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“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B3aTu4AMp
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He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6WukoXm9m
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He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyku4ew3cP8
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Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24HaxvUzyJ
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“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aZcuTMlOL
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“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNUPAjVfHh
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She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjKmi3MRHd
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“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vQ0VtrAwy
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“As you can see, I’m fine.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR3JBBqEik
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Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIvNeuG5Ys
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo678lqRZTv
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“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vYSNyXggt
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Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcdROGEPeY
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“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHElCrtVGlC
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“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME8p7qVHcw
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“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn867OKYRUk
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“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfUDN1tuUe
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6QvQqNlNF
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“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRv7P51ZY8
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“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSqLZjQy8A
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“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFcB5VohOo
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Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeojSVeD6sb
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“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA9y4G0tMo
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“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhcwFK7zVL
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“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ruhakeUus
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Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHiWwXxXDv
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“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfXpIGaMHz
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“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpGUw7ZtXk
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“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhludeBKTe
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Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgzhcFKrno
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“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ2jt5KTsz
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“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BC2xV0iqs
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"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXviMpZxf2
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"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ1qdXMX6g
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His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpD8gIgj82
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"I think you already know the answer."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTLhkx8Zjy
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"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2azE9DoNR
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"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDbU6BlFhH
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Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKIHppIZEV
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"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmTuOdYqXZ
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"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLOvx7W7ms
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Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXVGbBjagR
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"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfextUCbrU
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Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuygmFQi2ID
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Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMC1WJlMPhn
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Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvJYLO6Bkg
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"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GBMdNR86e
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Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoVFcKRpjx
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"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtcNRRyplc
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Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfkcRFtKL6
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Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLItEMoBEX
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“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1PtLbcwtC
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“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5MzhnHPk4
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Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJeamfFHocP
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“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfsUfGXQcp
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Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8FQa6Yx8u
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Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGETlrbDHem
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“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyPCS8Aau2
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Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YWVutApXM
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“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFajEabcMA
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“What is it?” she asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdmUVmWwUQ
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“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aSEsI8Tlp
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“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBAZ4Bhb8d
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Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZmGqaEWWR
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When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWapfDW8cQ
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"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrCWMJI8dK
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Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1kw8hRoUH
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Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Ir75B2p6
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"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOetGCsyHH
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Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmezX7zmAs
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The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5AaH5PjDV
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"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA3nfIAyt3
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"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsruXIkuh09
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"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlALdg358V
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"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzuISkBLt
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"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4s47DMTncO
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"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOScVsUCuGU
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Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwHQIMEaQZ
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"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjCU25alDh
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"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVum2LLcvML
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"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3Iqfxc8kE
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He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BmX2dDeaP
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"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1o7ZFansu
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"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Fhd4t9qgH
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Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7tzJ7WE7T
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"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwncMFIsqN
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"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogoydPw9Ua
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Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5Vw2DkXf6
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He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSoZyO8DImb
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"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu7jK4BaMF
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"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYd5dcJ7df
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"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeumChH1n3
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Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIK2uPva45
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Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQCBPf7ZKR
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“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiiwdI2kAF
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Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNDUfykpMi
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“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyC6KR005Z
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“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw4iCvYH80
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Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWHaTd4Gk4
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They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK302XxudZ
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Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXUnYpW0Vr
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“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20ESgDS83L
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Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyBQWxtMHn
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They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJSshTHAnf
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“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1z3GA5YJY
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“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7dgdSv92H
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“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmX1cdCRYf
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“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJAzV5igJq
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“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qAjWRSqzr
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Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4U4Z7FUYO
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He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdr1RMtYvJ
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"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZyZY4tB3y
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"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM6cfY5G1Z
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"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwckJLIg6se
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"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveev1NPdhh
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"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuyAu1AYV8
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With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX8v2jVcM1
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How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjICy2yRe8t
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Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIx5vQbydG
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"Kevin, help!" she called to him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ434CnkbyZv
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Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWg8pNJQbC8
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"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyYawhZJvJ
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Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf51qtVUWJ
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"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpI53cJ7yE
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Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnVx1klmVi
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The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbHO2mGK0w
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“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tIXqqNV2c
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Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg14E11eONK
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“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGsoBGcGx4
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“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h7UBxgTAM
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“Where did you learn to do that?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd0bW1Zpav
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“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49OVJ69T8X
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Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjACHosYv4
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“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqM9361VJdE
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“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6C03Doe3s
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“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3qupqkADr
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“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGiUWJGN4f
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“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQjJhcBeio
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“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvEN94q5hb
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“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT37cNup8O
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Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXz5n7Fl26I
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She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2jySjIn7G
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Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2hTmvT8k5
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Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGyGXZlnQ6
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She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIhjqaIu3z
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“What’s that?” Kevin asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMAMDS15M3
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“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHwZid19OD
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“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ5X8rcrn5
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“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8FQjzE9SS
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“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfeP66GVL6
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“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKg88F4eWP
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Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMbhzxOQUV
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Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidN7BwiUZd
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Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjzTAioKj6
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There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvHgrulQYX
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A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxQktHtuxG
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Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUJYXY6bxx
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"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysP0dd3evR
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She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5CTbkg6Gq
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“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjnmAN0yj1
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She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwgY9Zu0Vc
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"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMS0ExerHm
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In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewaRAQYxYP
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"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB7HTEH80d
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"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm9sqlRm3O
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"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEe1VEhTO4Q
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Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu5fe33ZxE
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"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXdllATFH5
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"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIetYwFG1HJ
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Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fBLDTezHs
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Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0mCwXQPAu
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Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6uPh3g2Wa
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"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLbIUlEqz6b
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The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGK78O4OSa
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"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh2Kk3zYSc
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"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBaPyG2U3n
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Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlZhQEdza7
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"You're right."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLrnu0CC5H
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The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcPtwvgzaC
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He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOseVLJC3N
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The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnBvim8r1l
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Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8zZfIP1Wu
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“Kevin, did you find it?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKcvXZZMqj
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Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3jxeo9pMV
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Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxWoVf4dMm
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“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnHpUL8wJJ
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Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWEUf5w1bF
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“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs4mc9Orym
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“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZST057OvBo
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“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxjLgGVHxa
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Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwJ7tPgAUl
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“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihQKqGZ2ip
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“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm0BLbTwxT
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“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw1N8Ujik7
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Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xjzrHghdv
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“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWOvuEwEZA
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"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCOSFHsm8S
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"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMUGpXyF7G
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"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpkBw7QAdP
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"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeObhHFQ4a
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"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VmgGmzdIg
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"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCKio9k18W
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"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWnx2DgBBn
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Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCvlkt7T9p
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"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejf5YzniLW
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"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8C4gWjXEj
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"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz476nlDxH
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"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLHkAGu7bL
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Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKwB5ihPD7
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"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLihvAYL9z8
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"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGPgbV7EiU
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Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhigTkZX8U
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"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKbtZQ6Bjr0
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"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKKoFnHWkL
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"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGaDC84105
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"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsEKgJuMC3
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"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4n8qyC9y5d
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"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAA5yaQp7P3
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“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrInQxp6OiN
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“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvlH1MOyOa
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Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2auBNJWyQf
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“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdn9K2RB9i
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“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciTwak8YAu
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“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2EyB3g0Cf
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Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNj9f61Ct7n
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“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ6WvUNzkV
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“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPvPNMzwUd
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“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXywh4fRr2
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“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojUDOwxkd4
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“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwELA4DNFA7
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“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtDFz2dnIp
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Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38mJP3FxiK
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They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU72ys46eLC
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“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YPpXJko9k
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“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5ay2uOn7W
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“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHILPa0uwz
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“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVV3YdJJOSl
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“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3myN6Nldto
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“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHCDzgJ6qg
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“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”401Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFYuUGmURH
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“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”8964 copyright protection397ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhESBSq3nl 維尼

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