The news about the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45dbPXAUE
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoBxCOdkFM
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFF23cHw8o
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVEV8xO3ct
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5qT3pthGY
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk1oq1ASAr
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3l1ElzVQvA
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoisBNGKYJz
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3ij3LMBjG
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Wg209F0ZQ
There was more to it 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHurYljo3AP
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1n2s2CwTGK
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByb6FZYFA7
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbov5Xoxss
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH7ic8ralt
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMhl9p6N2q
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuTJYHyWDc
except from a few individuals. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtxQ8TUmKD
And apparently, one of 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyqRTpEj0nJ
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kbk3YyX2x
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIy3YUk9cU
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KzhwRuVdI
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0c3qCAHOt
really going on, all hell would break loose.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoSaJ7kDV45
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7brIo7JGX
Rhénee dropped the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC33WJcLd0F
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JGO2mnhtY
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzoAtKYFsO
ear, she took a sip of coffee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7thluBANc5
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnJzaF6HMK
"Ya, its crazy here," 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ol0XhFjH
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo0I7wSayN
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRIohsBO2D
broken in."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KbaiBMDZM
"If only they knew."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LFDP5I3fA
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZBq4CVwzK
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwuvTLiCck
"She did. I had to make 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCffv1iZmqw
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjG2DqdF1RO
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQREHSVTfy
"I doubt if she believed that."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0hKoe8ToU
"Haha, looks like you 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqXmU8a3Vl
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN78UuitQ63
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYMDB3lAkA
"True. But we did. I 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBsDl71S57
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahSNPYd3MT
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDe1O9R8FE
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNYCbJr8n5
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MUESunYpq
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzVe7hRWmp
"Okay, bye."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98ZFDdoI40
"Bye."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVZleGmmvv
Rhénee cuts the call and650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCKq2g21h7
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH3T0mHvrc
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGFS8sY6cw
wink last night.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3OMHm8kHG
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vxXLCNd6r
"I wasn't going to 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPf1GfZHim
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpGxa4kgbR
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAXtuPxpmR
"You don't have to 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvAZ0Rf6Kj
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmVLM2vkNZ
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPZVHU4aOy
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVlZ72zcfk
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMSx1LCgT4
"Why Malcom?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4U6OudMucX
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PK3g0lEIc
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtZIIcidE4
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn4jP2SOV6
"Alright, you go ahead."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssVj8ZTEyu
Miss Griselda gave 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSt6hWPPkT
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEss6soyUqr
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcE7oTKY6J1
did when they talked about Malcom. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsmTuqmA4X
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRuGBISmFk
The sound of her phone 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqRL5PnASy
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrslOGWrXxv
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWbQ0eyOcM
mother.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7Nc9UO3qh
"Hello?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLTcsOu3Ms
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf50OkOtio
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDB6F0WSm8
That voice. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOXo6R8bCS
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlfDaMAHJT
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2eUvlk2Sr
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5UoUADdXn
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGXTbVmRzI
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wLWaYNhmM
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGWpfYYnKI
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Qd4Cxso5m
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMYA5tEfdm
"You don't know me, 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvtFqWrRaJ
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKhuwCFsok
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7AIr1KY6r
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb4iWVi8XS
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLYO7HySLy
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5uUf5T7ZF
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFGsi1G7CG
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9geGuNqi7
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFREpXaFj4I
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9C0ImxUt0q
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpoxGoZjdR
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39DD6RrLOa
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrakAc1ok3G
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOG77iSJYk
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2XqNkOTQX
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjeIVfTS3N
"Oh, and by the way, 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZE6X0OD6Y2
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqoJW8TYE2
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9av5U9QPdC
this time around."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEFiZugZow
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTDaWbRTmy
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvArIDc0M9
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6Hr2N2iAy
Rhénee sat down on the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zK2XAwMAr
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a9kgbxGrs
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqBLfwTC6D
the others, who know what might happen. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSnFH3FTmN
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5YW6Hri5i
***650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQftA2IFje
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUtN5jjATI
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35vnD4Hd3b
"But she isn't hurt right?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rFSHx4KkX
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEPFcwHv4U
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13xtgbDCTq
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJX6wVaKr9k
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOTQ6kGQW9
"Nah.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDK6F5mimwt
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7Vku9AWXC
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUYMOjSO6E
"Thats650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrb7CGADrWv
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyyMCCi6GP
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgi0Bp2fgbq
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoX20A0fx7
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i47fPYFuE
"Alright."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgGjZjbvq9
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVPa8D7zvH
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMx7sEowBMP
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jtl6TG6DW
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK2tF7GSJP
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TevZej8cy
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYt8Mdx5oUW
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU5ueT968F
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5viapvi6tr
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5OLDLU4ey
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnf71fG9Vc
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUnkPPF1lq
"Does it bother you?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRBvKA9h9V
"Um... not really. But.... um."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEekP510ptD
Eugene650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVWBLHQOkq
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdLxDobgqd
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxOBYdwqq7w
"Mum, are you okay?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAZ4AEneXN
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfmg5rCefd
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGFCADjCcO
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgTDIRa8Of
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRZP62CioA
Mrs650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wE09KivRq
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhQfZrdYR2
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI08g8oY07
had talked about Rhénee?650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ23Emcq0Ibm
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZV86c5q7f
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmEGtOOmUP
***650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMy72HvtQY
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqofxaERRYe
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJQ6fre4Ce
"You better rest though. You still look tired."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOC5BbKIqEK
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWVvCzxHnQ
"No, I'll do it."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOfR56BN8P
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvPchY5Ve5
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQRfzt91hM
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWX4M6PGiF
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLUUNVwFLv
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcuGXPs4ZP
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcvEbF5sLC
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFqO2Crt4i
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwr0iJhT7O
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6zgRdRk7Q
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoSIljPtmR
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtstvPlXj9
"Thank650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBFVwONG2U
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdm4kdMn7Fa
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjh4GJOdYm
"Well, yes. I still think I would."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHzQrVMOk
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjiyo8O3zs
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQemEpZbD19
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwxyyzpNly
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnY7cHgPpp
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0SKfEj4K4
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdqXNcotx0
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ck5VrDV5x
"Coffee will be lovely."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1nhWhRZKN
Miss650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWFqAJYjdB
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i3633wyfz
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREuOlaS6rE
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBUSmJsW7T
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB10v1M7Hn7
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOwseV30Vq
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZ8gacnLxw
"What mysterious person?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAuq7gn2Xam
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb9QeK7AUp
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACSGmDxW0M
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BrYsnQFtP
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUr8HOZXRz
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7clM4ytL6
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfa3NGzY9S
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqY9drmrD9r
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtsexUvNxC
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjahH7Q6FO
The650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRwTIicf2x7
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8HGteFhFt
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuaiDHB4mo
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VHHYVoZzw
of this.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXek3dYBgO
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8oP3iFtMq
"I...650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHIbJTCyNY
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDadHuAIFt
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaSSj9TNyU
frustration. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqghII7SZar
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0swksCHpK
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00NapuCytb
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxxHbSgUnf
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUipQ9g1YtT
cups on the tray and wondered. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP8rusGgmD
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPejLnMgx9
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEDQ14hEPn
As650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil4cGl55xQ
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHSmZDobeY
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lJZ4wxTNM
reminder kept ringing in her head.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyHt0MC1Op
"And tell your friends not to get involved."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0Cx92XG3D
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6qeUNXFEo
"I650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oT0eZG5mj
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5ekIV9bK5
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26Co01NCCH
talking about, Rhénee?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzU9QO0ufG
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1YRrL3EWe
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFupzeav7fj
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8MRauMtrg
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVQiFD57eb
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksvfPaDw0j
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WB8MzaInl
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIxjLMBrIu
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy8UBR4Tcs
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf72mxNAVIX
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmmqYZgPml
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiLxXCXgs6
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5ToVMgehj
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCvnBdtkEw
***650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVVz9LY1fr
Sweat650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntm2YLauWP
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWBAAe0Bc3
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUueRMHJRg
the person waiting never likes to wait.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanp3TdbJ6y
He650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfwzQeBONM2
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r9xrBL53T
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaF3EYzWEuL
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwFvlUFlvC
second.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3bdF4N9hH
He650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdYBhijqp6
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2PTHb8QB6
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbXhF83GVH
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP1Ki90gth
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4C2ozbetL
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfponVRwfdb
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcj77g48pnj
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJgJChdny3
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqumwqbW4Ad
"You're late, again."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkqoh6OxR8
His650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVlpNr1DNB
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQpkOZ9ULz
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwofx8vSsR
lion door knob. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rOBiMYPoL
He650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEO40nVoN8
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoPeb3hUxK
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzoNgQWaPh
"What650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8zcCe1EEV
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpreZw9fLZ4
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6Wrb0gZFC
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXSQBBFWA0
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ASEdLOfcZ
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8pPrY2o4S
A650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3kEzfTMlQ
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJdcz7N6b6
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEFmqYUURv
as they had their backs towards the window.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToeMu9dMGy
"You know we need him," said the tall man.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3tgmavPRa
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJJj7TMuFW
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdTTsviklE
The650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8DoGLZa6Z
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgNrDfqsdA
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xntiAAjUg
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbD2x0WCgi
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6leWoG839
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhIRmtq43p
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTW0jyAPNEe
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr43Suon8bN
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rkdgj7c2s
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3s4Du6dFU
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7GdERFiH9
"What if she reveals the truth?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaY3k2mjcTE
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVibrDB4509
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOaxEWIGPB
For a moment, silence hung over them.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7kyuJsqzC
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEFPPbDT8n
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNY7Dg8hfiH
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb38t8oogOj
"I650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaEwpJFB7o
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzdwbBKEoD
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQPRSMrRUy
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GP2TOcxfH
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg5lrrEzpZ
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHcczEzB2N
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9uAkiuPgG
***650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEk2hCPBQi
The650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwb3HESfcWl
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9BMgu7THi
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer9epI9iOr
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxFUCglLbM
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsAdwVGXnp
they met, they seemed sky blue.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2Ub7gOan3
And650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i2pSKXN9W
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFxfg83XTP
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplu0Cwnvjv
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgox5i9y1O
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm63NdAfffG
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jfdpZ2z5
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDoE8hNa18
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3HzZt5oSi
coffee table in the middle.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcPK0YbMGX
When650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTagi0SLolu
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9igwOWFGNY
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaJbwXVtFT
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEkTRmUaX9
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TdIWgFvXZ
"Are you sure?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFsWPNmKiz
"Yes, I'm positive."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOB2qa4vqI
Miss650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaKgYkLiqz
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpsT6ehztW
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoJi1GkQ5x
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MebZPLxqY
from their cups.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewGcR02ens
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7yCLLvd1R
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsgZ5oa4oo
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQou5j2q5j7
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2Q21t1acn
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugFPdNJeDp
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErIWASaF9x
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6jDvCgGRB
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42F13FvOmM
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBveQB4n8Z
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLPZ1hX3ps
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MlYJvWJLC
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb05xjgDQAI
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FJVDJg8y9
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAWr41WzO4
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQWtVRvoSp
"Oh,650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbwLT0sOCz
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Mtfp56TEX
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUX0InHW9ls
who he is."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKe2uihoPe
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6Ff8Sdf88
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kh3nFSNrN
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vfFTOpxMc
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uzxvw1iNX
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjcWpNMgcj
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhKirq4S1H
Rhénee650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lDYmKBJG6
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeiOgbOik5
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf74OqwWTJY
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA2X7xttTX
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRw4lt8vkWd
"Fine,650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvTaAA2Kpi
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sSmbWdfhd
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyMBrB9MHs
or die if you stay by me."650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGzKljQV7E
