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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCs1AUaOpxY
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZB6xyadkm
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoc2GEh3zgf
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioy8JXqh5L
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRWozEvvJL
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOczecfmFBp
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmcXqObP9u
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgomKjtrY6K
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfroc3UhLdj
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUN2dagBIGO
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiTD55yxv0
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0DW5LQDmj
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpVBCOZNhX
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCXE3OV1qz
"What kind of trouble?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoLFlRoCA5
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYN9CgQkw02
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTx9dpor5WO
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk2cBMiHz7
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyj3wx3tHy8
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc5w5xiJZiB
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CjzkbvZvK
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ogYDn6a3y
"That's good. She needs to rest."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Hh7MZhaXW
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLCRT2gsMV
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWygcPE3Qs5
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmwvlf0eWR
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBUSlWGP7q
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRvn87ZK0C
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRFgtQpcjq
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0gMoPWzSJ
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWULCPPQZps
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxSYSX57n2
"Ya, sure."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISrvwVsP7f
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQYfQbJeSW
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOP1tzGE9Hm
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf32g2ovKoV
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Cn1nHNLXX
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOefOKkTU5y
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2mzHbfRbJ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9IbVUT18e
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciUSnGptrr
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO6MoFdnTr
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yLyGOWrBf
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfGAsYPj69
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZgNmsYakq
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp93cp545m9
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIiLi8wKcC
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaz7pQacu28
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeYXTglQRe
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsv3bpPQRU
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHMojAFsl5b
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDd678OsUG
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7oq2Ds7vc
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8xZowJlwj
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnyBGavQjR
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsl2OOMTTsQ
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXVXYqZSYh
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDz7s3VekO
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRHN96ILzj
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNL3I9UTwj0
"What did you say?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn09l1CkPog
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguh63rKc85
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0976WGscJ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPC1SvuCpYC
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIFpjgJxpP
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlmlDrIMm9
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt7YAdjaR7
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMfevrTANE
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBoz0D6Wv6
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXstm8h1hp
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiqzj72DXMU
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcRfBaPeYM
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoEzQNVacKl
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ245KiypBH6
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNylJvJA2u
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqVzzD7p62
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn56HkQyjjk
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsn4k3VGnS
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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73P9LCOREs
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYwJsyXSUL
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUEicgg5Os
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlgDvwBvMf
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9WxduybNA
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnenv94Ba8
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHNqx0Fsf5
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHV5MFB10p
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFyQ9JRyWR
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ZONqCT2VK
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikFAe5UAvD
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOS5IR3l57
***616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCVXA9l3at
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0S7YBfsjO
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWGLgzgPXq
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJvVzNYe3s
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGsPXeDiFX
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2kSAGur58
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUb2vWRruzB
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN5WujhJLa
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9psaDyZCX
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAHMfSNy9Z
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPhbMMNEIr
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ3nNUDX047
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDUotE449b
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMT0O7nCjd
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY352k99d76
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfTuFbM9od
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2fG9UYLGg
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyptTkRIOWy
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMftCciQvl
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpkdIhrcFa
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Qdchs51yb
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3W7RDdMe6
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡijHvZgRF6u
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Avzy2KiBg
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnsa0FwRKS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL9lKWXkVg
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJLfoCPIvO
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tsaZpINy4
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwdIJIueJE
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPbGqtAU4q
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayaAZUEOV3
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JP8OH30Dn
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEjy7T4iOC
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VmKrAHHTy
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisrHAoKaHJ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnGIw3zLoH
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmx6XyxnQK
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePP05TrEBY
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofBkBjFD70
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjEHhxh36i
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNENpbi9OJn
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgWBNehlon
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYxXzGnCSYl
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeylBgcXPM
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5EXmL26oL
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0DwLwBGlN
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVFBDnYIp4
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fejsYH1m1
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLU0GCEfHF
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKW4MiLoX5
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGrQA0yxfn
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEixnadPJke
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNgMJ0R5ji
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSikCmyRB33
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkwRnArOh1
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4Bp3EqvGa
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfmRcUIkCB
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtoyd4aDdfH
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrHnQk2KST
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOXt7pJelx
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmDXHWTdp2
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmXNcSCS1V
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8603nGuTA
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ09nk4y39V
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKLj9WpY5r
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepMhbu1chW
"Do you think she's killed before?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhghWOvVb9v
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJbq8k9z0b
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEP5r3e11C
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiDEuCmegE5
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQqiqvlPo1
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡng7Kz9OXDF
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQdLuu3HUC
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGGqN6Vo29
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDSU0MLBWy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SShKPRRgb
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2OUoOJLv0
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2b2xJLynR
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYd8Y9mMsMT
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9JyJwRmAe
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmDzbsQghV
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxTvBDHIyG
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWNd6h7FXt
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ2UoJ4YVv
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU6geepYhm
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WqrLPbZqi
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS86h6RPrLN
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCfV3UPDd8
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MLJVoeT6M
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEplAItwO5s
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWHUlWuTQ2
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqxWKX8TRQ
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMhlBg7xpD
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQneMpjoeCJ
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCmmHswamP
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf61tMHGv5e
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcblqzNj5U
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN4oXvRgQz
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMzkIIjAYL
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3m0IYAIzhX
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCWnVbOm0z
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHny8yn28T2
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIV8QVsFbF
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQ6YT6Ru1K
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pnB1Lmahr
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQziIVePwhJ
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4ir3FbO6W
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfyrxP78eH
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lsET8DYfy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5hyGLsV2G
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQC5zOfGJu4
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHkrRFoVq7
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLY6aeVORe
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSFrptAalM
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij4Xzfoiuu
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqJhP9t1sP
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd3Mds7FZD
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnRlLdiYe4
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImJoylfptE
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmNuWiYIiMO
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKn7eFrhH
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYTjvb6xK3
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3u3fKjydV
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMOo7QZuFi
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibw9U0hcl0
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGid6gPw2g
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTpSK0GJgy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4s1dQTeof
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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUC3TJUSlf3
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdJ0xjElhR
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVE6WHC57s5
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsVeRFHntH
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBH6s6A9NP
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtcsbmep3O
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ3aIbQAGbJ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXHJjNHt2e
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHca8JAlRC
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt00zmU1l6Z
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6Kt5las9v
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwlX3xYfIEU
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPaop6rw1m
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFCoMNEGK94
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1QnxryHkq
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxposf7Avk
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXtyoXH3PO
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3EbtDpVu6
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBZXtxjxYS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVfOTanG9B
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD98VfkuhS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OAeCkjTGo
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlle5munkXI
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBQq90g77o
"We will," said Kevin.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvGqC3YhQy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Y3tV2wil
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4DPPFDEcB
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6WaR61Meq
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpdqokIUwI
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRjUZdOpbl
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImW4KfaLWL
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOJ7aoYB4J
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLFr0BXHz0
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjBQcMhs4I
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNyT7tSDqQ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2Zzb83xwU
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:616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSIYoye8tm
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYcuDLAPzL
"Rhénee, wait!"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qlk0FZ3Le
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0jgkyWwhwF
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTLgDb3g5U
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVUFpTbxAq
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZ40tYj5gn
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwMzjkJ3eh
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4hfOLWzIT
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84KxqpzBPZ
"I'm tired."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcjnHiDMCw
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAEhxDgRRx
"Really? I don't think that's it."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESGHaP9aX8
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zsXXSBvmB
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4cQYCa0hz
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9TX2ovPKL
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfX12BKVrjl
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztrD4QF0Rv
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKyvnD9o7A
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDUWlvrlyb
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRITF7UeFZA
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjwPDvUPRc
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfE3kIvjPQ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACYZD7SDy6
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTfY3aSWOt
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfrj1i3Fy3
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVNu6NQDtS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlq7noZelQ
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdWF6laHAG
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZTkWmUCJD
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwLwowiHW2
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDbhYmqf4C
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPEwkqayzr
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEed2JnfRWE
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2cHMIO7Lz
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJqmXbFsYp
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9tPuLnNj1
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3HroHMrE7
"Good. Let's go."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7tfXwpeVT
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ocilzkl8O
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkl6cgHNs1a
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVoiIVyMh9h
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8P9gSxFdu3
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiO5hTYwNMm
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9cq6jKUFS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXP6WxN3kx
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUXfG5G9ny
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSNVxh9y04
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjHJRCBwRs
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MLeWDn91s
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVWC71c9ZRs
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ilmVFWN7Y
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcihpMLRFt4
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gZUu3H86W
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPF5S2hLNJc
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlp4m5Pjzy0
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBpmZGgiq1
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuz5xBDgnx
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwZ71fwKuc
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1vhuBIUmt
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCb5kIqtZ2M
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl36x7DuyOl
"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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDolrnE7FLu
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pqd9ZHNAH
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIn2ee2JEy1
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDLbyNOvaQ
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX5YX2ODewF
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADyYgocFij
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMCWxKZeIcB
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWvgvS5Zmj
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwUGzZcvBT
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbdVOa4v78
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlB49m0BNY
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5L4iIuekH
"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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH16r58x77
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwaS9JNOkgL
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeDWAAqkjS7
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSY0S3PrOo
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFuCk0qS1P
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPqnvqSTxR
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdkMrKFGua
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsKAJ7QuAt
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9GpjDrnUj
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzABZvUjz4
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJqycLb1vz
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPW65DxFhB
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHnYRuOeIW
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NHwczBUYJ
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiYwFbigxq
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP52dDODGGP
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbede1POJ5F
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerHan1Fq0c
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7QF28W2O6
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YRMn96pX9
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjgQm2Xb8a
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHY3oucsHV
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv1dKYKPHS
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0egxXL5pH
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywrWWCSA92
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8X3PA6kec
"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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRUCXvGh9E
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqZF6kRzin
"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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9jehFXHJx
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTtyRlXPl0
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:616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmorMRz982V
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpp6tr1wE24
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZd1qWl4kP
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5P5U032Zef
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgO3yOpsb4
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGmTB7ApuK
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspv9IDQlsg
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY76CPXrWDs
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXI3cjcA3Gj
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ueSiVIBPx
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnnUX9rVvT
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWr5xE1cV6
***616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3Fv1h3HuF
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1I2UFM6jFX
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lDoiEmMql
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Ucwf984Et
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2MyYBpzAy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvtLuNPa6y
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uc3vUQduh
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7P7QBP24b
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWanYnYN9R
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNuUvYkGPX
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BibLri8oB
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT38K08MwIL
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26WC8j4AQJ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilceJ7nJyV
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NUgQrlb4q
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnT5xOdXOY
"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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ezRWDfXCH
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5dCKCamyu
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXmRnNOWbz
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi7rukerTP
"Really?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdvvBjKFP7
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJdiUoGx5d
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk8E8hc99U
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYXdQb4WM8
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3bYbE8G7i
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQi7wsC3zj
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxrcTxkFFy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiXf1vLC5h
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgDKQzTWGZ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3yuucvP5V
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNuRYgIsA1D
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdR8lRZFPS5
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bvCHmbw3I
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilCwa7I2ov
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMAcoOXE9F
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDaL5AtbEI
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhzcnF4SyZ
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUmpYsiqlp
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TiSDHXd7U
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wueeu6F9W
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wtoZ5pBjr
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC5Z02dFmW
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf33sx83JDO
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQQhmXbgTd
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2nxg40D90
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXP7pZNSvre
"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?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oe5Ox0RFR
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52QpxyNMLZ
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g6TFTf9vl
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MZGXAfrEV
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbpSV1qBLf
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAExzGC6h4u
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwkreGHVWI
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdPsoqmKcE
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOrDCCDWVb
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7vU3VbgVH
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBSbHdkHzK
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZA6hIp0Vy
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzrkzbKH9iU
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNvm4OYhcp
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXaTitRZdR
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNLX6VvQqn
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI8vysKl9O
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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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1SloYcvcN
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuPjgeqcnE
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvgmIDe34R
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXolGfw1Yn
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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcocP7gd6ee
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATPyU6KY2Q
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVFeuio9iT
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96t4kvkAy3
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NAByvU2p1
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLlRfM4Cb7
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUfbnuuJuH
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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIHnYMKq1j
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWr8pYmjbe
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NzlRZI5ao
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxEOyqQGBx
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8MxXPqZqDd
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"Oh..., nothing really."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdMNvklJce
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLhNx5S2jr
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Xn5KTYql
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXp4VBViyfE
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPTYHLM2eK
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkX4G8FJuN
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4w1mlZauI
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BJjwBOf3T
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ305xMA98GP
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrYIg480VTL
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZv2qM7pfL
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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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfTCVvzHO2
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz12lmLquO4
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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."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEW4TtQO4e
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeMfAlSnI9
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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? 616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPWMYaT82u
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOgr38W4Cz
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80GrLKu8xx
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFFqdz0pQy
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01eggIbG5L
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIQ8gjlkUN
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfkZFtWrHR
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgBigNiV3g
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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.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCDgN7TsLz
616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjoB9686xT
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.616Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9R5a5h5lc
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