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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWFC9U1bl8
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"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98PgqwLKqN
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"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFxVR1YuUT
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6Y2wIRsYn
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy1FtXenQD
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHqDgk1GyC
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAXDCqwzZb
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11LdEkpbqk
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VzvO9jj6h
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHSsUOUgfu
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl94dDypQx7
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPQTuKNTca
"What kind of trouble?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PAU2OChEk
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GoTAJl0ZN
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRK53wSDunW
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObc5t5Ayn4
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI8X0yFvKr
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtri342Gq1
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDaHpVqOjq
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZiF92gnOs
"That's good. She needs to rest."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bAaWAyjvJ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypMCYWBrzZ
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6WMtCHh8V
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8t4njcpk1
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETswBmlEAo
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FeXZYRdKM
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp2HIQBap5
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CsyPn1WEI
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVQqT0RJ2G
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzuFJALt1d
"Ya, sure."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEjvPCtMmD
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHTR8KZMNy
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhhB3qXlSb
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp0mDpm4Md
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7BUARxGSz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqQ0F7D1xi
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv4bbPajFF
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoL85B6ufqM
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8bnYYrniB
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC1osBGENs
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTz0JojHnb
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkq8BQjj3y
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbdlVRbDj3
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf7DIwDlK2
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Rgy8rWn4B
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2mYLKIyLd
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFuUQpdSYX
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06q7Gf7n23
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTl8O9qQBZ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcql2dLKWW9
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFVpTujNrn
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpEhPoxrVx
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrgIjWTxKu
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAM3EtLuH9
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03REZM5EBx
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe43KT0oLe
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡendX3kuXTX
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"What did you say?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmbx3mECaU
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo79BYDfnqZ
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHOFDyTrYf
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3YAybk37P
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjp7Wlixsz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLU2gvJPT3z
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6J0guDTAa
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIsQVYUsqx
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i647EfrAN
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgDVOXRxYm
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTZ59MzoqI
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI1mVbcfPQ
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH9WPuzPWx
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhpHgW9tnT
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nYbVyviBO
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTDSUlCg7P
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ASX44Dw6v
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzDMlcIDm4
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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VG0mlpRXr
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTD4gMe4ILc
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWFobj266u
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAQZjItVFs
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR3AOqBrYr
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmEQX1ZrjN
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VPTgHELZE
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuupGqUBMy
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwqZnaUgFz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsOcvl27x6
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrp4RNtBdGr
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***545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52xCDPf7kK
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"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pL4oc2KXA
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtshmASzUZ
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQzXYfyyhZ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooENPNAZsU
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIE1wG6KB9x
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoT3Qa27h3
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡod3hb236pQ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDA7byc6gz0
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHHqRBsgqt
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NIiPve5PN
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvXB3VoDBg
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpJ7qHs878
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNts4a8dgYp
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyoI1gF8ao
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4LxLOLX2i
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysgBtJ9HSQ
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtn5CqHinF
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBHgKQBGKu
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXaxnyTEX3
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhg2vJC1WnY
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sMgNAycca
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"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdTJMnTZXh
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIxYwrTFsr
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK95XnPm0j0
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fpLCC88Um
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufMoAJ6O87
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkTP1P0jhc
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8iyuZWPpE
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"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYDMStKJuy
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa454rPVsi6
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFFqRkqu2b
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4k2jzBzYAj
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgLwWNCn0E
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1X8TTciEvs
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTIbVkYLNZ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjOtVhNIS4
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVt4Mz0VV9
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6me9xr5ltf
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJneJ8La4Pm
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFt0iMcx9t
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y9QjpSDIC
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizbV9HmyLx
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRshihGpWu
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwerCIwJNs
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVs5HdAjXt
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡir2PDWyXgU
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8cfBWuFGx
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4aBbbMTvi
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqgNG8THkS
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHqXDSSJnJ
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuBw0nx4oH
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIQLhy8yRa
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKNoEcY8OJ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIugkoMtO9m
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDR83mICKx
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysGzaKFee4
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbm619Ofh4
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsS0OKzzuds
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI32E6zmgsR
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1gsuqq8hQ
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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjFamtccbB
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjY63qwJCvK
"Do you think she's killed before?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFQrhZaNmI
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3vECDhVbA
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2JLkfUvhi
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBq3HFdEhi
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcHow4OhVx
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2J761Reh
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxUMbmtOeX
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBpLuWNEp0
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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0zEYf6FQT
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEk5prZGyZ
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVqUVwX6WM
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvhWyWBjqT
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFHF6C1HTJ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpxoy5mBBy
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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDekq2FGzY
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7Yn8V1jSR
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOk5xWO2Ica
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjH2yZ1gPc
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfRRZxaii1
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfwV4ryPQ5
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7ivpzdbNv
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"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBBGYfF9I7
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPezCYLa1I
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeVOZpRyGo
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzkLjvhJg4
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiRR6Jkqr6
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDUPJCR0Ai
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DInPxeej4
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLT9ddbK5y
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrf53BQ8Ir
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsh3mcyRJaI
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtD5za1JuPL
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQ96j0yfc8
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaOo72DgLd
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSitfBBq9Aj
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS2oC2ancA
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzA5T2F2H9
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUeFmeevFP
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYR3PJvHOc
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRBh6jHzRB
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYFagnF2dI
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc16U39j9b9
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeikWXEUfa4
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡygqwdWc4YF
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQhLVIwfPB
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDiHGZdPFD
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtj5lwJR2Hb
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwTCvO8J9A
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPS1PrB1B1n
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0EX1liTwu
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gZB4IDy8a
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15pjR9xsMS
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSP5iPncZk
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0bSwPIlVQR
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxEnBGh0nS
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJ1ghQlfKf
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEDKgTsyO9
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8R5Jc6Amz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrWo7edwF6
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAkcabvb2D
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLt39FL5mp
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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfw3iCn0bt
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5G11FP1Sv
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreVvzoNRdy
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8q1kP3GzmM
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VO4QpW3ZN
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjR7w9CmkN
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhqEcjZf0O
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSJPeUQJ1t
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwP0pn7Enmg
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o4nXoL364
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ePNlJ4wc2
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfu1WdgsEu
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZ73Ck6WaH
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpjkXCKWMb
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEsNdrk50L
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tQoRFLbOI
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FFnc8NIdw
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdq6NzET8MC
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CM4fpRrD8
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1Yoh5HFs9
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMo55tZvGV
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiKNEq6r1E
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rG2Ad3Ro0
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lFwJSehfI
"We will," said Kevin.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6DqmCOAyy
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHV2ugXQp24
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF04sEO9x1n
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKRmHNDW8d
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFPInNs4iA
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMzg5KfC8z
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fy30HYWnt
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkb84BzSmd
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuhbr8izTm
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6waoyyqf
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKHDf5QdzO
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKS7Oxsiyq
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:545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEvwYqIpJj
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFGcbIplIz
"Rhénee, wait!"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvJpdUTLhp
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cNY77ORlE
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRmE8DLFfo
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzSaUWktrP
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5JKawz46s
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUFhnpdnDc
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG1weU0iuY
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BPo2bOWiw
"I'm tired."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMQJLyLBAr
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvet1VuitD
"Really? I don't think that's it."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKScaUm9cKK
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUStJ5MjRj
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujcVfGfPPK
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasQ281jvwg
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWZ0w4Zjz9
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPX77Hg83vz
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayei79Tc7z
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoHnGFaUCw
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAscIRzE4c
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ej4XkNPIH
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhRCjDxekS
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJZwDR5LMB
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMiwbmKYO9
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6Zy09j80i
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6z88kXDEm
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OQVlLcgDn
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRsjWCXkkK
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2hTWyvtnq
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7oh2brQBe
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOpIt4aO5B
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ly4j6RWzB
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6Z7iMXFF9
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ItvBbaxC
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9pIcYFguf
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANDUfyun8y
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryMpCjuAAl
"Good. Let's go."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1oEElPIER
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mZoQetESc
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsCnt4OdKI
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDQgFn68w4
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR7Hg7HY4u
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHnAYTOLf3
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71z8X5s2RI
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhU511H4AT
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXcbTdGiMm
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVKzS7wBoG
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTlnoUKntR
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGq4qyd2Lrj
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlnN3u11zN
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjWyDpoVM2
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw6gpr0WZ0G
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4mwOYad4I
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcOaQWhs6i
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBJ6GyMix
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKadpKmo8NO
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkYRLvAMx4
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNOVCj0vU7
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxoKzUY7nF
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV0WXhNqOj
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71YCK4BqeT
"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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwI8dT4h4MY
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgC53gzSCXo
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTFVRQyQtf
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDa1aomsZq
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22Bhh7UTkJ
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8fziJMDUW
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetriYzZhVG
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUvBKb0XyL
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeCcrRE4d8
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyiYxYeeJ2
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnsrPZT6cl
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg9i4M1kD7
"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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlFUyYCNvj
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcayiyXkyku
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7CbCMqC0B
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnB0F2raDtn
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtnV5Nyfvd
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe022RQFoX
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZIdieOo12
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4MmFr6wuI
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BIi2OJZba
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQw7JGHzgZ
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoJmJwGQdz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzkCJDTSh7
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPqbPZTnTe
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DsPFjz790
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUquhSj4pH2
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZENin1LkQ
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKtv3SJ3Im
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVruX0Yq66X
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6OblRT316
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOJ3JEn11j
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPrWaHMItm
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4usSMvU9MS
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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnLgbAsGx1
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVqrNtpWKv
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGldJnY7vA
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIiUV195Gz
"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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QTDA21lui
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuKtVLnfCW
"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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhptVOkLfq
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQTrJCU6Qj
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:545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QbDJqId1I
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTPH94PvKs
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIOPRoDyX1
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6xy4dXPBu
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cA1iBDfgE
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpfOQvK0dG
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhXCFoTiUE
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QiHNNISXA
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuswN9qRZwU
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpBc1RwVsU
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyet5FgXOP
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGkC8Qc2Ywo
***545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB35kFKdPzB
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScvTn9m0T7
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdipuGG8y5
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlCspo9PZE
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnP1z7sLZz
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCeNudKwEx
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVwtP3Rr2J
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5oLhfBxlv
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSX6kOuvN8D
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yX9ZAvkqI
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7vkr1GMFR
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIMy0hWlTO
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq258Y3IrO
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwrmDdJi3X
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMc7w8vaaE
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8b1iAl4k6
"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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRFHBsuN0B
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbmeFeUSt7
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf0FqeJpzt
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoIYmWz3YA
"Really?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqS0jWjXf2
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPl5dEXJ6C1
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu9f9UDGtO
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXBhHQ2T9i
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9hvvGYAWb
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7haXwyHOiD
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcf8cI1KS6
545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rndtiWwmA
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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6wUgwuWuv
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZ3LmFjljn
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobqTR31AZv
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBKR0Pz02k
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9hu9ddbDX
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtzp9RBVSq
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolVcimkllH
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuHAjIdEJq
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnevveT1Mxl
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mM51lLWMd
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh22nHU5pNl
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKlj5UZGNF
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1a7gp0wR4
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WlMac05RH
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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?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6h8wLQR23
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLtJy5uKXk
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvINljGrmB
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm94dQ4JE3g
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAM27fZGbH0
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETlRozAl8d
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVDsKXljVE
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn91v5JhPaA
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLoumajRQJ
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIjCZzOq944
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mYzfk3KUR
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OsX7wKmm9
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8IaBwP2nN
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4sH6QEul8
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVMv9Fwnzs
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadrAy9H9G0
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozpTvUy5HW
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcIOLwKpZ6
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXJTXTfay2
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF92UPGH9dA
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpqzBZ1i4J
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"Oh..., nothing really."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyERWgXrMEr
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7zOxMHB2x
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLOmwtovnm
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡre8rB0RWu4
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtW6ofrYFgS
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaOHdkz9b6
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7UzMfzKkN
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CZUITcMvK
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uM4qGeOSf
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNTj0tlLYa
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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."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL3KRgrdwd
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFuzZu1jk6
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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? 545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfiwwJ6kIj
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLyFj8ozVY
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviwJL1P9P8
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Mk02Y71I9
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivcku5cgeV
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjKV3Z11Sw
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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.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtPWitFfF7
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.545Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hWyJ4RM1
