x

“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxS0zgSuPR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ895m8dnOz2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GTGQYds7h
He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL31SsGKZ1p
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPjlmot2c4
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBu4jQqjju
He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtKlemij9w
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJrEIMzesG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ManvyM2s4
Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMYKGeuvV3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzW8JBl8uWN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL7L4tT3Jg
“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsZZzkCVXm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JfqTSnPHE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiTTEAIGt8
“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTN6FhMLm2i
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO0un2fZeU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYZinqiV8G
She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITunMYQnch
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeChJwxl0D
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezhK47Bnca
“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XxWtYgNlo
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ojh7wrUMP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFePltCHpDA
“As you can see, I’m fine.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WBcT5W4Cj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b2l3zqzFN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pWpgYVDmj
Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNwoIv62H3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEE1XUfoi9c
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPhFpocwId
Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tvM4A6oE8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVlG82mIaU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlvugJ7bLf
“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuatQHqVFxd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGYW6oikE8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUD0NIuDY6
Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrnb4aVi78
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4O6lPTslp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV50FtH3UHT
“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwOxIPNq0h
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdOB9Q9zDb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKrRsAd4as
“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHQ2sUIUaX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdPKrlvbJf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sJhp8bCGa
“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKwugt8UyL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWYLBpDEKo
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZGI0Xezsh
“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0GlJf1WIb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUkDHegijJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEMuUMIMUl
Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgd2GR2jNSB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUMJAU8Gac
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAfkRwUG9k
“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGVSW5VH1K
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSz46K30I2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrupu8j8O0
“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdDoOVeFMN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWweOfAhov
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8fReht7Od
“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBs1pe0YK43
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK5NxJ2sTY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsD0f09dza
Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOemSFJXej
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0W4JJsXgIW
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jPrvXbCIM
“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoI9wfnMBPF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIzaqrLPgp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyAmxI8n6Ut
“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jh5cGMtWV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrk2n6yVbP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRGK4klAWB
“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFeU3yRPkGV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8rGMr36az
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvM84q5y4x
Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJA2N17Ks81
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeorX0ZaBU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZRXH77Hjt
“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV76ZwLhHsV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxKllRp7N1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUQUTnL1J7
“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Atomd1Kzm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ihgvU0iSf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYO1XnOIav
“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLTHFvmfrj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBDeOP4Tqs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYutktTA7gk
Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xn0ARDDtI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQiBmA30vf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCWVsoElBW
“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpcfNw8VXw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPdzvXt3gZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKW2PH9lXX
“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sQshZaIvT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk8B9jodCJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7prJUOAVOf
"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgKeXhJVsc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EojPE6L2q
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfX2SI6J66
"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzcmVqILu6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEiIB7j7fg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9C0K2jRJ2
His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PxCi5f2mN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoDcRU2485
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VlLFH1ZCK
"I think you already know the answer."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfykvys4t3o
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSs8CgPUos
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Q8eDsgWh
"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOhqBlaTSD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgiY75Gv2Q
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNCYoKFfju
"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCCH3GmB06
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HPywnwnoU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEp8bQLxLz
Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66Ehz5nvQ3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T1drL7VbK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TaR59iKUP
"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu73gZG8WiV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaLCOV25J3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTr4YymbYf
"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTfkeA4bln
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbFjuvcfPx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt9biEI5xG
Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Rz1StGR2S
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJ0D3uxKab
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDCGbe7dFE
"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZuUKbKUFX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsThtrbtjEV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerw59e7Uth
Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaUZoyLgDl
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwj0jSQr1Vp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEUxVMGfMl
Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc7gF58D41
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCyl21Ses7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcay4cpjowy
Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy50G6MofVt
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgw5JYCfuD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gHZ3fp6DQ
"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuuUni9yAs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoW8s7nuxC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7nl9Ivj0b
Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvAm000hID
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW35d9HD4tw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCVRDuzJJo
"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdEMXbBgbK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1Th5m99jW
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwwRav0p3b
Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmcO2WG7hP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPYuAv72TF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5RDB1QiYq
Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM88LRnwuoX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl374NqNeT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyCMngnxR4
“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPd7mvqAgv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX6VEED1mh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJQbInJWOk
“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPV1EsA7svX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1l7xptDrs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8TK19mSTl
Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwp86oAa8Nn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEUwr45hRc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39VhRmXop7
“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJLUk0IRof
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmnWHf1Iw4
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs4JqswqLW
Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIiYbxMltA2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbrov2ISiX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu7p6dxPb7
Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGZdsgQENX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD6KXAmyMS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEdQfG2O7H
“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLj76WWcnY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkWsCtQMAf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HDQWmgSi2
Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4aJiMvONZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgaCIZYx3V
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUetbufovv
“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfV8WJZ0dON
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKP4O6tngi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWZwMy812V
“What is it?” she asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEtrXmeIXA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFD0j4V2cjs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFmKIToNOz
“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshbmXS9HiS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76YT5UlBjr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8XhZnPqXse
“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyiDWJAaK9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqMO6wOnuN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ktgFCUIKH
Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7vcM2rREY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVteOPC5WA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQALzFbX9S
When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHKYaseXDG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUXrD4yA1m
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZK95h6wyB
"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoCRCHJBTt
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8Hx8P662h
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSUOKADCur8
Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4xiTBxKZs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb89Y38TYXy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyw8TeWg7S
Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxq8QlrbmX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaW322XyYHM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC19piLVGY4
"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeTTzRivKV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQR2CGMHb7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyLSQnJXN2
Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuzfGvcu1h
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyflMqRN4hs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhbOEtlpYY
The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbESPmDfyI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqykJmIAPE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BPUECdx4g
"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEOAjzdNni
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWceRTKupQ4
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23zUj9tn2U
"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfys2vmneQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmU44O5blJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlgOhRys0J
"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQBFuxEdDj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtY4j3vtYK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXMBEwApUd
"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJInJNfbBPc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rFkA9qJg5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0w6VjSPzO
"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvrLOJ5uSr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYG8iLVAS7Q
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTozyvRb5q
"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ChoVzHu1e
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPhqs2bsuB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HbD5PvfDS
Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTTt3qaHyV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68a4wbQLsc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YrcJFvNsE
"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlK9PLHEY6U
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTTbeQqFec
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7l485XY1cW
"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldq1BLurN1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTsePieOE8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CmXkSYcC2
"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsWOWI83U8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVXyXhRumM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDrXLRMxp2
He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVUw6ibCB9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVm3bwv2L9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tmKLaTcG1
"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LdkubOWQn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAf4Ajuwkn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY7bZlGXE6
"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXS4fWjURk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifbAMyAliY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj5kdLgqbI
Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8Lys5CDgD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptPaBDgmQQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIs1ClDXsQw
"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MCurlIctI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2pFnKrviJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfK9ei8DvYA
"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrgi2ZtFpy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7oKiXMIaF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxZsp5fOlW
Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2EB3irdn2w
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAu2PFDhYk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mTO39XG3M
He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizFxgOp94P
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCFyiVods3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQh483cYSg
"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jmDwzhjCM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiZGxB8tRe
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGH4t12PjG
"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjxoNfyGyT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDyuiBnAX8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3k0qIJleUg
"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ehOjngvOQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxR9QuvbWk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1TqYkY5tn
Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3WHBXfDWK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLoGcNtmsu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuAI0xYKZK
Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBTR9ZZM8g
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zeAjFuLs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ9tDILhmP
“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz35xPiXC3t
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv3HOKPLhu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaaA9IzA5C
Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqQNKPZDMh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgfqXsvhRE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW58ceekUZb
“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3juQH6JKT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGbLdcn4F9
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzNNyi9bOb
“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vdw2Jgtnv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVcD022cVg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6PnlahntT
Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuzhVAtGNP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3CBnrSVOA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8dvvEMnF0
They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPUzjUIsHn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMPuTieRRj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdrydtPbYc
Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIqvxT4z5Y
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYFOPL6pjJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqj4CH91qH
“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YJ4jrxB9m
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGt1IOjjH1p
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JROQ6OiEt
Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvDgNG5YWv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviIf7i5wOz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4npfBhX5Yx
They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXSgGDYrTv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9y4yQfSGSY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3662wPv1D
“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMqUEpu7je
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE9w17juwz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjRZExZMyM
“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuWUUkuvmH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SMU9kDj5o
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSioQIIDR6
“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaktk9d7Qk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEBna8heQs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboggtyaYQU
“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUNzU8rWdh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoufPfnCN3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLriW0GO0gj
“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKAZ3Udwbb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNq1cIz0ac
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqQ8hL7oc4
Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9byRoYuBPJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaPOzc545G
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRH9ws1odB
He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOSoZqgzMn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gb5jld3uA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFY4pHWoocB
"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RoPLIV9k3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWy77r8pGhJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhnFFRcTei
"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVC1WpH6Flx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDV3pKdrVc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ky2kVVOPc
"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWDcJ2M3Qd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AyxdoZRSy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6oYCqFoxb
"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0hyyIMEof
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKGFr8Qals
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tZJKU0mrX
***411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gGtAKpMi0
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSnzUKMhnr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWDRTTukHq
"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaVM7qIoNz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVLbGOgyZc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuS41h3tMaH
With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiefw7CSNSj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZLOPravC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBs3dbLKzD
How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASlCUnjGqK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMKhG5ijRy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8liO5mcMM
Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AM2VHH1bz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmqcsnd8zO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdyHhnbBv0
"Kevin, help!" she called to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAt59NjUdN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqzfq4JfzG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfFhjkdtaK
Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ5dIstudC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulhsVYNBmf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMfgRBvwfw
"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZd53rF3GX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJmXeE2B69
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76tUM0zK2L
Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTyTLlt8rF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXHJL1fpbI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpkrXrrqmy
"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWzw9Usfui
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMd9wiD3fz
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EF62wFgKl
Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbwgFVWQvf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V1VijrQL4
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvJ7vRM5Vu
The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HUWkQU2NP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc06QvUzm6f
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRo7v7ll6eV
“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6MKDMBOPi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBKax53ag3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfP5tIqPLe
Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVnLvpIm6z
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBq4duHyhg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eB5UO1nFp
“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjXjDXmAZH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzeR5DoQ7a
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv3dScJn0t
“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbmNwfoIfJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJXqYR5ShL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdV1jh9uiSW
“Where did you learn to do that?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYVEZskN2v
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaLyWLIWdc
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW88Pc50QXP
“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlDQJOdJk5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3s6GAnFOk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8GQYAZswm
Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH1M4DvEvJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ037ujmQY9C
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIrrlwJ5xz
“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsIs9XgIYH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOKcF4AXoF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5cgLyFfJ6
“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfWG0OFuqk
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NKyTurla8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcKtWyW2h3
“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFojfGG00tZ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaF82orj1r
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1dLX9Wtxp
“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQ9SZ4Y8XD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ltkph8s6S
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sxw6lTdaW
“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmVl7jfzoD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSXRpbV7vj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT6c3uzDyq
“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb5gkdYx8h
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbS96ohsDP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDPMY7xXXL
“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUERhIhBxco
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0o1jU7DCu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bOYEDlrn4
Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkv3EN5yGj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL97NuXW0J
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsq9RpGl0p
She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VLgTET59P
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB39A8YhjxK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb3GSxIXl5
Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgpxfjMMBt
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99ZA7MoWfm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL16fU5tKE8
Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe11WhGBxiE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmg2iJ7td1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV2sGJFdXE
She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ef7Dw3PTe
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMJlwc63tj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEjwTGPAIP
“What’s that?” Kevin asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K2QWzE0og
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7J8441hXV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fE2r8nkb4
“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbx7rRAeeM
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Va4m8pfuQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmoWpHNHcl
“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJHrTUqgVf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeObiFcxjfF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaOFVwpsF3
“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS7dZAR3st
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIybxUK24Y
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCxpqWsiWM
“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPg2jHf0Kw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysKhAUcFzK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YWM9SpMmj
“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrd1Yk5hP1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMnBJTHX2M
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82xClm9Rfj
Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftNItMOeIN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBN4yqmoFm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2onHaiFJ6T
Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG15taDg1De
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvnYi0c8sF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNU1OUyDbGw
Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzswL7ivtu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy2ka87MyJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVmeaKisX9
There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQta40CgVyj
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYjUVNLW5r
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvexarX7SU2
A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09e3IoKdAB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84Sdrc3KR5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcRkcptGfP
Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmi38l8luWe
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPqoW7Q49a
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4btOcICt5
"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleidbVWLlO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGr05IZmDjV
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB2WdmBJym
She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOn1ySp4dSa
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhngeCBkWJw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAe2eipUKFv
“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTJg8xOZrr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS0kBIGETA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeryi8kLzkv
She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ECbKJEF7E
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OfrhavtMO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivTHU27HSd
"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdyTgHqqQL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ777UBo5JN8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e8IeS8mBh
In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3vZqua9KD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2SIqxwvyD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfnczMRwUB
"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNMG7nXDUq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYRwyTqv8O
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOif1p09vFJ
"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRh0Rs1ynX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdocejyQjsT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERS7PrwtO2
"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP04mcXZHot
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU51Kp1OnX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0k7CGpcXQ
Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFRKPGIeto
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFVzmzLy1a
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFsACxxWtB
"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOzEuHIwlJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY7TKl7ib2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjARcZtTNu
"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfE3wx8PZp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueGmC0ThQ3
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwcVKTWyZ5
Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktHBewQyBl
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOlVfUMS3w
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEfe7k8UwE
Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXZxUcSzNn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Dbe6fAlLX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL53m8zIK7P
Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIASA9S467s
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgGgZCMBto
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdggXODTonN
"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6U7FiFj8P
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOADAxvwbR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ihkeQUXa
The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3T6gNCUUH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpp7TWBXUo
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGHrxi9xTM
"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayIJYMW7zs
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvANn9VF3rC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCHImkuhzv
"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSz9uSst1D
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iPfFF1s2t
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuwHgWt0D9
Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSM6tQynue
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72UUHxBDzd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEVXSvF70C
"You're right."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCVn0JsI1T
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD27G9CGcY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUJe0yrivc
The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwPmU11cw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKvRokN9oG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyg0Uigchm
He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmMyePZ8cL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8ikPZMJXx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtSkPAaEfv
The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgalEurhkgd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzyrAECfSI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpk1qqyf5V
Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg5kCruJE2
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4GdB0obnB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPa0ceA1yH
“Kevin, did you find it?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEXkuNwAJQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pHCHZ0ao6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0URTREew8d
Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigQMxEkrXA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9hUWmkmzO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRfnV6vFur
Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6t86qX6iwS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJpvvJpb1N
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0fkODdB68
“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PP2FgGhNU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxDgcbyKSR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoekA7EyAq4
Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKskLB0YW8A
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJfsDLf9dMY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr1kEeGFfQ
“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCVeetnRgb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhuKD5u4Ct
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCDWEXdXkY
“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwTdscXYxA
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvY3PB2ATKJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1UaDDv13o
“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjGd6Rj97E
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8aBOCGAqw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbWKrrW9BJ
Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7mewdhXOS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl17CgcVyxx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIG3OPfkKY
“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYMggfl1d8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbibQuw8Jf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHidSDChtTq
“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW67JjdITRD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskD3MtavYt
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroWNChe4GK
“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6w5BOTIKm
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkDBAzmQhE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uUWCMH6Xo
Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoR4Wh22RS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95VSfEic2O
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJQk89YFdI
“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPu1xu8X5L
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1UkRjGLVS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj31kYWOE3F
"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcYYvjpiDB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YHeDG4xbu
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcrxCJkpa5
"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPia1ZlN7KH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDB0GLNfuH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSylLE0EVxD
"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDCER1kNz1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9UZnXlYvG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vVqw9aMHI
"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXxImgQVSw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRrpE22nuO
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWhhvzDukk
"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekU4hrqAd7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTssn0dqUT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg8QgLjVB5
"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtt7LMJvdg
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOLAxRfGC6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGxRbijQNi
"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwOX7z6Qew
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2c5M1VFqx
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTEEZHuaAV
Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvufunTFoq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd38IOLXgF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd11D7Dyjhg
"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsQBQOzfWp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABNTKFKU9M
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpikAnlvBW
"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWsuEajdy1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfXGcyZ2HX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5688xd6cqY
"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrrGzMIvpW
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStQVGKGUnw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnne6lbSF8
"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pwZIrVgXJ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz6bQReNI7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFtQNJq1PM
Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5ABxACOFK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRI0kUD1pR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0A43Mpb2a
"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfkxJOmCo8
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR3kyk4WWT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSxZfS1k4v
"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXen2axXb1
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TzXeZCXMw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3WufGwCOQ
Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIyzUacnqp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Jy0kyXCF
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3mooBAP7C
"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDyyJq4F4o
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoOPLabLQU
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxKr0InbLD
"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19hNwFkP1a
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzNVfKflLX
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Mn7PPbFv
"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuMQVDqSbK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll46t3hlN5
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZqMQW87jf
"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwqk1FXX8B
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA3ccbV166
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ob7nQsm7V
"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmJdfN4pzy
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoH4iInmZD
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOArjeOvly
"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbfrCGWrEi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcBisREUVd
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12Vo8TM1gG
“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbk2rlFdaC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrldsT5s2IL
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ435HdyOQx9
“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE449OstTH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRf525KQKl
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYMi9cqBYq
Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRSx5cWYz7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqGDL47CZK
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMulRRN5KAD
“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xoAhygmOb
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjMQPFoUVH
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82OJLxk58X
“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLOPEcrluE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cNOHw0Whv
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDXMOKGH2t
“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmZPKnUNIW
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dTONFmKRf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fW8cOFiXb
Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTxCnNJIGI
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLCbGloOWS
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5VfpMIBmf
“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16eqjxumcN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVjrsESxmn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKL2a9u5W8
“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bgn2UZHFN
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoO6pfrkZq
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wmaSmj03e
“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrk4kYyoaE
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf2w7ARLcT
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5DZo9qJGd
“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTgpWIukAQ
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZEebGh3SY
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVrV6WGHMZp
“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1mrJa6yNi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D6K0RjHiG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9Wxnb4RdK
“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5NvODThZf
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxe198eCXUw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdboyZApbA
Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl2lT7EP0d
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtEutQgdOw
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDPkiWoYG7
They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8T9B5qVbR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHAMO5eYAi
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxHDQCGyvj
“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIuRW2HHdp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtkIBztNuB
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqhrhI6QNv
“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi6DuZqOy6
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5e1J3F6Cp
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStWj1ZqfQj
“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9ZGwIsjCG
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYs0MDYTdwC
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF78H0r7is
“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jikZ95eFa
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6hMoR6YSr
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtVgZAOT99
“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeszyj21vrP
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqmMAG91n7
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9eSaAQ2ql
“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraVRYKZlDn
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtBl62FV5F
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBHMe8MBCZ
“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj58vZNbofR
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NZwHWz0Lh
411Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXETvN49c2
“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”8964 copyright protection407ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtwWeCM4hJ 維尼

3.22.79.36