiq7H9GKW
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1ySxAuGw
"You don't have to 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68kq0D7RHE
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGtBmww6lg
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04vKQ8EXzz
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHadKIM33jC
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dkZ2K2XAa
"Why Malcom?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QzMlx7JQX
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8jUCcr4us
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAFvaRd6sA
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnopkgdY4LS
"Alright, you go ahead."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNYEkjWl7J
Miss Griselda gave 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcaIGUcjlx
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNnihPCAtH
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcHBNqWPeA
did when they talked about Malcom. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiJKphpRNk
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJixhlyFoQo
The sound of her phone 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzskkKfGxZo
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMh2NHGOjK
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxDLeBck6V
mother.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPBFVL07op
"Hello?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D7yIRLUXv
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfSLmmFy0o
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIvGP3fZou
That voice. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXnXNPxllH
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn11yHwO3U
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq6Id7XQ4B
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmk7OppXsy
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPbukXOA7c
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJomG4VxGi
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA74odJJ9L
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZARryQejGH
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XDILdOm5U
"You don't know me, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3nM3rqE9C
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyPU5B7Ct2
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5e8qvnpfX
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MxlmaGWzm
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFh8TUy8YNi
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Z19CMCcq
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFLLNIx9tt
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZGOZ9ZLsJ
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wLOFJ7v2l
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuaBdN1iQz
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76I7QuvOvu
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsxtInFhA5
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6UYKWXimD
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELFmPPhNc8
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVFgpiG7gr
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEBZTd3Mzs
"Oh, and by the way, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53caW4aKoZ
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxWJ78kucw
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPZ7Y8OyGF
this time around."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vVh2CrXvF
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU4Mf9u7by
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsuDVWCljg
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCslPZ63XKg
Rhénee sat down on the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd1zrGcbIy
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IJlNYMRo4
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWlXvW5GBD
the others, who know what might happen. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFmtWJnxgm
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaVBieG4W4
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYynEEn80K
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyIzGkk7kq
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7qdoc65qa
"But she isn't hurt right?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3UMtwzx77
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5CIbJXzzm
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF69OgnWEw9
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDg74OJX7f
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6KZMLwqeW
"Nah.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI17jdARuz
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0NM0qvuBU
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZjMrc2or8
"Thats846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMh8LiIL7a
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvTRqedOTe
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbpdxoEfDU
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxWOcDipFO
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQgwQmtUSD
"Alright."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhWOjTVO9B
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdlfO6Da7x
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACx1holoh6
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yZNmLieUO
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNpceON7d8
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbxqzqb0ZG
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgtwbWfUGK
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjYoeOs8Gm
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBedqCFw3Y
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5Nh24b8xE
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpH7A6STFa
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVKjctpY9E
"Does it bother you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzEEVOrFtR
"Um... not really. But.... um."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiHEVVZ8dH
Eugene846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXiPWrorJj
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrpr7GJ0nZ
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Psy62ILN
"Mum, are you okay?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZlBo8hQHO
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohvv9Tdtq9
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAa8y4FVIm
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkwdr7mnC2
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQEiJAjs0Y
Mrs846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFG4EqxvJe
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vWiSYmqii
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaSCGigy5O
had talked about Rhénee?846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu11mo1TY9A
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡce8vP9pdXC
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLGo9028f7
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpcQPTrlp2
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJNEPUXOCG
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwvIlS3XdC
"You better rest though. You still look tired."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygWGwQgHqE
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3OSpBhbkS
"No, I'll do it."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCG3qWE3JDE
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWHN2MJpiA
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsz2cYweJJX
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEAJBJ3jfM
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpSxCKel6G
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkPGYsIS4B
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zNMP9h1MC
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzbeO2QN8F
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRz1hMwaoY
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrkthyVNLC
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajwJ1RPbar
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeF8FxHK1B
"Thank846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSzR5IW7rp
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dItI8GVZ1
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYVg8HEVXu
"Well, yes. I still think I would."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqD8TQKzHQj
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNzhqysEjs
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hoafsIOlA
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwLmCLtf9n
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnjeqLiBG6
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF8v5YLdiM
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01Fpwax0we
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9FLdwBjoJ
"Coffee will be lovely."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChsLmVWasU
Miss846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dJnFn7SLc
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiUQH0OQ6U
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVuS6lXFZu
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy18L5yufaL
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5ORXdjcyq
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7GnGu5hTt
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMH9YJvgbqD
"What mysterious person?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt7LpJZFwz
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkELTQ7ghKq
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQ5BQKP34t
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjDShJSEkw
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8gLuYdG5B
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMNJh0FR6X
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OBiFv2FUr
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYU5DSNDwE
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgYe702n1r
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHkZuG4TqI
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95SZ2sVRJ8
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLsQhfHEME
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoapril2keK
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnfJejPwVs
of this.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zSEHutYl6
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjvrhTDAbv
"I...846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlwubXkBt3
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8k3G4mM5f
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1yCzdCQ9N
frustration. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuH9mlHmGP
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkEN7nFTsy
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7eq8UBG3u
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ouf56SFXN
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8JfsQntpZ
cups on the tray and wondered. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjMWzoCn2K
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVxuszzB8a
846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDfQg4ILPV
As846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXaUbuD7Tk
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzuOuDWbLA
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKhnawBoZh
reminder kept ringing in her head.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfIAl5kAoN
"And tell your friends not to get involved."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQcdfu75qP
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE12JmaA4TT
"I846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeltD9b5SQ
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyx2U11IxWR
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT2C9SAuoz
talking about, Rhénee?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhuZu9K1D1
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRRN01KOCQ
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡal89c6Q9Xo
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3BdzGAHCo
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocECwLE08J
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYVwR2IWOP
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpd3UlVBrS
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X6MsGDpIN
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GfE1ukmUU
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUu9msCS4V
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXU73N8Tvm
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KMNqNr6in
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuSU497aPe
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS4y9ygvsB
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamnihVFzrh
Sweat846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUu3Zv6Rb3n
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9SUkeWi92
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ6Q0mI6sX
the person waiting never likes to wait.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IIkcH3VKi
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK0QgNdZMm
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2cPbznzaA
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyxTr1a1Vo
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tjoZWwtst
second.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk8eKxHbLi
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPXkuEfx9Z
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1nLN1t40b
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWk18TPHrG
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemb6wg53o9
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDzCbmLELv
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam4syLgn5x
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62ODkp2E7P
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWU06DrWBOP
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASHnvpnt0Y
"You're late, again."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYBbl8bN3u
His846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPzWpKN7j2
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHNFMq6fwI
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyaZb3PjNo
lion door knob. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmtzrD6KHZ
He846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgtrRduMZU
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6NKA3g3Vu
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNg4c1bf9P
"What846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Uh2VkkvI
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOYZiGvM57
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgreOTcovB
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNrKwu6nEe
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiHgzJZ93S
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSO3m45DhC
A846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnWULoHtVC
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjGv1bE8VI
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYyG70NNB1
as they had their backs towards the window.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD48zdR6J7r
"You know we need him," said the tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlHVj3Evvq
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4VsYAFFye
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoYOCobQBw
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxoTnFfhlP
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GzFsA08eE
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzp5sCTf1cI
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFINdnW1I1
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vPeGC0HCm
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByxVZ9YJcA
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aBY2XUzYk
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYluTwtWowB
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡranoQ1a1Jy
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZadsEIjwp
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBwfIPdVY7
"What if she reveals the truth?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnY8oFuvBl
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3mAqKFRyI
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAdDi6n2Xb
For a moment, silence hung over them.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Akug7gUig
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8Zf9LmmzU
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTeZIQC0EX
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsWtGZ62eN
"I846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymgk8U9VXP
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTyYyExifS
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2rsmOOIyI
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRkIi0kTL4
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqCq2jFg6s
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AWQ49gjo1
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjvyNAbKcJ
***846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6MNDMqZFT
The846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiOHxiHW4m
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnWZ0Jkf5H
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaXqnP8FNP
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tSFhjQIGM
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiUcuo0FFwg
they met, they seemed sky blue.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYLWumj8a0
And846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2KLdG8V8L
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOHk78vPqF
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7HQofWd2y
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnExvZOxpbT
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaFjnmoEVK
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREJyJR5h7q
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsqNEPq7ep
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjwWLNqbl6
coffee table in the middle.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2buXyKhbmB
When846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqkCR8qxXJ
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh2tlDlmrw
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnXzBA9imh
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtcziMJs8S
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCbbl42Lqh
"Are you sure?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3hHEtvoGu
"Yes, I'm positive."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEXLNcdM9O
Miss846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI0UD0Pthd
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z6xiaNAIZ
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuB0Nwb4sWv
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlwxx2Jhif
from their cups.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uypagRpQM
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyzOxDv4ix
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8jl4IuP42
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdHpJhcs09
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTXnnS41tZ
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R21tOzyNB
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OAiiXyobe
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK6njNc71L
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahOQFJvfI4
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rTwVXiu6N
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96GJ1X2jEU
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1IQySoMoV
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWtRXHLbj5
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKffNaBLF2
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH9QLiuxme
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwt5bLMdqT
"Oh,846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwrLfsfKof
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3RLDvWQh7
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReSErCTHKP
who he is."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRab4KA9RQ
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjCZ1hxIEb
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfxNJ1cOAz
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cPpMfdDlC
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhyOGUugBY
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM07iWA2Id5
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLquoYVMCl
Rhénee846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa6NPN1vfI
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlB7iqYD3P
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fRwWslboO
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU86h6BxhDj
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ol1gxNXBn
"Fine,846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggTWNiCYuJ
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmL7TbhN0dT
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBydTmnwmh9
or die if you stay by me."846Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1f7w079QV
