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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAhwLNALeQoQ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAPihGMzCUvm
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.346Please respect copyright.PENANADlUg7DLQTM
346Please respect copyright.PENANAG9UnV3yspF
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.346Please respect copyright.PENANAbJNa0a46mR
346Please respect copyright.PENANAGd1l2CNJpG
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAOm8qwzEUie
346Please respect copyright.PENANASG2HAAbnQi
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.346Please respect copyright.PENANARhB2xaxlsv
346Please respect copyright.PENANAhmHqSAfKbp
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA9hfZQqUQOB
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzLtc1AVXKR
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."346Please respect copyright.PENANATFQ8X6V3dj
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzhnRf7d1kE
"What kind of trouble?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAteP58wQNd5
346Please respect copyright.PENANA7aVDhYf1D8
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fs5jNuIIc
346Please respect copyright.PENANATGcZWiugbv
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.346Please respect copyright.PENANAU46c5cy0AK
346Please respect copyright.PENANAnLRUoVUAYE
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."346Please respect copyright.PENANAfJjpyUSjjl
346Please respect copyright.PENANAGd1ol2Tka5
"That's good. She needs to rest."346Please respect copyright.PENANA9IZmeJ7Ubo
346Please respect copyright.PENANA1kzFy1co9D
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAUKpK3F0qOY
346Please respect copyright.PENANANdVGDqB8dj
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."346Please respect copyright.PENANAWj6HxpqyqC
346Please respect copyright.PENANAlHJKTlysax
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA9xKg82mPzH
346Please respect copyright.PENANASZ7qXnBYdt
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."346Please respect copyright.PENANAm9lwLz1tlb
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzYgArxczyG
"Ya, sure."346Please respect copyright.PENANAEZmcH7GBkz
346Please respect copyright.PENANA9Wv5nx0eow
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAn9gOR89DyF
346Please respect copyright.PENANAL8bwrt69JQ
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAY2hsUqKlFS
346Please respect copyright.PENANA5HiVO1pjpQ
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.346Please respect copyright.PENANAyubAnm4gSy
346Please respect copyright.PENANAdOrLROBnKx
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAJmREKKiEu0
346Please respect copyright.PENANAfxXJJkatIZ
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANA9wrxzHfY74
346Please respect copyright.PENANAGitJTJm3zN
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."346Please respect copyright.PENANASK17Pms6Xb
346Please respect copyright.PENANA56aMWstkxh
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"346Please respect copyright.PENANARoqMfABBTQ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAd6j6LBbhhX
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAVsh3zXMml5
346Please respect copyright.PENANABhapGuSUDe
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."346Please respect copyright.PENANAZSPxBG4qrY
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIUtbN0pnts
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."346Please respect copyright.PENANAuI0spDxOHD
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2e6tgHOh8k
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."346Please respect copyright.PENANAmHugBNIiFf
346Please respect copyright.PENANA07LO6by9Bq
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."346Please respect copyright.PENANA0M8WnMReWh
346Please respect copyright.PENANAbSeGttNTn9
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.346Please respect copyright.PENANATDEfTpjmg9
346Please respect copyright.PENANAkZzvjljBPo
"What did you say?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAgKauUWEo18
346Please respect copyright.PENANACUDZSC5rEL
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."346Please respect copyright.PENANAYvM2UFQzvO
346Please respect copyright.PENANAKNG6pwU64N
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."346Please respect copyright.PENANA2PLihepWnI
346Please respect copyright.PENANA10r4UlAVww
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAkgHTwpXCkT
346Please respect copyright.PENANAfiL64S59v1
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."346Please respect copyright.PENANA8y30fL2MMW
346Please respect copyright.PENANAbmsbMwouSe
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAFib0QnWCeY
346Please respect copyright.PENANAQKHe6g7nk5
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAfJh4aAXGmw
346Please respect copyright.PENANAnIkZDNnOQv
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAxT24RdWJKv
346Please respect copyright.PENANA1Fxj9JgG03
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."346Please respect copyright.PENANAVt9MYt8Ail
346Please respect copyright.PENANApHHG879Yss
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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA5xOQrdScZf
346Please respect copyright.PENANAOZo3z4lS93
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.346Please respect copyright.PENANAOBkmioYuUP
346Please respect copyright.PENANAjaSWbORMtq
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAez1L7ayq96
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFnQO7H1aUG
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAN33oHk1O7s
346Please respect copyright.PENANAiQC8r69Tmr
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAWvvAJ0S480
346Please respect copyright.PENANAZs3SsNozBh
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAbwIPk0zSPd
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFnCn49MCJS
***346Please respect copyright.PENANAEisg1zYEbc
346Please respect copyright.PENANAlvQoyCBMeg
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.346Please respect copyright.PENANAmXclzWge03
346Please respect copyright.PENANAybNgvoDK1B
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKQjl0hPgb3
346Please respect copyright.PENANAenBC9P28xS
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.346Please respect copyright.PENANAZgFrkLY7eK
346Please respect copyright.PENANAAYSswQcho1
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAMIp4Qh6qfO
346Please respect copyright.PENANAkyNnXRFNLP
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.346Please respect copyright.PENANA4flQLu31kv
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIu9DpJw8mb
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA0axOqvQvQA
346Please respect copyright.PENANAvUKYAMLvEF
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAxpYpAhUbx6
346Please respect copyright.PENANAS7fjs1vVUb
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAPCZNNdiYoU
346Please respect copyright.PENANAicy25cbDX1
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.346Please respect copyright.PENANAaMaxHwTzzm
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFd8UddQdRt
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."346Please respect copyright.PENANAIK2KBPMwKI
346Please respect copyright.PENANA29ysxmJJxL
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAUxvzT0wWgC
346Please respect copyright.PENANAchhusQPTex
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."346Please respect copyright.PENANAIeBpw1XmGb
346Please respect copyright.PENANAujopt86YaX
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANARFOtYgEIvH
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXdzfi2Eg0i
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"346Please respect copyright.PENANApuuTtBBBeI
346Please respect copyright.PENANAh5Sfv4TPk1
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANATUfEfPlXb9
346Please respect copyright.PENANAa198Q93BWF
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.346Please respect copyright.PENANAqaWa0zF4Jh
346Please respect copyright.PENANAOKhmbuJVFs
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."346Please respect copyright.PENANADZllJNq1oq
346Please respect copyright.PENANAgI7kKbv9Dz
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.346Please respect copyright.PENANA7gUNchRM8i
346Please respect copyright.PENANA1vMRU5vgVd
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAdXzeVIjT4P
346Please respect copyright.PENANAgkZAWujUyy
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAwMmBs3gTeL
346Please respect copyright.PENANATjV3pbddEB
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"346Please respect copyright.PENANABNUkbB0hZ2
346Please respect copyright.PENANApbadiqThJl
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."346Please respect copyright.PENANAdrUjR3Dc7z
346Please respect copyright.PENANACJf3OEo6vG
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.346Please respect copyright.PENANAnHwrthu1Qx
346Please respect copyright.PENANAeSfhGEWol0
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAclzyOPnjCh
346Please respect copyright.PENANAlwBixjcLHe
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAGLW1lK6TFg
346Please respect copyright.PENANADdQle56IwK
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."346Please respect copyright.PENANA5ej6l2yqfA
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIpFHOhHXjx
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAKH1yETwmMh
346Please respect copyright.PENANA9qV0OvrWX4
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAlV5WO891qw
346Please respect copyright.PENANAV0AwSPLOet
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.346Please respect copyright.PENANAwX76tOyKOC
346Please respect copyright.PENANAKqzo5pmqrO
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANASaEbBJD9CF
346Please respect copyright.PENANA30x8xCQLuo
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAU2HSgU2Jfk
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXo724BRCzc
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANArzbrWWF7ND
346Please respect copyright.PENANAD57LW59CxT
"Do you think she's killed before?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAF0mqEjMJa9
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmTldi6fsAm
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAL45owf02wA
346Please respect copyright.PENANA5SA9gjnFsV
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.346Please respect copyright.PENANAl5EqFLDboG
346Please respect copyright.PENANAqUniwFxDMB
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAN2V1P8JyKi
346Please respect copyright.PENANAbnF1jyfmUJ
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANANads3WpukD
346Please respect copyright.PENANA8KDo8c7Hxn
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAes0YTaZmb9
346Please respect copyright.PENANAfGgzQGHHSX
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANAwjfT9l7XsZ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAh4sgMrOtsM
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAKqJdPYk2r5
346Please respect copyright.PENANAgMYWkPsMbc
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANAwTFr7KqumK
346Please respect copyright.PENANAjMSve7Ikkq
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKOWJY33XSE
346Please respect copyright.PENANA5Q1gVx3jCJ
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."346Please respect copyright.PENANAtMOlKI1WZ3
346Please respect copyright.PENANA9jY2qcHEQ4
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANALCunMhGd83
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2X3mHj7VCi
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.346Please respect copyright.PENANA0N7n0d9rQz
346Please respect copyright.PENANAe3fIyvh0a2
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.346Please respect copyright.PENANAqQ13P16SZq
346Please respect copyright.PENANAhXVYbpv0k6
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."346Please respect copyright.PENANA05axbf0m8N
346Please respect copyright.PENANAyifVDsVbS4
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."346Please respect copyright.PENANACuVXKHFBQT
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFqnF9rPQC9
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.346Please respect copyright.PENANAbeRHLrRg6m
346Please respect copyright.PENANAQkApDW0nj5
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."346Please respect copyright.PENANA6xclbH8Aob
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzyrkBtlSmB
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA9xkLravVGW
346Please respect copyright.PENANApXOUW6u1iK
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA6KzEQlbIeB
346Please respect copyright.PENANAVdZHaUEiez
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 346Please respect copyright.PENANAKd7sAf7LXc
346Please respect copyright.PENANAxoCRfgPemX
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.346Please respect copyright.PENANAS3lFhbIiLA
346Please respect copyright.PENANACeSAxxRok3
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.346Please respect copyright.PENANAe9K2tXfNVD
346Please respect copyright.PENANAixkkcOA8N5
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANAYr6mDPClAx
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXL1o3ngtPn
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAiW2ZcaKoOd
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzmM9uWWa02
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."346Please respect copyright.PENANAWT8h8RwUec
346Please respect copyright.PENANATnnyHwefYT
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAJmUXVNJU67
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2f70Cw6041
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.346Please respect copyright.PENANA5ULkXKDhbb
346Please respect copyright.PENANA7recQYbDlk
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA3NuXobJfqj
346Please respect copyright.PENANAF5VLb1t8h2
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.346Please respect copyright.PENANAtMpW6yTcoW
346Please respect copyright.PENANAF0iAMCtzS0
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."346Please respect copyright.PENANAD3wJjBhnBW
346Please respect copyright.PENANAhb9ZZ0wQN3
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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANASBwH5gTVMq
346Please respect copyright.PENANA0a8JSsdpr8
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAvVU6WNOXRZ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAgmgUDYzlgE
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."346Please respect copyright.PENANAeOOuqumAhn
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXhcOWAiave
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAJ07jbpUyEG
346Please respect copyright.PENANAVfOVcfj8Uc
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.346Please respect copyright.PENANAdJkJmExUUj
346Please respect copyright.PENANAaxYql0Tb4u
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.346Please respect copyright.PENANAaPPrY1gV2x
346Please respect copyright.PENANAkpD0CSbmP2
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAKUXbTrKs8o
346Please respect copyright.PENANA3icoL5RcdH
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.346Please respect copyright.PENANASioeMTOBxd
346Please respect copyright.PENANAL2gLrYTOyG
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."346Please respect copyright.PENANAwAtbvX3teU
346Please respect copyright.PENANAfEn5SSgKmD
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAtIVt9Y5UQE
346Please respect copyright.PENANAviJdGZh2V4
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.346Please respect copyright.PENANADMu8jPREgs
346Please respect copyright.PENANAoxEa1isvx6
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."346Please respect copyright.PENANAYbQoNba3LS
346Please respect copyright.PENANAaYqj3XqXqe
"We will," said Kevin.346Please respect copyright.PENANAahHhTrgbSa
346Please respect copyright.PENANAtS8pnLsQrc
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAIHxMWoZ3UQ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmC6rmpbc1E
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAIUenDr0aIa
346Please respect copyright.PENANATsPFsizd8e
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."346Please respect copyright.PENANA8dK6OyhXGS
346Please respect copyright.PENANAwQVnNPIaII
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.346Please respect copyright.PENANA1YGJGjMJzG
346Please respect copyright.PENANAuzHa93aAqF
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAl7xiPlCNeh
346Please respect copyright.PENANARNq2csERZC
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:346Please respect copyright.PENANAvaAxynAxjV
346Please respect copyright.PENANA6j0qYHwYQg
"Rhénee, wait!"346Please respect copyright.PENANAT29BLTwqp5
346Please respect copyright.PENANAobZD2DTLeu
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAOVmxcuz9Br
346Please respect copyright.PENANAHdrA7j68cy
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAUd5neloqgq
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2tMyWjza3r
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.346Please respect copyright.PENANAuBSv7qjk0R
346Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7xxWlAs1b
"I'm tired."346Please respect copyright.PENANAPEM86rGefP
346Please respect copyright.PENANAz2Ne7ElVRS
"Really? I don't think that's it."346Please respect copyright.PENANAVbwiYRkZmQ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAksvpdD0YPB
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAe52l71FPUj
346Please respect copyright.PENANAqm74euUciV
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"346Please respect copyright.PENANAGyEO7E59Oh
346Please respect copyright.PENANADP23Qktw9g
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA562l5jvxzd
346Please respect copyright.PENANAMGWEYxY7IY
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAkZxXUKZBML
346Please respect copyright.PENANA0pK9APjK3X
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAUHaO07zoiZ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAYEcZGjUy8a
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAhx7erk9Gk5
346Please respect copyright.PENANAvHUeiKKQWS
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAsc3x2oOd2v
346Please respect copyright.PENANAnhwvIGysAX
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA0v4HukvU87
346Please respect copyright.PENANAfiBkT4A7ko
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.346Please respect copyright.PENANA9e4hfCCl4j
346Please respect copyright.PENANA5l11tWXLhZ
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANADtyUp0R15Z
346Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ7L24ImIX
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA1ij7K5Y418
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2nspcXhF0b
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."346Please respect copyright.PENANAkvxvRlkBzo
346Please respect copyright.PENANAybnQ2chS66
"Good. Let's go."346Please respect copyright.PENANAuvgNhNlU8x
346Please respect copyright.PENANAz4udhiexbH
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:346Please respect copyright.PENANAx3Ab4ZR2kI
346Please respect copyright.PENANAcfkKf85sa5
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."346Please respect copyright.PENANALu4UsnzLAh
346Please respect copyright.PENANAOq0WMHJKY4
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."346Please respect copyright.PENANATxoO4sqkzh
346Please respect copyright.PENANADMUYqeJBF9
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKOG1IJx52M
346Please respect copyright.PENANAQN6AzN4TWp
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."346Please respect copyright.PENANAPp165HUWqN
346Please respect copyright.PENANAsCP7OCrm6Q
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.346Please respect copyright.PENANA42nsQnItUm
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXfD7Ru5FlV
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."346Please respect copyright.PENANAczlynj3oCV
346Please respect copyright.PENANAgGUI5v1eFA
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.346Please respect copyright.PENANATd7TCl1PPq
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmnHfFdCSjG
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.346Please respect copyright.PENANACc3wLFhntk
346Please respect copyright.PENANAazD9xKLNWI
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAIoVnBNmz1t
346Please respect copyright.PENANAL82tPWcT0u
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."346Please respect copyright.PENANA2VZzrHLX0I
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmBTao3pj7u
"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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAS9RNis5hSp
346Please respect copyright.PENANA3nVtR9nHAr
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA3mmNzz5h89
346Please respect copyright.PENANARyaDdmkU1r
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.346Please respect copyright.PENANAPZoCXFnPfS
346Please respect copyright.PENANAsdGgCixJpf
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.346Please respect copyright.PENANApxka2tqCBe
346Please respect copyright.PENANAd98wWDgWqA
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"346Please respect copyright.PENANArOwNHzvdAV
346Please respect copyright.PENANAwWe1V7MCMH
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.346Please respect copyright.PENANADZC51O6tQB
346Please respect copyright.PENANAHUyoaVrhkv
"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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAIGx3VudQmY
346Please respect copyright.PENANAVXeXBcMVMU
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.346Please respect copyright.PENANA03QLp7ne72
346Please respect copyright.PENANAvCUKceac9w
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANA193KzBMC1D
346Please respect copyright.PENANASJVJLlctVD
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANADo14reN2f2
346Please respect copyright.PENANATJ5wNu0lIQ
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.346Please respect copyright.PENANAwftihYTYQL
346Please respect copyright.PENANAw1FtcLvuzK
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAkf1yiwbmvg
346Please respect copyright.PENANAGF6lEAGpPv
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAr85mn4Tyrp
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzYIIKurjNL
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAHHCW8C8mk5
346Please respect copyright.PENANA7AeBJji1Tj
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.346Please respect copyright.PENANAwEkoPzLVNm
346Please respect copyright.PENANACTlyMFYIov
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAnmtKGRDvD1
346Please respect copyright.PENANAUpuzmX1WSy
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.346Please respect copyright.PENANALfoxvfMFoF
346Please respect copyright.PENANApscu07grDg
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAjf0CQdLAje
346Please respect copyright.PENANADlNzTIW950
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.346Please respect copyright.PENANAdVgvlIGFVK
346Please respect copyright.PENANAML0rrOe2a7
"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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA0v8t2OFP24
346Please respect copyright.PENANAHh9kR4oxf6
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANA4xZsaFvWro
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIMYmqQoore
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:346Please respect copyright.PENANAdXTlAAZJk3
346Please respect copyright.PENANAhZktOZTuPf
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAGiNkY1VpdB
346Please respect copyright.PENANAzuVaxrDJXY
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."346Please respect copyright.PENANAq8AJnhMB4R
346Please respect copyright.PENANAM5Wi9Hvd33
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.346Please respect copyright.PENANAL3ZXmxJpat
346Please respect copyright.PENANAg8NgfSEl9R
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."346Please respect copyright.PENANAg4yi9H7TDA
346Please respect copyright.PENANADb41aTpnWH
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."346Please respect copyright.PENANAOGXmd9r54h
346Please respect copyright.PENANAy2vVO59uOy
***346Please respect copyright.PENANA8fkmtcoaBp
346Please respect copyright.PENANAPcYK5y09ar
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAIZZUI2vAFj
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFgOxloBAyM
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.346Please respect copyright.PENANAgM2Q20nleR
346Please respect copyright.PENANAezHyhYvuKD
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.346Please respect copyright.PENANAnJV0mAmr3y
346Please respect copyright.PENANAcqjv7b7XYR
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.346Please respect copyright.PENANAathrGUaS6T
346Please respect copyright.PENANAPZYnEQXTgM
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANArISJlF79Sd
346Please respect copyright.PENANA5Jnx1RZjWG
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.346Please respect copyright.PENANAuX0mkf089n
346Please respect copyright.PENANANlOrN0DBB7
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.346Please respect copyright.PENANApv94vlqU4R
346Please respect copyright.PENANAoRn8VoguTA
"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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAhC9k9TtAW4
346Please respect copyright.PENANAkFIKIHxZiB
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."346Please respect copyright.PENANARDhk2DQSrr
346Please respect copyright.PENANA9wjnePmF46
"Really?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAMRWeAhYqq5
346Please respect copyright.PENANA7JibEHzi3e
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.346Please respect copyright.PENANAUONqZSiwst
346Please respect copyright.PENANAdBf0THYJ0H
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."346Please respect copyright.PENANASRK1o392vi
346Please respect copyright.PENANADr056MgUu9
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.346Please respect copyright.PENANAVuW1UxIVZm
346Please respect copyright.PENANAFHs6j2Ql8V
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKNV4DU23Li
346Please respect copyright.PENANAXfBIPGID8Y
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAzZYJAgIFOv
346Please respect copyright.PENANAI11cmnxMgU
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKeiZQYWFsp
346Please respect copyright.PENANACWkw8pmYIQ
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAgEhbQDUDqJ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAn94riEECeu
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANATcT1kqPLrT
346Please respect copyright.PENANAqnjVBzxiWp
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA39AosBUDb9
346Please respect copyright.PENANA6WWSTGVjag
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.346Please respect copyright.PENANAAZIXjBmmGK
346Please respect copyright.PENANApnvD6SLliX
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA5nVAC3fCsQ
346Please respect copyright.PENANAKFpOj34mpE
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.346Please respect copyright.PENANAZcIRCcOfbt
346Please respect copyright.PENANAnNUCmpGqTg
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.346Please respect copyright.PENANAcFAzTVi4Qm
346Please respect copyright.PENANAcdxj0gejKM
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAQJgWWQvdbV
346Please respect copyright.PENANAh4ShoWsJvz
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.346Please respect copyright.PENANAtig5dNbxnp
346Please respect copyright.PENANAEpZNsl5gHI
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.346Please respect copyright.PENANAOX1IY5jpnG
346Please respect copyright.PENANAiP62g88PAd
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAyD8rT9anWR
346Please respect copyright.PENANAjwcTcXwDhD
"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?"346Please respect copyright.PENANA8mhZkl1CAd
346Please respect copyright.PENANAZ7ZvBx8bRZ
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.346Please respect copyright.PENANARyf2UTc1q0
346Please respect copyright.PENANA97Svz3V13W
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.346Please respect copyright.PENANA1stHhUb4hA
346Please respect copyright.PENANAhHah6nF1rC
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAY50KzkJQaN
346Please respect copyright.PENANAAMHwiTkaI6
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA2E5RwLGitg
346Please respect copyright.PENANAknSjD87R03
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.346Please respect copyright.PENANAJbel5HKPQE
346Please respect copyright.PENANA9PHDM5gXmO
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.346Please respect copyright.PENANAewN2ADw3sk
346Please respect copyright.PENANA0WiyLJzcga
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"346Please respect copyright.PENANASJxtmGqRSp
346Please respect copyright.PENANAEfHk5Shgk9
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.346Please respect copyright.PENANA6GST78KMwI
346Please respect copyright.PENANAR0gAr2ggU1
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA1rAb0UGk76
346Please respect copyright.PENANAAEgscBsRfr
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.346Please respect copyright.PENANAXn5JoBbXyD
346Please respect copyright.PENANAe6Bw5gQ7UB
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAUhRPUGiCj4
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIx7FCfKFmE
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."346Please respect copyright.PENANAXonK76Xrng
346Please respect copyright.PENANAxeSTy5Eol8
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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAznT0xVmV0P
346Please respect copyright.PENANAVUlHtvowUD
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAiFSq4X336t
346Please respect copyright.PENANAPAffnJGG77
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."346Please respect copyright.PENANAWYimQVrbXD
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmsiRx3nLc2
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."346Please respect copyright.PENANA95gexvnKVt
346Please respect copyright.PENANAoSUi3OuHT1
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANA3rsJKHBrC1
346Please respect copyright.PENANAIdeTE8zCtV
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.346Please respect copyright.PENANAP52FrIu0Qh
346Please respect copyright.PENANAkT5MTsh2PD
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.346Please respect copyright.PENANAawLdxoZDTe
346Please respect copyright.PENANAG0IEdgB8cq
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"346Please respect copyright.PENANADgfdDnydz6
346Please respect copyright.PENANAldK4rgFu10
"Oh..., nothing really."346Please respect copyright.PENANAHyYRg96ccU
346Please respect copyright.PENANA2PjQQINVlr
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."346Please respect copyright.PENANAgdV07HVdhg
346Please respect copyright.PENANAtpQN6orvin
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAkZk2GdZm4R
346Please respect copyright.PENANAueJJuSD8sQ
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."346Please respect copyright.PENANAtyzxiK56LM
346Please respect copyright.PENANAjChhRKb14o
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."346Please respect copyright.PENANAWSnl97sIft
346Please respect copyright.PENANAHJZAWIEZsh
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."346Please respect copyright.PENANAPIP1rEOOf2
346Please respect copyright.PENANAws39jEUZZT
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"346Please respect copyright.PENANAdOSi9LFMUI
346Please respect copyright.PENANASSPSmL7jrU
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."346Please respect copyright.PENANAHLuLvGxn9l
346Please respect copyright.PENANAYwTgXQMPd5
"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."346Please respect copyright.PENANAnjXSF1g1sG
346Please respect copyright.PENANAMOG4S3OH3Y
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.346Please respect copyright.PENANABKmhxJrkh9
346Please respect copyright.PENANAmShCMMo4VI
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."346Please respect copyright.PENANA3UW9oJe7E7
346Please respect copyright.PENANAKU1Vw1DT9S
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAKrF9sZjZfe
346Please respect copyright.PENANAM370tmudOI
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? 346Please respect copyright.PENANAy3m15tuyqq
346Please respect copyright.PENANA3Kq2acLin2
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAMGOu4oU1of
346Please respect copyright.PENANAwPZzQBTDAB
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.346Please respect copyright.PENANANHB20nSnin
346Please respect copyright.PENANAMMUQJnDgQQ
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."346Please respect copyright.PENANA0cgo6nZbVV
346Please respect copyright.PENANAADFsuLXr16
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.346Please respect copyright.PENANAPjoShQMovA
346Please respect copyright.PENANA7BvMxjYIyi
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."346Please respect copyright.PENANAx3asEEC59L
346Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZDwgkJGka
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.346Please respect copyright.PENANAF5VwQ8Emvk
346Please respect copyright.PENANAleIbRtSZM6
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.346Please respect copyright.PENANApFl4Fhc16X