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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDvnUUfD3x
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWhljYfXv8
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6YxReEsLw
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhmYluCJIM
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP3BnoKi5Q
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTmPomDPG4
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9WGAIeaRV
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruk8AVmHy2
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOzw7uxNsT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbfbb3AtKa
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCh7oZihbY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCoP6yp0yt
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5zS77N5Ab
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpUArrVcf9
"What kind of trouble?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzBHrHIZKp
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8dy4zvofg
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH1YBGuY0n
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGonhYFEAFz
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7c7cYniCc
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgVxl2ostT
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbF9hU9LQRT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq5xIQGPYt
"That's good. She needs to rest."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqOR8Deya7
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4645K0ZCw
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWm3pWqGidZ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9nhKck7Wb
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbif4SCWgbv
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKx4pQG8RGz
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYiAMRDTTy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uj6lZd35g
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaeUxhxGgT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgAhSUmUgS
"Ya, sure."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjqpRDwXil
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4P9NVui6p
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVfNCMRuJC
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyojhHc9sxl
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOTbKLh5VO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIzxYnBUr1
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6j0SWORrbj
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwlLQcfr6g
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFy6ZuYVyV
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnbEEdZv7u7
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1cVrU3Lj1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2Z8n89mYl
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xOtGU9UP6
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBv2upelr1
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHrXyhLAU4
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnFtgz5pPI
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBe0NwdKRT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIgpujWsqZ
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsje8fQhPR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoO07QltrRr
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ7suwV8f5
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSALUgYZ1vC
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBErsgxes21
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub1rty0rYx
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfA0ADNRW0
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7SneB41Mo
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmX760eGc3R
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX21kXmkXLm
"What did you say?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9kCx8m1t1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsyYhc1dY4
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV7kKo2Ykd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZR8qfBEer
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU09MurO0TT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOavF9Zkxbi
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn50czJdtq0
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdMKECeeRL
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBxS4bLgsY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm57QR1wlGS
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GeuHbYOvn
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YZW5pr3se
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQh5Z32E0ui
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfChzwVjVZj
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5f8R6WV2Tw
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSf2VrrpZxx
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAFKoxdoI1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QNO6FlfAu
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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0p0ukgtcB
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudmGWt7Bka
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyshTjfRcv
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwT1wnezxM6
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvs7wtNDKa
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAeIeLLdqZ
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrTtC3C0at
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41qtz6tF4H
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqYGDHYRua
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQOf8NUgXi
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17fXGkxGMD
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzt1T5OlM50
***621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCWlsCJc05
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wjQ2X5QxG
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUZj7o5vqd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWuskgLH4g
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3HPHbRU8p
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBwiwJjKqC
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvKl8fp7Tc
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx4vfpHcm2
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNNFZLmBiD
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9XytcEpzw
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80RPXJUJlG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFy9aSRPItX
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cV5SvJlEG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAplKo3n6Q
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgUcobbDKf
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcQ7tWQXNJ
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dcnu4Api4
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADJxePFv2n
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYLS1px43q
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7xrrHSC9i
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kF7vXxGTq
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjmBgwGkG9
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv9xNC4zQG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuSflRfgT6
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnhIXcoBEy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuafbrCpMXu
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgugRwg62h9
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTab2wDCRu4
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkzZmPHtOu
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAAgYVVtgC
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD3JWgOGjC
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPjCeL6IGy
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlru87U8wUO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2D3KfEqPz
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEKE9CxIge
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3JZSRGhar
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18Ud6C2xUw
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKo01C67Px
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVXi3Mz4H1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjOmI6wL61
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8o0MTjJtg
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZSEDVjhVSW
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWPeXNrt9G
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmypqTRCF0
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RTq5Y61qY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDIcUGZMna
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaNJasuR20
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYutD3QsDzA
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAzW9Q8LHr
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9VUNkUBcr
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXKQnwPSgG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUWC6Wl7QR
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sM0zUH5RX
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7WYWBnR1c
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9494KLVBG7
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75eC5NGjGB
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmsDPXYJlp
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6RuBPtnEz
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8mYIoKRgR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBvvWS1tqX
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVJu0X4erG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMzUL7Dy6Q
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvoUR2slcA
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMThVpjrpzp
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6VkZnXuz8
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03dDIHWa94
"Do you think she's killed before?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsLcS7mMxO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGcnCUehK3
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj4Yp0czbN
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkYpaMO8jw
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gdQx0eTZB
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkq7D436EBR
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8KWgOcFe9
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1ValUO6al
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PE89BDxe4
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkuOFJL6Kuf
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGYkjyRcU2
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgedmqZHaa
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hDUaD5a5q
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5vSWfGFxx
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMEpgGp7Bp
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZA9xE5OuO
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ig36F9Xe7
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUXCP6ZbMn
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvp4Z2B5AR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tT2LXN5YZ
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqIEmIuQUA
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5pAoviMT2
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52xsd09eP8
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMIrGdJNpu
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNYMiyHNpI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXff9jmrq2
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oLEB9AaGB
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqKxAs8KYF
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhVA1siEXZ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDaIEcnPfn
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOtStkF9pL5
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy8yDj2Xuj
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjceiFTLM8
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLjEQk0PV6
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8INf8iiHPY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLBmVKchQI
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY7t1LSHE0
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡib12OVRJQX
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7B6nRytDC4
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWAp5CQcUH
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSKAsgpvvT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NTNMTCbU8
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbfJrCLnoR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZneco74St
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdiYWgUHNcq
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6oPKz0Xm5
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rCpHF70wM
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkyihFD6qn
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jDLDrczaJ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR8GrGrXGD
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pr1yzSXsv
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtQBO1Zx4A
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQDBp3bkUI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYuD5N7ie0
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9v6JDHrdo
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPFAv920tY
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxgWIeJFZQ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ2D95SdHc
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2QKAsYHf9
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurhkARy1U3
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQOoWxQcch
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFLsuCppoZ
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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9Q1VBxf0P
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEZnJ5STAU
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdzFe1Ze8M
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbddZ2Qjtjm
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy67aGrMpWO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8g0Ffj3iT
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf1dw1U3Lr
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtuEkHXcEA
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8N3k7FIZH
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxCE2RL1YR
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPkVBf47Nz
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxg7IlqoapN
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h3IQchBEI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNJSKQxDjH
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eRMrpQM2V
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7BSEYhO9S
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLR2fcWMjfb
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZlPcICgLZ
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKYGJjJJN7M
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JIqSyhUf4
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3uFbMsIU2
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZn1i1tNa4
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhHoibMfOI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOrfiYCk6f
"We will," said Kevin.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRwXuFrWCE
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGQdgJ2yXe
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdcoFJ9Qm2
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQPALxVyD7
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodyq08E2de
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBN9YgcLAN
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSvlhSLmoy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGunVtF87Bo
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaDnhB7OrX
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP0hVQ8Q97
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefrEpy60w3
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcxVDDCDK3
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:621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYoVwzxlpy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWP6IorytsY
"Rhénee, wait!"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZuj27QYYi
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVVOxbTjXm
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzLRyYBPI1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQ6u4rD2rB
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0hy79xs5Z
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa8RtUSguHj
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91muDuFgha
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFqoTZVE9G
"I'm tired."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57m5KIyect
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoidVpYMDZ
"Really? I don't think that's it."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRyki91p6r
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvq2YKOd9b
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sLQ458etv
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fQFgyQU9S
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp8EC6Xfwd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhfOeSNWAP
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaStkXOkbtM
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaJSOH7eHn
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVPkalIPEN
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxpUnlbyfX
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lnu9zs09n
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlQCgC4Qo3
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRguacQzBLV
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphQvAfp6LA
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWyXoWPKdu
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnhmpHxDCM
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡheiE6URTPQ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzD3Ayx840t
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IRzFq7rVZ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSvKRXmMuM
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaZS3fnsmN
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJJS1C4AOU
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbezRuV3gf
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYR4aWowgm
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4TBKX2hn3
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKJFlLXcdA
"Good. Let's go."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JvXIzVGgV
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDXhfKH2TQ
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJXGTlcARY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRW1bLOkRmc
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsaRbhkdvm
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRfpkqY7w1
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7LIqHPVYx
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSw8GCNRIW
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ519Zdj7XWc
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQM3Ig1DzSd
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI7aDIyqa6
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpnBFqJ8yt
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT0RLwoI3s
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10vNCskxiA
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHfW69GWJy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e1b8GNWY4
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSSPsruosv
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdSNE7GinB
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEuz5qCFLI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bd8VbrkPf
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojw9C97KRr
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj4XxTheRV
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0y5gjxfhT
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJDEiUnte7
"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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChN6YyY90N
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnUER9Fbv0
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPry9DvqC2D
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJw3QT9xXMc
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBjoH43Slq
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGUjKY0ZVK
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaoNy6KkHw
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeuRBIz0Tt
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nMXpn8lGg
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9QwZRuX1B
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZEVV0CBpz
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJebvkKVg86
"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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXolCXzurqi
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxyNf7mLPt
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡou0uO7IQQd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZ46YKUVs3
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lPKycx5Sd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWaIS9Bj8Cg
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ25yhzlYhui
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsMTc5sNaN
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfuFzjsnAJ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnwmUFc6zE
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz37s7pKCb
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKwaoLjN9e
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkIIe1Wl9U
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTcrNQirL2
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCp52W8URVF
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH99pSyUgqD
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRkiKPS5kXt
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtA0vTmexs
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u9kZo6WiZ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMJfWHCfnY
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctzoFsRP4v
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43noDvu89q
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWGqfORp5W
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTde3GoLz7
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydXlK9OxBg
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5W5PZNUbgh
"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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWqJ19lD49
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatmOaTXeT6
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCs8dJTqjP
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxUsp9gVcX
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:621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwOHbMsk99
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9drCcLTWYR
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm1kad3K4C
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUmMQiFv9X
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5b0K5Jwoy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iPVIVAjMA
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0af0MSZHQk
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjyzQ5IEA9
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3cFz086NP
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczB0yILKrF
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNKsoYAqZw
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxHpZ9qRbw
***621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YhYQO0kTj
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b9dfZO303
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HrY7CqlX1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQG6OlbaBR
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxiv566BsG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2zdXQRehz
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMxt8Rz5pf
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4aR2JYJ3V
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTbmzfsuLh
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLVPGz3IMh
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKhomVRsAs
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhcglEeKqH
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnVplLo6BR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ecbnFGB7U
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvagpyqUMgG
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcz9Qo2lh0
"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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡveofgjH6Fr
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31pdsah1Yh
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbm0Fc1D6S
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIK1OX1J9L
"Really?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw7gkXmAMK
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzqX4Mv4w7
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdOa2di3p3
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ZCehS76V
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNotj01R5v
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBREvf72FUf
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmIaaY0NpA
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFmIMni9aI
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmoWW4qP5q
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij5lWESnK1
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxwfKy8V79F
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWwTjJ4cCh
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jKwsLJyDA
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtx9J6sdyvk
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FoILZU1Mt
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzb1zn4aAF3
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth2jdIBYuq
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02d72oFzfN
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Z7AuUblb
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKY4FDQWvg
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOWNl4cYt2
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYD5tTCbVNA
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk5w79ISNx
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOAZcgQ0jQ
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVEvCG6FYX
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcBNEsJa7h
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo3xW1alCyk
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXM8iPwi9Z
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ059tPbGjxr
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oXITyS1s9
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2kTkl848H
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnABi07POwm
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBJIZtZ8Bs
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcpTFXOEd1
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpx2icU5ioO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXX2tA6bGYi
"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?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0PDVPLhAy
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZbvZgI89B
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOWhdMVMcI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokUaCVveOI
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAo3OefMk1
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnilhRDv92R
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKVXpZWz80
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi8yLJfgkyL
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsbxhqrOBn
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPyQm7dW21
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzg2XchilN4
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxijyJIwAim
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wR4iw4hgU
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OgTTmVwef
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrgJQGKlLY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXnUdksv0U
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALgDPeZqAm
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtQb2zsNGQ
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RxSUrZAli
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jqPxgZTEo
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUv1b6HYqrI
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Bx5DKSLS
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0THP0RqQE
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeKynXWb7f
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ824CvIG3Vd
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp7yZ8VFpX
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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06QNV3eYuh
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzS2AXOXHRB
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wpz2IFsDE
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWejL7Jxox0
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnudyVaCpSg
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR8ikG6p9n
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHpebpX7IF
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYfN7jAJpf
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6Xs8HhlUa
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFjUXCwY4D
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9AVDhgCLQ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6s2lbmpqP
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GPekgomLM
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡechN87t1If
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JXX93OL82
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tbjHNfYfO
"Oh..., nothing really."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7VaMoS2Gt
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuEaQhQBHP6
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK1M5cRBxJf
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNal9YaRUel
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9Ts0nS5Ku
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3y9swqo2g
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvAOBwisUY
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XQxodBKV9
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqeSiiP6F5
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4OsYsfcxE
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaiVvNkbCiO
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtDEyG42l7
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89e78Uok6S
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDPwjX6Txq
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZLypVbcA9
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTdvAgUygH
"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."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMxSuXGgxR
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObB0G8WiXi
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeX6EGgloA
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgBByOQ0EQ
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡim9FV4Wrjc
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fS98aDez7
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0LsbqWURX
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcN2w1Qo1l
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? 621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEIzpbICmC
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4wm9CndJZ
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmlCU5ThbH
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnm2gO1bKD
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7849F1D0a
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzkNW4gzeI
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1EjQxgvPS
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4ZOokfvy9
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G95UsZooC
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPK9dPEU2M
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF10AtE9fb7
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2CVPcemni
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.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbnenCsGCJ
621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJllNdKp1An
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.621Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfcaJnldxF
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