“What’s going on? I can’t get through to him,” Malcom looked down at his phone after trying to call Kevin. He received a message from him almost thirty minutes ago and for some reason, he can’t get through to his phone.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YEBhM0uzs
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He sat on his bed, careful not to strain his shoulder. He hoped everything back at Mr. Cowell’s house is fine. After Kevin’s message, he couldn’t help but worry even more. He wished he could go there, but now that his mother had her eyes on him and his sister, getting out of the house just got harder.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1hyNUSbar0
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He looked at his phone and tried to call Kevin again, but his phone still isn’t going through. He thought of calling Rhénee, but thought again if it would be appropriate at this time, considering that she might be tired after what went on today. Kevin must have also told her about Mr. Cowell. And knowing her, she’s probably there right now. He thought of calling her instead.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OLzcSqw8z
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Before he could do so, he heard a knock at the door. He muttered to himself, irritated that someone was by the door when he wanted to be alone. He told the person to come in and when he saw his mother enter the room, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuurkknjpz
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“Well, you don’t seem so happy to see me,” said Mrs. Derrand as he approached his bed.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mBdzWyEAc
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“Maybe it’s because I wanted to take a nap before you came in,” Malcom calmly lied.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YQbkgWQuE
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She stopped at the foot of the bed and stared at him. Malcom tried not to flinch in pain as his shoulder still continued to ache. He can’t give himself away now. His mother would throw a fit.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbOgKNduq9
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“Sorry if I’m interrupting, but I just came to check on you.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuP89VFAQb
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“As you can see, I’m fine.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvphw1MDXv
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Mrs. Derrand almost did a 180, when she stopped and turned back to look at Malcom. “Can you do me a favour tomorrow?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqU4z0T0jH
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIh6xqtsnQ
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“You’ll be on leave for a week, right? I was wondering if you could go to Rhénee’s house tomorrow to deliver something for me.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCkbfcj3wv
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Now Malcom is concerned. What could his mother want him to give Rhénee?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrU4bSX3Yc
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“Why should I be the one carrying out that errand? You can easily tell the driver to do that, can’t you?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w0q3BUOEJ
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“Well, after the incident at the party, I didn’t get to give her a gift.” Mrs. Derrand made herself comfortable, sitting at the foot of his bed. Malcom hoped she wouldn’t come closer. “And I've been busy dealing with the police that I completely forgot until I saw it in my room today.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGG8tPPWrA
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“I know you’ve been busy and that you probably forgot, but why don’t you do it? I mean, it’s your gift to her, right?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44XC2groqj
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“Yes, I know. But I’ve to get back to work tomorrow and it would be nice if you would do this for me. Besides, you can use that time to get to know Rhénee better since we were rudely interrupted at the party.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9saO1eckvR
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Malcom raised an eyebrow. Why would his mother want him to get too familiar with Rhénee? Is there something that she wants out of it, he thought.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHFl6dHO1u
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“And if I refuse?” he dared to ask.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNW9RXNBC7
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“Don’t try to be stubborn,” she scoffed. “It’s only natural that you should get to know her since we all knew her late grandmother. And she hasn’t been in Madison in years. We’ve to make her feel welcome.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDUJ5U9NVb
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“But you and Emelda weren’t the best of friends, you know.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeHpsZmsIs
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Malcom knew he had struck a nerve because his mother stared at him like she would shoot lasers out of her eyes. But her demeanour quickly disappeared as she sighed and put up a smile.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeZjcGKvoT
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“It’s because of that that I want to make amends. I know she’s gone and there’s nothing I can do to patch things up with her. It's left me in deep regret. I feel the need to connect with Rhénee more, you know?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXefqttyav
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“Then why not take the present to her yourself?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1NyI5MbiZ
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“I would, but like I told you earlier, I’ve work to do. There’s plenty of time for me to get close to her. You and sister should too. Your friendship might be valuable in the future. You'll never know when you would ever ask each other for help.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEUsLoi1Mut
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Malcom continued to sit in silence as he looked at his mother. Why would she want him to get close to Rhénee all of a sudden?  In the few days he and Greta got to be with Rhénee, they were already close. But their mother isn’t aware of it because as far as he and his sister are concerned, she might be their enemy.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ013YQQ19Zo
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“I’ll take it for you,” he said. “But you should be the one getting to know her better. Not me.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGc2RQ0gyM
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“Thank you, Malcom,” Mrs. Derrand said with a smile. “You should make your sister tag along.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0WIgmDyf6
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“I’ll see if she'll be up for the idea.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxG2ZJMXHkd
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Mrs. Derrand stood up from the bed and stretched out her hand to touch Malcom by the shoulder. He was quick enough to catch her hand before it landed. She looked a little shocked by the sudden gesture.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVCyCWYr6V
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“What is it?” Mrs. Derrand asked. “You don’t want your mother touching you, Malcom?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKThhxDimtm
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“Wow, mum, when you put it like that, it sounds really wrong,” Malcom said as he quickly stood up.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMaRxTzMon
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"Sorry, dear. I just wanted to show my affection for the favour."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmAF9Xrf48
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"Maybe you should do that by leaving me for now. I need to rest."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASplv5xWli
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His mother sighed. "When are you going to stop hating me, Malcom?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpken1E4kC
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"I think you already know the answer."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUTKHjQtIS
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"Whatever happened to your father..., I still regret it to this very day."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSCGEnn4ME
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"Do you mum? Because it doesn't feel like it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u6iDsC0Be
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Malcom folded his arms and almost winced in pain as he strained his injured shoulder by doing so. Instead, he humphed as though he's upset. He turned to look away from his mother, approaching the window and looking at the dark lawn outside.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOQsY9rgjY
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"I know I can't undo what I did," said Mrs. Derrand, as she stood behind her son. "But will you continue to hate me forever? It's been three years since-"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhMR2ZiHY0z
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"Mum, enough. I don't want to talk about it. It hurts even more when you start this all over again. Staying here with you is already enough to bear, don't you think?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT8QVZipUh
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Mrs. Derrand opened her mouth, but no words came out. She knew it's best for her to leave.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDjBYOn5NZ
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"I know you and your sister hate me, Malcom. But know this, whatever I did, I did it for the two of you. And I was never going to let your father get in the way. If you ask me, I would do it all over again."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam1vP8Vcwk
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Malcom dropped his arms and clenched his hands into fists, straining his injured shoulder. He just wanted his mother to leave.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdfUki3CED
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Someone knockwd at the door, and judging by how quick the knocks came, Malcom knew it's Greta. She might be late, but she couldn't have come at a better time.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHhFtfRK96
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Mrs. Derrand went to the door and opened it. Greta gasped at the sudden sight of her mother in her brother's room.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHQcZz10lE
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"Hey, mum," said Greta, trying to compose herself.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiKwJtaGbC
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Her mother gave a nod of her head and looked back at Malcom who still looked out of window. She sighed.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEeh9gPuRBX
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"I'll leave you two," she said as she went past Greta who quickly stood aside. Greta looked on as her mother walked down the hall to her room.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lVtEYjKt8
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Greta quickly entered her brother’s room, closing the door quietly. She turned to look at her brother. “What was she doing here?” she asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06RlZ6fk6L
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Malcom shook his head. “I’ll tell you later. Right now, something’s up with Kevin’s phone. I tried calling him but he isn’t answering.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnAKlic8gP
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“I guess you received the message too. I tried calling Rhénee and her phone wouldn’t go through either. I also called the house landline. It's ringing but nobody’s picking.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5utV4WuQR1
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“Odd.” Malcom turned to look at his sister. “There should be Miss Griselda at the house. Could they not be home?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HkJRSRn6P
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Greta also looked just as confused as Malcom. He didn’t like this at all. Kevin and Rhenee’s phones were unreachable, and no one was answering the phone at Rhenee’s house. Could Kevin, Rhénee and Miss Griselda be in trouble? Or is there any reasonable explanation?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91kNEdAOs2
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“I would like us to go check Rhénee’s house, but I don’t think mum would want us to go out,” said Greta.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2eImCVzW0
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Malcom couldn’t agree more. Their mother would find it suspicious that they were both leaving the house together. Unless…781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2tejFa2eF
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Malcom snapped his fingers and quickly walked past his sister, heading for the door.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSaEh5Mrgp
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“Hey, where are you going?” Greta called out to him, as she followed.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3tMzIgvvR
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Malcom stopped himself in the hall and turned to look at his sister coming behind him.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRm3j366mOP
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“Lower your voice, I don’t want mum to hear,” he whispered to her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksUgRiU7Tw
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“What is it?” she asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXQiCRGILY
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“I want you to follow my lead. Can you do that?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeKPHywyls
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“Whatever plan you have, I hope it works. What am I saying? Of course, it will.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOX3l2DdWb
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Malcom gave her a brief smile and continued his way down the hall, heading for his mother’s room. He heard Greta yelp behind him, but she continued to follow nonetheless.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJyx14hgaJ
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When he got to the door, he knocked and heard his mother behind the door tell him to come in.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJObmTRWA1E
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"Malcom, Greta," said Mrs. Derrand as she looked up at her two children. She was seated on her bed, with her phone in her hand. She looked a little surprised to see them, not after what happened with Malcom in his room. "What brings you two here?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPjpBZLxUp
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Greta looked at her brother who immediately answered, "that gift you wanted me to take to Rhénee, I would like to take it to her now, if you don't mind."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL25b03mG1b
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Mrs. Derrand looked even more surprised. "I thought we agreed you would take it to her tomorrow."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvnU0GEnOf
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"I did, but I thought I'm better off taking it today, before it gets too late. I just remembered that there's something I need to do tomorrow. And it's urgent."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS5xp1NHjA
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Mrs. Derrand looked at Malcom and Greta intently. The two thought she would simply refuse. She stood up from her bed and went to her closet. The two siblings looked at each other, wondering what she's going to get out of there.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPQx17aFmY
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The doors of the closet closing caught the two's attention as they turned to look back at their mother who now had a small white gift bag in her hand. She held it up for Malcom to get.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybYa1fi7I2
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"Here it is," she said. "Are you sure you need to take it to her now?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fHLPVE9ay
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"I'm sure,"  Malcom answered. "I'll make sure she gets it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDzDbATYCn
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"I know you will. I'm just worried about the time. Do you two really have to be out at this time?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXl9d5hOty
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"Come on, mum, we aren't kids anymore," Greta chirped in. "It's not that late. We haven't even had supper yet."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7rijUcpmQ
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"That's because you two weren't here that I told the cooks to delay for a little bit."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1NDPjjLlC
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"We'll be back before you know it," said Malcom. "We'll have time to chat with Rhénee later."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHBUGDMJarf
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Mrs. Derrand sighed, knowing that she didn’t have a choice. She probed Malcom to get the bag from her hand which he did.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gBa3VVdW2
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"Be careful out there," Mrs. Derrand said to them as they made their way out of the room.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KtmNnUd5C
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"Did anyone ever tell you how brilliant you are, Malcom?" Greta asked as they quickly rushed down the stairs.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTQ0PAvNww
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"Keep it down," he warned as he reached the bottom of the stairs first and headed for the front door. "We don't want her to hear you."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9UU00AFe4
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He searched for the keys to the car in his pocket. Luckily he hadn't removed them from the time he got back home. He quickly opened the door and went for the car. Greta closed the door behind her and quickly followed her brother to the car. Malcom already unlocked the door and got in.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7hwh1c829
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"I just hope they're okay," said Greta as she got in the car. Malcom had already worn his seatbelt.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQQwPvq5LF
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"I hope so too, especially Rhénee."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawXlSPQNcW
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Greta raised an eyebrow at her brother as she also wore her seatbelt. "You seem to care about her a lot lately."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2pUlKz5oX
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"Is that a problem?" Malcom asked as he turned the ignition and the car's engine roared to life, not looking at his sister.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYf1h0iuGNw
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"Oh, nothing," said Greta. "I know we're protecting her because we swore that we would, but you seem to be taking this a little too seriously."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4c8Z8oKOm
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Malcom now turned to look at Greta. "It's like you said at first. We swore that we would protect her."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKy7sHtcwml
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He put the car in reverse and it reversed right out of the driveway, through the gate. He put the car on drive, driving away from their house.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQrjQDoSn1
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"I know that. But haven't you stopped to think that by doing so we're also going against our mother?" Greta asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6jpA0NpCp
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"You're forgetting that we've been against her for a long time even before Emelda passed on."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjKdJLVe0d
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"True. But what if things had been different back then? Would we be protecting Rhénee like we're now?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1NIFGg4hk
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Malcom didn't answer at first as he had his eyes fixed on the road. "If things had been different," he finally answered, "something tells me we wouldn't have known Rhénee at all."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcahOW6kggz
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Greta looked at her brother and thought about what he said. She looked ahead. "I guess you're right."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9mL5PcDdA
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“Do you regret doing this?” Malcom asked after a moment of silence had passed between them.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaFHzA2VKQU
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Greta hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words to use. “To be honest, I don’t know what to think anymore,” she answered. “If it weren’t for our parents, something told me we wouldn’t have been in this mess.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNXpO09znf
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“But you don’t regret helping Rhénee out?” Malcom gave his sister a brief glance before fixing his eyes on the road again.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwV4O32rTqp
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“For some funny reason, I really don’t. And you?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8WgWg5Jnj
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Malcom found himself shaking his head. He knew he and Greta are doing this because they promised the late Emelda. Now it felt more like an obligation. He didn’t know if his sister also felt this way, but he did. As much as that thought scared him, he didn’t seem to care. Ever since he met Rhénee, he felt he had to protect her from whatever is going on in this little town. Maybe his sister is right. Was he taking this a little too far? If so, why? He felt he isn’t only doing this for the late Emelda, but for something else. Is it to get back at his mother for what she did to him and Greta in the past? Now that he is thinking about it, he realises that there must be some other reason, though he doesn’t seem to know what it could be.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsioxx8aM9r
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They were now pulling over in front of Rhénee’s house and they noticed as the car entered the front gate, that the lights inside the house were off. They couldn’t have called it a night and gone to bed for it’s far too early. Malcom and Greta knew right away that something's wrong.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRc00rjrpaL
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Malcom parked the car in front of the house and Greta immediately got out. Malcom killed the car’s engine and followed Greta.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIhxum5Qci
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“The place is dark and quiet,” said Greta as she walked up to the front porch. “It looks like nobody’s home.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxHTpft8iP
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Malcom looked at the mansion and then at his sister. “Let’s try the back.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVum1qCh77
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They went round the house and went for the kitchen back door. They weren’t surprised to find it locked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo4zZYsyah
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“I’m guessing they must have gone to Mr. Cowell’s house,” said Malcom. “I just noticed that Rhénee’s car isn’t here.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQLFqNWUAB
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“Could she've gone with Miss Griselda?” Greta asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHKHp3yXbb
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“I guess so, otherwise, we would’ve found her here. Come on, let’s go to Mr. Cowell’s house.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJQFFINone
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“Ya, let’s get out of here. With this house quiet and dark, I find it really creepy. I feel like a ghost can just appear out of nowhere.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Sir36Lkw
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“You watch too many horror movies,” Malcom shook his head at his sister. “Let’s go.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGN85LUe8O
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Greta went back to the front of the house. Malcom lingered a little as he looked towards the garden and the greenhouse. For an odd minute, he thought there was someone there, but he was greeted by silence and darkness. Now that Greta mentioned how creepy she felt, it also got to him except this time around, he actually felt there's something out there, but he couldn't see or tell if it's actually there.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mYIgideAX
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He followed Greta and found her waiting by the car.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHHHMPKa44
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"I thought someone had nabbed you back there," she said as he got close.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnJtp7QNjn
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"I'm okay, as you can see," he said as he went to the driver's side and entered the car.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z6AWgudbp
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"I really hope Rhénee is okay," Greta also followed into the car.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡekjSMbgKqD
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"Give her a ring again." Malcom started the car. "If her phone won't go through, then there's definitely something going on."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMap5e1yVQA
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***781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv2lYuros2
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"Rhénee?" Kevin called out as he heard noises coming from the livingroom.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWH3js0l8O
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With his phone acting as a torch, he made his way to the door. When he pushed it open, he saw Rhénee on someone's back, her arms and legs wrapped round the person's body. All this while, the person was trying to get her off, but she stuck to the man like glue. Kevin looked confused as the two went from left to right, knocking over a few things in the room.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4VepOkqAl
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How did he get in the house, he thought. And if he had been here the whole time, how come he and Rhénee hadn't realised it?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3z30Zf3gVJ
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Rhénee hung onto the man's back and as they spun around the room, she noticed a light appear in the room. She knew Kevin had arrived after hearing the noise. Right now, she needed to put this man down, but with him moving around, she didn't know what to do.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJq8J73OMQ
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"Kevin, help!" she called to him.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7FYsp4rZx
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Soon, the man ran her up the wall, making her get hit in the back. But it still wasn't enough for her to let him go.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZgzbTS8Tx
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"Get off of me!" the man yelled, running across the room, and in the process, hitting into the coffee table.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71bmyiw2Oe
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Rhénee and the man fell to the floor together, with Rhénee still on top of him. Now is the man's opportunity to get her off of him. But Rhénee was quick enough to sit upright on his back and press his head down onto the floor with her hand and pinning his back with one knee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODii1cYxn5
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"Kevin, help me hold him!" Rhénee called out to Kevin in front of her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsxAjmUug8
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Kevin woke up from his shock and tossing his phone on the couch, he came over to help her as he also pinned his knee onto the man's back. He also pinned the man's hands onto his back.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j920JNbVw
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The man squirmed and struggled to get out. He's much bigger and broad shouldered. Rhénee and Kevin weren’t going to be enough to pin him down for long. They had to do something quickly.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI16LBtfxvT
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“We can’t hold him down for much longer,” Kevin told Rhénee. “We’ve to do something quick-”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDWRXTWqGe
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Before Kevin could finish his sentence, Rhénee had quickly pressed her index and middle fingers onto the man’s neck and he quickly fell unconscious.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrV8yeetfJ
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“What the-?” Kevin couldn’t believe what he's seeing. “How did you do that?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMNgBdB2iP
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“I hit his pressure point,” Rhénee calmly answered. She slowly stood up taking in a few deep breaths.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjINDNIsYGC
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“Where did you learn to do that?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3JSEmGpK1
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“I’ll explain later. We need to check if he has weapons on him.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2jIMFTAi4
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Kevin agreed to leave this discussion for later as he started to check the man’s pockets while Rhénee went over by the couch to get his phone to provide light as he searched. He found an AK47 tucked under his belt and a sharp pocket knife in one of his pockets. He checked the other one and found a cellular phone. Weird, most people have smart phones these days. Why would he need a cellular phone?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVHGx81tmn
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“I guess this is important,” said Kevin as he passed the phone to Rhénee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw15ExTZPkc
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“Whoever he works for might get into contact with him,” said Rhénee as she looked at the phone and checked it. She frowned. “There’s still no signal.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWGgbR6sgMS
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“Maybe he was going to cut off whatever is jamming it after he finished the job. We just have to find it.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw43w0im9NU
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“Let’s tie him up first. Who knows when he might come around.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2MDs68kGs
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“I thought he will be unconsciousness until you touch his pressure point again.” Kevin stood up from the floor.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMJg3Ry87Z
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“Not always. There’s a limit, you know?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtu2oJ7o5U
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“I think I saw rope somewhere in the kitchen.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXNOdMsxuj
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Rhénee gave Kevin his phone back as he rushed to the kitchen. She took her phone out and turned on the torch. She looked at the man who lay unconscious on the floor. Sophie stood on the overturned coffee table, looking on. Rhénee smiled at the cat, glad that her plan had worked. She felt the cat could really understand her after all.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9NC4YVOzs
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She knelt on the floor so as to take a good look at the man with short black hair and ruddy face with a slightly big nose. He wore black clothes and black leather boots like that of a soldier. In fact, Rhénee thought that if she were to look at him properly with the lights on, she might mistake him for one. But who could he be?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRPiNuC94I
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Rhénee continued to look at him when she spotted something on his neck like a chain, hidden under his black t-shirt. It looked like one of those chains most soldiers wear in memory of fallen soldiers. But the chain isn’t silver but gold. Looks like he isn’t a soldier then, she thought.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWZLKyUDT7
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Out of curiosity, she placed her fingers on his neck to get the chain out. It’s a chain necklace with a grey key. The odd thing about the key is that it’s real and not a trinket. She noticed rust in some areas and it looked old. Why would he be carrying it with him around his neck? Did it mean something?781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMo6G8Cc5XV
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She heard the door to the kitchen creak open and Kevin walked in, holding up his phone to light the way. Rhénee brought the neck chain around the man’s head, and managed to get it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHduzrPuq99
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“What’s that?” Kevin asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrjS8YeuLy
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“A key,” Rhénee answered as she stood up and held up the chain for Kevin to take a look.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayi0U6Qi1n
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“Do you think it’s important?” Kevin raised an eyebrow.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uWP09XzBe
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“I have a hunch.” Rhénee placed the key in her pocket. “Come on, let’s tie him up. Then we can go check upstairs for whatever is jamming the signal.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDqNgYdYJD
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“How sure are you that it’s upstairs?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVQSeti1VU
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“Because that’s where he has been hiding this whole time. It’s obviously up there.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZiQwoJOJu
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Kevin nodded and they went on ahead to position the man on the floor to tie him. They bounded his hands and legs, making sure to tie the rope round his body for him to lie straight on the floor.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyB7i3W82JF
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Together with Sophie, they soon made their way up the stairs. When they reached the top landing, Kevin suggested they split up; him taking the left and Rhénee taking the right.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo45gZt0eK
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Rhénee walked down the hall with Sophie at her heels and approached the first door to her left. She opened the door and looked inside. It's a bedroom. There weren't things lying around on the dressing table opposite the bed which was close to the bed, so she could tell that no one occupied this room. She thought of leaving to go check somewhere else, but she found herself now in the middle of the room. She didn't know why, but she felt that she might find something of importance.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvTs2SwCIx
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There were sheets and pillows on the bed and Rhénee found it odd for a room that seemed unoccupied. Maybe she's wrong and there was someone who occupied it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeRjMrI7KD
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A wooden closet stood in front of her and she went straight for it. She drew the doors open, and found the closet empty. Strange, she thought. She felt sure she would find something. Just as she was about to turn and look elsewhere, she felt a light thud below. Sophie had just stepped in the wardrobe and went for the corner.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4I5yqfFcJ
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Rhénee shone the light over to where the cat was as it started to scratch the floor of the wardrobe. Rhénee knelt on the floor and bent over to the far corner and when she placed her hand on the spot the cat had been scratching at, she realised that the wall of the wardrobe felt light and hollow.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhAbM2uDIz
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"Just how many secret places does this house have?" Rhénee asked herself aloud.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHE3SnZn5N
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She now started to press her hand along the corner of the wall of the wardrobe while the other held her phone. The wall caved in a little until Rhénee realised that it could be pushed aside. She pushed a little, and what she saw made her gasp in awe. She decided to call Kevin.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFV2TvS7Kiy
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“Kevin!” she shouted, bringing herself out of the closet. “You’ve to see this!”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSDDqdq1lz
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She heard quick, heavy footsteps and Kevin soon came with his light pointed at Rhénee. “What is it? Are you okay?” he asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBZWwdczVZ
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"You'll be surprised with what I'm about to show you," she said as she went on her knees to enter the cupboard. Kevin still remained outside, and when Rhénee fully drew the wall of the cupboard aside, his jaw couldn't help but drop.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8h3z9tFILi
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In front of them stood a stack of guns, mounted on the wall like they had been put up for some kind of display. Below them, were drawers. Rhénee drew one of them open to find a variety of bullets for the guns neatly stacked away. She drew out another and there were a variety of short knives also lined up neatly.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m9AxKTazH
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"Was this man preparing for war?" Rhénee asked as she looked at Kevin.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSc1l37ZJk5
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"I'm just as surprised as you," said Kevin. "I've known Mr. Cowell to be peaceful. I never thought he could’ve a stack of guns and knives hidden in his house."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNVfHca5rS
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"He isn't some war veteran, is he?" Rhénee got out of the wardrobe, her eyes still fixed on the guns.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRcQIeTDoF
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Kevin shook his head. He had a worried look on his face and Rhénee thought it best that they move on.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYN99r20IO
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"Come on, we can worry about that later," she said as she went back in the wardrobe to slide the wall shut.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNd2su8B3xr
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"So many things are happening today," said Kevin. "It's kinda hard to process it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdqAgIxT5b
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Rhénee put her hand on his right shoulder as she faced the opposite direction. "I know what you mean. All this is overwhelming for you and I'll understand if you decide not to go on with it."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALLe8oTqrq
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Kevin turned to look at her in the semi-darkness. "I know what you're trying to do, Rhénee. You aren't going to convince me to leave you to face these things alone."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTnGs9ptDl
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Rhénee couldn't help but blush in embarrassment as she stared at the floor in front of her. She felt Kevin take hold of her hand on his shoulder and turned to look at her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIA3m95cvE
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"I know I might not protect you with guns and whatnot, but I'll do as promised to your late grandmother: to protect you in the best way I know how. So you aren't going to drive me out of your life that easily. Not until the threat around you is gone."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVJuwZGzZl
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The two continued to look at each other and Rhénee soon cleared her throat, finding their little moment a little weird. She gently pulled her hand away from Kevin's, and he didn't resist as he also looked away.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF9xORWfJ2
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"We should continue looking," Rhénee suggested as she started to make her way towards the door. She stopped. "You know I'm suggesting this for your own safety, right?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t3Y6XXg2Q
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"I know. But you don't decide what I do. I'm here to protect you willingly."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4bTqc0tXU
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Rhénee noticed Sophie stand right next to her. She sighed. "Let's go check the other rooms. We can't waste any more time."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RQLQ6XN6W
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"You're right."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxDpC4xMS7
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The two left the room and carried on with their search. After checking in two rooms, Kevin found himself in the master bedroom: Mr. Cowell's room. He looked around for anything suspicious, but nothing. He started to check around the room where he could probably hide anything of value by checking the wardrobe for any secret compartments and also under the bed, but to no avail.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBOHHkoeBi
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He was just about to go check the bathroom  when he thought he had seen something through the corner of his eye by the bookshelf at the far end of the room. He almost ignored it, thinking that he’s just seeing things. But then a small flashing green light blinked in the darkness before he even had a chance to look away. He went towards the shelf, looking for whatever could be blinking in the dark. After moving a few books aside, he finds a small black device that had been placed behind the books. It looked more like a small black box and the green LED light blinked at him after a few seconds. He noticed a small wire from it going all the way into a small hole drilled in the wall. He wondered if this could be what’s blocking the signal. He took the device in his hand and found a small button to press on. He pressed it.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFUYvxkRbu
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The LED light suddenly went from green to red and immediately, Kevin felt the phone in his hand vibrate. The network signal is back and he couldn’t help but feel relieved. He checked his phone and found three messages from Malcom asking why his phone wasn’t going through when he tried to call. Kevin thought of calling him back, telling him what’s going on.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sj3AvxnH5
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Rhénee is in one of the rooms searching, when her phone beeped. She quickly checked it and realised that the network is back. Kevin must have found what was jamming the phone signal, she thought. She quickly rushed to the door and called out in the hall:781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4dvpDK7WT
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“Kevin, did you find it?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcL1xBgJij
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Kevin appeared down the dark empty hall from the master bedroom. “Yes, I’m trying to call Malcom. He tried calling me earlier but he couldn’t reach me.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2IuDQFhPW
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Rhénee went back to looking at her phone and found messages from Greta asking her if she was alright and if they’re at Mr. Cowell’s house. She didn’t have to text back as Kevin got through to Malcom.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfNzsUfRcB
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“Malcom, hey,” Rhénee heard him say on the phone. “We’re fine, yes, I’m with Rhénee. You’re almost at the house? But there's a problem. We can’t seem to get out of the house meaning that you can’t get in..., it’s a long story. If we can figure a way out you’ll get the details. Great.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbpshJ5ffN
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Kevin cut the call and said to Rhénee: “they are on their way.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI553BMcHKq
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“Where did you find the device jamming the signal?” Rhénee asked as she approached Kevin down the hall.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3hwCELCM7
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“Hidden behind some books on a shelf,” he answered.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvbgL8Of3S
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“Good work. Found anything else interesting?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiusDmxkdvF
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Before Kevin could answer, the phone in Rhénee’s pocket beeped. It’s the phone for the man whom they had tied downstairs. Rhénee quickly took out the phone to check it and found a message. She opened the inbox and what she read brought chills down her spine. She quickly looked up at Kevin.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUssIYRqlOu
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“Kevin, you’ve to see this?” She quickly found herself approaching him.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0teEmw6rF6
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“Isn’t it the man’s phone?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXd2Sy5cFA
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“It is, and the message he got might be the clue to finding Miss Griselda.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWslYqRlfJ
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Rhénee showed Kevin the message which read:781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv7L3cehIO
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“After the job is done, meet me at the … bridge.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpXBBEQzEr
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"Could it be Mr. Cowell?" Kevin asked, looking wide-eyed at Rhénee.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03riCMcEzD
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"It could be, or it must be the person they're working for," she answered.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtj6e4vSrK
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"Reply to them saying that you've got the message. They might find it a little suspicious that they didn't give any response."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcOWus60NJ
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"Judging by the time the message was sent," Rhénee continued to look at the phone, "we were already here with Miss Griselda."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCWN0rESA6
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"Let me see." Rhénee showed him and found that she was right. If they had sent back a message replying to it, they might have caused a blunder and the people on the other end would know something's wrong.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntwD84WYrj
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"We can send a message telling them that the job is done and we'll be heading to the bridge right away," Rhénee suggested.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1uQbjiZMj
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"That's okay, but that's if we can find a way out of here," said Kevin.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOt0y3Sfl4
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Just as Rhénee replied to the message, a sound of someone banging on the door downstairs reached them. Malcom and Greta are here. Together with Sophie, the two of them quickly ran down the stairs with their phone's as torches. When they got to the front door the banging on the door continued.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3akeP0ObW
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"Malcom!" Rhénee called to him.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LkW2pqnjN
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"Rhénee? Thank goodness!" came Greta's voice, sounding relieved. "We thought all this is just some silly prank when we found the lights off and the door wouldn't open."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2t17o18Vwn
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"It's no joke. Somehow, we got locked in, the lights went out and the phone signal got jammed. It's why we couldn't call for help."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW21EODaBF2
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"And what of Miss Griselda?" Malcom asked. "There was no one at the house. Is she with you?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqc8yRXaCuQ
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Kevin and Rhénee looked at each other in the semi-darkness, wondering who would be the one to break the news about Miss Griselda's kidnapping.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLvks5nc6e
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"She was with us," Kevin answered, as he continued to stare at Rhénee, then back at the door.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡigFdIXKaRv
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"What do you mean 'was?'" Malcom asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUHmu21CmC
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Kevin looked at Rhénee, willingly for her to answer that. She swallowed before she said:781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zKx9RMSOX
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"She was with us at first but she isn't anymore. She's been kidnapped."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfxEXuche8
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"What!" Greta exclaimed. "And what about Mr. Cowell? Isn't he there with you? How's he doing?"781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoa0HqQUwf
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"That's the thing," Rhénee quickly started to say, "he was never injured."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cgVQDISAB
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"Huh?" Malcom and Greta sounded surprised by the whole thing. Rhénee could only imagine the look on their faces.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTxudWBciY
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"How come? Is all this some sort of setup?" Malcom asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7cyajef9X
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"Seems so," Kevin answered. "Mr. Cowell drugged Miss Griselda and left us trapped in the house. But we do know where they are."781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozDwsSXq29
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“Let’s get you out of here first. It seems we have to break the door from outside.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9TGs8ij8d
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“Aren’t there any keys or anything?” Greta asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefoNVhuyGa
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Rhénee brought over the light from the torch to illuminate the wall where the key hanger was. She wasn’t surprised to find it empty.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJZ4l6LcaX
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“Nothing, we just have to break the door down,” said Rhénee. “We tried looking for something like a crow bar in the house, but there isn’t any.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZY4j73rax
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“Let me see if there’s something in the car,” said Malcom. Rhénee heard his footsteps as he walked away from the door.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBn3893tar
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“Don’t worry, guys,” said Greta. “You’ll be out before you know it.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPTRfbeHML
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Rhénee turned around and went for the living room. Kevin followed and saw her approach the man they had tied up, still unconscious on the floor.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyFMutVvJG
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“Do you plan on waking him up already?” he asked.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRSVjwwmku
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“Not yet,” Rhénee answered as she squat next to him. “We’ll have to take him with us.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ4FP6GC1d
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“Are you crazy? He just tried to kill us not too long ago.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqw2MYA5kH
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“Yes, but there’s a lot he knows that we don’t,” Rhénee stood up from the floor. “I need answers.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWL8VEuXc7
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“I know you, but isn’t it dangerous to carry him along?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFmvw2zUkr
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“It is. But he’s the only one who can tell us what’s going on.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7i5jSsbuO
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Kevin shrugged his shoulders. “If you say so. Let’s hope the others will agree with your plan.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRF4x9fbMe0
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They soon heard the sound of something banging the door. Malcom must have found something to break the door open.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJDrPwNAc8
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“I hope so too,” Rhénee said as she followed Kevin to the foyer. They already found a hole right next to the door knob until Malcom removed it, drawing the door wide open.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA4784OBUdb
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“You guys are okay!” Greta exclaimed as she quickly ran through the open door and went straight to hug Rhénee. Rhénee could only chuckle.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEVUMgPQzR
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“Don’t worry, we’re okay,” Rhénee assured her.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNRYMMamJj
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“Do you mind explaining to us what’s really going on? Why did they lock you in here?” Malcom asked with a crowbar in his hand. “And why did they take Miss Griselda?”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVJzSDLzKZ
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“We don’t know. But I’m guessing the man tied up in the living room might know the answers to all that.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRs1LJ3wSka
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“There’s a man in the living room?” Greta sounded surprised.781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDioOxRUKwx
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“A lot has happened and you’ll be surprised,” said Kevin. “I’m still taking a lot in.”781Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG96CFo4ua
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“Tell us everything,” said Malcom. “And don’t leave out any details.”1234 copyright protection777ＰＥＮＡＮＡrkple6nHSV 尼

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