The sound of her phone ringing made Greta jump in her seat; startled. She quickly withdrew it from the pocket of her jean jacket. Kevin was calling. She quickly swiped the answer call icon and put the phone to her ear.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVMKdeRNK3
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPGaebt4f9
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4cGxTLhGoR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqYy70r5tE
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSmpHL2nFx
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLwDvzR7PD
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpkLJLpnhF
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnRngByIoV
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQb6GSMJ7d
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkKFL2P6yyj
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FxFO7YG9K
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn6hpS6xlx
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB47C4NtnWn
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNIvSMZ2bL
"What kind of trouble?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuUNSiYFkw
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9og1nB3HEN
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrepmqJFbVT
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZkvoVRWxp
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9gWujYSoD
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczfcAruMGo
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOvBV2Gb2A
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHERIRBVBp
"That's good. She needs to rest."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN65XWnQ4Np
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOPtcnwi4u
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxt9JbXhCG
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE76zIA6FMr
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzHdx8FqOD
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeoskbe1gP
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK9L8hqVLi
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBU8Zd5Ri3P
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4dsPeq9vZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQEFUSsRmO
"Ya, sure."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjlFjgBiE3
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SJG7npY4H
Kevin cut the line and Greta placed her phone aside onto the chair she was sitting on. She really hoped everyone was alright, especially Malcom.
Miss Marie shifted her body to the side and for a moment, Greta thought she might wake up. But she continued to sleep. Greta felt relieved. She didn't want to be the one answering her if she woke up. She wouldn't like to hear that Rhénee had gone in search of the cottage all by herself.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl15wJ7rwM
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzfku5Y0BA
Greta stood up from the chair. She was thirsty and needed water. She made her way to the door when her phone started to ring again on the chair. She quickly went back for it and almost dropped it when she saw her mother calling.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgAElInNO4
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6TpJ1hjJA
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgnEj83JnJK
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADg4oBQwBu
She had to answer the call. She had a mother who is always suspicious of everything. Miss Griselda stirred in her sleep. Greta knew her phone's ringtone was disturbing her, so she had no choice but to answer.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KQcwyIjXN
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMf7z1dn8L
"Hi, mum," she said, trying to sound as normal as possible.
"Finally, one of you answers your phone," came her mother's voice. "You and your brother left without telling me where you've gone."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtauegLxjUw
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUX9xn3vsd
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMDi7xLOut
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMPv8ZeYzd
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQTodilBFZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIjpU4KKNF
Greta's eye twitched in irritation. She wondered if her mother would still be calling even when they decide to move out of the house.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg5qLsoaWLU
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBzUtImvHy
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjddasLHSW
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXBdo1f6Dm
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTxItGWY7m
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuORa0HDDi
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMW7J7jgJM
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDt16Pu9Nud
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCn2pYCfxm
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdDZnAVPyh
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvS1g9VGjPj
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRjbXlFFOg
"What did you say?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNRw8XUL0J
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTDOY1XenZ
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkegWT6ufLD
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLt1g5qqrp
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXa2g5b9OW
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45DdGiloj0
"Mum, we aren't five year olds you've to check up on all the time. It gets really annoying, and it's embarrassing, especially in front of my friends. Whenever they see you're the one calling, they make fun of me."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZaacGa7KZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVxiIeG4UL
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJJKHhFyyR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnIbiPeoEQ
"Sometimes I feel it's more than that. It's like you check up on us to see if we just dropped dead or something."
There came a long silent pause at the other end and Greta knew she had struck a nerve. She will definitely receive an earful when she gets back home.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUiKILVhhm
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6eEzvmRIB
"Tell him to call if you reach him," came Mrs. Derrand's voice, now cold and grim that it sent chills down Greta's spine.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQpLVIvzRi
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJKXgPiG9L
Greta didn't say anything as she quickly cut the call and squeezed her phone tightly that it would break. She's really in trouble now. She knew she shouldn't have said that. But sometimes her mother pushed her to say things she didn't want to. Now she's in a hot mess.
She hoped the others would show up soon, especially Malcom. They would have to try calm their mother down. If she wanted, she would go looking around town for the both of them, and that would be a disaster.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNN59yuJHv
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzv1tRfPC4R
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBY6RjVVGbz
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qenl9mxpC
A murmuring sound came from the bed. Greta turned and saw Miss Griselda slowly sitting up.
"Greta?" Miss Griselda asked with sleepy eyes. "What are you doing here? Where's Rhénee?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfk60coIL9
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLNErZ2syd
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYHoCLMp4Y
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmh64j9xJ0U
"You must need some water," said Greta as she started to make her way out of the room. "You just stay right there."
"Huh? Greta, wait-" Miss Griselda called out to her.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenh6Ut8s97
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ovn7BtwPN
"I'll be right back," Greta said as she stopped by the door and turned to Miss Griselda. "I'll tell Rhénee that you're finally awake."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eo0RYS6uk
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBS8GlLQAy
Miss Griselda didn't say anything else as she leaned back on the headboard of the bed, looking a bit relaxed. Greta quickly left, walking down the hall and then the stairs. She knew her little lie had calmed Miss Griselda down. But when she goes back up there without Rhénee, she will have a lot of explaining to do.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvypo3V1ln
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNCCxQ8BlB
"Oooh, you guys better be on your way back right now," Greta said as she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the kitchen. "I doubt if I'll be able to handle Miss Griselda alone."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXE6uBlJVWk
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0TpXtfep0
***654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhD0rvW58Q
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWi2PJ6L4c
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22adephvG
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucdkXyKCaJ
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUQY7toMoR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEfaJiDX8Q
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2xIG7vRj2
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc40MT88nlJ
"You heard me," she said, not looking at him as she put the bloody wet cloth in the tub and got an alcohol-free wipe towel from its box on the floor beside her. She wiped the towel around his wound.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhcb5qbs5B
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3au5o5IQ6
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgCME8OLJDS
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkUoFaWWwK
The two of them were in Miss Marie's bathroom. Malcom sat on the edge of the bathtub, shirtless, while Rhénee attended to his wound.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIpGvBo8c8c
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdc9PRhVfM
She soon took non-adhesive pads that laid on the wash basin, laying one on the entry and the other on the exit wound. She was glad the bullet had gone straight through. If it didn't, removing it would have been complicated.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQHlndJPsK
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX79DXtsrwY
She took a bandage and wrapped it over his shoulder so as to hold the pads in place. She continued to add more layers of it until it felt just right.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kn9sTf19P
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHPrroyGql
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YfmmjXYkh
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfTPHT00bf
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VO6YXsyBT
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNj2tnFVHr
"Oh, it isn't talent," said Rhénee as she started to clean up the mess on the floor and putting back all the equipment she was using in the tiny cabinet above the wash basin.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnKmCUmNiNF
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtPfqYxhwv
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwSzsVMIqn
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VpAaHjs6w
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCr9vnleUec
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHmILfVhrv
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrtzGR4qaP
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVBq1Hw80a
Rhénee didn't answer as she looked at him and he looked back at her. There came a brief moment of silence between them until a knock came at the door and Rhénee told whoever was there to come in.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61eWnbhkl0
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM3VRUpplp
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7OYw5k5Ao
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5kledXA8k2
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvxVQsnPuWT
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGptcitTj4
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX44IXIiBdT
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUm7lBZFpT
"I know," said Malcom as he smirked. "I'm also impressed that I couldn't help but ask where she learnt all of this from."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjAmOmTkp8
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4FniriDQj
"That question isn't necessary," said Rhénee as she threw Malcom a look. "I was part of the Red Cross team in my high school days."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCaUHIisEo
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUPcDZdxAK
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9assND8vu7
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R44gBIZXM
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gZYBfDXYY
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyZkeoh8B3
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoZRTQHX2R
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0fJzLvano
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3POGgXhRTb
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb26mYyYTTQ
Kevin and Malcom didn't ask her any further. Rhénee turned around to look at the wash basin, avoiding the mirror in front of her and their prying eyes.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkP2ocm6Ks
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuSrJ9sF1l
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sRIEO0OGL
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguLSo0NLoN
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZRs6SgDYZY
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcqYnN4rFof
"Ya, I'm fine," she answered as she looked at herself in the mirror and then turned around, heading out of the bathroom. She almost bumped into Kevin who moved aside just in time.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45TKfYkeUK
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIDnzajSJZ
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieGVZNBElU
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFsCDYd4HHx
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3IqfUpFwm
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyibyzhsXZ
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJGrdXMQIG
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvGWl2I3cs
Malcom looked at the open door. "Most people who have killed for the first time usually aren't themselves. They tend to be all nervous and tense that it's hard for them to stay calm. Rhénee on the other hand, has been calm till now. She hasn't freaked out or did anything nerve-racking. Even when she was patching up my wound, she didn't shiver at all."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiv9olmuwN9
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxLSX8GVNa
"Do you think she's killed before?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dFzFRO4cA
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahsNOeNEmI
"She doesn't look like a killer. But it's either she has and she doesn't want to talk about it or it really is her first time and she's pretty good at handling her anxiety."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvZaG1H5Cj
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRDgBGJJTR
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHDr4uDeQ8
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtH4L8e56T
"You saw how she shot the guy. I would call her a sniper if I had known that she could handle the gun so well. She made sure not to miss. Or maybe she just got lucky, and that rarely happens for first timers."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTHFvkIxHI
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdeRfM87jJ
Kevin clenched his hands into fists as he also looked at the door. "But Rhénee isn't a killer," he said. "That much, I know. She did what she did for you. You would be dead if it wasn't for her."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMHU16u8Zy
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2FWV1kgGn
Malcom looked at Kevin and knew he was right. In his heart, Malcom knew Rhénee isn't a killer. But the display she had shown back in the forest made him curious about her even more.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYxVvXBU7q
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZEB9ylfH2
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRMqZs7T75
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKGFHsJA2n
Just as Kevin and Malcom walked out of the bathroom, Miss Marie appeared down the hall, approaching them with a grey sweatshirt in her hands.
"Here you go, Malcom," she said as she handed it over to him. "This belonged to my grandson, Miguel. He doesn't wear it anymore."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82jQ47c9z6
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugdgdWnFX2
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtKB8SYxhb
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkb3ScOkRy
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarzRrSpmJw
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEVWqq1zmL
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz9DPlRUBH
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLAqEmunEJe
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqpvjxEDFb
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkGxtgkcxy
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mVxluPpcb
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HERL7D1IJ
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhYiIjvm6c
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNY573e4tP
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXRUhbRIfi
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFWsIaKNpV
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3QQCffwK5
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZheny3UvQL
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9J8GvebKQ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYE0SG1AYO
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1a9stywToc
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVIxntOBsd
No response came from the living room and Miss Marie went over to check. She stood at the open doorway leading to the living room.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipXbtfwxLH
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSNrmYDb4I
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzARD9kmJN3
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEeH1b3Ryv
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19ovYlyPV0
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzTP5odag7
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9t4Ev9LhIa
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19fu2aBJ89
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dD5yyU1FY
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRG8EcPxFeL
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrxnsNVWvq
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9esQn0NuVz
Malcom didn't answer as he swung the door open and walked out of the foyer. His heart settled when he stood at the doorstep. He looked at the car parked outside and saw Rhénee seated on the car's bonnet. She looked to be lost in thought with her arms folded. Sophie, the cat, sat right at her feet and also seemed to be staring off in a distance.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl91LrI9eQe
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebizllJuEi
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L66WZaR34
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvTuQZtJQs
"Me too," said Malcom as he continued to look at her. He noticed that Rhénee looked all worn out and tired. And a little sad too. He wondered what she could be thinking about.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJSNlzLIlMY
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfwFD8Fi28
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucK4ATO8RV
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVi6Q4AABcS
Rhénee turned towards Miss Marie, lifted herself up from the car's bonnet and walked back inside Miss Marie's yard. Sophie remained by the car.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8s3w1HktQ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBkgZw3XED
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdfL6LUfhp
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdcoCQ9207
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kl9T5Ds2U
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpf5x9Kk9X
Rhénee scoffed, then sighed. "But I took a life," she said. "I don't think she would be proud of that."
"Her life wasn't that perfect either, you know?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynmvTT6H9H
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDECJEZgQlf
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrzxnEzIOk
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivzK4B4ZCA
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWb5CL64NA
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3XjXwD5aE
Rhénee remembered Miss Marie using the exact same words when she gave her the gun back in the forest. Except this time, she included Rhénee in the sentence.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTZeRHM49K
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UlWAYUe7h
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnP5p1jB1C2
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37qCVgZHDK
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aqZwniKia
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Yt0DYLFoj
"Don't argue with me, Miss Marie," said Rhénee as she took one of Miss Marie's hands and placed the gun on her palm. "You need it more than I do. I still need you alive."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQerxM5wn0
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG5ZvLpVqf
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40d9TFppuq
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9zQdLLDhV
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLmHQkQ5IW
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBdGtXjxDD
"I'll take care of myself as best as I can." Rhénee looked past Miss Marie at Kevin and Malcom who had been standing by the doorstep, watching them. She gestured with her head that it's now time to go.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ni2vP1Hll
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnpLiG1IPj
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsRZGiR19r
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyMlNjj6Zi
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcho88nPsGF
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouyP2BWgke
"We will," said Kevin.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7tlMhoS4r
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRaj7JmTYI
Rhénee, Malcom and Kevin made their way to the car. Malcom took the wheel with Kevin right beside him and Rhénee sat at the back with Sophie curled up on her lap. Rhénee looked out of the window and waved at Miss Marie who also waved back.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRUnSlYhrX
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtc5uOtSq2
The car drove away from the little neighbourhood. After a few seconds, Kevin couldn't help but turn and look at Rhénee. Rhénee noticed and looked back at him.
"What?" she asked.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVlqxsOy1f
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NHcDMmJv1
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOrYRDAHof
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4keXpsp5Sv
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBJ5g6dUGm
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqg5nud2v3h
Within a few seconds, the front gate of Rhénee's mansion came in sight. The car went inside the premises and packed in front of the fountain.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIj2yvbIi0u
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSMgmjP5Km
Rhénee came out of the car first with Sophie in her arms and started her way to the front door. Kevin came out seconds later and called out to her:654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8seEKgn5J5
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOASLvk6m9
"Rhénee, wait!"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX24EQQU9v
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEONF0oD9sz
Rhénee had almost reached the door when she turned to look at Kevin now approaching her. Malcom took his time in the car, waiting to see what Kevin was going to do.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7K351ugxYn
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eHzDNy5rx
"What is it, Kevin?" Rhénee asked.
Kevin hesitated for a moment and that made Rhénee raise an eyebrow. Sophie jumped out of her arms and walked away.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwC4JNJhKS1
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ANRcui2lM
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9WkhwjbNC
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DYD0VPFA7
"I'm tired."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMhOGnMzRi
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtkzPHpxu8
"Really? I don't think that's it."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwm8LfNTmy
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YHDtYHWtF
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOi5kJekXs
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9QUkQKGru
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWLmtFYzKx
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW5Tc2xtsy
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mpeMZea5T
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTJ65amxQ6
Kevin got caught there. He opened his mouth but no words came out. He looked away and scratched the back of his head, feeling stupid for having started the conversation. Rhénee sighed deeply and looked even more depressed. Kevin looked at her. Her eyes looked like she hadn't slept in days.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaABxpMxY5w
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9MyFedS7w
"I don't think you're a killer, Rhénee," said Kevin. "But I know what happened must have affected you no matter how composed you're posing to be."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarqbxamdeC
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrjXZsHB39
"I'm not ready to talk about it. Let's just drop it, okay?" Rhénee's eyes were fixed on Kevin's chest yet her mind was elsewhere.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4oiMFuGFW
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu10JQkzA78
"I'll because Miss Griselda might be awake and seeing you like this will make her sad too. But promise me that you will talk to me about it."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLuMOtgCJR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y0xVUFgJ5
Rhénee looked up at Kevin and put up a sad smile. Kevin's insides shook at her expression. He didn't like to see her sad. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her to show that she wasn't alone in all this.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqtIdEllPt
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4FWh5ESrW
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsiIKMOHL7
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDdLQkhp7M
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvRbBY7eUn
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6KUfl7nT6l
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IG5XWebyZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjuP4Q9EMCQ
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJGXIPF2FH
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBY8esF2UB
"Good. Let's go."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QpmH3kuu7
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv9WFDs6Qi
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYeWxvlrkMI
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFFSGQfvnwN
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcDVIJzc06
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5od9YGDGz
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQS9YRmAu1S
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1sm7Ba9gWV
Rhénee led the way to the door, the other two following behind her. Just before she could reach it, it flew open and for a second, it looked like it had opened all on it's own. But soon enough, Greta came into view behind the door with a glass of water in her hand.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cXvCvf3tM
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXj8D2yD5V
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCz4ODp2RvU
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5szgrzdnqv
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFnldO1lwZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNSCiVbJUo
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPWT6721BG
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg86snoHfh7
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXqCVXfu0i
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcY9ezEtcaC
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bN6BOi1Ns
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvEzKAUp6A
"Nothing that you should be worried about," said Greta. "Miss Griselda just woke up and she really wants to see you. I told her that you were down here. I hadn't told her you left."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOfj1wgqnP0
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvgcoGZNgp
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgEG9JVOcN
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5b8J58lopV
"Wait, you can't see her looking like that. You're a mess. And whose blood is that on your clothes? Did you get injured?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVCjagYFm5
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBV1fpNYSrh
Rhénee hadn't realised how messy she looked as she stared at the bottom of her blue shirt that had a blood stain. Her trousers had a few drops on it too. She had been running for her life back in the forest, and not forgetting the injured Malcom. Greta is going to freak once she realises that it's his blood.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf6X6pIXsL
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8kq8elscl
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7J8eaQqmFI
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4hs8ed4gL
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve2zGR8zaK
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc8M0RefOX
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxU1NBAWfQ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUVdOdojVd
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEwNcRfUgZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUexGJhZ2z
"That's not the shirt you were wearing today," she said. Soon, she gasped that it surprised the others that she hadn't dropped the glass in her hands.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkot0y4f16
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZzj9NDdff
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETHGig9ZgV
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDfoF0C8q7
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa4r9p7fyR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCZfr6dZj3
Greta gave the glass to Rhénee to hold and walked over to Malcom. Malcom at the same time tried to back away, but Greta got to him quicker with her hand stretched to touch his left shoulder.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxM89k1WhXZ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i15cOx0lJ
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagXe6ZtFyj
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidmcR6sPJu
"Are you hurt?" Greta asked as she started to check him from head to toe for any injury. "Oh, please tell me you aren't."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3PYE4a9P1
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBrdjEkU70
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7edK6S0JK
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPNvrrvwbZX
"What other guy? Is it the one whom you ran into trouble with?" Greta asked, this time looking at her brother straight in the eyes. "Can you please tell me what happened? I'm curious to know."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5d5yipP59l
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uXAUqdhgy
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnRj7cAxar
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnvIiKZsru
Rhénee hissed and slowly looked up at the stairs. There stood Miss Griselda. She didn't look as weak and vulnerable as she did the time they left her. She had a grim look on her face; the type that a mother would give her child if he or she had done something wrong. The look reminded Rhénee of her father.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iEU1eApvI
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ncBJh6S2Z
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRouRqMXub
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRbNxuXJTp
Miss Griselda held on to the stair rail as she slowly came down. "Yes, I am, and I see that you three went to the forest."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKpD0N13u6
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQx8tVhALuf
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriU5mizM52
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexiebpcOb3
"Why did you go?" Miss Griselda was almost at the bottom of the stairs. "Look at yourselves. What if the worse had happened to you?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfX3C69jh2
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwONXjekv2
"Don't blame Kevin or Malcom for this," said Rhénee. "If there's anyone to blame, it's me. I went there alone. They followed to try and protect me."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSQTlC2koB
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpzJkyn3Sj
Miss Griselda reached the bottom and walked up to Rhénee. She gave her a look, almost like she wanted to slap her. But when she spoke, she sounded calm:654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWo2MKrY8bG
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfZ51dQXVU
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA0bEecqFR
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLBNVHeFig
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡom6idb1Rtv
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF39KKYR6Z
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhKkhrz4Ud
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHsT3uozo1
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZh4h0zZ6Jg
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCE9UZreyo
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQMhM4mhCs
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOXiLQgU86
***654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4WlPlOrhu
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinah8ytbxJ
Lunch time was almost over and Eugene still hadn't heard word on Mr. Sinclair. He had been working with Theodore, one of his superiors over a case like he was told to and he told Mrs. Clarks to inform him when Mr. Sinclair arrived. But so far, nothing.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMcKOYEuOB
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAX5dEXx7y
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLpUWEZBbj
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o7afpd4AS
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIN5XDwDjA
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPO2GjY0Ut
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vsQ4diDti
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vxS9X1cOX
She smiled at him as she tucked a long strand of her magnificent black hair behind her ear and sat opposite him. Her dark brown eyes looked at him intently.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHy5l10Ct0
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0P08MX4y3
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSWsKaPcDf
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9e0qhG14Rx
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCfLSjK5RQ
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNdJcIzgL3
"Mmm, you've barely even touched your food," Preeta gave him a dominant smile after staring into his lunch box. "Are you sure you're okay?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR58GdQmMk5
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hWBahrcwp
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyw02CLnjf
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCx5icLxs6
"Really?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfpUACKLy2
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4beVeXXnek
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV2pjjol0I
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr8CaOKpgK
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBFSKe7sak
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66VFCVmRBg
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJ2EQdqXXt
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouQrVrBGUT
Preeta slowly made her way out of the staff lunchroom and she met two of her female colleagues. They seemed to be giggling and whispering to her as they made their way out of the room. One of them stared at Eugene before leaving the room with Preeta. Eugene couldn't help but blush as he stared at the door. Were they talking about him just now? He hoped not.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvEsBy67oQS
654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOZYIoriV6
He brushed off the thought as he looked down at his lunch. His mother had packed him a tuna sandwich and right now, he didn't have the appetite to eat it. The thought of Mr. Sinclair bothered him to the core.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KW2cH0kdm
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUaBWT4ohA
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8G9OZg3n6v
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjclHrzB6E
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJyPuZVBib
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11N5LSsigI
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQxDlt8WgZ
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE1DSWfzAB
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlsBQzKDPI
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadqbK0E8Li
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrEhMpakU7
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzLkU0Rp4E
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUIGCCXUtD
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE38IhFCUA1
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34E3TFVrEQ
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7siIh5h0G
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOGbjDiBQy
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkms4u4xLM
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1u9WSBhZx
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3g84n8fwL
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO8scZTqEX
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvCL8lKXC6
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GDPOmn0Cp
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6eziwxFPd
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"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡieiezxrEH6
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EYUw6hdy0
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEVBIdpX7d
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9AoEcXcVRs
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBWVW5uGcCO
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjgkxbuQi5
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Ioi3TKwV
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe49Tm3nOFL
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLiSkK6UkQ3
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHi7QA57R5
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"Oh..., nothing really."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40gfg2VfBZ
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVT0s9Saar
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4ADVUl0d0
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCoQ9g7p0A
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9qAfQKH6N
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDCYaaDJOe
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2ODcAaTfx
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPrG2IbVQe
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxR8czoXKQU
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDwPiIJ4p5
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvE42HJesN
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJjZdLepmi
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawkFuUW2a6
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YjDQLTcq1
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWZ1kHA8vL
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡese13bylx5
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitvds5KxJ9
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAaKVr2rzn
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDwmZrJY7f
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.654Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDInzmLgkDc
and then Add to home screen.