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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMOkWRr4X7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOyf0gNHE3
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbAi75bMpe
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMYUYE7Yai
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUTe67KDfh
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM85QnbZcq9
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4FUEt0PRe
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraFqYsEnrK
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rZBYPA9NH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeTy5naKAv
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLexSN31jd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoY0nkOwFtF
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JAG2x9Z2j
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Go7jYn0Cq
"What kind of trouble?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1anz8ibHd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VSmcUG6ex
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXlj4LyPox
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uqBnjvdgh
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxO8Fj6Wux9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGALib2RHG
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZRwIGvewu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP81G57xDMH
"That's good. She needs to rest."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIvfDlxcDs
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPghuZZVEQ
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVR9SdqBXN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCHppWG986
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6p9gXoPcD6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGtjk4NKBu
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG9Jt9u94s
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTN3z4lC9m
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqPel5DPHH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXRnCREzJJ
"Ya, sure."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOQ6LRH1u0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblTKoDcMRH
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOHLdnKIRy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2M8fPyiBy
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFFHXwD3rw
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxvCu9FF0I
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6Ubeo1el3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXma25uq1A
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSPz2x3Zck
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbD0J5BZMs
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnstVeaS82
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMORZWfwr1
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK0HfkeT1y
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YIPBUx69j
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIBJdWT5ct
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBlmbIRjUa
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQH8S32rFW
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRe7Rwd3XS
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDF2SuRx3e
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qUP2I2wrI
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S3mStkY2i
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JvD6KxqoJ
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgtEsJ6Zg1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvQfwyKXCG
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrNqlSpZvf
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwpka9Emcl
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMp2BGiCwK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T0AhseQjj
"What did you say?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQP5FTrRdqv
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4NwIbK8F0
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHFIqs5cob
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPffU9FKtt
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKC8NWWuDi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqa8ntEq3s
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVtJi6w6ZM
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1HWsjik2V
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLX0oQ32Uy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvQDlV1NEa
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr57EZfzJGN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVJrfbV3Fs
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHN3ciLYzqk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy55PGvHGQY
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWOjuugbE6
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM1wLZmq2u
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCQwwmp31A
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhidDrnEKpj
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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBGmKb6OMx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhRdDnfWgJ
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYAzBGJx7J
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mcyfqQ8j9
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTONvwSj3Gz
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVh8xGLMk45
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEOR5BC1CZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYjoBPrSMW
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2064KEcbC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczvWo8mqKm
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmUS0KKnBC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wOFy54ZTN
***582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6UiR6r3EN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bGmNVMogV
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJFHm86Khn
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O2KfpjCTW
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0Fu2VevrU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKFgfbWOBX
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9fClnT2Rm
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmRc1IK2yL
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBWGfDsC8h
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tDFKZ2cGA
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjUPkz4yhG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9HRANFVPQ
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGsNcvgRjO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6oMr4a9u9
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxSevUkzM9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0egcr7OgM
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7R3DukhwK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBAVNbKQzO
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9zdN4wm6b
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6GNHluUiQ
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTZnB5Ui02
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OeJeo2lYL
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIghPHwYAQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxV5zGVGT2g
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUKF5UrrIj
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3KVvR1hSUR
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWon4bOFQU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uly480DLj
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU75NQ1Li5L
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6tn5SZKQt
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIBPL5rc2a
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94nWKBsq6Q
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ESsDygggy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wP4dvm868
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLoZpc2uxJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVEMvCKF7o
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovSDpFgCgE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3G2q03XSk
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlgcnjsxVD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VODsAwpOw
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8O8lZFfId
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18BL9MXDIw
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsw7PkT6bTc
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gTrwiJHwT
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2lALjBoE7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyAalJXEZe
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDPhCWrRmd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrbdzTeYTY
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafbyIHcM4g
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwl9x3zca5m
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzHtEdZbtp
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSxRJbfjeR
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeo9vsPNFeD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYPQYh5WYa
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbnCstOdGS
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0uJh7JOLW
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQtw7eF5R0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfq7D8ckTV
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrlbb2PgaD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp6CyhHMde
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORbBYBDv7K
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwezB3jQ1fh
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2GoGC19z2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYOuYqGwuV
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7L59ncx8A
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPObeYw3EO
"Do you think she's killed before?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqDgzl7tVj
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RyFUXDYtt
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1D4St47cK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr5TXLdADw
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfzoI4VJ5v
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqMYf8xmXQ
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOh6Quaun1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1moMy3Z05
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbxh21Y1pl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o3RPe5ljN
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVzxTFcvtc
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hGNOB9Fc8
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yAX7K9Usd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w0IdAzBYN
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVaPsafQGyl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpdaBtD3TD
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYVJRNZ1ri
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tBk8yZzL5
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzZpSLKI3u
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUOjnYUqF4
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYaYhNZTfG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhmouTpDgZ
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNAoADyDK1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aRasA99Zk
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF0KBY2Pax
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYjcSXhKrC
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwMJSI4W9o
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbz8L4FXVb
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLysrj0PRyt
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFtvSqRxF9
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡML3hYfqgH2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfzdpH8hqN
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dVGrBbWEG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa6E2DrWLa
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Do43NKwxE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAEYktkgpT
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVPhsGrjHI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVYJLBa9Z0
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8yA8Ru8yG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1mrz6YWbG
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoE0iKD783
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd4Txwhd1e
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oQy8aaAi1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eqDToFcVS
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQab2vr6Bs
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdli7wib0t
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYoAvqdKbT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHU1isoD09
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE2qsVdSST
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD0a167qRG
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCotWsYded
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQR8dlw7h3
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp61zIApvYl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWwBuhy44c
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRm6xe6pWE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktXdysq6Om
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cOetYWjMG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT1xMfGITo
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfs34YkZBJy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOIDym366W
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkD4t7egiC
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k6YyICS4S
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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nnLHQ1uvV
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm3Kdzjqb9
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKBXysJcgN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76mDdETIz6
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPE2vWKUBL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fRu7PhP0m
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4ZCwYuHud
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWXfHuvcfl
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLXT5mw6Gd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMoacYBwes
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UFeHP3JUo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleisae2ahP
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLsrEZNdXY
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKSwqrvdd3
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX4Etg3nHe
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3wQnL3AvO
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldFUB4KFgo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvAXiOw7el
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnOC8cY1gX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMIePFAazF
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlHZoA8wDl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ22ByBb20d
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSDWByQA5e
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxor4llD7F
"We will," said Kevin.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bVdivpK0V
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHMVz3OtSq
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucmKWG0CRk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKbXEqpFkU
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHr2OKRlA0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwGCXtfbu8
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IYsvkjfv8
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpcAOrF78X
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsCWFcDp6f
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN2kiRuP1t
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlJCEcs3Zo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgceNwQU6X
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:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceaNLcbnYN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavb9MUX9Yl
"Rhénee, wait!"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVd75Jpft0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7Eos4D4Op
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbvYRTjI5N
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDSXFPf82A
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIJ1F8csAa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkTU865R4R
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWBVWQTr5g
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWs7GUE0Dr
"I'm tired."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVOyIO5z3Z
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyk3uo9JXH
"Really? I don't think that's it."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6yZnvS0VA
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qFe13Lq5F
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg25ipubod0
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpOx3LwrAm
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzjR0TRu6r
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM4WcDqWH4
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqHLEYbied
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmXFeVR9ix
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX5YfLmb2x
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd41HIWnNOu
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYS2gSnBqt9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8YEtgz0LD
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThRZ463dOv
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaL3vwRlMZ
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpINJekUxit
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznAiqr7p2Z
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0UM8T9HQo
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ktQDdDfGc
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AGqrMrEfL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GOzObklEY
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡludIOVQ3cJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTd0OO8H53
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NLGVv5kob
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOeno6rSKO
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37vS1PzK3y
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7kDmbSLMk
"Good. Let's go."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaTFRdczUP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpRk76id21
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmsZDs5CRR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBXLRJLiM9
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiQt7slMMl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb15IiA14oV
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFkiOShHpx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MK4sVxfpR
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSZ9cQQ1cb
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0uJNAdhTP
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYENeIQOhl
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScNRQclA4p
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmhJ0QbdeH
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zxcfM7EBK
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyo98qK7kT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZLejNwWOx
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ88MTW7XuH3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtjpf8KIZy
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUaU8TATyr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPcFi1H8aQ
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMXSu7mSCJ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa7uWT4TyV
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXdqwI6YPz
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhlAXIiQKfJ
"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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOHl6wsb3U
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtC902b9MJO
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTafheTAByE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaZs8nmNXk
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7S24K1e0qW
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aRJpWOVj0
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTDetSL0Oy
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4jPTOv96g
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUvak4I6M5
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbklMjjKqO9
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkhLJRUcI9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgZsro6IIH
"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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1pd31E00m
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIHnG88Vmu
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvUnSHWcQk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nIQDh42pA
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSDaBGrkCx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvAD8LbkAs
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d15TVY9mP
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLmeBgJGMx
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdIl0n8IPQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbbOupqdPt
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr6Vbbf6Dg
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBondmnzvEi
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOCEk7yu4G
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGCiU9dCkS
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMM7bc8ccn
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSmz9a80i6
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG7bvwmMy7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIid4SyTSO2
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPuvryZpKz
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFFdRgz1yC
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQmTOn4Qxr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6DDhCJ4E5
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlllnaWBqWQ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpjbEUQRsf
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jiQs4TcAK
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqyBFyyFtO
"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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclfdGXrO04
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYS8CvmP4Y
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GgsvB4B7a
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2xPqf8Ggg
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:582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡks2adr9a1l
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RJg5QdLJM
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSWD5lD98v
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXFnMISPBr
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ26olFDOD1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxys05kZ34
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOwEMmk2lu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiC6gKR7JV
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkyBEFPFUI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArvUl5DoO8
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOrCAZmLMx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0h85vuDp7
***582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiU96KxwN1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWia8QUAPfw
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe5qMQqykX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJXKPXOF5f
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMoiXEY34C
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ719XuXJdqd
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNJjAsWxiz
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqabMehf5hc
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvhdP28G2E
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKonhQsMig
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuou9tcjjq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NJYIJVMOh
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSGvXOCHt3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m8bHiH813
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYSzkaoTa3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiCzEuRDqD
"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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrC21ZeWHiG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iHZyg4hlN
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHed4Ek3hLL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFURgKZMs5I
"Really?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSTFqs7ekN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xCMSiFMwd
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVz3cLBzXkh
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygl0flmfkz
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm8HrdOuM3
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJqrYyw4ap
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVLgv4pfLT
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYWYGk7cTM
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU7cPzxXH7
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhJDnYFzrK
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg6pMVufbD
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfF1gignZH
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvgfn7EstO
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdEn5IjMhZ
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmKsq6C81s
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH7uUAnCc0
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMj9HlXQes
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkILYRhJgo7
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2k3KXSEHiL
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwxrSb0hkS
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQkkELqE5E
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHg9zziyHP
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfdYpzxDVp
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7HjyjmcMT
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AOPRG7ZRi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqBjNG4rZY
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExZChmZMwU
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK323rRr61C
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOZZRV36re
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCUZJbCPez
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl4NOXwydX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMF6ZtMI3h
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfioaHOuigu
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi96Z4eiTp
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODyqbNxTar
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1id560BCP
"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?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vSKIKSetX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gloiYdYWK
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRL2APmE9sd
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjofz3Y7jd
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwksc5j7UjE
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse4WsG1lKE
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7wtqqwKNS
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOityPRYFm
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4pGwQnKNI
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuONcj7whU
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL6qCwXIr9
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfil07d58d
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe3H9FqEvG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWi12CvsqZy
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXtIqA6tUG
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF438yglsq2
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysHlsT9Cdk
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFOdVZFWPV
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi53FZmJWFg
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8qaTZXkUS
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaohf65WRf4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQhskhu2Y5
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mNCTsy1fw
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy4NIN1rJRL
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJhqDhBwa
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGnjJudKx7
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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkXReJaAkZ
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa2oPChcm1
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyGupFVNXm
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsZP9HjAC2
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sCiHWwhvq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEwCozoqY1
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXJzPYzbFr
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJMWh4BNnv
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWPbcYljhX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8jHVTowiw
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQSEQnV5bx
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CXlD7aFJB
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIgFpPN9gi
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbxHmlSEmC
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q6c9hOf8q
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanj6msgAcf
"Oh..., nothing really."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1uZpTevju
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwP5ZTtfha
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnrvk7Mz7P
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyhgqdx10j
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyMtyF2ef2
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlZ2GnEm4w
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAbQ33GJKq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknHxDLXarB
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3nui1Pk1P
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktGtSXZpfP
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCvAPnvNor
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd1fK5bPrl
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKi6j7vamg
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNTQlzd5Ip
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuir67Pz7b4
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDxUfh4KJT
"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."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VHI5ATpEm
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5sVbuKAhy
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX44ojCGxBX
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wpddZLq3H
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO91T3gZ3G1
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6rZYb7pSH
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5L4G4v5WLR
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcj1kNpUfa
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? 582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaa6SsVkpN
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf73NWpYMFh
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEiuf9H19w
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrEGklwc3y
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnAbecBkZf
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAB1MrSPvA
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3lTmPojru
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmMmlkEKrB
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYXrjpNwYj
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xUWlOBMSr
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VpOG23woq
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytlPIh6lLL
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.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE0HeYTSoW
582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZMrrmIjd2
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.582Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpo57js0wG
