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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJTswhv7uE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdsCdnDgCJ
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXnIgBQzW4
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUR5QWNdQu
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCJoBhEHBa
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOecPcBe9FU
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVgo5Wd2IY
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GWs2FeUcH
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryOZsElATL
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXObbwF9v9
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbIx6Bl74j
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNyhDmZZo3
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b5nVcgmQl
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgxI147pJR
"What kind of trouble?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvqA91sluN
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYswIQDfN1
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV3o6RnU8L
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliPWC0aj9k
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2DwT6F6QE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8Vznlx4Ta
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37Hc1FD7fc
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH37fVkVpDz
"That's good. She needs to rest."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2O9o7dtOdJ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zr7sWCnPT
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMmvIAnf2X
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaw3SVWif5
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xJoPw80li
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsCYkqqg6w
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO7LJjtHtE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNg2uj0fMDL
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJz8WXjfet
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNKjfcZJYf
"Ya, sure."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLoQnJMh9P
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vMqO6HbRy
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJdi91lUXo
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLESNLbBfA
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqn022eqVg
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFJFtdTUmk
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEeeq1bfZw
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwBsn89KP
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkQpNCgjSh
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ1y8a3EHq
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpadlJZLKx
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQjgTYZzQ0
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmgyOZQ8zr
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T6FAf8BxX
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjPtozdWj3
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr6t6Ew773
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOEJXVzDnm
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSl3yirz1v
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAod0qpPWMq
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4yi5cSgTr
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FNXT7Zvww
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsosk55h7gV
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDXU4aJWrb
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lf80hbIod
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaK87nV2fS
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j03O6dAU2
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj2OZhhSJ7
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVeJQr9ZB0
"What did you say?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7psfAMgkzn
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNOdSgpnrb
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdyDeh46ll
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NSczPMtp9
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmpap849Gc8
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfNoNCqMaq
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFYJ6NXRPF
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jiokfCXEj
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRDSzTjBk9
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqoT0bHuas
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9VVM4UjLN
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNJPVmOdaH
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdndiABgFg
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGaHiVJlbe
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxBk0kVFG6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5CVGuDEKQ
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLsbxL1eld
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflzQIpFo84
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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWzbPmd3ut
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Y3W5eqev
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGtpLq68lV
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbZT5msw3m
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUiTYqmeao
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoiSGUPJY8
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhfgl7uDQz
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ45h0RHuyw
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoZE6XUZ94
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3GamhU2es
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX55tBvU8Qk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinBJKmR2Xj
***590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjcn5oQfkF
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡellClIkIRf
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayU2BN6fUQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAr9DxuKvm
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKMExYgZpY
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bpFXQA1GT
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4gdlNvMB5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebkaYWNduy
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnZmkADnxZ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC5e6OZbao
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpk1Qk6lCv
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07ZaKwpRwc
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5GKYyaZON
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyd6PoiQXn
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDh8SQmsjL
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfcoSxd3Rx
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJg6qVG99zO
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPqQTfvzOO
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8O5DzHrBLk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6BpxRbrf2
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoda7hoNdp
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtJe5p4pJU
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwcNHx2u1J
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl1WBIggkh
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnnhDhLWBk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHy8ygruF0
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn04OiCcZLC
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslWd2XDZL8
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16Yt2PgiKp
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHO5UHMCpi
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D0lV93ZRm
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWt0PTIM0x
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH7tpOE82y
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUB9UrxBTLz
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPya1oB9b1J
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZgy5jUS4R
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLND8AYSok
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyfFFtWGXy
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFYxKNXEcV
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewXLm1ujFd
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzBPsxrcS6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuaYqFZNJg
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zRMxHpjL4
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd2Fh2oJXw
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDOon9sqwE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjmdKcEQXu
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NMbb4rK7p
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOygJF1tF5
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEs4Uo3XQ5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYZuqs0ND
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zcR6xPsqB
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52TykGZv3i
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzWXZOpQWK
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjFtkiUf4c
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIHefTJHDj
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKBS6pxX1p
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw27UA2Bskz
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPPqpUdEWM
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60RJzpbZBo
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ796KrVIMt5
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKuJ24iPPl
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZFbN3tfLF
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0nI9b868Q
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlaIhIRQ5Se
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXKItQdW9e
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbMi7aQedz
"Do you think she's killed before?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzQ754xPvO
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtWegbl2dR
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkzu8XSy8V
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6HJxqXfz7
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mtP4I6k6u
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AaRUND0iY
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXTNN5JQXi
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW6Tf4u24D
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaiU4CUJjT
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmK2PV2Qbm
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G1yKK47Bs
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9j3o38bYU
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ095bCQo6D3
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPqLCKvYv7
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfZVq2GLv0
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQl9FgAuDv
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiVGBmzznk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQDkA4ppVq
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXe4Cgirec
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7BJkuH4bM
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDko1QAIXKA
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7db34qC4kg
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t0e6jCZm4
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzchUYY6B9
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPeTm6vg6v
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb1SZDv4wZ
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5QHAqdVvM
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC56D1BlOt
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanER57911O
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKKI6xa2Ag
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9CLI6Itah
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlWMRRZUDz
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8imK5tSgOk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMvRzqthWY
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiRB3MA7v1
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatCfjyDM7G
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7bLHNij6A
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStzrfPB1CZ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiY140zn9k
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPocxqt98h
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc4HPuY5m4
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk65vZ9Totk
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4yFaKz9WL
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvn7XnLJNQ
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqGdHHX38J
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzT5iRkO8n
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfiqf38VNw
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKET7TrEbc
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4fPS5Z0GX
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNmjPI6Xjt
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofE8dEg5SK
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKESKZeQ0i
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzOx5HZ8Vz
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB0VpLzVHQ
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCMhkolwS5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U4OEdvj7f
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EnrMLcHbx
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKpGIHKyEr
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f3SnFisNB
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7hprmYQkl
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEOcg1BRSC
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrJfmGN1xX
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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2DNxN8buX
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OhtDxBD4U
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQa5GXOXRe
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl3R3e0Dof
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI05FXdsAuH
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ei5wBs42J
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxlIMU58jN
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KNKszfyfw
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea2qvQ0l67
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwQN2ZkdKQ
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLeoaMpNLE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9isgqJLcBO
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsGJUyUHYL
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KGrkJHe0Z
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfQQuBWGOS
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaIpaiaipY
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe7a5bGCeb
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF7gIBjQnN
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROS0y6ccK5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hujCdXG5Q
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV40zHYhSK
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQ9q3KEc9f
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69o2U9h2dX
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z5cSdCXVN
"We will," said Kevin.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb4CBH83i2
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt70DZGsylU
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0E8ZNo9Vz
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6tXXb9JRF
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbshZ1EunRD
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMIhhyezBX
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr71pIZH7By
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡef2SWCR7z8
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3AA12PQk6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc1w6pJHL2
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUz2bUW52Ij
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRzAYOwc4P
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:590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJmXCw4Vkw
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDpX5l2Rw
"Rhénee, wait!"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpN3p89FTBX
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyContKlNTC
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9Ug4pX0aU
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ftwMRZlk0
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6rYnYPrBU
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jBxrBCeqX
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3bSVUoSDE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG430iaCyBg
"I'm tired."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGd9QP89cb
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6t4l9rxRy
"Really? I don't think that's it."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmvWXgwEgt
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5X3RaKdQe
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeNiXxQQ3A
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3yx5sZuLb
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Y0amwbBBx
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRlv4JPbSr
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUOVA3LOiU
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZuVh9JXTm
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwNswAeHBl
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEP7VrdFBx
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv57NXf5o7
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBugV35RBT
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMivpp3Ga6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k2myjIB0Q
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrawXXlPKq
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNFmUpSFJq
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvXjWLgh4a
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu7rnD3DXA
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1PHRhEHAw
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53x5jE7O3R
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRx2Rg0rrT
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNZegAt6qD
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSzZ6CRdNd
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjYCytTDxa
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf207AgtvY
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjxZFDdvHJ
"Good. Let's go."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCujCIyCe1
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6qEAlmteD
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20FwTS9hmQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuxrRdVWPm
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehhRwbMp6S
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUS5zsnAFY
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP1Gw5oUL8
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYSSXkRwYl
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYHtMrL9ZN
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wxMwceeXl
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgTM80dNd6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxEawIGGqo
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9vAvdzT7v
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXCvFKjGGf
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iHWEiDVcH
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgjbfEFp4A
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7W77zcV7C5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ666oCDUut7
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLn8Gvyn8MP
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSEN5r0gXr
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NE63ycHP3
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGAMiw52nP
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0GDVly50K
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OxMpGzHns
"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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10ZEsUn2Rc
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElyqArEhj4
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpekJJqf6O6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4x9pmffkz
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQgO9oQ08K
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiKofhMICb
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL42OS6Y50L
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLdL6Wdvke
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGbFtUz6Y3
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy2V3Bu96M
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8iVAMzb6h
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60uDOhnxXq
"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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW0AbmwuLM
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzZVyddzlm
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9QtOky5N8
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Th4ptuJDH
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeP4nBHtOWs
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOUGFJzQBJ
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN4zSKCL5f
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2seFhxhBAk
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3cOMOVT3W
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr2xZVRReH
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J0ID3ynXp
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTS8Eur5Jz
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXD8ZWfFFX
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliQ9X8TT83
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87HCPunVPJ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCn6C1iQwI
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOimmQGSGz
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEBlA8A4Wh
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bSx6eNqQV
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8rgrZC7pv
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4fBVwZ9Il
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKEn6ehVKl
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJxXtcPknQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpT4UWpw4m
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1ya1Br992
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEF0yp0Bmk
"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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrlFbjb094
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9ObYlXQ6A
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTx70b8g7A
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cFJtGi26r
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:590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw6h493uvF
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxus9rfiJsN
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRyRDkXv35
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9W1OsYJ6o
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpHF4OmQNd
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIT31dGQFF
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHm1cqBgE9
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkBBiGafbM
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv4UYrUvgH
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWQhBZlpdN
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFdK5epqZr
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jW75yYsIj
***590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9mQTmtHVe
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHEpEnwpGQ
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgI76TntVH
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6lxVkgFG7
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqsEgGas0P
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEmtVD0Z8l
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nCp9Us3I7
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡED22q2E1Cy
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuruRR0mGa
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDc36vkCcO
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhzf9el67v
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAoq097xEr
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDcMk6yrQU
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2h8MCfAS7X
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Uoj8oNnn
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX63w8vKoGx
"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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35YP2v1fE8
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDXMvr4d4T
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56AbZvqGIU
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN7XMvsRoE
"Really?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUz55ybFsW
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A7iMQr9sr
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojZsQIGL1W
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf8RMVNOCA
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsebM2liwxP
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz83lfJA8f
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dBSURknp0
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogCmPt3Jyk
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWkFY7KIpI
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He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyRtGIKBZE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSzsZ8ycqL
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMs8SuecCB
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDN5NEIgFj
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaEoE2tp9R
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXGYLTGCmA
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OgWHjtzy2
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4eGetwkTn
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yBUte9Z7k
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbWQC5Tml8
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypOCVXKBBw
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbncBuoVTC3
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvhpAhuiQA
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86BsDqUDja
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUw2VNmbrbu
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCTwbKYiHI
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe9cml8hCQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrg81Quccz
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9WJtBr6ql
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAaV5YTdlD
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2hzgQOLpH
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PPmU9tpMS
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHPSpEBwrT
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW85YquAsMq
"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?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ATyttE8kE
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEAZpfV2us
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vi2s7j98o
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjKkcQBE5N
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDDxJ8hmJ6
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoudUsV3Q7G
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5yylbdVA2
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2kW8gV6sk
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsW67NoBH5
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBo4YGXbI3
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1M1fykuaEu
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2fZSElD04
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE55ynB1APQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTjWUVVUxt
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDeLoXSuOr
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZmiIkW0V5
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDon5k4A06
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPMF1PISXD
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8tnaFZiZI
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1dVS97OYT
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtej5tUfp3Q
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL11FAotOzx
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ5kxQcOEB
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cllQ2kFWo
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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0jyNNSLQ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjJEc2jGBS
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZq7oQM4rI
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5PuAyCf1M
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTeOLwnMPI
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp07sNXOOTV
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULE0QuV3IN
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaHsfBRKeW
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiV0lDngVZ7
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AEvTc8qcm
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMOiU8Yq3F
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGi3gslA7zV
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN13taSNOy7
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6c2BW3GX3
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuifYMtgc2
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJhxPAWlmJ
"Oh..., nothing really."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d74TV6rTk
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPAb2vlsDw
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2a2zeIcDLY
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKhhWdt7hV
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS49z6aj2Tk
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1ZrN9bius
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7H7u9432N8
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oGxWnDdmk
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O1LpQk9qo
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGCGCIIDP2
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeStX332ps
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpOgwd1odP
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsQtYLFsdr
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEroRgVJ9s
"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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocZA1t5g7N
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2YDLN02Fu
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYq3U8wdT8F
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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."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXBYdd4HeK
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlamiCCB1cO
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTedif4M2E2
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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? 590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWYafuQgb4
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDcchf3AOy
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaghh0YsXf
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysU4OkCi5P
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmc2uYWR5b
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xFaJQvjnh
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKfZupAGYJ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3QDgTDKVE
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qyZJam9UV
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSd9TnyCCc
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3N8Sk36vR
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Z2QrsSPa
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.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2giglXGuQZ
590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOH5kRL8QWL
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.590Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NaTqcjZbf
