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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrFwruM6Z4
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuelezYzywO
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ohBi1TwMM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZyJ81Cq4E
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01mHOe7VwR
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ83jtAt4cK
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5onorFBHc
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QGjr8uAu1
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqwFWfgRLw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaa5tbgTkXJ
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wegN8msCN
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLEKEwcsi1
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtNPPITAJBw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDIZsHJMCb
"What kind of trouble?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYiTkCfppS
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC17s3yeBZ5
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT0A7wfYC7
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwsmcUtdQE
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqZ36wjKpa
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIIuS5vpqd
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRwXZFhR4A
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3CZV79o2X
"That's good. She needs to rest."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOG9BAbjD2x
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CDNGUDf0W
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRbc32TY3D
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtqxF9s7P7
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw05qQBgECo
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks9dz1wvbp
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVp9X96jxO
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwtjy2Oo4C
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvyL3ltlYp
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuEdLrxo47
"Ya, sure."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXrpElrNn1
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ysWo0EaLL
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfbgySo7jt
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjwS5LenUV
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvb9yhRAaZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuarerYGLbY
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7g4xfpEoC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODrJmfRu8d
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkCoS5ioBB
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoHZdB8udB
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6yG7o6B2o
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacBbHHIy00
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurpVAZTdS9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0YU2qIdMA
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMgUZVC0Uk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RTzNajIOR
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIT8mD7WUZq
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmTLjg9Sh7
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUyPDi0JH9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03sKPx2q0x
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvK3uXKwNV
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWfc3K0eGM
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5TdLTxOcF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAAPJwLI9p
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UfvKeM6hX
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8V7yWzKxHY
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqYToinp42
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdAtdq8sH7
"What did you say?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HV6X7ShXh
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iFv3QyUiv
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpRUko6AE4
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oZSPnzBQ6
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqU3hZPMcL4
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUWUwY5dlk
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LkUKzIP6J
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67GFkb6OFS
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ysktEc9LJ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinNo4paPOZ
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIMTEYimkq
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQxDpXVQ8D
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiloG8FoFG
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4x3Bw4QbUE
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLS0K5iUMC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMPS5R7IuO
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZQVg4Z7QM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGFQNB6Jde
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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGeJPNNhSP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhJIogayB8
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmTzg4keoN
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQuEIZn8LB
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUh0EMZsDW
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmgIykXra0
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2HjNKc5he
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ub9yPYXEn
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKUgiiG63A
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00Lb7xnopr
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvmMfRxvwk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ePGJjpgbk
***712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSShlWDmTp7
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sYYJPc5PY
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoblakTOUUl
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4QMklKtUI
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjJtgCCsoF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCbSlZtMKW
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU2HracB7S
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcKnuoMQGA
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla04bd6w6q
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM03jN0drO
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAukxY6sM5W
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ixjd6cDHm
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3mjS6FKRK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa82Ta272ST
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡighAaKAze0
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMABdQ0N1hC
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7z42q8yPn
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsXd0U8Jzf
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOcfN5Ik65
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhfXghueLq
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIclamaTBn2
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQZ7CDMLnV
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLgaThhmAv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkDwEYkQc3
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LvtMekJYZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlV1wR8xVTa
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9Ro0fgQAM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozlBMi6YSJ
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJrU5sSTMy
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qOGD2ywRa
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfO3yId6fRU
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8qWzTVG5
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBwfHM24uq
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMBKJwQFQi
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCIZJtNpKZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF86YvpouB2
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WynKcdrri
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBuZjJjMjK
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LignjkFLi
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPaH65uscY
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPpyt7jaMD
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIEWb02d0s
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmngPl1Tr8k
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcnFGPvxXB
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmAhhNCISV
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpiPHKStlP
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWBWvrnJD9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SPmu8eq4A
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5UFjEuYIv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3Pn3RhZPv
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlW4fM3NV5A
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTt3ZUGPIHT
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsaaihXnbB
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2jdtok8LL
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaU5qqjWWr
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2pY05ItBR
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxIrM7ACDa
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBrjcjD0Rk
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOILwEfDM72
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ueUAKl4Xy
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBeFqxG0Jb
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkp5JEUmgC
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAgqYndKn8
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbBUNsAX62
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBURtS9z2S2
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQDxFBsrKP
"Do you think she's killed before?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqEWHvcsXv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaL9bVJF1z
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0NwgO3Bt2
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLDcjBHHVb
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HiDM7megU
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYT82UbTEk
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpIE13lRHR
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyKfoFPRWb
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtDkFSrgTE
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavdfE9I5qY
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL03MRqNHw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8GADWQGEr
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PSHSHyRWt
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhczPnP5AJ
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8GfRysbuC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqeTvBZSdR
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgOmX2Tvvz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t1Pr2oEDE
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVULbLPHpO
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyhx6ukn8f
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMypaoRWpF8
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8nQI3Jj0B
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9qw048IG7
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTxADjowLx
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC6dVxa09m
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltIIrHeSAH
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSRI5bLfky
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOkyfoWmil
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Vk8c9WCp
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgv7w6MqcmO
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8ByxPIYqf
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQMkVTHocJ
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbKSiwTxkK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHauytGXq
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENcrulNH0B
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQCgApanqd
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkm7aiW6FI
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2WJ8sXfAY
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7fFrwrk19
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJRJB2Gi0h
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfh8Iccvt7u
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod8QmwCXgs
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrOt8Qc3zj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoEo7EiPAw
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKOEFQuwMl
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1pbQoji8B
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKANur7Zuyd
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMftgfx2Yu
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTEZJqXu1P
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5XzmqQIlB
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr12cREpLdu
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQyVegIH8F
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IObMsmymD
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32JRqnXgYp
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kLg0xoObK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWZbG7uwsv
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNaNZG8jlvc
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LuxYmg9LF
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3ihtoc0ct
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshQhhQQRgY
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlTGAWZ6Pq
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBUdyHXwCu
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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq61Bhbah5
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJMzjdKOPC
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosVTnMnpkK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYvQOP1V9e
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHuPPmPAjK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhhzcVCqSy
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBOAaEEqZC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvuicUB13K
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzU5xzduxrF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8LMayJ0uw
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEoPsLsgaj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPqjqtrj5d
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysowKpxRAG
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8wPHyB3Fb
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ccM8blgYb
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yvDmMfkIj
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcP9sJsTfiK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdAkRJ4i24
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO2d5wqN7g
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUOaaAald7
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6Cx3EoKOL
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8fDIjo2Tp
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMyISR9BJI
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSNvkqbm7V
"We will," said Kevin.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHvy36UE9z
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTtmrp95aH
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI9LSoUjpC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8B1I17AFPb
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7TSY92tgh
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JoTSa3sGR
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ZUz1a00E
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYsxfGqTuh
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EjzrFAo7K
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yYijZoyIB
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclPZMuasN3
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPPbTDbdGX
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:712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRLxEnFD50
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxmpy93iyH
"Rhénee, wait!"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WUoYyKXgZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m0D6YiR9C
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlM4BxxiUN
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGxCv274Tz
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85szFNNbiV
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3szFTsn8dH
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ95BH7Df1Z
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzrVB3NALG
"I'm tired."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzRjDqGQ7z
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EduGb6fun
"Really? I don't think that's it."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEeinlgVWt
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQ3ZPMu2XU
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNti9Q1Nu5
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetqFhcMcoY
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhSRctHv5K
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CJckpG0b9
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl0efoIveQ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6HdyIzDYU
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAfKRtPPPp
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9Xopgsg9r
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifMvLY4l9v
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexe8v29nnk
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4QaAFYHkA
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprRhS1fhSH
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4O89ovc6N6
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡab27L39Hfz
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89NpYRDM6T
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFiv2nwzgJ
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD8fKR34Li
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU4MdP1sUD
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFXNrSCwLT
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MZH8pAAuA
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBakVhatzp
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9SGf2mrOt
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJCRSHViWO
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ631GWC7zhG
"Good. Let's go."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡof5LZ6Je3T
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bjIaMzj8u
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgM6EOqwfCP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnQmjPLy4J
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjArM8fOTw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8EGjobhBP
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSadms3QYDL
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZahF9xChhs
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9sLTo53uT
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdTrC2DOM0
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3omYkCzd8
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kBzzLmo2D
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEWhQGzELI
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeAg3nPUDF
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq2adNwOoE
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qSwF9DVQd
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca0gpOj2Ca
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhZO4re6jh
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlx7T96e16
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79rzPjyNiv
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCmJZrS3yq
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkehPiTusl
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PgS3xQH9o
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXNfvP1YkH
"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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAnMbv3bLz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYenaC5GhOb
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKiMWi5lVT
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATOjt1Y0YA
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRENszVv6U
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv1GVNQ9jL
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcqlV5lRb9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLGDEfTgLd
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBvq00OJdy
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkmcuY0vTo
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzHZJZiuwA
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ys4VSpJRR
"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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswv47df6Ma
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTCO0Ov6lH
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu18WybZTTg
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ywAl0l5cX
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoGXxHeAmj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACWsvPKhZX
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHGuXaDlwF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpsWnUUqDZ
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VqgGvjty8
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU41dMJVLoS
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpJujUdSOY
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbVJIjSLJJ
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBlihAFY4p
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja02smNbvl
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBRPktvLle
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVksIylEiRu
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHAr7LqLhQ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNiitIonHJ
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad4Ac7Gl37
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafrGLwaXPO
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfwnOECeN4
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe1llWBcNk
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8Lr4Ptd2e
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfdnPRzmub
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ363CTYuJ37
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0fJhAS6Og
"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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElCOXUTuAk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeRlOcZ8gi
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxREHyLZI0
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7OJ83CHiq
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:712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVoOvULy0w
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0KyNhri0O
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbGR8IWqoX
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUj58Tr5D6
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jPLANQszb
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqj4RaFG4YI
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8ybKVqqNh
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bBUShPNx1
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJaYurWWEe
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGGSg1GJJF
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kViih2oNR
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr1gRLCcfq
***712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs4YvWZSdj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGQs9td5gS
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ05fCVHQyc
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMc2e9dqzoC
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3YYA99a2C
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWqqE4AcX7
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq8CzSu2f9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5vXZ10uAR
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiSlXhLlJz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrWTIA7d3W
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0v4sFfLBb
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YSjxPe5xe
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMN7Vb3RiD
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiTedttpEI
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QPNRbZTUT
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe58lKAHNw4
"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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzihcrj7xMk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMpNiYIJgI
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmBheftQ40
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi99Z3IcQSQ
"Really?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZexQkzhTfU
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBoqJj1sB9
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTt2inPuwa
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zSQBmsmYZ
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb26vzBzqmE
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ7Nn4PSr9
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5PZEV3HGy
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCdhReH5MY
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdPqoAYY9m
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApHRPV8Zos
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvB8SRDnaZ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8NyirGyJh
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF88jpHeND
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdIiGKLPrr
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8nLa0K4d0
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUypZvNGXM1
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyWiR2JxeO
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNSsz7QAvB
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdgXYwcBmk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uU3yofZmE
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7qtGZSolv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnLAS448We
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuHhqeHgMC9
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPbM1CYhZQ
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXWs0kSKhl
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7BFsKORvB
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks2O1SKAMU
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxZ8uCdTHn
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHhGMfQzua
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sn7dWIyhB
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94vAj15HQI
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfRlLUogKC
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5UV1JR0BY
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNbMXktzpN
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7Kprm4ctJ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLnQsohANW
"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?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPah3uvLMuj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YAnKSkSor
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3MPNZgTuw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1wWDgxhtP
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNF3d5u7Zmn
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0FWREl7iN
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5nLo60zpz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6UNRcXWIp
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUphQ7uAfP
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotKyIKuAj7
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZLosxN7LF
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1lUKUNRwW
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFkpjEAhYK
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGAkaLkSTQ
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tMkqvr3Mz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQi1LZKyDl
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzEHr5vrnl
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvMOnZYel0
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5m9s2eBzSp
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHC2aSKIdZ
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl0y7Zmdae
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0XPvN6dF0
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd60OMMOvmv
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowFvodnuCe
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAF5rUJfaKr
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WaGCpFKlO
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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CbeYiJKzQ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFliNSCMzx
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLClbTTg3Kz
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hgeEhDzHL
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDpQh1ONJ7
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26S5RDevJo
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NE0oWvqcN
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOopUMdmPM
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VAhvzmsPe
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAExPMRNyzV
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ3C2henj6
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P21JigXyg
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gtyelZi51
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprSBV1t6F2
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBua3agATHw
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM65hPsZwh
"Oh..., nothing really."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznIZRYMNns
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UezeQMo13
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2xg3XMM7I
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZiSWCFwXi
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDedIm3kIR
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeqgev0xLy
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMfOphj3BC
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JzoHcrGQj
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXS0kUGusJ
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhncDIZcKXu
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wXyiGtYz6
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaohEqMqC6j
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xbkb3WonU
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjtqqXbhgL
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmJZrbKUJb
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgALtHsz1Z9
"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."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlG648lSSH
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x1tlqSB8n
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8f0RCZnTf
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1nfeIgZQt
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l2OYBPa9A
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhYa70x0AU
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS37VzUeBn5
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa87qjNGv5
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? 712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIYuTQiM2w
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRscrxxKPXz
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh1yxVlIzH
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhmk8TqLFS
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtQVEfcSRk
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHuyjvqKtB
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nbtyS6pAj
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLh5Fh39io
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9I3NiUB63x
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhAQmPxD3Z
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn47XuKyFfM
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr98LhNFiC6
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.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTyyfc1OTo
712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrniptkk3fk
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.712Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea63TtVKSC
