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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3i2jCs0oDN
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRV7BpQ26I
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dsV50Mykz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtdOA931m6
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerrGKPgexI
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Nzmx56PlK
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxh4zwutJm
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7wRXlooXM
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WEMmRrUvM
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxi8qBtujM7
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65Z2WKg1cI
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xaHk1HPCX
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla3JoGaunW
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzfVlH5stX
"What kind of trouble?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNWrdJIiEe
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EFekrGxwC
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBTrLrGIRQ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxLA3MPt9y
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3j0YtqiMt
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuajq02i41
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfs18EHrXI
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfnrlnpFbP
"That's good. She needs to rest."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLWt59kvRA
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HIhWFgICR
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeF1R0F3DI
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrRt8BfFlo
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtotHabY3cC
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL5INpB4Pm
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0tCBjPp7h
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RIgMhueZ9
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9s2gjliEN
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbPwsMYJVW
"Ya, sure."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkW3gvujSt
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3qi9w29tx
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iAL1bwYGj
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnme4el906w
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXDBrbKfDg
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFR0WlSaPHm
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5zYQ7sq6n
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9WPxRdWqZ
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTpvTwzD72
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEH94Gb1JRA
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMr4itVKlQ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9MlqRWnLa
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcOUIH6Fl5
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYU4fuJhg8
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IKKSpKkLz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr8v6kPo2Y
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlCezzwvqp
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO1XgfKybP
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z6smItk1b
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMd0I7873a
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoMqsYvpEZ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeqsHwzfvO
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUytWu1qmgq
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEysJlJfL1k
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMBDoOtCNY
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF8AOGC4Pf
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLowpYGxid
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuXrSosISb
"What did you say?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeufWAIZSsU
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZctlX57jd1
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5SKOqtMPa
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFTmIEfoNH
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJkQpb7bPr
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiBQSuWSX5
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UpvoytgGK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtGt1VDW88
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPd1TfWe8wx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcrV4hNCKq
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2UdS8UW7p
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcx8e6ORj7I
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡym5oLiGdkD
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1kYAjW5uh
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmAzXw4d5o
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8xqMVilo7
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ804aZP7IEo
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMkAGTfj6D
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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMN0A8kr1T
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiobOhkKct
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvMykeVqje
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UU1EaQ7yp
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJlW9wrze1
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm76UmaMN7k
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdcHXRz6dN
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbKMBHPuej
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZyA36GLtV
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4qaXLs6SF
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVWEeawpDR
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuM8LY0VfkS
***998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3Jfr0lXWT
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHquL6j9Vn
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZPioObk93
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡze5qBPcQto
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpxdDN0sLs
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoWqauUQhW
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGLjjwGCHh
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUibsoi1L1r
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFO695QlAdv
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViMsW1D7nh
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEUm4Oj0nP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsphUq5impj
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOgLVkrwc8
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAP7O3uZie
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e5xoHLwqe
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoCVdmyRvp
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE4Bc9tiN0
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11QFk0NPUP
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhxhKF851a
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV8b7Z2zVr
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0HXqJD3rE
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hvMjPNEj9
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Go1XfgsHF
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrevTuIvM7m
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5hycSF5TU
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ToPDmlCLa
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7IZOD7nio
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXdGmTKm5f
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg95LR2pvx3
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXNE6u3z7W
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UiBTmNWRo
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpW0fOcrvX
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7T4pjezNz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEBFTlz5IC
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFstu8vxfZ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fl8BmLezq
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKV1tnFLPH
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmLkE6lRJq
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CtiEiPqKt
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2BGUmpHfn
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqA9iEpgeg
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLLBzWq2gx
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOJmADz5Vt
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALE34Fyw4j
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcHClCidK9k
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPwCWqRz3A
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtmo9cvf8P
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MiUWvIFkT
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXVAugcAV5
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCTQWLjcFe
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxq3u2FREF8
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdkXekGhe
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gRIepnxDW
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87c8L7MrAF
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFysPIHynp
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSqdEIy1f4
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUse0D0K3Hb
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMguvQ7qXc
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpaHppwV7i
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv737Y0GYk
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zZK72kV9C
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf64S8ZDGr2
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl01amGj0wP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T1jgyIPrr
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALQRo7ohiX
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bArNpBuWy
"Do you think she's killed before?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1aq912kqc
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33StTjlKqW
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3R9bVpH5E
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFtdvmInxZ
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiyMhLF7pD
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QNfhw6m66
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmkEkcVY08
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xwOWzoACT
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCILc8mlLxk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDS24jtGYZ8
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJFVDPoAs2
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUAnLKsEbq
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7DAFBJh1w
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87rviVEnZv
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxVVcynYa0
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkp5SMArkG
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXeOpQv7qC
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpM16N900B
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpjLG504sC
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5dVrmoiAR
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2eCCCGXPH
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5oPsw8i9G
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQYPGoksBi
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW3zSxI99w
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zVWbXDs9j
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDWgHpQqrv
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrRjxudQB3
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWK3dOTLuU
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52BWXs0TGq
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yTkcpCUPI
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNGY1whurD
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkEteDHGbh
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpRGdBKmFv
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tLYSx7Dk5
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSnufEg8w1
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU23K0cWxLu
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGEF3cyFh7
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiXhjJsqED
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2W3oqBl0as
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTbv9A3HoO
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjht0vBXyK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagMxMXeOTc
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ0e65YogP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXqt1c4aVr
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPctMVlD4Q
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoj3AIVDmu
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2chXgOm6GF
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJV6SaYodp
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxiNZolodkk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dzuwAyoFd
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fT6IfAZnj
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJY7UryjsK
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5iGsAlMxx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wp6hT3x4l
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG99NxAi7Gs
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEGbxNT23k
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45aSyyGSnh
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKgALxXF3W
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDYOvORdKm
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKWPj1zpfj
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBXGll4tyR
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtz6mvK9yyw
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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZ2ZMpJ2Dk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt4Hjbbn0c
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvLcijqFXL
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYCcYfCgyi
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjtZbimQG6
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjFrWmqdxZ
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCsjAqlUV7
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZhe2QGPqv
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNKlj6ELEB
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJsg86T9AY
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDzaNc5WTJ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFwTGW2kgM
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LnG2AEEH8
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBmf3PjiZw
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxIuZgIm7S
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9wN4kKoTM
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhkPSsz1KY
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnO2tKD6EsW
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VULrQFiIK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8Plejo2ht
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LW3r5mMj4
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvVKvVMts1
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡReQFehn1nK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0DPJOn16H
"We will," said Kevin.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIowr69XXr
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUrep78jWF
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcSejC4sXk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp69yaFIOog
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GDLO9eHoY
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoteuhGD3f
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjjvHYOOrw
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnLfdxGKrz
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5LiPsYQpt
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeepaeFIERP
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CD3fKamsd
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7xNJjU1si
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:998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHWfCuCN3h
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZsko3I9Ff
"Rhénee, wait!"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeNTbzNazT
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP3RR7GBq5
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0wIFseOjv
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKhMXSeXjT
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXva67otgJx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QFvTULmsi
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXyIdzNG9K
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOYpGjuERA
"I'm tired."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDr9b8YUnxw
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAP9ZJR01y
"Really? I don't think that's it."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡduYmxvU3Tx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuX8v7Tnjc7
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡItnJY6NOIH
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNILdsohMke
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHcaN96q8e
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xCLow53J1
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfprfSoZRA
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvGelPgZut
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKWUeXNeOz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSGFqx2vvX
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T8iGNzdzk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUMXhvvcPU
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYChYWKtL2
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEL6fUvv2ZI
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46Ypgiy40U
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAvsZCUbnO
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ALa4v2NLu
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6U8VMJWuT3
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0miVwGdcq
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeI4LzLBA6m
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgFDop0OiD
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Pgm3iB21
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2zDLlTnSl
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2wrSN0BNw
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUguNi8jvR
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg1z5mrbyD
"Good. Let's go."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU9n6VEleh
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBC1cfATRF
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtDxaj75PK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPiA4dcq0q
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1Fn7IcFc5
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSYwUDJMaN
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRSvpn4B1c5
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLi7vyabyv
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1avgROitv
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIQluYBca1
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjDMJCVpvV
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy20s9BGwMw
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasURG2GIiZ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUYYA9PpSea
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1V6D6t6jp
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIN5uvtSb4
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh08JtTZBKs
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3L6DHg0qLF
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7fWC6LsNy
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpY91tBb3M
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e06tTqVUP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJzLsEZP1O
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lAedOUu05
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvJWfqLGje
"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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSWtR5Spwy
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvP4jHuPb8l
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOZRayQH7F
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiz7WCAeNL
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b1hVRePZK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkObr82But
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJag2JCg8Vz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC3l3XuSMA
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqRoheudHl
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcRUQA0OUU
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96CdmwU8dV
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDaMl7Hkgix
"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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlSBdrFvd7
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iKD7XwZpN
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1zs1TTZ71
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrHR9TsEAE
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEoCWWZsh3
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuqTE3gJi7g
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6viaBVSLxn
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Wvskwzzve
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEUdFgRjte
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEisTlpWqH
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oyaFhv6AP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NrLssiDT7
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaSudzOQT6
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZUrOju0YG
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQLSViLhoC
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBQBKTBmSw
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyp6VP6xzJY
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihcuxlXAR1
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8thrC3J4Fl
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFThhY7gOBY
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmKAaNxfaw
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfjMTFdgLW
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHa98FK7Wd
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIdJF1tJvE
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEAMno272w
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqC40cdgibX
"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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ53Uh9ocW
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd4whNWlYu
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47Rk3Uku9n
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJhADakTEv
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:998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o7hMblUv5
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisNAnRkJbF
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLQQJsXN0Z
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZluHVvYbEe
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEp2PN3p1Mw
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h7QF38c4g
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CRf94b3Y2
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5OAvibyLg
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN2HLzPp4A
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIOz7zf6NW
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuLj2jiP0v
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3RUViMf3c
***998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6xRkbJSnK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCggOpjFhj
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOLbzQ2QnR
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiPkIzBhAt
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZqQ1H13YO
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSt1QXHAq8
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLR7hFmVPN
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqtOv6iZvO
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWcfXUP731
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfn8qSRKJg
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLrQBQbJ7l
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ769btwQFBX
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPFMfwcmiG
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIi4Xmn2bx
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhfeibHEzA
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo50PvCmB6C
"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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6svAXKbtS
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZ0T7LMYDV
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwN8RAWiff
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzokJnQksG
"Really?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx24GLzlTkk
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2hYwG3wbO
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuw32T1k5xK
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTptMQYaMAf
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBBvoAH2wz
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg1o9qn2Gi
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldBAfwc1TS
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOiBvBxlLN
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvk0UESA2y
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBW04sBZZBP
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqu2qw04IW
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGczTPUQMsz
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7oDmJbb28
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2VU9nVY75
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlcNNKZrcT
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyJJ5VWxrD
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUEJOCg2j9I
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkU9QMuNWfr
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsHzDbLf5T
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCALTnA0HJy
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJDedNufCu
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HiAQ9U4Td
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTKlL84PO9
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPo5wsaSjC
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQb7f7OrMx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UZtbWVRcl
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakq2talMtB
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKVfU1BO6M3
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8eQi28o0b
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvrF8WO7PO
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfesvKqUqaG
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttabHqJsSC
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecoIdh4RhA
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o8o9dHBUN
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGYRPEkHlP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRrMHlQCYA
"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?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1C0EmeZSA
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xkOjHtVsE
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UooJjDmD9
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUrJpiXQSZ
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp3FahPohV
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQHNp3qTzg
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBir7RJwb6
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSZls1pnrj
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixvJhO0qmJ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4GZ5LpeGN
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIcZeOc4mL
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4Ja3PGGFM
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzP3VjUKZQ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6Xbe9PQSx
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSJt9g0ffR
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QStJIgrl6
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TqQ4sKIoN
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uPMyn1ucR
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRTFPxYQDF
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhWz9BCjSd
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31jB4RPUsP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0D0g60gZXB
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvR2sudjL1
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPIMFgikFI
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRfUaza0se
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr6scdjsdl
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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQikCXolaf
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8n8n0pDY3
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIcD1sRGXl
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03tTdeZay0
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk2N16Uo7p
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjZhO2NvU1
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sAKHXNDjH
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTopLIh5MB
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3rjSKIk3V
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Vd4SdyNO
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpImnl3eQ1
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPKkLqrvDg
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiNqUtRLUd
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOwlkCMzam
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLWQlUO6jJ
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbs7rG7srqf
"Oh..., nothing really."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAAUSg6pIS
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPqjYrdqoi
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YyZrrredo
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bOyCpc8QG
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQSCLs4Qyx
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79gIfOvyo6
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq932wN8IJB
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOPzqS6YtJ
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4cQCGM56Z
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMkWQ2h1Pj
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpb37tvCr4
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5j2QycK1zC
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EwTEL5Isv
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9fBducIof
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFRd40xFg8
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhCR2rHcyI
"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."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡub1F0n72ak
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrxWhqFyJE
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iB55K8gHb
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNTTy7AvAM
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUnuWzZKox
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34hcJyujdA
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZbGV5mfF1
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Wkx0z8tMe
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? 998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡry7YzKC1b9
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXFBwLAZ7N
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwQVp5pP3U
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcylih0T6Wo
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy47eujaYF
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVATNaRkPL5
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9O0K8NqAo
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4qAEENVkI
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmqy0sRmGP
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fDrpGggX9
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS0nMXO2HW
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rTFubwC3S
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.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrFfrsQmr9
998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttapfYsKDF
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.998Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVLlAFMpTb
and then Add to home screen.