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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAIHy8Y6IG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPh3QRUBXO
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbk1PbaWtB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4m4UcnKKnc
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQknTLtLI8
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1AJT1QH48a
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N6P2rKt4l
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF3Wm6zLAo
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwT8A7qO5V
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkgzAHP5PK
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI516EPGHj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHQQhxiDxp
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIEEs5h4m2
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIf7ApBkgN
"What kind of trouble?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXWMUggXMD
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pCfX93YFF
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6byLG6fT3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRmPeBQEsU
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPorb777iG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpDxeOrb7z
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTw7fTFgTy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ37r7bm9e
"That's good. She needs to rest."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBIyUsWKTL
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWCnNgDfX4
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2nEER9Vfr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgXayDg2Hj
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuFPwhcYSU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxFV6BsmZb
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNe5FC1J3Tu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs3JDZCh4j
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHoSHiZXeH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeEGUEiZ1M
"Ya, sure."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LK6uaUfw9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40bUpxB3TK
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmE26dvTdfd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLja9y9dkY2
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe62JkBeG8q
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKGFjOYtfG
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjE2uqHkLr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ713txDBcBP
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBUOh0Rtbb
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmIxuoPFMl
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBS2Km256s
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqGQXMOSA1
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb0BxhZUcx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHUwPHX9Lr
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyjXgFuu4v
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasLcKo0UYp
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJOC305Klc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4xuWVPHeG
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OF9Q5x7W0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDIFbSxe0Q
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS5ibfIEpi
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBx9oXSVUr
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHYq2nGjwv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4higfdrY9g
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCB6C3rx7m
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpdai7UB8W
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR8UJFWmyc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuBknP2QhP
"What did you say?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkmI4IjN7i
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO8nzXCWmm
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A2ul2reFs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJ4LgbMJ7J
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt8BV9syCV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb22TxvH8pM
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVwDBEyXax
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZTiFQCFyF
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz9JICMs4n
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5vx0iHIhM
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvU51sOU1E
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi0JTWp9dy
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUpU4khJPm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjX1PBDfzqD
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MHtgNe0PN
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnTD5pcM4W
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpu33pehpvd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7WQZ4YclX
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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwN48y6BUE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfpNdjKVV9
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq0KBjUjlM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoKMKmXY0W
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZrGUVs2vY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzZJ5vELCv
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkaZsQ1V2P
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRue3ZHnpS
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdX3rWhTjzP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7eYzzVHRn
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhJ345Rafj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg0LExp8p8
***586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55Ht1wc5EJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFbddhw4i0
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmq1vdYURf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsAB3AAfyj
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IGGJV2XyV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrqkrJAzXq
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriuBF18BrO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvOMIRSdP6
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T8wch2cu6
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9Uh3XeA7h
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wpK7C9vUr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0f24q0nca
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSzBSDsaHj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzkf2eD0OG
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy4fRoL3k5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXbmniVCsc
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2C2mNzrg4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKrySacu1a
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOJjfS0JgZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vUNwxvzbA
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kxeTa3S5w
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yDhX51u4b
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHKxHozwVO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1hiJFhEja
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TowRkQhti
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKK0AanXaE
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWZJ57OEVy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULRRqoUAT9
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImwe2m9QCh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbCbqySvJY
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKfgEHLU7a
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdwgszW5pJ
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRIzpoR7A7
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3F1buwhFA
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtvOQpgDkY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInyqMdFaXM
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtAXMmozu7
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUvPXxNlGf
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPee6BCt14M
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWVAPiqaEo
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2etjN33ay
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxMi6ZAWKLM
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQw7VcOshi
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZWr7e2oL
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4EHy2SNa9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyzeY6hGYn
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1nnqcP609
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uNsMRlO4a
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK5ARREsSW
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8JyuFWrnc
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclpuKWp6Nh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKFc0yMaGW
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKSCwYaWAF
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlymMwGGCd
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrw8QFUwVmR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfDXFYvGud
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryHrtelFHs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oqS1iZSCS
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLM3MbGvA0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4a96DUCWKN
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzc6d8pof4L
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDyOKMMWuD
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNexGhX6Cgx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0fZ38Xjmg
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWWDxbmYZT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpq9c43I0O
"Do you think she's killed before?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbncctJ8RMm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JGDotgywH
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kO6fHClph
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmGdmhRGpd
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnXreDkoAI
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80l8jkP5Rq
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbgce7FfpB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndMFgXxUZE
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSybbSOQZXo
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMh8wfBSE7
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB1En9IL9B
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6ZIP4yAqN
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tzl2bgc8A
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34uhQEcjdT
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGE8BydfNrK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qbBh4SRSy
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jxBKsHrpL
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0oNe3eLvo
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRNQHlhIAu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRygAGsZlvp
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEuj25B4bP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgQdKbmTPJ
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySu5Yi100W
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71XhIV1DVj
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QefyTdW6g
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX7MFM3M1j
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kqmq7Z76W
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhHdBbiXhA
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwb2OGL5gv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bhUhpq0Pb
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVixrjP0yt
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvPNM7nT5E
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt644PFXGXS
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4rJaCBggQ
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PtA8gnNky
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSD5AeB2Iu
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z6ooOU9lP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjioqQhPfR
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbyVmZc0Kr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdcE0UbbNf
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7WW6RIZEp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXGkCPg5Pq
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRavlv8RcLI
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0cMfoyyp9
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx4y9A4glR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtl1K0u56F
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5PqEqXhDM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZRjfrJkNS
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ur4Oftf92
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErqws1vP7t
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2Hq9GcN5x
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3RYrakYad
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rIaLku8Bu
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTjegqLgAY
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fRLK6YTJI
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0eKRvy4ZC
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc2H4McFSZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfZrnqiZzv
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERKCuigVk5
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTB1CMARWd5
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulaA65SWUs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYFcURvrpy
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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ddhqZHXcG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzPscgFt0c
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBaxTNEkpV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs9eeiUuUF
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgknJRaYyQM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPE7ZSIWrc
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhc6Dio8JB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCECP0ZiLj5
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcgdfZfw1T
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDLQLwhoBx
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfGmESjZe1
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvqkbSO2aV
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNK8WikmKPb
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAe39h37Uw
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2jTlT6DQf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeWQbizeS5
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd62MeeUrs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjRptHYEo5
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao6phDSIcc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyBrmWkh53
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QhrxQb3BP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFPGEeJ7fN
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rU130tNLG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhK6Mu4yikK
"We will," said Kevin.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGwA34u69T
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7oVUUcjij
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHZqTkFabf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vRX7YxLsW
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSEGKnEqG8
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyOGift31y
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMgRdQmp8S
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkdmHzTU0c
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiOKy1vilU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzTkz2z5gH
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMj4vLIxDz
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8zQpBR5Dq
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:586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzQxbKYvnv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk9MRATA5h
"Rhénee, wait!"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY72L5qfFQC
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxYJadiV3N
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWF0TOqT1m
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt6QP3e3Ee
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzox1lPIgIM
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGEKE3iKOQ
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0EGlY1nP2
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt4kMIOSKP
"I'm tired."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz17wqS9UaU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS9JTiZnp9
"Really? I don't think that's it."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy9iWqC4sY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnONQ6asGG
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiBryrtSOr
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzriYEp4iMK
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEml7ZFqBm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7fowTfmob
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbLnMdGg9f
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFIc39JI6e
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6E6wEOcNL
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamyKia0uM5
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVApQxKborZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXGDplFZbQ
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31UimuuUFX
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CBsjd8p56
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5V9LhrJBx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡschnndlCxP
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKvUo9MBKB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCzGrPuM44
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZIo12Q33n
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dC9L8PZ5N
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXiA4TqTzd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdIJpj7nPj
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzYzmaBN2D
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZKHysNNU6
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28LngHRSB3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLRb0zEjWu
"Good. Let's go."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAaP4EAbdJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGWMFXdwRJ
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDrHh8r5lE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi7m8n7Kds
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSk4Gx8qMi6
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qGncTUbuK
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweVLadF26Y
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NjDuDzyTW
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R5zxmQW6U
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjc6hYga83
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBbDpCR6Gp
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdB7V5PK7m
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2qna37YZ0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl6XUoud5I
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NElTL2VtZ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8kgsJSzKj
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpEsxY1ntT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlS4uWXjRY
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKuHnjAHU4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsPXQ642r2
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfXgM7SLtV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphuiBqfrCq
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uFLYzckrc
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGw9NFIAeO5
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXa7ojVsqNz
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvB6qDQTiA
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvEDS0qUSJ
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30mVzEFkIM
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yS228PxDi
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg26p8EdK6
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKv4WMA2ul
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7L9N9cjz3s
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK2fBNluNw
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepxiDipyxQ
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3AU32agjs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPbdpK6KAP
"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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ608jSQYwUy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTzGxAz21P
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkOgq3tvOP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphImbX8j96
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaC3um82D4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlxQLAp3Aw
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYkDeGvnBD
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjewi0fh3g
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUdHTseooH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG63mLmP0B
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYO0LNhFsE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBO0xpdPIL
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFhIIv4HAq
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwINMvt9kSO
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Zm7oVaJcO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vrQ36kNgh
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvdLp2lz56
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyR6dorezLG
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZn6xI06vI8
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkjbbx2Kfn
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3QgGXRsaV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWhBd9zNOh
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtwb1QOiMy
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWn0MhqEvF
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04Nx1FHIvq
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEoTqaQSsA
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2Xqmhkoeg
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxorZbFkf32
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA2xBTXxMF
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOxeqRBWoE
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:586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLOiukltpB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYkFL5Wk8M
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOVy6Ypcha
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacpexR4m5o
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0RiWyFjh1
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrztpyymoUG
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBfw0Xz4HP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EEH9nTgQN
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1LugZTNe1
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3GwYVKnz5
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq5FPMYAeo
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtcIP6Nd89
***586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF6GV60lUo
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bOP09oOUA
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4gdmMH3hg
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5Hchchn8i
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqRe3F385k
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZENblCv3A
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ctd6ozLoX
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp6Nrr7OeZ
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bCNZzQ6X2
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx4fnNAv6Z
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwdxBe1o5z
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdGsSKLqKs
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbkN8ihNXO
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHxoNEneah
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjroSxdH8Xh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhW1Tm8SKO5
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYgv6zPwoh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwurCdJPLvO
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjUNtnXj1F
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pyo1amEHo
"Really?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfux376nyx
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE7UKWDTGM
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcwI3syMGm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYNJJnvQ0I
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN4dUChq2R
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm95WoPJYx
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCvKxq11Sj
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLt1smHtpv
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRkLqmlZVk
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlAAUgsX1W
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72FCePxrfB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqveCinU47
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmR7LU9AUeo
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU8aqE1Spq
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIdebK8aOs
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBIArsw4Ba
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLKAr8SrML
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEM713Xyy3
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzlMWXynD9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKB8XsOdxYI
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4qyX0YYpa
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPLQtWi2AG
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2BbwQ5Tnl
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqTLTkDTAp
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVxKXcYceE
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNT16iu13B
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMNlpDbg6Z
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkDaS22RrL
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg8UcaY7tf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ2KkyyL1N
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92sO5TsJqg
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQRflNQZUW
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteSdC8A0E3
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Xhm8QmtsZ
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAU5UqpgbV
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtipGqpTED8
"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?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL7kP3DDgP
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH5lcgXg8k
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3k8uGapfX
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUkzLhNhko
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDQeL0wL66
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonWIL91UV1
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMymyEtMKff
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaGK2w5uJt
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCo6NVQ63cG
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre0pfvvNX6
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHYineRinK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPo6v3p3D1
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiMtqjArWn
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSvHuzb9Jv
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJbsHLXmei
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nrzpNvwTd
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMhTMxPYms
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS63hd7Pbvj
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzd8hKCH7q4
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Q60V1q3XK
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMp3ExX93zl
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2l3MmWd7Fk
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VKJip2pSm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TWdjw2iP5
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvBihroLhK
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ6vDf7ZCx
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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3np1G6rdYH
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnYuE8eEjt
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9nm93UF8H
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYxnWzoHlY
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl7ZE0Wmiw
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCXxfJtLus
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpd91yOnAWm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMSp1zWAsq
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3gIHi2QWm
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwwCnbNacp
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaXWfZfLzF
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj7Elsei8Z
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjB0bTgYEJT
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sQA2inuOX
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYQZRRM3kk
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V19sFjv1g
"Oh..., nothing really."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhCx37aZfY
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZBFCBHuQg
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosf26X9WTh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjZaSInYk6
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zlfdM8pfB
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzB8ChweUOB
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHnmCWD2md
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdneTT79d8I
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtAUHCKD2x
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDjn101JkQ
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6gmKmO4Mv
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU38E9qyuMB
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzpW06sfcw
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFT9CvI8ap
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlvUGwL5Dh
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4B0I8vvWp
"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."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2uDy1xQ6t
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3WWiNRISr
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TamUWbi28
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcS3SJxASQ8
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooSq1t4SIf
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL2FLcsg6q
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCAWV9d9lR
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZKGId4qO3
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? 586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk7cYaYb83
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWayvSPSOd
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHtgGExWMd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuYYdZjTnu
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhrLbl0jv9
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfF6cQElJ9
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdrpRxvqYU
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmRAf9o75i
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwwDQX4KHd
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyd5wHCT9V
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSrOAZ3nV0
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWLlUKHhno
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.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4XTeb5U5t
586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegBDC1LrWg
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.586Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75TniTWBx9
