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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhw8hryGAku
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVg8Rejua88
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZq6Wj1THQ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo3e13QOXl
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisD9prLR0f
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnR6I81eII8
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9EW89YvCJ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLUpWO4i9Y
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrNjSfwgO0
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LqmyU5aar
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq5Az6UdX8
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vdxbcwoj4
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XU8dk1Eku
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mISXHJKiM
"What kind of trouble?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQcvqYHYfR
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF4uYwVIqTt
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hVZNunwuC
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nfQXxev5n
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp375cBQJOU
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPDPWrnRFz
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy95mGwP5IT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4SvkMa7Ld
"That's good. She needs to rest."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJWWyeRkv1
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGE1aO9NPs
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡREPCJ9Nz4D
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cZlLOSXm6
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ413Hy0orFO
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C96lYfRqr
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMz0EVoXrjz
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyyXGSYnlER
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cNVZR4UAW
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDpC0apriA
"Ya, sure."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3j2cLGmX8
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RXd5QuX3a
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjp1hxEflI
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFBPSFAAtA
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6QIW9Nl5O
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurb9NArnVZ
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqUWKYnwQt
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMu5KX6UqR
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR5ati3pLd
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HKvzyYy0l
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPWjZCdx1G
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24jqlVASQn
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKHJcDRC3v
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzleSUOflDk
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBJ65t3cur
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGYU9qd2Wh
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgpyWhi3Rt
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLXAd28ZyK
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rV0Fu2qEv
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qzV32MGQs
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWs71RWRWV
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NV1TZjCBE
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCM7bTOYvf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsik1yKk0Y0
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4eZepWssz
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2X6O4QMqEm
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7gzkKuWj2
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaG73y7hBz
"What did you say?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02xiTGtRmT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzpuhy800k
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzszZmKjfx
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmS35VCUox
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1oUlgjoio
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wI5rSJS86
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRITADjkgSM
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOnkgOd8MOK
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3ymJRDuAJ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS8xIxmJbr
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOrBGVQRiJi
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3H0ZHqKHy
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtghId3Do2O
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoZHoMYp5O
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9TNgVWGfX
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK2b2FVjhF
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqFOjKaKlw
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN2co3Jrwi
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G6gozB9Kf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IjURPyl8m
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2hiMWGAzr8
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkMdk2tvh5
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCTD9rZ8Fz
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOloiE8O1M
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLINEcb4o2
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HXs2lqTGP
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6vSKlc4Ia
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1oN7oOZ3t
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOgXfZO7UI
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEuDnKkvip
***622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKelPq8bU4
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJCIhRRpRm
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT02FE2qXT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpEzblLR45
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUFPDAUGwR
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7jx1PWYiS
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwIOa20cJ7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMpWukSSak
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIA7FtlpFeD
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFzzSL1YIt
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D0TCqBba4
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnQoPta06T
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlIbYVGQdZ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qYqzDgkey
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYZKd8WT1A
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ucXnIG2KP
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtgjjLzv15
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryeJcVTbBt
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pyEgvNTbV
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUL1hSN6m2N
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1osSsKHBpG
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU5sIhI2qh
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0POPHHMWUd
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0qSIjSmWG
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgydJ8nbuzF
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86sWAZLyr0
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQp6y320NZN
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIxLdh2Q3y
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQoLDIZOui
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOuWCvstVxD
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCLUZ9IdzH
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSkwt3BjK1
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJoaw2fpPf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqf43ZEE4a
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVL7N8nJsj
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcACtglPdRX
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3z5CmWgNr
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJUbJEcNRp
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0i81aGF6K
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7VKSilfVI
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EJURWiglB
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWk3RsIVQX
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NhWZytQiK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnheQxVmeKq
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnXn9e8ett
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGoO1aooMa
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmTrjPMg01
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbEMK8hfVq
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hoHVz6VWR
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF48hdVSEba
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8vK3jEuZQ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aTzARR1P5
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIAQIPOpu4
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCQSeGAH0X
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCWm7htSJK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdN8yD5gJJi
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxAwjIG4jZ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2gJUOkGUz
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk3i95AwEC
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aQ7MOwG5a
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbegRrjxyT7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITcwh0Lm1c
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85wcVphOd0
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDaX2SZrnE
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlExaHZWrsT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoGRkkuRpt
"Do you think she's killed before?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftRfzTAoPp
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeV1YYebz7e
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFaMgZtH39
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfaf0iLVFV
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTSi9gYxEN
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHU0YJTmGP
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUjPtRxUBV
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0q5o7bSFt
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzDJ06XKrU
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE10M7ynvn
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwFrJHllcro
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58F3NlilXq
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ795Egiq0GA
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWeuXIuQh09
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4q06GHl1h
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXXPkdTMuW
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mIOoZ7XgW
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzWF7J9Kle
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8n89EcNWXf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqa9lJfTryD
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsfWm4noTc
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCud3UXSefK
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDkkqpDaPh
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFE6TlrHCe
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscLkgBMq82
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76Qmr5zWg2
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57TGiG85IU
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaIq1S1Qh6
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJZf32dUNP
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3K93AYtaM
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8wn8EZoy2
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5yrnJaAAR
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO82fRCKzr
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSyIFeOoqN
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fZmwPIG2b
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGZp2xvZhG
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTK747Nu2v
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGIJwjT1juZ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC12IfdxfRY
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG3TctBuna
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPJpVLIpnq
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Yv0bGhfjp
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0JaPMZmyN
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEsSCb7eLm
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYZ9NitvfZ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvD6DUQXnQe
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F0r37IK1u
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lpjsCNZIf
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhh3Z2aGZ7s
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8nWDUe61t
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY2e4LN9rm
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcE5LCMcaO
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObxm6BFbS5
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5dSKHiAbHv
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Rb02Y2gF
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShwiJ7qxAG
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7DoZ3iJcL
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBFj56cmNh
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZw2AEi7w8k
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HgqdMeFSr
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5k3TwihPId
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6gZnIVplO
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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKGdCGCZOy
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlY8RZCQxFY
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKcVQkMQZI
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvkrt8koNBV
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN6LyOVCVS
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2bzHF5jBZ
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhhgJeuiJu
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMLIWZqK4h
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZMvnDBTY6
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ4l9phv0w
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP0f8QHEe9
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ9p6Mn7xi
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyBGj6jQ5v
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco0hLKLbcR
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzbcv0KWHx
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFUrEWd7Sz
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhuqETHtvyo
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfIR0408aC
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBV52KJnQv
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZtmZb1JYg
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyZTfGWg6J
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBIk5RUAqW
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW8E5p680o
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZUTNmv2NZ
"We will," said Kevin.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnu0KCD2VoG
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8W5jmlISx
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ7eCBdqNj
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iUL6pb9zc
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMFJFQwxpu
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRrGYE1Gz0
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyKzUlXLLJ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSO5j7t4FL
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uqCNadycH
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMmwVVw4xg
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiqvc30xed
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lN5LjYNap
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:622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rM5xE3hlj
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTErNfV7X0A
"Rhénee, wait!"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvh60dltWV
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdW4beAqQ19
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaUiDD3hvP
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5ntjv6XqE
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTyqEY3Wkf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yPxQy0u8u
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiBmWwFVQ4
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWmH0POBRF
"I'm tired."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwt6DTl5eAq
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLhtOyyrNj
"Really? I don't think that's it."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje8wb3ndFr
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMieU43t89q
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKkgbWnS3Q
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkZbGH6EPd
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqm4kh0Pe7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC98POxgco
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrgZuk4kLa
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDbIZCvhHm
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX83oJjw0H5
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kWlcSLFSG
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKuPYoSJEKK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWS7vZ5IIfn
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZEz2UnEuG
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciyRgUeBM6
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphrjerBG7U
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ngRM4higw
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3R4XhLQsom
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkndU8EmHph
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzDnORRbX7j
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhuL5oNtff
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIw7ZwjlKm
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IeIGpieni
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7a6KSo9EQ
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡow11Jg16cq
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWTNehfSwW
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRfQ2yF2ry
"Good. Let's go."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXjJfXiTJ9
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzly4Cqc6aH
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzQKTNFDQM
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKb93ZriYh
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYxJDLs7zO
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAIIZoRWjS
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeST8bgQByq
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAXUJNbMVA
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7nhOOsBcy
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yURAyeR1A
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AT5twvujH
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YwVW2ELoC
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0GZzy6xEx
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlzgh6aZsL
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqelXThWgux
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtbqTdSdpT
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ2K6xwBLp
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QTKGxpS2O
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8Bj0HPHl1
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCc8AtU9XG3
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ60S9yFAno7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6e3qlLFYpo
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXkTDsSYou
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9acKIpFvj
"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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqp3kQ04ci
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRKevte9JR
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnykJTmUgoh
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2tciCd5uk
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHxe2lC0BR
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcCS3l8yFSB
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1bDe3wNBf
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH13gPlw1PE
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCD551RhafT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nxzkyb1hR
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9n55PgPNTm
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOA6O4ia7c
"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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fgHnOQ9Tb
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3JGvQR2E6
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnzUVt7ly1
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Na8L07aRV
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HhHsOt16d
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWWmWyaJJQ
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbnIfgGXva
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxamYikqXBs
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JGOVABws5
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOwW2VDL5y
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTF6ruGUDK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWr9n06Uwg
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhLMrg7HYn
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3DTlop6hC
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaXTePg8DY
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJiQXTUDra
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYlVEYjCQr
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kXCbzjdp2
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgkzugaAJD
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCewFJbwk82
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnscbTLe3m
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiFDOi8UOD
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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRg0LFVkKUa
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyQnZNxVOq
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhiJFlmTgM
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7hkHa8A7P
"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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt0zeVgFm0
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndPtBtIZIq
"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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKG7MjrdRI7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjYbQCtEQ0
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:622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSgsszRMDy
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiD2Ox2Mk1e
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKURjU8FkuK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGTlZWNXUy
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JWAUQDNWI
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN05VYkT9wS
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBywI4331LN
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXouB7WeqDe
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWmOJWuWZe
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6mFdtBJV6
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzg5ymeoKI
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAHossLwtF
***622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAr1lfzpL3W
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARvt7Iwz7k
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7I8h9cQA9
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ4ncujFPK
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXj49JpD5o
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iaDl8nwex
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUYa4eyE8O
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SFcO6trp9
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGf7szMbfX
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJV2TEG3J2
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L5ku8A1qK
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCSNtdf3FE
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ccsnw8Dxn
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3NE1UAwYd
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHznHYTuqv
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBltVVCeq9
"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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3zsEShLgd
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKflUUQqXXk
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3vvbA0rzc7
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo03fHVfHDQ
"Really?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlkJRCH7ER
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNqLMzdUAP
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9xFWoE3ga
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdrRIk8IYb
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP9Uesjdde
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlZF0HORWp
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7bm2gF4Al
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3nJv4WaYq
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFV7fs302U
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOE7CsE3CF
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlDq2hlZTY
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9LLy8XMNf
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirBhqQOT4x
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIUTjK0hu2
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ9Fp8SpGj
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8EHqgxG7E
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQhksHAU8B
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p5eMIsv7w
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGMaFQGmEC
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hy8GcpLNo
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynftxlVO6M
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3pAuLKYiF
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyH0HlKbBXy
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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?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6DxmYxzkg
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99TJ16XACg
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4Fn0VAKXP
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPAQ0NzQgy
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJTxrMfKzQb
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYHx8TYzmg
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5vxqMAtaQ
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7d4vkulZv
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRUZtjrN3g
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyh9ULUYq91
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUqpVFUqvW
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPVRW7PNDF
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxgTsGwDqM
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZi2WjOd14
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWMjAwseYg
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZOaQXqYe3n
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XRbnonKdp
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4u2UsXjel
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPklRO8oiT
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRNOid1dLB
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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KGBcTzEec
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyay1Hd9pvm
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYf8KpqUSh
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyzEPFxMKq
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"Oh..., nothing really."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bVaFsLoxh
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7hR1Z0NL5
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLnQ8Wt1hM
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU2XKvFsqg
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3174Wf4KAW
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2h7X1RsB5
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7x89i8l0y
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTnZiLCWwV
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMAgSp0z3M5
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuxYKb0B4Y
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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."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIymWbtS87C
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezc9ur3MXg
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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? 622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5se7ZcZMo
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8i6BiMsGp
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nSK8QLzGY
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4n4Ez8Iob
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKWJElAVX5
622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSuBRwNedP
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8oyXQMoOs
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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.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizHlNamPNa
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.622Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWju3Fr1pE
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