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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9jiUFNoZS
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRrY87ugeA
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkNCrdjn7x
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSeOx52BFr
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLQSwEh7ZL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBQiJMeaZH
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC4FPG5iiT
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40RO01LAJv
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡblHs1CKTnY
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhSZN2JoVY
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyvvPh701H
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpWvEitZAk
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLOAbfePXz
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxwsgwpqjI
"What kind of trouble?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgBxJtQDAV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3NPUn5gpd
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM6pAp0Qyn
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKiE6ooXQC
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu12pK3zlWY
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YCf3kMKyS
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Dl96phmmI
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2U9rOnBgST
"That's good. She needs to rest."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDehRS7eJHz
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwDigTkFll
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0kz1BhIOu
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLfoUrxJm9
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3FIVEM4ir
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y4ftiE3S8
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwK3G9KdhM
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhm1abro2O
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvc4yPMxeOh
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM57Uipcna0
"Ya, sure."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwPNBwm98d
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUIG5sSv6c
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXv3ioVmjib
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMh6A1gZOSt
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmLUJQXajV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4h4RwjHONt
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHDKbzOmSb
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKTMq28lws
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPLQhYi7lr
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm4epJ2Grj
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF2xwduC7C
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cHgGDCdZq
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN966E7fmYy
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJEpmy9CSM
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPiOoWFIk7
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD2aMhlvzv
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftvQ6lCZHb
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3cmAA3StD
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpir212VZA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVHzYcxP3O
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaTBi4gv6a
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwgeIh1w67
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LMB4t8whB
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsjy5I337e
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qiYVanQY0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJ5oAPxG9I
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0h4XoOlJE8
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnw9Mzma0f
"What did you say?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLwe1PY5T5
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIWoImitcL
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVp1calu6Ic
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacctM7t4wG
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WpoCMlBJC
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrIIVI115H
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjEDCMkTzJ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmb3xZ3VFl
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Gd6gD95Io
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bN3vDKI4G
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTruRIGOho
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv9wJ19EvL
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hO9akxlyE
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLSucygm8I
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NLlezWlsS
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgB2514vyH
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzLEH44P3U
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjwTxxOUB0
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBfuY4UOBf
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2ZVJgq6zv
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJr2GCKMCS
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdczBQcOyM
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJ4s3FXl6s
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzADRJmnF0
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEwm7dP463
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerBVbei8ou
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlpidxKrvZ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbaTrGIKx1
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7wrPngvfJ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwb75aRnbf
***618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1v72oEcdU2
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AjqBGbh0L
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoYZzfk9I0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6gvZOG10vP
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2Y8TJ7FPe
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsj9xWPuTI4
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmqxkE1Im9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZI5KDJKS2
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7PaQLQ9Kg5
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMBaxxxqB9
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDysM9nLRP
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCZl1jh7mv
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYY3t0LXf6e
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2v4mdyiKZ
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgZSjSLArJ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRprJHPWD8l
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BbOBF0ehi
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SP2BZ2C1t
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63cXpr3uGf
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOlvy7Y96p
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugml4bfPe7
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85vqbvlXK7
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VOmpKwmu3
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14CCKqlCGy
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52HE5k4f6G
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsm1PujZKjH
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ryVvNSm5J
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWXEjKwaAz
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJ5M38f2q0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCkToc0T5a
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ8Js35YBg
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNMojMWqF
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxvFNOXQlA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndKWmIjsl5
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxQGHFotGW
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQd2Lfv9BL
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5ekta4ZHi
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BsaETL1cu
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CgMjms4Uy
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnUUPnbOIE
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcPAZB9FWv
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zzW0RX5aX
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmjLGwjbDt
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rK7zMXKxH
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsK6CZ8ENE
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPxFUV4iCl
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJC5P9jaWk
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2RBP666ri
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHKiTBGUeA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0RLjCM6DQ
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphWO8snNqm
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITYqoYTs4l
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqaBDQuVRW
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG09f9PjavL
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorF68hoM8o
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1okR9BM9Fs
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7VqO2sfuZJ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZZftdBf8U
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO0Utd8W8i
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU29IuoLqns
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZa1j5tk38
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5DQmljnJH
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHr33IlqLb9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mZQ1tqjnB
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgc0GrVZyOj
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgWGZnW6kj
"Do you think she's killed before?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb3AGefBR5
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5kOPg5hjx
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTNPLYsRoy
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97MIc2nEGL
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0q3p6tzkH2
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRlbs8grmt
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWZAQGRzeN
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MLk2njk5j
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBkIDwkLLu
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tND3xgTRS
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XIlNx85jC
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtCeFIBcN
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Tn1OXWUrI
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekCEyaaB4P
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7n6dczD5WX
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Jw5vPc7NB
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjjHVFC3Pu
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDnB1Xat2l
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoUlk2rEQB
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMcIUSxzzZ
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ7JAPqxei
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUVS6R11eH
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdc4zOvdc69
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWx4miZQKEN
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFKViK6RHy
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsnH2l9BWtH
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzS8G9lb8H
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcI0XhBYSsY
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPw3qtam6qi
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPARoSgZXn
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrp4TzT5W9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9QTXGkuqq
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnTxFfMoy2
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK25KzOvank
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2eyvktUEv
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0J3Bg56NG
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1A9oaEpsN
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfqn8oAERZ
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjASEJoS0a6
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcnqb5gUP7
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3fETUgqBW
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6S8506OaPE
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVkf2KwE1G
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GvFgdiFu7
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaugs91MUD
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzPPuAZxw7
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFV1pWF2dV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyID3ySGlF
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiSO9HgYki
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9CjDEjA9n
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXafHWcmdoz
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayfBqfqNbK
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFrCpJRihS
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuA9N6Iyqn
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVDKuQ6j4h
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ179vnX44LE
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmZxa3OZgX
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKbKPmAPb1
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oPA8kJHaC
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGgypTl11K
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIt9Dpx69v
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oTHRPNOIu
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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLJJYk8xLd
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMUPHehu1D
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcxLvWgJNm
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8XM2xoBm4
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d4PBnHkOj
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOEMYsTfA7D
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pYnG4P6Iu
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45bmGqAF75
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4MVgllUwi
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJjql5pp2F
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUjXLWTHT0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfKndHSfeS
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DhOeOq17Q
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGHlTWNlaN
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNbkUTxccP
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3PwkpHrZkC
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwGDNGiVGT
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WwlLxmdkA
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZgoEeapqH
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgfUXpT3PV
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7WPHiFptj
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnzBoiCeunS
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarrRApix10
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPmJ6CyBOZ
"We will," said Kevin.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylO6N2ofkN
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pswYfReLG
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxXhimf4e9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHlVucqGSB
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DOlgDBYiK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX33G5d30Zd
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwFdJ2Lpeb
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8nbUSixWL
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRH09oOYXK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhaOqo9y2R
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxvkJgwqJjk
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFUSdObD9q
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:618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSqgt8wWD4
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSORXUq8ESX
"Rhénee, wait!"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqIrOfVrsr
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQUpcpoLU0
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKzetGe3rQ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0rl7F6bOpa
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JihRsUHEh
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbf5sopg9o
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhBdOgAFj53
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBEZYn8WyP
"I'm tired."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfW45mAzMY
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFn7tjYFsXa
"Really? I don't think that's it."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ETZ8qWuj
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOYzxoIFAp
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfCAGEGA35
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3dqcyJpq5
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJb5MrhTm2O
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnupohElJK
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6CAXVERHu
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUZq0fAmte
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuMhjW3Zhd
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrO99GltaNg
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eY0YFG0M0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaiNvde6F9
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡten2lkwKcV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2X79CBnXZ
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVJQJb5vrZ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCHhI2kRYT
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaSNBz7aRb
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKcjQt6OlK
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMHwYE6xUD
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJcQmIBqJy
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyA7GJOAwV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk16JiRX6fo
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIA8gEngdP
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KXw0WqVps
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63jwV3hh6M
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlKcxUFipO
"Good. Let's go."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaj7C0BVpq2
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WxzMHVlmg
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLEqOYYDp2
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv81D5Ua1lA
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfKdJ3BARq
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5xjPBRBRB
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3dNO4mbVE
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HuVN6UehZ
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0Zlh1L5Gy
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUOCWs0GlR
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijXxmWv1kU
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzteJb6Vj1W
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvusoIrirA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IPyIr9cpS
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eDYWRLQLX
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfb8qaG0h81
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAwmjnnY3N
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTUbSLiO4FN
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ31pd7K8njR
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHLj1IPKRE
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXNPTrs0EN
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8UZNj8jZj
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXkrpJ5z8W
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlkDbW4tGBr
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GguWm0VmP
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2F8MLvap98
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfxmVafvMG
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66wqN1pNrW
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB9mPJH6K8
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrpgMYuWNY
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFK4L9hOZkC
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaWB1hB833
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmR9wPreek
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3euTHAoDj5
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmo7O2ImCn
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xLH2kRDf5
"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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6D3ty86mRO
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NEy5SuTxk
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn6CQwiXPH
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡje16FI9Anj
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKLiPL2EPa
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK5GZysUiE
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkTgNOHGS3
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfo6FtM4i4D
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImZJvhVcOf
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6VFHDj5Ou
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhLFiPfZ22
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0DN5ej8F3
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFDcAj4Zv9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnMesPIQbQ
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwAzIYkXkW
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYkS7x2KV7
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kTmDa2RL5
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHma3SpBHK
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGDYCUMrom
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7K3EKJtKA
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62SmQxWBKh
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIqQpFkgI3
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdPHZuZtlgz
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWCAVhF1yV
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVHbSF4iZO
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgemgs75c6
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lXlVWN5Em
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsKsGVtZf3
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR9x2N7tsK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqoVER7g8M
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:618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQn4H2pQMI
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYWrK439Hf
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4i4Bvbrnn
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡua9fLFsrnS
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLIRZEkcSm
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6JHTAngrY
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNbThSQD69
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT88VsYQOF
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHLqT6nkfK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWDDiUi85P
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVEVFnakGZ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W48QzRUOR
***618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLuuu0soXH
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1H1omapP0
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Is0vA4veZ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzk8Ddm4Az
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6XzwHmiK6
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp791LokBb3
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2FZOqMbvN
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fUFgrl536
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyfXWgmvjd
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhJgDb3zX1
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUaVSwN9pJ9
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBGSJkLcyY
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09t4DxUwIL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o5oLn1OzL
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTuNHVAwR
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPgyIxtpxG
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSnC47QfOr
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9quu6WjnHs
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxC7RAkeI31
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMD5LkYaEQ
"Really?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48vYB4l9tL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFwmdAXgFF
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6y11PD5ky
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQinpbR0YWq
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevxQp91dYC
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYcIUp1xJp
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jbFg7I3Vd
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4O1aNWZiG
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3W151v871a
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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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpeBIYg60M
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCShTXdUe6x
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0rOArKzbt
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdmEpeO76Q
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPig2FjfEpO
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNfJHCcCwE
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe5J5XrIX1
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxLYrzIPId
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SZgU3SgAL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFEPUITbZ92
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4rHqpRgYK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDii8BUXTg
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7mYoatNPW0
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zBPGYR1LD
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCoth6bLzO
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3U6sp8hgB
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT9rlyYoDg
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6ttwnhAqr
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzH5FpcG3X
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY3c635IsH
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpf4jcikIAU
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivKD8qmIwo
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WnGMUUUid
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIHVATepbD
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCq3QskSZPm
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukDBCFp338
"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?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWh50lK9BAF
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiuLbKVjun
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9iuNub0lnJ
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzudACYeyq
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYh8qu3IAyp
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbqrrdE9CP
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI46Te8Ap1E
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnJNXhfTn9
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKYVPC4xYU
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguAtMbBgCQ
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYiuC3LGfX
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Naee6ACm5
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIhNJV5gXT
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlhDXO2CQq
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWicgyV5Ad
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROqXFtav9A
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijbahXhfat
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8vR1Hog4G
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MwIBWe153
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBq8FxhbDYX
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOqgOVsgcv
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8ECLdr3O3
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuOKIT12rG
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iw5ePXc6u
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡil942qowVK
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqEHFDdl23
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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvn9El4zuw
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWrnEF4MAy
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjt6HGw2jb8
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChl1DgQ3Rz
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAk4Xcfd0Yq
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKLhRv3amj
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdG9sCflmL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgTbwUQn6i
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmidP8HgUSs
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx8bNZ6bzAl
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiI6yoC7RL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulcHJU7U4c
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFtTJnygxWD
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD7rwZnnE2
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgow4OOnNIE
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGK9vNcaDS
"Oh..., nothing really."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HgeiniMcI
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGo5XncTOwt
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHTwFZL7hb
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVboetfpFA
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8g5dqM3uY5
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukT1cyeAix
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrBoyoiDkI
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnB0m2MxBx
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj000qWd108
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNM772qoXO7
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfK9ASYMGc
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnGi2oxvY8
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovt3cWzn2o
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfju7gXhU4
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEr2Dfbp7gA
"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."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9cXJvFPcV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XCOz2OJKI
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixR03MKSjL
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHbf7WqmNrQ
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdPF5ScDWV
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2eGvzj8h7
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8Tsqv1ZXA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUiLo3f47r
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? 618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZc3dQJbPA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIDKtuzxAJ
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl4rz1MHut
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ltip9my2u
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3tnVJwBVM
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSP71mYDuK
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsEKypCh23
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQVSPfBGQ3
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK06yc8B7GA
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0pE08019G
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBt0ddKYvg
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkxJ4j0OLU
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.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JZaznYdv3
618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4I3Ldy8rj2
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.618Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1t2K3YJZT
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