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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA2XlsnFJKTK
349Please respect copyright.PENANA4SJgyukMgv
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.349Please respect copyright.PENANA5qJmoHaevY
349Please respect copyright.PENANAptGw4l21qH
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.349Please respect copyright.PENANALSx3KuptEl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAgfMuhOmwzv
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAyTJeZvjhXx
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5i3L3s2UnC
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.349Please respect copyright.PENANA7W9dcKgZ2j
349Please respect copyright.PENANAdScSfWJSG5
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAMyesaWlDwG
349Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZVG3VVlQd
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."349Please respect copyright.PENANAvdQtQoiFRo
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3nKgiIt6os
"What kind of trouble?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAQR5NCq9QvZ
349Please respect copyright.PENANA0q2I0wW83c
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"349Please respect copyright.PENANA8vWdPlLoG1
349Please respect copyright.PENANAKxDcYsKTFr
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.349Please respect copyright.PENANAYcDwv12IP4
349Please respect copyright.PENANAtrqOZ5KmGP
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."349Please respect copyright.PENANAZrdTjQdUBC
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5ILzqEIajp
"That's good. She needs to rest."349Please respect copyright.PENANAAhWnJHtkLx
349Please respect copyright.PENANA2QIpj7anIs
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAcwxOE2lJvA
349Please respect copyright.PENANA7MyjLBWVDQ
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."349Please respect copyright.PENANAgzviUJShr8
349Please respect copyright.PENANAa4odnJynFs
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAQl22Q1ye6s
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzVtFhtzD37
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."349Please respect copyright.PENANAomd0JPL0qb
349Please respect copyright.PENANAjX1SUkh8Ms
"Ya, sure."349Please respect copyright.PENANAKdfNSrn8OP
349Please respect copyright.PENANAWPsb8qiPxe
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAc3562ebjRV
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQghPtjByLh
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA4UDw9Oe9OD
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3CxA5pFOAA
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.349Please respect copyright.PENANAE3pZwGEWcd
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5SPfWYzDEM
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA3t7N3TW5wL
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmRe3fvZft7
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAfPcenDxpY0
349Please respect copyright.PENANAvNcc9GkjFF
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."349Please respect copyright.PENANAkdUGxQtAjb
349Please respect copyright.PENANAgx1aBbRb4Z
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAaY9DE3WRu6
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZr0neInS75
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANABUwAP25mZl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJK240Qa46Y
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."349Please respect copyright.PENANABhvA6l3A7H
349Please respect copyright.PENANAvGxkZxgD8A
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."349Please respect copyright.PENANAPY2N2JY9bo
349Please respect copyright.PENANATe2vYkt1gD
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."349Please respect copyright.PENANAYqSw1mkSsE
349Please respect copyright.PENANAgyhginGPzE
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."349Please respect copyright.PENANAXPbvsuVSp1
349Please respect copyright.PENANA0DWXPbttnU
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.349Please respect copyright.PENANAmFQVayS51m
349Please respect copyright.PENANALP3S1FlyQL
"What did you say?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAUs6GomZj1T
349Please respect copyright.PENANAbuA6Vo3HXO
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."349Please respect copyright.PENANAQQNz2g78Bu
349Please respect copyright.PENANAc5nyDbyagX
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."349Please respect copyright.PENANAYQhU1SdpoL
349Please respect copyright.PENANATMKhV0fbwA
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAoFIwB8ICo3
349Please respect copyright.PENANAxN99SpM9Wr
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."349Please respect copyright.PENANAaIuFlMqlna
349Please respect copyright.PENANAPnqk1Smf3B
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAxW2roUrezW
349Please respect copyright.PENANAj61Elqcr8Z
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAfGFW4aATQs
349Please respect copyright.PENANA62ZJmXumn5
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANADfL1pOzTCs
349Please respect copyright.PENANAM1YP1o1q2g
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."349Please respect copyright.PENANA2BFC1OsshH
349Please respect copyright.PENANALZzFuvg5D2
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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANA7P3pxcGKEH
349Please respect copyright.PENANAG9giv61Hm8
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.349Please respect copyright.PENANAMRaDkIom7j
349Please respect copyright.PENANABFcZTYmefc
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAJLKJ4MQpjY
349Please respect copyright.PENANAeRYld69h5h
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANANdLxFmQAlg
349Please respect copyright.PENANAR5hhDkHdwZ
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAMnbELkU8nT
349Please respect copyright.PENANAc78LFfVDu2
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAOBFvxx5qVf
349Please respect copyright.PENANAxMdsceMRKT
***349Please respect copyright.PENANA4XDPiJckdj
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3quNjcKdp0
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.349Please respect copyright.PENANAiadeh6OKKI
349Please respect copyright.PENANAavWMp7BbPm
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.349Please respect copyright.PENANAaHIMCDAM56
349Please respect copyright.PENANA7GGFBci4ns
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.349Please respect copyright.PENANAprNwZrdkJ1
349Please respect copyright.PENANAEVCNbQR8TS
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANARczLvKL33a
349Please respect copyright.PENANAdFc9oYyRLU
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.349Please respect copyright.PENANA9hCgCzaxZV
349Please respect copyright.PENANADamxtbssfK
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANABS1J4Zfd7L
349Please respect copyright.PENANAtlR5Mgg3mS
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANATyQclAOEui
349Please respect copyright.PENANA359WBcTy46
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAAhg5qsDs26
349Please respect copyright.PENANAE71k8Kr8Vx
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.349Please respect copyright.PENANAfCEfPNQfst
349Please respect copyright.PENANAKrAqGn5fqO
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."349Please respect copyright.PENANAYLSlkuhGW5
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVLcnk5o4Vu
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAKDuUcBRFs3
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzh9210wkYm
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."349Please respect copyright.PENANAUF3SCJ4ja8
349Please respect copyright.PENANAG8Yk6EVxOS
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANA44MOXnhqst
349Please respect copyright.PENANAIDmt4sTaiO
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAU6VDKWTLKp
349Please respect copyright.PENANATVxPCnVSzh
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAKhUpwifTLJ
349Please respect copyright.PENANAu1YVFs0Fav
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.349Please respect copyright.PENANAbdQWTVdTli
349Please respect copyright.PENANAqICCgspABs
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."349Please respect copyright.PENANAeMHPsxvZA8
349Please respect copyright.PENANA97CbKmyq2I
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.349Please respect copyright.PENANAbMc9SqVpmV
349Please respect copyright.PENANAaLlJr1Ujpp
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4dPtTSdoP
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmdIYFjbFmf
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAqG3GB4bbrL
349Please respect copyright.PENANAypa9FMq943
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAPn2gFoylT3
349Please respect copyright.PENANALNcjwU3Pqh
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."349Please respect copyright.PENANABcixZ8KTDr
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1G9AfyFwA1
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.349Please respect copyright.PENANAsFADwipQ1j
349Please respect copyright.PENANAIE6lyLpxc2
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"349Please respect copyright.PENANA9DhyaaOziX
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVyLseOWyi1
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAjXnJMYsqpn
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzfdlkMx3k3
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."349Please respect copyright.PENANAgzaO0ZROD9
349Please respect copyright.PENANASlkhXrX5lF
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAVURrZSDH5Q
349Please respect copyright.PENANAO8ZpIIlozF
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAz91aBDkEUq
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzt6gKjIAbi
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.349Please respect copyright.PENANAt0mQPvhMVE
349Please respect copyright.PENANAeQVRu8pM2G
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAsoBfrQHXoc
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ8gDotm19
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAaCPfxZge58
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJyQxYiJ0GG
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANADaevpjDa5Q
349Please respect copyright.PENANA6Yr1w1Sgrz
"Do you think she's killed before?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAGZYd0lPUPb
349Please respect copyright.PENANAXwcof8fKI3
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANALnD08KvUNr
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZ621jeiT6G
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.349Please respect copyright.PENANAAn866aELTM
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJvIJ7ud5od
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAaMygl6kwna
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJMXyJ9GYCY
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANARcwdIZA12m
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQPHy8lUuea
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAoZZBpcnmPb
349Please respect copyright.PENANASzPht4nhiu
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAchjzNcyjW2
349Please respect copyright.PENANAaWz0Z5sNMq
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAChzJFpmNUO
349Please respect copyright.PENANA7Q0TXh6YGC
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAoF53YmPEkw
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZXssNPrn9w
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.349Please respect copyright.PENANACll7Dl17R0
349Please respect copyright.PENANATPBHk2XDqy
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."349Please respect copyright.PENANAHLIl6RFSYt
349Please respect copyright.PENANA8X4GgtJyKY
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAsYO2tK5nak
349Please respect copyright.PENANAKhmvUVyjkx
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.349Please respect copyright.PENANAEktawkXp5O
349Please respect copyright.PENANAGo7SSMFQ5J
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.349Please respect copyright.PENANA6P7Y8T0s2w
349Please respect copyright.PENANAv8kZ3JHWBE
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."349Please respect copyright.PENANAZlKFNooNKO
349Please respect copyright.PENANAT233lmZXsf
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."349Please respect copyright.PENANAWgM6rzFpMS
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZENHprVTDY
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.349Please respect copyright.PENANA4U7p66Vadh
349Please respect copyright.PENANAd2ol8L98Ph
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."349Please respect copyright.PENANAhZEV3XyXkz
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1ZD5PWvfrW
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA11OwB6jJRa
349Please respect copyright.PENANAaTNq8WjDK4
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAHmThgPwiLB
349Please respect copyright.PENANAuDTJRN5TLH
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 349Please respect copyright.PENANAIDTRBnwS6C
349Please respect copyright.PENANABx29kGAl5W
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.349Please respect copyright.PENANAC5JKffgnKl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUxXDLxqMkM
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.349Please respect copyright.PENANAa10rRKaQ6t
349Please respect copyright.PENANAKyX5evPezj
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAdI58tKDhMB
349Please respect copyright.PENANAB8KsRl9J1t
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAhYZmNJrXST
349Please respect copyright.PENANAFATf5ztfDj
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."349Please respect copyright.PENANAhNEIUFAoPK
349Please respect copyright.PENANAL5lNpZSvSU
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAE4M5fP0lqG
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3v8d8tBTzI
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.349Please respect copyright.PENANA5cxkHyBAR5
349Please respect copyright.PENANA4ihpfOyy0u
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAZxhKhhMoHr
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3bPL78wDoi
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.349Please respect copyright.PENANAyWdYg27UcH
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3gdMdt4AMm
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."349Please respect copyright.PENANA6pSZ5c99QI
349Please respect copyright.PENANAwcvXPCN9ZV
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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAOTvIuZALRg
349Please respect copyright.PENANAu5ZThK9T1W
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAClaZylSAnU
349Please respect copyright.PENANAd2JfLz0D6e
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."349Please respect copyright.PENANAQVR235v69c
349Please respect copyright.PENANAXt9jpU1Dg6
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA4yIbsisa6K
349Please respect copyright.PENANAm2BHxWy2do
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.349Please respect copyright.PENANAf7dBScwcMl
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3BJJxYDCL3
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.349Please respect copyright.PENANAooX7Oulswx
349Please respect copyright.PENANAaoKg8yZOa7
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANA4bMwbYl01R
349Please respect copyright.PENANAS2zuJvlaDB
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.349Please respect copyright.PENANAfZd3b9D2Jk
349Please respect copyright.PENANAsFyRrRyPDc
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."349Please respect copyright.PENANAF1wSSDgPw9
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1nN62bXWnc
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANANMl3iSGXXo
349Please respect copyright.PENANAeOu8jnZyY9
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.349Please respect copyright.PENANAKolBKhcnjV
349Please respect copyright.PENANA186Njg0LPK
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."349Please respect copyright.PENANAsHPJu07bSR
349Please respect copyright.PENANAS519KBBkJI
"We will," said Kevin.349Please respect copyright.PENANA2kTAXY2P1l
349Please respect copyright.PENANAXHBOeEdtl2
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAmyUz1srXMa
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzrINAuSasK
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAx2XhtNaqEI
349Please respect copyright.PENANAbOH2oM5fKi
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."349Please respect copyright.PENANAilaCgNRrWS
349Please respect copyright.PENANACJKL8EtaRe
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.349Please respect copyright.PENANAQAxkApVaAJ
349Please respect copyright.PENANAMfsc30dbMG
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAU9IBiW2Ie8
349Please respect copyright.PENANAF2YVT3H49Q
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:349Please respect copyright.PENANAZO2UOshfyD
349Please respect copyright.PENANAxM8dBm3EHc
"Rhénee, wait!"349Please respect copyright.PENANAoyle6kXWlX
349Please respect copyright.PENANAHpf91LXgeD
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAYji3B9zlFS
349Please respect copyright.PENANAnkH2wywRXQ
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANApHhvuxHBfM
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUuRqRPYVLN
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.349Please respect copyright.PENANA5jXRMlIWdF
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzIW49f1L4s
"I'm tired."349Please respect copyright.PENANAXu6nfNK0be
349Please respect copyright.PENANABHrajl6e4N
"Really? I don't think that's it."349Please respect copyright.PENANAC9wyRpiyCs
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1IRn4L5Xg4
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAWi1hUKK6F9
349Please respect copyright.PENANAftYCA5Y1Jj
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"349Please respect copyright.PENANARlwWpuXEZN
349Please respect copyright.PENANA7Xr0RMttqE
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAXivdXhcSZ2
349Please respect copyright.PENANArXLNl8lPTu
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANADqe379ot3N
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUF4qIBe6VN
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAynQkQ4iHIi
349Please respect copyright.PENANAX8mUPy9HSk
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAo5UNNEmcHA
349Please respect copyright.PENANA4j5dmbSJou
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANArKEOpdbojy
349Please respect copyright.PENANAPz3HEajGxK
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAXwc70Ew93P
349Please respect copyright.PENANAnDSoKi5y02
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.349Please respect copyright.PENANAYJg13rzKyD
349Please respect copyright.PENANAYqYnNyrmQt
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAqVdjJRYlJp
349Please respect copyright.PENANAPxGfDcJPm0
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAjDSrBBeeJL
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3khk5HRNyi
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."349Please respect copyright.PENANAeLrbVctllt
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzCpDq3Z8FH
"Good. Let's go."349Please respect copyright.PENANACmXlVctCdu
349Please respect copyright.PENANAjHOPzKwESX
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:349Please respect copyright.PENANA4PbJ8w7moY
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1mmtoSH4FL
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."349Please respect copyright.PENANAK7A1EKye4K
349Please respect copyright.PENANAEfitqKJDMm
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."349Please respect copyright.PENANAilWG8XJfSl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUojn8fQhFV
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAW7zqxXcJtA
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5xNiquBnAa
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."349Please respect copyright.PENANA7369k9cSGF
349Please respect copyright.PENANAamhTEVMxFm
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.349Please respect copyright.PENANAAlqtSowXVe
349Please respect copyright.PENANAsMBNcGyQA4
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."349Please respect copyright.PENANAPh4vfj4FQj
349Please respect copyright.PENANAn2dDnqFZZQ
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.349Please respect copyright.PENANAZwFGL2vIs0
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQfGQxG5qiK
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.349Please respect copyright.PENANATj3SleAQZ1
349Please respect copyright.PENANAlvQAjjSSOZ
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAhcg2hzmwB1
349Please respect copyright.PENANAP5btkcav8p
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."349Please respect copyright.PENANAhuzIjlE32A
349Please respect copyright.PENANAf7pSptJtIC
"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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANA5yTNNBwkdp
349Please respect copyright.PENANAvotbvaEBn6
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA4VPCQgwCQz
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVeci2GnETn
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.349Please respect copyright.PENANAK7NwmHJ7zp
349Please respect copyright.PENANAMYtUJsovnN
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.349Please respect copyright.PENANAUvPJASOELK
349Please respect copyright.PENANAo7TraeXtAd
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"349Please respect copyright.PENANApeHFgDw8mc
349Please respect copyright.PENANAcni29W2Tpa
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.349Please respect copyright.PENANAQMvYOOBbzS
349Please respect copyright.PENANADsmIpLKJUW
"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.349Please respect copyright.PENANARzLzRKabH2
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQe8Bw3ND6N
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.349Please respect copyright.PENANAPEa4UavWhy
349Please respect copyright.PENANAGDbRWF61cq
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAp7SG0Cl4NB
349Please respect copyright.PENANA9f2TuiiHzk
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAv2XIzoexUn
349Please respect copyright.PENANAPEbuP0SXdL
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.349Please respect copyright.PENANAg0jrPghaZD
349Please respect copyright.PENANAiOJzklmMwC
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANATPoIDeDK4k
349Please respect copyright.PENANAsI1sCrDRtm
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"349Please respect copyright.PENANApMFTirGsrM
349Please respect copyright.PENANAXwyhBrvooO
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAOHJmvPBpuX
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmvUSoiF01V
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.349Please respect copyright.PENANArt6bDoKzll
349Please respect copyright.PENANAcuwOvA62Us
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA9dO9bLmPsu
349Please respect copyright.PENANAAVCrHx1POh
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.349Please respect copyright.PENANA1wPTfa2lZ2
349Please respect copyright.PENANAoojaLOK81g
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAanjTdjXQD4
349Please respect copyright.PENANACwBrQBZMGH
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.349Please respect copyright.PENANAldAPtz2ti3
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQczmHKdHSL
"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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAApwCanzB82
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZY3bUp9bih
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANA1fghA6tJ2d
349Please respect copyright.PENANAPBtetbi5ZG
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:349Please respect copyright.PENANAndvfHd0PGl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUEV5HxYIQA
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"349Please respect copyright.PENANApn8THpvOtU
349Please respect copyright.PENANAOzNr1raeFi
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."349Please respect copyright.PENANAyqDzJOfvCf
349Please respect copyright.PENANA0siNzqkdU0
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.349Please respect copyright.PENANAJP3G4VN2wy
349Please respect copyright.PENANAkOiVQyY4Nn
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."349Please respect copyright.PENANAtVisI8zDtt
349Please respect copyright.PENANAV1swgSvVQn
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."349Please respect copyright.PENANAhm7G0ZwVnf
349Please respect copyright.PENANAqdqtPk6WCH
***349Please respect copyright.PENANA5F2M0C18DS
349Please respect copyright.PENANALxgkPkvXNk
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAx7zWRlBQum
349Please respect copyright.PENANAYpgbo2qixm
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.349Please respect copyright.PENANAqm7iwU8TdE
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQz5GdBKbH1
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.349Please respect copyright.PENANAGqwaileKUG
349Please respect copyright.PENANAcWawpE1UkK
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.349Please respect copyright.PENANAx6im7zR5xN
349Please respect copyright.PENANAUdURjHwlXP
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANALEivTmqOHO
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1X1bPwO8N5
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.349Please respect copyright.PENANALfaXXul47Y
349Please respect copyright.PENANADmnNKrTabm
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.349Please respect copyright.PENANANEJ51cnyAr
349Please respect copyright.PENANAP8ZDYvNEcP
"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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAi71J8FfDyG
349Please respect copyright.PENANAeeW5iDmnih
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."349Please respect copyright.PENANAyQapkeSiPj
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVdpRcAwzCY
"Really?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAIjA0Ggq1Ws
349Please respect copyright.PENANAWk6jvGMMwi
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.349Please respect copyright.PENANAGuEqp9KnOG
349Please respect copyright.PENANArGUEKGbfG2
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."349Please respect copyright.PENANAmGoy8TuA29
349Please respect copyright.PENANAaxf77hOPQn
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.349Please respect copyright.PENANAHXlF425uaM
349Please respect copyright.PENANA3L6JRo7Z4a
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAuBtwG8Gnr4
349Please respect copyright.PENANApdCRPc0ZCw
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANADFWe0atxKd
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVPfF8vfMhz
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANACys0lQ0Jec
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZCuRLaaRnV
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAevJuou5Mwv
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5lvNxnUoQE
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAtEQXbpj54r
349Please respect copyright.PENANAn6OWArcMNS
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAV7JS0nB0n4
349Please respect copyright.PENANAANjg19Xw8O
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.349Please respect copyright.PENANAErOYJ9Jcun
349Please respect copyright.PENANAI6UBz8M4DX
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAWqTqaMdJvZ
349Please respect copyright.PENANAbmQJdyqlQJ
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.349Please respect copyright.PENANAOj6gMSGZRM
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmS887zOt51
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.349Please respect copyright.PENANA9zcnWBcAau
349Please respect copyright.PENANAkYl8KrdInj
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAwGjSjsimC4
349Please respect copyright.PENANA1C8q9vVSVQ
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.349Please respect copyright.PENANA6MsOqAp3yC
349Please respect copyright.PENANAqEmOlujzZk
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.349Please respect copyright.PENANAYCJOHOG0ut
349Please respect copyright.PENANABzBmmF8vlI
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAG3qlUbbv7r
349Please respect copyright.PENANAoBz240R0l0
"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?"349Please respect copyright.PENANACT8W03DbnK
349Please respect copyright.PENANAxl42fXuq8m
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.349Please respect copyright.PENANAYIrN9ZOILw
349Please respect copyright.PENANASs4xfNtbZM
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.349Please respect copyright.PENANABgLzDvL5bd
349Please respect copyright.PENANA2gao41qxIz
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANABMIGYkfEEU
349Please respect copyright.PENANAu1DBp42mnY
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAEyNr06hiUY
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmYT3yOMS0l
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.349Please respect copyright.PENANAb25LXHRbii
349Please respect copyright.PENANATPQkERfmYl
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.349Please respect copyright.PENANAkX6olxLkvo
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQAJHpq8OZG
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAdU1934ZdYq
349Please respect copyright.PENANAmZ50B5b0Q4
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.349Please respect copyright.PENANAl4xc22VhPD
349Please respect copyright.PENANA0DKAwx3p4f
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANA4iLDhjajio
349Please respect copyright.PENANANZSqjwYZBY
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.349Please respect copyright.PENANAQlP5R8vefs
349Please respect copyright.PENANAZFFwtduK3r
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANANQBYuVuXpr
349Please respect copyright.PENANAS1Yp4jnnbz
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."349Please respect copyright.PENANATZrK1MxcYg
349Please respect copyright.PENANAP2b2WpJpJr
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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAwF7Etliizg
349Please respect copyright.PENANAK1pcQ3v5gJ
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAoZszCkMqL3
349Please respect copyright.PENANANvZWHDZRSX
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."349Please respect copyright.PENANAZcwpXRuaSH
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzTz4MfjF1O
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."349Please respect copyright.PENANAXmR3wS21Lo
349Please respect copyright.PENANAGyx0SRkheD
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANApqeXKfpzWA
349Please respect copyright.PENANAen0uj0CEYs
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.349Please respect copyright.PENANAHo24JdieyB
349Please respect copyright.PENANAkMKVjOIJeu
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.349Please respect copyright.PENANAH6vENvjJwb
349Please respect copyright.PENANAN5Pzkyqd7h
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAy948xOmt1o
349Please respect copyright.PENANACRxjQti8iY
"Oh..., nothing really."349Please respect copyright.PENANA3o6b7EaOVd
349Please respect copyright.PENANAoMzR8RV1fw
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."349Please respect copyright.PENANAVtkvfPKaF1
349Please respect copyright.PENANAR1hcu0qrG9
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"349Please respect copyright.PENANADB5UnIpXBd
349Please respect copyright.PENANAkuKRMkidf2
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."349Please respect copyright.PENANAQaXVpNLyJl
349Please respect copyright.PENANAow49mcQO0R
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."349Please respect copyright.PENANAvSJLhyUjn6
349Please respect copyright.PENANAQMcoRVW0d8
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."349Please respect copyright.PENANAnc9jW3GHKE
349Please respect copyright.PENANAqsRQMeLcP6
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"349Please respect copyright.PENANAL9lLbnnFK5
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJuoIbTIiLj
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."349Please respect copyright.PENANAGczpbz0EVm
349Please respect copyright.PENANAzl3egzQhND
"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."349Please respect copyright.PENANAb4UFu6sFW0
349Please respect copyright.PENANAMCsaO5tWM8
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.349Please respect copyright.PENANAC2fXKYTXXf
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVZKnYOb8ah
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."349Please respect copyright.PENANAaDb08jwVoG
349Please respect copyright.PENANA5RfyJYDVeX
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAMelelG3Wqg
349Please respect copyright.PENANAJxZLjYUHhx
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? 349Please respect copyright.PENANAdStOQEo75E
349Please respect copyright.PENANAqoJCkuTdNc
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAxEy3imc9DY
349Please respect copyright.PENANAVTYZuGohnX
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.349Please respect copyright.PENANAnFM2xiYfco
349Please respect copyright.PENANAWwe7hoXP8u
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."349Please respect copyright.PENANAT88Ei2YGMv
349Please respect copyright.PENANAoxMtRQje7u
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.349Please respect copyright.PENANA8zN4Y3j7md
349Please respect copyright.PENANAE0DcXyU9uF
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."349Please respect copyright.PENANAQale9Cbb7i
349Please respect copyright.PENANAT1BBcISmk7
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.349Please respect copyright.PENANAnRiFq4jdbY
349Please respect copyright.PENANAHeRtXiR33d
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.349Please respect copyright.PENANAKjLqgjpHTT