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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAvUlw75sxpO
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7BFEjWysHv
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.340Please respect copyright.PENANAnhmzEmG35t
340Please respect copyright.PENANApoeUiXMhu5
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.340Please respect copyright.PENANAWGFHjHKhLv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhXu8y8uvfN
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"340Please respect copyright.PENANACrqAq2thoC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAumVF0CDiKC
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.340Please respect copyright.PENANAp42Ko9sISW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbRO50DGbkd
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAjcCEwlMFYG
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1hUdNwEtj9
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."340Please respect copyright.PENANA092b3pP1zu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYJF9dkDKBZ
"What kind of trouble?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAJqCqzB9p1L
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmS3RDSUXzU
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"340Please respect copyright.PENANA9L4hHfwYhl
340Please respect copyright.PENANAci4RRdJ72a
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.340Please respect copyright.PENANAj39HFz720A
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0s7n5mE6eI
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."340Please respect copyright.PENANAgPRJaM4Ojo
340Please respect copyright.PENANAseJdqOIaR7
"That's good. She needs to rest."340Please respect copyright.PENANAgGbPLnuZ6b
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWkS6KV5XGJ
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAT4EzpolCTW
340Please respect copyright.PENANA45kwuprafm
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."340Please respect copyright.PENANAk6X4Jjx7vZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAs8GgpWp8qg
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAlbAli6UNCI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEqDvxFUe92
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."340Please respect copyright.PENANAzQArjamHUG
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD0nw5kt4q2
"Ya, sure."340Please respect copyright.PENANABXBmJX5Ewn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkD5hDlf96D
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAbhsKUoFBoM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoNDI8QhMbm
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA8D4PXRqb2G
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxWPNOprvlb
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.340Please respect copyright.PENANA5iIJqVXDSc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWuBNGbLsGk
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANARJ4EYiQBJW
340Please respect copyright.PENANA67yjpLlT9F
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAfvLCLyLhYb
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxlNnupwal1
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."340Please respect copyright.PENANACrXb3NX2WN
340Please respect copyright.PENANArP7sJ92CY7
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAIkxn9fX5Qh
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2UifZeG4M9
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAgOAsSLDOW5
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4056UXFCU
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."340Please respect copyright.PENANAxWc44hShIS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAB18riEZWhI
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."340Please respect copyright.PENANAYoYRpkkyiZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQapXUNPKoB
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."340Please respect copyright.PENANAsOZdNQtMbx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOQjNDTMkQi
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."340Please respect copyright.PENANAsmxeJTtQbB
340Please respect copyright.PENANAffqlE72uxG
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.340Please respect copyright.PENANAROrZCJYE2X
340Please respect copyright.PENANAB4zPRJWEEo
"What did you say?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAOpXx5ZPK6j
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZmlLhGCgA0
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."340Please respect copyright.PENANAyaP8ezzdL6
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg1djUl1gYt
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."340Please respect copyright.PENANA6VwCiSjA1i
340Please respect copyright.PENANAv0Zer1NQyx
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANALWU2cIlhH1
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFPyZ0FgVPV
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."340Please respect copyright.PENANAqvAnOhcSAk
340Please respect copyright.PENANAx5tIzQY9hy
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA1349HOVsQK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFlatMTHmYl
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAg1Aolc3euT
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWEexYZu97l
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA7W6XSjWK9u
340Please respect copyright.PENANArbLKJiImwI
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."340Please respect copyright.PENANANM7ThIWRNH
340Please respect copyright.PENANAilKRdBQagC
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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAlvfvT1HzNQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfAk6M5OGfY
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.340Please respect copyright.PENANA300kSA1hOT
340Please respect copyright.PENANAV7KrOiGib8
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAEilvOz3sun
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeb80Oii6ws
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAXoDramevbF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAK4MDn6HI5t
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANACl3QDNSCwT
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXKuIjoYrfT
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAeCUjtIwJxs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaBp1GAAwCe
***340Please respect copyright.PENANAY4TUwxyLH2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKRvIpXkYvH
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.340Please respect copyright.PENANA4XynDlMzXH
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7mPav5d1nD
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.340Please respect copyright.PENANABh2k80WDXm
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7gmkV945u3
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.340Please respect copyright.PENANA16kQ4GcmDj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnOpF8hTOa1
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAOzHPA3VIbQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVhIsnNTp6g
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.340Please respect copyright.PENANA49iqGHspxy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAivS4T8b1YA
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAaLVEpyf9uU
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6C4mhQlqtb
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAuIOKPSaQId
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8JiBs32Y7S
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA3j2Rf3OHuA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJ35OdTrvCl
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.340Please respect copyright.PENANAHvzHl9ST2O
340Please respect copyright.PENANAd5QoyM05Vh
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."340Please respect copyright.PENANAcs7ChkuaGh
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJM7QpooLom
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANApLymnk5NOe
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXbsupz4Djd
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."340Please respect copyright.PENANAcGp3dsQVnM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsbqApRtGqP
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAi1XeGlG6xC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAyeXsbTJUu
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAB1QShJyBNg
340Please respect copyright.PENANA48jeRsfkR1
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA5H4vRRYl6u
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZBblHmc6Jm
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.340Please respect copyright.PENANADxkkOdFwhb
340Please respect copyright.PENANA68AJWdHJpq
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."340Please respect copyright.PENANAD8EI0e6pRd
340Please respect copyright.PENANA08wx5jjNIT
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.340Please respect copyright.PENANA6qBtNDAghU
340Please respect copyright.PENANARebmYKbCkF
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAQxDfvqoXOW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHxDbN1R66S
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAFQJakELGn8
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFOu2J8yijr
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAwLm1Wbl59f
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYdgi1iDXz5
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."340Please respect copyright.PENANA2eARd7VDYH
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqVPl66dsYH
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYV5aS9s9hd
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0AWogc05bK
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAUFKesO8dIL
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4XISbxI2lt
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYqm5vmttWx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEXHAiQ5jJx
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."340Please respect copyright.PENANA699w8c7AfM
340Please respect copyright.PENANArKirv8WIck
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAYpM9BWBZVX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYNEL1j9ZeT
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAJth6giJQQp
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqrwNrSIlWB
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.340Please respect copyright.PENANANChDYIZFQr
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWNYW9xxT5b
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAiTEN7536PB
340Please respect copyright.PENANACQfrEPwIWn
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"340Please respect copyright.PENANA3G1NxaoB0a
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHPs51HY46U
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAp9NkzT67D3
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGThyBvpFzE
"Do you think she's killed before?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAtqlKsQUuIP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhH2DFSdZNI
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAeRzj3Mt9rH
340Please respect copyright.PENANABfmI2YWI0Z
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.340Please respect copyright.PENANA7M1SAGDmMb
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUxtAQEJsWK
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAYTS5iHwoK4
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVwjuSRJS41
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAsK8XKCbfXE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKq4WeLPUba
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA77Yb5J9FdO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGtTuNZxtMZ
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANADnxmjWssWe
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQPMQEjBwuG
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAKaPevGqRoE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYbe2EUDjtD
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANA6eW6C1DoqR
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4DaRSWpJ1O
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAMr6hZLtbjt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdRySTM1JJw
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."340Please respect copyright.PENANAnFN4TTVl3D
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnGz1cGwZ3S
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAg3zNa0ZD3e
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdKLknrU5yj
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.340Please respect copyright.PENANAiRFXnsUDeJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsKT04can2I
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.340Please respect copyright.PENANA430qwvEXLX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAS9vBE0zJ49
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."340Please respect copyright.PENANAuUNUCOEshA
340Please respect copyright.PENANArhIvRaUAxD
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."340Please respect copyright.PENANAoF2RtigaA4
340Please respect copyright.PENANA44xrGO5Rgy
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.340Please respect copyright.PENANAf5q5v3ZrWs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcIOrcLe71f
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."340Please respect copyright.PENANAm9c2Hh4qgS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiCLPfoPiVn
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAkre69cyu8P
340Please respect copyright.PENANABXC6c0Szlw
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAHVtwzgTD4o
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJp4LooaQoN
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAsR6nnls0hj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKQosneqwW7
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.340Please respect copyright.PENANA6iksp1zzCR
340Please respect copyright.PENANAClCN83S3h9
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.340Please respect copyright.PENANA5aNmugn3tj
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZvKEu273N
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAY0wvkxIOdM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAucrpuwtLvW
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAykopFAACW7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAISXCYYTPn7
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."340Please respect copyright.PENANAhVEyBl4dZW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFPXRvbckkD
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAY2gVO7MNLf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGWeF4Jq34H
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.340Please respect copyright.PENANAmXir3YVKNh
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoKGBHuNYYp
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAFRfzVAkxa9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIk0ddcP1gA
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.340Please respect copyright.PENANA1q3US9ggph
340Please respect copyright.PENANAx7mvZFuu2m
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."340Please respect copyright.PENANAi86cJ72m71
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZPLl44awHb
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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAfQS1gK22uy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJ38TjkxElN
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAkWrWtsw53l
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnGYkSHq3C0
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."340Please respect copyright.PENANA9WGcNDeHft
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEj1ui2KRc4
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAzvzdTMKODA
340Please respect copyright.PENANALsBvv2zdmR
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.340Please respect copyright.PENANAbkzP6evZtf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmTPrkkI6RH
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.340Please respect copyright.PENANAnerXWTPmMW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAXTt97phkN
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAshx4cuaJK8
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsIm8bBqioF
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.340Please respect copyright.PENANAQf4XTF2wBM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcuR8xU8AuV
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."340Please respect copyright.PENANAX8HUXHIv1W
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7QGic8gW6Q
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAuknZPMyo1a
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkBuLKBximU
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.340Please respect copyright.PENANA4k1AZ71kia
340Please respect copyright.PENANAV7ilxA8ebw
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."340Please respect copyright.PENANAzH3mfxDwMv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD8i2gODoL0
"We will," said Kevin.340Please respect copyright.PENANA3sIbImXM9q
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaDAZhlbmAx
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAlZzSVesqZI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxj0W6WifGP
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAaSQIjrix6V
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg8Pmc6ecwy
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."340Please respect copyright.PENANAkVgALPl7ra
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFwpYqYwTes
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.340Please respect copyright.PENANAU3zY5aOM7Z
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjrZk1kP4Ja
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANApv78o3GM9i
340Please respect copyright.PENANArnLH3UFdqv
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:340Please respect copyright.PENANAhK8JoG5ufB
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsXFIIP9t93
"Rhénee, wait!"340Please respect copyright.PENANA3RzYtDOfkf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGHXtMQDBS4
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA37n1ESI5HM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhVR14LBhGY
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAzrhXeOP82P
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMxNAzo3foR
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.340Please respect copyright.PENANAOS1jY1wUnZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaLNLpHSSSm
"I'm tired."340Please respect copyright.PENANAYtppccgti9
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4BvWu5OAlw
"Really? I don't think that's it."340Please respect copyright.PENANAC6X0HuhU5G
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8En5zDMFWu
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAOGqiSFYtVF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIU9hIocVag
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"340Please respect copyright.PENANASmLPUZrDgZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6HdNgXuj0q
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAGEpRSldsVS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlU8dUu2hT2
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA118rPyP66q
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg3VppYyi9Z
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAlYAYkA7524
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGqdo6LQ9xU
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAgKraR1rESV
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUj3PWqQkwb
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAEDYw7LrZTk
340Please respect copyright.PENANALOHODjQ4iQ
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA2f48g4VM0h
340Please respect copyright.PENANAns6022e98s
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.340Please respect copyright.PENANACeMckDwLSr
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXa6yp1ui0C
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYPGjkZuqWv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoZyLI8pOs2
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0Mw6grwgl
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7jTiYM3lZA
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."340Please respect copyright.PENANAZo6JWp3yxK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYXpqw4z6Zq
"Good. Let's go."340Please respect copyright.PENANAM1knT0LOvw
340Please respect copyright.PENANA72D5WD3l1U
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:340Please respect copyright.PENANADNoXNaAZmt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtNpX5DczKe
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."340Please respect copyright.PENANAYYCzBVAu6a
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiDjdZCE5rc
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."340Please respect copyright.PENANAB8MaKr7cRK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOaGyORhqQ2
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAA709HdfBd0
340Please respect copyright.PENANATqvwQAbvlu
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."340Please respect copyright.PENANAEqCJGvGcGf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsTfhUrNYt9
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.340Please respect copyright.PENANAZx0pEIKDcK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHptVtJeew9
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."340Please respect copyright.PENANAVIRC5Tz31R
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiek4HM4ovy
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.340Please respect copyright.PENANA5xU3q3g2sK
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1luiFzuSOm
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.340Please respect copyright.PENANAskbTe69SbF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAodYaQt9IAd
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAJObUd2dCAq
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhIPblbZBOX
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."340Please respect copyright.PENANAg1HUjejdE9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoKHBpAooAt
"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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAuvEItULJ8H
340Please respect copyright.PENANAv8MVoYh9tc
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAuDKvPalxjf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUOgMira5qu
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.340Please respect copyright.PENANAdBWaX2j3ua
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVQPgXa2hGB
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.340Please respect copyright.PENANAUpiLfK3Pyx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfRSNfmgb33
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAkt5dZ6ErvP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkGQXZ8czr5
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.340Please respect copyright.PENANASm78AJzYkz
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaowz9ZSrGb
"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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAWXQeSJIVvF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyIc20UR8V3
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.340Please respect copyright.PENANAV7IiZPjh1V
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmWKhp6sKKd
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYShqYCK0n9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcFiWHnN8ak
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA5qskyAMfdi
340Please respect copyright.PENANA5RL0sqdZ2l
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.340Please respect copyright.PENANAndKGeT7YlF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeL3V1VhtwY
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANApzayTmNl4h
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmoaSj8ZWzQ
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAgGUI9EG5Dy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKHpPLvo9R2
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAItj8ASZhH0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAK4GY84brmJ
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.340Please respect copyright.PENANACHP7R1xCd6
340Please respect copyright.PENANAalNPywta32
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAORygBHS070
340Please respect copyright.PENANA72NB5rL5d5
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.340Please respect copyright.PENANAeBiOcHbWFq
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzMl1kWLcGk
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANASrqcM4ZwQe
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZPmsiSwMVm
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.340Please respect copyright.PENANAB3m2gq2Bi0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbFda5jZhqR
"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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAqnwoN5pygX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAODCIu25vuy
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANABGZuepjOpa
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhupsNDg0j3
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:340Please respect copyright.PENANAtFq3jkQdCY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEYIBdWuM5d
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAvsbhB1zsrx
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1DfVgIrGCZ
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."340Please respect copyright.PENANAWY97G9XpO2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQO8uJa4CjN
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.340Please respect copyright.PENANAoR2HBbZRyc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhs7mboBuUy
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."340Please respect copyright.PENANAx8ZgpmPcKP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzAr61KKfH2
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."340Please respect copyright.PENANAyIenM5ClR6
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzMJQQtz9MK
***340Please respect copyright.PENANA6n41TmJDA0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAo54i3JdRLJ
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA9c5hHGBgfv
340Please respect copyright.PENANA20wYIeQVYQ
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.340Please respect copyright.PENANAoPpXQ9iyv8
340Please respect copyright.PENANADYhyF1XNuE
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYaxqzA3px8
340Please respect copyright.PENANACd8H53Y4Zg
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.340Please respect copyright.PENANAQUeT6nzhUo
340Please respect copyright.PENANADL9XvwmDr7
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAeGxLYuEAwN
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfwUJmVZFCh
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.340Please respect copyright.PENANArF2rDm1iCd
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQCL78cQ13D
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.340Please respect copyright.PENANAVCtTyJUQEA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMiG1TfmoKn
"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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAOvFpYKojyZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqu3VBxxruy
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."340Please respect copyright.PENANAL2UuWXotHb
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbW5PmwmoDH
"Really?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAwnglrfgvFY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbtd3X8fk18
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.340Please respect copyright.PENANAlSqK5e9reX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsRfNuf6upc
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."340Please respect copyright.PENANA1N9biEDIpG
340Please respect copyright.PENANAC9AnVFh6dK
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.340Please respect copyright.PENANA75Qo2h6r41
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0LjIIJV23N
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYcMcPmieVP
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7SChZejD9n
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAbKV7vlM7Ga
340Please respect copyright.PENANA05DN33CsqT
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAlCIKElymkF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJLyvuhbgUa
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAa1YkT70iWV
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwLK4FsosOw
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAD62wdLd8Ls
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJrxP3YsFI0
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAInYFa2jBM9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWNZBrYfc4O
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.340Please respect copyright.PENANA4k6ZyQchbc
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3HdmQgwOFC
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAdvluExA9aa
340Please respect copyright.PENANAooxeUkwVXd
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.340Please respect copyright.PENANA8PuwkyGKyD
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6uU08bfeWj
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.340Please respect copyright.PENANAtBBwih02zt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcRkfpGDpif
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAnT5iUEuq3n
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYwHxRSGDte
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.340Please respect copyright.PENANAmceiObiPEI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwcv1UDkRK1
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.340Please respect copyright.PENANADel5HMOA5m
340Please respect copyright.PENANAutWuj84y2w
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAIqrk24XCit
340Please respect copyright.PENANAA6Qj4hlOIA
"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?"340Please respect copyright.PENANA0tfTDMdgMJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWt7mL4oCQ4
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.340Please respect copyright.PENANAlEZdJaLrbY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYHB18GtX3H
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.340Please respect copyright.PENANAady4wedT0k
340Please respect copyright.PENANAV60hz8DNhX
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAtqGoPEKoff
340Please respect copyright.PENANA53TQkBkQpF
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAiH6Vx1tiiQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcvvDcqdHHD
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.340Please respect copyright.PENANAAnNUj7h0nt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAx08Ah7tTMP
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.340Please respect copyright.PENANA8giKOixib5
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8CBgVRoEsP
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAin7FzW6hwS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHiEJ2ZREOI
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.340Please respect copyright.PENANAyah2aK8RbU
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXllmjggkaT
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAZ24KqjbsIP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAayIiDNYG7l
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.340Please respect copyright.PENANArITqEC7bWv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGZ3265UaWo
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAK6vL25oZHl
340Please respect copyright.PENANArBEIR1nm2a
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."340Please respect copyright.PENANAkw2swcMVkZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbc5C3AnxZN
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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAvsvLSRnR3m
340Please respect copyright.PENANABVr3teTnYt
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAjarqQTDBvq
340Please respect copyright.PENANASr9aJw2EJL
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."340Please respect copyright.PENANAFb381D9vfW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAejPkXC8u65
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."340Please respect copyright.PENANAjvsL0J9ohf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJL5eypztOn
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAZN2JCAbUec
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9LAuT7N3bk
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.340Please respect copyright.PENANA0NO3tUXNzW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUHxEDoi7lQ
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.340Please respect copyright.PENANA9wdIwedQt1
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4yUbMwY4UB
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAQhFtyr8gIL
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeLU5gdy8zy
"Oh..., nothing really."340Please respect copyright.PENANADAbuJaIXob
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvI3IiXfFDH
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."340Please respect copyright.PENANAmKWLRn7eVd
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeHVDOXo8Ma
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAlYCjO7HnHc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkVnbk3GoZv
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."340Please respect copyright.PENANAwewJ0PRBnU
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqHXQFMiewy
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."340Please respect copyright.PENANAMM3wyJcuc2
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1xqGpXVuhs
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."340Please respect copyright.PENANAicghjUUZB2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVehCPyWKE3
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"340Please respect copyright.PENANAk6fM5xNBMT
340Please respect copyright.PENANA11q0Jfmytm
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."340Please respect copyright.PENANASaj9QCpkIK
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1I1NsKNIO2
"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."340Please respect copyright.PENANAezCeVIK1vj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAE7LJrlt098
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.340Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7CcKrFDkf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmDZTTT2bUt
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."340Please respect copyright.PENANAafk5RQFcKW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAi13GXiQgYU
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAfuWavuhIQt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgbaCJ3YIw8
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? 340Please respect copyright.PENANA4MGvytoKb7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYnywYY3xEF
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANA8MmnVp3aK5
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9LttdcMwnr
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.340Please respect copyright.PENANA31eFZwajDT
340Please respect copyright.PENANAniKptsRB3T
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."340Please respect copyright.PENANAMbE7ndj2xd
340Please respect copyright.PENANADHH78QPAXv
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.340Please respect copyright.PENANAaJmsnSFiuy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKPezL7mbPM
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."340Please respect copyright.PENANAxMNcI942Ru
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAj7c2DxKEp
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAtC7LFzdjui
340Please respect copyright.PENANANEhc7DsBB5
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYJK3lQ9TzG