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
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpI4s1bhEGh
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCpdtQUzX2
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJf1C02LwT
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0Fu2ry2Az
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He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMnufk6aei
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"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgqztG7gMR
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"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5Ie4vVRfw
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"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnCrdplzJw
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBkSXnyTuP0
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"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4dFjpk0Mr
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"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfEQiARNEVg
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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.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
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"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcxG1TtR5X
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDI87KQMbht
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3yjj6YdoK
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"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3txvEDQtqZ
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Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd5Xm1ntqW
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"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0xqknJ0bI
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoH3csqx4B
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTYuaRYL0o
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"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgUAtOsuH9
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQdzan000L
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Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lTxLqQQkY
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQpa29Wfqt
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhY3b6lopL
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"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMoTyICeyM
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"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Qj4aBENyl
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2S79IBsnN
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He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetPglKEcnj
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"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8Ufpf6ZVs
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Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn2BuXMTwV
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"Oh..., nothing really."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgH6HVjcFo
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"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqds3nHN5TM
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"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD8gc216fr
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"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZ1OwraNey
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Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bL7VxdqQx
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"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHpG1zryhl
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"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosWW36hx5v
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9iNLFF3WH
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDyuIq8Q8R
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"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKfYrZiKSC
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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."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULMV8lIPEd
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AijtkaZa4
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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? 651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUm8WfkCvU
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJyCnRMXic
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"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL56AG2xnJ
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A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbSCsFcTDA
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"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiljK9cFW6
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"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb7HG7Hie8l
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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.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OH7V1x3Ro
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"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.651Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodNZr0531A
and then Add to home screen.