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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH00uL69uYo
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUMzFmbYTF
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ILx692Hpx
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKQZDMR8kp
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGofYLLMdwh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1bdJrTtHO
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pLbc5YYE6
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSYzbQWVFd
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdmukzfinX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2BOmILIaA
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKL1gves30
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Xa0UCQaX
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnk8BWL5OG
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCM12lvQcD
"What kind of trouble?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjgcAB43Ep
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz2PsvI4nj
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMsIRdugqY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eItwCtR1O
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetXbBUo2qA
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNAgOfq6cJ
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJLu4BcyCz
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLQmUYBDDr
"That's good. She needs to rest."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJkhCXXNOC
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC31fFYiR5j
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpojgA7gIK
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHZYj95blW
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSQ6JUGpft
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DwYHpZzp0
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRf4JTewKc
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2PunXsv9o
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ840Ebn6ryb
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPWoR11Xn0
"Ya, sure."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RvLafxsoV
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56zmZhgPWl
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8F1LbXdrP
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycdCKU5Dp9
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenQOBQFb56
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhRcB6w2wk
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3RrcZAOHl
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zB2U4NcAT
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡni65C8MuOz
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ZWqGcPeb
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Yvp3oJy3
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi8j1FmLjB
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9q8MNmgZp8
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaORPaWGx0o
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXihQlXiBr1
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qK0FTim7z
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3L51o0gBZ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAT9Xtll6n
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6gJMYksMd
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLhw9xadpE
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjSgTrgUSX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrC7Fi2qIt
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeiTEHm7aI
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPGsRgcthf
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RPqFPI7Mr
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXmPoXsbAx
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj17zz6yGyx
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckG2TeIJo0
"What did you say?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUEM9muvb4
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRGO1SLh5j
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPrQ9h6Y4J
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlK7plWWNj
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtfEv5Sej2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhufOv3dTsM
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CvXNOULSQ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iYPDQaByp
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIPxEbCvJi
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WoPx0ueIc
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEqnmA8bHA
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqdn1O1ILS
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2RcC95uM1
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPH2OYLUS0V
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm23PhyEpz5
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEYBvKWcuI
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUaQPJrLk8
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOo7uMh9yM
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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnJuWWdegn
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKFNWQE7yB
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBFr6Jz06r
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3wE1vo2HR
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKc9cCrpyv
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3tQrZ4sFN
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlmhsVVUDo
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaA8XOohFb
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6GxNuDg7h
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVEJYKJrbN
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5q5makXYz
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1E1XMsRPb
***530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQ7tTsyV9c
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsPIknimWv
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWcgCEepCn
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBIFwLyp8Z
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD6lQGBziC
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NrRSIDZGR
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAjtj3OQcf
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8HJeQRbzG
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHujBP1GJh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLNOjT3ySB
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm55lBSNfUH
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxehLQo7jK
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKOrKDau7h
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEPnIHZSYc
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hhFUhgQKG
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXRRRSAvhv
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluJhnaiG5H
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWTwjF2vH0
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJP1XK0VH5c
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJAu1SAgh6
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOs6bkDLaXm
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzm2pyAuUD
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vBZgW5vR5
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuG8NJy4bUQ
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOh8j8M7kO
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWPqGmomh8
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv20RVJrGMQ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tPVr0QBxc
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9zBKPWMS0
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZB8TsJb5a
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNil091HYkP
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsNt2QEnOj
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvlvPxGmzh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTt8yIeemX
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyZUBwXggs
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKyotPqhmK
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qAGObhPhH
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR4V25y1tz
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT2Rmf3lgc
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuo8H9Adxb
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tLyXRhCI5
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvpqrMjHcM
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNflxq0AgP
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zQYKkFMbz
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTjboyFos7
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIatIwmiure
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fGhBopYyR
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpIqBCuehr
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzNex1fMjj
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKA064FMucT
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTtsQ528B3
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLc8bXFbUx
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3oMekUXaO
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnL9aemZYWn
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9EUAC6D2hY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4JbNYQA8X
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNnKY8gDJH
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX2T3Ff5Hx
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwU5mXiZqY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1lPu0NeWI
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarpmkIe09W
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCuAndpOGi
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTFWUyxSA7
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Siz3jIb23
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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcndXbmWs2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlupZne6R5D
"Do you think she's killed before?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftNB7ZGlJg
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz0smdwkQF
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHhVPoKp2h
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXDDFZKFiV
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzt0VvkQJq
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9F13KQbeO
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd576gCyN2X
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1HYKyyI3a
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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgf01F95bt
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNDWwN8gdk
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡINBEMh8xmh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0jbDf7qbS
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLcaPE4Anf
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVzz3PI4Mo
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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSj2Hm5qh9
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAK0TncEBt
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBF39vXShx
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJACrowyWg
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfuqXv9VT2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitML0oRQRk
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OnPt9euVN
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw77oLUCeWj
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNKpku4ok0
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VBcm9rhoX
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57npGed0cC
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurZlqZo21L
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcQJ0rGkXA
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxjzCzbOh7
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIlnZSicYo
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrrh5jmXec
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsboQ3r3w8
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrfbkUjS4f
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnYSJ6dwmi
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxFEFP7exf
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYOqzdzNeO
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsdbwE7005
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPE0KevAEY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXinAjke5I
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUFBKqiFMx
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tpHbWu15P
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpGx8Z1Iip
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oTwI6ULKF
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlCHiWCAk2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8NnEgGMkN
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoj3JlPqHKq
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeqzfDoH2X
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5kBsJgiYJ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReikSsNP8U
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyGwmSmK5i
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOJkps4l3M
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3PkA3Ezc7
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2tC5rgsEk
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7WgDIq2XL
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1f9gEa30P
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIXSB0OorQF
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhrTvqoiNs
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Cb3YtvgoT
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt1cXIrIPV
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4VWdfBhKt
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OylksnGSO
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh1UhgIYPX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY48gheh3mb
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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ1pPbDEpQ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt4C0bTyGH
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XnjqJT0iK
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhoDeb5oQN
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2bf3WfvD9
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlpWjPtAUJh
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYJnRHvK2j
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKqVrSZiZk
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr5oHxqZkH
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKzOqT7qqh
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktgMKSrFOX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiHTdrfQt6
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9xQvLppqO
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cPuIt03om
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhDY2BajrR
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YXg2eYVvS
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiPqjGcgUV
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PAV9l2mSB
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqQbTXOXjv
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRzUE3NJHF
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj03WoFCqvX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLlos5FyMk
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqLNKoNhrx
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdEVsaNaNa
"We will," said Kevin.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBqJhVLwW6
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO1QLsc3T7
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3R00DXBJ2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFttcju3Is
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgxlyvWN66
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvTkM3JxN7
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡley8cFN7HX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhA8OGmpnT3
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdzbGS6VtR
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ95nHugHy
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeQMaiNzkf
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV4hgHD2vg
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:530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqeehyLsuX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdFfQmbyri
"Rhénee, wait!"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8dKpMLfMd
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0JIL5odfS
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOX8mEYHML
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J9LNBSJUN
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS46IG8xSa
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIogdx84BQ
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJXFPqgI5
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wEtsvajXQ
"I'm tired."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVv0Yd3h5tK
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7JbcxHgKa
"Really? I don't think that's it."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Vt45joc9D
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2jcsBSY28
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSx9ypbqoJn
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrep1WgoM0Q
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ313CIIAqoy
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1qSwQU3UM
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzjcOBGVZT
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyv2Am7kUW
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBquTU59PiY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSu9yHygQtt
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h05LIMFfM
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKqKSnSOyR
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmfh642imY
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYZIjGbzhb
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpgYS49cpt
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGTkjQUI7x
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhiq9O3T8u
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm0hJxOJsei
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYOUH1kMVl
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7KOE6425K
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvznRrO6zWv
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtiNjJ0z3j
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPokZT8gBh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7RZgktxTo
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb479ZT5ne
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQ2TiXKteu
"Good. Let's go."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN3jXP42pR
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wdieYc4VF
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsLd75EoWS
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5rJmc8bCn
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZGAJYeziM
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkr6CLWwNRn
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydpT9Gtb4J
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJdPQeQv7O
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ERAwqBDiJ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zGm45dA1c
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyzVX9e0DG
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WSDB5SMCY
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuDMoZuEWR
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9eYJ5f4wO
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWmIQCu3Jj
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhz7wPzW3q
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1au2hHo2K
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChO6bgM3H9
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiBQiDm5Lz
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2Kc8XYnHf
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1usnsiTJ9
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8W9M7kmrTJ
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeflZYwtS5
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTGUMyjsdY
"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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBOnrpb2Xk
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mji8clToN
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHa0qGWify
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4aBcQzlZV
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBJW1RNvyL
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFsPdGQK5D
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcGkUnHCmX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSepdHiTOfy
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug1b6NLSVu
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ74iCk4PN7
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjf2Bz0w1X
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda7tLz4ZkF
"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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIJEI6zf3g
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoX8Wh1pMJ
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPLNSCjute
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi24hDD552i
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqwE0XKTa6
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok8rYTEevr
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcfYsBxkLh
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgFaPyPQSi
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxXb9vPkZL
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawpgLhSKIu
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7NTTyh5Qv
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBcXjKzB41
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GWvonTx41
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qzmDMUkVI
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxTrbYGeRC
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Qaluy8iRr
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghs9Ph8ZXQ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWq4lqV7kn
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfg9UIxUbf
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqHAszw1fr
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQwB11Amm2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XYvgadqEx
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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2ozD5it1G
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0aDO8BFv3
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYHOgAxnHQ
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBL5xeVfUx
"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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRGhg88I4Q
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOc5rrlsog
"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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNpB35f9M2
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdWRGxwbU8
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:530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DaOvqfQ7v
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9atBUk6RPK
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0enJ5hLtom
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmQUt3LeNu
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCd2kn1HCM
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67kRwQXTSk
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgQUoOJa84
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEtlFb6JtC
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUXtXcjdPG
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWhFCvEDW1
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqs9SkbQNZg
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtEeb9jfKp
***530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfK3eCphxj
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZ2qyUxlwz
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vkGx6Kimd
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmQcLl7tdw
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSbvidgLKV
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcfuXgtCdp
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bTsmWNIZF
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIM6osjCVS
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFaijH61hH
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ErbHteoxi
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgz3rXqmP9X
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwgHg0yYlF
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZihOSZeerF
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8rlA2lt7K
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cOWbaJXaD
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkCPoLYiE9
"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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcGSHLWT5H
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkBPRG9N4X
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw92ZSsqZsl
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0jiFG2qP3
"Really?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyGvtlEaeb
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmnIILNcIo
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7UxYdOGk8
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9cXz0wyUb
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzuLRHn4DX
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8iCBvDlAp
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aCCgL9DFk
530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTotLEcgkBk
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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUeVUwtK1v
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgjOaSLTyZ
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXl1B89xeE
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VrenfWNCk
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu03d1VEm20
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RvPMqQg5v
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6L7NBiXew
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5NG2XG60m
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQ2wwLUXg
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZsNIUNgy3
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeAD8jqfSp
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1qM2ANwl7
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXry7YwkVdg
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkKCGczu6O
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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?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBOdNxY5lo
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJaNDzP8cc
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwgk6dYexU
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo8EMKoC5l
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9VZTTom5M
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6unM7D9KD
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgXKHQdoBZ
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8PmSOUjVl
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo0mqLyw4H
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmjAuDpzRT
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9MOb7iPB3
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj05wVW8FY
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWi0nai7Pe
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3l7lyWQap
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBC6eI1J0j
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrNRMamM2D
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjol1ilaZ4
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AaZwcXMCn
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC2YqBjGCd
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphYb5xg3JN
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmSL22xECV
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"Oh..., nothing really."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVx6NQPH5b
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBA49fQDuMb
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbl0fi3buq
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLVEBuU2id
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi16vjSi5pc
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxH9it6BcDa
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlBcWjUtjh
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKq2ZhxKvu
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz83jLQ3z1c
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3ve8CdjFd
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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."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwWxr7em4X
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd1WUOQDHp
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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? 530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnJEjETQG2
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUHSJEXeI6
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeWxo0ABNi
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78zNyVIyaH
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQ1YZ8eoDm
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1yu6rsEo5
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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.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KlNVZkrds
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.530Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYRicvapYk
