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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQehjGHFcg
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPoO4zNmEj
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JkCrJh0Cm
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOWsSmHcYT
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3P46eqb1T
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwPqSlDLBJ
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68gZYF9ymh
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwT21nIfkR
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMtMOeVHol
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLGJL8rS22P
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLEmubnBZX
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCL9OS34EZf
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yaG1nVkLf
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGlljkIwPR
"What kind of trouble?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOXY7zhv0q
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk2f1IvXiG
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXnLD5bxPc
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CIccCrYiQ
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTcHH6sY2T
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6vZeg08HI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8D7gxDAtQ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwkO6O9DRt
"That's good. She needs to rest."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2Upe9se18
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyTwyCHQM0
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKCLMYYlPa
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDOs2qnf4Q
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90wf50PJYP
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzciQ8FRyE8
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6EdhYYuTp
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H4nRAxc82
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Mow2TmwS
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2CsdbGqxC
"Ya, sure."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMr0m2wMTVq
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYzGMukoEj
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUJj0YGAgi
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UTWLno7Gn
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHdaq7I9O4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb1xhPmVu0
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3b3S4Y98m
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SzTp6kzGM
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzMJjV2Ote
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5sIOcWmbjj
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVyDlgcddq
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkXqMNXPFx
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDBRkTi9mM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyr89Tpozdf
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UFa41gvzW
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvcNrXZzpE
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLckbjJ6Z7t
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8THJAYpQe
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM67ysbxQu
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFVphp3Au0
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LWu9omawH
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0ybg326LT
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71mWSSIt0T
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLKaeWUA6v
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK28yB8ouf6
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOo417BSSD
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hQ4zyH4p1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlJItrG1Cy
"What did you say?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbuxykcKcJ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPvF5CRTVk
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYChuTZm5AS
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQIUAmc6dm
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0NZK3Io6
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKC4IPN9j
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAOiHb7YEh
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMbQB3Weuh
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhYUI11ZkC
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyZebrcQpS
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY97krmyNm2
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeauv5fIS0L
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe9XPUABQ1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97U827xhuF
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizVglkQPBT
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm7t7WjTMt
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ2G0N5XNs
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx9TjaQUWe
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?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXzqnF94Ed
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1wKFHOCXB
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICs1bDT2VE
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN1e0mA5dF
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BD0U025c4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWCj0G7cIX
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzBelAyWko
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnXL1Q8Waj
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9X0T87gsOj
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0O9rpJWlpP
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd3d0KQtRJ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1f5xIe4ox
***519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeJbEJW9lg
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EQzNuxVvZ
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWRW06gcmd
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1enjj4KL9
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRK91PVHo4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zLavtBaqk
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSAfSX3SKo
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHam904wDcS
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGmAjWfcno
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAO7da67Gv
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrK96oZQt6
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJhYOjBI4C
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5D7H928CS
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtG2ain6FS
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEiM0MuZ9O
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvXyqMr8ay
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEyBNZm4gj
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxo4QBqgZS
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsQ7udE8QQ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyTILKUvav
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N4UQjdRYk
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlW6xOGr4O
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCggAhVW1h
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSfwJ4PSHT
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bcyYMWDhD
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwVcWAKUao
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJAmDoPlO0
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcczy0tCyL
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ13HQs94G
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnhAV7jKSL
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeSHN3Dg3k
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X9MR5vL6R
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGjoHtkEb7
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOM9OAoCta
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHfO7X2L8V
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TcuIDQqAa
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUeKEAvWMD
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvtaus4XdC
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAulKvWhLhw
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1zvvHMZky
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnNlz9VCw1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNQPkAg3cs
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQLPG8vuoB
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXdjp7xQ06
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLfuvtYbib
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVSc6kOyCb
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3DHsMzr5c
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY640EmHDw
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCxdWM7wAO
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSckOQYOziK
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPyKtn9btn
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBEx3rHwF2
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1b0PIwKZfq
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaxIiBiKty
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVpSa8IDPr
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq4K58gRJx
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4jm9X9NXO
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjgGN8ujog
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9m9AZeOKU
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qWeNviCuB
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazRD1TDlaq
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCN0hz9xlU
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tVbtL6u9K
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR1BsyxIUX
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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbShg9spG47
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeQ8m8qSmT
"Do you think she's killed before?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbw3eQAkMG
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdTDHpdcH4
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo8FnXECfW
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC20xWte1g
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QJcgVQhEG
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWVq3JDQat
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpPaMf0uKb
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7pOtImLoE
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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ioICu2yMM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTm8TeyMks
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd36o42cpI
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgQCyHB9w3
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYpjzU3Aif
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwVmW4n3NM
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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT2mxdHAbZ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggiFSXHqVa
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQfAe7BKXN
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fUwdZhlI7
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡza0Z1sdRLY
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseBzfsbFgI
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFy0J4fnGN
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wOMYF0cqN
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTtN4K3Yh4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2hpgnYHTW
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW9Oyyd0Gi
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPqqXPvyRp
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UURl3LJ9E
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlLbpEpJQe
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURiZwrYh4u
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7azuFihm6K
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpV2qcElQ3Y
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3kjyPmLyi
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLiyVDHNK6
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jlXyFKsMK
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4R6a14MNI
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvLW6Qgk18
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm7Jq6FU7B
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaJUWSCTL1
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2WyfxzKpV
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vIIQwT4kb
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvymRDut1SK
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDL0b0D1Pw
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuvZN8tvxD
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26AJKYzvlE
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrmGpfaYIt
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPsDucP89x
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD73v0dtxDg
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuaogOZR56
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7XIartdIf
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6WsMLv0yC
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb6k6R6w1g
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtg0qqzVvf
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ2V72IsMt
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVAcioBnbj
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvIOWsidqR
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7tDnzIiDx
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcdOpvVZSM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6Dqyfv71V
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBXJ6siWCs
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4u6TpDlWUe
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eDHPz072D
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8mImSwWOR
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?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryBXU9Znas
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGqfqtCufv
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtlMOigsKS
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlraimkNRmD
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DpA9NgFTi
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgnzKdnVve
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWqqfHqzEU
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jdX6j2t1p
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieIOigIxz0
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp5uapRALY
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTflvugVdE
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgZKTsvrrs
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpB7AwXh0ME
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgg1NuC15gR
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwmkoxRQiB
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6yYgM03aW
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF7dYr8XhT
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSc9FtfqSz
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbacZFfqGI
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4K8ma5Hbah
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCeSsrSvgm
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKhXI2XagI
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cfealgNPu
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1lkc84rje
"We will," said Kevin.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfECKx7hqj
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMLeExXtoS
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0PHzMYSDJ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBvBHTKSvM
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9Tqplcipt
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHgl9B8P8Z
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSulpo8YT0
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7TjZV0onD
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgdKNZULmT
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO52VUXQUNv
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yLeCgA0Dw
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjvut4wKRR
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:519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhdcxqjVj5
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfpq5LNaqJ
"Rhénee, wait!"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC76z4cbSbk
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7dsTdinkj
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jo6rtsNmv
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt59DLaeJcD
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mxoJE0enE
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1ggH9I9wh
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUdN8Wbtx6
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKSSnxK6UW
"I'm tired."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIxLevGfOy
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjG1jbdsWX
"Really? I don't think that's it."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrIigxT5ou
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4ZqXcWJKH
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7s2QUr0JR
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY3DkqKmmM
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LOIqhfVla
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9HWudLfcc
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacMRbcMuHs
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFpSSJCBVb
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24GmcWs910
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjqaLgfg4J
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZV46deLG4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWsqDYwDEk
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhFHthm5XM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzuWyqqkIDm
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrbCK9rGNX
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRib6vfKBs
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqWgZhG06s
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl0rSjNa9W
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBRTLZ0kWJ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq6bCJk2eY
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡclmsH6XRyt
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWnWqmB8au
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ZPz6B0A1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFazcVzcAO
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8dfYPJNcM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveQApJBJJJ
"Good. Let's go."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWINTRDLZd
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF3boqnFNn
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyQPRTK9B9
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YN8wt7i9V
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQIIu2XhFv
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaDt4WjaZP
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gMk1ZxRnA
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcusg3XqRl
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEc68F5HwO
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjF6m4tMNVb
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa2Lc4AShM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyimV21XL9l
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWyBBCWU9l
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPlRA84s8a
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGSPxvu9ZO
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6xVBoGgHo
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3WQZeMGaK
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3hTzJjHj8
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDP3SwYqOWu
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjodWw2qpc
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31vAClos8s
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44K60ZKbVq
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6HKKI47e
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFD7Vq6SJp
"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?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7tD1qBPTJ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgWEGxRJkj
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAfOYnZE6E
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7ENMQ30Kk
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgJ3OQp7fr
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMRbPTJkNG
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXoC9tCeYC
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpF5ZTG0FZ
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9OaxpTxkR
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcDhrNK8dj
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcVWvWRPSe
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9E4yljE2MR
"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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3CgfCRV5Y
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwpR5vxyVX
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21KTsbN8PL
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeNLX2zBXZ
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjVZroeWTh
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlEyeQ8rmqq
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOSEAhAXzG
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z2u50z20J
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKLCIHScvB
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjkhIOnzWu
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKECpWhbbw
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9T3rVEABY
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrpwm3UAa1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNpVzZWK1W
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn41kF6khcV
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpDW133ukX
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn7KpLWIb4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cHZnROtdH
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtd6UaTJQz
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlmp9Nb7zZ
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TS0Ju8dr0
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1RuP8BYba
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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFORzOcgwEp
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuNigYEY0E
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOumIdB14b5
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iniGOgD77
"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?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSCS9St0RG
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFBBqK7Nbv
"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."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6iVM7LaYo
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsifypZMge
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:519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1yAQAloyw
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFz6Kc69Rxy
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdgiK6dvbI
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsITQH43t04
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAaRmN3SDz
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUDswXkOGp
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMjH2eEbHn
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJQhcR6QKp
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxjDDvKxAe
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC50bqOYhpK
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHpC3SpCg4
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOmItPiSlZ
***519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcohbWkxiiH
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CnlMDQJin
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIyWo59LbL
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJwqTjmQO5
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzc2L7VuFz
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKhgunSt7h
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFziGSQOuf
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EavA8yPXL
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixhUs63rvy
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryoJ98CF4L
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7aDa3OzkQ
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUsWqC4sl3
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdusCE8Tdcy
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDxpVv8qZ0
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1ay7Ez6YT
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCsK6BHkgi
"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?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1x0nC3FtM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzKyUBuP7y
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jcSSxlseL
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmlJnwThSM
"Really?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeYvfYRqMt
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEediT03iF
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEwt3TdHOM
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW4VLkIsn9
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMQPoeJ0j5
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyco2bpvHpP
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYfxgodpAy
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1c0Cf3DHR
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoR8R0elg1
519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3e2946ABCZ
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.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YZGdr9RPG
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCNZerGdBe
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ8WcQVZmf
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8XzFJHbSZ
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Jt0OzCSlP
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXeN6qJ1u1A
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIBvhxUbgp
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUYhY8hyMI
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6sGxj2dq2
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZYy9YEbkW
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uRxv7QA3Z
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmo7wozXLbk
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjSe4xTf4X
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnli3eCk4U
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMyicDR9v9
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXD3pAiOLVM
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoXoQgb5Mu
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOeSGQV7ZA
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq5iTujQ9C
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCH2EJLU8k
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhNcDkzgfH
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcqLyvctSQ
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQEbONJIYE
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCn8JUdz04
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"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsj5ylR2vB
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDU27MScwu
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3Qu1HWG9M
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy5emnpIKt
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthgH8fIJ7d
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaV25or51Xl
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQvUh5dI2n
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1bqddpQSe
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0oeX31vzA
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfnaHf4iAt
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"Oh..., nothing really."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TsJeIv966
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDkr74mBe0
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkM7cAYCAlc
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIDxLZciKf
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQGDdY1AE3
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDnGzOmUN2
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPBinbOAD8
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxJ6LtvmhZ
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzEjft3uhe
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sEZwQbBFh
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriy1nx0snz
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxPyijQ3OS
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEgUr2Qnby
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPdBvNzqmf
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtGDmSW6qm
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsWLBxLlED
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUmRRcvGhT
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh0MmpOorL
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir2RrcKPim
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.519Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQej4DAy3K6
