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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgs6SA8oZa
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZiPTDMXjp
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMWxtgf2vw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVqy223WFl
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMUxgq2jmb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkhT6ywlY1
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipM7f9sY6n
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhpEqeLuFs
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHYBixHBei
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtt1KPCSKot
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J5LOjYV7K
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGTgNqQs5y
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELprF1vD6m
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklLI0pHxvf
"What kind of trouble?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7JTEXyfEk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHLlBYP3D6
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Yw3CrWh6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSYUA0m20
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN1Kli2KHE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwcVh4XjtB
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDzG35tA9O
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZfyZpWAQ2
"That's good. She needs to rest."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpKgxIwkVo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweSafYzqb0
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94xclYSiya
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2fLQueorC
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NaFYu1vYO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8vSIYnYxP
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJaxyX0plb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwchNfSyqSx
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXiyCUhsuN
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuqCUs1NtZ
"Ya, sure."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl06AGz40Sr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dHBkV9kKJ
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2pvqp5Wb5
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ4bl5dzo7
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkFvl2U3Re
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOU6EOdFP4
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbRoj8yOWH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgefGYb5uLb
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnEHOUbOpr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7t6VX6U6V
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiZIcoTu5T
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZqFSsmFBt
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNMCZseon3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWHJi8xNYS
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLCyTUQPa8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE1tDNHLir
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwlVeU1r2Y
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4HVQLbFcw
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILp2eksyCr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53EVIRzdmK
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLImeJmIHFI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2Q6tTNLEC
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStuYSzbgdW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzQASmJ1K4
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyTcvWyrrG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORux8kZH8N
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqcpm96p7G
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8j5veKB8X7
"What did you say?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8yB4vG8Ao
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBxt9AjvXo
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqrFhfLTIW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlNaFluqqP
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68BqnhX51w
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ze8RLh7iC
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl7LnXJrWW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98tTpn39vn
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfsKIu1Zra
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjsGi4dvjE
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRw3T4TdGg
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9hoPLtMOR
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFacQpUGXz4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYjx1XExpA
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSQgoAJKHD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CwGfJ79tw
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5PpnE4LNF
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLaBsgsDh3S
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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEwaP6nOcn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtF87LnZ3s
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPG7WEV94Fs
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhX8xlzSnH
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqJvKlGJ7H
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQGx2ZCDWY
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YkKzFqp80
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PfEQ5SKx1
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiUECoJU3V
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRHJVhO4dc
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX6gPg9VWy
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrreZiP8Ap3
***671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9aYhpJy0K
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGDqBmTPSj
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYET63nKfQo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFAbsLbZsW
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopewieCpXB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvQifzYGkH
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5oEWqEbm6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPc4zw6yaNw
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaClnrWizY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuEbQ36xD9
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbIBUPU2U3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZJQpMRF5h
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTYgwhllzO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5BFWplAE8
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpECMjD1IY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAo51Dt01WR
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM95H3V5xxP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cgr6HFlW2
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKOwVsD2uk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3Yglp68ZZ
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhOKGLdkAV
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktF0db0aLY
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekxvYKQwcK
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtb7tNAc7Yg
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcFIOSGQZk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwRwxkfNsZ
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4Az6AuTN0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBH72mdbYz
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiRDTlnC1e
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWmlhVQAGk
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmJHeFt0zL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiu9MtsvqM
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXYk8DW4CP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzX3jxeBnP
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4qyw0HF2D
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpw2WpxVu6x
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUwa52f6rX
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVDopuR0XK
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIXOAra4RU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU5nCxKJfC
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcCkepZmeL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxbg5vx2Tl
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0SX7T9pjW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwkb9qqR5k
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxxhMiQ6l4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6PChHJs8m
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhBu87xUss
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKmEhJMrOx
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVJWXorLrr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNC4TLY11BN
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4iQrvquq5
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT8mTj1WNH
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpuiOWN0Is
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhu0ckoNE4
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyggqllpaMH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIifmKznvg
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Cf06wnBS0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPpZDqGtsF
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1suabAZP5F
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbtckij3g2
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOysfjO3pS
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BcWVMh22e
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRdqdxz7wq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8YTcf5Tzb
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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ429UkJetPZ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcbokhWGsj
"Do you think she's killed before?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ506zZrRFIx
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSubK5PvhXT
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4EtFcxVEg
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaiL7XSqha
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhovcf4bIiI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zmv3XZmbi
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyb6C1DnYG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETcNoQSy4u
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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgPHXLVmB2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8iLGlqY1c
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcRzOTrPUr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6Zg9GNQpW
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHg2armqB0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgYddIBmgQ
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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7BuPq1yXz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWq4HCxbLj
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUfjYmKbJq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUUF5ZDe4o
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BIMmrmuTo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNjtIb2fDo
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGzZaPp50E
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z8tYgvFgO
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlx8x7uel9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9Vro9f3tz
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOp3fsORQJ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDXk3TnvDY
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtJgg7aQlv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoXCXjM8Hn
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUzh26kljT
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKimUMvYqjC
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6lHpFo6c2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlsjf6hMn7
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzfRa2IV1i
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4Ro2JxKI1
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KwCM9oZQm
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv24lT80S9D
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxEsiImIsQ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQ43pyMlgZ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYINmWjNPXb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3C0ZfZkNC
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSA6YNVoM7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3E8P3hy2U9
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2SjpYu6KP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHCuUHUmd1
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSs5M2kLxE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXilxsDHxRn
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQo83r9LU9H
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1MKtuGxvG
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J17nwcdwD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn3lFEudpe
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHWRBWZ0p4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzorNV9nW8F
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWvHd6qLPH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHS90u2jHgA
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMM3NuRnc0E
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHLFsO5pNJ
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeqMSOqhpq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTORLMn7iFs
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHEa8J4pTo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ADkQGZfnH
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U2WDPgz8F
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8di8nMRBUT
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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLexL7YpQI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDkCv3Jott
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3jmeVdc4S
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdVbcAjCZS
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eo3e0vN1K
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcK2ttGAGgp
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jOFVHsihZ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ui2hCYLbj
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvANnmdxYPP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKiBnZ8wlq
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0umv1sZef
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjJnsVwUao
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55PZ4piaHD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWhpMqIgSr
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMKM6ORrSY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡox8Cn3MKCo
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8370e7u6BV
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKGTzkLlFS
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pQHWYSNsp
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSnxYKIQ6r
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxm8SjewTR6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctrqWeVxvA
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEDQoOasKS
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixjFmGFYpV
"We will," said Kevin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7XBxeL5BQ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5wavEScz3
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tbiDMGIB3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ETxCWkqz
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIW1yO20PY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡev4nPFLgaS
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglv2QoUoG3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXc4eyy6Ds
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0wiypS8RR
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSI8MeNkW2E
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGijdXa5MI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0d8JDWWNqj
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:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNslMBfogM6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfkRf5uRZh
"Rhénee, wait!"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx3FsHpAn2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn7DFJ2qoB
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdFemCyq6b
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfj9L3LuYU
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK7tngADJw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWvdudG74U
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZv5IZGdg10
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioTiSHp2DC
"I'm tired."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLXhZpMTl8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGJ0aAeFB
"Really? I don't think that's it."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJva020akL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9lPa5ZiUv
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xE0tft9VK
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49od4wEaoB
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLstBEEFml
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6eXxJelX9
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoSasNtm43
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOmVWf6Pks
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudXDmPXxkx
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrtBwFFx02
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypEpdf4bMG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLdFXInEoq
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrUXwsBKT1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HoPKOGisy
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT6w2F4IfE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4KnPDNVxp
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQoWAZUFgz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidrgw2zmwn
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ruKsLzoV9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTjA0l3MVU
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa04SE5Q4Y8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SP11sk4tr
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEj874EpXD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQM5KlLW4H
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0lm9GaQ8M
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRogiozvmC
"Good. Let's go."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTPubA1lKf
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqLQqu3kMF
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNpTCLzq71
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW7Q5QpxQu
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOKjXTBs5G
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVPTo7utwu
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3sxQ3B6zk
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznQ9Fhw6Xv
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jHOQ53Zj2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLc73uG8n1y
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEwpu1hO7d
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5OvpEwyVc
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x4Iww3jE2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNQxsx1lFz
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyq9ADZ5gZ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJ3fAjha1B
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGRC5WGVGW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LTHcJM3Ff
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjliTwM7wj
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDmp7yVM9s
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLzEU9PqeU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIExvBYZejb
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUZe7GA05g
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NNICD2Hdb
"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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDnJvtIdm3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIzjeQTUP2
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLe8UnS6FB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYKE4sKQMF
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PwlGMSAhF
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QFVtsRSrJ
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeNk5Fz9FL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOE83s6NeN
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNykiBvkbui
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDEUVuH22j
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBprNi7Srab
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tkE5nmDaP
"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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOkj62AFCb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbm0nEyQnN
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8ZjMSNhfN
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPMM2TrQf9
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxwxRNgOb9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bj68s1rsr
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes068E0lgJ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwp6IXI6Xa
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNUQcDdBnXO
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kDx4iuMDL
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKTQg4sRN0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5KoJg4BVu
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ3Fc8Cvf7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBQl5XaT7t
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUzK4oeElT
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxURlaTH7t
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2no0MkQag6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlDjMdc3jO
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOc8oQYayn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78QyBY8co9
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPgdAfkmFD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPUyVYLtbP
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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAymhrJJZAc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIXMGYfuZ7
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE1gInNv3l
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevNQWH3BhQ
"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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4j6wgHIBw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3YFFEgeFG
"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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEmxg20prg
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYUam1bxxu
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:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6IUXigrN8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasngjOwvWa
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlo2ano0m7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa8cg387Bb
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkVAR7bfRc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7eH4hSBkF
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTY7q8NEMJG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQxOHpLSsX
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfES8STH2yK
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rVgjsdfax
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tYUxql1sa
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxxDn5wADa
***671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpyqBAqseH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugn5BTS9kF
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA7kXPfavd
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe42RsWw2q
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSap5tXfx7B
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZq2Y2cJwY
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSDS5gWB19
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWJiYGLdQd
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK518zNk9BS
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFItWSIuqcR
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx07rr4A3s
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3syV3QuPQc
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRpE0GJ3Tn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy2yuaMiYq
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv9euSPbnl
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f9ELsOhKX
"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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU9JoAEqlG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmYfvB1Xx4
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkmWVZPHSw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJg4TG3c8A
"Really?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFs3379neZP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWgI5uwgUw
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsSVKB02v6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jbwVPfw9A
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5C5D3yfwi
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbmdUHGO1O
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSjdEk7qkG
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW6a5dtRVD
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlujeZkLvA
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD47FLu5Af
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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuQitdac0N
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20xPaf90vD
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mvMPl9YdU
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWkuauAKQC
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOaziuEZd8
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66lUCtl3Eu
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq4WVos8vg
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOxtvb8Czd
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhynGuv75N
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHMjpN6RJy
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5XTzeF4OA
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZJsBvM4PI
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnvqJDQq8y
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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?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKtQpk1aVK
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNPvV1oVlh
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA89z7vqxb0
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpkazhpwFq
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoyDW6nMK0
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI4kZ5MYbW
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vNCh0b1hG
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNZpTzwUyk
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWjZghQmuQ
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmrVJNGXck
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP3sn4jLPm
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47L8rk1Hft
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MEmnUASc
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GoFK2qpi4
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWHEWk15RS
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJsHkzpn9c
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6KIdlXd9u
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2kLAktvqM
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ulG0SHD66
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirrigmx2Ae
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UVotHzd8x
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"Oh..., nothing really."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrjZHMvEDk
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyohinA6sg
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7eF8SyoS7
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVaJIJctOd
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrODFxdNviD
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uxdpctrTB
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lGQOTh4kg
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QmZLMBi54
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGiRXoSgP8
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M7NEWGFqw
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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."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPrilW5FYm
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwoOjJmZET
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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? 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIAb3frCVW
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9HOrLjobe
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuPi8eZtAl
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2AT18ttTV
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOLdhu2lPw
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVh25TB7Ys
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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.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwqJAHHOSl
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUliLgK1IT
