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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBSbfqgQAY
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iXMfLm60o
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LBnJCcpqU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbpJl7Gtkm
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1EHB1nB4s
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpZ23ZwxeV
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbv7TKeClao
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzX9rfdqZv
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8ruRYllEZ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVjZxWbBPS
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3p5QrmyQu
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktkpAztI2Q
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaCmnmiTl1
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxk49g74D2
"What kind of trouble?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IXZEJBq1P
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNvE0O5g45
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtjt3wcOjb
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHhwk0HBTD
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxHUZNneWa
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxQ9ebG8bI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cZDeEgqxv
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPsguhDDFq
"That's good. She needs to rest."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDe7yaEazP
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhqRtuh9V1
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEw7nXRSM9
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerIPg2WHzY
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEl0bGdxs6
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthNceiVrZ1
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwNoWWPed8
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnZqPQWSOk
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStC8vPnAY6
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsgjVrDErM
"Ya, sure."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhj3QmchhS
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQGLXd51Nc
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2YNQgEnrO
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ZcN1drtW
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9ulHTJA3Y
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyKouSqFiz
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJemu1RViNY
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHCXDac3LS
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvMVzVq88c
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7Pj6kg5dX
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknAmnsIGzZ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfjNpR6nmS
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYX0DQ5GzO
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DZoAZc7YP
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOm5ZTOlBry
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8qNuUekqB
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQCEwGgNEx
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qlP6GtvIq
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQFMLJ2upo
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAIHQEl63n
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHGTujRfXk
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIY1dzlYEh
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgWdlUweKP
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAoFXHwJ5I
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtI84gVp8eh
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnOOyM992Z
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZy4ObVks9n
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OefoQC5w4
"What did you say?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdexm9DgV8T
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhZnndMgq5
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYsWwmWMv0
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBjorfM1Ah
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWGHDCOfLM
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCCCGdISYT
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCF4NIkMnkU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoup39AyZg
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj32yDdichw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1oHRq9UcH
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMQjfELUIa
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08RBTTJGC6
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoG2J1YkwZ3
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHxdwFMIW0
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXTeSgn6Em
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9RimlFWYP
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzcqtq2qbn
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSEWhQpBNP
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?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8RCM0iBJ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTbqJvTGov
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsP7UMFkE7f
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNXcOHfrhk
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNrmeALozY
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhsIXBLHFx
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYOWiNtbGp
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhH3mU46cY
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjqZqPb7gX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8e5nAS9dj8
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFvC9P6HJm
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysCHyVBkf1
***527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiJWT71yHh
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QOxOUttOi
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXK8jvf0btW
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRM5epzQD8
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbsa24Mz1P
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrE3QeMYMLB
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYZK3oCZq3
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv98Fk5eqq
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxh5se078p
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf1bF4vsOZ
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3BSW3ebFO
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiicNSFAWz3
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMcsV8ehfA
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7R2eIhIYB
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9pYslfeVI
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmmVLGxz8E
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoIT54igPn
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGNep9LUpa
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgATbltcwp
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRE2lx3P1N
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL91I6B4Ij
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PA6rR45sY
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4lUMRoSSi
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRvAdEEXUr
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzaUgeH2TN
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSdccli92W
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvQo1NmoDh
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57uywbf7SJ
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJWguVZGiu
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZMq17jcB2
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgnoZCo3Zr
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndScdE716j
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFJIVMyqVf
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RWuRx9CvV
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycx5rXGIc0
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYGsVRmD4M
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9CVmmMrdn
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbBWwvUTYu
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOLiYcLzQd
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67VODxbylY
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVT4AOUeM2c
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHejWkLqpEh
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvg8RXwl0x
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAQHlNsBKK
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2bCxMqDeA
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWSDlrP9UG
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDv3dGGh2y
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8WEgBROV5
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8D8ETszNr
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TIpvWCRF5
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9baYChn7N
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQOtjkn0NC
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBNnt1BmsL
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslWYxOyOVD
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyyLnw62zw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD8Smkbwtm
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcaAjI5aDr
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUOvc7iVkL
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlQRVImu26
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTTb85HGJk
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN3jREh8z3
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZMCWyUPmP
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacvPQq4JDY
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2vjzMW6aj
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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FyJDMjzrx
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNBPQ37Zwo
"Do you think she's killed before?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJ4E2MrxSP
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcWfoI1qcT
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6uUxfiPAy
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZF2re3OS3
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zkvQk8afg
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BsS7RIaAe
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey32v9Doij
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzKRYfTxTB
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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYQhdXXAxF
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡul7bBEVszf
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW58Jj9nj9R
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqJyPuuJKG
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWQH8Ql6nK
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVjRgwLRrr
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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYleEhuh4QV
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHZMkNUV31
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopl9PbGTLH
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGI6JZfAFu
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5lwrXOpa
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jBs58Ve46
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpe6NP7GhYZ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEo2z3h3ko
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe8j2GEqrk
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiG0EOKg0DB
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGQlda3gEA
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnoBfnHU14
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvRUHymBhG
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9hTSMO0BT
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSYTvmqwivX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADKh1Xlg8M
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdzkJbnK2W
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9w5FdIpBb
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurBHyKx7Pi
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4ZVGArg88
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBZP8NYFl2
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEwtejPcN7
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVcPDdNh52
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3BbU12mES
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyNcxLshd7
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0twD6yEiu
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvHVzE9jTl
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEZE2NnWjP
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaB3BZ1egnX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuQyJIc0yS
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX3WPOvb3I
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptBbCBcBXs
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4lAlOSCLX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG93JZrawwa
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnEICz6Vqo
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgGYKgUtje
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hdmgQn20L
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQopy0rqrb
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5TVWxhvqu
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXldkjD3RgY
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YCcWuaqqQ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDhRD66ds6
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwSHNlIx9q
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQv5I7F2T72
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJK9wNIowE
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP59NwLTdI6
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUcto59J0e
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtuuFn8oUdM
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?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9ifjpqQzj
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdFodm1kiT
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzXU0apYmx
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaETTRoUjgU
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡusuzazxMNE
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWPyvvpWul
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmDZLvNTZY
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ086UwwythF
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH2F1W6z1c
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8ixn6rElN
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1V7iCS6DG
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVybOC3Hpa
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVrkIhPdqX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMEY92sQjS
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUQFCzmwnh
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsG4LPeYXX
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZF0I3NcC71
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LrjOZ0Icu
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc99WASHyaB
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHi3mfgf23
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPc1vscLjw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV0nuawhhoc
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9jywiPuiO
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpJOdGz3XL
"We will," said Kevin.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnjiTx6eRj
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7EnjofSYS
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sDSIwoVzj
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41tn2vc7P9
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoltp8gsY2f
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8c5azk2TE
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjw8uopggf
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBBChssUt6
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6hCp7qlAL
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcQTpENblv
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsCneKgdEJ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYQctejHUN
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:527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1hJGSw7nH
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYauCAA6lZ9
"Rhénee, wait!"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqL3AP5Poc1
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTC8eoh7p2i
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1ePHLaS5Y
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCES1S64YZV
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDq4xGyNGU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50zAdOkaIp
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUPhjxnl1r
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY8zXxBeIp
"I'm tired."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uFQ8TaG3W
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5bPcfhxeK
"Really? I don't think that's it."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGT8Ex2tw6k
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAheQvVX62s
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4lUSoU7Zg
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojOU3YO43P
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplBL77mQF8
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oKXUEOGMt
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXswGgfDxq6
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlgyYXJrx3
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaonyDIWayn
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvzsy2obJu
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWRwNFF42H
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXeeWPnZpa
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKWhBzjbGI
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvNM96dMHG
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2se5RgmOz1
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoICHIhJuH
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCDSffksoq
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQzHUc98wi
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvtxFXFFjT
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ybHw3amZl
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49PhauPTKr
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFq07EcgOvz
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ysEysnoyv
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rxNIl3AUM
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzD44iIivE
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdpaTYxW1H
"Good. Let's go."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uQRo4TVAU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9tVbCY3aY
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOa7twvDCT
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjdIjCGoZZ
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUOtQNwsPN
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXDZf36HOe
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv9Ue5ZCEc
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9evav1J9ab
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6sgvQ0BLk
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfZYuofXdM
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Ltep6neVk
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqNTv1GOXF
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREBZYrZtrG
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyHQQfXnhS
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYlB8nOQyi
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAWJUL6GcX
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyk3lUI77D
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9csMWcyw46
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nYgbxkfK6
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdY11VE3wl
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tDZByGuGW
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm2Fq2JdHZ
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5B4a0IAQhm
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDLQI6zXOC
"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?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmpumis2F7
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwb7oZhb3W
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FdngZ1TRP
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qO2fyKd7n
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuL1LYwyhS
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O3TA0Q7KU
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGe7YT7rTx
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmf1gWmifK
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv9NGwiVm9
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvVER0X77y
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyF8sFPww4B
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvloUftRhD
"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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl51R5uQnE1
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnLTVCWGd0
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva2osYK2Ut
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBe7CT69Fs
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLvA8ysVU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUFTmgxYpH
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtO86zIZyw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1UiOHNWN7
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9RUXVTj15
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIrqTGMGcr
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy4xAMJv5y
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexw2E17FHV
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9IZiapbc3
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsDZYGb0AR
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpja3TLKFE
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutnhl7H6tH
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC1YqM1gAv
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xapmNnQmb
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGWpkNcCbr
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLneBprgKGy
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6UVQdj5jH
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZAZHEz7FM
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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMA8TmrVS2
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyjUQ377OZ
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaW9JdijpT
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvuww70tA8
"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?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVh5PuuNUh
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcKjGvyRNx
"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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcTxkaYDTi
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZzjLiTrar
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:527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOabn2GHx0
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDMCmPGZ7i
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG1I4O7XTu
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7n2JzJyrH
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kpedC1a0H
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKYmNMGVtj
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yk35FEXnc
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDOeR2ILwQ
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMPIUwsXOF
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡER24hMGlXd
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7bOKt8qIJ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9AgK9iByy
***527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSbwLRyzov
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOi6txGiDS
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDwb7gBRJe
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9SIWqM76e
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7Bs2oVUJJ
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQ5VX9E9t4
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8JwgPR9Cf
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvLvHZakaU
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkfBYQPlXU
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuASEurg39s
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR5jfnlxndw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5K2fuyIAf
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbLw3MMfDy
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeJECtpshy
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHswh7cIFw
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1C98YioWLJ
"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?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveKRkO9n5B
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rsLHbPDDV
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE3vzzqHIX
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgCqOjtwvy
"Really?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTm6aMF64X
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVlZhzRd80
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIWLDigouy
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIKPxtbq6Ai
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyVqDCaPcF
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm46rubMn2I
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qCpfNeCNg
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Joye5n6Sq
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWC88AEDWs
527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqR5wWzm2o
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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqxerPwClt
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBejBK3KO0K
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92wVI0luVJ
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9KJWZYVa8
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO8XdGG4E6
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnUmb8v6GM
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9wNhgJFbv
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZj3QlPmDqS
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlREzIeLYAC
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz5Z8kPOsP
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoUtj9JJMx
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjJP9fbuAu
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZI7iHavBpb
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOuuJnJsRC
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJDpPF3pHr
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4wk6adN56p
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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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtwoDE5KnO
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6qGrDjkW7
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKf1ugsAuH
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHcD4pe5pC
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99bPSdULTm
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyRCBIzd2y
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaSkz9s22Q
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hmHus26C9
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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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqjJdEOBMn
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SfaO2VN3B
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsCuSxrFov
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy9luO29kA
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTXDEIthW1
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGaGotXg5D
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGN4ZcUzAOB
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT5dMDkSEg
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96ojR3DTex
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozOh17FO8B
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"Oh..., nothing really."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mebswbnH2
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsIHyIoi3R
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJwAkiH7ou
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpot9TTWHMm
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbfY42Pgwl
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPU7Uy3NQf0
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzsCHUiHw2
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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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuENAFtQIa
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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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWOHpJQyX0
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG47PA3tEm
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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."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNydreDeJli
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEZqS5aB16
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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? 527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvj3LgO7G
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyADfvJa43
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u3uyKILGv
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7fKPecDdx
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Eed7Ev7pG
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1lfE990sf
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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.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYlLPtUC1V
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.527Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQt2DKkmZB
