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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QW0tkLOxK
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WD9BNeSdN
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qDC9Q4sWY
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHO8Y5vRt8t
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPALsHMpVv
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mxu9oVYir
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzTCxMcF7u
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTkyqsOhQRi
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxaIGBulls
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0REyIHKdZx
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZe4GLvehT
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuG8j1bEzJ
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDwPEZftSh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYYPjLhKoI
"What kind of trouble?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIbgLGp7A5
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQayKQ5Lk1
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu77aQvjdzB
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveOFTQshQQ
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTi7y8MMp5
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaNwL25Gxi
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrc5eeXcYbB
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvGA62ehwO
"That's good. She needs to rest."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjQVAFkT3n
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqB6xEGWWN
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1HyeZV1m8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡma54Ay296o
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCTAhr44j6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxP0mwmsAH
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVw9HFFW9up
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiaeMN7m2l
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJ0G3mhYkO
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE1uZ2ks3N
"Ya, sure."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsypvKdKNl
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOb4zIdyZw
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisaoXMegOS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEQvJ1G41v
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrndIx1KPSH
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27vMf6a4uS
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRItz4yc2YK
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qlj0V7DWR
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRqacWMCud
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWLd5Gtoq8
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzLSHEYSZu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdezb4TA0kQ
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QvJtivIWo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNbdeCmUKr
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00yQmNcKK9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYABsVNrn8
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MAc7kV8s3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHepaoJ5RQA
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLf1Qf3wja
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0JpN1wmvF
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ou9Hi4lv6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReEmB9d9Ca
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Kz3rSKFbu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxudl5Ygukp
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnIDGX2mOx
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUqQmKzamC
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQ8HvNPQa7
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPAN18pY6N
"What did you say?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdFvBh97Zl
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGctDNCt7xD
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAmYloPXKh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYl6Ei4hFh
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sN0lgAPv9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV6EzVYGRZK
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrOQo6Wqr1
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2xt8Ow2DsF
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuMoYueSFY
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSqwSZHOb8g
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9hSrWUw7L
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3UJDueVNp
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHMq3AkCB1
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYZ4TTbRKS
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hoI0zUBbg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic9rZs7o74
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalqq6gi4kL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MP0MlNPrv
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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFptmen02yY
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYOcUtH1aC
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPIfE0qupg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02jlDI7GDl
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTTgvimvkE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHnRSNtsuP
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n0oYf6sts
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlQuboQZHm
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJHoArYVLz
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4jz2qd8xX
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddLlAHbKW7
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHxrVdUUxH
***576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaG1ZtoqxJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQBzAP7Uzc
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPxBC7UukU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2fOBiwvER
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbm5kRXsrRe
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4Qh0I8pNy
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoho956SC6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZBdKZkFAw
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7fqdXtz9K
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90v6hNUVYi
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOIdSbcfxL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNrPKBp6QC
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhouMjX7An
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuFTItSpye
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYf5GfgNoL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIRYFGUkm5
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpeUvHgVI9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7rA5jKOvG
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PyYDJzhce
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC6GrTXLwF
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJctMmJXnuW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rU8TPQ1mp
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFGLUe1oPf
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQifra59o9
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJJxavq2Sc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hmMlRKc9W
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡek5Sjo2V3t
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N1309YyZJ
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQpOoAnlhw
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQsxGvEik2
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4A28BnPJL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNNd1GV8sD
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehzR22aj2D
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdf2UOnhkk
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvEOBLVZSh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDF29hHRol
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbtOuIG3tV
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYRGgpjfGY
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr85aLPLgtJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkJlDS6Knx
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXoSGZR3N3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbiGzaosQg
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ492rPozOwq
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEKywKFFZR
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ghCPLyBz
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIOO4YYG4Z
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqEqRVUQVK
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HeaaOOeQh
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKw6fkqThY
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqaHrvUBmE
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFrkE2G183
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKSzXPcULM
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlD38aj870
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriQ5Xkwt1F
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1ek42fuH1
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLfzatzFLp
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNnl19E5eG
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacex1I4uzq
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBT6xaX7QS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhSsqvZhfs
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsk6hEhYp6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bmvVMOgE6
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWLdpyB4Sk
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl8gdedSd1
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSdct81TuD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRQslyMy1I
"Do you think she's killed before?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGbOhkhpSx
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H8Px80Gmm
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInNa2sYKBG
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWOfIPH2mK
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6igWDgb4dh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj75DxMCXaY
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJthbT7Q8bc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBnuiiGtd4
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnDoBfJzGi
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWs37q7WoUn
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vgECGtNkC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOO6RjUTMcr
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu83IopjEqE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7Jm69SuXt
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTtCQVtBmu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8vJTEBUIt
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC7rXkb2GF
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAboJu7j1d
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolahgLWDCx
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYF80pVwWp
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJXz9mJgvc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyRVqNSJJd
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJf4gkLpjr
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXhdn0jO67
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyuHiTMRB1U
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98x7lCOpIA
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLtS5O3F4d
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpd8aMo9q2
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7D0Zm8uVBA
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I5ynzMlr8
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g8JLvHeZo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrCvdWtvbP
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC0mPpj7FV
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VfRR2ojXS
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvpFbUIapo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4SOQoCdiM
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XgM1mSShh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4sxWmXjL0
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzFlELgqEW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLPMdK9KIW
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlBTV9l2tE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZOTHs2Zv2
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLMuvdu669
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfeMMQ8yJa
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVROAFKKVXx
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHXp2aJij9
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV2szxunnP
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2eTZ8CgXCf
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFA8ywmPID
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiX6W0qUoH
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNFgRbUxI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYJxjKXMPW
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvJwC1ifgS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnpSmzNpwZk
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEst1xhfEv
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l1t6eXpnF
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vik3NQIdh
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhniQeB5Qz
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSL1rlNIqD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG97AHrgeXj
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9AEykY57p
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWA5Y9ZWUO
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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVlzbTpfBU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEvqpGjVN4
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnsjZSYfrm
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWi9ysiW0o
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OAUHZAykL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXz4wQh54E
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfkeRfIurj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLkF6DWwDO
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6iewPCaz2
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6FujjX3Wd
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepo2rmItO3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc61YrM4wE
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8zFPMkkld
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWF6Zzd0AXX
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKejjwL0K8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYYCwn9v4g
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wsF2cZw0y
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20bDf0D1Po
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyo6mzdveo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCwFO4OHDU
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IRFqg5nDy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx2oQUBBnW
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwk102VX19
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9qocezoVi
"We will," said Kevin.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA43w9fbeW4
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFcfbcY03k
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gzPi7mXVl
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCmRZ7F4hj
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE7Rk7x3ZF
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMykIBKggn
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQesDzbQMFW
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmY0Asrd6jM
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCaLXRS7bD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVL5ahoYoJJ
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeibAPvcCu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxDogWzZMD
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:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8IwH9Ox8P
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlq3WaGqzd
"Rhénee, wait!"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJGjT1kITg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVmWfGveB7
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNZsq2SyJt
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLDVroEZzF
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGE9yufg3v
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JHw2kdZtj
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o4CYmwB28
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3kN2YMC8A
"I'm tired."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSQTlBcoKm
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFclS85MX7
"Really? I don't think that's it."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0vOkDzv7V
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgiLemuLSy
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4J3jbfv2zE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2CiHGvAYpn
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpqGFghG1G
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU2UYEvxep
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc64CDiA8ew
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7n97xUjrv
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg2tHJ1PyT
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWVxTUWcSkz
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVN5ukweY3x
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNglq2dNetB
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllKfZuprgf
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOme68DCvb
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8s68y7sNT
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQZxL3Yciu
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEkiTOLT1P
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeBSe2yKub
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3IdXVLTPN
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxv00JfWcG
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfIJwSJ3r8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAu3w4vxWN
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Pm6HfULj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mf0RVDRyF
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN4PDyQGgD
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHphUp3h20q
"Good. Let's go."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKnccHWjdu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zHjzA2q5w
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQIg2zVK7n
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvatK5CFD4u
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDV8pyDSas3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxA3He1evu
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJzhVaKCLo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VNJzXNqSt
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJ7LOh3JG6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8CMOpfvQS
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxnxIcdORp
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE4TrgousC
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLyBeCqS2C
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhaVYnw4DB
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTfy8oVxNj
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkagGfKlAyM
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRilvoeXai
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mFlLRjqko
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVRMLd2EbXe
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb8yqKpJ9q
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsHmPTvVwn
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCmIjGpo3J
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdbEWC2xJk
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjRU9ErpLI
"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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjz0l0indC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5H1lBfjx6
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgvniPpBa3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmmPIGJ3c5
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVUnLWfbEy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcTr5Oh4cn
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaF69vG0fM
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWkYXKqB9c
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqAguY82c8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcxxdfbl7W
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGgy4DKxou
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmFWgUGrhl
"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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XRDxQjyNS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkgCPdHJ4as
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVJBSlXHpI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zSg1Puzke
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GSY0NN6p5
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRARrcMHsw8
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhZzbkU16N
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV19EEP00i4
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1JJmKQemE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIvtkKlJSD
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7LPPa52pa
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabOExXpsIx
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFrSQj8C7D
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzY1JF7tdKo
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzR7Yh9Vh3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSmo7MMNOu
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxlUlc4iyUo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCte39cpBr
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB874WkyKCI
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtYU1xrDmk
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejEPV6SNKw
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyahMcmM8BQ
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZV0vRY37Y
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDz61JormC
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo3RXn2p6v
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzbBUIPo6J
"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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2xLj89t8u
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2B1yjuTaL
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzP4yAJisgC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUK77P1nYU
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:576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07DtUaQNAg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT0uKojKvF
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsu8o4q4TlL
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYcFJQH5e8
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqx6KNOGkxA
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHQNUsd1SD
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliouJHK2Lu
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2cx9x3PKG
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt5pPGzQpQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxpVSrE42T
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QvNr6xXhg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡno1eUCrs1j
***576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8HvzIhSf3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdyn8uUlVO
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzlLtcRGWBC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMIYh2kE79
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVtoAkhLjJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnGgr9uvOq
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxAwyGfRkb
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKqKBn7zPVC
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4n39mZhHF
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB3nxjYHru
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WtHZppiJa
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbguXlhIqig
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoxZXsdx1i
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTihuNTU6do
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJvCwH1oxr
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgN6AncQGsC
"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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazYosEJ6JQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXrjBgKmWt
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEjXHIxVmJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eHpiOpv6b
"Really?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMf6zIrkt4t
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gypiB2mi1
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlk3OZkqE1E
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNdAza6T53
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ3MzN0qqb
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3WyCmJ3lj
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TCLJtDRbA
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUbQVhPCOr
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAu1PHCozM
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He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8bFQjT6js
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejYrSP4CsW
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRkhsrnLWQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDwbKzLQtT
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbf4VaR0Ma
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuvW6AlizK
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDu4cWJXCg
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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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbqMQCsEGo
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4L24aX7QBI
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iqGASEzFC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOSB77RiPU
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnY1e0S3iy
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9jzAdPF5sN
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaEPVUp7sO
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgu3TDzGnPL
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvgODpAJo5
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwpJqfnZtH
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWowzx4oqTm
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGyicP95Dd
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PSs2gaYFw
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1svQcyUvQG
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7snMs0j5h
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GmEOsuny4
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAahqaJHrd
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYxL8JH01p
"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?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1NN93grY6
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w6nX0B5Da
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVq0Ua1qyp
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBowcAe1Ihg
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4BTOVoBRS
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIwbxUQrLw
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTVYLwa9ZO
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFkHb4skzLO
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74ytGsIoud
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFc3tEGW6k
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWDTH62JeC
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtZALR9PKD
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd51NXwmYJf
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM7gKF7Gik
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9dni0kwv9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2t7bt7JHA
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvVOo4gnfG
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtjlFN7tuV
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvhCkGfbQQ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUWVsfDaoo
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAN9lQl4JQE
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh6OxwLTkL
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKEpA9jHST
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZgfMsy960
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6Wa9XZvp
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkUidp2dnd
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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNTjp60dCc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6iXE3cluy
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9K7rN9MB16
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSCrGzM5Pq
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFHJXfT2S9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPldELIciQ
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wHI2Y7oGw
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWSB9RaG5a
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTScnmGAz47
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43Bn53ODBL
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpPx6XCiA0
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhAtdxYTGgz
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPZxAlRdZ9
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUyhlDcaZv
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOA2MpA6pZc
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFeOH4uSdM
"Oh..., nothing really."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N7Bs5snMx
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLmWvJolxQ
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWuPUiIhiR
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreawVRfZ9K
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVzM4JDMqJ
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkt45VBVjl
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Dwcrw7dg0
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhGXuGxWmg
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJkoTriA9W
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePtKGWDStG
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXyx6SefGz
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNEEcaVCo5
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPoXPWmtgt
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9dNLmVdQU
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcyZLtqBVR
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtsYHzA8pj
"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."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJtcsKckyg
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9An17SqMlr
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWoylB0yiU
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRwCzMAjZZ
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajpCmZsghe
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPduAzGpFSH
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxB405kOgf
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGY2pISZaS
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? 576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVP5VN8Sq8
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53x5vZrHwU
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvdiMOztj3
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqVJPSKCNp
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSUdzB9t8y
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ufayw3I4J
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lqLl4WhuP
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxYxd0vJpG
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMTNLG28Yv
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YSCHE0rLi
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7mAAqaI79
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRAMF2RE7r
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.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Eqot4cD1o
576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qtvFZ9O25
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.576Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8YPPyStRq
