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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdO6KCGFZt
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"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsiT873gvpf
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"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjsl5yc490
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"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNaRnGQlHK
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMen1vPK2w
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFFsehgykP
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFv8TJ8IwDY
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9dusTcM8w
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"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZzL0TViBY
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1E3U8CM8fa
"What kind of trouble?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2FcBSx9Jo
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAYGujP79l
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0vX5KrEYN
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCciuD6aa9T
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqcgu26ZIE
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZUCwHGHlO
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YJFHDFDcM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBZMaXPE8A
"That's good. She needs to rest."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7JGUDHmBd
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSObiLVJWHk
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc09KPUH7gg
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7oyVb86FEe
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0B9xwK7u4J
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKIJ7H0BVB
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5RANklu9d
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHexezKDib
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnfock5qSn
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"Ya, sure."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNcy9JwFIy
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1mQiWQuu9
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zmDmHdhiU
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSDtmtC0yK
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDPFbZie5F
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNfOdQLEQM
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedTr7qXR12
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot69yZoEWL
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWjP517MXV
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUFH83tXv3
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEqkMbbCFZ
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjIoiAWw9H
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8nmPC8sXt
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKctr7arK9m
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UW93SGQ2K
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DKsFfAbNb
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknsuKaBbW5
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXY9pnXF2BN
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTocxPMZ9S7
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafK2i0YTGH
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMHeZo84fA
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"I don't know, he must be somewhere."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv2uiorNJR
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyWQnXWvrh
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTvGBrQ3GG
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCxefatbHD
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCEEVM06Th
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamrh9FVxe4
"What did you say?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDrbLyBNXT
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"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQs4EKG3CC
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDFrxmUouM
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuVszO8wAa4
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgzvVa5skU
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjz1VYh6KO
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SfRacPODe
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcQQvdl52V
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHIeH7kVwI
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEz1rKmxCTg
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytLlRzQwQK
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRe3SuWfNZz
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48McYGo1dl
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd72zHlQL0a
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V0rR0bx3y
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡav3w7ZHezq
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQf0hc9b3dG
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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoz6wiNPsI
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0R6CbIM25
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzjTzC5Sqy
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZskUzvI3Ma
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucZbDgo3OC
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU7lph6ym4
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9er3UuWcA
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6WXLmfeS6m
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6YbM2Rok9
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM3KvitC93
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeW7WibUJB
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***469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6gw4ng7e7
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"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RP24CF6bq
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"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxR1blO6Ah
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQb4TKluvU
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f5MdBlJzd
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Bpava1YFu
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz14T0XqZor
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRhNLL3GrH
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xBvY5zbMG
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboL8882LkN
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZeWroULxX
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiofwcrUmUz
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMAppdiisJ
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXtnhIHaHF
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"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhc5zt3MAX
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoKQOgvlh8
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mKoWgIZK7
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iU8BNiqgu
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB52zsUe919
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HAyy1IetP
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M3EfqEc70
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhKeEusbws
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6O8y1zv76
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmkih5fdzT
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSrqdv70QJ
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHYGn0Qmne
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsOmLyAFbw
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzjiZpKR90
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSMv2fbM8l
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbsk4u2iPrO
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAJYcebOTc
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrilxgK3Wj
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjZxOgtqbZ
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSShtKbGE7
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ7khcG5c6
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQr0ey9mQJq
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZlnDFAda6
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vZtbzcIAm
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD9NcWk7rc
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8NbGjoHUM
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxi3uUmaaR
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCwAf5idwC
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxza3aFYnBs
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVOnFuXK7dA
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHav8rgQ98
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtbgOhHWgJ
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVRE5YXIDM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcUTUG1EVq
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6baoVlX5Yc
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSHgbXGGZ5
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrv3YSJ3Kr
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT2FDCBHtk
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI8C6LXBBn
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZT0d00pWb
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8wTZa4qI8
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"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTBg7T2utc
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"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhvOqkfSJ1
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuzt6oG8uW
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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajlemkvyK1
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHo7AOqdsz
"Do you think she's killed before?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuxYTARxhu
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3LSeaV2Vh
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oreKSOogn
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dhi2gyjll
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN68qNQzCZY
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"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r0VsAHKXG
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihMdhjp84B
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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QJeC9FZrb
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAP6EWOJ3n
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldl3ExfpEb
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJfLQ8czN7
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPNPeddJNE
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3f831BJFM
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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtvNi6UpBK
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsg11pAQHuo
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF1xfXn7M2
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1z8Yesv5h
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp7YtvooJR
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp2RS7RJsM
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL4eby74mh
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKQVYm4wNU
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNPjvXoBdu
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA5mJ1cCnLi
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokKPxfPvzm
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Sa5d4udEZ
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkgclTCudb
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevIn1ksspk
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcw8Tsr7wE
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfiBt0V7IB
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JBoHfvIUw
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lzbHnG4fI
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKgwUVLr15
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jj6QkhzZc
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawqgGjqUye
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfO5jaZ3Cj
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzdrez4PhV
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rqXxcxpkc
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLA0OpxTgw
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Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CwcGyCmAX
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5GAdCZXpE
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLfKUz4sIc
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPijZGWgffS
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlzZIhf5OL
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBAAM2kAk2
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NOP6QQsDy
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6mzC7Y7MI
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFoM2x80RnN
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qi1Wf22eH
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G9xHmdeIE
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLP6RKH9kw5
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG37ALqudNb
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5gM8NHy58z
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPGhgkCe0p1
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySfDM1E52X
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1sJG5G2pf
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjahAaFZp9M
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcoZIYKh6S
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sAHKoWRpY
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPcvnFyHru
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwazZlK5CBC
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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQlmOLzqBn
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJeJlcjuBu
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgaAAqTmbR
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrHEornE6d
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sOAEiHe3w
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZo4yMc1zIV
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgl3jO6dhqk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSPLsvGS1y
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TrbvGsmQA
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R1eEXPgmU
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3MZuPe0jx
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaGGLVAIsc
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4uSIWvtDO
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjlOTlT1bn
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNi2pB9uLjq
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipJ3DFFyJc
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy3tCNc6lk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs2wrUel85
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTSSVq24Id
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16x516LydT
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I1JT8sVLM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSXDvNRD6g
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdXTEojzdx
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYF4azuIWv
"We will," said Kevin.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD6DnJxIPo
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEN1Kslryx
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc8VaS9K0l
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFldzC5Q5el
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUcUXnwVdk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCEIQdquf7
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh653ddiiSe
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXaJ6QgMeh
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6Com41oWa
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwVsNSDa1s
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytf0AqB7zl
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEZ1DVVapH
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:469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwmP4hXeFG
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKvWYYD3lr
"Rhénee, wait!"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW7UXMtQB2
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NxhcNPlGF
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdPUPk2GM7
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vkA94qKXU
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqO1pB9x4w
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNcFmFc2Mv
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzuVCd1wzi
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnWzMyNGKC
"I'm tired."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2DxVZJKgn
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJIK63q9ba
"Really? I don't think that's it."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcW5MYv26wk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHIXsDjuRo
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGsdsn1zC9
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPoynLNCVcY
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEYilEz0G7
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbs64uNY9l
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VQxkZTKOB
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUCavcDgP0
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQTTnoE8Eq
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hShafPJHJ
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOk8e63LTI
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡethSOXbi1u
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwQvADMqKj
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2XC8MzfBz
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwPquRvQw2
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYyJsVT5eY
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKu6YNPFja
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicgMuyJsVi
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3QnrioF0lm
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDQHGPtTtB
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsmDhlxSIO
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMJQPnYWsv
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BtYSRMdqf
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kXufWA8aQ
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtlwcFIYsp
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpPhBeObxL
"Good. Let's go."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgEU0dVOzh3
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblPAAwxd3a
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUnIl61UQDB
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UtqC3e1yT
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXjiMyy3zO
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYEYZfHmoV
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQST7dpR1p
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nC1g6Fc7Y
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfavUO48Onk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK8CABAJUI
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYOwfJiCuF
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdx8omORXA0
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDR5jx0Arr
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LnBV0DLiE
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFPLwYqk78
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW3lixI8ya
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxALRd0UXw
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNEwx0qDvL
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooqKTqfV2P
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsmNd0xUDD
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡznrnigB95i
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJY8RXkExk
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUBMxi04r0
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun14NGarPx
"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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJt1D4yQWEJ
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpWWp2GB85
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nG7YlvA5d
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQ8D83XkQY
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8PUaAIO7J
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdlncHpO65
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwztdKIUeD
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6GH84VvvR
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGyW3eEkVM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63NSOJ39yo
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dP0QyqBbY
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1uyIPpkV1
"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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUddUTUDIlA
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7pAI8EAHdJ
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEhMKICfi1
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ32lFAxLCL7
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTTCwrP0s9
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceO1TijoNX
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WP30vUgrB
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg12DWtx66v
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5Fqu5zlTQ
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8evz0GrUmw
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLV1QwaeMST
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G9AkuA2Aa
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYVdURCJLW
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvyhM5lVmb
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqedh5be9m
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0JjzAG6Lf
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgafwOaRlFq
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08pId1lTgA
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCSsqKMAgE
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPb4f1vIiSJ
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jIs9zI0Bu
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7l2YPjxog
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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcIwykuXKK
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiryn5HPSWx
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKB3itt6UN
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfv6av7P7R
"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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtEQ1udMdB
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxYKo6hZzC
"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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp9XnCdJxd
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSZi1Vyslr
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:469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQntpY0D5Sv
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHrgrpRPaG
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuji7EvyBC
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsAywoAenj
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXakOVT9Szs
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33HhUKmgGQ
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVZzBS1PI7
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5swMPZfmo
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXbSabZYV1
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pZCMvycu0
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWyvvWQoV8
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvADtveCvX
***469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw9mPsUpRn
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVb3nJhHr8c
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIV4vKQORa
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc4YQkxTVx
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8i5KzyiYQW
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6PZnlUCb0
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgqiQrvAZk
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7quc2jNeAL
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEGU0zMOH6
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnviuF0kFtp
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjqfdc1WdN2
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KHRJTB0zD
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOBoEXzdsM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7aSljkDcY9
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaID27qXQM
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhIEqjubJY
"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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf3vB5yDvy
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CoE4SxRFk
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOKh0eD0jy
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2lD794uIQ
"Really?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiGxiGQBUR
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQJO6Mq5sH
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSw1thjhaGH
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm8JvXf2Pb
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg45GNdmD85
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG9v7aphVV
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PaGtdV2fL
469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTTLJUlwva6
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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBeoBTKpHe
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGVqKeBmme
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXpaUoY7Vf
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7CCJhWeYg
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikoT6vvX3E
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9dLoN9TR1
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkrmBY4Cgq
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7DleiiIorF
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1yZI4Bg47
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMMPW5NrSX
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uIM8kOU3r
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZZIkvkHKt
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbzdQBPYlw
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqwW8siZAu
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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?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrAEG4JiEj
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjsCiFUPk7
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE237Y3Rk3Y
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowD6eoM263
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBqzBJrakl
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiivhEQf64
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxdKhZlvND
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxfRJrFEVd
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgouSI8vkl
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cto9IJpo2
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0fLT1YuA9
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi5Lbph6FSz
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBoWX0FUga
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjeMqK6x5tJ
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYIzoBoiwX
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopP4iqqxjp
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezx6p9VCZi
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnJ353oVUr
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwGRlw3sNk
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJNakqpm3S
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50h3i48MFi
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"Oh..., nothing really."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkyw3rX5vX
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiU8UAuYpj
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy9HdZrvCs
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7E6fp1Z8JR
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUOaDaUM8g
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxmSfKefUT
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBb4QQlxUrf
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYYevrRTaT
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgNJSywj1z
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k6rRvFaIa
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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."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsSeDIcZXd
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBms91TDxoG
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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? 469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93z8eoGzTd
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjl5inpO1er
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMIGknWtMVP
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWFPim6JEb
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWctAGb04H8
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jVowMynXh
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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.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGIyeSWt15
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.469Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkergBRzhe
