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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwlqfAqsqb
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlo0tHP6FN
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnZDbDZL6D
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzt0YC9K5R
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7IByrRSii
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjsqWB7gAH
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8HJ1NuSVG
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3rD8LcDcx
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4ZHzGCurK
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEloLSFXqGQ
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtMoWA3p8X
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo1VQTLYGH
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6tDvo9j8e
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxURM5dirop
"What kind of trouble?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqJe8yVUm5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH57lVfF3Bi
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpq1IRiuOl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0ZDTvvvf4
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9nBLDsFDL
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKLsTov8tY
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlsZ32WBCJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m98xpklHw
"That's good. She needs to rest."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡia90oWQPy5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1g3nfLoFF
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6nwCewUOr
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DYO4UsyWn
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38wYwKjTTi
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlko7aj3d87
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7hjFMj306
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsrm3u2ZbG
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdcNMODCOe
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zh4vaqU8g
"Ya, sure."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wi7C1eGOP
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Eh9Hsz0y9
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6kS35o4xc
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIRzcrLv4w
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsub10j15hx
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLsRM0V5nR
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJGCojZJFv
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmmebvVjkk
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvjJU2KDIL
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRrXWzrdAy
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnp2oRm0Kle
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKajeaMB0b
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbFqEpIEbW
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREXZ06DpdY
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjovRufgSp
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZdbh7xVn
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ546WJVbuX6
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZL1mgq82A
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PUixMlFQ8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgu2RmZAFL
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehvSrKpZ6V
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygRhlwNa8F
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5QFKLnGcW
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL24eIu9y6C
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sDnsb6itO
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltywzKxR2Q
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsa4fgctEk
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcdsQspig1
"What did you say?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoZ3Ob6aUk
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26s7gEnsbS
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYkij4kXct
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOoUGyuKRA
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KKu4jn4K1
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI3DGqUZyd
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04sobQ4OKz
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VV6fCT8nT
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx8JO5DCCu
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2cKy1ZTGz
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSfmUGnEWq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdM0s2eVPW
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCplyjJgD8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYwWv3JSCu
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5toiyRi7u5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgJnA7knbb
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHPQHABQkb
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt8X8HVSlH
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiP84okKKM
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCSmkz5xIa
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpE6ZZzwIi3
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ryRicE4Lt
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1YbX1TNOG
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJemmxj3Cc
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi3ub2pqr2
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8Kg6hqhph
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwT7VekroX
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUHV7LyZLh
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfn11Im86Ma
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAxGRYRjqXv
***670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qr9RBxDVQ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrQZTjaW4X
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0m0rBnxX4B
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GRa9IBt7v
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SByna4Gd8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuypG6DP3H
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MnPctIYMQ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWptFvhMvcN
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgOwTBeibH
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPuVdKMyE1c
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1qF55HyiU
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss4MIMQqht
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OdVskpg74
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyHVlNO85T
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ttMEtt2u6
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFWsSz9giZ
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62GkhaPHs7
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAQKYWgG0e
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaub0WU4Tfm
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdVlcMgECk
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aXSMJ7r6N
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhmqMS7dyB
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavVI0lyWUL
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWj8WVCvCC3
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMZSuwYu3x
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvQmanI1ey
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGceppfi8y5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMBIanKq9x
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtapFPh2Ysi
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdFjiM0Puni
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDF2w9wZz6
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQj2gQ0xlu
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMCJIhd05s
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTBHsc605O
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDb10nIUUi
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWXWTm3DMh
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSncxDLAec
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLSTORQXcN
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXLtlSmBLs
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozXVrHlUzB
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3SU4oKEGq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvRHJCQdBu
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfQOhFuop9
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnOzxLGA8E
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaiddCmfLI
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxXVQ45amn
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6g03DoR1v
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRaff7Flw06
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuW1bnFyvMw
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZYLvfC0Ab
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1ecsOq7BI
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5ztOZwcjz
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AJlnfVLUq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fwYMSfiGw
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5gITvHyvR
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XuDVKDv2c
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPxAbkUbJj
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZbCp3AMt6
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH3XbktRED
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCzT648tJs
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWeVPaZtNq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuj6OjWDZy
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4NKPIzJ7l
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65w7MUXSom
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhjXy9vQ3T
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhq6kCZTQqg
"Do you think she's killed before?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKSbUO9a34
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDMJWaaOLO
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjvv4jKOF7
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR9o7RtVaN
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdGAOdHD5I
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5soW55kfbj
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRofOAEeKS
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPCRCLo7Ab
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4hupt0vol
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpU3foJxNJ
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUi6dongMm
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV2LUwboo2
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTwZQc5O5D
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJcrawTdPW
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4he7Wht8qU
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScaDpmPW04
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkknclyqMzx
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrNWrPb9lj
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy46fDQmkpJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdPhKs242e
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJHZGpjzfM
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawemLi2QOJ
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTeKH5Ou8K
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfxwQ3UOZZ
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxYyrxRFk2
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHqLxjbsgC
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3gcDaC2nS
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOHBRZ23f5
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRyYoou1tYk
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSyDyrLUuu
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3MiObHAYN
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZzRwI9fXY
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2MtvxMqNU
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZg6BifYIY
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZpGWZCwXI
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOwvM606Nb
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPPJoidoV5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALghqs5tYs
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzrEVx89UQ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjaBc6e8sw
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjVGCNdkqe
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHchIF7pMR
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbITUuLX16
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vbnlg9Soq
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVMbUk0d9r
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ1ETFekr2
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO55MJjXgx
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb36ukc5p2Z
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvnmOtmMYU
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBUN8LPIA9
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxNrYk3WIJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTN3UUpLDq
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KiNjvtBJR
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzguuPmVOeS
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgd2Fi27ps
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrngYSsO9lR
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IbrDIA14Y
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1MqQKJCrU
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyie3StCZIt
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgivOMAAVRa
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv6d2mHdAl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ956RwkFOwL
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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEGXPLItLJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6wqX1nTBK
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7OfqsI3fg
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkhBMPXFUv
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3Co7mpQc0
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBSFYHcKnL
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxsxNKjtDF
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlldZmnhLuQ
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5YvxrHx0e
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZlagM669w
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDKLJZxiVl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavJIvagamj
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOBN2nd0hH
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdXeivgg3t
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHsKzAr6LY
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8JVq2UNfJ
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBu8DdSSOQ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcukDj8uuC
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH48x7ggqb
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8E2ZwI4fu
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrccAn82l5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNl5cf1A0K4
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF9DTzuhN2
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVlx3bLZK7
"We will," said Kevin.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjFwvmNzkD
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCA7R03zji
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIukSgIwOl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEBFFvdsPI
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFiI6tJF0Z
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe2apKHHfK
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7i3aMOmyc
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO98V65W8d
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mleRXtpQ1
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAqxdFTPnu
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2srE96jtj8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXCbpRA9eN
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:670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M30nai9Fp
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNJP7uSzGN
"Rhénee, wait!"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagCJDfuT1N
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3GyXZybih
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrQJ0P2Pl8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDC3uJaMGBO
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAFGrWACRu
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrvuJZJvtT
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XCxURAcd5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SLwywLqQ7
"I'm tired."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAzkgZIk2F
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRMGY1dR21
"Really? I don't think that's it."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKvPYS9FoW
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtGSO8NsbB
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUaqHXm35T
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpOl58LOhyH
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNkFr9OZqx
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgpIvr9Pcw
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpj6cFpE4hW
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgHOB4bA9m
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAfjrG4ilq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm0xUowYB1
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtW0FSL9nn
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6lezmZk4y
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSfJSDoYrJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmyo83YUqh
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0z28KUE24
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECLMw7lEtN
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9C0HdaqDm
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr2PcCznDJ
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL2gkfYkhR
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwUXt65nWw
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeErvV9iIl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCI79Dv6Mv
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUGGHZSuLL
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprpLL918Ui
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4BNgPuSLm
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxaL9ePeZN
"Good. Let's go."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor5FMHLWpf
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufPO7bnmy2
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNOhsMfZ4Q
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f9GEptyI4
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY7v2h2kpO
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk9ztKMW3l
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTw6n8RwBPB
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqJNvwYpLA
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssibzNWK2z
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y0llI9mNf
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NoQrATgrs
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhOExYbYZT
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcbYap6Y1b
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lGO6m001l
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxu60hJAuM
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8MpYhfpXn
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZj5AwOFdp
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJH897pFmP
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM5UTq40W9
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeh6eB6SSUo
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNDfZyQoER
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4iDsoMNgb
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHog6aSU2U
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsidlicpcVN
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhYAUGAJD3
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTgtM256LG
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhiMqsyDug
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Kezif0zLc
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g2zi4fT8U
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2aO5BVsju
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1KlLSDrtl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lgCRM0B0x
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxE15Mienu
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DcElDlwxE
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR2hlKwHmF
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvZWhWCJWc
"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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76UIIb6Pou
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNk4wYdTbXV
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurEti4vpVF
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD5IfYiElF
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREPUqGvTHV
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXue3judi6
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWylIG4xObX
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05HXstwGbL
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWn52at4eqO
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4LHYWqhUS
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ESOSU60uw
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqJKlN3Bhp
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVoUypAke5
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bmgd6T7nA
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOUgt6luBy
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfs3RM8f0H
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsEcnWom77
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUWsLzQHAD
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4j7nCxV8L
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZu006khuqq
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E34QDz73K
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8eldiq2mA
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbtu6glEcv
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHV3As3Nu4
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtFuoHVPIi
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFySRcI3hH
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwHahKLltF
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc31xtrIP3r
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldKhdut6vz
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiKjS6Q36v
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:670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwgmMn9TSA
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzaoMKBXrv
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp7eYC7sHn
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34o4wbDOCM
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsYbgCXNmE
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcomcOeXA7n
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwInDOjXpf
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbsxxWFIMH
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh24CjTwWaA
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQKV6AqwP
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JuvCtkYrN
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU32PS1aFEi
***670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZMzKMZjXr
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2xJC0us7r
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDxymPf0kn
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW1IQVSF87
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYdvaZBNBq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhotCkBXfDy
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05iji93Q01
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvnSAfTTAA
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgfHwxjuaM
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvoroqM0m2
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGCOPw1DGc
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXK8K9D2a6
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFp7Kph1cY
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5QiVPABgq
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY7pY7RKH0
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFIlWMFyLz
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcFwpTtMbG
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEm48JFRiR
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdT1makkOw6
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9qRucv7uT
"Really?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg93Cl3mMck
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETJK2pBmSv
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbXqmTwFHq
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFeakWlQLp
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxjGEFAosC
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIHLVEokiO
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3g5GBMXJJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCOvakIL9G
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIeezjshqX
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkg23fGR4eQ
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoy3svPkBCk
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWZTs4BY43
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJKZhHoc2F
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoLbX7i6Td
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ndJvSMXaN
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUUFVHsfPl
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoLOyLGiMm
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIqs71MaKc
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtfJBOkuYJ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsDdOEYeGI
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdWKfKCWLX
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWDhrBsVee
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP7OjL1jSX
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqm2AuZ2cZu
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XLKwUWBtp
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAkhO3ka5M
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mgulZKa5T
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wYPk13VtS
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ0FykT3Rh
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXQTAnUVs5
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXD0O5L8C4
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJNARabV5Y
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TeZebg19E
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWV7OBwvmV7
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7KTXU8Dng
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaDRsruLWB
"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?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCNduf7H8A
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9Hllqq3ZX
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nQBjQ533j
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFl4Sbhu5L
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYbYTd4pLj
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcEBdozPCJ
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FOv071pr8
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JIy2Klt96
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNONewLMdQ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1wJQjEWFj
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RTmA9MtOB
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9Q2LYCSFW
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLD5ZSKB8y
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBoeaCgHVF
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFzgVtxh6A
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tds8I7Z4q
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ507Ej9xIJU
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x598Ge8zG
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gSY92fvrd
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32x9P0uMcL
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzuHJjrai9
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ou0z3v6uY
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1KaAOGDJl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg12aasMrkX
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0eIh5IlvZ
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YLfPRTTrD
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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbPXGvTIZ7
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0SbIHNU5B
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYZy4hBWhL
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8QiVGGT8y
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpEDzfs5bF
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIMYAWwvHa
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzx8J5H8mjd
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYPsqWe7r0
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdUAtcOucf
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSl0onvmBf
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYb89rnRwqO
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniSF83gotU
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKs6sREmy8c
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08QkcWdM7y
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7I1nL1EOT
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFb4JDlmSX
"Oh..., nothing really."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OzRxjIiqu
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bnT6jyMyr
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJrhfDm0IU
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1UV7sEViv
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bObxzHsBs
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HaLZmMn7N
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIBk9EMteY
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LQXyfTL5c
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHUHBJZFum
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto4BazSauG
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRr2uuEpB4
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrsax4Jhj9
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjwq8rjZQU
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhZqmhmxXV
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsbrUpLlKm
"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."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfIBLhLjcl
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzeUKZRxtj
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQnwxrKZ1G
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡST3QfowHR8
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9TmgbXEHs
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM1PsW12Cn
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ9YSQHovw
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlHYevQkF0
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? 670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3liuuFC2I
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVMfwepjkQ
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIaDfAbl5v
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IMJI9KRrC
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2e5ohk9bA
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIU9aoFd4w
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtftotHuIhy
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzO2YW8s1w
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguEBTdN6gW
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4orU1s4Ukp
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOKPJUd5Y9
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5C1Yvg1X4
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.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMktkQbN3k
670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLx2k3sqtx
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.670Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5mbIv4Uh27
