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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5L88ZnrXB
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vVXgbISbt
"Kevin, did you find her?" Greta asked.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsxY4WWogd
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrcHdwmNC4
"Yes, we did, no need to worry," Kevin answered.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzL5TyVE1S
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQefEsIzvj
"That's a relief. Are you three all okay?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAX7PrJvToI
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TOCHy7upV
"Well..., uh...," Kevin hesitated and Greta didn't like the sound in his voice.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNSlhmQMcO
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpM2S8pEsF
"Kevin, if something happened you can tell me," she said. "Is anyone hurt?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Hsqw1cs2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMxq77brSU
"We are all fine," he quickly answered. "We ran into some trouble, but we're fine."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnaWSrz6Rv
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RjL3LZnMQ
"What kind of trouble?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcE3DP1GdN
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScABwdQlQ6
"We'll tell you everything when we return. How is Miss Griselda? Is she awake yet?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zS3u9BomG
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVavbNUMNe4
Greta looked at the bed where Miss Griselda lay, still fast asleep. Greta smiled.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnorvHR6kfw
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8deRBaGb7c
"No, she's still asleep," she answered. "Whatever Rhénee gave her knocked her lights out."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2iDKQhVra
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8er1pGSqO2
"That's good. She needs to rest."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs7rCzmWY7
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiwrh4raW9
"Where are you guys? Are you on way your back?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHH7u6fQF7Y
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NNkUHYVCA
"We are at Miss Marie's. We won't take too long."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbtJtNGevLm
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP4BIuWePyz
"At Miss Marie's? What are you doing there?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QbURLvlbr
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvJVZSahz5
"Like I said, we'll tell you everything when we get back. You just look after Miss Griselda."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynzdbK2afp
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDKSuJHYsHR
"Ya, sure."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyzw1ISTyF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kc4CdEYFI
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYkFTZME7r
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXLjIbeOz2
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ui54HL4MC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehNBYVLK8n
"What am I going to do? What am I going to do!" Greta asked herself in a panic.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lU1C5jl4G
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaNtYAyVo8
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlbkswkamj
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC96BHaJYnZ
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1IsvJlxbl
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvE9jIaK9jk
"Come on, mum," said Greta, sounding annoyed. "We aren't little kids that we have to tell you where we're going."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WCMXAiUqE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Wn3jBJgw
"I know, but I'm still your mother," Mrs. Derrand answered sternly. "So, where did you go?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ASFrkLTbF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zNhvPhRrG
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQkwaPXXb
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVB2QWiWNN
"We were hanging out in town when I met one of my friends. I'm just looking around stores right now."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVAemAyGJ3
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5r6Ieq929j
"And your brother? He isn't picking up my calls."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ak3VTWxeX
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYNVBnOiJt
"I don't know, he must be somewhere."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNKI6qyVob
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1VAV3aV3W
"Goodness," her mother sounded just as irritated as Greta. "Maybe he's ignoring me like always."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbR5YIwk97r
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2N19G3UKL
"I should be doing the same if you ask me," said Greta.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmemjxiNi3r
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGykjvZafPR
"What did you say?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGDNI8feIO
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaO0GSDR1V
"He's fine," Greta answered. "He can take care of himself. You worry too much."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbm2w2W6dR
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucwNCvlUL3
"Of course I worry. I'm your mother."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpEfCbjvzm
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJonbrPJj0
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnTn8s088v
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv8MaftTtlZ
Mrs. Derrand sighed. "I'm sorry, Greta. But I call to check up on you, that's all."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cuCUV5GmT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5PL96Wx8l
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfkd8H6bVi
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6uFBkFoWf
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQGnjVBel9R
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUbdoFFxbr
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLia98dRwxD
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQaRO2LStU
"He better be on his way," Greta said to herself. "Or else mum is going to go all psycho on us."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdXcDBrsvY
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9ywarDyKb
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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaR9CxWHicY
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCAFQgalwG
Greta wanted to curse herself for finding herself in such a situation. Now she had Miss Griselda to answer to.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSLc53HXhF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78P0YHMmiR
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA8w99vSMEb
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6unggQIyz
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXtfaJYdod
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnySDAdv5aW
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOE4TvjZyJj
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8sZJf2HPwl
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsUzdXpWrY
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHccpiJUfcM
***623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXpQBJi1II
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTblJyFAyhv
"Ouch," Malcom muttered, trying not to scream out in pain in front of Rhénee.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5xI7BjVdRC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV91EaNtPv
"Hold still, you big baby," Rhénee said as she cleaned his wound, dabbing the wet cloth around it.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgvssWySPm
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5aWo63tQ1c
"Huh?" Malcom couldn't believe that Rhénee had just called him that.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNwxoS3feY
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8K9yXJ2lhs
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLEwqaOGjz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6j6Z8uVn5
Malcom flinched a little. He looked up at her, trying to catch her eye, but she seemed too busy to even care.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXq8M5o2c0U
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNKqhr9MuG
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnPzI4OZCz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b2W4d4pRc
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡethk8RfpVU
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9a5kA5P82
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bKxU4bq79
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAY0QwrwrjN
"There, all done," she said after making sure the bandage held firmly and tied a little knot.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsgPR3tdcgy
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ovel9VEJ1
"Thanks," said Malcom as he looked at his neatly dressed wound. "I never thought you had such talent."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmir8ELVGK4
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡedG5wHlELZ
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSYqiHCw76
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6wzorV7S2
"You know how to use a gun and how to treat a gun wound. Not a lot of people can do that."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRanDix2Xwj
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyjK0GFl6Y
"Why do I feel you're about to ask something?" Rhénee closed the cabinet and looked at Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0Qi9QfX1P
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wRXQxvwRd
"Who taught you how to handle a gun?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PZsh3RTdT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9ousPtI8S
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡph86rT4dpw
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRy01RH794
"I hope I'm not interrupting," came Kevin as he slowly opened the door.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvXVv6m5zE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SWaiAXMH9
"No, you aren't," said Rhénee as she smiled at him. "I've just finished patching Malcom up."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhey4p6GWWE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjiTbbOZm23
"Oh, you've done an exceptional job," said Kevin as he stood in front of Malcom to check his wound.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9WCzsyqa8
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfUZ52C9kZ
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3durHXJPF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY4I27IRdR
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc0MAn3x6fq
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXb2nEfcoR8
"That explains it," said Kevin as he looked at her. "But what about the gun? Who taught you how to aim and all that?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAQSJpXfWY
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrc8jSh0ST
"Good question, Kevin," said Malcom. "I was just asking her that before you came in."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrSikMN1H2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ahSvUwrCg
Rhénee scoffed and at the same time, shook her head.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OgetsoRL6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RyV4PZbqf
"I don't want to talk about it," she answered. "Can we just drop it, please?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lNlOVrzt5
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLG5asupqUd
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGYTxdqMEc
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkartkdaqAr
"Greta called," said Kevin, after an awkward silence. "We better go. Miss Griselda may wake up any time now."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyv2naiuvcy
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQHB1fBgSo
"You're right," said Malcom as he stood up. He looked at Rhénee who hadn't said a thing. "Rhénee, are you okay?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKk5CEGJuO
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3CRF4W3V2
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgj1mjV8yg
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1G4wM4nCpF
"Did we upset her?" Kevin asked a few seconds after she walked out.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuhn8FVlDkx
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKiSxV8tXa
"Women get upset over anything," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNufYlMLTP7
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KGIbsj6I7
"Well..., I mean, she just killed somebody. Isn't she bound to be upset?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95lbed6qjT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIUD4mNJtG
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1ygutEmPK
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtV0hTaOkPa
"Do you think she's killed before?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eRPgMoiUn
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1OIFEQJKk
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3Rpk3DEFr
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWL8vSVGIA4
"What do you think?" Kevin asked. He felt like he didn't want to hear Malcom's answer.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1e3f4z1TTR
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhwyCTul23
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucLx0ak7dv
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X4hOEDMP9
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRhMFNv3q6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkdMLgMn5q
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AaK3gE2UA
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OzfvMXkqn
"Come on, we better go," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdAb8p4j8B
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWxxG9x7Li
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfR5Y5s2vC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lLyVYQKsb
"Thank you, Miss Marie," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUXxjGI6A3
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKbyuvppYE
"Where's Rhénee?" Miss Marie asked as she looked into the bathroom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGQMVxklCt
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybWw1AVIQK
"She um....," Kevin hesitated, "she must be downstairs."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1goyjZPO2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV2PTduK9B
"Well, she did good on that wound of yours," said Miss Marie as she smiled at Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVl2Cpv8fR
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlVNFwwJPP
"She really did," said Malcom. He painfully put the shirt on.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qDlwgoDPe
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIOihCgI0f
"Ah! Fits perfectly." Mrs. Marie beamed.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr3vTn1et4
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXFDoqAor9
"We better get going," said Kevin. "Thanks for all the help, Miss Marie."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgCF31if4e
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uTl6BQbYn
"Oh, no problem," Miss Marie said. "I'll escort you outside."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJk3EwdPKZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QdQtq8vgi
Kevin and Malcom let Miss Marie pass in between them and she led the way down the stairs and to the foyer.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC8Qzqw0PL
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfwfecdjZ1
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called out as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "It's time to go."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UhAsWzowt
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8LKf7zN7lV
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguHTS8CBr6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnPX8k49dl
"Huh..., this is strange," she said. "Where could she be?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ojvewdZpW
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdgICEsHOKh
Malcom and Kevin who stood in the foyer, waiting at the front door, looked at Miss Marie. 623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCPGkchKMX
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhcjow55m7
"She isn't there?" Kevin asked.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB50WkFCTCh
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1qJXmXKsn
Miss Marie turned to look at him down the hall and shook her head. She had a worried look on her face.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLtaiC24gT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTgdxS8LZX
"Goodness, did we really upset her?" Kevin asked as he looked at Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjqs6tiEav
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwv4Xe9r1wU
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmoA3CFN18
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQnLYafJoem
"Oh, thank goodness," said Kevin as he stood beside Malcom. "I thought she ran away again."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UwYfiwaP7
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjQQh05gfm
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8cNmyppt7V
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LgzZ5pixb
"Rhénee, dear," Miss Marie called as she passed Malcom and Kevin, walking down the stone path.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YaOpKWS6O
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c4ddY3LTT
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNEdafyIv1
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNRoqVV4WY
"What is it?" Rhénee asked when the two met halfway.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNpg7M00fb
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEgaZyr1Lf
Miss Marie held Rhénee's cheek. "You were so brave today, dear," she said. "Your grandmother would have been so proud of you."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN3a68iczH
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ECShovyii
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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7FWZsh1sb
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzHSVq8BNE
Rhénee contemplated on that statement. "It's going to be like this from now, isn't it?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVpzPPquL3
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9zsZoZr2l
"Just make sure you take care of yourself. The world isn't safe for you and me."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUINNEeNbhv
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FClpHlfrd
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqptp0Y8Fz2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4EDIB19Zxm
Rhénee felt the back of her trousers with her hand, revealing the gun. She held it up for Miss Marie to take back.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2z093xL8E4
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcOSfeATT8
"No, dear, you keep it," said Miss Marie.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xW7o9s3w1
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVGAJXzpnL
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsRMfw6aoG
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡor7xruklpA
Miss Marie looked at the gun and she looked back at Rhénee with a smile.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHSAxJaLmD
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9p1etoEz9
"I'll try to, dear," Miss Marie said. "I still need you alive as well. Your grandmother would too."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7HQl0YT7F
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJR3U4x02z
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4GsZZTHvM
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI36JiFRnaC
"We'll see you later, Miss Marie," said Malcom when he and Kevin reached them.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI89RDTUC2B
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRz6j9XHbX
"Take care of her for me," said Miss Marie. "Make sure she doesn't run off like she did."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfY7UkkMjK
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTk4mSPR9F
"We will," said Kevin.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYJ7MAVyrS
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6soNmWz2GG
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ99j0ClLj
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLdzIwfqvc
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJhVq3AVUL
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCMQuMZc2B
"Oh, nothing," Kevin replied. "You look really tired, that's all."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcTKch3jKs
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nFmiLr2pX
"We've had a long day," she said as she looked out the window.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVCCB5z3VH
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBQikT27q5
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxFKgS2Isz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQ64ZmEM18
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:623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSjsZRX6Or
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kUQWdMjZt
"Rhénee, wait!"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXClFy9MGO6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0SCIwAm6t
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKjBau0ai01
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOSuZ3bGkfZ
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTrCndqb3Y
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83ZyTsr4eD
"I feel like something's troubling you," he finally said.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKJvAY74IM
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxSyShG5KF
"I'm tired."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7MwAqw1cc
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjiw1VzRJB
"Really? I don't think that's it."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZx8QBMdva
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwKk97hWG9
"I don't want to sound rude, but you're not my therapist, Kevin. How do you know what I'm going through?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBQrE6z7te
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQfBIk68CX
"Well..., that man whom you shot in the forest-"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fbB8GxDmr
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2Q9Mqdzhj
"-is dead." Rhénee put her hands on her hips. "You think I'm a killer, right?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5IyuBnCHD
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbp8pt5r4o
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBt1mf1OoSs
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnR0rU5gQZ
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuChUjY2VzM
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNcS8LQbIr
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjI23MEXGat
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd5H6fRcU1
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvTQlSQ27i6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBPImisYBB
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3ziw0LtIl
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9BwWuIx5l
The urge kept calling him from within, but soon enough, Malcom came right behind him, saving him from doing so.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKQcxGh6iq
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBdk1LUkpR
"If you two are done, we better go inside," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0wwKoIGCF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYfGGYjJbS
"Sure," said Rhénee as she looked at him. "How's your shoulder?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpznJzljB0
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfmJwMoGzR
"Hurts a little, but it's nothing."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUYNY6AtBg
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYtPLafeEz
"Good. Let's go."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTEH4Ngyi0
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF75fBdrvWi
Rhénee was just about to turn around to head for the door when Malcom said:623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjnMAE9KpW
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpaJL2G1lzc
"Thank you, Rhénee. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRnQ5hoCND
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6amXubUCr
Rhénee didn't turn to look at him, but said, "you're welcome."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy8JZwZloc
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gVXyw0z7y
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3YZU8ZOi9
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZD6Hxxo25
"Ah! You guys are finally here," Greta said. "You got here just in time."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5a3WWkFMr
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVe7vLh59U
"What? Did something happen to Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked as she quickly entered the foyer past Greta.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFU7Y039hrs
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCmaCjh5Hb
"No, no, no," Greta replied, following Rhénee. "She's perfectly fine. Just wait a second."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkNq70FAXTC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovZ8NLpSot
Rhénee stopped in the middle of the living room and turned to look at Greta.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTesyxxBVN
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOxbbEzA5c
"What is it? Did something happen while we were away?" Rhénee asked.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwVxL4oo9K
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpmzvZOc7Y
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTVUcWdL9b
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5yvTw5F1S
"Okay, I'll go and see her right now."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxWy8rF6jW
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3txu5VY7sv
"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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4uLio1pbWZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2R66omJHEq
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjI89uEuCP
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf1PJzXZSK
"Huh...," Rhénee hesitated.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcZgAALVKb
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5HO6rfmWI
"I told you that we ran into some trouble back in the forest, didn't I?" Kevin asked, drawing Greta's attention to him.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqUSNrxyKx2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTIMtwZoRv
"You also look a mess too, Kevin, but not like Rhénee. What happened to you guys back there?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGC3LvRycq7
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGnvPopdrQv
The three didn't know what to say as Greta looked at Malcom with a curious look on her face.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOGdevxnVZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IWMJopwe8
"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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTmiyqI0YE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUTxRvzHdZ
"You're hurt, aren't you?" she asked.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKMr7bm5Usn
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNh2lrDKXm
"No, Greta, I'm not," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiVZ0fUUOM
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2ejtxTuMX
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSORb7CmI6D
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwmPCKpPMm
"Greta..., what are you-?" Malcom avoided her hand by slapping it away.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKi2IGqV8z
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs04aNrfe6
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfY2sbJvpB1
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt55Zw1Fb2
"I'm perfectly fine. You should've seen the other guy. He's a lot worse than I am. Well..., can I say was?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uCSERhyVR
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzBuplcL6m
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9jQVpPeUS
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyPOe8Bx47
"And so am I," came a voice from up the stairs. Everyone down in the living room paused.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzDDnh9vHk
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTcrVFjuAS
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwn0TplY6GX
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SiHSSm8Ro
"Miss Griselda, you're okay," said Kevin.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJOx3WwCEd
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpLDC3LSsS
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOSO4f65Cz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd16hUYViF
"Yes, we did," said Malcom.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JlkqWYRru
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkHNNzdFzE
"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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDGwqZwXSz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hyk3f4VA3
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJk3ZV5mGP
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCShPVgjd4a
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:623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkkD5MR7CZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0vl4r6GSBB
"I guess you found the cottage, then?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkJ2ofLLl6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlL4V3xalYA
Rhénee nodded, surprised that Miss Griselda sounded so calm. "I did," Rhénee said. "But when I got there, I found people waiting for me."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2064tVRxTq
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ds6STiVEw
"There was more than one person?" Greta asked, sounding surprised.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QbhdomHAn
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPqKxNpfbi
"Let's sit down," said Miss Griselda. "Tell us everything, and don't leave out any details."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8A9WBBJW8
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFRYDFtToe
Rhénee nodded again. "Sure."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy65bW17lHC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvb3y7fVad
***623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6QZM9IlSF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpoBvn9Qie
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJkD9f737N
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lkO0hiZj2
"Hey, earth to Eugene," came a voice, as a hand waved across his face.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY3UnZCcZkB
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9ViqDH5nx
He snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see one of his colleagues, standing right beside him.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAB8WTnmEn
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnThSIA4CVF
"Preeta, hey," said Eugene as he shifted in his seat, feeling a little uncomfortable that he had been caught off guard.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEeVeVT5iL
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1NEzUvH5x
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNnC6Fz5eF
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCr15UvrZk
"What were you thinking about just now?" she asked, her elbow on the table and her hand under her chin.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqblo2H1LT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPjJD0VX8M
"Nothing, nothing," said Eugene as he went on to stare at his lunch.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aJb9Y1how
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtFmwuL3KM
"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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAtVKkrvWK
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1SlnJWnHs
"Yes, I really am. Was just lost in thought, that's all."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfdS6Bxeydu
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKTcBRIoMH
"Really?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPoFcTNxDU
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49W6TbpKKl
Eugene looked up at Preeta still smiling at him. She soon stood up from her seat.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypH22MQZMQ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1IxOL7V2R0
"I'll see you around," she said as she raised her hand to wave at him. "Better get back to work."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHJtNRQwXI
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3nR81liWN
"Ya, see you around," said Eugene.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvHGS7KyDV
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUoo8hj7pj
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmhYGfVl81
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNA7diDSDYP
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPj9YSA7qVJ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQhY6qcBaw
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNANBsr3BD
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyUkW4ClRl
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHAl6rRiqX
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNhr4gbaUb
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7eob2x0aH
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPo7CzcLzcO
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P5n520vSh
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg6JDd7lxV
He stopped himself in the hall to answer the call.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe8tPZq58XW
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkXuUfTlKO
"Hey, Mrs. Clarks," said Eugene, "is he in?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIylspG38z
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat1iQ0h5U0
"That's why I am calling," Mrs. Clarks replied.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhbzMRcLJo6
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2theT6QAP
"Alright, thanks, a lot." Eugene cut the call.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3gB38VYI7
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcls6PHybfB
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSjCtV7Ywc
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJOL34DOLp
"Hey, you seem to be in a hurry," said Preeta, who's cubicle was just opposite Eugene's.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuSWGr1KgT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsuQZt3Sod
"Yes, I am," Eugene replied as he had no time to chitchat and he quickly left the area.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Z03TGIZg3
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBhUYnDXxd
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibtR3ikIO2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94NMcowPIE
"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?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3CoxUqg0l
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tyubHqX72
"Can I go in?" Eugene asked, ignoring the question.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNecqifpMnW
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4w9U2DBt2
"Sure, knock yourself out," Mrs. Clarks quickly rolled her eyes and went back to looking at the computer screen.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteaf6joQj8
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbHqpckzoH
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawnop9oVi1
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXgaSuhV72
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM70SMYAxsG
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywaCoGccOc
"Mr Sinclair?" Eugene called out as he approached the desk.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2TtWMSDs2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD7GPjZJGH
Mr. Sinclair looked up at Eugene.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmapDrazzk
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrO3ZyIPCG
"Ah.., Eugene," said Mr. Sinclair, "what brings you here?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcezAhYFxC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcNQ6B5eIY
"I..., uh," Euegne started to scratch the back of his head. He felt stuck and he completely forgot why he came.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVjOzCNTwT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDvmo21POl
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zSuvewS5v
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq6lPcJqK9
"I just came to check up on you, that's all," Eugene answered.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUXoAhyhyl
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UeDXbUs4y
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EmEEGfJFH
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvXeviDGD4
Eugene nervously chuckled. "That's good to know. I hope you had a good time."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvdPXkv7CH
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EwghGQyAK
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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMeGwsAGZDr
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClE4dJfx4s
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gBXpBvBMt
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZt1rkL2fTo
"I better be going back to work," said Eugene. "Sorry if I disturbed you."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJGNanUIgL
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWTLR4ZQbL
"It's nothing," said Mr. Sinclair with his eyes still fixed on the newspaper. "I'll see you later, Eugene."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAZk0xFTPk
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzactMdKWK
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZKj7HoVS0
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxWx4H5Eti
He walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. Mrs. Clarks looked up from her computer screen.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFSpvhqsaJ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmk9idVT1u
"You're out of his office faster than I expected," Mrs. Clark's said with a smirk on her face.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaG9ixOqQtz
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡarz3JzWN5K
Eugene looked irritated as he asked, "what does that mean?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRhi5RfauT
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ92WGWS4r5
"Oh..., nothing really."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0nxuQ0uyE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBB1OmhfWk
"I know you're making fun of me. I just came to check up on him, that's it."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzemnR43MwA
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNgOaBo89c
"Did he tell you who this friend of his is?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmkTlnN5Cs
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXId41KmE05
"No. It wasn't in my place to ask."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcMNVXi3EE
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3Vs9cBDoT
Mrs. Clarks rolled her eyes. "You're just like your boss, you know? Always so boring."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtEqtb8P8r
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKcU9NPzMt
"I'm not boring." Eugene blushed. "Well, at least not like him anyway."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQmLK8KGNC
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0P55vQ9x4
"Mmmm..., so you agree that Mr. Sinclair is no fun at all, right?"623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8BCfQP00O
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5X7TUdTcb
Eugene didn't answer as he thought it over carefully. He quickly shook his head and said, "no, never mind what I just said."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGvfF8Hmco
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xFLLuTh2G
"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."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegMK4wx0En
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTWxmJ2HGY
"Huh..., what did you say?" Eugene couldn't believe what he heard.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwta2s2uhIV
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm7SxCwpA6
Mrs. Clarks waved him off like she was chasing away a fly. "You better go back to work, Eugene. Forget I said anything."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTmaN3EFGU
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0YM1teSiM
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9MGjjGDqZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhvzkKVrca
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? 623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0W0jxbPAR
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIQniOHZDN
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvuibYvWzzM
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0efu2mboOE
"For you to call, then it must have happened," Mr. Sinclair said to the caller.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX6kihhTvZ
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYwQqEksQe
A female voice replied on the other end, "yes. One person dead. Other casualties occurred, but nothing serious."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eVwH1A7bG
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkFrjhlKx9
"And our prized possession?" Mr. Sinclair asked as he looked at his fingers.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbG6lPqseGw
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rzSqT5pXe
"Nothing to worry about. Although, there's something you must know. It might surprise you."623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ruI8TJHQX
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsBqpWggX7
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.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bWIJhMte2
623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Uk9wmYe4X
"Please, go ahead," he said as he tapped his fingers onto the desk.623Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpV7RDFcoH
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