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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAxwqeDHkHEC
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtFty5L1cvn
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.651Please respect copyright.PENANAdpOhNHKv2n
651Please respect copyright.PENANAP2gGkf7e44
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.651Please respect copyright.PENANAEY5pCJ7TCy
651Please respect copyright.PENANAwMlQFTq6fe
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAr52fUc6pOH
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkjL1C7pVGn
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.651Please respect copyright.PENANANTDeZC7bAJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAu27sYnDo5H
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAonNsXrLRyX
651Please respect copyright.PENANAgho2oZRwMn
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."651Please respect copyright.PENANAGcbGc5w9iD
651Please respect copyright.PENANAIrWAY9XX5g
"What kind of trouble?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAi9F3u3QhTI
651Please respect copyright.PENANALttNxoPBOv
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAnsjhiZvbmY
651Please respect copyright.PENANAirXwNaZBi0
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.651Please respect copyright.PENANAWaDYShBptG
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkkVxxdfqnv
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."651Please respect copyright.PENANAuoghZHEEqf
651Please respect copyright.PENANADQZ7tNG09E
"That's good. She needs to rest."651Please respect copyright.PENANAGmIi9qqcQK
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtmSmdazb2b
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAE1ukxUjEKX
651Please respect copyright.PENANA3n5CSOyAK3
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."651Please respect copyright.PENANACRtDeQAd54
651Please respect copyright.PENANAXcViq1DC94
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAYWZ96pbr3V
651Please respect copyright.PENANAhWTYhfMdDL
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."651Please respect copyright.PENANAHKOiHM7O5D
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcac9jGTYat
"Ya, sure."651Please respect copyright.PENANAeGlcOq9nwS
651Please respect copyright.PENANA74ybbsarBI
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA8Fpym4886U
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkZU6etb5J4
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANANwLSZ5n8ln
651Please respect copyright.PENANAPs3Ezc7D0c
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.651Please respect copyright.PENANAWzPUZYuDeJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAMRgNyh6qHa
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAFKGSps01a9
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqgkq1WdhJP
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAtfUQ62eNNk
651Please respect copyright.PENANA5GhW6tOkq2
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."651Please respect copyright.PENANAoofrldcQkb
651Please respect copyright.PENANAklAPyWlIOG
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAjzYvLIh4yu
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqchKZJNqFD
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAaATrWwJAWW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAvdAiwk4vqP
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."651Please respect copyright.PENANAvpcvG2P2ya
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHXoGpAMsuW
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."651Please respect copyright.PENANADhONtQkjb6
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHEJAJbCUzN
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."651Please respect copyright.PENANAU3NcWBYkdV
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHRoZIIfxxU
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."651Please respect copyright.PENANADuD9RCY1eJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANA9UjvQkYJeX
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.651Please respect copyright.PENANAya6qjte0Po
651Please respect copyright.PENANASniNvPpYy7
"What did you say?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAiFO1e7O36q
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0mUh9Jhi6K
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."651Please respect copyright.PENANAiv2gfFEd07
651Please respect copyright.PENANATLJqn4GTru
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."651Please respect copyright.PENANAIdFpkkeZft
651Please respect copyright.PENANA93eG9XafEQ
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAXjZ6clBdkY
651Please respect copyright.PENANAsSnQhrXXWD
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."651Please respect copyright.PENANAaQbr6gjWaq
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYskGsI9vZo
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAi7P29ydTxd
651Please respect copyright.PENANAyokqBBX8Cw
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAkrMekD3DLU
651Please respect copyright.PENANA46uQlH4w3S
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANACYbeYTUkme
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYfbZsnKB4U
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."651Please respect copyright.PENANA3Co0oanLQn
651Please respect copyright.PENANAJCMTxjTlye
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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAF2cZN3bByh
651Please respect copyright.PENANA9jWoQLGiL6
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.651Please respect copyright.PENANAdcaV9e1ca9
651Please respect copyright.PENANAIy4a3sd6yq
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAujeDsp7bAt
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtwOrc1OXQ8
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAB2FumUyu96
651Please respect copyright.PENANAozaQADRxZy
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAXXp5rslClY
651Please respect copyright.PENANA8WB3due4vo
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAYDBou3Y4oU
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcF5HoPwTjt
***651Please respect copyright.PENANA8kWSu3ZXOa
651Please respect copyright.PENANApoCQ8CNqmx
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.651Please respect copyright.PENANAb1NmAWJshh
651Please respect copyright.PENANAf3kDi9KFVg
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.651Please respect copyright.PENANA4zFSFXKGHG
651Please respect copyright.PENANA83A0eM5dRY
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.651Please respect copyright.PENANABeZSB1mHoc
651Please respect copyright.PENANAXykDy726yc
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAOkPuuMHI1H
651Please respect copyright.PENANAF6SrDEEvh4
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.651Please respect copyright.PENANAWdNtASdbIY
651Please respect copyright.PENANASeUcPgCRCl
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA6uKPWDopXV
651Please respect copyright.PENANAEjkBxix8VN
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAtGEOIfQ8yC
651Please respect copyright.PENANAKdAO3iO31Y
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAD3A99kSh3p
651Please respect copyright.PENANA7GPIWSfwMT
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.651Please respect copyright.PENANA1HUXdkUmu6
651Please respect copyright.PENANAQkv9MjiGkU
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."651Please respect copyright.PENANAPdPKBmcvP0
651Please respect copyright.PENANAwsxJkmQDvR
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAW3Cy48wfZ8
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHUzf2YgaK1
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."651Please respect copyright.PENANAq1cd58dL3u
651Please respect copyright.PENANALjULm0yWL3
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANAWwqssDBunh
651Please respect copyright.PENANAmOFkyTadj5
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAssMDmsDz8u
651Please respect copyright.PENANA3Kiya0sl6F
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAP4Ww6GTtZE
651Please respect copyright.PENANAxuxiuS5lSj
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.651Please respect copyright.PENANAERTPqbYvdv
651Please respect copyright.PENANATezP2ak5uy
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."651Please respect copyright.PENANAgGNfHUEQIV
651Please respect copyright.PENANAREuupxYS8E
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.651Please respect copyright.PENANABSglZLtace
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtmJmmB67Vw
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANA7uIRu5CCin
651Please respect copyright.PENANAsmokfqvOI6
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAamurVayncQ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYNqO4jdgeN
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAX7uu7hIffx
651Please respect copyright.PENANAu3XKHSF5zM
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."651Please respect copyright.PENANArwvgsJgBac
651Please respect copyright.PENANASPBqHuYyIg
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.651Please respect copyright.PENANAFQhI6pnzKW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAaPNPPxjzQs
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAhc0fhwAKmo
651Please respect copyright.PENANA3AIrspxOJS
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAK42P0IOHil
651Please respect copyright.PENANAweAOXp6DWL
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."651Please respect copyright.PENANAsCn7blVmh1
651Please respect copyright.PENANATGJ2YsPzHW
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAAwh9DElj67
651Please respect copyright.PENANAVwJx9ok3yo
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA2RKy7cAyMN
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkDe5N6hTPc
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.651Please respect copyright.PENANAEDW9mGGCdR
651Please respect copyright.PENANAKGUiBt8tf5
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANAbh0Prh3clK
651Please respect copyright.PENANAUmMnIVAWto
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAgXIsuXwH7C
651Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4Z73BWdkC
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAEmGzoWKp7U
651Please respect copyright.PENANAuM12bGblnB
"Do you think she's killed before?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAQcG4XBueBK
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYwtddpqVpY
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAlOMUAYbbac
651Please respect copyright.PENANA078KRLAbAq
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.651Please respect copyright.PENANAnoyNNjMyYC
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0BMNTmXucB
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAswQx4VuWEW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAPtpfxSk3DW
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAGPoLiVHYDY
651Please respect copyright.PENANAt6UnHKmf0H
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAu94Gr0BwNx
651Please respect copyright.PENANAMMoWeI0yDb
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANABzFVlosSbF
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0OIjVf0L1J
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANA5f4DQ4acii
651Please respect copyright.PENANAWDFbj9XjmR
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANAk1LUEeU9e0
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYQrt2iJAuD
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.651Please respect copyright.PENANAvR86uo3iM0
651Please respect copyright.PENANAY0G5ZD6yEY
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."651Please respect copyright.PENANAOms40hVzum
651Please respect copyright.PENANAXTRES8Lphk
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANA232Cqq711W
651Please respect copyright.PENANAdN2PPc7s8E
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.651Please respect copyright.PENANA2TF2XM6MQe
651Please respect copyright.PENANA29ptUEmmt8
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.651Please respect copyright.PENANAuA69at6yDj
651Please respect copyright.PENANA4QQfHdCiJj
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."651Please respect copyright.PENANAGfz2cRMQ94
651Please respect copyright.PENANA5kln9TY2iP
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."651Please respect copyright.PENANAqOpBZMEckZ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqH2MGzEWTR
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.651Please respect copyright.PENANAjs8iwTws4G
651Please respect copyright.PENANAmYubQIHTWl
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."651Please respect copyright.PENANAuTGRheV3dL
651Please respect copyright.PENANANLTD9fCpgy
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANArsMjLl5Kdr
651Please respect copyright.PENANA4EmnwYsxjm
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"651Please respect copyright.PENANA43rVpxaoKN
651Please respect copyright.PENANAosLkeGMBdH
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 651Please respect copyright.PENANAubLDEfCf6U
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcTJekghW3O
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.651Please respect copyright.PENANAZX1BdVy1VX
651Please respect copyright.PENANAPtUR5neeTA
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.651Please respect copyright.PENANArQzW3yPB81
651Please respect copyright.PENANA4lWVVRlEjv
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANA0cxxs3c8yf
651Please respect copyright.PENANAEV0ODHnS8m
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAnhVDzm8cnF
651Please respect copyright.PENANABhodD47c2J
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."651Please respect copyright.PENANA25hdlOKZfa
651Please respect copyright.PENANA69tbtBQsBm
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAm6q37jXusn
651Please respect copyright.PENANArDVhbJ71ix
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.651Please respect copyright.PENANA9LZi0lURSC
651Please respect copyright.PENANAKcLfB50j8z
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAPL7bnNWTGf
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYBKumkvpqX
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.651Please respect copyright.PENANAEQRozlREIh
651Please respect copyright.PENANAS5kAavO46Y
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."651Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ajc4IzyLI
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkTPdLxwezc
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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANADPuEQbKCf6
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0a1isFk7O8
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAcMox10y4qg
651Please respect copyright.PENANAw5lNECWyVg
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."651Please respect copyright.PENANAPiJ8gLGuJX
651Please respect copyright.PENANApPfLt4yLxo
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAd4U3Ygc9kd
651Please respect copyright.PENANAz3p9ObWjI8
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.651Please respect copyright.PENANAtBguFdA5GM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAyqOFep3mxW
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.651Please respect copyright.PENANAJC1nmpYqAX
651Please respect copyright.PENANA9VAiasYwmV
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAoA90nANRMz
651Please respect copyright.PENANAlgeVLfLpRp
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.651Please respect copyright.PENANAxt0DgOar1m
651Please respect copyright.PENANAmWtDBf6EOt
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."651Please respect copyright.PENANAbPmLwRvoQl
651Please respect copyright.PENANAYMBPrNPIl8
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANApSkdVM84QK
651Please respect copyright.PENANAzc7RCMojHZ
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.651Please respect copyright.PENANAqLMOByBiqj
651Please respect copyright.PENANAovJEKC0IMN
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."651Please respect copyright.PENANAwnRuuaV0EX
651Please respect copyright.PENANAIpUGiBYlcJ
"We will," said Kevin.651Please respect copyright.PENANA1ncIT5mFhf
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqzeWtAmrkY
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANALykqDxLTEe
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtFhj7cvYhE
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAudLC7YVL7y
651Please respect copyright.PENANA6454P3IQKp
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."651Please respect copyright.PENANAHsvWT3PK5p
651Please respect copyright.PENANAhskIs7LyJv
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.651Please respect copyright.PENANA24veHnjwGv
651Please respect copyright.PENANAh0XwDOlVhY
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAqi3n3aPzr2
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkQcif4VmdH
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:651Please respect copyright.PENANABzwBc6EyJ6
651Please respect copyright.PENANApukWICGmXs
"Rhénee, wait!"651Please respect copyright.PENANA2sqDEBc4TV
651Please respect copyright.PENANAVpiJin5Iye
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAqfqfEvEGYP
651Please respect copyright.PENANA8405slVJzx
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAoeHJVTLN3O
651Please respect copyright.PENANAWkXplJLvc4
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.651Please respect copyright.PENANAUrT6RoijE1
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqoAzN9oBlE
"I'm tired."651Please respect copyright.PENANAel49Rshevp
651Please respect copyright.PENANASDWjK08zJZ
"Really? I don't think that's it."651Please respect copyright.PENANA20uTtCNfYr
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0vhjtrOTM1
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAjuBNxwJ0WR
651Please respect copyright.PENANA7nmFXdiwCj
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"651Please respect copyright.PENANAWbE1O4uF5m
651Please respect copyright.PENANAECRhXa8lqN
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAfFYR5lAWMB
651Please respect copyright.PENANActgcyeDG6W
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA65K0tZdbRH
651Please respect copyright.PENANAnWXD9uqBM7
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANA9zFAW9C7Mm
651Please respect copyright.PENANAV4rRvNGvhN
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAQwZAuiKlCS
651Please respect copyright.PENANA38blcgN3I3
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAApLqcthQqK
651Please respect copyright.PENANADluPUZsuom
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAbxaL7sjEy6
651Please respect copyright.PENANAQHzE4DehgK
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.651Please respect copyright.PENANAqUQrLfyPvB
651Please respect copyright.PENANAaLKkjo2MiO
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANA6OBzeTgud7
651Please respect copyright.PENANAjvS9Nai7kx
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAkfactfg0bE
651Please respect copyright.PENANAaN0QGatqnT
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."651Please respect copyright.PENANAaelIUYxI0U
651Please respect copyright.PENANAvrj1MJEyxn
"Good. Let's go."651Please respect copyright.PENANAQY9RrKZAUM
651Please respect copyright.PENANABwQgPuPQjq
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:651Please respect copyright.PENANAvvMwczkr8P
651Please respect copyright.PENANAB4cBXEBBi7
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."651Please respect copyright.PENANAPLGBQGPvr2
651Please respect copyright.PENANAU1OSK0ljGQ
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."651Please respect copyright.PENANAfB3AIzD6lF
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkbSxDgOHGP
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAZJF3lB1JoW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAOTSf8VbSeO
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."651Please respect copyright.PENANA7AnFzN1Cop
651Please respect copyright.PENANAH7N7qxKAA9
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.651Please respect copyright.PENANAlp7aKAD0Jl
651Please respect copyright.PENANAvKN6fmkKpP
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."651Please respect copyright.PENANAunvTdhrw4q
651Please respect copyright.PENANAR498ZtKM6v
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.651Please respect copyright.PENANA4faUjETcxM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAwNN1YXCpg5
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.651Please respect copyright.PENANAcildcMscbW
651Please respect copyright.PENANALLq1TR02cQ
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAUKSbFwwqGn
651Please respect copyright.PENANAjmut03h3Q6
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."651Please respect copyright.PENANAUNdkpvvGRE
651Please respect copyright.PENANAmcvXIIAYPL
"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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAUKXJWsEJfJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAiXO12XiMwt
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAPMKktosweV
651Please respect copyright.PENANA278Xy2VHex
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.651Please respect copyright.PENANAw30CjKJ0TQ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAxBIwsLG5Ae
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.651Please respect copyright.PENANA2TNsMK1Jsw
651Please respect copyright.PENANAwUhaW0LXXp
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAMf3PopIdNY
651Please respect copyright.PENANA0WEs05OhhW
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.651Please respect copyright.PENANAvJMTlpCqgX
651Please respect copyright.PENANAlU1gJpHIeD
"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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAkBVNvhifTY
651Please respect copyright.PENANAazRVzvN3gx
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.651Please respect copyright.PENANAZJC7OGKfZo
651Please respect copyright.PENANABrRfGWrsdu
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANA6mXD4MLRa9
651Please respect copyright.PENANAc55syg8iAp
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAfzqVTiD8to
651Please respect copyright.PENANAbfJxTHu9hJ
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.651Please respect copyright.PENANAbX7aKzUkgf
651Please respect copyright.PENANAzQXa3JJM2N
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAfRwypLArOa
651Please respect copyright.PENANA6ILETrcyCA
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAcdQHH16REX
651Please respect copyright.PENANA5x8aJ37Xjy
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAdu2BsWZWMZ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAbQlUWOd0lY
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.651Please respect copyright.PENANAhaVErkyFJ0
651Please respect copyright.PENANAveNSGkOZaC
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAKPZJCAOl69
651Please respect copyright.PENANAOdxOdCngP4
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.651Please respect copyright.PENANA4dGbELkBTT
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqBARErmf20
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAAy9N56ZSxs
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtulDbd0htV
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.651Please respect copyright.PENANAYbuwRf6kA9
651Please respect copyright.PENANAxI90w64axQ
"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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAEcx6B1PvKW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAzCAzDY0yDm
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAvZigU3GlgM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAAlLsieeqAg
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:651Please respect copyright.PENANA5yOEh2vsVO
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHmGkMDSZ5d
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAPaAUSpEhwl
651Please respect copyright.PENANAosbh1k0EHS
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."651Please respect copyright.PENANAPHYOBl1YXe
651Please respect copyright.PENANAY96kdgC1ki
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.651Please respect copyright.PENANASXH4okJwZJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANA3vPDkSGgEu
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."651Please respect copyright.PENANABRnxX5XEiA
651Please respect copyright.PENANAr1vz5HBv9b
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."651Please respect copyright.PENANAz9uE9auXxR
651Please respect copyright.PENANAB5RQDLadgf
***651Please respect copyright.PENANAsHHzaA0HaZ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAgTmeoPX7PA
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA3CVnkdP89C
651Please respect copyright.PENANAEXHeti1CDZ
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.651Please respect copyright.PENANA1PTFfGMGLv
651Please respect copyright.PENANARfQwrtETOa
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.651Please respect copyright.PENANALpeGEhYvCM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAMTX7BCusgv
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.651Please respect copyright.PENANADeyiOpKw3u
651Please respect copyright.PENANA4qpPCnw6gI
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAM0ZtIUddWU
651Please respect copyright.PENANAv91pnjCRPb
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.651Please respect copyright.PENANAZAq67lYwlv
651Please respect copyright.PENANADTEqncNN7L
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.651Please respect copyright.PENANAXShdx9mJm1
651Please respect copyright.PENANA17vwg8bnK4
"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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAkgLET3A00p
651Please respect copyright.PENANAl5bn2W2MUw
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."651Please respect copyright.PENANACoLinyb1wv
651Please respect copyright.PENANAC774tKtxEF
"Really?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAsyzLXgGPwm
651Please respect copyright.PENANAlq98slTXkO
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.651Please respect copyright.PENANAvBn7l0OgTb
651Please respect copyright.PENANAqteEZDWHDQ
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."651Please respect copyright.PENANAzzdLA55HHw
651Please respect copyright.PENANAb9KKXWyYbs
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.651Please respect copyright.PENANAB3XIdLT4xF
651Please respect copyright.PENANAXVSQ7Iwbmv
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAWX3hUPeCOh
651Please respect copyright.PENANATtIai68yVl
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAXiyoTEQ6FJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANACBRVWKBdQ6
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANApI4s1bhEGh
651Please respect copyright.PENANAeKdSM2BJtv
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAaCpdtQUzX2
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtsFFqeybbB
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAyJf1C02LwT
651Please respect copyright.PENANA9BQQgfmjFD
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAz0Fu2ry2Az
651Please respect copyright.PENANAe0hwYagiqx
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.651Please respect copyright.PENANAJMnufk6aei
651Please respect copyright.PENANAb2hT9SuTmW
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"651Please respect copyright.PENANASgqztG7gMR
651Please respect copyright.PENANApSDTUlMRUE
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.651Please respect copyright.PENANAV5Ie4vVRfw
651Please respect copyright.PENANA03ab8DYRer
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.651Please respect copyright.PENANArnCrdplzJw
651Please respect copyright.PENANAU1TwnUilBA
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANABkSXnyTuP0
651Please respect copyright.PENANA7ILXQz8S4U
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.651Please respect copyright.PENANAO4dFjpk0Mr
651Please respect copyright.PENANAkRYwmsnDJF
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.651Please respect copyright.PENANAfEQiARNEVg
651Please respect copyright.PENANAgXHYBSWVqQ
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAH8GRPVZpld
651Please respect copyright.PENANARVQX2ye0PS
"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?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAC6JQEpToqL
651Please respect copyright.PENANAPaitOfeRSG
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.651Please respect copyright.PENANAXe4JBTbVSi
651Please respect copyright.PENANA5YbBF8A8XO
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.651Please respect copyright.PENANALcxG1TtR5X
651Please respect copyright.PENANAIbXtw5iwDJ
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANADI87KQMbht
651Please respect copyright.PENANAKNT5KZ6iUl
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAw3yjj6YdoK
651Please respect copyright.PENANA5NW3swhysB
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.651Please respect copyright.PENANA3txvEDQtqZ
651Please respect copyright.PENANACWxlCvfxre
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.651Please respect copyright.PENANAvd5Xm1ntqW
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcqYzj2Xkjc
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAL0xqknJ0bI
651Please respect copyright.PENANAbEFm8Z7J2r
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.651Please respect copyright.PENANADoH3csqx4B
651Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ8aE2fA6i
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANABTYuaRYL0o
651Please respect copyright.PENANAXcJ9kqAIOK
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.651Please respect copyright.PENANAdgUAtOsuH9
651Please respect copyright.PENANAnNZljvrP5C
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAWQdzan000L
651Please respect copyright.PENANAQYajirCprg
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."651Please respect copyright.PENANA7lTxLqQQkY
651Please respect copyright.PENANAt0mozsm7r0
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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAGQpa29Wfqt
651Please respect copyright.PENANAvMzEaFzkDL
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANANhY3b6lopL
651Please respect copyright.PENANAMqa3BksNvW
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."651Please respect copyright.PENANAgMoTyICeyM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAObqqy2Dsh4
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."651Please respect copyright.PENANA9Qj4aBENyl
651Please respect copyright.PENANALmcjSdcVd0
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAN2S79IBsnN
651Please respect copyright.PENANAHiR1FUP1f9
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.651Please respect copyright.PENANAetPglKEcnj
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcgraVqIqrA
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.651Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8Ufpf6ZVs
651Please respect copyright.PENANAtUvqZZEe26
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAJn2BuXMTwV
651Please respect copyright.PENANAZscTUti4x7
"Oh..., nothing really."651Please respect copyright.PENANAIgH6HVjcFo
651Please respect copyright.PENANAMKFsjfGo5T
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."651Please respect copyright.PENANAqds3nHN5TM
651Please respect copyright.PENANAQSFBmWnJt6
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAcD8gc216fr
651Please respect copyright.PENANA2A3nuJ1vY4
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."651Please respect copyright.PENANAIZ1OwraNey
651Please respect copyright.PENANAV1DHFLnm1G
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."651Please respect copyright.PENANA1bL7VxdqQx
651Please respect copyright.PENANAyNPvkfWru6
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."651Please respect copyright.PENANAgHpG1zryhl
651Please respect copyright.PENANAllbVY3O9ss
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"651Please respect copyright.PENANAosWW36hx5v
651Please respect copyright.PENANAcHu9fgp06k
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."651Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9iNLFF3WH
651Please respect copyright.PENANA2Asaf24UUL
"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."651Please respect copyright.PENANAKDyuIq8Q8R
651Please respect copyright.PENANA8Q3wf4Jz9u
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.651Please respect copyright.PENANAjKfYrZiKSC
651Please respect copyright.PENANAKchGw7TF6a
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."651Please respect copyright.PENANAULMV8lIPEd
651Please respect copyright.PENANAL62LOodACi
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA6AijtkaZa4
651Please respect copyright.PENANAR3ladfdbGL
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? 651Please respect copyright.PENANAAUm8WfkCvU
651Please respect copyright.PENANA40pWAneC9C
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANAoJyCnRMXic
651Please respect copyright.PENANAJXvUTSJWwT
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.651Please respect copyright.PENANAwL56AG2xnJ
651Please respect copyright.PENANAN7pGWtd8Ff
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."651Please respect copyright.PENANAfbSCsFcTDA
651Please respect copyright.PENANAVvq3h8jERe
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.651Please respect copyright.PENANAAiljK9cFW6
651Please respect copyright.PENANAlhPxFc3QU9
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."651Please respect copyright.PENANAb7HG7Hie8l
651Please respect copyright.PENANAh9uSA7Db00
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.651Please respect copyright.PENANA2OH7V1x3Ro
651Please respect copyright.PENANAhQFPVWMWxG
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.651Please respect copyright.PENANAodNZr0531A