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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAshpe3PNajN
360Please respect copyright.PENANAkZ2CqBVE0l
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.360Please respect copyright.PENANAI3NB2DbYLV
360Please respect copyright.PENANApFw7ODNnmG
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.360Please respect copyright.PENANAINuuJq4QPn
360Please respect copyright.PENANAAFM5DfUSSk
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"360Please respect copyright.PENANA4hVK89NcA9
360Please respect copyright.PENANA3BPwEg8WRE
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.360Please respect copyright.PENANAlwEQhzCpRY
360Please respect copyright.PENANAvCnJDs5XdP
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAuy8wBUmK0R
360Please respect copyright.PENANA1RxnPMIXTg
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."360Please respect copyright.PENANAvzxXRkyFUJ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAb8MQOnB5hz
"What kind of trouble?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAAswL9Nex8Q
360Please respect copyright.PENANANegMI1A496
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAu4UyuWci0n
360Please respect copyright.PENANAgtP2BvKmjN
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.360Please respect copyright.PENANAYYbXMoVSCM
360Please respect copyright.PENANAeTXgQwkrto
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."360Please respect copyright.PENANAUhCXHhxM1i
360Please respect copyright.PENANAfD0blOAFYQ
"That's good. She needs to rest."360Please respect copyright.PENANAXCGZXWdC0N
360Please respect copyright.PENANAC2CPDMGBkP
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAWPQxGNYdso
360Please respect copyright.PENANAaxyFAczznN
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."360Please respect copyright.PENANAzk7Ti7lzIg
360Please respect copyright.PENANAc89WRBVCg7
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAxP5opQrvNt
360Please respect copyright.PENANAyYgrpqFosS
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."360Please respect copyright.PENANAWCBLw6SSrT
360Please respect copyright.PENANARQghDAXdZY
"Ya, sure."360Please respect copyright.PENANANhTZX2TfnU
360Please respect copyright.PENANALiI1jqcz1h
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAfXrIMdekIN
360Please respect copyright.PENANAGO4nWPk83p
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAvhBcfIlFwj
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUsrrzChC8w
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.360Please respect copyright.PENANA7w9Ka0UT9Q
360Please respect copyright.PENANAg58KnwYrot
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANArsX3kHEfK9
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUunzGN0dFu
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAuPrDWbcmRV
360Please respect copyright.PENANAYLfVz0mlfl
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."360Please respect copyright.PENANASMAr9PI1e5
360Please respect copyright.PENANAU8BUrVhEBz
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"360Please respect copyright.PENANALVgrUzjhkF
360Please respect copyright.PENANAFocezEF2w6
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA65HkXYxmaD
360Please respect copyright.PENANAcUasa8jALg
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."360Please respect copyright.PENANAum1AKV0yIL
360Please respect copyright.PENANAqWtw2D88D3
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."360Please respect copyright.PENANAlF1NgGAhYj
360Please respect copyright.PENANAiNbo72aSfI
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."360Please respect copyright.PENANAW5h8K7rEZT
360Please respect copyright.PENANAE9BvWVqEop
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."360Please respect copyright.PENANAlwkk9MZIZV
360Please respect copyright.PENANAdlUKNbPmBR
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.360Please respect copyright.PENANABofk7utO0y
360Please respect copyright.PENANA6KOiopYiFG
"What did you say?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAD9k0r142VA
360Please respect copyright.PENANAETGJ94FSKk
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."360Please respect copyright.PENANAbTah8LkH6C
360Please respect copyright.PENANA2U9ud7CiLE
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."360Please respect copyright.PENANAwJ5vgXMkMT
360Please respect copyright.PENANABVDbPKDJnM
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA2GpnwhL3Ls
360Please respect copyright.PENANA77csHptczZ
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."360Please respect copyright.PENANAkssy31rCWg
360Please respect copyright.PENANAj84QJtscdh
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAIw0PJXEGlp
360Please respect copyright.PENANAOhofTS51Lz
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA0eCmUgEZhz
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXgTGTyBMZh
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAX7ThSCY3d9
360Please respect copyright.PENANAQStg7oG4UZ
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."360Please respect copyright.PENANAqGHIo8zRWn
360Please respect copyright.PENANAoPMH77Hnpq
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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANA2SnAUMmWXm
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHRFm9s0bxi
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.360Please respect copyright.PENANAJjsX5PdzOD
360Please respect copyright.PENANAMQuoaDNrXq
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA1VRJt4whxf
360Please respect copyright.PENANAj7Pygz0zzp
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA5sH8vups20
360Please respect copyright.PENANAt2WU507pX5
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAUHlSZs5asz
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8JgFGnj4ck
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA3EqCw5rOCU
360Please respect copyright.PENANAMLim1VDytH
***360Please respect copyright.PENANA1mdv4Gmkzs
360Please respect copyright.PENANAECiCqwxkwD
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.360Please respect copyright.PENANAKSS9NsuWV1
360Please respect copyright.PENANAOKyhp7CE2V
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.360Please respect copyright.PENANAOvkxFj8Zvv
360Please respect copyright.PENANA7kK2QmPlEm
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.360Please respect copyright.PENANAXYCxfsgGFD
360Please respect copyright.PENANAwcVfjcKKMZ
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAQtWH7yaNH3
360Please respect copyright.PENANAx7Aczt0eEH
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.360Please respect copyright.PENANAX7K0Py50rt
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHxyADqwBAs
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAJp8bU4ZHde
360Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0PEqrdkmH
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAMYgIfLuRA5
360Please respect copyright.PENANAmhV8wYdQiw
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAsu8LcYNnym
360Please respect copyright.PENANAh6Qo8mDnB6
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.360Please respect copyright.PENANAv8Ye1nGSuR
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJHPBGd0j78
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."360Please respect copyright.PENANAkQ1xyh6MWT
360Please respect copyright.PENANAihe3sZP7qx
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAMtjDcAsxPq
360Please respect copyright.PENANAtajXlADiyN
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."360Please respect copyright.PENANAFZYyKAaanw
360Please respect copyright.PENANAxofN1WsR7X
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAyyY6HQPapx
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0QaUqmHUGU
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAeirIoEQJJn
360Please respect copyright.PENANA2OKLI8I0Ao
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAmvu0npne8G
360Please respect copyright.PENANAtUYT9lDvds
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.360Please respect copyright.PENANArHbdGVJ48P
360Please respect copyright.PENANAQdlTTqHtaZ
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."360Please respect copyright.PENANADd2fIK2WNs
360Please respect copyright.PENANAc2PUUbu4K9
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.360Please respect copyright.PENANAUKpeLfE0ft
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEqvEtePgnS
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAtWT1HZWhoy
360Please respect copyright.PENANApN5gCzP2Nk
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAxD9YYgFfa2
360Please respect copyright.PENANAuBRGjPSK7R
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAmHl90oy6wt
360Please respect copyright.PENANA2T1eDOSows
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."360Please respect copyright.PENANAjLBPqXsU0P
360Please respect copyright.PENANAedEZrdp7P3
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.360Please respect copyright.PENANAdih0Y8odhh
360Please respect copyright.PENANA99tIo7QdWD
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAGqu7XCTuPw
360Please respect copyright.PENANAdq5sXQLBlM
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAXBqv4iC7l1
360Please respect copyright.PENANAjnpTYsVpC6
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."360Please respect copyright.PENANAeMZygxasVs
360Please respect copyright.PENANAz5IWPlZIZ0
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAtUOUAdFpCi
360Please respect copyright.PENANAPqdVczFdby
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANADMVZ8Y09DP
360Please respect copyright.PENANAoITSUT4XLe
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.360Please respect copyright.PENANAnisiLMLCVA
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJp1YqsGNfa
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAtswjrlOAjJ
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8HhZOCzaqb
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAOs15xJqPyP
360Please respect copyright.PENANAfXVyjt093f
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAOV2Fib12W1
360Please respect copyright.PENANALt9Qn4tzZo
"Do you think she's killed before?"360Please respect copyright.PENANA5FTMgYeE7J
360Please respect copyright.PENANAvLWPfWcL2U
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA7qhCoSOd62
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8rryvEvt8N
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.360Please respect copyright.PENANACqPcMm7ypb
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8bHQ0z6TsJ
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAIAc5NhHzI3
360Please respect copyright.PENANA7gzsYg9MVB
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAaVszDYwA3i
360Please respect copyright.PENANAmZXYHwUCsJ
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAwhrhbRgUCL
360Please respect copyright.PENANAKRuwDbWoWb
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAwsm7rTM4o8
360Please respect copyright.PENANAp48E3qFCOB
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAHbuVNFvqAv
360Please respect copyright.PENANApFZVuVguXd
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAlvuMNltosl
360Please respect copyright.PENANAlPdcl58J0H
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.360Please respect copyright.PENANA5dA1CszHAq
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEsGl0Lz5Dc
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."360Please respect copyright.PENANAcvWRGN1dCr
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJyYr6kkjSd
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANALHLcXgLNl7
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEnvVfscXaT
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.360Please respect copyright.PENANAV3Ruo94Pp2
360Please respect copyright.PENANAzWjLxGmxpe
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.360Please respect copyright.PENANA2oIPM8qAYI
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXqJa7L6ABs
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."360Please respect copyright.PENANA9HgiHRkold
360Please respect copyright.PENANArR0icU7ZQj
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."360Please respect copyright.PENANAKFVbr6Tg1G
360Please respect copyright.PENANAzkstNroccd
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.360Please respect copyright.PENANAsBLzFiLBkQ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAxKTcWX59FG
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."360Please respect copyright.PENANAOwpk2Z6Lqv
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0h8b7sT83G
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAZgESUNyL8n
360Please respect copyright.PENANA4FdSSllq2v
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAhOF7MqBuUM
360Please respect copyright.PENANAerVfv000V5
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 360Please respect copyright.PENANA7c1fbwlmQv
360Please respect copyright.PENANAxA8FO7A7ln
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.360Please respect copyright.PENANAWP7yaR87nL
360Please respect copyright.PENANAE87IzGwBKy
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.360Please respect copyright.PENANApsjIJnQgN7
360Please respect copyright.PENANATeOpVBTuC8
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAOpwWFE8YWh
360Please respect copyright.PENANAMTGq8JvDNv
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANABycePkrxk8
360Please respect copyright.PENANAPXWLlsVoI9
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."360Please respect copyright.PENANAahQ53NGb8O
360Please respect copyright.PENANAZL3ePhQWBl
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAj6CO5KBdLn
360Please respect copyright.PENANAzQk6Q1qKDc
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.360Please respect copyright.PENANA5mKcny8rVg
360Please respect copyright.PENANA07tDsADVVv
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANARApuZhohOR
360Please respect copyright.PENANAwdePTV35u5
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.360Please respect copyright.PENANAENBHMoE48l
360Please respect copyright.PENANA4QkbTNgCci
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."360Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4SZpp5GLS
360Please respect copyright.PENANAlCF8WPPuQ4
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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAjV3mACOAiG
360Please respect copyright.PENANAoyo6vUKF1X
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAVmhOFDR1hv
360Please respect copyright.PENANAcA4sUBC8h1
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."360Please respect copyright.PENANAXTflcJdRC8
360Please respect copyright.PENANAsnvxsECAGt
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAb13yuJ9btj
360Please respect copyright.PENANACEtbZaUQy1
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.360Please respect copyright.PENANAnAtPmcTcFZ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAwOvmGgR8Kb
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.360Please respect copyright.PENANAfrcN5gBPgE
360Please respect copyright.PENANAB5tW4ZyYxe
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAGOPyd6VTvX
360Please respect copyright.PENANASQrchJmDW7
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.360Please respect copyright.PENANAyQ0yBwhlxH
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEmgbfPQNwW
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."360Please respect copyright.PENANAbEQqGGX6BH
360Please respect copyright.PENANA1pahqaKBYg
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAgURmbwMqwk
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUAxGtn0mBg
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.360Please respect copyright.PENANA2fOW7uk1II
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHhdlJRV0Os
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."360Please respect copyright.PENANAVpuHcNclp3
360Please respect copyright.PENANACi0RZ6PbgM
"We will," said Kevin.360Please respect copyright.PENANASEwA4ZWNOD
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHT9VmJC2IZ
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAxY9NGUoboz
360Please respect copyright.PENANAvcfk1iIou7
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA0sMiUIJRwn
360Please respect copyright.PENANAWf7DdDBTMB
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."360Please respect copyright.PENANADzeAeRq5Sn
360Please respect copyright.PENANAlWlbID9aWh
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.360Please respect copyright.PENANA0QPcMAQEjT
360Please respect copyright.PENANAVIWpCkDdNJ
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAVUjo8qAnGx
360Please respect copyright.PENANADllW3GHI4L
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:360Please respect copyright.PENANAVnRwjxcyTu
360Please respect copyright.PENANAQM7GYhJGKY
"Rhénee, wait!"360Please respect copyright.PENANAuV4CP2FU5C
360Please respect copyright.PENANAchuxT1xF6H
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAgQe1t4lyUW
360Please respect copyright.PENANAgQJxfr9vvC
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANArWofuQk1ue
360Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4yehL97oi
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.360Please respect copyright.PENANAz2ulcZZcsA
360Please respect copyright.PENANA7l9Tq6sZNS
"I'm tired."360Please respect copyright.PENANAmiQcrwZaeU
360Please respect copyright.PENANA3na5pZKGlL
"Really? I don't think that's it."360Please respect copyright.PENANAauqnL5mqZX
360Please respect copyright.PENANAbH7BAkayiu
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAusVkR49EgL
360Please respect copyright.PENANA6ILqqNFx4A
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"360Please respect copyright.PENANAxjtFVAox2Z
360Please respect copyright.PENANAaogIWxdHDF
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAq11DHnRB1h
360Please respect copyright.PENANAFnekd8HVxz
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAVBEo41n35H
360Please respect copyright.PENANAAsE7L4C0Rg
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAmhZO3z0hbj
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXrlbwLraxL
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAnXlcHs4CnV
360Please respect copyright.PENANAheKKiiK257
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAnQBRm0srGJ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAzds9gdIDMD
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAhEVuN8iGKJ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAcKVshoveMJ
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.360Please respect copyright.PENANA9FYIPhoELl
360Please respect copyright.PENANA2LgcYPtnye
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANACzGmGjiSu9
360Please respect copyright.PENANA7kJwSy50jy
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAca1IopjEdP
360Please respect copyright.PENANAvigz2VSCup
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."360Please respect copyright.PENANA6FQt4g7paq
360Please respect copyright.PENANARZOvl6QaGq
"Good. Let's go."360Please respect copyright.PENANAcfxA2xXz6y
360Please respect copyright.PENANAV7aamxgJbe
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:360Please respect copyright.PENANAAVnrDSFqna
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0DhrhmwwSJ
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."360Please respect copyright.PENANATVpdwQUZsB
360Please respect copyright.PENANAmZbCAo8q6X
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."360Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ8g0EpFeF
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEPzqEt4UvB
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAggqn9l8dRv
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUeNEbo8C7U
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."360Please respect copyright.PENANAhDm8zSsYeZ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXaexyOokEl
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.360Please respect copyright.PENANA2ohBC9SsIx
360Please respect copyright.PENANA6TePUuqisv
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."360Please respect copyright.PENANAuhnxYQU3F1
360Please respect copyright.PENANABGx4fsY4Ss
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.360Please respect copyright.PENANAKvfdtV4bgw
360Please respect copyright.PENANAYgZZpuSEO7
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.360Please respect copyright.PENANAPs93BZ2rGA
360Please respect copyright.PENANAB1JECOFvfG
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAx6HFNPQeh3
360Please respect copyright.PENANA9JmMxe1A1l
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."360Please respect copyright.PENANAgZt9BnXCzm
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJTolIyGD5N
"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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAas444f5Hk5
360Please respect copyright.PENANADh5FFWNKAH
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAb352Fhls1p
360Please respect copyright.PENANAN9cg9i17cR
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.360Please respect copyright.PENANAsD5h4RZk8Z
360Please respect copyright.PENANAWmTXsRcAUc
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.360Please respect copyright.PENANAodgkaPnwSl
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXVPxVV5GlG
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAkpO6mCDM10
360Please respect copyright.PENANAyJo6lsKvfG
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.360Please respect copyright.PENANAbvc9hhRtHp
360Please respect copyright.PENANAS0pPgqlUNb
"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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAwKr1PI55bK
360Please respect copyright.PENANAtOXI4dtLy3
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.360Please respect copyright.PENANABUwbBvwrkB
360Please respect copyright.PENANAR0Z0lUEolJ
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAj10EJkencc
360Please respect copyright.PENANATnYMBGYHmc
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA1KCMwXRbip
360Please respect copyright.PENANAt6V4FRB6Ex
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.360Please respect copyright.PENANARWswe5IAMY
360Please respect copyright.PENANAqPA4aHzuHT
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANACHM9XrimiS
360Please respect copyright.PENANAN3MYzq3QZ7
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAWgewq274Zj
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHbcKEOgQt5
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAHzxk7kNVap
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUbtD4ndDNI
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.360Please respect copyright.PENANAvwQ28QUd8l
360Please respect copyright.PENANAyCMKvtzs53
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAythcOZb9LW
360Please respect copyright.PENANAGQrfF8cQiK
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.360Please respect copyright.PENANAG0lKLGX5Ms
360Please respect copyright.PENANApBLM8mzHyb
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANArRbTmMloqK
360Please respect copyright.PENANA9iUOWLsCFe
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.360Please respect copyright.PENANAs0o5wMdBlj
360Please respect copyright.PENANA6yX8mYqova
"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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAtdUVHXDDV2
360Please respect copyright.PENANAcLgB5lG7Ir
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA92nZMYbHoe
360Please respect copyright.PENANA1W12wGaMtz
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:360Please respect copyright.PENANA32V0jWo0vP
360Please respect copyright.PENANAZpoyfTW27b
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAM5ZgNsSs9z
360Please respect copyright.PENANAIbaIjOisAo
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."360Please respect copyright.PENANAWGnuIq12fH
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8Sp0YhO3KI
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.360Please respect copyright.PENANAQWBJMpjLky
360Please respect copyright.PENANAuLYyZGg6Km
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."360Please respect copyright.PENANAgSTVeSIHQ3
360Please respect copyright.PENANAVoPhTZ5Bv4
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."360Please respect copyright.PENANAuzVJJOlKEJ
360Please respect copyright.PENANADbdHfQ4mmG
***360Please respect copyright.PENANAEWPpuyYrOP
360Please respect copyright.PENANA6pHg5RxLQN
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAKiBqeG6eLA
360Please respect copyright.PENANAeJtTX63Ocs
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.360Please respect copyright.PENANA0QTPPCWgfH
360Please respect copyright.PENANAow39E0o0kP
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.360Please respect copyright.PENANAqd9eXjCbRy
360Please respect copyright.PENANAWuRAqtuNCR
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.360Please respect copyright.PENANAbPqUXoyaoi
360Please respect copyright.PENANA72Ho0t1hkS
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA2KEpPFKLaa
360Please respect copyright.PENANAlO3705upzf
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.360Please respect copyright.PENANA0fptyxPJdQ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAa1NQQUOzKf
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.360Please respect copyright.PENANA2PAbxdyQIg
360Please respect copyright.PENANAd9PB8DouZy
"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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAT3xCBVpcsQ
360Please respect copyright.PENANARAIDemFocL
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."360Please respect copyright.PENANAmTzUPsKOob
360Please respect copyright.PENANAu66InRE2gz
"Really?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAtpPPGmxxoc
360Please respect copyright.PENANAi8O3Uhsrj6
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.360Please respect copyright.PENANADW4boZktg3
360Please respect copyright.PENANAYExchO1Hui
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."360Please respect copyright.PENANAbnZU7zvR8L
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUHqlUEmEpj
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.360Please respect copyright.PENANAXyyjx8pfsz
360Please respect copyright.PENANAIPafabjp6P
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAL2pFL6nz8k
360Please respect copyright.PENANAYMUZpMJmxT
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANATtObyqwiUY
360Please respect copyright.PENANAn6Qfj7Q65d
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAzDJRWWQaIW
360Please respect copyright.PENANAXbuBrP70Yl
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAXO0X9ID5x0
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0oHvceMIdi
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAr0EzAtZ1eu
360Please respect copyright.PENANAU2LTCsUmno
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAu4HMzvypFk
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJplEdUWecy
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.360Please respect copyright.PENANAmldQIizR2p
360Please respect copyright.PENANAHvw7wdQ8qp
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"360Please respect copyright.PENANA6zkhTMPDBG
360Please respect copyright.PENANAnfcr3QUeku
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.360Please respect copyright.PENANAR92qCOZv8a
360Please respect copyright.PENANAynBFHULJss
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.360Please respect copyright.PENANAC2HWjbuCho
360Please respect copyright.PENANAeKoSNrsBfj
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAUD1MfYNtAj
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0HYf4hPEuH
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.360Please respect copyright.PENANAaYxlOGMmAe
360Please respect copyright.PENANA2a38ATkKfs
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.360Please respect copyright.PENANAUBQTRHkcml
360Please respect copyright.PENANAVlmyr22ccq
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAHlMFFKCjeA
360Please respect copyright.PENANAEZ2e06WeG2
"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?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAMp3Kej1Rwl
360Please respect copyright.PENANAMChQ3dKZiN
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.360Please respect copyright.PENANAvm4HJZpiqk
360Please respect copyright.PENANA8vqCwM5gGZ
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.360Please respect copyright.PENANAxPkbjhIJEL
360Please respect copyright.PENANA4qqSUcVP0c
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANA062iWMFxz9
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJnxDrNb1Cf
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANA6IQDy3JqpQ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAozpTdm6DfL
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.360Please respect copyright.PENANAbHRy1sYlQN
360Please respect copyright.PENANAbupTqddsrj
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.360Please respect copyright.PENANAfVYos4S8Ae
360Please respect copyright.PENANA3Hq9feYE41
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAjDDwJmHtlq
360Please respect copyright.PENANAUf1fAzfTkE
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.360Please respect copyright.PENANAI09pUEQJyO
360Please respect copyright.PENANAmDYu6vmquq
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAcp22vnjss6
360Please respect copyright.PENANAGI6UbQDSnB
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.360Please respect copyright.PENANAqNw42l3H2h
360Please respect copyright.PENANAx94AY66jwN
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAyYv01BVxJC
360Please respect copyright.PENANAeVzq5DtviS
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."360Please respect copyright.PENANAFJZ4prdKAV
360Please respect copyright.PENANA9wKmhQ8OZz
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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAeX4KaWMHdv
360Please respect copyright.PENANAZ6j10KAEwF
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANApV8MVRgjvL
360Please respect copyright.PENANAiyMsSHIoin
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."360Please respect copyright.PENANAWDAJIDcdPR
360Please respect copyright.PENANAjLxoKk870D
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."360Please respect copyright.PENANAIPf40Cow2s
360Please respect copyright.PENANA5h5gsLsUhh
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAYjdlB2Po8m
360Please respect copyright.PENANAWPqeJXznBn
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.360Please respect copyright.PENANAEJsADrlWpM
360Please respect copyright.PENANAchXxV4AvpK
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.360Please respect copyright.PENANAqv7gNXZoAm
360Please respect copyright.PENANALPf2px81Gy
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAsNLioFCSxN
360Please respect copyright.PENANABpRvNuYunB
"Oh..., nothing really."360Please respect copyright.PENANAtuKut7Y7Aa
360Please respect copyright.PENANAfYWhC5C7vu
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."360Please respect copyright.PENANACDqqNgGgLz
360Please respect copyright.PENANAOkesxTs8UW
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAQ2i1UTBJVg
360Please respect copyright.PENANAArjaS4EOMB
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."360Please respect copyright.PENANAhtbXM8M1KV
360Please respect copyright.PENANAjXBboMAQlc
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."360Please respect copyright.PENANASuG8gA0lAb
360Please respect copyright.PENANAu7qbQyMvth
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."360Please respect copyright.PENANA9XbvXqjgIW
360Please respect copyright.PENANAteEptPPgce
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"360Please respect copyright.PENANAnPoNBAv2J1
360Please respect copyright.PENANAZq2SlEpyko
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."360Please respect copyright.PENANAErxg60dVKr
360Please respect copyright.PENANAY0gvrVPQqO
"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."360Please respect copyright.PENANAlOmB8cfhBE
360Please respect copyright.PENANAxvH4ao7Apt
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.360Please respect copyright.PENANAO47huuFVN0
360Please respect copyright.PENANAf9ahKaYQKl
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."360Please respect copyright.PENANAo358tMVmAQ
360Please respect copyright.PENANAA06LKg038U
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAvUhes7UMAy
360Please respect copyright.PENANAWNjtRLWsFY
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? 360Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZBmkyAGsV
360Please respect copyright.PENANACpPwM7UfIw
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAML1STh1krr
360Please respect copyright.PENANA0Q57n6PxEG
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.360Please respect copyright.PENANAvIcyDvaf04
360Please respect copyright.PENANACTk2p5EhUf
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."360Please respect copyright.PENANAMKmB1hIKpw
360Please respect copyright.PENANAskw7FqXvaA
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.360Please respect copyright.PENANAp16YP7LxSv
360Please respect copyright.PENANARoNt3qODYc
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."360Please respect copyright.PENANAu5pJsb8Eew
360Please respect copyright.PENANA1Bp0uUFojd
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.360Please respect copyright.PENANAdhiasuv1jF
360Please respect copyright.PENANAJdGMplrp2w
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.360Please respect copyright.PENANAxRuYCUmhch