The news about the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL7pe55F2o
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc2zBwqO37
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvLI9pU9bL
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ91MOMoVJTT
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbXpBuMaj0
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadHtLOc6Sw
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9JoloG460
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRLl8KvNoF
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo99MwN9s5F
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6MFiSyupg
There was more to it 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmGIALvj33
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAb4lYE1yhQ
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt54s8ustKU
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcUcRRH5X0
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpZw13gP1q
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkKVjTZYig
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYihTAELTL5
except from a few individuals. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRTCjpiVgJ
And apparently, one of 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g2YdxOJFE
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u9wUiIgv4
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBYXxf7Bfb
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlTTx5ZU7l
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZA7WarcQ5X
really going on, all hell would break loose.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06VZn7Z1RD
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRisNoXIJ2
Rhénee dropped the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmlWj4OQVX
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQm6bzfMV4
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEDFK9SmSX
ear, she took a sip of coffee.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NTcaKnSqK
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb6KiHgPE2
"Ya, its crazy here," 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4jqspA1dF
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfDCzGw9Gs
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLv5TKqFrMX
broken in."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKkMfObEHD
"If only they knew."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagVCsRL94F
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f7bIbjgLs
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBiidSU16I
"She did. I had to make 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghjvbdFmlG
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69FHWgoQU3
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXOnoyde6m
"I doubt if she believed that."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxObZbOxdg
"Haha, looks like you 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLmUwPfvBh
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBjjGiutFf
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAGCcJYwUv
"True. But we did. I 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSEgylemf8
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEBkcoatuO
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnhTfCVLSS
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSNvEubjkV
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH0w64D4eL
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi1ror2I0Wt
"Okay, bye."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPSCsnipL9
"Bye."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpJJK1XjTf
Rhénee cuts the call and902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo03G6dCCTd
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsnErUE2Zp
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVbIKKXbwI
wink last night.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cjBIoD5fI
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSFUdeUeww
"I wasn't going to 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQsclykjNv
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8OaskySBB
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRphpHQTxzZ
"You don't have to 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Igj6Gl2TL
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhhKu5x21g
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bUeJJpjiX
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYH7FvRjrXu
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGCR0tn5kS
"Why Malcom?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6jjuFUyKA
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTb8vlahTi
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpa4xp8kYCE
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHdcQvUxHW
"Alright, you go ahead."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQHDrjRMhn
Miss Griselda gave 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpbgwSOuhf
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sZW1mzNax
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDc7HlSibwe
did when they talked about Malcom. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwimWgrwJh
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MNw2CUHmI
The sound of her phone 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSOrr1RKBuF
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I0IgPyKBt
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jRjMT5SGW
mother.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UruUV2cNG
"Hello?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodET5KFv07
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2PTi08oNj
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84PRaDIT5f
That voice. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqA3s1N2rhn
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6o8sgSYGdS
"What's wrong? The other day you had the guts to talk to me when I talked to you about the necklace. Why are you so quiet now?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrypZ26ZMbk
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNaZUDFi3k
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMY7rclK6rv
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4VWirdX3X
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1rcKwWbsp
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiXvuJLcMk
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosuidizDAE
"You don't know me, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9zECHdT5H
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqJd3CDr9Q
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWKQpkQ6CMe
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxBiJyG51f
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl3EJ0ZAz7
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtgrNGwESC
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFfx00I2aC
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqieiEApus
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFVOhfN2Ny
"Then why did you give me her necklace? And the picture of the house? What are you trying to achieve by scaring me like this?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs37DNN48m
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnuLzkBJI8
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNYdgx14oZ
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9j2b4evZCk
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfybWVTcNW
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBzkLzyIZu
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct7OIf6IfJ
"Oh, and by the way, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzo4WshcEx
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD4zNfTCGT
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2UafYwKSm
this time around."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh3CZiXIaq
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqim2k6MNAG
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPNMwcsqHB
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs9FX348xl9
Rhénee sat down on the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBCGpTc0Lp
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRl2Ti8FMNs
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7PMIVrsIb
the others, who know what might happen. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAb8mzHSjM
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpF5VsOj7C
***902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm76UMrSaiQ
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO8oAY7pgp
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSDXLSBRIw
"But she isn't hurt right?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuNDmEBDY0
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwuuxHH9cp
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMK2VLCKk6Y
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFXE714xwf
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04o4YIT8MM
"Nah.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdRtIySp56
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNN11WXIw0
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu0OxjcGTm
"Thats902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcc4qGPz80
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1ONuEFkTv
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tQEsmXjWP
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHVU539voP
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViHFAxOaj3
"Alright."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMm2iUhu64
Eugene cut the call and noticed that his mother was standing by the kitchen door looking at him as he stood in the living room. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgUoyqM7HQ
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjODeeffmxB
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfJuUetgC8
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHegoBkC6V
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4jRC628Xu
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MGnQFkn0l
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjVBIBOqDJ
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnW4wSR7xp
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlURyZtl6i
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUa30SsdZJ
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg8HmlsqZP
"Does it bother you?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGv8nY7eMSd
"Um... not really. But.... um."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnW7hIUIAEk
Eugene902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FHfXUu86f
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07Nh076F7T
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmTTZibxQp
"Mum, are you okay?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VwiuomLVC
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1zZbhVLMP
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8dOseMuCJN
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uVK4XzHhK
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2f62KdcqLO
Mrs902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDeoqaRKRy
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYSnhh165ga
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37CZs3HUzQ
had talked about Rhénee?902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTQCHM7rXu
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEFK0P15R9
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOe2xJsBR6M
***902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZKMbIbsDc
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrzg1nopevd
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrw7fIeySp
"You better rest though. You still look tired."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcskjWvmDh
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajxuTpWBnp
"No, I'll do it."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq3jmvshS2
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydan3iC8mj
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI91O6tpdAI
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioeSvAaXPQ
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpsioDvmK7
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1lS32dCmRk
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZg34LAqa9
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5pGtAayfMA
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QlXckFiMy
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjZVui6XJV
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfLnd8yYrj
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFMGKWWWU1
"Thank902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAZ0zDDSWl
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44lAJFA74b
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9xV8hVOVK
"Well, yes. I still think I would."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWpYn75A4i
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcDLwerQUW
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtR49R8bQtX
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPNnJKw8Vs
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy201AErL0t
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGUkJ8UWyK8
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki0so2GwoN
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfz4jmR9w7R
"Coffee will be lovely."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVO7fP3yKL
Miss902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uK1PJFZDV
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQBoXqljqlI
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5KhKQ8CKk
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5h2kzOrM0t
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGprcGus7Xx
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbIXkMi1wC
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTpngwCgNJ
"What mysterious person?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixjctTpW4T
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSm00DClTX
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ehKgHWm9J
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxEvL7EG1h
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CLGPdAFsN
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5BqqUg6lT
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPI761LCSVQ
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbERE2k23Z
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLQjrfeHYj
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJKkTxAhFv
The902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fx9IZUE8M
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoapwWbqLe2
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsnDaSPJPo
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLa0pcrMZD
of this.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBU4kLPGy4
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhS9aHBavx
"I...902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7zhphajFKN
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY3izmI6zi
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayd639plVb
frustration. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuD4esdTY4B
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA2117WyNl
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnkspCWo49
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUUQ8XT99t
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadyasBUbXA
cups on the tray and wondered. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6AZiNJrSS
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2m9lDCMgL5
902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MXNzaaqgp
As902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIFFOBq5n9
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ONvFGDO8G
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJdE8nn3Ea
reminder kept ringing in her head.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iJRFkCOdD
"And tell your friends not to get involved."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAV1NUE4LOf
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1yptqeIu9
"I902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaJCydBcNq
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkL4FxSMMCk
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPgwn4ivfV
talking about, Rhénee?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡilXvpkfty8
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc27IENBDq5
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1cMGhZaE2
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHC687fRYl
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYADfDOVqS
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYh6G9AGyg
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN4y5tqMWp
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqH5z3X1ydY
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvhOWaJMwb
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2aNXsGTWv
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9ayPGTslM
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr8gCTGfTUv
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUETt6U6iu
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIt5JoLh4k
***902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9aWQSLSa7
Sweat902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp7FAHlrDq
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHHOPmyekA
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEfS7zio0B
the person waiting never likes to wait.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnUh9ZJDnT
He902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJZtoiryDZ
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75UlgO8qAM
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RADmvqkHe
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ07YAwFLIR
second.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlDZ0irQVS8
He902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQp5Wx23Zo
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWOS7qMbeF
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlzW3ed98x
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5gPYZ4UIl
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevOAzixnxH
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzH8iTzPc8
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqB02FM8mq
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgTArt85eV
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FevmUZxrq
"You're late, again."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIud7rQjaN
His902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc2rARngPS
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ208kHKgLyn
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0KnqH7vnG
lion door knob. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhjJ5UmegI
He902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsrH9NtTmZ
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmKApZZ9dI
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1BQN3WdtU
"What902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRHqD9SUGY
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtyV1iGGqP
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8074dMgfl
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Xp3j7ZrOe
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5JvkAtjHc
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI37QxmZlYJ
A902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp40MvBV1rc
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oekHvG9nv
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDStxvj5QH6
as they had their backs towards the window.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ouZwTFMZr
"You know we need him," said the tall man.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGLWwsdWZr
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rH6kYWiKg
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUI0PSEtOx
The902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYOBV9W56q
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwsqLNxnU4
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqKnyoKVy6
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FW8GVznOe
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjVmssO6uA
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPDejjAIyw
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe708MsApH
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJW1fQsJZ1
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2KIOb2l3h
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMF4qT8vVh
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuc3oHc95nF
"What if she reveals the truth?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuq2ZZgVMS
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIqP51qMXE
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9ShOImLsR
For a moment, silence hung over them.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUKEp2S7jj
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsdif0Z59U
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf5vNkn7xSG
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSmzWztuIo2
"I902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L0zo85lRZ
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5r5FevxvV
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyWyY5YIUU
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn23aWQDSBl
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoiALAxLSP9
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mAQHeVvAr
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SMMne6INV
***902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVH2LAW8b4
The902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvqQL2tRJz
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fPbwtAPd2
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZkXsPsfVJ
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxd0xs1pv7d
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKPDBhZSCl
they met, they seemed sky blue.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjauW358yBj
And902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxh0DBoCmrD
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdquEY5rDI
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4eE36tlg4
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6eGTOU7KL0
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrnd2i4M4C
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RMzylIWQ2
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHKCxu1Gyj
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQk3lfwLmF
coffee table in the middle.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg4YGkZk6y
When902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UKTnfKx44
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2fyYnDnTr
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuauy2EBO5G
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf2cMhyVi5
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1xpVl1sew
"Are you sure?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63XdQkRA5A
"Yes, I'm positive."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4tja3MBBs
Miss902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqZCogobDq
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5K9urYZsj
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIa8JHdFBS
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMT2PGxy2i
from their cups.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwFbJlzALU
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNYYs3kAXcT
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyEjDVuPCAh
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLT8C4fkNI
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKd99hT3gO
"And how about the fact that you and Greta were imposing as other people the time I was coming here?" Rhénee spat out at Malcom.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWaCPnQR3w
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsBHzHpk9U
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2baSEXr0YK
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wyYT8Tnms
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWk5cNMVbY
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot3avFtE5r
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtgiqtCL2G
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVwbvNOIdE
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhO1WIyEAdu
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHQUmyWok0
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBwpdsm6RsA
"Oh,902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmyLZ0JJJBD
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwEy9IkdRV
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMLJOXFdki
who he is."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0GWawfiop
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDk4c6jPIY
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXKRkTxCFb
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU87lOuzv1z
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XJvUHW5sa
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy140FPIIU
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY22vFFZcT6
Rhénee902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmT4GqV5ZRs
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbr6fm98seh
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74miT9EbM9
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw5dQPe4Sh
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIN1iT7xtE
"Fine,902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbut56Pnv2t
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoaJwAsCU9
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkB6NUj7uiH
or die if you stay by me."902Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoDC8N5rrw
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