Rhénee had not counted how many cupcakes she had eaten and she could tell that it wasn't helping her or her tummy. She felt like releasing all her anger out, but the only way to do so was to take in as many cupcakes down her throat as possible.
"Hey, aren't you going to leave some for us?" Greta asked.
"And why should I?" Rhénee asked after taking in who knows what number of cupcake in her mouth. "You guys are way too slow."
"Stop eating like that, Rhénee," said Miss Marie, "you're going to burst."
"Look, I told you all I know about that weird stranger over the phone, let me eat the cupcakes in peace."
Miss Griselda scowled and stood up from her seat. She approached the coffee table and took the plate of cupcakes away from Rhénee's greedy hands.
"Hey! But I'm still hungry," called out Rhénee.
"If you don't stop now, you'll become a glutton," said Miss Griselda. "No more cupcakes for you, young lady."
Miss Griselda gave each and everyone a cupcake, except Rhénee. She took the remaining cupcakes to the kitchen and quickly came back to the living room to take her seat.
"Now that that's over, can we look at the current situation we're in now?" Kevin asked.
"Well," began Rhénee, "we're all in danger. I told you about the stranger's warning and the picture of the house in the woods. If you help me any further, you might get hurt."
"But you can't do this all alone, Rhénee," said Malcom. "The way I see it, this all seems like a game to him."
"Of course it is. For him to give me the necklace and the photo of the house...., it's like he wants me to know the mystery of my late grandmother's death."
"Do you think your grandmother was murdered?" Greta asked.
"To be honest," Rhénee raised an eyebrow, "I was never told the truth about her death."
Rhénee turned to face Miss Griselda who had a weird expression on her face.
"Miss Griselda, you might know how grandma died. My mother told me she died of a heart attack."
"A heart attack?" Greta looked surprised. "I was told she had been admitted to the hospital and had died due to low blood pressure."
"I was told the same thing," said Malcom.
"To say the least, everyone in town was told the same," said Kevin.
"But that's weird," said Rhénee, "if it was due to low blood pressure, then why did my mother lie? I mean, it's just low blood pressure."
"It's strange," said Kevin. "Did your dad tell you the same thing?"
"Well....," Rhénee paused at the mention of her father. Surprisingly, he still hadn't called her. That was so unlike him.
"Well, he did say the same thing," said Rhénee, quickly snapping out of her thoughts.
"Do you know what the weird thing is?" Greta asked. "I never heard anything about the late Emelda not feeling too well that she would be admitted into hospital for a day or two before her death. It just happened so suddenly."
"Maybe it was just her time," said Kevin.
"Or maybe she was murdered?" Rhénee suggested. "Just think about it. Why do you think this stranger is playing this type of game? There is something he wants me to know about her death."
"I agree," said Miss Griselda, her voice a bit shaky. "I find it strange."
"Weren't you here when grandma died, Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked.
"No, I wasn't," replied Miss Griselda, her eyes turning red. "Two weeks before she died, your grandmother, may her soul rest in peace, told me to go on leave, for a vacation or something. It was kind of strange that I had to go away for a while. This place felt more like home."
"Did you ask her why?"
"I did, but all she told me was that I deserved it because I had worked hard and all. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, she gave Kevin and Mr Cowell the time off work too."
"That's true," said Kevin, "as Miss Griselda put it, it was a bit odd."
"So, grandma was all alone?" Rhénee felt her own voice breaking.
"Yes, she was," replied Miss Griselda, a tear streamed down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.
There was silence for a while as everyone seemed to be in their own thoughts. Rhénee couldn't help but imagine her late grandmother being all alone in her last days. But why the sudden change of attitude? Was she also in danger and didn't want anyone getting hurt like Rhénee wanted for the people around her?
"But she seemed pretty weird in her last days," said Miss Griselda.
"How weird?" Rhénee asked.
"Well, she was acting a bit agitated. Whenever she came home, she would always look outside the window as if to check if anyone was following her or something. She rarely slept at night. Most of the time I would find her in the study."
"She must have been threatened," said Malcom, "and that explains everything."
"What explains everything?" Rhénee asked, looking at Malcom.
Malcom looked down for a moment before looking at Rhénee straight in the eye. "Before your grandmother died, she called Greta, Kevin and I here. We met in her study and she asked us for a favour."
"And what was that?" Rhénee asked.
"To protect you from what's coming. She wasn't quiet clear from whom or from what, but she did say someone was planning to harm you."
"And she did mention to look out for our mother for some reason," said Greta.
"Do you think your mother and the stranger are working hand in hand?" Rhénee asked.
"We can't assume that just yet, can we?" Kevin suggested.
"You're right," said Malcom, "for the time being, we just have to assume that mum is just another enemy of yours."
"So, wait a minute, my grandma told you three to protect me from what's coming," said Rhénee, "so you have been watching over me this whole time?"
"Well, kind of," answered Kevin. "Your grandmother knew that sooner or later you would come to Madison."
"And so, Greta and I had come over to Beverly Hills after your grandmother died," said Malcom, "just to make sure that the people after you didn't harm you in any way."
"Oh, and how did you guys know the exact day I was moving out of Beverly Hills?" Rhénee asked.
"Your late grandmother told us about you and your father," said Greta. "That the two of you had your quarrels. And so when your dad had left for the business trip, we knew you would move out and come here."
"And so, Malcom was at the gas station and you, Greta, at the café, all to check up on me?"
"Of course, they were," said Miss Griselda, "after your grandmother died, Malcom told me about protecting you and I think it's a good thing.."
"But I'm putting you all in danger. I would like to thank all of you for keeping me safe all this while, but the last thing I want is five more funerals."
"Don't talk like that, dear," said Miss Marie, "we're all here to help you out no matter what."
Rhénee stood and walked towards the window. Her mind else where, thinking of what lied ahead of her. It was going to be dangerous and whatever the stranger over the phone had planned for her, it wasn't going to be pretty.
***447Please respect copyright.PENANAq4rjMuZK9p
447Please respect copyright.PENANATJQoR9IZu9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAFjGavwnMdA
447Please respect copyright.PENANAl1yzmbHUOd
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVPkWtU97De
Eugene opened the door and allowed Miguel into his office. Miguel quickly rushed in to take a seat in front of the office desk and Eugene could sense that something wasn't quite right with his friend.447Please respect copyright.PENANAL1jVy0Cy2B
447Please respect copyright.PENANAM1gkCBmQN4
447Please respect copyright.PENANA0jnJe9dXrF
447Please respect copyright.PENANAu5J94TKp15
447Please respect copyright.PENANAggwZqssmEJ
"Miguel, are you alright?" Eugene asked, as he closed the door.447Please respect copyright.PENANAi1nVMdNfo0
447Please respect copyright.PENANASjXNUgE3aC
447Please respect copyright.PENANAkqLUjuNLUO
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJepiJ4JZSu
447Please respect copyright.PENANAceCc2JFBaF
"It's nothing, really," said Miguel, looking a bit shaky, "I'm just worried about my grandma."447Please respect copyright.PENANAx7o67h6uus
447Please respect copyright.PENANAqfu5ru1ygc
447Please respect copyright.PENANAoBjj7gn2hI
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlK4sUihcc8
447Please respect copyright.PENANAfApcZABd2q
"Didn't you say you were dropping her off somewhere? Where did you take her?"447Please respect copyright.PENANA2l9VXtimHW
447Please respect copyright.PENANADWg5S8xcgW
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlKEOk0MCvm
447Please respect copyright.PENANAWOcgvvaSf1
447Please respect copyright.PENANAQjcZsrPZIP
"I took her to see Rhénee."447Please respect copyright.PENANAb5XmHCwBjd
447Please respect copyright.PENANA4xvWwVuWLp
447Please respect copyright.PENANAebPt0Kxj0O
447Please respect copyright.PENANAN2zl6Cs3Uk
447Please respect copyright.PENANAvGOvF7Hi29
"Rhénee? But what for?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAUAADLdekWD
447Please respect copyright.PENANAH2FdkMWeVS
447Please respect copyright.PENANA8fZwFOOXnc
447Please respect copyright.PENANA4srd5oNhx2
447Please respect copyright.PENANAion3xzWzyk
"I don't know, that's what's making me curious. My grandma kept muttering in the car about Emelda. She wasn't quite clear about what she was saying though. I feel like she is going crazy again."447Please respect copyright.PENANAIHnM5YIJyn
447Please respect copyright.PENANA61hhSIAEZX
447Please respect copyright.PENANAYEPWEmt3e4
447Please respect copyright.PENANAnpgfeUSLcT
447Please respect copyright.PENANAEzEmWm1yz6
"Don't worry, if your grandma just went to see Rhénee, I bet it's just to talk about the late Emelda."447Please respect copyright.PENANAEXZRYGmpQw
447Please respect copyright.PENANAp9UGjMe35O
447Please respect copyright.PENANAWGK2aSyOtH
447Please respect copyright.PENANAsUgQhPzn7r
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJYas0z20V1
"Well, I hope so. Sometimes she scares me."447Please respect copyright.PENANA8E7WHQNMfF
447Please respect copyright.PENANAx0k4VvGRvs
447Please respect copyright.PENANAtM3iVR4qB8
447Please respect copyright.PENANAsfK9KBmXRP
447Please respect copyright.PENANA381TmWBztx
"You're getting all worked up for nothing," Eugene placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You just relax. Should I make you a cup of coffee?"447Please respect copyright.PENANACn7RDa83gr
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJJeKVGP4HT
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJOL6AEaIy6
447Please respect copyright.PENANAdPuzpyJMDC
447Please respect copyright.PENANAUggCVkDBUM
"That will be great, thanks."447Please respect copyright.PENANAchWG8b3AlG
447Please respect copyright.PENANACYls1EkZyi
447Please respect copyright.PENANAdKG6By02Xc
447Please respect copyright.PENANAauiSta5uZx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAtscfx3iijh
Eugene went over to the window where there was a small table with a coffee maker, a jar of sugar, two mugs and some spoons and a tin of coffee. He got to work with making the coffee.447Please respect copyright.PENANAgujaCYJLIZ
447Please respect copyright.PENANArMUMf3PHcj
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVoya0aSDbg
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVzh4WlYtEx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVXMgIpVqKm
"Oh, Eugene, I wanted to ask you something, if that's okay," said Miguel.447Please respect copyright.PENANAwuq6qA7SVH
447Please respect copyright.PENANATVoC0fDjZs
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAda5Nq8qby
447Please respect copyright.PENANAa1ds9NiGbe
447Please respect copyright.PENANAWr6hcANdDO
"Ya, ask away," said Eugene as he turned on the coffee maker.447Please respect copyright.PENANA57HYT0q93s
447Please respect copyright.PENANAPApgP2DUJc
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJAWE7MVBS0
447Please respect copyright.PENANA6NIeb6cVey
447Please respect copyright.PENANAmOhlKlkr7O
"Do you remember when we were kids and we would sometimes go out and play in the woods?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAyZUhPGcEZn
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlPElqeIsnD
447Please respect copyright.PENANAT1R5sTp5yM
447Please respect copyright.PENANAWrca0Q3u1c
447Please respect copyright.PENANAt7ACgFJo8h
"Ya, I still do. Those were good times. Why do you ask?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAQd4lDcmaCT
447Please respect copyright.PENANAwdmhMXNhbv
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAhOpICM0cO
447Please respect copyright.PENANAl1bnIgEECe
447Please respect copyright.PENANAo5lTIlm4r0
"I just remembered some years ago when we were playing in the woods with some girl."447Please respect copyright.PENANADgY7dQde1K
447Please respect copyright.PENANAaFffnAg2J9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAZb3eZH7FVv
447Please respect copyright.PENANA0mamkooXkt
447Please respect copyright.PENANAC0u6LEQON0
Eugene turned to face Miguel as he noticed the sudden tone in his friend's voice. After pouring the coffee into the mugs then putting in some sugar cubes and stirring the coffee, he walked over to Miguel and gave him a mug.447Please respect copyright.PENANAIfQMnKmFRH
447Please respect copyright.PENANA3IWjQZ2QM8
447Please respect copyright.PENANA9CV2slQRZk
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAEX7QSK88b
447Please respect copyright.PENANASlbId2WYn2
"Why are you telling me all this?" Eugene asked.447Please respect copyright.PENANABGjjF8yM82
447Please respect copyright.PENANAOkrZF8dW3o
447Please respect copyright.PENANAg8lxbNc11z
447Please respect copyright.PENANAOgDJ5VrxO1
447Please respect copyright.PENANAtxQyGpkFnG
"I just wanted to know if you remember the girl," said Miguel as he took a sip of his coffee.447Please respect copyright.PENANA8z5bfVBMWV
447Please respect copyright.PENANArFawUilxOx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAnjW6HQynGE
447Please respect copyright.PENANAO0UN6Krxp7
447Please respect copyright.PENANAZW3M50fZKv
"And why should I? Does she hold any importance to me?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAMSDimjakgx
447Please respect copyright.PENANASAyBMfY8mx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlJ16PHrxrg
447Please respect copyright.PENANAPERgj4GRCu
447Please respect copyright.PENANAOuZQzklQri
"Well, all I wanted was an answer, not more questions." Miguel's tone in his voice was changing.447Please respect copyright.PENANA8Y5afNnUwK
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVmMETmTlSu
447Please respect copyright.PENANAKiMF1twpnj
447Please respect copyright.PENANAMzj1KUDFpN
447Please respect copyright.PENANAQEkmPZfkig
"Seriously, dude, you're creeping me out." Eugene walked over to his desk and put his mug on the table and stared at Miguel.447Please respect copyright.PENANAJzA3UkablZ
447Please respect copyright.PENANA1jEQwRpFJ8
447Please respect copyright.PENANAPd89BS8wCV
447Please respect copyright.PENANApHKoPMtglM
447Please respect copyright.PENANA1DjZwIseSL
"Okay, all I want is for you to remember the girl I am talking about."447Please respect copyright.PENANAAVRQLjuMWS
447Please respect copyright.PENANA3JKiSF0TJn
447Please respect copyright.PENANAymOQRbNl5w
447Please respect copyright.PENANANMQjGsnPbL
447Please respect copyright.PENANAOOo0KW9n6q
"I seriously don't remember any girl we used to play with in the woods during our childhood."447Please respect copyright.PENANAbNKbkppxKd
447Please respect copyright.PENANA0tqH7BXkVN
447Please respect copyright.PENANADkVLYqEDIn
447Please respect copyright.PENANAmrbZgVmdoD
447Please respect copyright.PENANAx6JS6CQ5CQ
"Really? You don't?" Miguel looked surprised.447Please respect copyright.PENANAU1QlqEi2MB
447Please respect copyright.PENANAz6jTxg2xLI
447Please respect copyright.PENANA49NK1t0WGr
447Please respect copyright.PENANAYnhIMcItNV
447Please respect copyright.PENANAeEvZ8K6aTY
"No, was she one of our classmates?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAwvq23ja6yS
447Please respect copyright.PENANAwUKNlVTV0e
447Please respect copyright.PENANAjFLpjo48U7
447Please respect copyright.PENANAFDeXpJUTbk
447Please respect copyright.PENANAML9WryjrID
"Not even close." Miguel took another sip of his coffee.447Please respect copyright.PENANA5sghi59bCg
447Please respect copyright.PENANAuf8eSb4ZLM
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAREq66Mfl8
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlyrJhQx0ZI
447Please respect copyright.PENANAcnNg9LJlfo
"Then who is it for you to ask me if I even remembered her?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAO5jwrdB6ve
447Please respect copyright.PENANA3PxJg5h8rs
447Please respect copyright.PENANAL8ZA9vBeqe
447Please respect copyright.PENANA1HcsRU5y2T
447Please respect copyright.PENANAZYKknqGUAw
"Nothing. Was just messing with you."447Please respect copyright.PENANAS2wCnqEZKv
447Please respect copyright.PENANAPJkFyHQMu9
447Please respect copyright.PENANA6MeiwTT3lu
447Please respect copyright.PENANAKqXvvtEMwU
447Please respect copyright.PENANAxCRWVMa6D2
Eugene pushed Miguel by placing his hand on his shoulder. Miguel almost spelt his coffee as he playfully tried to avoid another push from Eugene. Miguel laughed out loud.447Please respect copyright.PENANA5eT1HxAeT7
447Please respect copyright.PENANAqeyeHXIOub
447Please respect copyright.PENANA6dXCMnpnfO
447Please respect copyright.PENANAudOYIP5g9g
447Please respect copyright.PENANANocZtsH075
"I'm sorry," Miguel continued laughing. "I didn't mean to."447Please respect copyright.PENANAx39tZRtv7N
447Please respect copyright.PENANAmeZiUBFl1U
447Please respect copyright.PENANAk5khYeUMs9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAbCxlAT2lsO
447Please respect copyright.PENANAyW7KcMDq9N
"You scared me half to death, man!" Eugene was so upset. "I thought you were going to start talking creepy stuff about her."447Please respect copyright.PENANACZC4NownkD
447Please respect copyright.PENANAeqWszFVBCi
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAK9c2A2KRs
447Please respect copyright.PENANAcu4SseN0MX
447Please respect copyright.PENANAQpZQWuo7rk
"I know, right? Sorry for messing with you. You should have seen the look on your face."447Please respect copyright.PENANAE9hNliVrei
447Please respect copyright.PENANAMoPYCQEq1u
447Please respect copyright.PENANACTI9T0T9Pf
447Please respect copyright.PENANA5ssDD158ft
447Please respect copyright.PENANAjMQhkOEjCs
"So not cool. Don't you ever do that again."447Please respect copyright.PENANAyDSID60H2K
447Please respect copyright.PENANAsnJWO02d4l
447Please respect copyright.PENANA3pbTuCmRbF
447Please respect copyright.PENANAKOIT0VChJp
447Please respect copyright.PENANA8zDtD54QrX
"I won't promise you, but I'll try."447Please respect copyright.PENANAYDy378vYpr
447Please respect copyright.PENANAGpmWLA9kZ9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAbJusrVDaD1
447Please respect copyright.PENANASoSI2EtF5Y
447Please respect copyright.PENANADArEGisq89
Eugene shook his head as he got his mug and took his coffee. Somehow, he couldn't take his mind off what Miguel had said. Miguel had looked and sounded so serious when he had asked if Eugene remembered the girl they used to play with when they were kids. There was something fishy going on and Miguel seemed to know something.447Please respect copyright.PENANAjSb2mTU7tx
447Please respect copyright.PENANA7j7OIu8tHb
447Please respect copyright.PENANAkVKluP3V4o
447Please respect copyright.PENANAigdRJBeoeu
447Please respect copyright.PENANA58lpVFOYmp
***447Please respect copyright.PENANAz0SYQuThKp
447Please respect copyright.PENANAiwHzI1bbi4
447Please respect copyright.PENANA2Uezck8Qot
447Please respect copyright.PENANAjF0j5cnaw1
447Please respect copyright.PENANAlfNvdotrsB
"Where do you think you're going?"447Please respect copyright.PENANAsHrtYjCEly
447Please respect copyright.PENANA4NMFuD1lWa
447Please respect copyright.PENANAjsSP9YlIGk
447Please respect copyright.PENANAXAq8tQW5g0
447Please respect copyright.PENANAKjlw80r70l
Rhénee stopped half-way across the hall heading towards the door when she heard Miss Griselda behind her.447Please respect copyright.PENANAx2Zg2CYrJf
447Please respect copyright.PENANA9LDh60XL3J
447Please respect copyright.PENANAWuYxq8zqMl
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAxgofrSO9L
447Please respect copyright.PENANARDeJkoueWk
"I've some things to sort out," Rhénee replied not looking at Miss Griselda.447Please respect copyright.PENANAhgqfP2LP5X
447Please respect copyright.PENANAJRBBndOxZb
447Please respect copyright.PENANAj0Kf0gn8tZ
447Please respect copyright.PENANAhiBjLgCceq
447Please respect copyright.PENANAt1aT4Z2x2f
"If you're going to try to sort out this mess alone, you're going to end up getting killed."447Please respect copyright.PENANA63pjmL66ct
447Please respect copyright.PENANATJvO4zYtRZ
447Please respect copyright.PENANAfjp2R4zU0K
447Please respect copyright.PENANA9UOKfAjK15
447Please respect copyright.PENANAkTmrICWbKd
"And what do you suggest I should do!" Rhénee exclaimed, this time, she turned around to look at Miss Griselda. "I can't sit here and do nothing while that man over the phone ruins my life."447Please respect copyright.PENANAGTOJw8Tq7a
447Please respect copyright.PENANA2ULVNm7pED
447Please respect copyright.PENANArciWfUyb9G
447Please respect copyright.PENANAotVw9Wc9T9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAs8DXaL9Atv
Miss Griselda walked up to Rhénee and she could tell the anxiety and tension eating up the young lady inside. She held Rhénee's hand and gently led her back to the living room where everybody else was.447Please respect copyright.PENANADvK5tV01vL
447Please respect copyright.PENANAKNWeGbUbCL
447Please respect copyright.PENANAwI4nYk6Bbx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAuBWQTbOyUU
447Please respect copyright.PENANACR6EWpkz2g
"Rhénee, we all want to put an end to this," said Miss Griselda, "but you can't do it without us and we can't do it without you. I would never forgive myself if something terrible happens to you and you know it."447Please respect copyright.PENANAEHAnD631Vx
447Please respect copyright.PENANA6LvDVyqipj
447Please respect copyright.PENANAvVIfZpwCnv
447Please respect copyright.PENANAR0mKpLyYnB
447Please respect copyright.PENANAhnP92k4t5m
Rhénee sighed in defeat and gave Miss Griselda a hug.447Please respect copyright.PENANAxm8ypJSNtj
447Please respect copyright.PENANAw3vlUM3Jq7
447Please respect copyright.PENANAfRUVVXsEu9
447Please respect copyright.PENANAri0RwzPyet
447Please respect copyright.PENANAhweVPG9m7f
"I'm sorry," said Rhénee. "I don't want you getting worried or getting hurt either."447Please respect copyright.PENANARRE78X80Ew
447Please respect copyright.PENANAVYwglMbZ1r
447Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1ZfkiZXe3
447Please respect copyright.PENANAqgPVASOlSa
447Please respect copyright.PENANAO4xREc9Dlf
"It's fine, sweetheart. We will pull through. I know we will."447Please respect copyright.PENANAMosHyxkm1L
447Please respect copyright.PENANA2v59Ha5k9n
447Please respect copyright.PENANAksvRCqSaHY
447Please respect copyright.PENANA687PZoOveQ
447Please respect copyright.PENANAt9JivlDABA
The two stopped hugging each other and Rhénee turned to address the others.447Please respect copyright.PENANA7wEez0Dslq
447Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9NZpQfAgx
447Please respect copyright.PENANARRyVVIGoxu
447Please respect copyright.PENANAiWBZO09EsG
447Please respect copyright.PENANADmgzLH0b0m
"Sorry for that," said Rhénee. "I just couldn't help myself."447Please respect copyright.PENANAqajOHOWwbd
447Please respect copyright.PENANA8bSpvPEfDk
447Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9qbJ27mZz
447Please respect copyright.PENANAAyNiuAg5J6
447Please respect copyright.PENANAu8OLlFpZpP
"Anyone in your situation would've done the same," said Miss Marie. "We don't blame you at all."447Please respect copyright.PENANAbJ0aQV32zz
447Please respect copyright.PENANAL7elFX22md
447Please respect copyright.PENANA3O6Pwc6JDi
447Please respect copyright.PENANAqBUbCPQlNx
447Please respect copyright.PENANAukDB702kiK
"Okay, then, if we're going to work together, we have to figure out what we should do, and fast."447Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ03S50nuf
447Please respect copyright.PENANAk3o6KJZljs
447Please respect copyright.PENANAj32FzbG65f
447Please respect copyright.PENANASDSQlKg8PZ
447Please respect copyright.PENANAsHmVc2N7b7
"I agree," said Kevin. "We've to know what this man is playing at."
"So, any suggestions?" Greta asked.
"The house in the forest," Rhénee and Malcom answered simultaneously.
"The house in the forest? Why?" Miss Griselda asked.
"Maybe we might find something in there," answered Malcom. "There's something in that house that the man wants us to know about."
"It sounds dangerous to me," said Greta. "The fact that the house is located in the forest is enough to get me creeped out."
"I don't think it's a good idea," said Miss Marie. "Who knows what dangers we might find if you go there."
"But that's the only lead we have," said Kevin. "So far, we have nothing and if we try to follow up with Mrs Derrand, we're as good as dead."
"Kevin is right, though," said Greta. "I hate to say it, but we should go to that house."
"I'm worried," said Miss Marie. "Don't you think all this might be a trap?"
For a moment, there was silence in the room as everyone contemplated about what Miss Marie said. No one had even thought about the house being set up as a trap for Rhénee.
"What makes you think that it might?" Rhénee asked.
"It just popped into my mind," Miss Marie answered. "We don't know what this man wants. He might be doing all of this to harm you."
Rhénee raised an eyebrow at Miss Marie. From the time Miss Marie came here, Rhénee had a feeling that she might know who the man was. But now, everything seemed so confusing. How could the house be a trap if the man wanted Rhénee to know how her late grandmother had died? Rhénee had to keep asking Miss Marie if she wanted any information. She might find out things that could be useful.
"I think we go, nonetheless," said Malcom. "Rhénee won't go alone. If anything happens, we will be around to help."
"And what if you get trapped too?" Miss Marie asked. "Have you thought about that?"
"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. If all of this is a trap, we'll be ready."
"So, when do we go there?" Rhénee asked.
"How about tomorrow?" Malcom suggested.
"Sounds good to me."
"Wait, tomorrow, like in the evening?" Greta asked.
"Nah, that will be too dangerous," said Malcom. "And considering that you get creeped out at night, Greta, going during the day will be perfect."
"I would rather you consider all this before you jump in," said Miss Marie.
"Is it me or is there something you're not telling us?" Rhénee asked.
"I'm just looking out for your well being." Miss Marie sounded stern.
Rhénee folded her arms as she continued to stare at Miss Marie. "I don't want to sound rude, but there is something you aren't telling us, Miss Marie. Am I wrong?"
This time all eyes were on Miss Marie, but the old lady didn't seem to mind. She continued to sit there and stare at Rhénee whose look also became stern.
"It may look like I know something, but the truth is, I don't," Miss Marie answered. "All that I'm doing right now is trying to protect you, Rhénee. Your late grandmother and I were such good friends and I am willing to look out for what she truly cared about in this world. And that's you."
Rhénee didn't say anything as she continued to look at Miss Marie. Was she telling the truth? It was completely hard to tell at this point.
"Then why don't you want us to go to that house?" Kevin asked.
"I'm just following what Emelda told me to do before she died," said Miss Marie.
"My grandma? What did she say?" Rhénee asked.
Miss Marie first sighed before she could say anything. "Your grandmother had told me a lot of things. There are some things she never wanted anyone to know, especially the house in the forest. And she warned me that no one should go there."
"What's in there that she doesn't want us to know?"
"I wish I knew, dear. She never told me. Your late grandmother was as mysterious as ever."
"But it looks like we have no choice," said Malcom. "If we don't do something now, who knows what that man would do to Rhénee."
"Malcolm's right," said Greta. "It's pretty obvious that man wants Rhénee to go there and figure out what really happened to the late Emelda."
"All am saying is that you should all think before you leap," said Miss Marie. "I'm just doing what I think is right."
Miss Marie slowly stood up from the couch and she slowly walked out of the living room, heading towards the door. Rhénee went after her and soon, the others followed as well. Miss Marie was just about to reach out for the door knob when Rhénee called out to her:
"Miss Marie, wait! You can't leave now."
"I know I'm not supposed to," said Miss Marie as she slowly turned to look at Rhénee. "But that's all I could tell you, Rhénee. This is my only way of helping you. To try and convince you not to go to that house."
"But I don't have a choice, Miss..."
"It's all up to you now," Miss Marie interrupted. "You're a grown woman now and I can't make decisions that you feel might compromise your life."
Miss Marie turned to the door, took hold of the door knob and twisted it. The door flew open and Miss Marie walked right through. When she stepped out, she stopped and with her back still facing the others, she said:
"Once you find out what is in the house, don't end up hating your late grandmother. Don't let whatever you find taint the image you've always had of her."
After she spoke, Miss Marie continued on her way towards the gate. Rhénee and the others looked on until Miss Marie was beyond the gate and nowhere in sight.
ns 172.71.254.210da2