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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhvQfhnF5r
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3jRPPPVMz
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzHW4r2mNA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTM2XtlCoQt
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2XCr7VG4X
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oK0HNFp8W
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4z9drmaLiX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEggwaUoJFb
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOfQ8TdaLz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJjovWnTDS
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g1ogIcJh7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOaKNT7NhMr
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOJEI5meGs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeGEjB9gER
"What kind of trouble?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UOFT0hrQa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZAPvUxft2
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxN9fEO5PG
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1m7ZCXoovL
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmn2VEJOXjz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MjkFJkc6X
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4obfyCb8eN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcdKC4KGDS
"That's good. She needs to rest."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzgmE52fZN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdkCcYU8jT
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6onY7T3M7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxVMIX8r71
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodbDTz4Tcn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqILn6T515o
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPWjKmlU68
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mDCx2sZPV
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9UBlh2Dst
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUReMYcTjoL
"Ya, sure."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHLRcUFdf6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu7tSPR5LD
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gjYXKdMIy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYPd86vKrw
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMt9HwYIGaX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4ycWBmB19
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJoKQtS3ps
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh23ouNcak
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMG2GmvHZR
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgYmmeReLN
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOle6nODOmR
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzA5DYf8zX
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlYAhQIhtx
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSa9G5tBxX
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkElkp9rOjJ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUHQPjw1LF
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpRnFuApvA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqtsPWSnhX
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWogtOF1X0R
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT63PT5o3uZ
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73gkeKmAGh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJqbyoRTBT
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZRkvmnKrt
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrcLvA5x5T
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6RumCh2G5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRusVAuh0Tp
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbAPVMhKue
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kuiuMVkB3
"What did you say?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCvDd9Kdhm
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aSzTRdEz4
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDEmBv3rWS
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhuB0lvz21
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0Hc4mkh76
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhNuP7CZ4Q
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXxTEbNSIE
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkVLFg7huX
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRjQ76FRHr
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZur8gwRg9
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6mC6WAmtA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpnNyOhTSL
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszqSBJobAt
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Alj9VPvL
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VW6GlqdLC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5whUd1y8Im
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlNBsvD6Jh
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQAvwHpQ9S
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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN02mpXtNKa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSb77tgrCy
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZ20ZOPI6e
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGLJ3Sy9ob
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡht3j8W67cs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAkEw7biIL
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtudE13nboZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNb6fdjdOS3
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VtGca9CKv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4x7Pt3MYx
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCMseRL3OO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfCszsMWNX
***574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd08j79xC0S
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BnncjlwFK
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHvz7pe1OK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WvQEBnxrQ
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi4L7vKhim
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsjPLeSJ4e
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX9dHxsvD5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1CEtyfkC1
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCJWd1fydm
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkx71TQxcw
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsslxQQRqmM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPcjfTvkFo
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7faj4sPLT7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrMNj8oY2X
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjJ5kfxwRs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iRZ2pq1FA
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmvsMbahJQ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSPeGgY4mS
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGYlI9L8pb
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iHi2dwmm1
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpuw5dKwBy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7wue7eDQK
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvWISr9T3J
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOR7FV7hlkZ
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXWjWUJ2ux
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9wLKWWVQs
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRrkWymZqK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPRULfOVBE
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSLwyvAv0f
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj8dbB3UkD
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXKQwvtRhC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGv69ePpXA
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoROKJFf9kf
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKaszM5Udj
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1Rnru3wpV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHRaAwwwph
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyN11UKar1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtMFyqzn9H
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3szmksoDM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdSUyxyb9S
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOQaiwsGLD
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLQsVuo10x
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjwwMzTzAB
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRO19qLWql
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIA8IfYojr
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSp0wa2eg6
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvrXhFZABs
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TvN8MJeV6
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJe7byTcODZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBQJc1G01i
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfdOvbxSRK
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ0EeFchGi
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFhebEkFJy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKUQ1Z0Cg2
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEoOjgt0VM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVjw4hEilN
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lO7m8exXU
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8IO7Rj52G
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHffh62fhO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfQcnMOPdR
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQntwzvlwQZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtECwYWS1vz
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQs6oguwf3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGWlYK8kvf
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYtEwJlNgS
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SHZqgKYXo
"Do you think she's killed before?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1x0QpL42I
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZj5nZmfk
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX2OB86og3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWTjqm7G3n
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlmaRaEm2p
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiogBxVMRDH
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDI45ohslB
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w1XSACG9U
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhOuVCvLe7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKButZtVQWz
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFonso3WVfM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcurBrv136f
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqCmL9VTR5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUqKu7cWnM
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8M2YJzkr08
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP547gaXub5
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjg3h2J1ai
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8o9X45I3j
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uuE5gdDPF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0eyY3bGKY
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefvRUWGf1l
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaJnteBnS4
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9D5zzYU66t
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsjHNHoXZ2
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtNqyNL8B9
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEjomI6IRn
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1CoypA6tm
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBsT5jUnVHp
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKJvM4yIto
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9tfgsKpZz
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNt3sOqp3h
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyVVqPPB2f
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHr6JAz6bJ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsib3Vw96FV
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr9KlHudmr
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrld8hsCUdL
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkChQaDJBp
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOpB3lAgPT
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfwvnoL6ff
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkauZQQm6A
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBH77NTwfOb
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIERFGHy9JP
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFC4S3uAkV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSt64K5aLf
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBoCsOB0D6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegeJXquTvQ
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyrKukFfIg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaq139dNDzb
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0EPssQOnL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0tFagxYJK
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyI5dwGDgCw
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfceNzMFKn
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9LRBq7pXP
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtG6NV2KAr8
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSfICu6Tmk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKl09AcFKZ
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6fQFh0WxI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV4YwWwa70
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjS3JGQ2DSW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrTZwXrbHw
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FbF5ORJt5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡky4KR4RriW
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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6x7IIuhD0
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONNKm9aFHo
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFRdupXkxL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQK68w8Fo4
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XZG1rhoda
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoF2bMozj91
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJqsS4Buhc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQG6hIe8vT
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDanEWXCpj
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrz0MS2Oy9
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoNH0BAfBA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgiTKhmt3M
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVNnR4v5DI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BOBLs8wpl
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NAe9XqDfT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDHbxQzw1H
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNd1fiAUND
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8FCgoXVPs
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5poFCJhs8h
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdIVaQpHHp
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKx6OcBWb4
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQc0fez90A
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4hGvJZQB1
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fOsUuAhAA
"We will," said Kevin.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS857zSJvhZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7F8SgzIxk
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLknzKkZuYM
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0XnoZmKMM
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0jdmMv8KI
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREyRxcTjJa
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HfyptuqW6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj1XF3zhlY
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrbLlWLLZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4CBSRlGtcG
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNX0Gk1mszc
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xa81uVVmF
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:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xPacDILad
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TzBF36kyW
"Rhénee, wait!"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDegrZMcSRS
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa5p2wcwJJ
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0mA5MmUYn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHWtrLUpJW
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfSXeyUMDN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Z6aAkQoM6
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MNl2p32xA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZBrLskl1U
"I'm tired."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5hv7Oxudp
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1ZlbAYxOV
"Really? I don't think that's it."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOoN3njuGKW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5swSygWtAu
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhNOStozSu
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOKTNfH1ab
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF75xMA7Xr
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh9FolEYZz
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEikQHZsi2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ813xLI0CW9
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cFZIJu45i
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVe4BBCkaI
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB72dcWaOa
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75vurS46pP
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwVJhy7yuC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgfikhB8Ej
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtUgHmNA4k
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE9ooS7XzG
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmFx0Zsmvk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcGfUjcbwZ
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkFEASMnvw
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKAWrboLN9
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rDpfY5fMQ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoo8YXb4Se
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHyFbMfcTB
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDvmcueWpp
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbADPID13CA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEMcHjXfI3
"Good. Let's go."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2pBmhTbpy
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhFaBvVZGjp
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXkWYqUg3X
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoj6iBiGyy
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdrA9Fnce
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuT48nZVvz
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFe02fTHpB0
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1MhBOgBSl
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwuePev1aN
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8whkkoKk22
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBU9pznhiC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg942LdHOuK
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJoQariq69
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5R5SuN6Rh
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHgYaOukq2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg95IkhIFM
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH579vFlAHA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCujPkMWxiD
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbC3jSsrBg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6AByFnTSr
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VLk7ZmUL3
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiGkaUztCQ
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzqzFhLAyC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsVq8F5O4C
"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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ9BxykxTF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGm7y7Y4kf
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcbvGztP3I
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2xATvDHlT
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JrkgDOPwG
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZGUwS0hjz
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQBcFzCgXv
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOtfrauEwa
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfAmEQCRup
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6QR2oJhbQ
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNZaLNUT27
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6rqakAtZo
"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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM3tjmydTl
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB7oHTeQOU
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrCv4IoKlV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCyfinkcy0
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9bCYiiNPg
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MhGmmxn1L
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZ85nqIHm9
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRX0PP8BFYk
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUVA4kgUZZ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hz1vjBswt
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k6PPQO6lU
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxYcO5Yv09
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeohJvur6X
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5ZXtviax3
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzzdCCJijq
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM2rMa0G1X
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7fGv3Jqep
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARxdis6MyS
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllJgXBq7OO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehpaHaVoHI
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROdAS71We6
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARZRwxjOfU
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0O3BiozAO
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinQNguDQuA
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0VyniBsyVP
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ssbxZlcbk
"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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhayajp6Th
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIWH7M1QB5
"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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp8gcJckvz
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeUFCVceAK
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:574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBbNWlo2Pn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSW3e2cdQoO
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9G5l07mBeW
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0koumdhsQB
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWCaporMM7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZy1YCb34R
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Ckz0lZ98
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ783zD0ffxZ
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK14YaOXtj
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGzOV0zrJb
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ecsSaoC8y
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1x13RUltG
***574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGNcgZqgjA
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrokpsQHLO8
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxtaPfB0IX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs48liQXSnQ
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETbXVSbzpn
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXErn67aFl0
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidKHde52tX
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUft3TG5jD
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iZX82fTS2
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH18ZNMQ29
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjfFWC2IfL
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HZ5WDsuWZ
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsiPnKoUvt
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P7JRd8g7s
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f5eAHMOuH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCecmqeg0mU
"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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2tKh2QEh7
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLchEUJAxey
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ475kpbBP5U
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVaw07FuCQ
"Really?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkYEemSXXk
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy3N9FUxba
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5yZSz9w7l
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu5908HMCX
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa2ob9KzdV
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtgiTt9LC3
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwnf73K9gQ
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0of3LNMF9r
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBhL4ucpra
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVOOGmzD3Y
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJwE02FqYk
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifdTR3521m
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9qv4YuELC
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOy7BcXnVsJ
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnfBKZ3zM9
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48HWZcD73U
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKtDBwAEfO
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRRidmTiPA
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheqj9M1GBd
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DMDg1080Y
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2d6lirboc
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHQNjxOTMV
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalwm1V1CYT
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9NhEQzxL0
"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?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZnmdObFEC
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FQiIWGBxX
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXt41yIxxq
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6536hS4BR
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbrYMwjqKH
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2KsbWJVED
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpIO7n083t
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVhOoBfOG2
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjjq8dAqBw
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYItPI9xud
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7iMCW72aj
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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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckxK7CZgqv
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq42gwDLFnY
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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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdQ4W1l2DL
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8eTtpTZXF
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUTcQcPU9g
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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtavXLn3wF5
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSfqLQMBuX
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.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqiCJDFGNr
574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRR8OrCEUK
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXYY41cM5s
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVTBWXld1o
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkJtmRMgoT
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0T7Zvxh10
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6O1OHDg9z
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6NE4qJffJ
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"Oh..., nothing really."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3zd3wQTLK
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcU3tnjX4y
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdp6kGe7qzL
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwACldeEb2
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FdabpSwMC
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz22lmJb1JQ
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo75aVopyFw
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBaQq4WO6J
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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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW28Lf3F3L
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwOZW2qwVp
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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."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ50ocWBTH
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVRIlfaBfs
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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? 574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuIDYP2zzQ
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmusSEBFFT6
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHqrJjSpq
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU4zCEk9RB
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8Fx1pWEtm
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO9N9oe9v6
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xRSQGGHhS
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.574Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLSzpRJ6sD
