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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7DH0mVHOE
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsReIOmEdj
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetP9ppdg6m
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlHiLmRMPs
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdxRVvgQEa
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpSN0nduWP
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGJoH9OETo
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ1e0rlsq7
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlsgfQTml2
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1FJlt17aO
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhxe3LsH08
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCzvk49b5N
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLefbUGFmr1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmm1j728MV
"What kind of trouble?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPe3TQVDUJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50gFaJvbUM
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡer0rjahbji
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH3bXCQ8w4
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡltYuiAV6N1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXR1fFmBR0
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCx6bg2XBj
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dkKf17B1S
"That's good. She needs to rest."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5MU4TKRrJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUtQUX3i6u
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhOeWZaiGk
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOHeTrZD47
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OGOsMYqzJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFzTNkPjs6
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPDzqznyLm
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2KvtuhJsF
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZg6nBv57PF
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1mHX21DDI
"Ya, sure."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYrsIqYuiQ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeeQ3fWSuk
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8u2Bd3GpXu
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCKiJeLLQr
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFgZCvr74j
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCFL8Ckj2c
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFEy3z4hWq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowX0annJOp
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgeJj7ffUi4
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJAl3wm9zI
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTHCVsRqtX
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnlbizVkdtX
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3igJuXEBq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp748WwNXZe
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqACHxUc086
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EGg4A5LUC
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1OSb66MmPl
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGHmKbiUr5
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttkY5bBnxm
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn1ZfZTRYQ
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymUul1Y6QK
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4P7QuJ4yh
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyeGhck2Nb
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0xgdPjr3l
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0Et38L9xO
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZNkoc9bAD
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmpqP4O37D
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7gmOiez7gC
"What did you say?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5abeoDI9U
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡez8JolDw2H
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6F5GZqw8BG
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0i5bKq4Qvs
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7HUb5af7f
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJr66p5pzR
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgLHAbsdGO
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA2j10nBic
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqeS2Nb3XP
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiV1d216sV
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6GmcEeXo2
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuNgmu3sPs
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLms1WCQr
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTL3Gd3NY5
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt92RFAZM6
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuwzvNRwiwq
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWpDQTxyzB
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYEcAkexF2
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?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjRYywFiO1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3j1Ty7mDQ
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qZLh1QB1s
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu1DdQVduCa
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3ncrClZKw
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPn5iKDznb
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6PnjaQ7o1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx4hiKFXFA6
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu15eQYdxg
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1gFgmiEqn
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulsvfj8vaE
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEl9y7w2nf
***585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLr9iqNpTf
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKPszGOZLZ
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNdj8mni6n
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdNxdOTD6S
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyyz0RFPzi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRt5apMgCTE
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwg8SwdWqfV
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2mdwJlN9L
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXlBqCXGw3
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKCNbiKXNa
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFPrGHEz6u
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkRZmVc49vh
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5twwuq6dn
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4stiqtBF9e
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPn1Ocetah
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Q9NyJmIOT
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjcwUNmanJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ANqWZF3DG
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdABAFOF88C
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqE7VWomMG
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT7Bhh89Eq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB09CfW0E2j
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCILmXgFCf9
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj156ZwfM6G
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiapNADq1W3
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhMoMaPGbF
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0s2X1m7yNZ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsfaODIV36
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UTaC3q31J
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWd2C4Eyis
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTs26tFWvO3
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7GYcaTPkg
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiWU6t8ngB
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHJYfrJJDo
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Cn6Na6Spi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRbfeJh63I
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrgV5YUQGp
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fHeJJVkL6
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQUQJoPrBh
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTq8P9PsiCM
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTff3K7x4aq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLTEeVi3L5
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0RaVPWjeW
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cDVyd5Naj
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqaBr0bXl1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIPF2W9q94
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwsAE8aqbWP
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKqCo0s2Uy
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnw4FISpv9P
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTHYUFc0Go
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvaEefdGYN
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsArsgzxGE
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTyrNiv4ma
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHwlGU2sgl
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsYlv3Hghm
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84UtRPQOh5
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9rc6odMJ0b
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpAFBG6jKxn
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinpNqlMHPa
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCUaRrMpKf
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7mz4JFf4H
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhOufey4ONZ
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRDfiV3Umt
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQWs3fMqM7
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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35Z7Wm2Qdh
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SuJ18Mm3p
"Do you think she's killed before?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazguH0y4jJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqibHhATW1B
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJe5r2EqIg
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkek7CLiVv
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNmAJ4daea
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1V588fpO1N
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zWWTittEd
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTcGfAt34M
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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevC2XXZ3r1
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGzSbkYjXx
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJwPsJ10ov
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq65hblFjUA
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCVkAL87fT
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAENHUcVCTV
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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoX5p8O3s8C
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Z9CbNn9Bp
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKeEnUTTM0
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjeL1L0rkW
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhBHDOVOp2
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhObJyODcoH
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwBc07ogW8
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4GdQi752sh
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8oCrv8DKuV
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5f4h6fUqq
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasNCZ7BE4L
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoTqhsK4D5
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCJEZQXmTP
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ9Jdb13ndC
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhOXinMphS
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KVlO6jbsf
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaPbsQ7jnm
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHxD3ogAYP
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjkEGU8c0Q
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJgCOaKjzu
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7Mw3m1KCF
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUMRKMDrWN
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78Y2XOMVaq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjdekKa7xO
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVZUebwHPS
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqY9LLjjgL
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tmosS1nJj
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQ86LhtzUI
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurOP7cIDok
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHB4GzGewhx
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkH3bvIolAI
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwsPaI4zLQ
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3O4FWu4P3
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcoq6ebMEI
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLcAQXeH9z
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrKSkYmhP5
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1bz4A6Jtd
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe7BTP2gYm
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ILLuAefKx
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbTpVJfy2I
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz6FCK2Pvi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifR184U4pg
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpK1LuY8z9
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzAjI4rsK6
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2UBN77MKj
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgI91s3RXq4
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtzDoX3Yuf
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7BGi0GC0X
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?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGiUAHezy4
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsfftwj8HH
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrQdmeoKq2
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzjh3UMIZ3
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGRGanQu1D
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvKlkozv54
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvAzkyMD9g
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhkE1QELUQ8
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdE0B1zA8il
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5J3xn7HmnU
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsYEwaeLXC6
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZuaQd5mytH
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIz1kkbyJy
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHYkvUdcma
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyKgZ1gvFH
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkICgBHkNYt
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcktYuiSg2i
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfLLOMEpOQ
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2hoQq6yvi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLFDcOFBsJ
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZGzrJ0RPq
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESwpFKUkoo
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoPq1tLMhk
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdbwOdmfAQ
"We will," said Kevin.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFLDsYms7RQ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPysoLNcbO
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WUJjWtzqz
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOu6HTjcFB
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Pn60gkamc
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6HyPget8g
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDDF2vBBk5
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwZ0HretBw
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOmUmbzSj0
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXLVu6p1P2
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ve3xxuksR
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcSqYGARM7
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:585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0NfbM1ma0
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQbSnxZf4n
"Rhénee, wait!"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKFG3dvr79
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKA5KzJtxj
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7X9U6nbnU
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTvh2PSL1i
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOo07HRb4z
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡprPJ4Y9Erv
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqNacQseko
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFCnJRPAeU
"I'm tired."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUU12cxAc5
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCijXgHzUTj
"Really? I don't think that's it."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24IP8CTuoS
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILs8IqUiAI
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA6P3e4OUt
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZpk0ia5XQ
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEPWSUxMeA
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZENWt2ELI
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dtIb35BoX
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7quBoRiyG
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BjdGsFosh
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWUFbW7Nci
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JkpUCWjwX
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUKbiiUGH2
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZle10ICrJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC2xmTGwiG
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgBzS06GHp
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXFHcDaDOk
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhn5btvoKDw
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewZ6BUQk9t
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscf0AGFVgU
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSzsy8lUOF
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5lvmeWxKr
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1SVXeuPInm
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3DoHjOycJ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgwLhWPtPp
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFL3YyYGFb
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOw9Ad2oA4U
"Good. Let's go."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKLhRJ6BA6
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBD2RJK5wfo
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡttOXrXZ2Wi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJw9uVGf8g
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOI2LrVMdm
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjDikqXDVM
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTMcomWlox
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJRiWNoMe6
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyX5qQEypGF
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVveJN086Y
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uj7MmUGmZ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr14ZOSrap
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVo71QjHIC
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxaogjGALq
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPozKxzr1C
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBLYPKWAbN
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79LsMfhEsn
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLEfHXGCQ6y
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cbQHcVTja
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu2BmCSvFk
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LgroerOYZ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvp1hFvL0vl
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtosiThxGh
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhVTHuxUJq
"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?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqWXE5Fp6xg
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4MFIEmPD9X
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTjnNo1C9h
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPkwjogZll
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsbpioL06M
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5NPxYJkMq
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7FGVGhkXV
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGCA0fs44C
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K4hLpKFST
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡocPSvfFZ02
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvumy37Y3Oj
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yl6U2mKCp
"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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrV39eUu0jM
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8A7vqIVphy
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3PWohM8od
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEPggUoslZ
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBTn3PvwXo
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQvKMN2QiT0
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXaqcl5wla
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSYDhwwro3
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvmXKha7aA
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiiFYBGQ82m
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlixs0p62s
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukBAGWsiuD
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvoZzDOAPx
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmB199c6nBB
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppApiwyNbW
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMiCqEDgNR
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQV9AcANerr
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrD7marc92m
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fkIgHEZfU
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCULRwrWrk
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYwFGiWg9d
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwab6F77S4o
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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaC4xgEx20
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJgfYmjO13
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte2ZgYhrum
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFgWgiGwZO
"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?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6IfbPBcDi
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OlDWSZWlb
"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."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOIHEjOkoU
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOuJwDzRhj
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:585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExejOiDQ98
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHg9UBsU33
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEde6euHJPU
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtQvH4MfhI
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mMVkLwtcD
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhhaG021Kb4
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTHSRTLrkZ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8z6uPne1y4
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4fddSjGQQ
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx4u8fh2lp
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrQf5eyF9I
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxvbUMcvSo
***585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PVVJS95Qz
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLsREGzW7k
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoUDtnok50
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmSMpijszK
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F5Mhu6Kn4
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfk0cJ3OTsa
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrnBzC2PEc
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOMZmTP306
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOSsXsYCZy
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QCcJF4LDB
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJRfCOlaA7
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g9BvxrbTX
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSxvP83Ryx
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU8O5Ph1cd
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjNOJSe3FT
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUeOc4MVlT
"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?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFGXVit6pr
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1s31JMANq
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZYxv1A11A
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡabszHabnQF
"Really?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJ2eWIjOTG
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6HGmZbX3r
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLQSCkoOEB
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDSIPKCJvdi
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QTk3sDSJD
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmcw6MF9j4
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRrhHqIc6Wc
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVORhdyDSR
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboD4gORvwd
585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUmfPp1Bk8
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.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIn0JoLbO6
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Mr. Sinclair acted strangely today. It's unlike him to be so late to begin with and he didn't stay long, saying that he had to visit a friend. Eugene couldn't help but wonder who that friend was that he had to abandon work.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkMBoaATKA
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He shouldn't be thinking too much about it. Lunch time was almost over and he had to get back to work. He had piles of paper work to take care of back in his cubicle.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvKnQtILuO
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Eugene forced his food down in his mouth within minutes. The lunchroom was almost empty and Eugene hadn't noticed until now. He packed his lunchbox away in his carry bag and made his way out, heading towards the work area where most of his colleagues were.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8YjBiKGSE
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Just before he could even get there, his phone in the pocket of his trousers vibrated. With his free hand, he retrieved it and looked to see who was calling: Mrs. Clarks.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqq8KsqKrfE
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruWaMpFJdJ
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslFJV3R7s3
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0JXfBkoqQ3
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdge6e7XLH
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He put the phone back in his pocket and quickly rushed to the work area and to his cubicle to put his carry bag away.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNHgVPwvbx
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCZaCBMHr5
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡreghYh61Or
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Within a minute, Eugene found himself on the floor to Mr. Sinclair's office and hurried to his office. He found Mrs. Clarks seated behind her desk.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo1UCb9cg6
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"Well, you're pretty fast," she said when he got to her desk and she looked up at him. "You must be pretty concerned about him, aren't you?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhy2XW477k
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"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcezlo7E14T
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIcciTrW2y
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Eugene approached the door and knocked. He thought Mr. Sinclair wouldn't respond right away, but he heard him inside the office utter: "come in."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHRzFl2BAp
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Eugene quickly entered the office, but made sure not to show how hasty he was. Mr. Sinclair wasn't even looking when as his eyes were fixed on the newspaper in his hands.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7b21Y4S5B
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIUSqSkE3U
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweze5akiIX
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbOqRTV7db5
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"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZ5OFlc3Ij
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Mr. Sinclair dropped the newspaper onto his desk and fully turned his attention to his apprentice. Eugene had to say something before Mr. Sinclair asks what was up with him.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yuhbhHTaM
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o5lIAcm45
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"Oh, you didn't have to do that, Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair as he smiled. "I just went to visit a friend. I'm always stuck in the office, so I thought today would be a good day to visit."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBqRbnqJHl
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBwrrPKM9h
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Mr. Sinclair picked up the newspaper and went over to the page he had been reading. "Of course I did," he answered. "It was just like the good old times."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWxoaxwqpM
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Eugene knew immediately when Mr. Sinclair picked up the paper that it's his cue to leave. He slowly started to back away from the desk.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxbeqyjGMS
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpkWzss38k
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw30ipsRBA
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Eugene turned around and soon found himself by the door. Just as he opened it, he looked over at Mr. Sinclair who seemed to be preoccupied with the article he was reading. He wondered who Mr. Sinclair had gone to see. That's the one question he wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. Mr. Sinclair wasn't so open about his personal life and Eugene knew he shouldn't be butting in on such issues.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxSV7dsE4K
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP91M3qRYGr
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsU0n8Jaea
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8ljbSt02P
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"Oh..., nothing really."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuElOsv16LW
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xPtpGYkOg
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uUhf4jDvs
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpQ6rkhLpp
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z8w50skcN
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzHsqSEK0h
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFC14HKEdQu
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Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6TmyHyJvwE
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"You're weird," said Mrs. Clarks as she went on to look at the computer screen. "I wonder why the ladies around here have a crush on you with that weirdness of yours."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiuX6mKk6J
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8g1MR1irw
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Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDd4aTkO0l
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Eugene grew even more irritated, but Mrs. Clarks didn't bother to even look at him as she pressed the keys onto the keyboard. Eugene knew she only did so just to make herself look busy.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHDq8o9VlY
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He made his silent retreat down the hall. What Mrs. Clarks told him soon left his mind. He had a lot of paper work to do, yet he couldn't help but think about Mr. Sinclair and his strange behaviour this morning. But who Mr. Sinclair's friend is really bothered him. Was it somebody Eugene knew? Or was he worrying too much for nothing? 585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6TrRf4lns
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Back in Mr. Sinclair's office, Mr. Sinclair cast the newspaper aside when the phone on his desk began to ring. He took it and quickly answered the call.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0e0AU2VXr
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo6kL1hW4v
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHov4FGccG9
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q9ipHasa0
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHeDxoR4gF
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Mr. Sinclair straigthened up on his seat as a smile appeared on his face. He knew what he was going to hear will excite him for sure.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCDo0JYGx4
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.585Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIaloThSZ8
and then Add to home screen.