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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTPyteqppJ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7wZvf9tns
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH99Q1uzA3u
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ874SpEScN4
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiwjMXppX9
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXw6JelyRt
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr95IdPVBu4
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSOs9HwdXR
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPke8W9O3JX
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mGK1zpD1Y
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajDjSCvOmI
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iRRYrZvyH
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyuNJNt928
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEx05EgKF6F
"What kind of trouble?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnjCDfGxmD
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTHwZCHqeh
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDPqWMMCHx
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5EemZjfIM
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnBbmSkOpQ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLE2hrrl7j
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7NOWYCxu8
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhrQGR20Ei
"That's good. She needs to rest."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2dd2B4HL4
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSXVhuYEE8
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTLKUpPDez
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzzQqJfsPS
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XuLaV6BiH
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rsJM03UPR
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8TvDiKbg0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqR1iRKoBjP
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqbL2y2f71
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyA5B3RNi0A
"Ya, sure."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeY9pjFf9C
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfftmM7MVgv
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CUVlHqJLo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFRkmmdjeJ
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GFrqj9IN3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrnLLnckRN
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVcxfOSeoH
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgoAmV8FTH
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ay3Y2TIKH
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l4f59vvDc
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV8CBkXYCc
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUD0IpaPOv
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYpDtk8YXt
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPRPRlfjKB
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iwyTvaTob
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vau4zcpys
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qMv5IOufo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFjVejJBSW
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNppTWUtD4Q
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFPV7pOG7H
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmSUjoXeag
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGU1qz6STj
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIdbMgbmPf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraZ37g6u1o
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3AGj4bb36
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHu8Gq7zfL
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRh5nIpq03
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOIQ5hkff8
"What did you say?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0bHHkpCA1
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYtbNwXWH6
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVnYomFcm3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjs6t5WwsfY
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XG8veNCfW
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW73AlBCDB
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ5SdK1Do0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFNcPiw4s6
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsxOg4VT4h
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLsYYDiVue
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZWQmO66gy
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WSSt6nx2h
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXzRcH3aan
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxI1OCDhpK
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoGFPo7HfP
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJpeFpm0tS
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX7UqvrezH
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRD0Dzz0Fz
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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z5b8UBbfg
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7Q1h3rBIM
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlntJsihKi
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQeBkk5u7AJ
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKVl79vU0D
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkhZiL38iB
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRslgMJrWoA
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mlyUbrHE1
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbMPMv5JJs
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpY5niBJIZ
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72jtugGNdc
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡval3cMOrXF
***635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamkRne2xzT
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxjYJI62mf
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBBCcf1ZKL
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiYQ0GvXsf
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67VsV0c5Hi
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmrIPxpUlw
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7RHxCJxbD
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXzOvxFQ4g
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQ92ZTM0Np
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplxXDRt5Z2
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvlbPql3Ys
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeJGHpRtqK
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuWNOf4gvr
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq72ixZOdg
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6EVP6AuHa
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMJtwyYDHq
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXsBUApMJF
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYHa17luL3
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6uVwHBgVR
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7CjD6JLoT
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lFCwoLBpp
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPwVtRyQx5
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH1GCymU6c
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQm4P6K5B5
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrWndIRx5x
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBluqKhs6GM
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGS6KTJ2oa
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQI4tI7YzL7
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcn69UJ5dtD
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRESnYAqqlw
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47LxsZmtNg
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0LpwCKM9Y
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK56JafdWh3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc0C1D4Owo
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkI5EBAWhg
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WkRN3jl80
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bOnmvT6Mv
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETP10ElO8D
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmvYvxZoNo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIQvjHKT4t
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRtap5TMXV
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTuWL3N5Ph
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxnfZRwlLf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMypoozpIS
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGdelTCWWd
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufBNqrEU2P
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiiVgNk00P
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2V48WeTsbv
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrejgpxi7bg
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LXGbzRITw
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrAfp7eucU
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC25vRh5Pjq
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABaVNIZQ4r
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHsvrAm6rg
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WyrYhdnaz
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR7qabbXNe
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtlg9Zvbjz
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN12weCLkpt
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFtS3opnfV
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQiNO6zpuQ
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nGrH51DVo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKx1csve11
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH9Pj3uUDY
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIoevwVeX0
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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvaMNWFcw0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ZvR4500M
"Do you think she's killed before?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGwUZo5yTl
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTb7fNyB9
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tMif8ETVM
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIroNKySUA
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XY811RAx0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvMtpfTCAR
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmkWDQWUh0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeEbmfIXQI
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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xzCxxliJh
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAqLYHMK4B
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡago8JfQFxu
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4P5GDkLsX
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZBKRxzAMf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnieT2rtzST
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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJf18Crh75
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuu4nvARux
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8GTVW8u1B
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCxQEQcl41
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4JhRQeu9V
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOIg0mjxl7
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprxp1yrPBw
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaFtf323Gf
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLWJPQn4Hf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvvFkRyivQ
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtMGvEI69o
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPJFhzzDIG
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZ1l5LNztv
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bw2cyAwmW
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcTi3CDNQ5
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy0kMiM0VY
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtg2cez8n8n
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6mHr8Z7dm
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tu04FEgrN
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UQcgDtGYB
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvd8zm00DQ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vo7secp2j
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGr5DzKESe
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡautn5tOicP
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF4HFml7nD
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRRV4MprdI
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Te7UVR549
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kx7w0oJDE
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDcIfQtWXt
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIljDlF6Sd
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilPQ3C4ecA
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElxcqxGixz
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3S8hk7hibF
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Z9OP2NPct
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWlmwPi9Hi
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0suWnvYUV0
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZ5Ht3AcMv
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQmR4WK5BR
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa82Dk2i2Y
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wtAgZ57sM
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7RYE7lLfp
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB21GfM0S6
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1bGIQIH4s
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDSTKyHOeb
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdCX947lUq
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbZoWRv76m
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0npOdDlZO
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlU9gENqjE
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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oK64NfdYF
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8heODppUg1
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYiRpGasld
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMaG88CBhU
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TB9Rv7C3T
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZ5bOrWIZi
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEx6ANxmx1
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGlVk1COAK
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBXNCJqMJl
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7SOBzXYNE
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgf8UOSvz5
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDC3T2rMwX
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwR95LLZjW
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsgHl34l3f
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HxVfjpnJR
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMCSFqDtoF
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNr6726h3U
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzVFvOtRNV
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwYu1L6GRk
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvGVQ0NFKv
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e8YqSM2G8
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUNCJZ2uV7
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGInwwOAt9
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtzYxYMXLt
"We will," said Kevin.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAh9GGKej3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7gEBPyKGj
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeyzJa6qZS
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre5wI5rVwo
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDWisCiwea
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQD64PNLkK
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaftx0P7nM
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwGYhUF4ur
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5tZhevbF3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAhtPeMZPX
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZ7cBBQcmv
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDOzUdltGJ
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:635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurpkxo4Qf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeZ7BE6aHK
"Rhénee, wait!"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxhhZKyhDW
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegs2F1Zoz5
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogk0s1EL90
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Pi9GN0rB8
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lriqgi5A3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwx07A13uR
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGVJRw1O5U
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76OVvmLpfz
"I'm tired."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1muwK9CdX
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKPObCs9Om
"Really? I don't think that's it."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8l2eHJvZT
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLGaPwSgW
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N4LVWFac4
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRihmkmvvQ
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zo35WD2F9
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWAI0Gqoqa
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdpa7hYbs2
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqfaD3VFL9
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95qqD8OdST
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjneEoIsen5
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhwMW5Ym6Y
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm92B179pD
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6SsMJZnF5
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWNwWEe9oB
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CUo05PbjB
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9usJNt0Ub
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx1X5hihD6
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwjuA5C9Bg
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahXQ5RPEMr
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLayDxn1SR1
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDFJYTEE60
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9ogshTZdJ
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZOD3z3fKF
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGVY9I32he
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr3GXvdtAg
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyhgYAm4Jz
"Good. Let's go."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC40dckmGbG
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWc3JCRp0w2
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8In1SQb5DP
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MEhFQkqEg
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVH7l9LBmA
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNiEkthW3d
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuovMwFU3Ae
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXWsP8NL5y
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzIVBDnJdy
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNO9sa04OV
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPeWDoOGgf
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CLTfhkyPe
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3wGCw0wg3
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbrJKei01G
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkrLVwPRrI
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzXtlw9h0I
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDVdBBqSOy
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf2YKVgSSp
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDJqZNQyDo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNEA7PzdVt
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl10bskFjiT
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4QH3GahTl
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUw1slS7IJ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr027Uzxf2l
"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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA0yk1ryZZ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeP0Tl22f8
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQ12jX4gm
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUaSSgCvTH
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZJ4Rfx1Bo
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmHuQSTAsN
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXijFfpu8Ww
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIEKYUUaay
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CCDCAOaZ2
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnF95J0dmB
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkYKR5pFC5
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EgSRzI6YM
"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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkOhOFIcyW
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPT5fd8wzF
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JxDCgXH3c
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBjn7HcNTy
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zn8qBfk87
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8iVCzCJWC
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9UbL773mO
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGU6MPt99tl
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b2izOslIb
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALsWV0zFW8
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4bqI0mN1H
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUaf2ZXInb
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUe2cqxknbV
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjzwRWls1p
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpkGBkRbn7
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgh0NzjfJbO
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0j648iDRt
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSIpuun3xx
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpMwAWh104
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYaSbxynhq
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZcLSWiqrR
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhB89p83Il
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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSPQRRF5gZ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEaFEaBi6
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDZGaDxOWY
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG70Wsf9Zb
"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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOreL6zf0P
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdFEO0hVsO
"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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGWmsJa0lq
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLscJuh3rb
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:635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBcKVNlvcJ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9007stJGef
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMPPmUHcfK
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOCmaOVV3z
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciU9SkrSr4
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCupfUbgWB
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHecKjXquE
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ6NocnMVt
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtchw2GhAah
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVVMSkrXGC
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTmlPJr60c
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0HVNFKNN5
***635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjYMCJ073D
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5QENZ1s07
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCFWxR59T2
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoo87XzhE4
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG2nG7byG5
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ264Epk8MCI
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3z6ZL36V0
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hdjUxzVov
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgjrTf8aCW
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv49NXv2hW1
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡglKtj5WXIV
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxWlHQjp3N
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡde9loYGiph
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wkDrIinqr
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUZrOgKpiw
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7OqgWCy1p
"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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUudgOYpWn
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLuEFWB1Fg
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRbOZaoCIJ
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7M26K05Q8
"Really?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFSN2jsR51
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc3FlM5SzG
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhqDrQPImA
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba7YIssM4i
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHqoBQzVTj
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPqKuYTXCp
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh8PL3CD3j
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE2Q8Smubg
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0Io0FWjmi
635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxFVgPQAbW
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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50w0OMrYWK
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q5DyIyIpD
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7boE0ngae0
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhaEXgDmDV
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFN2I6KTQ4n
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2t6Klfch4
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXuD6rnjjJ
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PSdLVnP88
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJt6BGoOzK
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4rhBkNYgK
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElDAvaS6ee
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIP7LkI3BJ
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfy1Nv9MHz
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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?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6obTI5ELR
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSys2GStaB
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa7962KwNm
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKh8wE64aIx
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGgUiaCxqe
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCrA89LOuW
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Ck9aa6a6c
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQaA1Dtff6
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4ToxSIXQq
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIhZkGKjTR
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uVzG9Kyyy
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolMUAW2O6i
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kZ1ZrGfiJ
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yTpqd4lBn
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsrToL46DE
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiIqCMSysh
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLVfE80N8J
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE8T8NcIL8
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyT4X73ReSt
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5fZre34FY
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoYUAbgvLy
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"Oh..., nothing really."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dYWbYvOeB
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYWd45gRme
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWesBxXNeWr
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNcVtBHmrn
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vXrRNwU7y
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpsI7FEX5O
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTBw1TyJMZ
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0e0PmBTXJk
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ79mSYicfi
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhoIo5UwH2
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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."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsZ9A9JJUj
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeXDUIbGBi
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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? 635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYqxoknx30
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrKf5TP2eS
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMJ2qSqKva
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8vHDaC7jo
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AHXgUBAgP
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyv7ooRBBm
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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.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUakOKbhyZ
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.635Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZqq1xpjPT
