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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAjDryK3U6
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBB4mKvpMdh
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9kQV13QJU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDInFhRXilS
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kQqgHN17j
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLCdGgAJNr
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfpTGh11jB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE9PdmnHOb
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphx6ALwcqk
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXl7WvO2LPS
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HtTAyh7On
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Wc8mP2xr
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLJJ8DBP2d
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxF6R8uaay
"What kind of trouble?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lI3429gSw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tqHZMgM9Q
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wwJw35JqE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sRYkJmEgS
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72BRcSdzTo
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDGI8OV3Vgx
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKiPF79Umr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqAEio8mea
"That's good. She needs to rest."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡottiEIl3Cz
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Hl3SLZzd
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjAHzw5ixE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8vjP9uLP4
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoL9YpGDD0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfUGh12F2v
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hhhms2TrG
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwUEpkXqpC
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62YzIoNpRZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFafMhw330Q
"Ya, sure."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTmizVu5bt
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcpYTGZuxn
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfJutWwkWw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ251mJUcZoR
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9NMolLOI9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4QP7UCMcZ
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64t8ULYKMC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJUHAmZJCI
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hd8YSv5xm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbl9ADWBdCJ
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vzKiaAbZQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm3P8fHgT1
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFSIP911XD
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xWsRlW4vl
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYMvIvjMl1
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JBD5FAbnU
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsM6X7LUZeC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpTD2CSCVS
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5gNLO2Vcd
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxLGzcKslQ
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhli4yH37Da
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U0i7KpCXC
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzw31ftJQ71
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux4cQpNSx4
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEC7jDekQpk
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg0riDr1KG
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb51xhYQMEV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPEa40qvhT
"What did you say?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CqYsmHGV7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOde7WeQ45n
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbc2vl0BXi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kQ8wfAxF5
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGoy3iiL8P
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHvetxgLyE
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTfiuK4R9D
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡes0nG0Lda3
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXCW9TD4wO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoU15MF56WD
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFt8ELG3Iy
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2UVr0vvHZ
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmUp1j0mnT
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSCDfWS5Zj
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTh7bpTe8pd
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5axPgTYfJ
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTQeIrhaO1
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAkosdxc1J
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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8EWJpJqF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoJ1sbbkXo
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYG9cr1zVH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8xEEhRflc
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55yXwS5RuM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3anfCh1cc
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuf1YnzyOi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgmmq0mQsi
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzsKLBBUf4
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKUkPrTDJB
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObNkuWtZ6U
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***577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV33eBk6TsC
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"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0MH9EX1Wx
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"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAbJiHQGVa
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6IAG1vNX0
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Mfl8x8Ouz
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1UC80cRxO
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JAv9KbYMF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz24ltS8tLx
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLmGWXRE0P
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3K5qvQNRa
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYBKr15xxD
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y4457Eo8m
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UWrCeAGFv
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuTLNkxx3Q
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJQgRkNiBp
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cX8WHIwcz
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYjXL6V55t
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FAr0gTAWP
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgAkucDPD0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUvLaMU0eo
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WARklEnUr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYlc8I0EKw
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGra0w4LkyO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJKabH4kyb
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmCFrDRjyp
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgj5O5iVEo
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOE7VYBqMt
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ621jgFpMPv
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX0PS7xvno
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUv5xZC3n2
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTLVTht1lP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1VJQmYHJg
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8umJZm15m
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpgWJQjQgt
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs9SqezG2R
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkMMD1Ql2K
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPltNQpGSV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6X98qfH1T
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSqr7kfwzI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMB7NqFhqA8
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5l8LnfKVaC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcuoJfYYU4
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI0Zwt2thz
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEXwa2Y2aA
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1FtwkJC2z
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcKcTFtgOa
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2bkBONvYb
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyu0tnAUDs
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLp03gZ4DBQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhcBwgiqKl
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVHGIu61lQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNI5qLXc8M
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXCladYtA7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6osfEgnJfS
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1p8sJlT9LY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcPyasWlnd
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vD4yErw9h
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bDCqg7iP9
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo7Fg5WlkR
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgdscxek4f
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2lWf3XybB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDmJEKGNQG
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubyS1tZWX8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwNE25CUN4
"Do you think she's killed before?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEekln5Agz
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SGo45j41D
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqr9N9ZqY72
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJG2c7z8KB
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryFmkG75zS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cagXPwm3g
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRwnzqYpmQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPXRxtUxJp
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqAaA9Tgci
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Qd0dJA278
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkjSCdSVBA
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzFQRSvbTg
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP607LPdC5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y5gBA0rAq
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3roDyP88lS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWx4wT0mf6
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyk2a8p502i
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2aBzbcevR
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu71ijeFNaC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9vcXJHIhe
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBexVAihIiB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKaQ9ivUa6
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPNA0wK529
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq7HpksvAK
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAjXurabTE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcII2brQGLn
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75Bv2TBBF0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMVLSro71l
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GeAPRjpst
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr56wEuLLxW
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqBDjBzobs
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6ECFP5jmI
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddeG57nwey
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdTcRouujr
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOudq2wwXi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI7t4A3Jd3h
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWzlhGi4ax
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6fvbJW80c
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0RBQgZZWS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfngWlMSVU
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bS2qEFrQm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSH4iz214g
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlvQ82CgjE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMsrUNSIpgG
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZWwhyag0A
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW8EMf7Gua
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJyeb6W9ET
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdZYnQ6wKj
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSiGOp3NHk
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPPGJ8WfMw
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Tl7CNPsV8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwY4EJMzaiJ
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCVnRdqiWw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeaXXw5vWI
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRiRiVQobJ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtCu0d3zfW
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0E0PIiwTe
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdNkREALBt
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv7A5nXyKK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbK8eWWSnA
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm1dFUx7fO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrxId12VRC
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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaRn6OLJ3u
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUKy4ZAHPj
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTYYiBzrsy
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0esBVK33wc
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJThTSRQeMo
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTtFRlnWp96
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pA4rCsmVB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJWGkKOt3p
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcJo4ff7gY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYBcHwuDex
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNFlmfp5l7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNngkdF2PCf
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmkNUHEUMG
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPrMfFqAKf
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlB9KCcsX5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXawoZfxJII
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWN2vKzSCV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CtAjAlKAN
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZyBZWWIoq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtfUXDslzc
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aer8UlQqW
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpnqlDSbvm
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFn798zI8z
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwhEIR300k
"We will," said Kevin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OQscgntfU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlDUMjImEN
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlNAvs54hT
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tnvR9XHG5
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOv2lhJYVjE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SZzTX29Un
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aDLtWUiL1
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1Dm9OXB58
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWN5RGCfnd
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbocnUipZi
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmD3u264d8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJdBCA9FHC
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:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBE0qBkRnOP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Rwu336xr
"Rhénee, wait!"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzxEbSncmU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2u1aHkU0Z
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhXyHOa7d1
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrYMBOHEtk
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Y6gRyzrdZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vqM4sruOs
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOOgWK16j5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIaKcUDxkW
"I'm tired."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgdycN7Dt2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBBIFDSZTc
"Really? I don't think that's it."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqnCYCxizl
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vFaehdCWA
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzITx2XHRCI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kLtRRnrHD
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi288T95vUO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR8Mxp3eP9
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJeF05bqOo
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtketS6wzHV
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgyXE64rah
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriQJLVyiMa
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2RXKzTMpU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJrqL9lzgC
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqFhsXFv6m
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡai1uXYyLzw
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsrlUdKmop
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxXYkvGQvv
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzbfybxfVs
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rnYipOVBk
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKM6pnb9jEL
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgX3diw9SP
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gqwMHGNB9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGiX9XLTM4
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQYZFWBtJQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09f0N0rEUJ
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwr0NAeEaLP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfccqbw3CJ
"Good. Let's go."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVfKJ9VUBD
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cihbVdXtT
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPjAfbonA1
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl3LkgkcIUQ
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRblc7qqFN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr8lkiyOVf
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgcEoG7SoF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZU6BvjZY6
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCisbEXnJY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQE885tiUj
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeV34p2aY2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf66F9kLNE7
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tmPFPxwsW
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYv6LI3XZNI
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJDKYyA3nd
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYLgznMTHM
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeoho3fLZV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2l8hrbg7K
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveRRYILZOH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNziT8Hro0
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWZfpjuSxi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV03tPAOOG
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRTbGvlixA
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb7Dor6ZmP
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XWVjVcJZA
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvWwBU5oeQ
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqX7ETpHeYB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6CMLvnjdH
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuk440XM302
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCfsanMJr
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHhcElHUqN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2egFK86RJe
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw2hxKuKqj
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShIcvQq0Yl
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkRaTuoIP9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1z3pinsPO
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT43TCNgnmF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrOIE8VCnr
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBXrOLXOI8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH3ACwusR4
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW3yGGFwW9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAsyNiDwD
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHUl9wv1rP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtrfnZSbRL
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFjj3iBGZn
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSekcCMgRY
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLFkm5OTe4
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi8RbVtfi8
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVssyeo9INr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz40n1eCLy
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZlQMu26uy
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPBwuePHMN
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpot6unPlx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlfxeOuzVP
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjntCJYgWZU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB471QKX6Nc
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCKenFzLqQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU11hz9WAcA
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy7wcHDXLZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrBoj2WGAE
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva846gu2tF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu7naeS5xx
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVTICMnhS4
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrS9asLNak
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsiFnZTrzP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mVG4UlIfe
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:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuOqAE3TcZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6vqOASss0
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5XtOMqXNC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELc7TtZcyT
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBdR7nFIT7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ja65iUIGa
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTelqeB5VY5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpn3VwgghyO
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DyaPXTqAH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseOI86jKYi
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUszq5Tffem
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSU2IBkHy3U
***577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSRBudzIDI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbVUKa8oMT
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydQsO47V6w
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqelnmSjp7
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgarbbIz6k
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNprVkrksDT
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUBLn091aM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWtmtQUhHP
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0VVFojSVE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ww6sJ8XVN
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5cw5oHvXU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbRpmE5Lr7
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3perBzcGZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPQBZsqS2Z
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTWAhORnW8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknmyLq9nxQ
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlUn23vTE5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5EC6MKmTy
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAncNAyPoV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL73RwuGUqn
"Really?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD5w3sf1RN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvOyIYKflA
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWDLSiSOq0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYv7Y74PiW
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfmFz2No9v
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbnzOZCd8I
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTqu81g8W8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8LpAlcVfD
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72D5iytV2h
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cdWtQg4iQ
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURVRxXWW93
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gPVbmdbir
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPFWQ7m2H8
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNlIuq9INk
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡet1pK3Mwmi
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bldfl0CQY
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33oothofzD
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptwRrz7kDN
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmEvoZC8d9
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwGIOt89Q8
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTPLvNI3mM
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mFVHyXCnp
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW3YL6cj71
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQjuui5yeI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1GdNiFFHg
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhRecIOonZ
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1fJyFaYfu
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8sinajSSc
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfoNlV9Agv
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyOpWZJdrV
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRa8e00JBLQ
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3maNH37bf
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRxyB9Bb7
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQiuV2RLPy
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk5heF5ISw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8zFdDiXJM
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN96YF5x3F
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMsrkHdObQ
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh4JIRefD9
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFH8xWfnba
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFcTjWRFem
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Slq8bnX0C
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG5NC0rhWd
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHYO0ohSPH
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv2zVu7zjm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRHjCxqV24
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaUb3d4J3q
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMblM0VFp7y
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFUjKBluRT
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67mQTg27DL
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"Oh..., nothing really."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0PO69q9yz
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfZAA46Dj3
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbZTIR7YMy
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MfdEpshQ7
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4HDPfdURj
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1LLUjG151
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3G2VVf3BeI
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnb7iTj392C
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UVajADhcW
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BFNSdbSbc
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTy3DMOTujc
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo5SUMSdXC
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMG9JdzcnN
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3CZngmjFk
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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? 577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdt9myh8DY
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsQS84GMLe
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM462k25xdb
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPniFUFvs4C
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm80mI8llL
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2oEWbkcO1
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkHz4lquik
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6noEa97Qd8
