The sound of her phone ringing made Greta jump in her seat; startled. She quickly withdrew it from the pocket of her jean jacket. Kevin was calling. She quickly swiped the answer call icon and put the phone to her ear.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhNs47jLDo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFlbnrervy
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSAiPZisND
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTZ2N6SHp8
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceqRAzbAwi
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsjiOBnnLa
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH47UH9I7e9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjsvHxdpZc
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzQVrK8Aas
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv5t0HMxbC
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJzyC6VY6p
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw96gQX1NvE
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYea3mUMUC2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiVfo0Jx1K
"What kind of trouble?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjql9EpSsu
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwmfNUTUhN
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRs2ZKFElW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslOV4RHiq8
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflVchyAvWl
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsgr7kwhtc
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2O3jyhus4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4Vkvb7atL
"That's good. She needs to rest."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ875BBzgkgz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sfCIaYAH0
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpXUIfiGDL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1q17x9WUy
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v79SLngVE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbNPy5aMbq
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2huPJSTT1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOTl2lKuek
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyPjr9qKf9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlPGxOcvVG
"Ya, sure."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYq84HhEAV
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwx9EVUhyJ
Kevin cut the line and Greta placed her phone aside onto the chair she was sitting on. She really hoped everyone was alright, especially Malcom.
Miss Marie shifted her body to the side and for a moment, Greta thought she might wake up. But she continued to sleep. Greta felt relieved. She didn't want to be the one answering her if she woke up. She wouldn't like to hear that Rhénee had gone in search of the cottage all by herself.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHRghA7Wo0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFWq6bENQJ
Greta stood up from the chair. She was thirsty and needed water. She made her way to the door when her phone started to ring again on the chair. She quickly went back for it and almost dropped it when she saw her mother calling.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuethv3Rae
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNDpIF7Ymo
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAVvpTTEEp
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvM23YvaXX
She had to answer the call. She had a mother who is always suspicious of everything. Miss Griselda stirred in her sleep. Greta knew her phone's ringtone was disturbing her, so she had no choice but to answer.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2hnWroE3f
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPnkuSRUN4
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCZQTQccz6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3ovpI2T0Y
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5pXo4BfUB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aoLelATaa
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuKyeIq4Ae
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4Cl9WRaCG
Greta's eye twitched in irritation. She wondered if her mother would still be calling even when they decide to move out of the house.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWVz6n68Cs
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJzoDOjrMk
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTXtEiTY5u
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRsXy02JzR
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PDyWyKGg8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2Sj8NWVT2
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbNloEwfJr
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SCjVIrVkN
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUR4dL7ITz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMxBKnncIQ
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJ31hO3IVn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUmaJ24rE0
"What did you say?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9o4KBRkRrH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrWUlH1pUS
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B6iGwokQx
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D6lYV51c8
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs2geCbbUC
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUA8dtDLET
"Mum, we aren't five year olds you've to check up on all the time. It gets really annoying, and it's embarrassing, especially in front of my friends. Whenever they see you're the one calling, they make fun of me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YykY0xOc4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFuHG5bOz2
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1GHGXg6dD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGcMxGrcpJ
"Sometimes I feel it's more than that. It's like you check up on us to see if we just dropped dead or something."
There came a long silent pause at the other end and Greta knew she had struck a nerve. She will definitely receive an earful when she gets back home.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSEMmFJ63f
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabJfeP6iyi
"Tell him to call if you reach him," came Mrs. Derrand's voice, now cold and grim that it sent chills down Greta's spine.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8hht13VpB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrXJYs7YD9
Greta didn't say anything as she quickly cut the call and squeezed her phone tightly that it would break. She's really in trouble now. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But sometimes her mother pushed her to say things she didn't want to. Now she's in a hot mess.
She hoped the others would show up soon, especially Malcom. They would have to try calm their mother down. If she wanted, she would go looking around town for the both of them, and that would be a disaster.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MacybJE8N
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡConrPFnfGK
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4SLIAoWqB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDLn8sSuTc
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNZHuvee50
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzx2CEDpEc
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyuJ0147wg
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ33cFRmQCI
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iT0u6N8Ks
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYWEYE1cJs
"I'll be right back," Greta said as she stopped by the door and turned to Miss Griselda. "I'll tell Rhénee that you're finally awake."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCVY451lxq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iqAvFfFZh
Miss Griselda didn't say anything else as she leaned back on the headboard of the bed, looking a bit relaxed. Greta quickly left, walking down the hall and then the stairs. She knew her little lie had calmed Miss Griselda down. But when she goes back up there without Rhénee, she will have a lot of explaining to do.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ33P3DsXal
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2F4AO3hsH
"Oooh, you guys better be on your way back right now," Greta said as she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the kitchen. "I doubt if I'll be able to handle Miss Griselda alone."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoyrSVFGkd
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7uuV2NZSX
***671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3RjgCrmBIn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9kXtyaKRR
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYK1i3gqTtv
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV32jTOzWCm
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6XZt9Xc3X
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2DtmpTMpS
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKW6ramEmt
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFXjgBP9yC
"You heard me," she said, not looking at him as she put the bloody wet cloth in the tub and got an alcohol-free wipe towel from its box on the floor beside her. She wiped the towel around his wound.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWt9Q0AlHU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCZGO0QhHI
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf0UkbXsHH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz56MDTG8D
The two of them were in Miss Marie's bathroom. Malcom sat on the edge of the bathtub, shirtless, while Rhénee attended to his wound.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GmJ5598oA
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyB3WRAZqQ
She soon took non-adhesive pads that laid on the wash basin, laying one on the entry and the other on the exit wound. She was glad the bullet had gone straight through. If it didn't, removing it would have been complicated.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJgtYKs1Ai
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYlezDEluS
She took a bandage and wrapped it over his shoulder so as to hold the pads in place. She continued to add more layers of it until it felt just right.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSGkDOyTtx
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuFwW0kYXo
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YFPcnSSbX
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvSegL3SSy
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVpIEuElz0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJyLjsOv4a
"Oh, it isn't talent," said Rhénee as she started to clean up the mess on the floor and putting back all the equipment she was using in the tiny cabinet above the wash basin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEcDY1ShMI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwecJqsrUU
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RwApVJV6s
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdpqyrLEad
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkutx2yIhd9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE2o9YzvyW
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrElKQ1u1nI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKTZFs4zYK
Rhénee didn't answer as she looked at him and he looked back at her. There came a brief moment of silence between them until a knock came at the door and Rhénee told whoever was there to come in.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GhpwZDd6V
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlD5I2rNkM
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1dF0y85nB
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM88thRsvRL
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnfwbfaYK1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOjzqptK4b
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfrHkNxxgA
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jRYuRGBqS
"I know," said Malcom as he smirked. "I'm also impressed that I couldn't help but ask where she learnt all of this from."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjyzW9CpK5
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmwVWNZHTp
"That question isn't necessary," said Rhénee as she threw Malcom a look. "I was part of the Red Cross team in my high school days."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEEt1NqRdU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdIdNMChOP
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HPASSZuwn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsor08BdhkF
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hMXxEhjed
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGrr5i82uk
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc7iXaKX0z
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzrEra3ZvP
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCAG2Htlam
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbplY7m7g25
Kevin and Malcom didn't ask her any further. Rhénee turned around to look at the wash basin, avoiding the mirror in front of her and their prying eyes.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVrGZCVDBA
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgRd0BeJrs
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeV8i1JVaH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSrlIzl3MP
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPItnltSIFz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMON7O1EHO
"Ya, I'm fine," she answered as she looked at herself in the mirror and then turned around, heading out of the bathroom. She almost bumped into Kevin who moved aside just in time.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS1SSl7fD8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNemDvgpej4
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV95yd5T88p
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxM8SpK7e4
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZzWROiZCw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAyqMyJxGS
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4UIWKoQ8f
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLJSpPKmOT
Malcom looked at the open door. "Most people who have killed for the first time usually aren't themselves. They tend to be all nervous and tense that it's hard for them to stay calm. Rhénee on the other hand, has been calm till now. She hasn't freaked out or did anything nerve-racking. Even when she was patching up my wound, she didn't shiver at all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUk5RlNiZ1O
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kTSO7DMoC
"Do you think she's killed before?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys4JX8HdnE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTemcfrd5v
"She doesn't look like a killer. But it's either she has and she doesn't want to talk about it or it really is her first time and she's pretty good at handling her anxiety."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O5ijXY9m0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6hsEcG15i
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1l85CINF0O
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6h6iXTecpQ
"You saw how she shot the guy. I would call her a sniper if I had known that she could handle the gun so well. She made sure not to miss. Or maybe she just got lucky, and that rarely happens for first timers."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeg6fivcaE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOG4s0TtDf
Kevin clenched his hands into fists as he also looked at the door. "But Rhénee isn't a killer," he said. "That much, I know. She did what she did for you. You would be dead if it wasn't for her."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68s75MbPcH
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklwdG4oeok
Malcom looked at Kevin and knew he was right. In his heart, Malcom knew Rhénee isn't a killer. But the display she had shown back in the forest made him curious about her even more.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtQE9zV8ag
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MiRIvqUvK
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVkHLoabm1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA76fVkDSJ
Just as Kevin and Malcom walked out of the bathroom, Miss Marie appeared down the hall, approaching them with a grey sweatshirt in her hands.
"Here you go, Malcom," she said as she handed it over to him. "This belonged to my grandson, Miguel. He doesn't wear it anymore."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXl4eDgQqM
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HxS74v1kA
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg2g2tb40h
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIdb3ZkyLQ
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHekc64HFPP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqFX0GJ02z
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Two2h0fUz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvBmECgRW1
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RvsmZyF6Z
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf5rHPzDve
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlhDErko6V
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufeJBUOkLe
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzAMUpmH2N
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2voeNuwxP
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNa02HhiccL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqNTLByFn1
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRVd3kT3tX
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNgfyN9emM
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApVubELMxw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBxS2AHbQd
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqQfX9aEsJ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2xPyNV6VU
No response came from the living room and Miss Marie went over to check. She stood at the open doorway leading to the living room.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9hXXs0fUP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPgOPOfQy9
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuvQq7vPFU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1bWuMshEz
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam6R09RdSq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7udg3I9Nl
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZqC8f0Y4J
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgls6RI2FlL
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhVwFVkZgI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6VBt2FABd
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQa0Mr08N2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3soeHv3wqp
Malcom didn't answer as he swung the door open and walked out of the foyer. His heart settled when he stood at the doorstep. He looked at the car parked outside and saw Rhénee seated on the car's bonnet. She looked to be lost in thought with her arms folded. Sophie, the cat, sat right at her feet and also seemed to be staring off in a distance.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl4PFzYMqU
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGFekeRsP6
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjo9G8sYB56
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOxm0icmea
"Me too," said Malcom as he continued to look at her. He noticed that Rhénee looked all worn out and tired. And a little sad too. He wondered what she could be thinking about.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcfxHScjge
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovKpHEAhp7
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb8mx6BZ8f
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHT8i64EgV
Rhénee turned towards Miss Marie, lifted herself up from the car's bonnet and walked back inside Miss Marie's yard. Sophie remained by the car.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdWmlcRkx7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVZpsE1CtA
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWFtW8qDZZ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UlO9SWJrd
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJHAICuzrb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49HTvNWPow
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiWHRv1KKN
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiq9Dwpy12M
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDfHfx5Zp3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMWwqxAMLW
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrOuerson8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenqoE5Ea45
Rhénee remembered Miss Marie using the exact same words when she gave her the gun back in the forest. Except this time, she included Rhénee in the sentence.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqCWI0PIVF
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ593LnQFs2v
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxujUnVxF9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbijLkdRmws
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lsvNQUmtE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CkyMdPK71
"Don't argue with me, Miss Marie," said Rhénee as she took one of Miss Marie's hands and placed the gun on her palm. "You need it more than I do. I still need you alive."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrz0pBAyOqp
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVGPmEw6iM
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcZ9XvZCZ9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcheKu3xEG
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmAHLUAXOz
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscboEzy8kq
"I'll take care of myself as best as I can." Rhénee looked past Miss Marie at Kevin and Malcom who had been standing by the doorstep, watching them. She gestured with her head that it's now time to go.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBM4wLz6rs
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcNk4rpac0
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu16UdCv4gm
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfded2C9rWo
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGx1auvDZc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVe94Bc0BXE
"We will," said Kevin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAwLgZChjP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9foo81JoA
Rhénee, Malcom and Kevin made their way to the car. Malcom took the wheel with Kevin right beside him and Rhénee sat at the back with Sophie curled up on her lap. Rhénee looked out of the window and waved at Miss Marie who also waved back.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2TF5MX5vn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDFjSSeSFY
The car drove away from the little neighbourhood. After a few seconds, Kevin couldn't help but turn and look at Rhénee. Rhénee noticed and looked back at him.
"What?" she asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27ItScNSj7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtr1gjp3yN
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc8O3LNlrA
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09BkwdFIOc
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkSUT8gM4g
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EbopR77dH
Within a few seconds, the front gate of Rhénee's mansion came in sight. The car went inside the premises and packed in front of the fountain.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd42RK8KOvf
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwegT3RZ31
Rhénee came out of the car first with Sophie in her arms and started her way to the front door. Kevin came out seconds later and called out to her:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohljII8Fz2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw6m2g8Ln0
"Rhénee, wait!"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcfdjQTSur
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YrPpinfZk
Rhénee had almost reached the door when she turned to look at Kevin now approaching her. Malcom took his time in the car, waiting to see what Kevin was going to do.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov1ayPGN4e
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYcrICa4zJ
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6xsk21Y1s
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NZO0B1Rj9
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXenBRvgVhT
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogqDVuT495
"I'm tired."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFGotVX0N4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcawM4eoILC
"Really? I don't think that's it."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xcqkNd3V0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnw3iS1G3U
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HGbOVR8M8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFKlPn34TN
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTQ57CNK0I
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqPJsen1dt
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUOTlpxwRw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5T2Fe9gE5j
Kevin got caught there. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He looked away and scratched the back of his head, feeling stupid for having started the conversation. Rhénee sighed deeply and looked even more depressed. Kevin looked at her. Her eyes looked like she hadn't slept in days.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NRJEKYJda
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61xNcfWcv5
"I don't think you're a killer, Rhénee," said Kevin. "But I know what happened must have affected you no matter how composed you're posing to be."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVPUfSw4Z8
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx8lATcOP5
"I'm not ready to talk about it. Let's just drop it, okay?" Rhénee's eyes were fixed on Kevin's chest yet her mind was elsewhere.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HhGJNG8bj
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrsUhZHVjV
"I'll because Miss Griselda might be awake and seeing you like this will make her sad too. But promise me that you will talk to me about it."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8adhOkRe1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOaP8iHKdX
Rhénee looked up at Kevin and put up a sad smile. Kevin's insides shook at her expression. He didn't like to see her sad. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her to show that she wasn't alone in all this.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIdDdFTxLd
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡquNkM6XFxz
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sVF6WrEZ6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KsRrtVmsl
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7CZTHlncJ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4jp7zuvUi
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEi8m1zFQW
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKmc9ynx0W
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfwrTrqm0J
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEPpLGyHEE
"Good. Let's go."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLX6xmvgho
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCB8TxfZWM
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4r3MYBvds
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3RfJSKUAh
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdijergd5b
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvS49pZoY2
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPpwzUMGdw
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3xuVm7EEd
Rhénee led the way to the door, the other two following behind her. Just before she could reach it, it flew open and for a second, it looked like it had opened all on it's own. But soon enough, Greta came into view behind the door with a glass of water in her hand.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtop2AwT77w
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIr49YXc2sc
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmlSEyeZMD
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWB6mAcGH9c
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uCO4vYAbm
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mP5eaSrf1
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmOiCRSAjd
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0ilXcylE7
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL6mvMyPt3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYhXt4ZOUm
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD99vSwXzW2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZR7AwDLajp
"Nothing that you should be worried about," said Greta. "Miss Griselda just woke up and she really wants to see you. I told her that you were down here. I hadn't told her you left."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jfgI1Ym17
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqIHCzcMqe
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0t33QA8Zt
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV0i90EC34
"Wait, you can't see her looking like that. You're a mess. And whose blood is that on your clothes? Did you get injured?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb76GSXeHXP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxxwXUeRM9
Rhénee hadn't realised how messy she looked as she stared at the bottom of her blue shirt that had a blood stain. Her trousers had a few drops on it too. She had been running for her life back in the forest, and not forgetting the injured Malcom. Greta is going to freak once she realises that it's his blood.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6qK8c12xQ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapJSNPWJZv
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzekScMWebo
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjCNKgYfDJ
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1zmDC9ck9
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgrKL4YhE4
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcyI6ZYJ9o
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUr15Tg5o67
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBohWkKI92
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CPDdVbXIt
"That's not the shirt you were wearing today," she said. Soon, she gasped that it surprised the others that she hadn't dropped the glass in her hands.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6CaAdn6hi
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXGkYAu9Vu
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPhRHrl8mT
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYTNGtKQz7
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFX1danAo5
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDgPaQhWsq
Greta gave the glass to Rhénee to hold and walked over to Malcom. Malcom at the same time tried to back away, but Greta got to him quicker with her hand stretched to touch his left shoulder.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvIFuGUBOP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQpz4yJoU7
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDswudpQf8N
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPIeGlswaa
"Are you hurt?" Greta asked as she started to check him from head to toe for any injury. "Oh, please tell me you aren't."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOtUYM1md4
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoQ2S1xdZD
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ724fHTemWL
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uH3CI94R4
"What other guy? Is it the one whom you ran into trouble with?" Greta asked, this time looking at her brother straight in the eyes. "Can you please tell me what happened? I'm curious to know."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9e4q5n6Hq
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMEBaoCn1L
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f5MOZE8xi
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nPTlAXVt8
Rhénee hissed and slowly looked up at the stairs. There stood Miss Griselda. She didn't look as weak and vulnerable as she did the time they left her. She had a grim look on her face; the type that a mother would give her child if he or she had done something wrong. The look reminded Rhénee of her father.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsHz5GRfEZ
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbG7aK2Lq7
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx7bEjtvpC
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbVFaUmLLh
Miss Griselda held on to the stair rail as she slowly came down. "Yes, I am, and I see that you three went to the forest."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu14YzUtH7
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQy81gTOka
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u38STylYn
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjrJpDQMhX
"Why did you go?" Miss Griselda was almost at the bottom of the stairs. "Look at yourselves. What if the worse had happened to you?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gpe7Y1fRm
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65gL7EiIbN
"Don't blame Kevin or Malcom for this," said Rhénee. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me. I went there alone. They followed to try and protect me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4IrfKXvss
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQtCWCHzme
Miss Griselda reached the bottom and walked up to Rhénee. She gave her a look, almost like she wanted to slap her. But when she spoke, she sounded calm:671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6frIUItHpP
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJY4BtoHL4
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4pTFIUYZ1
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy7jhSS7cz
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycHEySxFL2
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCFpS5hs91
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsiGTZFwHE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwsXLTmjNg
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBeehcIXg6
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP83kLphJn
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO7Ph8fngE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPNMiaCGqP
***671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7brWOXupsh
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNTT4J82QU
Lunch time was almost over and Eugene still hadn't heard word on Mr. Sinclair. He had been working with Theodore, one of his superiors over a case like he was told to and he told Mrs. Clarks to inform him when Mr. Sinclair arrived. But so far, nothing.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrawJWec4hY
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOt0VApjgd
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntEbdnTI2F
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAEKWZoR2d
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn8UVpKbPI
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ0vgBgNBf
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmuDbMCOQT
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzwVnBKSnK
She smiled at him as she tucked a long strand of her magnificent black hair behind her ear and sat opposite him. Her dark brown eyes looked at him intently.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKiEIpSVns
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAo0iYJtqh
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTssdKflGS
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡov5UGGdstO
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLJ8TFEkoF
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R7jNT4ric
"Mmm, you've barely even touched your food," Preeta gave him a dominant smile after staring into his lunch box. "Are you sure you're okay?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3MzCWJkr0
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yKlCz7NHU
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1itRpXGaZb
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRioGTsUvw1
"Really?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX57b5VhcE
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzaIGBwF9V
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4sygAs7rC
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTdRJOpzRf
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUkzIibkF3
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qDujR7P13
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCnpXm0Pgc
671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflr8AuAlI6
Preeta slowly made her way out of the staff lunchroom and she met two of her female colleagues. They seemed to be giggling and whispering to her as they made their way out of the room. One of them stared at Eugene before leaving the room with Preeta. Eugene couldn't help but blush as he stared at the door. Were they talking about him just now? He hoped not.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng0JcV0j8R
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He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCE8KXd214
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmiYKeeAqF
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7fEj1gewJ
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAI1horxkP
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHf5Dyt72c
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3zwizF29E
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdltKPH4za
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoUxHgFU57
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlnTEf0YNM
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6GtXd70w5
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQxgw9VUiS
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fXLfdu2aq
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJvgUICXtY
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pyLtchyW8
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjDEhBfMlY
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40Fokroqr6
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVoACrXbtj
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcDrYGcsgQ
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x8rGLCviq
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhMIEuK97d
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4gpigjh3d
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMshLGOj0w
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlqfiYiqRW
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAB41nQaQe
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"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpFsmSmiiA
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMavPeGi0lf
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut9UUfrME8
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MZcklBbyr
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVv7kKj93O
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeSgnaD0iU
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKbyxaCzuM
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGK88ES9Hl
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBPJoCzq4p
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtvvqMUKiX
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"Oh..., nothing really."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtLJevOJ8
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2mxyTRPjH
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjsd6pjpwk
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35FGfZQkXS
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2irHC4UvbO
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxp0eGWbfo
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq59hGhsenp
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ9inFbWHL
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXM1i4dUpS
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrTelLDzeC
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA9ulD57Xc
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKRRGfFXig
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLfkETR44n
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1GYAKNZFV
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XrzZ7mzTd
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAZTKWmlZE
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg50QiNvFC8
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT1u8fFRmX
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0w0ZB9wKah
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.671Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeBjP2PITv
