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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkvsPS2DhA
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CglekPpb1
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJyh5cmgHm
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡag56VISTx0
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrObGUTLkg
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3Xyzv19HW
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUAgWXf3gG
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKXIylkAT3
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2EV2CPlMH
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0uQLDFbJM
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwWHQ41UbL
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GXXIfXLzR
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN85OdTPDB
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUfwQdrcI7
"What kind of trouble?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRNxeHCj86
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9RwTwCvqD
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeZqsGAO5Y
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqshveeSei
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnodVOAH8iA
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8XM4sWlhE
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4c4PNxhqT
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDckmgT2X4
"That's good. She needs to rest."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0whS8nZnF
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzPTGHJsXJ
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpuKl3yOvO
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQK9qPjflPk
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOo1YER844
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq4aW8PQTw
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYzNiFkDBU
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIO7BhUgwx
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgRpmWtse3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQclpiPsQl6
"Ya, sure."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYt8IOUPab
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxQRPvAUab
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37HM5fX5nk
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqL1VA0Vt7
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN7ZcI4afm
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwODUSwWFtG
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWGz51TjNx
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSND2r4aQz
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lvrB1EHUW
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgq9ImwXDsl
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpp0Jr0Z43
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR58VKpELid
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqGo40Y92R
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNczjvQlJr
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvs409J80b
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yq54VIDTC
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuLUwBnf8F
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2Klne8fyk
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf3s1mHPPu
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ejw6U9Hz
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmwEHr21ea
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPYMUCRFiT
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmOTNmY2OS
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVPkY0nupD
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgly7CJKIGI
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLttDrCFFx
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2Xa7TAB9L
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4hZDQLhhd
"What did you say?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA304hzEffC
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk5xgobnN4
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDJVjuYdIy
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95OoCaShTZ
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZkzCSUAKt
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh8GPvINXY
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIR5L5vWNr
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQR2Nk37cnr
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08KJXKTDd8
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYzy7pKlIG
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNrE6ZdszQ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99KRaHMfzN
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsH5kxuszqc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9eRoOHu8G
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1KCW2TjrE
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZaUXPwKg6
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PK1C9c51V
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34ai8YK2fO
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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoHgq8lt8O
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8okuR87zS
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiZHAFrMkt
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5RvPdssuH
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eGM7CjM5q
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDp3bZR5OmN
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9luGFcJzh
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbQ4VmECua
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcvPQ53zIU
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOKtJB5v2K
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQccxqHAod3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Vv7OCLbAp
***633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnbYqizalx
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X76Ip6Smt
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpuWR0Nwgkz
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPicHd8jt8j
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29Q28dVplL
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqzWplfd00
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRZSL5upwZ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkrC1X1lpy
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTjOw4A57J
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GL7ARNLSV
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZh0LUnjcZ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5MWAirIkb
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeuwEXHm5F
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk8dFlX9V2
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZNQqR9mDJ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mWSRQ9ji0
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6vK3TN9cJ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ167AzZi7JU
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLGQsFYuDf
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjlLejiKZA
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndvBanWapT
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJw19MriGQ
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNufqLmmAus
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZvE3B2t5G
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqP0qwWOig
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3NsVo1fuh
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDrOpJ689T
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM0h8NQBSv
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799Ozl9fAv
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mFQtkRQsl
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTwZ5ygyLi
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5q2vraQeF
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdGUy0sTYL
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmofZLJftJe
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzRrKDAM9p
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWewgTuzVnS
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIY5fFzOna
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4igBoCWxti
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0g7UBbOr
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7N9g7cxvX
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHTP8CVPEB
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqgZEfO123
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBadTg9Lkn
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlTnOBjE4u
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ABt0JHwbj
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZinfE1hPA
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVE4Q7q1dj
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELwWwertIy
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvVoJPuXOu
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qNubBMkqo
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnqbXeTAsA
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH1bgNaoO9
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAcq2ceNwx
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCobe8keLMS
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvJF9SzBnm
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhnyAa4HHM
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TrIjBWebM
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuncWS8GKZl
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WjpcxpnoF
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80WugFTuZB
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1yDhjSsBa
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW3s1zTK9A
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPICnNLQFt
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIbKkAgGYn
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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHR0IaQ0tD
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId5WcIz1kn
"Do you think she's killed before?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyg5R63DEub
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia36zIfgMq
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS4RvZweuW
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqq2lJjU2d
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgGoKMsKNc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkVvqALjch
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXTYxlZHlx
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPL6q9ToU1G
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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVWXyDpTzv
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczxY8dijfo
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfrRNz7D00
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtkYSUSrBQ
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpFNBBCw2u
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dcMtwitNC
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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75VmLaNCEK
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyVIr0Pcrf
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvnLWx22mC
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AGMIM1Vjc
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKpKrOThAG8
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUvjSj9EuU
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuy39o19yN
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ej6FUMuex
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERH86SKxv1
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lAV1cGJVu
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLFIhVOKHO
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7eEwG13RS
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV66acwQIs3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMHrRv2mFc
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQCTFsEw25
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLayXIQ9oa
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC1xjWCyzk
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5JEsloCow
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2aQKoTJg4G
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzlzc6Vhcn
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuH71mqPLZ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGbFKz0JyQ
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bLaYGsIzU
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXk0Cxh1AIT
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3td8S8hrnC
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYEmSf8JLD
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5peNPsZqd
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlezT84MiD
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLgTE8NTMy
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Sjqb2uxQe
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRq8KbG7dh
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWyLV9s2BG
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtxQRGj9Ig
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPO4NzEbcfJ
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY93syPM0fl
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SGm1wN1Lm
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMpFyjXtSp
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFBlfl6D1c
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuOfIwBhbY
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcukCnBAfz
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzYkjXlVBF
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERpHc4MyRH
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7G5C7jcqm
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkCYMsyhER
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlu0UIJKa2F
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXSmDgxLb3
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiW1PlOkwD
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy4vRk9KMZ
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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcAo1hrgJO
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB07gVrmZOn
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYhsQI7LaV
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhF3hnFXRCn
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayt6JmeALH
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxbPh1MrVr
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByNDTEbmmL
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ559PQRErsu
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXdJzddbPn
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3svj6s19m
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoc4K76xMz
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwNGdnAOum
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilo6xhxzE2
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6o9NmGCNJ
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUBObCIkZN
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cfOqIFBtO
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWfu87i8GR
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtLnbC6uOV
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59ozUnPSNO
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB7sVmiOel
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeGqGAARZs
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UHsnp9vWv
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncyXeLP2gf
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdaiFgLp76
"We will," said Kevin.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizIMipgIkx
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHT7WnwUA3
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjL5ZHsKSeE
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaX1cdaPOJa
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2wxesqyWy
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7QXo9vKpF
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4177sDbYX
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tQ8nfNNj8
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5gEP8zFCC
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGOQ41vCYg
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhzTxq7Afe
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFp4GvnZvMB
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:633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jhc6WTCl3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Oyr6lRZBP
"Rhénee, wait!"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qjzwkw4vi
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUoY68Xcps
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfgkpZLv1w
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSnAee9vPA
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvU4iCgwrLk
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51xm6yy5Ff
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPjYe0cQ5u
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAVRY7tUe8
"I'm tired."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMbvsvjUG2
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRcx7YZLMC
"Really? I don't think that's it."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdXNLIrvTJ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMj8K4fAeFT
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE80iwS8Ru
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8GkCg9TR2
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBa5Brnx9wp
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgempLrNqYk
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9eljC0H9V
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfwNPFKZkf
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDJNWDSoAs
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUegOMuUYKY
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1BdpfXNv7
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr8xJS3zDv
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPcMvUr54p
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wRzLCZ7CA
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSrhujB89e
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXtZEQ9OpF
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreXKag5ukQ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zDYr2miwS
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvbEZP3bAV
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGAugEQUBs
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFxbm9CEoK
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkJorMdXuv
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f4vURr3yf
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc5nX7BkLx
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwr2u2BlG1
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA139LcwfM
"Good. Let's go."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUan6bLuQc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcMgl8etev
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrpfoJ10ef
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYtVFHdI2v
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPwFo4N4GY
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEqMMjbbJL
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq55KYFfJys
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqpad3Gvsu
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvZl5yhWYC
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZxqaMGLiX
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5FoQlavhI
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEaIzfGGoI
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3uZyCWoYQ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfqyl9MuQ4
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoYA6a7feX
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZdup0pRJN
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrA3Unhs66O
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9uv0ozTfy
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T9rGEVEj8
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgZstkBsS7
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40XICtmp5E
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm739KOcM4x
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWAOZPIgzz
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gbPD2Qygp
"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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7i0qviQmG
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtGkr90Rsq
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMj1xTmrOc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjCSZTxOqm
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF2al25yEP
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wGztSwTGX
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRj54Leukk0
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKs5NgNVR6
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKzuzS3FU1
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LN3rnqBYV
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nkr897POz
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsGiou7Y3b
"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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpYjzp71ZW
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuyXOaVHA9
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9L24qVY4eO
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdaeK3mcvT
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqi7bQ2Y9L
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yHY5FkJf6
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55vDHghN72
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUxtLpX4cr
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0GdiqVUii
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W7oVGnPrs
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTurQ7jO3hE
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmeUpBlKn4
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gqN7EbneK
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRIdn9M92U
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mCibbbyCc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8Ec5ozHgf
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEwaq0RIqy
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ByXtoYM7i
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2vAHDMReQ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sXZb3sH2X
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSVlQpCFix
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAno0BfMC6
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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQH7o1Kb22
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblQJP2RVGJ
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQWZ48oc9Z
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRSlEh2ByK
"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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj966RGS8Y3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiEMjQV8rW
"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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuMQuqoV49
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1cq9gecD5
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:633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWOXq5jTQj
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqoqWjpdeo
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbKzTASD1W
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WgOwMuxNO
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMExnpXCyM
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFGKAtTElA
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8inLEDdM4v
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVIDDsLAx6
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡep5FU3nIFD
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CA50O4ljf
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkHuptnb9c
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ht1KCBv3s
***633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dyMAPaTP0
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVS1qlbLQNH
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrwzZBmNwK
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnZQCoMJC9
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIrCBwpIXY
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcei4jQIdZ4
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriPZKXCiQa
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tADbji9yM
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiAIndU1rk
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgDgomgxXz
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFYY7zD90W
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6LT9RmmqA
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7OcqpDExl
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzvrppL6JB
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlCSFAXCJk
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhPFFtWtS7
"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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSi5C5Tefi
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmaXVYTujB
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UXZeyISw3
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p2PSzuwB8
"Really?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGPAQ1AWe0
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLD5l8Xtxrs
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXziNk71tc
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AFEHU5sgu
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGSZnCIk0q
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwugS6NmXZD
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnn1Is0WnIJ
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WyX2Kz8dX
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC8gpatk0l
633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKxHQ7LWeG
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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyNREb7uft
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDIiC45XUK
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtqQW0Irzx
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1aY68Ap48
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhsWEIY7ds
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJQMmcRGUA
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhahbEXIHkd
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptH58VhAhx
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ELtzYjTUs
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ4Nb19hHR
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZQWfLW9q9
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCyTSlgAJSL
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWBCNUeW7V
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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?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8YL3KgQoW
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7RVDPS58f
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKymB23W5NA
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8uxPsWBHf
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXH5gKqqEF
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnoScfKfNa
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJRmpHV6Dq
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCzZp9xm5Q
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAg01yrRRdq
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFJK3Q4txO
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTeKetX4Ds
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASYkUW7ZuW
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTLlBqirOz
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSBWLjO3Ou
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvGM6GFlQd
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcrMLyqC66
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPER0XF7KB8
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2Vhc1sJbu
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinvetngFqU
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2G9GvfEfx
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBNaS1lCEV
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"Oh..., nothing really."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fMl1u93Pk
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFy63Yv0kB
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiivede8hEL
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOA7rynTkB
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM5PPm3ihzr
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGV8RdAyln
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ep3FXMUnw
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEwYc8vtOe
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr8xtRLFy5
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8FFMqdnmz
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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."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyv4shKQ0i
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpcHRXuwtS
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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? 633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cVcaaUmNK
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgLEWsKZAQ
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1VIC6rxWa
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA6KeK6Pic
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYm7BQYBGE
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3nGB85QKo
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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.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZvIL7VeHp
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.633Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FHcoM7s9M
