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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqI2am3xlp
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡch6ofoWCWu
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lpLkUll5W
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiijvJlNeJ
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjDytEvfEJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAp7kvzls9
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb08NwAJYTX
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ak3qPMUcN
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgibdaupABS
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRwhfwfV0e
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rNoydNH96
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tmfCYp6a6
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl4bl9IwWK
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbzEimq3Nn
"What kind of trouble?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzZP7J3duo
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ6R7edLtZ
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWice4nr2lh
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4GZdBUCmL
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOc9oCvtEgr
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mGl9WARYp
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFbkdGg2N3
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIWlSxzz5x
"That's good. She needs to rest."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCUjYyIEUh
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRgnKFQ58t
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX6tbEktri
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo527027M76
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAweianJLkq
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGa4Af9vYH
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPxvxeFzBG
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVFecZ5dcz
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pF8Qk1raL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa1yE6WfFn
"Ya, sure."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXLpHiFTEo
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTYo4cZIX1
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIQmz7KOZU
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yYTs7Z4zc
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNH2c6UoCRr
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVimAxOyJUv
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e13IcT3vu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgkA5B9trE
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4T7lNLRG2
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqEVUbX9ge
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qEsE3G4lF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡICn8Lj6kfQ
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj3YW8aC9E
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqebq3Jv4fk
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsk9weIodvm
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TMN7xVpkj
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN7M7EGig8
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEF5d8c4m2
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6niPubM8pU
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQwkK0yAOVQ
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGplfDCXema
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHY4syH9d3
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhKsWK7yJy
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFs3VACvH2
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpA1oi6r6x
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLnnXECNCP
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUWAdFkOLP
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFY4THTBQX
"What did you say?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOcXzL1l38
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvOhiUpMKM
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5TiYIn4umn
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhU4s9qYVii
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCNn8njMZ9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyCA2ge7wSm
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3mavTuOeG
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzIdS9XYUx
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQBFjOgWmj
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWLTdq2DOH
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHIr80iNVZ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBjGZVihR9
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjq2BTEtTb
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXN6A3P6PgQ
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JYKkQ8dVz
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItozx4Cc2D
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPeY6JKuSwZ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iMdSKlW60
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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerK4rxYIGg
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLfVhGo5wU
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfZMQQMnYA
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSfmMs0Xgx
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ym1w6l1sF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDY3o36dOIf
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lUC9FvwJL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHaATD0dVC
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4nM9LElQ4
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhueaJQvfd
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm2U1Onhk9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxdytAUMl9
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvGP6Oodwu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV6Lexzk9B
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgEIHDesd0
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tfsdIxYp9
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAgUgXPwrT
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtikV2hRDk
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bvEAmK3lV
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIYoNKGSYQ
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qNSXuwiGE
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW478WlmwX
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQTcAEkazG
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mG3eeQ7mb
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgRdzeVRRQ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ2f34xSuI
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBHJhQEx1x
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2jg76N2SE
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgDodSZtLm9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI75k8soHmc
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS2kXKXdo8
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rYbOx8T1V
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVUcj3Jmnh
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndhM1brR32
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVYTB0NGwu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7yQdkUz1O
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg5LM5uA4S
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCBRcdHPmf
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAeBLhJZ75
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5txER2PmfN
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHB77hYA6u
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03I0klm7cL
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfE0Of7omr
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWIGNdcRlx
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gbMKGS71c
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlS36vobjBt
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuSpJtJptO
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYgXTOMkEM
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMxJgBYnSw
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuzrW9uq9a
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Vfw8nzJLJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1GHgoW8Ok
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB56PGqwJhG
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurgUP2ZqHy
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBQn4BcDnf
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FaZgkRFxs
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavmaEHpYab
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L1Zn5VoWE
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6ZD7Kpym4
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXucyAgiUd
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUps2SylOed
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHD3Jnazvv
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0HKZg9A9o
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yKiRaGmrW
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAVGJXtDM9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWXsJRBxbc
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVpQ7dCtua
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6r6HcrODFN
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O2E5aOYbd
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9rftrOcxS
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoAnrVSjWa
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJBcioXWwf
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGFkLZBS9s
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi3xy3ReZCD
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQP87xFlEw
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkRcC5rw49
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6II3rYV3R
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QtRS8iJCI
"Do you think she's killed before?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIdh7o4Tje
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6NVABvMs1
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rWKdXlesu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbETn9v3V7
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumh45rkcz4
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHThKMqy068
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaF5HDRPrz
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpV6Zc5YAg
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ1bs4r9v1
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjsaaezNLX
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGsGmpdE6X
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPDV0kkR7r
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbekH18v3O
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl21IRuX38u
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajkJfjNGE7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzMIwLP0US
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNsDJP7YV0
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt14gL6qKr
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYNyImw5HA
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD19u98iS3P
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8C1nPrOvm
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtgTiyCLYJ
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHXeJ1k1kY
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDFyEBi51t
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEY2L01TTW
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxmHNLzi5y
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LJrrFqJNr
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVVkbw6bnv
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCQY5PFSvY
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsb5vojdLtv
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfApQWmHlGJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUulq55CVPl
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVwe7DQQWH
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArKdkGMLyq
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXJFdSWm5i
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcMXUbQfX3
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQbm958X1O
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRmGyLMdC6
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFIrTMFdgc
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnK3iABRx2
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfDdLDts5J
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sidEHKv74
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7nWxSqMgR
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSka6r6bqPd
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhDGUeLB83
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnbyPRJDTp
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkIZ0XR1cw
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwN8pL6rb0b
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OYTVXNaAQ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMTi8ClUUi
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2R9i7R5Av
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXZb4QVDgU
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9ERFilWwm
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqdnaBRpJ3
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡth2y7rCc48
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMqt0CGyV7
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9yoCxgxMj
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadlA5nnjIH
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3tStldFdm
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3oq60mOrC
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17ks6Gu2rN
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sioXS7Fjr
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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8qqfXXBLd
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsq3SoB7Ai
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4yXb2bOSV
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5FA3GSYYy
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ5TpOMgSB
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQPFnSD3bc
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbksRjvw7YC
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zYe4L7xvw
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMg6m9ztIV
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLyE3jQrJZB
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72hLBTc1sR
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UsE3YNMKL
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbWhKRoiV3
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvULKcQ299R
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMu6wSn8X1
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtbGqi0bTz
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQc5SDwgk3j
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYvxE2FitS
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmueYq6MFtf
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGCDXCKuiy
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPn4bfsCjpu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0v1fQmMwvK
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYu3zWfmEC
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTCuzIo9DW
"We will," said Kevin.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCbrojvgXq
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz5zEyMXcF
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0t5tKeguzH
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKbfPvtZpY
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4r9MZf8tJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQZueVn3eM
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasX5FgSUzU
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgakdDvvXnX
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPotq8v3f2a
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFzAckInQK
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmxTPolusC
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5370mBa9jW
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:742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhbJFNLcEH
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHBsuTKkeb
"Rhénee, wait!"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiVoFuHQ4v
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy81DgRPhd
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1UOcN5Cjv
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1TdBtzJHZp
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIylqtORHx
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDEzCqDFMC
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfR6hksbezF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8zbS4Z5ln
"I'm tired."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOnIxLRGBa
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErpyquNOiJ
"Really? I don't think that's it."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThhR5LWTFR
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfehlhmQAF
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCSPmD6VqV
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOX6iqmTrJB
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP4WYAHnJg
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOHpt5EWq5
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXwIbDNKJAk
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyXZgNHbT5
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIv2mgjsZz
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliTldzmMAY
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjg7IS4MS3
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDuGmLHJdu
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovZ2o9ltZY
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvhoF1dybt
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgF6wT4F24C
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6wJLypNbe
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlOnIMb5FS
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4uakUvUWJ
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRmrpT2V7y
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr8OOc0DOM
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMsBN5ekW4
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3ShmO4mw0
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7AHq31vR7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2L4j29F7Xs
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojEBvOxvop
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQys0pRMngc
"Good. Let's go."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzbCmZi6TT
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8x6LQDvW1I
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEt8WO2hD4H
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdkHIdXNts
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfcSegv6ib
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHGj7SJAZU
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEuzmRAnUI
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wcF35EOhM
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj34fhlkIP
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyfKyCPl54
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE55iYYaoBy
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDZ6LaME3v
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6w6uUbKlQw
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSQg2mPBHO
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniA1GRf7iC
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXnyyi7v29
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYr120DmJQJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN4DPDdX29
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j1V9pT5Kf
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt8XBSbFDT
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49RMvRHloL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33HHT3aXIT
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w7N8AK2eI
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IBO6EjCAh
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5sJKdTExy
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBppiYSvt7
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhOPncgyNJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufHRrnuy48
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJBPtXagJMW
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxITkmavUg
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYaxITbMTM
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHcJeA4SEc
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRoaWvcZTA6
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL8HeD1G6T
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29qyfbANN9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8BB8zht9m
"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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR2wYel6wA
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jGACvkO7W
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOH0rHwkKX
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTzSqkWVoy
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01LKa6UcbS
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm09h6u7pOr
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqj11D7GbB
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZBuOsXMYz
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMTvgYTHrL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMREVsTzUO
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aeS3LIUKG
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW43mgxTRYf
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhYaom4CTE
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlHLoGbjAN
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxFpG8vbdJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMO4WeF8NRF
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGuBKvJAwj
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrY4e1o3EC
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0k5fVuVpVL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHDjiY4nvo
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMHleu3xok
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhwVbKpLmO
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77VZEMMeCu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXddPIfmTi
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXTK2orCQT
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJmnvi6J2d
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfZjiLjWcJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0iQaPle8h
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUeHhoQMQT
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPILiZmnna
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:742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT8pCxeNdI
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfoS3wMnX6
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpaQqym60h
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Q7uo73578
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcht0lSosoZ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpdjFa11DJ
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYzANrZSoH
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhK7O7VxSQ
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lpFBUaw8W
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQUCOFnEEE
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2Oit1AqS8
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5SooYHJFU
***742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuFINBad66
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5sUY9mBAc
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNyPLiYmHL
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG7fNj9ErO
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulng4W7Mqv
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqFlBELli2
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7bchMFirtl
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nOKvfhWBH
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCtDdRD6HYq
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRVO8Ppr6q
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvBCmS3zXS
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5QE7G0epS
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJF7rNMppJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LjCxK324X
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHu3Te8AXB
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ9DQeyC8j
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpoYgDKowj
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUXGUadOdI
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8HhHuqTL7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVmXCKzosF
"Really?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEtWClTpOo
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDmUSBGrmy6
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQH5XVYvr7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IGbM7WNMY
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5PLDdW9Ev
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRKGFerqN4
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3RxFCEiXC
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwM7aw6ALpX
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jBUChK6P
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H7WXxnsmW
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZci9UrCve2
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SHOilVVs7
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGYIccWqMl
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJlQwoAxYs
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTRcldebey
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnAR221fMN
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AZmTMRmc7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7J9Qn5lcb
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXqqJMZNyu
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW6Rta2abs
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEB7l1is9Mt
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zJ9hKVM5m
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpJOxSl8WE
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K4hkLtVmf
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPkvTjJYGW
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbO04XQdbk
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kKLe5HAH9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW9QCwXJCG
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpCtluEot7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63GTtvO20g
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1J3TPTGTF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI7lVGWmoH
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vgOPcCUTw
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBwohpoaXd
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡesHyO0q77p
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoIpVoCBZH
"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?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQy23hTdc4
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nIiuIEU3S
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgvnRqu5jO
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ggsgbjwhl
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl4qYdCRgs
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQBA8hPJO7
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa6l7dpvLd
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2db3aBfkev
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZMHO2pndR
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXvKCvxaTL
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl9w4q4aP9
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJb4Lwoyiv
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxavwyHJWnF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhd23WOpkvn
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1hfz7sumx
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCBBSBBxOf
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSeaU1HNEc
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3b0tg6XnY
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCsTW4Pm4S
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH68ZSPhR6N
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMpjZepVm0
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflTGbus5LN
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0gmSK9Nlg
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqd3CL5JbAp
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDnVMmt5CM
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH8WTOv9tj
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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVG76z7bJF7
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pTVuc7ZeC
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP1TQWtpwN6
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qQ4kZ0HnW
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0IlYAw8sT
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPci7LrIKm
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpr3ioUecU
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5v7eQL1En
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TViv0dpla
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIEnwAdzZw
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreTICtXoLx
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuJL6xpAj0
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3V5kqYGHJ
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GdOJ1Er8q
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgphjuKoa0Z
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PJzEdjJiH
"Oh..., nothing really."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiaw0emJI3
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwxxE4uM9N
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU53RsSQBvF
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7TZVk0OhX
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81dkQAsw99
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwoIEs0J0s
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8TuVThxNS
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlk3RMutgl
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNenCk5D8aq
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABBSydNVrK
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuHGx61npW
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRdCeagDln
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oVVJ5lbhp
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOOpt00lab
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqinozjmKU
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XoIImyPXE
"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."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0wpLBfrZx
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnPJEYCVXl
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW7Dlo3HKq
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSEUzXhUmA
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRQ1h7i8Mh
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoAVEg5kMN
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIHAxeWILH
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTZdEljwUk
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? 742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWYCDWXHPx
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu10iBe1PHh
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZ3MKJZe0x
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMwfHTAQ4u
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmnk66oHy79
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVZrQloKwv
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLwgjRNtrk
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkopXOppd3
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXeH04fHD6
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEb0qJt2IM
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQMxPLqrhr
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUCwK1ypDX
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.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuBklwFzgW
742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpDqvx6BL7
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.742Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOqbeYlbE1
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