The bump to the head woke her. She slowly opened her eyes and all she could see is darkness. She felt another bump to the head, fully waking her up from what felt like a slumber. Her head started to ache. She felt like she was moving side to side, not realising what’s going on. She felt like she's lying on a carpeted floor. She moved her legs and found that she couldn’t stretch them out like she wanted to. She drew her hand up and felt herself touching what felt like a wall.486Please respect copyright.PENANAc0nL8jWwST
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She started to feel around and realised that she’s in some kind of box as she felt the walls around her. Then she felt the box move around, in the process, hitting her head a few times on the walls. She now started to panic as she started to precipitate, and wondering why she's in a box.486Please respect copyright.PENANAnHvDnolzwg
486Please respect copyright.PENANAyvTnBNsVyb
486Please respect copyright.PENANAQyNprl3RsJ
She heard the sound of an engine. Is she in a car? I must be, she thought. She started to pound on the lid above and she heard the sound of heavy metal. She is in a car. She continued to bang on the lid, hoping that there is someone out there. But she soon figured they were probably driving down a dark lonely road with no one around.486Please respect copyright.PENANAefjsbL9p1p
486Please respect copyright.PENANAi2kvmXO8jJ
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She started to breathe heavily and felt like she's running out of air as it started to feel stuffy.486Please respect copyright.PENANAzXfoJa3roe
486Please respect copyright.PENANAJnjhi7VvCk
486Please respect copyright.PENANA08TxvcK0Vo
“Calm down,” she told herself.“Take deep and steady breaths.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAjonjyWdgy9
486Please respect copyright.PENANAYdCDMDzvDq
486Please respect copyright.PENANAbtbJyPmuOp
As much as she tried to, her heart still beat faster at the thought of being in a trunk of a car. She tried to remember how she got in this situation, but she still felt dizzy and a blank picture came up every time she tried.486Please respect copyright.PENANAsijjyv8Juh
486Please respect copyright.PENANAffRy8IYnn5
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The sudden thought of Rhénee crossed her mind. She soon remembered where she was before and who she's with right now. She was in the bathroom of Mr. Cowell’s house, trying to help clean his wound, when all of a sudden, he had her back pinned to the wall. Before she could realise what's going on, he covered her nose and mouth with a white cloth. She remembered it had a horrible smell and it made her lose sight of things. Next thing she knew, she's locked in a trunk.486Please respect copyright.PENANALmhMs166M3
486Please respect copyright.PENANAJLYH2ncPy6
486Please respect copyright.PENANATGkYGfPU4m
Now that she has recalled everything, she couldn’t believe Mr. Cowell could do what he did. First of all, he lied about being injured, then he drugged and stuffed her in the back of a car. She couldn’t wrap her head around all this so as to know what motive he could've to do what he did. She continued to bang on the lid, hoping that he could hear her and let her out.486Please respect copyright.PENANACfPmYAzWax
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The bumpy ride continued and Miss Griselda soon got tired of banging on the trunk’s lid. There were probably no people or cars around that could hear her. She now wondered where she is.486Please respect copyright.PENANAglrKlMcsKV
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Soon enough the car came to a stop and Miss Griselda held her breath for a second as she heard the opening and closing of the car door. The soft roar of the engine continued when she heard the sound of footsteps drawing closer.486Please respect copyright.PENANARkxEWZ8bBC
486Please respect copyright.PENANATccYN55F1B
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She heard the trunk opening and when it did, cold air quickly rushed in, surprising Miss Griselda who had gotten used to the hot, stuffy air. A dark figure of a person appeared above her and before she could utter a sound, the person reached for her shoulder and roughly made her sit up so as to get out of the boot.486Please respect copyright.PENANA33ipVDkU6H
486Please respect copyright.PENANABc1dlKgZdm
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“Come on, Griselda,” came a familiar voice, as the man dragged her out.486Please respect copyright.PENANAZiUFZAUazE
486Please respect copyright.PENANAFzJLrpMYRN
486Please respect copyright.PENANA5d4mvNbT1H
Miss Griselda didn’t try to fight back as she got out. The place is dark and cold. With trees all around, it's like a dark veil covered the whole area.486Please respect copyright.PENANATPogVaiHGE
486Please respect copyright.PENANAPkbaN7clJe
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“Why are you doing this?” Miss Griselda asked as soon as she was out. Mr. Cowell closed the boot, while his other hand held tight around Miss Griselda’s arm.486Please respect copyright.PENANAf3s1bGxYBL
486Please respect copyright.PENANAprxKRQ7BUy
486Please respect copyright.PENANA2aA4UZ6Z4H
“Stop talking,” he ordered, as he brought her round the front of the car. The headlights of the car were still on, and when Miss Griselda stood in front of them, she felt like a deer about to get run over.486Please respect copyright.PENANAUe9jRrX5gc
486Please respect copyright.PENANALdWKiv1Jmo
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“Who is ordering you to do this?” Miss Griselda continued to ask. “What have you done with Rhénee?”486Please respect copyright.PENANAYt4xrp5tid
486Please respect copyright.PENANAQaojwrGSOt
486Please respect copyright.PENANAHjEhOnadSY
“Not much if you don’t stop talking,” said Mr. Cowell as he squeezed his hand on Miss Griselda’s arm. “Come on, let’s move.”486Please respect copyright.PENANADkm7GusCDw
486Please respect copyright.PENANACcHzl7k6aK
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He started to drag her with him away from the car and along a one lane road. Miss Griselda tried to stop in her tracks, but Mr. Cowell was too strong for her as he continued to drag her along.486Please respect copyright.PENANArlVf4FF0jf
486Please respect copyright.PENANAfaxDT2RDR9
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They continued to walk away from the car. Miss Grisleda looked around to see if she could tell where she is, but there were trees all around and Madison is widely known for its vast forestry. Trying to pinpoint where she is will prove to be difficult.486Please respect copyright.PENANAHmd46dhqWu
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The two continued their walk down the road when the sound of flowing water reached their ears. Miss Griselda continued to look ahead of her and realised that they were heading towards a wooden bridge. She knew where they were and before she could say anything to Mr. Cowell, she noticed that there were two cars in front of her, close to the bridge. She hadn't seen them until now.486Please respect copyright.PENANAnwNoUJuNyA
486Please respect copyright.PENANATeH86ybZsV
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"What is all this?" Miss Griselda asked as she turned to look at him.486Please respect copyright.PENANAYoZIK3PQIS
486Please respect copyright.PENANAAQkFEwDrd2
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Mr. Cowell stopped dragging her and turned to look at her. "Your fate," he answered.486Please respect copyright.PENANAAeAPWT1zdy
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With his hand still around her arm, he pushed her forward and she fell to the ground. She looked up at him, and started to tremble. She tried not to imagine what he would do to her.486Please respect copyright.PENANAgDnhVylAZc
486Please respect copyright.PENANAAEQUvM29px
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She heard the sound of car doors opening in front of her and when she looked, she saw two cars and people coming out of them. She couldn’t tell who they were because of the dark.486Please respect copyright.PENANAvj5ALd6mk5
486Please respect copyright.PENANAFbel7lZOjg
486Please respect copyright.PENANAy1x2Ijy46T
Mr. Collins started to approach the people who had come out of the cars, leaving Miss Griselda helpless on the ground. He knew if she didn’t keep an eye on her, she wouldn’t go anyway. She knew that too. The people standing next to their cars might have guns and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot her.486Please respect copyright.PENANAS4jQ0gFtQg
486Please respect copyright.PENANAUcnsFICwtK
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"Job well done," came a voice as one of those who had come out from one of the cars started to approach them. "I hope things back at the house are going as planned."486Please respect copyright.PENANAKGvJbU0J2l
486Please respect copyright.PENANAiCCFQ5PpxI
486Please respect copyright.PENANAHuZyQXS3IG
"I’m yet to know how things are going since we planned to jam the signal in the house," Mr. Cowell responded.486Please respect copyright.PENANATUwEceo51j
486Please respect copyright.PENANA6KivpyDHwf
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"Ah, I sure hope he would be able to do as planned,” the man continued to say. "We don’t need anything going wrong at this point."486Please respect copyright.PENANAV2L1PZqczf
486Please respect copyright.PENANASFh7JYctPm
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"Please, don’t hurt Rhénee,” Miss Griselda started to plead. "She has done nothing wrong.”486Please respect copyright.PENANA3APjTpcOp1
486Please respect copyright.PENANAagvECfsJXu
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Mr. Cowell looked down at her and said, "If you don’t stop talking I’m going to break you.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8LXunujvc
486Please respect copyright.PENANAMjWBQZ1Csg
486Please respect copyright.PENANAmEtUYw0JRU
"No need for all the violence,” the man said. "But we need to find a way to keep her quiet, though. Or else she will continue to plead and I hate it when people do that.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAFVjvDZkYxE
486Please respect copyright.PENANALPYUDsWKkK
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"Tell me, what you’re going to do to her?” Miss Griselda asked.486Please respect copyright.PENANA4vjVJGxG8N
486Please respect copyright.PENANAgT4ymaLdxF
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"What do you think we’re going to do? She needs to be taught a little lesson.”486Please respect copyright.PENANA2mYmSycnqS
486Please respect copyright.PENANAQOvYOUbA0U
486Please respect copyright.PENANApmTlywGzHN
"You lie!” Miss Griselda revolted. "She has done nothing wrong. Are you punishing her for the crimes of her late grand-mother? If so, then you should be dealing with me. Just leave her out of it.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAerhICWwv6q
486Please respect copyright.PENANAFxa41e18cY
486Please respect copyright.PENANASJFg09XpCU
"You expect that to make us cry?” Mr. Cowell asked. "Sorry, but you of all people know that the girl is destined for this from the very beginning.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAjsJDpf4b71
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Miss Griselda sat up slowly went on her knees. "I don’t understand what you mean. Her grandmother might have made a lot of mistakes in the past, but that doesn’t mean you’ve to take it out on her. She’s innocent.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAbuRp3JnBub
486Please respect copyright.PENANA2tSwwZZGTn
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The man in front of her started to laugh. "You really do know how to pretend. I should give you an award. But Cowell here is right. She needs to be punished.”486Please respect copyright.PENANATJ541S2rfR
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Before Miss Griselda could say anything, Mr. Cowell came to her and bent downwards so as to grab a fistful of her hair in his hand, yanking her upwards. Miss Griselda muttered, as he pulled on to her hair tightly. It felt like he was ready to rip it out from her skull.486Please respect copyright.PENANAvc7MaLolnK
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"And we'll only need you to do so,” said Mr. Cowell as he stared at her after forcing her to stand with him. "Can't you see, Griselda? If we hurt you, she'll suffer bitterly. But that doesn't mean she won't have to undergo more of it. For what we'll do to you, we'll do it to her too."486Please respect copyright.PENANAXGBWprjfZd
486Please respect copyright.PENANAgHcRG87bkV
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"Please, don't," Miss Griselda begged. She winced as Mr Cowell pulled at her hair. "You can punish me as much as you want for your own satisfaction. Just don't hurt her."486Please respect copyright.PENANA6vSyv8U7Lr
486Please respect copyright.PENANA3dR9BD7vi2
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"Enough, Cowell," said the man in front of them. "You shouldn’t have told her."486Please respect copyright.PENANAkpwl6JgmjF
486Please respect copyright.PENANAzJkYS8mxlN
486Please respect copyright.PENANACVCYiFSwyr
"You really care about Rhénee, don't you?" Mr. Cowell asked Miss Griselda, ignoring the other man. "You're even ready to suffer for her. You treat her like she's precious. She's nothing but a-"486Please respect copyright.PENANATAr2ENQZnT
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"Enough, Cowell!" the man in front of them called out. "Bring the woman here. I think you've done your part. Let us do ours."486Please respect copyright.PENANAMVzkBsNQpu
486Please respect copyright.PENANA1bVuutxjza
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Mr. Cowell stared at the man like he would murder him. It's clear that he didn't want to do as he was told. But in the end, he let go of Miss Griselda's hair. He got hold of her arm like he did before and dragged her forward.486Please respect copyright.PENANASKabaFdL0B
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"You better behave yourself, Griselda,” said the man as they soon passed him. "Don’t try to make things complicated as it is.”486Please respect copyright.PENANACaQGot5I3e
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Miss Griselda took a glance at the man before passing him with Mr. Cowell. She could only see the side of his face, but even that wasn’t enough. Now that she's close, she felt she had heard the man’s voice before, but couldn’t tell where she heard it from or who it might be. With all this adrenaline running through her head, she was finding it pretty hard to think.486Please respect copyright.PENANAckWqvEI7FH
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She looked at Mr Cowell beside her and questions about him started to rise. Has he been planning to do this for a long time? Why didn’t he do anything when the late Emelda was still alive? He had been her gardener for a long time and even when Emelda died, he still worked at the mansion. When did he have a change of heart? Did he change recently? Miss Griselda thought she knew him, but it's like she never did.486Please respect copyright.PENANAYApn6s1icW
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAslhAA8WXiH
Mr. Cowell dragged her along to one of the cars and made sure to shove her in the backseat, closing the door after her. Miss Griselda heard the corking sound of a gun. It was then that she realised that there's someone seated next to her in the backseat with a gun pointed at her head. She gulped.486Please respect copyright.PENANATRGeYmaTG3
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"Don’t move,” came a voice. Surprisingly, it's a woman who spoke. "Try anything funny and I won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.”486Please respect copyright.PENANA3G2IyfalEA
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Miss Griselda couldn’t turn her head to see the woman’s face. It wouldn’t make a difference if she tried as the inside of the car is dark. She had better things to worry about. Miss Griselda now felt scared, hoping that the worst hadn’t happened to Rhénee and to Kevin who is with her at this very moment.486Please respect copyright.PENANA1VFbpbznJC
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***486Please respect copyright.PENANAXzrhKth6YB
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"We’re wasting time,” Rhénee sounded frustrated. "The people who have Miss Griselda are probably waiting and they will start to get suspicious.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAmdF54Zkn7d
486Please respect copyright.PENANAl7OI8wuzjM
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"I know that, but we aren’t going to carry this man with us,” said Malcom.486Please respect copyright.PENANAQRFkxOSRPb
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"So what do you suggest we do? We can’t leave him here or drop him off somewhere where we can get back to him later. He knows a lot about what’s going on. We need answers.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAga3RL4kdRU
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"True, but Malcom is right. We can’t just take him with us,” said Greta. "What if he wakes up then we realise he’s a highly trained assassin and tries to kill us?”486Please respect copyright.PENANAQpz0SlvBjl
486Please respect copyright.PENANAJLSjGye9VG
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"Then so be it. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAi1caEYi1hv
486Please respect copyright.PENANAWJvXrF1XwK
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Kevin sighed. "Why can’t we just leave him, then come back for him afterwards?”486Please respect copyright.PENANADBdxxNSq6b
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAwQ145hFhbO
"Someone might come for him,” said Rhénee. "I suggest we put him in the trunk. That way, we’re sure he won’t run away.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAGHr4qvXRQz
486Please respect copyright.PENANAiS4IgsgkBQ
486Please respect copyright.PENANAvvyH2wmRgI
Malcom, Kevin and Greta shared a look amongst themselves in the partially dark living-room before turning to look at Rhénee. They were standing around the unconscious man who is still tied up.486Please respect copyright.PENANAXwrm7qpQKU
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486Please respect copyright.PENANADOmz6KFX9c
"I’m one who doesn’t approve of putting someone in the trunk of a car, but we’re wasting time and we don’t have much of a choice,” said Malcom. He sighed in frustration as he looked at Rhénee.486Please respect copyright.PENANAajFPKKa7j2
486Please respect copyright.PENANAHxjLDK5gNC
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"I’m sorry I had to force your hand, Malcom,” said Rhénee. "But there’s no other option. We might not get this opportunity again.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAOaL0IkmJTL
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"Well, if we’re going to put him in the back of the car, we better lift him,” said Kevin.486Please respect copyright.PENANAAxytDxBf37
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"I’ll bring the car up the driveway,” said Malcom as he turned around to head out of the house.486Please respect copyright.PENANAJcbo2sNTgs
486Please respect copyright.PENANAgZ7zwoTgYG
486Please respect copyright.PENANAGV73xESJLU
"Ya, we better do that to avoid suspicion from the neighbours,” said Greta.486Please respect copyright.PENANAA2tncCRVHb
486Please respect copyright.PENANANWxfqrudaE
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"I just hope we haven’t drawn too much already,” said Rhénee as she went for the window, drawing the curtain to look out.486Please respect copyright.PENANAlkKhjFG0OC
486Please respect copyright.PENANAgo5l0CwZMi
486Please respect copyright.PENANAmJQX7Iw9B5
"If you’re worried about the racket we made, I don’t think people heard much of it,” said Kevin. "If they did, the police would already be here.”486Please respect copyright.PENANAMSHvhZ655N
486Please respect copyright.PENANAIby9bsNrPx
486Please respect copyright.PENANAzrry5EGCac
Rhénee couldn't help but agree. She watched through the window at Malcom who had already reached the outside of the gate and entered his car. He turned on the engine and brought the car through the driveway, bringing it in reverse. Rhénee drew back the curtains and turned back to Greta and Kevin.486Please respect copyright.PENANAN1P3Pksj2C
486Please respect copyright.PENANAK5f3ZMYLyE
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"Uh..., Rhénee?" Greta asked as she stared at Rhénee in the dark. "I know this is probably the wrong time to ask, but um..., how were you able to take down this man?"486Please respect copyright.PENANAqVvGSX60uh
486Please respect copyright.PENANAhoyw2v8juH
486Please respect copyright.PENANAuKeV7t4I5z
"I used acupuncture," Rhénee wasn't afraid to answer. "It was hard to bring him down at first. If it wasn't for Kevin, I wouldn’t have made him fall unconscious."486Please respect copyright.PENANAsn7TNbJMmq
486Please respect copyright.PENANAFiyTti1HIt
486Please respect copyright.PENANAnRr3484h5I
"Wow, where did you learn that from?" Greta asked.486Please respect copyright.PENANARI8hENYDkF
486Please respect copyright.PENANAQjh8JUytL6
486Please respect copyright.PENANAt4f6GgNaeg
"Can we leave that topic for later?" Malcom asked as he walked in the room. "We better get moving."486Please respect copyright.PENANAobJjzfHs1J
486Please respect copyright.PENANAOi40XDIHXW
486Please respect copyright.PENANAulgAYwCRk9
Greta sighed in disappointment but Rhénee came over and held her shoulder. "There will be plenty of time to tell you. We better go." Greta nodded.486Please respect copyright.PENANAXUZf6DlHWQ
486Please respect copyright.PENANA2RvaOQsgjB
486Please respect copyright.PENANAPVpiDrTsPw
Malcom and Kevin got ready to lift the man on the floor. They carried him up like a heavy log, with two of them lifting him from either side. They looked to be carrying him with ease as they made their way out of the living-room and to the front door. The car stood right outside the doorstep with the trunk open. Rhénee and Greta went past the two to stand outside to see that there were no people watching them from anywhere. At the moment, there were no people moving around. Seems like they were in their houses, settling in for the night. While for Rhénee and the others, their night has just begun.486Please respect copyright.PENANA0BHvBVamtL
486Please respect copyright.PENANAc6J07WbZjh
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Malcom closed the trunk. "We're ready to go. But we need a plan. We're obviously going to be dealing with a group of people, so we need to get ready and prepare for the worst."486Please respect copyright.PENANA2DRXwSqGws
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"Since you've said so, I think we better get suited for the occasion," said Rhénee.486Please respect copyright.PENANADTOzIOuLef
486Please respect copyright.PENANAMSHpPHooG5
486Please respect copyright.PENANAqMs7ZCuKvn
"Why do you say that?" Greta asked.486Please respect copyright.PENANA39chQ24efH
486Please respect copyright.PENANATXyp3ZeoH3
486Please respect copyright.PENANAAVGUAMqApS
Rhénee stared at the house behind Malcom and Kevin. "We'll have to fight fire with fire," she said.486Please respect copyright.PENANAg3jZJWJ6dL
486Please respect copyright.PENANA5TvmwJXlkm
486Please respect copyright.PENANAZcfP5xVjtq
***486Please respect copyright.PENANATfonZO5nYR
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAQcuLoCQsco
Mrs. Derrand stared at the clock on the wall and the stomping of her foot on the floor increased impatiently. She looked around the empty living-room, hoping for any of the house help to be there, but they weren't. She looked back at the clock and realised that her children were taking quite a while to get back. Have they lost track of time and are out there doing something else? She wanted to call them. But if they were still at Rhénee’s house, she felt she would be butting in on them. What if they’re having a good time with her? No, they’ll show up when they want to, she thought. I better give them a text to remind them to come back quickly, she thought.486Please respect copyright.PENANAr6hvOJl7IE
486Please respect copyright.PENANA83kDMWUQXb
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She went for her phone that rested on the armchair and when she looked at it, she found that she had a message from someone telling her to call. She rolled her eyes in disbelief as she quickly called the number.486Please respect copyright.PENANAcqzBJUiy3T
486Please respect copyright.PENANAJncGmqt9r8
486Please respect copyright.PENANAbD2GyB4ks1
The person on the other end picked up at the second ring and Mrs. Derrand made sure to give the person a piece of her mind.486Please respect copyright.PENANAa7pivDzCvL
486Please respect copyright.PENANAIeiXILGu5i
486Please respect copyright.PENANAtNDYfkT6Tu
"Why do you want me to call at this hour?" Mrs. Derrand asked. "I thought I told you that talking to each other like this is inappropriate."486Please respect copyright.PENANAMkjBiSYxX8
486Please respect copyright.PENANAzHWyL7GjfL
486Please respect copyright.PENANAhLaT3SmJrJ
"I know," came a voice of a male at the other end. "But I’ve to tell you something that can’t wait till tomorrow."486Please respect copyright.PENANASbUrlUYTYV
486Please respect copyright.PENANAsedyriDXH9
486Please respect copyright.PENANAQClgmgbA8A
The man sounded urgent and Mrs. Derrand quickly sat up on her chair.486Please respect copyright.PENANAxwSpEbIBHu
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"Tell me what’s going on," she said.486Please respect copyright.PENANA6OI8Qu47XT
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAYO9MfG5wl5
"I’m afraid one of our men is down as we speak," the man answered. "And your children are about to do something that might land them in danger."486Please respect copyright.PENANA2PtvLcoaPu
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Mrs. Derrand couldn’t believe the news as she quickly got up from the chair. She’s now reminded of the warning she received from Mr. Sinclair earlier about her children. Had he known something from the very beginning? What’s going on?486Please respect copyright.PENANA9rIeQyQ2yP
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"What do you mean they’re in trouble?" She now started to worry. "Tell me everything."486Please respect copyright.PENANAHXFVSgxtsW
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***486Please respect copyright.PENANAvLX1onjCMU
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Eugene stood at the front door of Mrs. York's house, waiting for someone inside to open the door. He couldn't wait to see Albert. He hoped that no one had told him about the incident.486Please respect copyright.PENANA92EPvEJZkb
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He looked to the house next to Mrs. York's, over the hedge that separated the two houses. The place is dark. Even when he wanted so much as to go there, he feared his father’s blood was still on the doorstep. But he will have to eventually. He could only imagine the gruesome scene of his father by the doorstep with a gun wound.486Please respect copyright.PENANAPwSKUReZgo
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"Eugene?" came a voice in front of him.486Please respect copyright.PENANAuoL3wQCwVm
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAi9lkzE9hOa
He turned to see Mrs. York standing in the open doorway and looking at him. She is much older than his mother and she put on some weight in the years he has known her. She looked plump with red, ruddy cheeks. Her short, blonde curly hair stood in every direction.486Please respect copyright.PENANAhJXdXioEfU
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"Come in, dear," she said, grabbing his hand and dragging him inside. "You can sleep here for tonight." She closed the door behind him as the two of them stood in the foyer of her house.486Please respect copyright.PENANAPlj0hOoZer
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"Oh, no, I don’t want to be a bother, Mrs. York," he said.486Please respect copyright.PENANAe0KZmneNg3
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"Nonsense," she snapped at him, almost angrily. He could see her ruddy cheeks start to redden. Was it with anger? He couldn’t tell. "After what happened, believe me, you’re better off here than at that house for the time being."486Please respect copyright.PENANA5mCH4R9Tjb
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Eugene followed Mrs. York into the living-room where the blurring light from the TV greeted his face that he had to shield the light with his arm. He realised that the main lights in the room were off and only the lamps situated in different parts of the room were on making the place partially dark.486Please respect copyright.PENANA0t3x9yRXvn
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"Sorry about that," said Mrs. York as she flipped the switch on the wall upwards and the living room was brightened by the one light bulb up the ceiling. "I fell asleep waiting for you and Vincent must have turned the light off. Take a seat."486Please respect copyright.PENANAWf8EQAhxba
486Please respect copyright.PENANAEPyl8Igi9V
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"How is Mr. York doing?" Eugene asked as he settled comfortably on the soft, red couch.486Please respect copyright.PENANAfcMD1aHjW4
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"He’s fine, just moving around with that bad knee as always," Mrs. York answered as she settled on the couch opposite him. "How’s your mother doing? I can only imagine what she must be going through."486Please respect copyright.PENANAxDPtBqzDTE
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"She’s okay. Just trying to keep it together like she always does." Eugene looked down at his fingers.486Please respect copyright.PENANAQn0mCSkJuo
486Please respect copyright.PENANAahvZo1bXPx
486Please respect copyright.PENANAliR5J6fsGV
"She’s always been a strong lady. Born with an iron fist, is what Vincent likes to say about her."486Please respect copyright.PENANAipyVG6IH6b
486Please respect copyright.PENANAtk5azNrT0O
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"She’s always been strong. I sometimes think that I can’t be as strong as her."486Please respect copyright.PENANAPBrxUZ2HPU
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Mrs. York got the TV remote behind her and turned it off. She turned to look at Eugene as silence fell between them.486Please respect copyright.PENANAq7hUTst09X
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"If you ask me, it’s better that your father just die," she blurted out.486Please respect copyright.PENANAAD6XDsNU0J
486Please respect copyright.PENANAiJb8rKku4z
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Eugene felt his heart jump to his mouth. Did Mrs. York just wish for his father to die?486Please respect copyright.PENANA5hstXycCp2
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"Don’t say that, Mrs. York," he turned his eyes to the floor starring at the red carpet.486Please respect copyright.PENANAyUlFInjwqw
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"Forgive me, but it’s the truth. He has brought nothing but pain and suffering. And for what? If anything, all he has done is drag you down with him."486Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7jZCZ2Sil
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Eugene already knew that. He didn’t have to be reminded for what felt like a thousandth time. But he never thought Mrs. York would actually go so far as wishing his father dead. Yes, he’s been nothing but dead weight for years, but his mother didn’t mind and that’s why she is at the hospital. Eugene just tolerated this because of his mother. For some reason, he felt responsible over her and didn't want to leave her in all this grief. Not to mention there's Albert too, who just like his mother, loved his father dearly.486Please respect copyright.PENANAmO2800JnTx
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"You're right," said Eugene. "He's been nothing but dead weight. And for so long, I wanted him far away from us. That's why I wanted my mother to divorce him; but she loves him. She has always loved him. I've never wished him dead before, not even in the slightest."486Please respect copyright.PENANA6bOnSQs0Tf
486Please respect copyright.PENANAZEidFA2Qdt
486Please respect copyright.PENANABH7gQI2Si7
"I know. Forgive me, Eugene." Mrs. York looked remorseful and Eugene could tell she meant it. "It's just that, you, your mother and little Albert are like family to me. And when I see something is wrong, I'm sorry, I just have to air it out. Your father doesn't deserve to live. Not after what he's done and still continues to do."486Please respect copyright.PENANAp6SqanzoMH
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Eugene nodded. "I know. But no matter what - I'm even ashamed of saying it - he's still my father."486Please respect copyright.PENANAG0ANA7eApM
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"I just hope he didn't get into some kind of trouble that might put your family in danger."486Please respect copyright.PENANASvQnDSnpa2
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A chill ran down his spine and he swallowed hard. Almost an hour ago, he had hoped for the same thing. Now that Mrs. York said it out loud, he felt doubtful.486Please respect copyright.PENANA702um189V7
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"How's Albert? Did he ask any questions about why he can't go to the house?"486Please respect copyright.PENANAy43n4Tp5Yo
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"Vincent came up with a lie that they had to fumigate the house and that it would be better if he stays with us. And I told him that your mother had to go visit a friend in the hospital and wouldn't be in until tomorrow."486Please respect copyright.PENANADVIf4ITt5C
486Please respect copyright.PENANAYlnkW7Qzia
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"He didn't get to step out of the house and try to see it for himself?"486Please respect copyright.PENANAH4xmrAL8uJ
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Mrs. York shook her head. "I was standing right outside my house when he came down the street. There weren't many police around and most of them had drove away. He didn't get to see what's going on."486Please respect copyright.PENANABuELVlfZWU
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"Thank goodness," Eugene felt relieved. "The less he knows about it, the better. But he'll get to know about it sooner or later."486Please respect copyright.PENANArUqoqm0QQx
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"You're right. I fear he might hear the news from school. When kids hear this from their parents, they'll probably talk about it when they see him."486Please respect copyright.PENANASqNFf7iD5Y
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Eugene tried to think of how to avoid such a thing from happening, but he couldn't think clearly. He just wanted to see how Albert is doing.486Please respect copyright.PENANADBXmuMvoTP
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"Didn't he seem too curious that he had to come over?" Eugene asked.486Please respect copyright.PENANAQBRlD77BGQ
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"He didn't ask many questions," Mrs. York answered. "So what are you going to do? Are you going to tell him the truth? In one way or another, he will find out."486Please respect copyright.PENANAmZZJD0VjIQ
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Eugene turned to look at the blank screen of the television as if searching for an answer. But all he saw was a dark, blurry reflection of himself looking back at him. Should he tell Albert what's going on? He deserves to know that his father is fighting for his life at this very moment. But if he does tell him, how will he take it?486Please respect copyright.PENANA1kPgmztCWT
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"Where is he?" Eugene asked, turning to look at Mrs. York.486Please respect copyright.PENANA1QHo2aWNa7
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"He's in the guest room," said Mrs. York. "He seemed to be tired and went to bed. I'm not so sure he's asleep, though. There's another bed in the room, so you don't have to worry about where you've to sleep."486Please respect copyright.PENANA5xDgt82l0G
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"Thank you, Mrs. York," Eugene stood up from the chair. "You've really been a big help."486Please respect copyright.PENANAkGTNLnIpRV
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"Don't mention it, dear." She also stood up. "You get some sleep. Looks like you need it."486Please respect copyright.PENANAgHYOI2fe5D
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Eugene started to make his way out of the living-room with Mrs. York following behind him. He didn’t have to be directed where to go for he knew where the room is. He has been in this house many times. He branched off to the hall to the left before approaching the stairs. Mrs. York stood for a bit, watching him go to the room at the far end before she went for the stairs to her own room.486Please respect copyright.PENANAr8zBKCTuES
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Eugene reached the guest room, but instead of going in, he stood right at the door. He didn’t have the energy to lift his hand to touch the door knob. He felt rooted on the spot. He didn’t want to go in. What if he finds Albert awake? He didn’t even bother to check the time because he’s usually asleep around 9PM. He might be tired as Mrs. York put it, but what if he’s up? Eugene didn’t know what to do as he felt himself start to sweat.486Please respect copyright.PENANAfApNLVQpJz
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He remembered what Mrs. York told him about Albert finding out and he knew she was right. If he does find Albert awake, he'll have no choice but to either come up with something or break the news.486Please respect copyright.PENANAouhWtkXBrc
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He found himself lifting his hand to hold the door knob. He turned it and slowly pushed the door open. He found the lights of the room on. And for a minute there, he thought Albert is awake. But instead, he found his brother on one of the beds, sleeping above the bed covers with a book wide open beside him. Eugene couldn’t help but feel relieved, yet again, he really hoped to find him awake, just to talk to him. This way is the best, he thought in the end.486Please respect copyright.PENANAKzP4VDzILh
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He approached the bed and quietly put aside his book back in the bag that lay on the floor. He then put Albert inside the bed covers. Albert didn’t even open his eyes as he turned around to a more comfortable position and continued with his sleep.486Please respect copyright.PENANAYIdAJh7Lkf
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Eugene went to the other bed across from his brother and watched Albert for a while. He decided that he should take some rest too. He knew he was going to have a huge confrontation with him in the morning, so he needed all the energy he could get.486Please respect copyright.PENANA0A9wTTNann
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He stood up from the bed and made his way to the door where next to the wall is the switch. He flipped it and the lights went off. He went to the bed and lay himself down. He looked up at the dark ceiling and thought for a while. Despite being tired he still felt like he couldn’t sleep.486Please respect copyright.PENANABH4LeHvp8i
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He quickly got out of bed and rushed out through the door. He went for the stairs and called out:486Please respect copyright.PENANA56AHq5sn18
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"Mrs. York, I’ll be going out for a bit. Please lock the door when I get out."486Please respect copyright.PENANA5B5QbsFrs3
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Before he could turn around and leave, he heard the opening and closing of the door upstairs. He heard quick footsteps, and Mrs. York soon appeared on the landing in a pink night gown and matching pink bed slippers.486Please respect copyright.PENANAgT9dMxCqxl
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"Where do you think you’re going at this hour?" she asked. "It’s already late."486Please respect copyright.PENANAM79ZKPcPyD
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"I’ll be back real quick," he answered as he looked up at her. "Do you mind if I carry the spare key? I don’t want to disturb you when I return."486Please respect copyright.PENANA6uabfZC8NJ
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Mrs. York rolled her eyes as she started to make her way down the stairs. "You’ve already disturbed me enough, don’t you think?"486Please respect copyright.PENANAKrB0cvapxL
486Please respect copyright.PENANAufmzQpKzml
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"I’m sorry for all the trouble."486Please respect copyright.PENANAdDTPXcwgXW
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAVIWvS8QuXa
Mrs. York reached the bottom and made her way down the hall with Eugene following right behind her. She went in the kitchen and he stood by the door. There is a key hanger on the wall next to the back door and there were several other keys on the hooks. She got one of them and approached him, handing it over.486Please respect copyright.PENANADxADfwwOkQ
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"Here you go," she said. "You make sure you get here before midnight. We don’t want anything bad happening to you. If something does happen, how will I explain to your mother?"486Please respect copyright.PENANA7rIyHKwQ02
486Please respect copyright.PENANARAwljQDLbu
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"I’ll be back before you know it," Eugene assured her.486Please respect copyright.PENANADzhAk3n4LY
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAmsRpeCr14C
Mrs. York escorted him to the door and unlocked it for him. When Eugene stepped out through the door, he looked back at Mrs. York and gave her a nod, before turning round to walk down the stone path to the gate.486Please respect copyright.PENANAto3uk84sH8
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486Please respect copyright.PENANARzHtdnQQw6
Immediately he walked out of the York's premises, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and called Miguel. He started to make his way to the nearest bus station with his phone to his ear. Miguel didn't pick up.486Please respect copyright.PENANAsiWVdOaq4Y
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He must be asleep or something, Eugene thought. He didn't mind as he put his phone back in the pocket.486Please respect copyright.PENANAdOIRcjWMA0
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486Please respect copyright.PENANAHwP7HH78Ku
Something made him want to get out of the house. He didn't know where the feeling came from and he didn't know what or where he's going. He decided to let whatever he felt take control. Maybe he might find the answers he's looking for.486Please respect copyright.PENANAifxAjD0RsI
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Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
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Rhénee Johnson: Emelda's Sapphire (Book One)
作者:
Namwezi

篇 #21
Chapter 20
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