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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtiSC8WDz9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtbo3prZ7q
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQo5ukZQLx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEPRcJDiCc
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXelmf9Q3k
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKwzHrwCPK
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF47o4qSv6S
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuHF9vM1lG
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMcAAFWgpZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoY9AFxSqN
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVnEbjC4vm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VElzyiyCJ
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcCaC1E5Rx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCum37PxeBX
"What kind of trouble?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwJqAxlkUH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvSkjtfwsj
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbo9PAIBPc
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigp8OA4Z5v
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblNJzmIm1p
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdZOi6oog8
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAp4w2Y3QG
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aJyHZw5lq
"That's good. She needs to rest."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCr9CIatp5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJDqmKjLhh
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRS4LUjpLOh
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQWDPZXvHi
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO25qO65WkI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTwyF4gF7o
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAMEy6cjd7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5Hj0oIWBg
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6WRo1A4gS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PG7u9Qfjw
"Ya, sure."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxuYBSoI3M
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZu6DprAFG
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkultQPcUq9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnxjpC8AjL
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsVMy1COo2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdEyWihhUg
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZhKxqdOkI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HtuRw82tH
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblLexS6Zh8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb62d7lMMF
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOQrLTmSee
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5J3PZIEFQ
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepED7aDQpn
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94uOWIUjBh
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTWBI7NRmq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkXLVEs4yY
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1e6B231vt
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7u7r7OfBW
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1Cwk8q93S
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcu2G2ukQTe
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGOd7WRBYj
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkQF6vGri5
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT9JTJxvJx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiibRmIjznN
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYB41wmZe5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmVVTuv0Pf
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAr2juMcPB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKD951fN38c
"What did you say?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4VGdBDhVa
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRBX1m89hC
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBg5kn3F0x
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UWV9J8dL6
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVD7CECVJNg
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vg4ZJJuTP
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0tiKlwbsB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zb1LS9OCN
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbhXKh2Ic3
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWumKfcBFmk
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM1HbcAele
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjOwjTMGqY
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlARq0Y7KNy
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rQtgEJ90O
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmp8ZUDNFTu
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBJzOoNeln
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9V9ZYGl73
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgH6ScvVfeK
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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tYI8VdgcZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00LiTyPS8J
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfDTtjahze
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEH8yW6TKE
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqiKFaNfpM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoT3gEDDIO
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghfbAmzOuY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHuAu3C9uL
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0J90LwyqZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNeBJX8QOz
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklbFCI0NFs
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fRDSdh182
***577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaHi0NX1s2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQpAADV0wu
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpkAvqmBOS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzF3KVw8c1
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwWsu1HKsq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmDX526CXH
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFbugcG3Wy
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzagN6t0irF
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMPuiRm09M
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tz1pVV7hx
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bQAkHq5Ug
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGBPYZXUPj
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk08lwYXjqB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgmQCzoRca
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJQo2szMI2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7zPEykTtl
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpkL4F1NTU6
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZfMxULw1j
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMxX1GCWrf
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIuLpl4F0t
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfV9IMfprl
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EdbQfpgIz
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dGyYySrq9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2vwYmoEbX
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡimUyaLQ0uO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JHaHNinYd
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn3sInsCP6
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAH4TAJGO6
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLtIqBqeQ2
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnSds4vlb9
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZZucdSpTM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsMs9NYSlx
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJomDU4pzDK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28DdVwNizu
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0GThNtuEm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6GSCKqjJn
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaoGkyYuM8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAQ6dNaWW5
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrH3dAbVPsi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nXdQ30MkT
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvzvmsDYZE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPsdZlCIzA
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BexnejIn7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRkUWtJyI3
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyhf78STqa
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzfFE2JwfN
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2pCjmLAAo
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT74lmZrfCN
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtkywXXj83
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZDQVKloUJ
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsm38YiUKB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUNJOMqgGT
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyNcDCo7SK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDLCxtDERT
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2S4I8dcMf
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSIean8qix
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xEvywMkvu
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfrIJQPgib
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMvMAQa2rt
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsjbvFKTgn
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluZIvLR2Rr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURkplLkjVL
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtgr1JKeFz
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBNAKMLoaK
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0PqSc69a
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUhN1KzXkn
"Do you think she's killed before?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o0TMiiQiK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQf4lnPW8Y
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnne4qKTyzu
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yaijNZRBc
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZyOGNRgG8
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtczlaQvJf
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyq7gGocvP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpv0Mn5b7E
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKtTsGCH8U
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyrwpBi88m
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPSgZPQbMX
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcPV92d2zK
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbJYxuAJdOw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqeotCS8Oj
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS8ExKU2Tc
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1FheQpfUf
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B8gpHyHmC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwY4F5UzwP
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgrsQ4CBVT
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lQTGQDP8C
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2xic8f60O
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u9qgiq8BK
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cGyu1QTEQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMT7O49TFeW
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUA3YQmlgK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEX5COMamuE
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wooz4m83I
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrQYBqe9K8
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlct9QXOYeO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qRzyPqaYm
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIbuCXxaVr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqNoRKN9az
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYIBTKoc2E
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORM6rB2jjS
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdfb25BFBU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8nWKr728V
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3tkDHHbYt
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N9DX5Yf4A
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DFxGR45TM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g3LmJMe4u
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNBYcEVYnx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ7xr032Tj
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NghO1n6cd
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGgZ4NNLX4
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw2lJXYUgi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBp0PvUWz9
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWQ2QWPiKn
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU32DmPsHts
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn25VtRG29
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4oW7H4cwR
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZt7UIbH8I
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaRnssBsU8
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53MqHmmM2g
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDafKeGeEl
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsWTgpVKK9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhGAneLAOn
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFzsvYFSMb
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTJntnlAdW
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxdBZvX3CI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOhB0gCmiJ
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZknvgQ1qW4
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaRIsu848c
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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvpCSjBgfk
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5zgTQrBjo
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHgQCM8WGU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDWkUXSiyF
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVGNGVAliZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOMfGyy8de
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEILa1PwHXV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RtLXBvURh
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLaFdKDz7q
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2OaVyDLp0
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6mFaZsOlE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1FBf0RAVR
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSqylIxIeS
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNK2icX4aZ
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUEagqaaXe
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0mEGCMEqA
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW2uw0qirB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡms975fOcND
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYrHnlbylQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiE90mHd29
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEOYc4Omkq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJKQ9PaewD
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIlD2qjvNV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyRmhErieI
"We will," said Kevin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLDDbcmAV5
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1MMXmUZlV
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2cEIAuF1u
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oNW2e9JOX
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KyJfSmAMU
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte2ZwLFCer
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEMkhnaFDx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFyV7kkEVj
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUfdnHPwBf
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kqF9RxJ5h
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSD1PFeLPi
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8N7EMfp6ZE
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:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmulI45AoON
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKyg8SCXDm
"Rhénee, wait!"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlquTVfdAaY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOPDCJN7S6
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HGTdaP8gk
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDPmcjb3YX
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEgU8RvuBX
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorfFCTdKAg
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPkqejqsgE
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHwxOvntEe
"I'm tired."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90YLYf2fLP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5tgDHCKKG
"Really? I don't think that's it."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uA8iIbChK
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSBgTtrzdVy
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu5kmAvIWR
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnin4L1Eb2j
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb8U2rvwjh
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetMmtku8bJ
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwy0i6lm1DC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3NQPwYqBA
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9pSalCvip
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPidybMazl
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTeXks19GwF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBx7MntmNN
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kPCkJCaen
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gWj4a7Ioz
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyKaWuNDsM
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14zbeRe6df
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MCtlYfq77
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyIJnRnHzMC
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpJP9fvlp0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgDUKFdaSk
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfUFL80N95
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAvMqYMJJq
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDhj89QTGA
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfd4AH1ffjk
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlqGUv4sH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLE7jc9Gd54
"Good. Let's go."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfU2G681R7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyadKj8O73G
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUo0yiWkwN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U2ma8sLPk
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVILki9H5ry
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywVKEWKaHW
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdRf41qu2k
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFHH0HbdNo
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapQrxoQxBY
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL0b4h0tLk
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq4Q23OWJ6
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5N6yG66UPU
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWVjNlz8DF
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCOzFK9TRa
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdPy84Mfx0
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtU9P6BJteq
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJqpIoy24C
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhBKYnMt3e
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC2E8OJs1r
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNKtDiKay
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbCzyhQCiP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnQJiWzIPM
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla0mgsxNIr
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYJqoRZoHA
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXdbFU9iGJ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOLfYtgBZo
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0EW8l1JZj
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVbWXaaUl0
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfExEL8MB9
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZi34651dvC
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoamwFPlSH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3la6Y20FyB
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0DNjTNRkV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLzxcMEpGb
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCjOZXhEUq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4m4ZmRFcr
"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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNY4k0mQVC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDXs7tkqCx
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw5epIVWst
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLYIv8A8w4
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjfzV9h2BB
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlst3yOT9a
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiQXmdQ0Tq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaceXOn8FH
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLhOqiHrns
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTQQe1cdlm
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fhfNIsilP
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8XRiyrBLa
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUwryc8zBa
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQy7equ8bP
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrzLFMRWkH
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM61mu5pRC
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPZwVEb8Lj
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHXNDF7zh4
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGqRTHe2lh
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlpp1o6vl1
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TUFafhMdv
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJjQHGJuEp
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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldairjGbfO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TLio6nEvw
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5uMBRV0AQ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZz541TKSz
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEJyz79y9x
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhMM9dHR3b
"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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwSN5RXUrp
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFWulNHU42
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:577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVbrVgq17Tg
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAJ2bqRTlA
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN3Yw5DanI
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGg7SgtZX7
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLzG58U2wC
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpzWJilsL9
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBopgHAMOHN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtn33pa8Ax
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8m1itz2U2C
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTGUwfxlEO
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrsezVP2gg
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj8vRgZ5XN
***577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaxULecDPm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh74r7kPAX
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm20cu8PKN
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lhY6g4gfV
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSkezSkQA7
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlffYbS8xJ
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8yi4wOyQL
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhGajBMB4S
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QIhDI61ff
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLJmPVDqea
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyMTCrvFo3
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVXCmCy93i
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR89NKTJJV
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DyxYQns9w
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M0mD5pYRx
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf6JTUO9Mw
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddrmfu20rq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUT5MwvEcW
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0O20A6mkm
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OGXz7wXFL
"Really?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziaU6DFNG3
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9Hmpoi5zd
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtlDepUwJO
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNpRFwh7E9
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jrvCOcgvZ
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcO65He0hY
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTum8yykPeq
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL01NYfI5m
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkLIL8dY7J
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2xQaaNqQg
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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt15feuayy
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0lbs0NJmt
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMbcpIG2au
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ag0uxhBoU
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0K7EW3wPS
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGJ5QTxH4C
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ydXleYm4a
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJWTcuGAq4
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hHYa6O4SR
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgP5JaBma8
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3uRsJ4UvM
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeT5d3CEFL
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVpCksoqMa
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WBYnOwUcv
"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?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh1zMP1Sd0
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3btFZPOMbY
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcSXzCSlJS
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiOkylPaJs
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthGJNXRuCw
577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ikotysqN
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9ejuw8Zt5
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmne90lKSl3
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefcfVxH2rt
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwWBsjOFJq
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIlujSk0f9
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOoMzdXFc9
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ46QHi0Ol
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHYeusvrhH
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN1qkRgAQR
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVrakLZiWX
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UGn08Uzld
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpslf8PXeR
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2eSyhCNSZ
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRebUsCzTS
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAtzbPzdDU
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gMkMfMHTp
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"Oh..., nothing really."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zpfQcQVdn
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7frK60KTU
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKCq1umi2t
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc8VSQRZB8
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnU4ygDe0t
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7a2KRvc6D
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9HLm2t8FW
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKzYSD9lFo
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN08zmgzHeW
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjC9BXF82O
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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."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6XRNvDs75
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTpd1sXRLs
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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? 577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MxLKmB3xa
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1E2Riyvhz
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzq6DHyldp
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QHM0GNE05
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuctfhpAWZa
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEfdvGkj2D
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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.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZIlXnbbnj
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.577Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPHc8KZ0lX
