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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuJAdxSHfF
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBN81C9vA2o
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91gveY8UuS
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGoUv9Ak8q
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Hr3ENo2W
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZGYTZde01
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82LsK1se5v
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLocio4fMu
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbmHcllPVO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHwMDJ32k0
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav71jU36zC
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmClIkf03Kd
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcghEG3RGFl
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmxrCmJZ47
"What kind of trouble?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAz4GMgsUn
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4WzI86hqc
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ucBj50Ioz
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqdgUXB8Ns
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnJJngJxvp
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosxTrp8Y1X
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7upTDxdNU5
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8x4dQ3TFZ
"That's good. She needs to rest."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82mSZbYYe7
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWRh3HlOac
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1h2EEG7ZQr
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcEsWmvHhF
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXQe9lZKIz
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZedf4lvwQO
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6em5Mbxo9D
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWgUE78OyT
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcJmnjdRte
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTCVPM4cIJ
"Ya, sure."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPPeuYDPzq
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5etEweKAfL
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSdbobmEAj
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7KfuAJ31F
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtqEFS3ui8
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OZk7lhL83
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok8Dk9eI0Y
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh3UBirzjgQ
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6W81mI0lMp
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPMxnuHkUa
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKf1d1XoYZ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsLCZbv1En
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBDTMGEZFJ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU4apmpmcn
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwyyA8MurM
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1j1iaum0xf
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAnqXO8RmG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXgr2DqI8F
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xvhX4canP
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgB2ZcMeLvt
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu7Nx1gOKN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFTH2d8NCu
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6X9l7oG0D1
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡljgKVYnFj8
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2LbKHXFbG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzntjgNkC7E
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCUCjgkU1h
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHt9LMG4uD
"What did you say?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cq2OrxSRo
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjf1vmvRyT4
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DzydvnCFZ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2wvyc5j51
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZT2CK6AL9
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8JOiBGrhA
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUp5A32Dd3
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQaOYLBAGl
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6MY9xsY3u
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeXSabAmuj
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI0CYdqqY8
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rdBBzcoCe
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrNZSNBzjO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8hfxENFXO
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3po2MBy2Rg
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡys9kWFWsoI
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyt90Kz8XrJ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTow7m2R4mX
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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7AV1n7Aw4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPEXjIHBRh
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5ZmE1TN6J
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafXaUr7xYY
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhtp8e9PCe
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuURngxWeo
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncaNO7XBE5
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyJ5907myd
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PcWy2NGHu
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKjylqZuXE
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe7z1DK6Yv
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnAmvMHrLe
***573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7JFkSxAM0
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Svvac4Q4i
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HZfYX7ZDL
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFMmcFl7g1
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXMZDtu6BT
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Mf1hOsGb3
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZHIWk15lC
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOKeBRVvMr
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLonqbv53bI
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAy7oFpbcE3
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0ICRsiUvJ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3YCWDbKsg
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV04XLjbDYA
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQOzR3iV4E
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoa0Z6KyT6Z
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHAgEv71k6
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4Ajtww0rJ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaaNhYqth2
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT71nC0txEV
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynw1AR0wdV
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UIUi7S786
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6wAWHmZYL
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRp00kBO09
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnmNP69brW
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVyBsZ6jpM
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYNuxhoe5x
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoqqY3JxDe
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolnZe4HJiC
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKzwQTw8b1
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpo7BckpU0
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWv45XdFjeE
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJ4vHEgsby
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1zmG7HOYu
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCazp3ga4A
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWarG3TxsAK
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9CaD7DAn
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL90PsU71lD
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqVvrXg6vm
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe6ERWsaLG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZg01hf5Tv
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseIWztgKeg
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGNgkFTa1r
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2cVLWqtGX
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVjPJ8azKb
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡas9FjjjCrX
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhR335JZDji
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtN8n2buRqR
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuRcUE5qOUT
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdcdxsbgRY
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTGtrqnkV7
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKepodUD3X
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrn15SFSpxH
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehg27sUYOA
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdOZo3fEgx
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeocUA3lQJk
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrwXk5jy4J
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVbpW8MOKT
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNkJsysXLi
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFrHecykw6
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoPikBkld5
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBIdaAjGZQ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TNZh4PNN2
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnuDOvm8j7
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TYI37KuvW
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJhab0Vn9E
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtbqGhWwDE
"Do you think she's killed before?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcyuJ8DWjK
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jVBYO8HGr
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gylZYoVTg
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRwRgImfSb
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QzQgpCUid
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOtRrKW906
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6hGBG4Eg6
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbRHuhLf99
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02qiGwBqG1
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gUQcUu7sW
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kORbigHNV
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcTC8kI1lE
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYl0O48Ryin
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUDDAAjNZ0
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSoYPFUcy3
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzDahjmFhs
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdOk5vJQWE
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAf9TWyhhw
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTiQNJMGKD
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKgCssC97D
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM9HcEbh5C
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dn5VAQDGI
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zVtRI60dN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVt9ZgJwQ8f
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPYh1WajVx
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1m88YBXnP
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVakrdn485U
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicGdSDSTcq
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6v8W012nuQ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX4Co3ahp6
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GzFyQ69BW
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJ5oGJz1uM
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64CDQHWcCO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4kLip2DYq
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKT9I9GhlAw
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmnGPY8zOu
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd0H0KVnUe
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjbhlU0rh1
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoRiC7jbXM
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5RvvHsQ68
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKKi4oDful
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzS8u8L36j
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS48IC8s67x
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Utjn5GvlY
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCYCrFBDg4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gXnATwQjj
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NKFigTPUU
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTOzoDsbIy
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmexKiaU4w
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5rn0qKkl2
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IDaoq9dIz
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jOYMXCNYH
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzM4SCTkYV3
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlRJYmxHaJ
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAzaM2Myfi
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73xYO4U5lP
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa78RTvlcRZ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PkKTySgEf
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LRTWtdjmp
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM86MG9lmak
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5TtpOKqMB
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFf6EarKMB
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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Q3vzWgHEb
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxzVZNH4Qi
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsTeyP0b6G
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIikCOUwgH
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsXSdNX3oV
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTco1YIjsDU
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyXxPkQ8AZ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvNPYSe0r0
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVUxZdi9QI
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBQ74WaudN
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Zm3XeLwO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxl527COHZr
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyWPdUBPPG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXIZ1vGYHC
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TYTz4hvNP
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP2pESsWvm
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbA4G7U4zk
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWCSdAntWX
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcoYY1Aio
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKSGANllXR
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHI2HMe01C
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lWE6XpHWk
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQYL8QixQb
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tMomG47KE
"We will," said Kevin.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG58CUCttf
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VBQfSq6XZ
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6bgwD99SC
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyK4FLcRKvd
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ79AhsUL8M
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWEFlnBTRD
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkFMP5VjmV
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs89vDGAD8I
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLIX9AptRi
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4VUbc26ty
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Yds5SiFwA
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fmiUPPOij
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:573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZJ4aRbKNu
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTowGdGrXW
"Rhénee, wait!"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKRAk8e63R
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXeMXPIDom
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUYt9ahD8l
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVQKxndjXz
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42TiOoD1L3
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ntizPQJWw
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcqj33TCC7
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsGXwyCXg5
"I'm tired."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNwIfbUvtR
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnufGFjySX4
"Really? I don't think that's it."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAwiUiiS1a
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzkJQtNoqg
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTfbJV6QdP
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcERnz8FlyG
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9FiyhkYRT
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxW46BfJMg7
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJlRcoCvAk
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3shHn0EIC
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6MKabzxlO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKlouZxhmR
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19DmSmqv4U
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyhnFQ8Axm
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Udzq2BfFa
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM1fckike9
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyTANwC8qX
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStspvNzXQE
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBS7mRL2te
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaSW72Cko9
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy49KAvoTN4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS7j5zKSEM
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvmKGRd8o3
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTMXEpoPk4
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPIzYQjUXq
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItpRBQEAkt
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5iny6USTb
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca8zzK1z3o
"Good. Let's go."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPiqvb86TJ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWYpO8TiCz
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6As8dvGCRC
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPMAtzjxix
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09ZOU5akQO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuNmwGczCI
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruwMLmQPYL
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqXZ2Dyx8i
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehCdJPqz91
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcTHhIQ6V1
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGH8XdfVlc
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVQElGtxIt
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXYgGtfTRZ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTpMt5Jblx
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHTYewk3Sa
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BtjzvMDfn
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5w43H7r5n
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H6381V3z4
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yF73s5a4P
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KnIIuUpCT
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh7K4RlDtM
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbUsSKN69a
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpYZXUyM2j
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZsPsgImuc
"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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhp0lvQziG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPJUMULHwV
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0g44wTbL4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0M3tNl1qf
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBxlz9fYcL
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcfA9UotNU
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOFIbeqrpr
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsvEYUKTX3
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMtV6OsPaP
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDiALO4Vi6
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MllhF1SD5
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhu3PPssuqv
"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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVfLPcJUo1
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeXrXYjXRX
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiID12AeqYx
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpC7avYKijc
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJLza1MHl
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCK0tbtFCN
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug7AJ9LSpD
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVgU4s4y7J
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9I2CPsqWl
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68AWmaeFQj
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtlf3guor0
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCC6oNafnB
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JZkXomWjb
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnDOMXPsGR
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvaVss7fy4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJIbR8Wuuh
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURFUMLodJR
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQZhEv6bx6
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQCuTsYFn4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11FhPHj8Bt
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1i4caygg2
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01vyFOfs9x
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBecqsibHDd
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8la3k6jPZa
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSznadYbn6
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkwS20FrOO
"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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmykImh2FUj
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOUFTuPtFF
"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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxedsKgMtHd
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHiGpy45teE
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:573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGUg0gum5K
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJuDmTQgZh
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8Z99QspcN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiuEESd1iV
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgvpFFthNG
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTZBm4y56l
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9CnFBBFwq
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeKwWQuMQx
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEIh1ND2BO
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNamnkWu61
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1hKmJ4Lyr
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Hz1oNDYl
***573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEY95NYtSah
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO83LDP7dNF
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTr2cRZiCN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBgozbMDSP
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10JkVH9KMV
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGEWpXX7yS
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXX9mWYCd9
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MezkOXFFf
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktu6MG90PN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTMfIpejzN
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2COkUTmpT
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNSRnAZBKS
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboGvUrhzAU
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQs3tMAzOZk
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9We9iduOB6
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jkqeYUip6
"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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQc3kj4utF
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRCdyLUbFi
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEmUuEz4Ge
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWlLdC1mjB
"Really?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqInUYIvCb
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBOeoIJ1LJ
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfok9FSwS90
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbw660eSyh
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqlj9hDU6d
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96mOonKCf5
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlZBiaEbTd
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazqlZdygoR
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0HLlPZmL2
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfoN5FmBOx
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xkhGChQEa
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xI8BuK4Oz
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdfMMrwI97
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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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ri12FYABe
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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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD0y3pSKLI
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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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeb80fndLL5
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o6mR3A2zD
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPclwux4xT
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GJwwZh8K1
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPptw8fMvA
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPNls7Z0tV
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvr9DY5jQ9
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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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9q5GhcTem
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7EJqaNioZ
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kBF1nG1yo
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYi6oCx5PHV
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf04fDqWKxF
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCWCGVhN5s
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUpJTuf0Bt
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH98u5KOYgv
"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?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lww5OyDBm
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBdUGPo1Y6
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xx9fkd4sz
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS4ydM6V44
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fmEZtgbGY
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpG2tMb3XG
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0GdoRDSra
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhVhco6JDj
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiKZ0GllB2
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYFF5TvxZo
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeA7XVnC5B
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P360SFYbp
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqComBVZXQN
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9AGFX0gl0
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF8M7ZM0Ab
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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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5U8cQmxsF6
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyoIdb1lOr
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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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoLeMCdaaQ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0rmNWYWe5
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpZcQAyHmQ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQafy5pdcxj
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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgctgtwqdye
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxHp9VADNw
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6DAItRAq4
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjjdc0ypDO
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpid2YUmCi
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBZ1OB89d1
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LrCj2EzrK
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhCJpZohEQ
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Fp4uaocJp
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw2z4TcxXr
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDbjdkFXGO
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH77ZFWQIOt
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"Oh..., nothing really."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwNtsEAVIX
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtWHCHaje1
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoTB3duvsP
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoEUrEFgrk
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtDp7MOPRK
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaREo0j1L7
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTmk4VxYsz
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9h2g2hcpFX
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvwy2Lhnoc
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoc2kRhLIz
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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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj4HI0JaiJ
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMbL0K1EoB
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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."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjcq7KN09P
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SRC8sQZu6
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Guojo86b
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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? 573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRu1moq4eQ5
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsB9K5twOO
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtxJ8rT5BZ
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw60L17gDCu
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRfnpc4CL7
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgeB96O2ub
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseyXjcW2MU
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobqB5u6TKQ
573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LLkX2HFOt
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.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zioqhS0fd
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.573Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpyH7hd7HR
