“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMyAX1ezoi
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He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYe87ZznOj
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He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFNB3Xkgeo
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Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9LiuaQEXDv
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“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTse97aqugv
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“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiTFJmqFjo
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She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVU67j3TKp
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“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcimQkxCFHB
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“As you can see, I’m fine.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfVThN2oLe
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Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylKe8nP6M3
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YLYB6YarI
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“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHls5GTGeK
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Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEJ9WRqDNB
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WAkeFZtqR
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“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmBhN8GRD7
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05w9Db7TLq
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“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ17kG1KmTSB
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“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdw8Xo4x9H
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxCeOWIzGq
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“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivOJVrHPWP
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8Y7DAW2Uw
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“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGCeBSMU03
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“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡansfYoOK0m
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“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BwRNGqzpC
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Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0YdlYfGzUM
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“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6CTvLJDXX
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“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidtOOlWcTi
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“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYziRadmI7
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Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0QwzMS8Jm
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“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbCS1Dvdgf
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“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfyFT9znG8
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“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsgeMUdWZc
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Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAh9aX42QH
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“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhTxQOodFM
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“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXAEj0u1gh
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"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVH8T2EdHWi
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"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIz3Y6j2Af
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His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZ85EKfv7r
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QVluuuP0Z
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"I think you already know the answer."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3Ae0ZHyLD
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"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaqSk8yoYM
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"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTEEMKUahm
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Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMhucEFqbm
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"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXC4piFEi5
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"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4LYexJa00D
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Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgntYDmEzvh
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"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2r9TPqxPJ
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Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbMMgVj8EkY
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Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamjcBxD2Bo
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Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28c6HcBIti
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"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMwf6tx7eQ
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Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsmZNzRyoN
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"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkqjpyNMoZ
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Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7lLRFXKK2
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Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Nsd53tIcE
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“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrvMRZ8jeq0
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“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwkdqDqR9E
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Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSe8u1gZX4
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“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUJu30pTRac
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Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSNYtr9XZo
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Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JqGGAT5xh
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“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNO5XlgNuW
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Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzywP1xKyy
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“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18GL99V8hk
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“What is it?” she asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpvZQo9XWd
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“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTBV1yxXkL
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUfMgF6XUH
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“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEAzOxNZHT
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Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBhbJwsLGO
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When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xPVYzDNOr
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"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9lkHXJYsf
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Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQRqYpMgXQ
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Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4G1iYIsmB
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"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qA0t5HQGS
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Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAGjS46WOU
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The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTdgamv8Tl
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"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvXCAWSrj1
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"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnwkODSn1f
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"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApyLCY0RBz
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"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t0nLm68wK
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"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gDnqu6wOK
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"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoABtTWwRo
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Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOqjaqhd6ay
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"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ307BrclH8v
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"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmfjUUO7e2
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"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9unR3PGUJ
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He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0McEvovJRb
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"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRytn7fI1Ak
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"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerOSlU0zbH
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Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmqdJSY0WH
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc8UZJ3jQL
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"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFfcj78EQH
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"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzyYP6tZ0T
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaKYpSCjc6
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Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD4tWg0kYZ
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He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjo3w9Tpf0
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"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoitllPVBmJ
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"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaF3SFug8V
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mlvu9CbzE
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"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7SVoLBEt5e
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQmk1bBVX1
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Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqyE5chNdrG
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Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhuxJGaaWK
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“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYHU1KoOax
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Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgCB3vS4ng
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6ETM1KGld
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“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLRkAUTscm
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJFkusGk5O
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“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdjsAcR3mA
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Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Uzrpai5N8
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They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZVPENacL9
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Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOFqqrWAhZ
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“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddgg17CBYz
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Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRSh4nYhOw
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They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsMVZlwOwJ
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“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GLIE3pkXK
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“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIAzZkMQVS
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“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAWiZ9Alah2
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“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YCbAQd1DL
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“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaavyjqr2c
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Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJuMWNpjv9
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He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJcpqIq5bI
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"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjTd9qpCL6
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"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer8U7CogYq
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"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn85y46ou7
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"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII18bh0e0G
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***782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRy9eAZIyZk
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"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdbWr6sBh4
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With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ6xJmTfwO
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How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXrH3tJ7z0
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Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7meeKSCdzZ
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"Kevin, help!" she called to him.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXy1Vjl3QGL
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Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpQKUi871U
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"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3Faw3fIxr
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Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcQFCta081
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"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Ut0eG4kUQ
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Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSDcsINNpS
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The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBUR1iJ0is
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“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHqN0ndeo1
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Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYgULIXncj
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“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkQZjfiEWY
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“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8nOeVBtQi
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvoDVU40jpM
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“Where did you learn to do that?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIJcl7YPYX
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“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHAeG7bm5k
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ725oCZUTvb
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Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Fr3fC8MUs
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“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbod7u9q01
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“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK40Dkg71lo
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“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Zdh9EsD8C
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQkf7dwEbn
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“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQbRYzztLI
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“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUiSA4XkE2
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“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvXLt1CypBa
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“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuAzHR5z2F
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Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6t55TocCc
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She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZLwNJtS2x
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Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjSfLvHICvu
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Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzF6wvyBJ8K
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She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE1qQTHBrT
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“What’s that?” Kevin asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu89Kg9hZX4
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“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZ37a6rAp1
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“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzBTtXNVI2
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“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oA6n7FxwN
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“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qLE3pESWM
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b7yWLtWsY
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“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jh3GRqQkZ
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcUq6uWoym
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Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdYmyJTQXO
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Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡna6hKkALrw
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Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcOPxJ0Tb3
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There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86Mupdf4dv
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A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxT0UImfqKF
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Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4PBCSakdU
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"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUI4HOfWkSl
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She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1oJyJoOCZ
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“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX04JEk5kIK
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She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxpqZNtnqS
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"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaROPetG7fZ
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In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEO0kgxxkw
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"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9BigUviyb
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"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1h4bolNRa
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"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vg8ghsCbR
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Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLOajAXv25
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"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkkJSfHj0q
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"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIaJWqphgD4
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Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2rWlirs26
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Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D2E0oSDrm
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Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP43xGDJDF
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"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2yz9twORF
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The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EVRVSg3q6
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"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUyqO49MtR
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxLKYSEyd
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"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcjLSNzwEb
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Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYIx5cVzPS
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhieJyieFZ
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"You're right."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vAh05L8BM
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The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhjhjXB28e
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He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8I8MuCNvL
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The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFObeErJnh7
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Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX8BuauDD8
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlByJ25zleq
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“Kevin, did you find it?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvtKnyoO2T
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Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJTr9LfJ62
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Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvwh1uloIR
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“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iCY7OmN4a
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Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLnG8RrGD2
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“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCq3LGWSpr
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“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIf7kgFV2Q
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“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3qRHa0l1V
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Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCXlkxUSKc
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“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOypiRxD5Dj
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“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRV9VsMDDZ
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“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlw5nEKGPW
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Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpXoVJLcwl
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP5tUdOZTG
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lxiAsnIdy
“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kSvMrdi4Q
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jg3xo7hwk
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"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI2AK7yqbF
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"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xdrnCfvFZ
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"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGF4RxNHewh
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BaXNBwEnS
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"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkRMMTNvhH
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"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UpHJ8zcP6
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"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlMQCRjmWt
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"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8knhXQifgW
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Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQCbLWnYIu
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"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJYXuxD3K0U
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"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoy4vSzsrK
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"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z6QOYezYu
782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOgWUxm1of
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"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiUSa8FbfT
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Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkG64zbVkN
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"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkqMR5WOVi
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"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLjk1sctkG
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Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeuojZwnpt
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"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiK0IG5xz6y
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"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCqtl7q4dw
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"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNkStJZrGr
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"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdyt8kfFVF
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"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1N4udKiGvI
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"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oC7AK8HXY
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“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalgE1vxMv1
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“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjNMRXH1pJ
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Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9kOC3uNxJ
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“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZLCh4ngJA
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“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ163jp6GUXh
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“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqMXgHDhSA
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Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ12wXUOq9gt
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“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYEOW77EtJ
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“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmAiP1WHZf
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“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HA9NlRIhB
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“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM7aDzCdCt
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“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdpuFk7paD
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“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9emQXvw5SO
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Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSq8g2eA44
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They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEvw3EXQ0O
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“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4Xrhrk7U0
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“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAPK59CNIJ
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“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ie1xsd07
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“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZng4Qz1ao
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“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0JTX9moCe
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“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm37UToblOQ
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“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”782Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxAVNc9ruB
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“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”1234 copyright protection778ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEde9L3j3e 尼

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