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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgAHTTEdDT
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"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyYsF6GiAt
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJnxx063s0T
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeTaTVH0hdV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtyjn55VEb
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSKMHoYCa4
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yGgRXw2Qv
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleFjJUwVvM
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGn4kK794z
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexzULo5kK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2OtSplFmI
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2xj2s6xW5
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEosJhDIZi
"What kind of trouble?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliQ8z0ROEa
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqK8u18SMDy
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkUJCztJFc
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVex9s1GOC
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs9bon9nhH
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqWYB0Eh8y
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3S22UD2R7
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUZ5elqwZl
"That's good. She needs to rest."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHuGEpBKo8o
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUMYE27Ue8
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVDddCTuy3
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRiwKkS3NS
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsw8ZV48K4
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67FsT05PyO
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡShGglHFzle
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1595Q09nUO
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyTYkgIV9C
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jXWhnnThV
"Ya, sure."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfOb52Uxye
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z3HfMS3uP
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0m6E1EH4Q
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSaLt72Fcq7
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpU7xl2WCQl
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDED8l7kjd
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLo1wfM9tmV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKaX1OnjtA
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OmeRiUrnm
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6AJuFCWdZ
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO5s4tE5Mb
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhRtuwWzVN
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacj4qa5dRQ
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnDRgCdVB2
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyujBjPjH8G
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVChKEfd7w0
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47UzgTu5bg
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TZimLjlIR
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkpy5NHNiT
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPeS339i6A
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2CCuDLerW
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"I don't know, he must be somewhere."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAe1dLV8rz
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9of8DthzUk
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaySMmNx60
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxnM9m1jCp
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4x18ugefK
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"What did you say?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ePuSh2GNr
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"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uM19dkXg3
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXittNrcxNf
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtAcECGfHk
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"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1vFSYQCNT
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX2YNGGLUX
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoErUNMt69
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOZ0g9c0DQ
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEorlcOPESP
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2daoUhcc9
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5CMXc7LA6
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxw6GyNCNmP
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXgU5XpY7D
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPEUm8DtKV
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzELqVCyYHa
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAqp7xSbDb
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?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqOwxD0UBW
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AeLBo3r0G
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNOtU8rfws
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1kL3NYKVq
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ezbf0G1Ae
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Ap6wyVggy
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1Lh4p0Hlq
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepCptkcIaL
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgv5AxyDtc
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOpCsBkYB2
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCP428QeCVE
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***745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmljrravHWl
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"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvOMpGbDjS
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuWZZtRD06
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7mfSMhVDy
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3XfsyN4Wb
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOkFtQvZCX
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EmLGwjjnO
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIE79jzRTL
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuLWtJ1fLz
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6dfQSycuj
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZgnc2BawX
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObU2P1VAff
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhqqJ4kTwC
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpip8pSrTn9
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3vcpsm5ws
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEoKMfBBSbG
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNAnXRpQjX
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEQc3EP5Ns
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdX9qGchk0
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdYgkhSbFZ
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmBCWXA7rv
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQrAUAYvPo
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hGC1EWlKV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaFKWkGKq4
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhvRlMI700
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHepypDPNB
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7io8rKKiu
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ168zgxVMvv
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dvw4O2Z7a
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKEk3iRYTc
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJAwnvwBaV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwIaZieZbW
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkw0uabsXI
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyaMisXbFcn
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJPIyPeo4U
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopUPqKLOhL
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5cr3mzaaA
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNkacEaKlhj
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPy012VUUB
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO8ln2RRfb
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WEnDoimyb
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPmhsv9kPF
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0rZOeOhiU
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLQEdhunOl
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9XiYeajFP
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrHO8gyhLE
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTBXyZLsh5
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuVj5YI2cc
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUXCqmhXIv
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndFS8f4GgT
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixAzYPJJa5
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfnH9sMeyj
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9zkOUHAup
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOe8Yd3ztx
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHspVhRaeo
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LbcmwPWxt
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgaKHmROVw
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCloRDGPjig
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkEi2L8A5zn
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv9p7Wl3dC
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbYx3EpAYV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRhwljNJjL
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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0koFqJnYp2
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwiMHVYecq
"Do you think she's killed before?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkIPiBZlTpZ
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JvMUhaq2G
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMm8UqQOz0
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFgtcU7KMh
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xGUxtSOnh
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer0COYvCnB
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHuVJKHRDs
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKm6IX1ArO
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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2O3nlorlO
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsBKI6emUg
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRjmEIR7um
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMyFbqytTJ
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0NDarLA5S
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6hZtX55q
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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16i5iC2M0M
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6XUfs2c5N
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3uctuj3CqK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgErWYSctks
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzG0il8P6S0
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBW2hY9RYF
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk4KvY2MNc
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWA98IW7JG
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8YflHtNiz
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"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz6BeVGQH0
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfBsjbzHuT
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HEuoWXcwb
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5q5SZLURW
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoctLdcHKK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6J2lWJ7qlq
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5drQywgLM
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Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YedI5aNcX
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"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxmzm8gkVt
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBLGKJnBub
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1p2DV7Rjm
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzOcsGQ8gn
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLb0jdr0azA
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJBZE8Vlj6
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05A6oud3Ig
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfARaLHAwk
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmcP3BSPOg
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvwNBSRy3B
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVllKvW7YwG
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmzK9snFsh
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYrCCwMNY9X
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWUXzQxAEw
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEOtDgv7Ez
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlHE6oqZmf
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5WQGnc4P0
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG0lWUVgiK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJNgGzYv9f
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL6FO3zMJg
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzg0o0MGfN
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGM1DPxz5y
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHI6zjGgEj
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2uyplJpyHW
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZVXNv4N8c
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYVQhtwhrMC
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzChLXujGR9
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?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sYFjAbkZy
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu9Syh6p9Z
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjhnLe7Xim
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIqgtT97lN
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3aM86plVv
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ra4ri5fyq
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmbnA1xQ7fz
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWZoTxg6lE
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LnTqNwNqd
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHif1tlKpF
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouXPnfhJQR
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNaT2Z1zB1
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvf14BVVhv
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ejuPC0pfk
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlFlGYAZpV
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcf7xCBeYN9
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwCmPCWGan
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqR7BG1t4X
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9CfBQbGq9V
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTV74RcvyLw
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1GOkCYALvF
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZFCIPEYGO
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7QCej5ZG1
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdknlqTGdx
"We will," said Kevin.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoT1X1ePsQi
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3ptZA7Lo3
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC797joBRf3
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vnMLfKPqL
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5bXjreauz
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYnnFpYagxh
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mW89rbZVy
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRH15ZMzst
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf5JcKfoBJ
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpnRggNA1C
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsz4AyKJrP
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vdnRRcwn6
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:745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjlcQxVC0O
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7dAOOVUzH
"Rhénee, wait!"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HBsNdNrnT
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyzSMSPhBw
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnyph9hw8I
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xkxIGKv74
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFvstleIpo
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8PtjWFehn
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZU7J9HYnK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudGWu578Ij
"I'm tired."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaVOZfRLQS
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQqlGFw8Mt
"Really? I don't think that's it."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPDkQyde3y
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFkW8iSb2F
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscM3lhlbc1
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfX5Qfw4vB
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghSe0hNnGo
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat8owvZjEY
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyV1edDOu2z
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnggCUWylb
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbs7ICHFgp
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Bc2zmSKnB
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWLMnAmfR0
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLfhVJSFDC
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLgA9uQSX1
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNx2X03ZMq
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ786pJDhKmP
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrl23WaN3L
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2XTh6xfF5
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy19dDM7vtF
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Usbxnkgbq
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANwpTP2pOv
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlLoQbHVEc
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkDWLemPR5
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZZjBvWRys
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmm0ckGrba
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3XUBsKLL6
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5D9tEAcoQT
"Good. Let's go."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQsArC6HSU3
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7bX2XDeGR
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNNsOq7M5n
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUiNTWJgnJ
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeGM3XSbFq
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXyV8Cs7Mm
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihXsfCmMai
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6qeOPI7Hh
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdj6jTI24Bv
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrRq1AWZ8b
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPbc8mgsIc
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6l7iDv6nE
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszgzl9O2yk
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUnvocq3Si
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5Vlp0yDOh
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFV9eJQYiw
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8sUgFgrNK
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4v6QvUDVY
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNNaEFF9pE
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY41TdIqRIw
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5lHBw6ZAGx
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8FYPN42Ab
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRh3dVVi2S9
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cetO5nE50
"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?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkdsI92DWJ
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0l4p8vCa5
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSibyQYVB83
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mtFqXkSVL
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9llvSU9k3Z
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcpfS7lChm
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoABV925xXd
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWeTlwiCud
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyjpbnQwCR
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WqsrSGrtS
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMG1zmGqorl
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj0VbforD6
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eCXCb5Q6N
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUgygwq9v0
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oByKLEA1W
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc32LpNAOK1
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVODfIPZbXj
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wn4iiG1cQ
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0wHfLBGMB
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMVJLSAPPb
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPmVcYyLDI
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPRD8es0Ary
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfb6z0GDJ6
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4cmPsvryt
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0EtXRR9hj
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmdjZgh9oV
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2K9pA96WY
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxL8hwxtGC
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXaYS3UkaqG
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFwSbNfPJ7
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNetVqYoPoZ
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6uYJPVLUG
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJC188CYtb3
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDviPLolFkL
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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfIgPOe1V7
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JnaFCdQTe
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡns06qsaSST
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLSk1JuJs7
"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?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowL8Icn9rm
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPZmHcpED9
"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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JlDnxqAZu
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDwIlL14FR
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:745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEA6L8DiCPD
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEB5lHzqNq
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxXp22Bnmn
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgmDsmy0LJn
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QXmD6qebp
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ6HLnDnuP
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0Fdz7rARa
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRaLnhjaoV
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVvvGSgXyz
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9aQIOORoE
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGdzQsStjF
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOHUGcTD6h
***745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkbbMBXM3R
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4s27YjLpH
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhUsyDmeXl
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWT0tz7QEP
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWOA43r7eB
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LOKOH1FQM
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFd7YvwtBcp
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeRll3A5qo
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPk7vatFYX1
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0hOL43p7u
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPFUGn8Rf6
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxiBXITrjS
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaionIuwMWA
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3yINrCsIm
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZJAQineTF
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibmekXR6dp
"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?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCk7qy6kwq
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLzmwJ1n5c
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhP3oxw7MH
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFAd6ZKQsvu
"Really?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcfGj1eGZh
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjJBDQSar2
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzx5GV2aj9
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjSnCZQaNl
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1xGjTUlH4
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfHt6Fxduqx
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey2zPuCyyw
745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXeEmvmDBT
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LFbChfzmW
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgkkP53Xpo
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESRhtAfKrH
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XMixTUyP6
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Qenl0Dp8N
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3kowbmtv95
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wb4tb67r9
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv0kDPCkbhy
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YADm0BQTh
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaiKaFKsQ3
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNzE4jwqc7
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUpi6pYFPt
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDEWNIvYL6
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRYsbinxO5
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZv4AlTAve
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FaaJlu9E8
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOEO1IqNx7
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOONz6kVneV
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡufosnCj6cC
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB09DcraTry
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmZi4xHcR7
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgXkrY6Tct
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxdF6r0D5F
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLhZlgOVQG
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSb9bUZtHPc
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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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9CDUhejvd
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9k6vk0XHhF
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAXkrJWysm
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcNl7vuPaZ
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iBjVhAALp
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabYhPD5Kg2
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg98ohzLtz
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZzcDNcyzHm
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63SRaA0EOM
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHs9Op8VdCC
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"Oh..., nothing really."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFgoIVUUVf
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoByGPJ0yo
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7S9khTXdH
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXGv4oLMft
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXIiyU5RJj
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpANGa5RY8t
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52iflkgEAC
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG2XsB3aZdp
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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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotavbzJAb6
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4uYAOv6JR
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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."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc2ZqKHZiE
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYsiViVUse
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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? 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWYhNxgOApS
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl3exX91QY
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsicBqBs3dl
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWDXH6wQ0N
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2pvqCFG0M
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP7iS15fLh
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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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBc9zZFGkQv
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFfd8HHsqFZ
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