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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEOBe76eUI
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGhwoOAEEx
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgjk6N7Xll
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFfolJQZPD
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqVwcxJFmER
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzR8uWTQxy
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQm71CI1WcE
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZ6Lq05KKy
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX20FbzLKst
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjNBtZ4qzS
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DASdNOWRP
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmisn4puaTa
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnJ8sOheeV
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtapKz6EEz2
"What kind of trouble?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqUwGykqJ5
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTjOuoO914
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3DVIwXQwx
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cQkCE84mD
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FIpUWhTSt
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhMwWUobr7
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWdTOVafu3z
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf3JpHxv9L
"That's good. She needs to rest."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdfTAYcXFy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BXZXzFuyV
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRiSF67qdf
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28lgztPl7P
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3M9k8nHWSA
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8BClPWO1I
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmww6GKrIOD
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhikW8jVE4
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcbuLGweGa
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEV1F74Bfe
"Ya, sure."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9VRqojLnhB
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHzORtuNqf
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPyj3FOsOh
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDQqegPmNV
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaNc472Mzx
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8lzgYEgfEd
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoA2txsQBN
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkD5xIVQq3
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEAkLDjse0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUwPjK1DFT
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaatZa0q0mZ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3V6d4LlcOK
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfXuHNn1oa
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWd4gWPw4F
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEVYKfky2I
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7G6boopf3
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvih53nbxh0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUepGXJJbd
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17EL2fujfr
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNZv7fNeY1
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xn704RZxO
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvf97DJYTK
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiva6nhQOOC
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDWqH3y17k
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUwf0P5RLF
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsReBI8iSo
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzhzi5udof
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLjo1pCWNY
"What did you say?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbp5N4fiJx6
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNQ35YdW4n
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U9iNOz23V
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1acpTbRph8
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ZswyrsMJ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7m49guQ5N
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUKxOl7qHz
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNNuk9Y6FX
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzQiKAWge9
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7D1lKa0NK
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt4XhIu2ks
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymkn7FeLSS
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLektWlLXR9
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf93PuzNqkO
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoh2j58GxBY
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlzFeB9IZu
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnQ3ojJVu9
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB42ECEbvdy
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?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO2T1rDbV2
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6yEdfB2Hr
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB7ePjnh9r
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPm4PK90wBR
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99YGQUEtmH
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IxkJVKl7Z
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQuVZvq5yJ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRgkSLN0dj
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFT0HydmZa
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhs3fWaxBk
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleuow5eEo5
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58CcpJ8n2v
***653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJHfM2e7Lb
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vy06HpS64
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwc3UG8RTuL
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tPjGntKZg
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybFsg7Eldm
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2F1cQ4ybO
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AMJ4E8EUP
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1bJjxpR3j
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGUrQqDWWC
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzoTEwnluU
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4LLatgIsF
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzusR8364L
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6zWdn8kEy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aIb6ubWfe
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN1C54a5ti
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMEFAaPVNv
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjM14kGbmZL
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEihiiiQEIJ
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ526HO1a9s4
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpP0zDQShX
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEB862uG0w
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJnHYk1L70
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN537wP4Uyx
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLooZ3XWvnQ
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7M4oM8vpIH
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8zJkJUZU8
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvNkZcvJAt
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh9moKPiap
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20pKOvxLnt
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVqcyZu2Fs
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcyVG1pnkh
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EF3b9ty2c
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjtZvDEK1E
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCbAbI5X06
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AFy1ovvEs
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLznsRqKd8H
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7n5oQmtVS
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbZd7G4y9i
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96RM4d3a2x
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14C0iArzv8
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhNg3GX7Ox
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC1aHTSwsP
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y9m5JflNh
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9olbHJaaQ
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYMqmpTxrW
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydLAdX6Ue5
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLIlGT01C4
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7oNq94C1H
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUKt2hdeF1b
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9NONtqodz
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwDQe7C2kQ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkk0rzVXah1
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmB2zVKMUx
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHye4iuYu7
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73QOEihIEt
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlKf4VGKQt
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM93EEhi1jl
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOpbbKYk2X
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GhodjBm8M
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUTWMceT2x
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDxCgIbb7Z
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hO25BtRrE
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq36gg8z8o2
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBVTEgp4vD
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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4DcpKLgbZ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5hOTkfn7rj
"Do you think she's killed before?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5LnyPU8xw
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTD73q3xuB
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSxvAMtCQs
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTBEMA5ioA
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7RcPMa0os
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyJhxPbNGD
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnwZdkIBsK
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHk7YeyVtOk
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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVsZvPl8iR
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHewfWvAxxb
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtIvw33ZhZ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIPywv4MCK
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpKxKHRzx9
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWJc2n4Lhq
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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqwv3AFjNv
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gTanlZdq2
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7wg0ioRjlm
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOM1HIko6J
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqZ8p9AZ4V
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNYAirN03J
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mThlBuyvw
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny4bgi1YEM
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaM0tZB6fb
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CdB44qD9p
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuatkxS3am
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2Ycp2c0R2
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9uhT2eAmj
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfya5fhqABu
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ts2zcQuey
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXxgGPqegZb
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRYVj5p2i0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIuqBbotVf
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1hVElGzC2
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmiRzVvinV
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCqZbDBIMzP
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyIUUnFqPW
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyEYc7Kp8l
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgFgUnPHAz
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvZPJflX6X
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnxioVh187
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCMRzQKPCh
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFT4E8Zowr
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jzJhNakrw
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudCiANsoIN
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogqHJT4Ixc
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZdnuRSDs4
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ozt47OdeB
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXPcQ0qkuL
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxGhPi2PE1
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9V2t0BpBW
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLmMl8pDSV
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxeHaNXFYC
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4u2dfgGr0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl5yu4LDNF
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgaFfOJZy3
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0IPY0xC1C
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoXD8zMZAh
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ouOzPUypr
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzSMWwAGaA
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbL7hKP4f9
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU91uM7FWt
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0NGhpfuO5
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?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBN4FLsx3j
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡja52i0wtAH
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftxfrpG9Yo
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDXI8KFkhl
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PCs7Scgwd
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKRzs2gqtZ
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJel9egnsmQ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutBm1Kbniy
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RcklrCtWS
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXVV7vMUSb
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7wQjPeaGI
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOS1snWzIV
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSYT3dJ2AK
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa3M1lmsSI
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUvfV3aK3l
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla0szVdNKc
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwsK1WLZsB
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMCjjmuiWb
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3AkSgJ7Wy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzkQaDk1ym
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBd6UqrcTM
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTxWYtKzaL
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7Jfh1PWee
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OIH0iUhHo
"We will," said Kevin.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZXDlDkU4W
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGbKVVPUtw
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvpntx2GNs
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSMDKH6KiF
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj21ZtLDrd
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRpCODOdYF
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoxDuzM3ON
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtB3hM8i5Mu
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OwHPP9p9s
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeXLN1kXqF
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wZVjkMLsZ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqh7tpB8PS6
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:653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5FY1P1g0i
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTfBovAb0n
"Rhénee, wait!"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvX9VzJQce
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0N2GoraKV
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNIvpuASj6
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIDkvtd3a1
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hQVdAFtzx
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPgvZPW0K9
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIavClT0yO
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeK190l4bj
"I'm tired."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SaVD7qKNW
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUf46CfG6sx
"Really? I don't think that's it."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LOmHbGbxX
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYswO34ML4L
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u6RTyorx7
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ36utm2JtVe
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOip8IPXLcy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7TSgZM3kk
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpIDXTyBKA
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡohOFeKacfX
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QjDjcZusG
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHy4E5n2n4
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacni9wfUAn
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lwO0mG35j
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwYj3aEjjl
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEvYw5v0XM
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkjMFHTVOd
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL0FkcSHe9
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDTM2mk3Vm
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFG2L2mmuBL
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXFpumlaNr
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWBhPFmbCN
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fIElbWaCB
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyR0P9ukTK
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2jxRwG6k3
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ymGDaHOZ6
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhL4xnEtg1
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CKmVrIVh7
"Good. Let's go."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzHBe9O0jB
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXluQmmQdS
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H5GI7niUr
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVDwZQtgdc
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWC1TIFD2hm
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8E5ooe9WF
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8ga0oQRew
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNMXhKWiS6K
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMgTG7LxDH
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiu2TsedJXQ
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPYZ8rW1dH
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRLugz6HVN
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULQsJT7vBS
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuEsUUZF4H
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbx856gb5DH
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEnwv4FGbD
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9q8MCHKGE
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjtoJcj117
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJa6k9B9Vy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgIYXgvza0
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsndNBucGA
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWJtrQwl5c
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnJqOepzXa
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIlCnxZ15W
"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?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJh9PaMyV0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QiJsNTjRH
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLClmhA2QRq
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyPaH5FWuV
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQuopRgq09
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInybcoWSB5
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVphCZuSpYv
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrpGAkPmh1
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzNFS6gJnp
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6vByeVg5xj
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytfJrt3ONQ
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7croaQlk6C
"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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOhSt3Q1o9
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUqCa0KN6E
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwU01X2QRvN
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGXjWEzAcZ
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdv4YHSNhYT
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcUP6Mef1k
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5Nrt8wE8U
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVjDFiNQmu
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlr0On80M3y
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbXUHcAfGQ
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPxDFNG1aR
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iqzOiAIQF
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvekSGAzDk
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAiF8aUIsi
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNiZIe1DoE
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjgHaHsdvv
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8CLRJ4p8
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB260VyT6lg
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLcsVxHvhq
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYmkd8I0pA
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GVdltNp5g
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt2pv6LDRa
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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UTyUBoIK0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6V2frKvPR7
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPAHUAGW8u
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl5m7oLRfZ
"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?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP4agvE5Vy
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA9kyFnm3CU
"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."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsXfzuAjn0
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRKz9lJ9cF
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:653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo6kigArKI
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY5xuHY5u6
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2o30wUk1K
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQggeXOZppl
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD9Zd1rJ0r
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBw4rvgRfln
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEW0Nt87IX
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsoTuGvRTA
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL5yjvqSbw
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkj0Dgw8cfc
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBVrKEFJEa
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JGMPYr3cB
***653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmyJh3xcVs
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fHK7X5uiG
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kvJe3f17J
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9QVP8PtZHJ
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYoKL3uXhu5
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L1g6nqHcG
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQgbWjA4ry
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnNBC1X8d1
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6IbWblrwd
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVhoFcJlT2
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdZJQHmor1
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD69qIDu8eG
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXT8RdXVtJU
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7X1zLPWzIE
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqVJBZNBql
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD6PRdSfYb
"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?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYmxZ6bkWF
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0Fgfi4yco
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXndW5Ct6x
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl0vTakhgs
"Really?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrKCwWSBHw
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfy1Q99QJ2
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFgvLYjtAs
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42VQrGtj3t
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNVrIQPa0E
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiSClXnYLb
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpDjlQlIXI
653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOR7QdS4ro
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.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKSizu3OYq
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He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx8xO670MC
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNyUWHmjJX
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDqUAPudeu
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rWQOWaexm
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbrLPUyAly
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkRKsW5qVz
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAeILbvDnf
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh11MSunCla
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpnfwKbQ4n
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpc2HT0X0Qj
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9dglYoSvP
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqykYrQgXe
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9QU6NFMli
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIhKZqpBIg
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HTi1S8hzO
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLz7n8FRia
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNICnwdly5
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ftQA3XQMW
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCMXrMFlzl
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1An9Ysp3Bz
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyL5AHRLVZ
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wY6oAFtg2
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHUNEV5onf
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5y7cjMIWk
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"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgAP8FqtOi
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPOftV7qrt
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKYobarlZc
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9O5iiVoim
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpwvW3djh1
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU9kOJxlUc
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGmVF5tp4l
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKIMIlYqpQ
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH4uxNqXOv
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMf8DJE2jF
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"Oh..., nothing really."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxepScrwCY
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbAYFFyCus0
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCnb1j8b6H
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdHQy2psV8
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yIRmvei0D
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6P7KfctWDd
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8d0clsHvMj
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoofeUQ2DxR
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuNhrhVTdS
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdF3LPu03d
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9idxJvt2r
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS3ha8FV87
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVsOQ8XrsMX
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKZDjIfVvl
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1PcXuq3g6
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK26zIcReZU
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadyzVwTxpZ
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58m7Gp3dKc
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8a3gBNK1t
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.653Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKMecLK9on
and then Add to home screen.