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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi9VKde321
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqJY2RqAYl
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEyaQDDkvi
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGymmw4WceT
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTSFWbrnMO
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRrDsILR0Y
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fmQ5G90lS
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuzHKS1KGT
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO517wQxuIm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2TrlrTQGY
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXDnsqNEzL
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2LFBvP6nC
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXp69xtxJz
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnetYY269c
"What kind of trouble?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8lOz8qH4J
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYbZ3st9d0
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVsgaJYlG7
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kL1T70TM6
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJbd1lRbev
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTGpiHyKKA
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4psEiauSYd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9Mw3iI4QX
"That's good. She needs to rest."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BRnJlmaAl
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOCnBY3hwK
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCAP0VW18i
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyYS3CXK9f
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlqk5VdQAE
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe1IfpC5HEQ
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPwizXJAnU
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXifICxMag
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnVKHlIXJ2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQHDn9016c
"Ya, sure."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45hMySss08
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1si2DT9urC
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY9mRoc39Y
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR4OTMs7bG
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzalM64IWN8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKDOJr2FMy
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lrT1PirAh
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KumA9RsEj
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIrOVlyrPS
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfkxfH2Oy0
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AvzXeJqFz
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeTox1A1v6
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDgEekDV3b
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKVgxODQBw
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1LCMHxLn8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpi1XDrTJv
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lr2CJrRX7
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7qRU0zEEN
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9UZFw4G1h
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa5YQ563zS
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjQFGgSpIJ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKgfjOnqv9
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTm3U2e3HO
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhCFoAp14t
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaBYYkx0Vy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyQQo14qNI
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlJMOWRBrk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhoALAyVuk
"What did you say?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVV7YceqCt
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo8ZhRxImt
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2woMsQni1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEACLqzxcfo
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemVLEzVgfG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSgSCP0MqK
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJsNbLyRbm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAcYdTo2zY
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF4aYEY7fi
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDANAqog08
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuWvVHgFhk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zlwJ6mO8o
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb5DNzdXjG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcZUiPPC61
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oPrPnYwp1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb0Btt3v3L
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpTc76urtR
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNr4Mng3Az
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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAYAa3smdp
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1IaKq9cvz
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUPRkAixZ0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dq0Lq5WA3
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr1inLAyWb1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp26J33QVgk
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXJLrTYmqp
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeH24rufnPh
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYexoHTCjF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpgVqRNocq
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvor7PUQsJf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnPpy1KwJr
***591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHndjovY1Q4
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx28f9X5GlL
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWXj20MOs8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQWjMo0ePF
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGjAMB2tJM9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yVSf7sw7s
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjZyXab8ip
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOLiurPbRw
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89DeLy68sJ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOTqoNNWuy
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T6ajECcfK
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0tL5qoak8
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRgVeZnBA8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Hi8AcgpT
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD3goVFtVD
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPajri9pBi
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9abq6l6vt
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMWTXAtlqJ
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9gzvipwi1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsIvFNzubE
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3KcOmpfuY
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsJmvGQ4Sy
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbn6MWqpEQ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9BH2jXRcL
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54U20nSzog
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwZgX9o9ep
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ3CyyySm5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDpbZYycgL
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLCo0vXQjS
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDphPRl9pBH
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKC9nSSwmn
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVmwNcMqMQ
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3QtPYXOoG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWZ8zsKdPg
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy9hwSNXoe
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvMWC3voJC
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsdAeIib2Q
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtzVht9foj
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk6CWQ07ac
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3N4aCplA03
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iBHprm4Qy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JDKZ3Ac0N
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRlsdj5jD2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ942MFCa9GP
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ctuEO0ftY
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3i60pyoXR
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4W3VWNwwu
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskSQiRTh1b
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXjLebESlV
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HCqWnY2qE
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVtvzjRIK8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1Azcx6jfr
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnaYdWVtzP
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCpn5uQhgx
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgzLRB4Zna
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigBLLN7WXQ
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRy6BZJCLs
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wpdzndqjb
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6ka2EDtkF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzaDOyngLL
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1OHeQwmkg
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡur2dxNji2d
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobeChn9Clm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3J0HRH5oB
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkudcrblnzR
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL2E5hehxs
"Do you think she's killed before?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wEEfLlkE8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVUhqA8v5k
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8y2NguUnZY
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EHV2d3UYK
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJsbkZlJeR
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJL0hYTnmz
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHNbAHlnnp
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHtD8rP4kN
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjQaUMcCdB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtb8pT4Jo2
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuJfXhnPm9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpADHP6xLM6
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhSLtwu4m4
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPPzYuTs7W
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt39Bq7pnD
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGm8PHZSIV
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAW8xWoc7B
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYbWwOhNwh
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxb2rClloXT
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBYykvuchY
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmJXqC0kmd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn1kzTFCG5
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2zzFByzNg
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzPPFXnbt5
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNzLLRb9mE
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DDzrN4evO
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLIqfkLDIB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4lSTVWeG3
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqMGI6klTe
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtk32h4MvW
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsevzkWQzL
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAN3XP9TLR
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNinACsBbMq
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkDtQE5GbO
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDgRkNuxYj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZLGpqItpl
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDtYSPxvM0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQ7YViFjjM
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0lXscW3KT
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9eQZnyPow
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXT5bFToDL
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UQaL4S3xe
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPIoz6bUn7
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLOopau34Z
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaGI7PA5rt
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwigRnY1zPU
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgG3Z46uQJ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0iK7rHhMK
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyusTKsfur
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTusGvU4Tf
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwikHLQblb
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOePrFw6zX6
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxagAXdrzSt
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDFasBq1Hi
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoQhYltWT4
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFJartg1qc
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfz7aGH6NA
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFhNdVy0Ji
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVpbYszohY
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjdL0TR3tu
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBE6flVCVm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OcV9qtIPu
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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBm457iOCHz
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSrHJqH9ZZ
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgB6egOwT2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALFivgSbnQ
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p4DBjpIOR
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xH35IrDDL
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROivpffRM8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyj0NPRctB
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQT7Q93jKI
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiy62NgJCOA
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDwo3QAnWB
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpziPrigZ3
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXvj8ANb0z
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxICZHzLtMv
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRYORp1Y8u
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9z9rPXnwhg
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6cb3LKuoM
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJYZppHiZm
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Stbpwc3VH
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHChwSEphgu
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedK3ZcDuqH
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG9JsuaogJ
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQSzDmOC6k
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ElX0THp13
"We will," said Kevin.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tD6H2FZyv
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFVrropQcp
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85wrv3jB7K
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocgDrSgUUO
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4S08DmW1Zk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLpgI7Pfg6
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmqoLjjoBc
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdlr4Aeixk
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOfjKJxuX6
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXNs0JeRJa
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92Q4igkeV7
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlE4bDiICUy
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:591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc960QCF5F
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxWSNTbzeX
"Rhénee, wait!"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62A6KEWNhq
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEaNw0z1hJJ
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEStetOqfvX
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlgQzu859q
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BEffQ15ta
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwypJiQuWd
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASAkS48Fq0
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgUtss81b2
"I'm tired."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KLTnGn3ON
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9r997YjwG7
"Really? I don't think that's it."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM7GBKZsNo
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY8Dltmswo
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOhVVP0fWD
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgCXfAuASP
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DdpuPRgW1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiadQ23r82
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxxAWgEyv9
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjaqmrE2ae
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQY2r6gi8hx
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5AbuR0jBQ
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnZr31Kuw3
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLO8pM4w4b
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHMvdqnrx5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevu03IwGgE
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAn0Ec7ly5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkJkp7jIho
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEaLCJL73N
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAwC96Xqxw
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtsmLIcEtW
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj23xJHNRz
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpEZIDuGsU
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI9jP20xxI
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6rCXRfqa5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaL6tsoadq
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv5uCsqmuy
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP3XHG9rWF
"Good. Let's go."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChE7WFJ17D
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjoQ4gYZ0m
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrl7YO68M3
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFXw8pjb0m
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizcyxyquj2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTbdA7BqQq
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlEKRH4NL1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiTWcyJ9nn
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpH1UmxsX1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwy82JqtSY
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4LpbAM7q2
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8rLaBnuqZ
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWNz3w80i1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42hJGMEuat
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y9YU31929
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MCWst88I6
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEoheJHDnf
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vxx42BWKZ
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZB3x6XzdF
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZDpZihFW4
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cZ7O7UpcZ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IuWkWiZRj
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvjuqJ7jIQ
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsULH4Wf5YG
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LSx9dMjvk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdaEHRsZRp
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1M892Zaap
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXigLP2uKk
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbacLdgqnag
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiTH8QMFl8
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJOEmc7ER8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRKhEHw3dh
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb1CNi9NDG
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnWG2viU02
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdf9g5GtxM
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKnc4j9QzV
"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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnSztvoP6B
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixtpK5SC8b
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj5aVTWHMd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ngjWwmGNT
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRQOICFvm5
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQFGJK6DcS
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyC8sCbhNXu
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qKeHlV7jb
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqktnCSJkn
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjpHw4w6JO
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ479lw5Figh
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGz51zTlYI
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWGuu5kp37
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6YRw4A8ky
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPPjBzkCHd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouLWBPpvjM
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdU0K3tHMV
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyKVfgggzT
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHyGhA9FU1
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHAu2tBLOS
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ8DbTRlaq
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVIycUe4ZU
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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtrKFbxY0w
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPkRq3zpaq
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXim8JSagT
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3rm8YJg1s
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45tCXMkcUm
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RY8I8XJ3P
"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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q0QBIzchX
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnwN6W1RP4
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:591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCg9aEjhTN
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR2lte2eIQ
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHY0vdUdRk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYISWKE6QXX
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgCnMFHHau
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kRSBwh77R
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByXyFo4kIN
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkrQ5AS2aN
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z2UIu0F1I
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCJutL35CX
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESgEXXEmQd
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYGNEVmORw
***591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfmzy2Loda
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvigZrNm3P
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqK44mZEy8
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu756RaF98S
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFxvY5cw0R
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UcHMJ2R3O
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmzHPeCFct
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy4rD8neLI
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1V2uF0ndC
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fQmTG9rqm
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6bB4a5jIo
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOXM29gUYc
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfNNNwTU8y
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLMRsfQplY
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDXJ0IlXOI
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZlhpZqzmv
"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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUa8bypSPj
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu9sj3roqf
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthqgYW4l1P
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83wbPQP0bH
"Really?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVoOYMln5C
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEWSChpDI6
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpE8ty7jPk
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0eMDIfWY5x
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNTGXPe38Z
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG8OAzeeOF
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZjrvb8Xc3
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJsUKT4Q6B
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPEyIfKlgb
591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgxUhcGe7o
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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO6Q8s5XH2
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxeNuyfGTx
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YX0hCPVqz
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpVR7Q5VrL
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRANGo5uoQv
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGOuhpgGBb
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoJ7idiKiM
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCeU9U8TNW
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1n2gjPIxy
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxuqtyTVVz
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgMQhApOSv
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYJdjucLgs
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPPptXZvly
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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?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKV3Qn09cAx
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLV0JbdbTK
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEazOXEGIqX
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaIe2fzIb7l
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJXswfIcDA
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2SP70JbvN
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2UqsvjSrV
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQgpMD6ICj
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWQ5V6iIoT
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqaovBQ2Lb
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0XrwpIqLB
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiaJNrtjVO9
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjGctnqVpS
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdJXQ4m6ae
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmC5GJEhuDc
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvF33bTMPe
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS845P9t7y
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDeGXOJV6s
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cDp3Qnp0X
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyur1QvFwYW
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYes4nUB9s4
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"Oh..., nothing really."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb4DPXI63v
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0ASDRkmxo
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOScwCoxN0
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXePts1rbRb
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpX0eSAmqvi
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXUC2vn8bu
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgoDnX7kLp
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeegjlbnFA
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RMaYPf7T3
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUOOgURbAt
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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."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ZT8lfY9h
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtkEWbJsQW
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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? 591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqKxVN454e
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWEPR3ex5c
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLPSK0KvS4
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzskcqAnSI
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2wYdfRfKC
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYZKljLilT
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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.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNt0tgE3ujK
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.591Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOkr6xbEr3
