The news about the 512Please respect copyright.PENANA6CJNXiNGyc
shootout that took place at the Derrand mansion last night spread like 512Please respect copyright.PENANA5V7GeXj9B6
wildfire the next morning. It even made the front page of the local 512Please respect copyright.PENANAtXluHSku1E
newspaper and people couldn't help but wonder. Some who were invited to 512Please respect copyright.PENANAg51iTZGwGK
the party had their own story to tell, but they couldn't figure out why 512Please respect copyright.PENANAqOv1mHDlV7
the shootout had taken place. With that everyone started to make their 512Please respect copyright.PENANA6upsgMPSv3
own assumptions. Were the gunmen trying to rob the mansion or was there 512Please respect copyright.PENANASB8GKJZmU6
something else? No one who had attended the party sustained any injuries512Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ng8blKdcr
except the two security guards who were found dead within the mansion 512Please respect copyright.PENANAyArujxmar4
grounds. Nothing seemed to be adding up.512Please respect copyright.PENANAVUVKPXkNbI
There was more to it 512Please respect copyright.PENANAvpn2Bh7qQn
than the situation at hand and people thought it might be about the 512Please respect copyright.PENANA6siHyDFvoH
Derrand family. Had they made enemies who were willing to kill them? 512Please respect copyright.PENANAixAad5xiYI
Maybe so. As the morning wore on, some locals got to work and forgot 512Please respect copyright.PENANAKhg1ughxWU
about the incident hoping that the police will turn up with something 512Please respect copyright.PENANAceNIAX7b6m
but some still couldn't stop talking about. And as usual rumours started512Please respect copyright.PENANA8M2KEWaAtw
to spread about the Derrand's. No one knew what was really going on, 512Please respect copyright.PENANAPwZWfhxzDc
except from a few individuals. 512Please respect copyright.PENANALtmyODTNZo
And apparently, one of 512Please respect copyright.PENANAr2Ybl7OLrd
those individuals was sitting on the couch in their own living room 512Please respect copyright.PENANALXTsp7oOlu
reading the front page of the newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand. In512Please respect copyright.PENANAJ938E0cu8K
the article, the police hadn't found any clues and were still 512Please respect copyright.PENANAKaI1F4N9kA
investigating. That was a relief. If anyone had any clue about what was 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHDOrvnxIDG
really going on, all hell would break loose.512Please respect copyright.PENANA8hv2M3XUPM
"You've a phone call," came Miss Griselda's voice, "its Malcom."512Please respect copyright.PENANAljXIurKvwB
Rhénee dropped the 512Please respect copyright.PENANA7RZzulQDZm
newspaper on her lap and took the phone from Miss Griselda who was 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHKF6qYr54i
standing right beside her. Before Rhénee could place the phone to her 512Please respect copyright.PENANAuGJzjbebDh
ear, she took a sip of coffee.512Please respect copyright.PENANAmsnxFtvqjI
"Hey, Malcom," said Rhénee, "are the police still at your house?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAU7cs6Ted48
"Ya, its crazy here," 512Please respect copyright.PENANAGXyBllqpMG
replied Malcom, "didn't sleep the whole night. The police even had to 512Please respect copyright.PENANAO8dpuu4S7O
search all the rooms in the mansion fearing that he gunmen might have 512Please respect copyright.PENANAvBsxhEVT19
broken in."512Please respect copyright.PENANABs6WVAKz4n
"If only they knew."512Please respect copyright.PENANAfP0glJYCRM
"Ya. But it has to stay quiet. No one should know what is really going on."512Please respect copyright.PENANA6wYSA5iviE
"And what about your mother? Didn't she get suspicious about my disappearance last night?"512Please respect copyright.PENANANlP8DiGJDS
"She did. I had to make 512Please respect copyright.PENANAWVqzfJXI6F
up a story that you and Greta rushed up to the rooms upstairs and went 512Please respect copyright.PENANA00VNppni9y
out the moment the police came and told everyone to leave."512Please respect copyright.PENANAmUHekgfx86
"I doubt if she believed that."512Please respect copyright.PENANAWceyVKlAiI
"Haha, looks like you 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHySc0YI4j3
know my mum already. She just had to believe what Greta and I told her. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAvQsgE1jqHc
No one could've left with gunshots all over the place."512Please respect copyright.PENANAiSS2TpWiGj
"True. But we did. I 512Please respect copyright.PENANAxVOuRd7xii
just hope my mum doesn't get to find out about this. She would freak and512Please respect copyright.PENANAgMrEojB9t9
she might come here to stay with me or force me to come home with her."512Please respect copyright.PENANAsO0Fwy0bh0
"The news will obviously get to her in one way or another. You just stay safe, okay?"512Please respect copyright.PENANANxr0Ea9fAj
Rhénee couldn't help but smile. "I'll. Say hi to Greta for me, would you?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAaUcZcTYWiL
"I sure will," Malcom chuckles, "I'll see you when all this dies down."512Please respect copyright.PENANAyDS4oTXxA0
"Okay, bye."512Please respect copyright.PENANAFcmsQTdJWx
"Bye."512Please respect copyright.PENANAks74ioJ31U
Rhénee cuts the call and512Please respect copyright.PENANAqXai4Xcfhi
realises that Miss Griselda was still standing beside her. With the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAryi7H1azfQ
look on her face, Rhénee could tell that Miss Griselda had not slept a 512Please respect copyright.PENANAO8RXhzbb98
wink last night.512Please respect copyright.PENANA7d37UVPoAi
"Miss Griselda, you look awfully tired," said Rhénee, standing up from the couch. "I think you should sleep for a few hours."512Please respect copyright.PENANAfpYdcdezw8
"I wasn't going to 512Please respect copyright.PENANAUsvkARd23z
forgive myself if anything ever happened to you, my dear," Miss Griselda512Please respect copyright.PENANAqTmiqYpIC8
said, "I have always known that Mrs Derrand was up to no good at all."512Please respect copyright.PENANAFaXPALVcBw
"You don't have to 512Please respect copyright.PENANA7nTxNwLGom
worry, I'm fine,"said Rhénee pulling Miss Griselda into a hug, "its all 512Please respect copyright.PENANALZcDC5lARX
thanks to Malcom, Greta and Kevin that I'm still alive."512Please respect copyright.PENANAu9mL3fGPgv
"You're right. I really am grateful to all of them. Especially Malcom."512Please respect copyright.PENANAGO3GknXKiS
Rhénee furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Miss Griselda. 512Please respect copyright.PENANArvYNRIhkeV
"Why Malcom?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAskyFF9jnVn
"Well.... he....." Miss Griselda hesitated for a moment, "I am just glad that he is a good guy thats all."512Please respect copyright.PENANASWKpZdPs0q
"Really? Are you sure?" Rhénee raised her eyebrows, "I think there is more to what you just said, Miss Griselda."512Please respect copyright.PENANANJXOGCR7oU
"Don't you mind me, dear. Um... I'll be in the kitchen making some cupcakes. "512Please respect copyright.PENANANVMLClhMMr
"Alright, you go ahead."512Please respect copyright.PENANAkLx6QSGGCo
Miss Griselda gave 512Please respect copyright.PENANAEFVxTbkPL7
Rhénee a tired smile and went to the kitchen. As Miss Griselda walked 512Please respect copyright.PENANAt0RalVAQFh
away, Rhénee couldn't help but wonder why Miss Griselda reacted like she512Please respect copyright.PENANAV5d5rnET1c
did when they talked about Malcom. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA7mpmr8rMVO
"Does she know something that I don't?" Rhénee wondered to herself.512Please respect copyright.PENANAVIIamaelNA
The sound of her phone 512Please respect copyright.PENANAUqslgUsBnf
ringing on the couch interrupted Rhénee's thoughts. Without checking the512Please respect copyright.PENANAfW62u5pXCM
caller ID, Rhénee answered it immediately hoping that it wasn't her 512Please respect copyright.PENANASEqPW6lxFM
mother.512Please respect copyright.PENANAxUQ5BqmIGR
"Hello?"512Please respect copyright.PENANANh3YcHdnfk
"Hello, Rhénee. Had a wonderful sleep last night?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAR9dD5ADWpK
Rhénee's heart skipped a beat.512Please respect copyright.PENANAIi6J9L7ew8
That voice. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA0Q3JFASrPK
Rhénee felt her mouth run dry as she couldn't utter a word to respond. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA2suMmL4oCn
"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?"512Please respect copyright.PENANANotuod6JWx
Because I know that because of you, I'm not safe. Rhénee said that in her head.512Please respect copyright.PENANA8LFlemeKN6
The person on the other end chuckled. "It doesn't matter. Oh, last night you looked gorgeous in that beautiful black dress of yours."512Please respect copyright.PENANAkyK5fKwXmv
Rhénee's eyes grew wide, and this time she spoke. "You were there last night?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAfEIB9Z95Qn
"Ah, she finally speaks. I was starting to get worried, Rhénee. And yes, I was at the party last night."512Please respect copyright.PENANAPHcV962WzB
"Why didn't you show yourself to me then?" Rhénee asked with all the courage she had in her voice.512Please respect copyright.PENANAeIgKhdFMhx
"Now that's the Rhénee I know. I like that feisty voice of yours."512Please respect copyright.PENANAhYH6KDa18F
"You don't know me, 512Please respect copyright.PENANAA1pEsYnyOk
whoever you're. Now answer my question, why didn't you introduce 512Please respect copyright.PENANANEmnJVk3Ax
yourself to me last night? Were you scared?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAKe5dOYxYn0
"I'm never scared of anything and I've never had, Rhénee. We will meet each other face to face all in due time."512Please respect copyright.PENANApzg5kz0bz1
"Oh, really? And if we do meet will you kill me like you killed my grandmother?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAcUbX6ThFa7
There was silence for a moment until Rhénee heard the person at the other end chuckle. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA0GS56rJBxw
"Why are you laughing?" Rhénee asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice.512Please respect copyright.PENANASFwFjqvR6w
"Do you think I killed your grandmother? If so, then you're dead wrong."512Please respect copyright.PENANAmiLuu1w3ef
With that statement, Rhénee could tell that the person sounded serious.512Please respect copyright.PENANASYz2iPzC1H
"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?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAJPFxUVyu5E
"You've asked enough questions and it isn't necessary to answer them all, Rhénee."512Please respect copyright.PENANAI0uyaZoqTI
"Then why are you troubling me if you won't give me any answers?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAdxYa2T4XqW
"There will come a time when you will know everything. You just have to take things little by little."512Please respect copyright.PENANAxQpYTUVurs
"I can't take things little by little. I want to know everything now."512Please respect copyright.PENANArXMOkCuWDL
"All in due time, Rhénee. You're smart and we both know that. You'll figure it out."512Please respect copyright.PENANAXf1HNhMM8w
Rhénee couldn't help but suck her teeth in annoyance. All this seemed to be nothing but a game to this stranger. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAyjkjsoQ6oc
"Oh, and by the way, 512Please respect copyright.PENANAPrUFIzUzh4
the stunt your friends pulled off last night to rescue you was quite 512Please respect copyright.PENANAePsW0yxwkf
impressive. But tell them that will be there last. They won't be lucky 512Please respect copyright.PENANAnTBqkzzIne
this time around."512Please respect copyright.PENANAiV7dLhfieM
"Is Mrs Derrand working for you? What do you want from me, huh?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAD0fH1JLH0W
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."512Please respect copyright.PENANAJGE0gZiOeC
And just like that, the line went dead. Rhénee wanted to throw her phone away but that would only alarm Miss Griselda. 512Please respect copyright.PENANABydCuXbxDD
Rhénee sat down on the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAnWZ2lYngin
couch. Even though she had just been warned not to involve anybody else 512Please respect copyright.PENANAyJztErk5Y1
in all this, she couldn't do it alone. And if she involved Malcom and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAZbdK8vZCep
the others, who know what might happen. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAthP1HrhWtK
She had to think of something and she had to do it fast.512Please respect copyright.PENANAAVK6D7n7ZN
***512Please respect copyright.PENANAjKdG9zsmj0
"What? She's back home? But how come?" Eugene asked. 512Please respect copyright.PENANArMNM8VhuAb
"I don't know, man. As it turns out, she went to the rooms upstairs with Greta to hide," said Miguel. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA7jqUA2Zonw
"But she isn't hurt right?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAEu6rk7pyxQ
"Of course not. She's absolutely fine, you don't have to worry."512Please respect copyright.PENANAjKFzXHu0BK
Eugene breathed out a huge sigh of relief. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAtJXS3rvbGk
"Thats good. At least I know that she is safe."512Please respect copyright.PENANAyxBeIzIfFc
"I should be there to see the look on your face right now," said Miguel over the phone. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3V2RPSfvY
"Nah.512Please respect copyright.PENANAx0RmxWuSI9
You don't have to. Oh, speaking of coming to my house, aren't you 512Please respect copyright.PENANA5MRDNPxjjw
supposed to be here to pick me up right now? You're never this late."512Please respect copyright.PENANA9KTU69HqvJ
"Thats512Please respect copyright.PENANAUgZP3CEei2
why I called, actually. I'll be taking grandma somewhere today and she 512Please respect copyright.PENANAq2uU0wsKzS
insisted I come along with her, thats if you don't mind."512Please respect copyright.PENANAiHfQ5m2OoO
"Its no big deal, Miguel. I'll just take the bus. Greet your grandma for me, would you?"512Please respect copyright.PENANA6VQVXW3Wlg
"Alright, man, I'll. Call you later."512Please respect copyright.PENANAt5oW3Y4wty
"Alright."512Please respect copyright.PENANAKXKZpxF5T9
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. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAELc7eXI6QP
"Everything okay, Eugene?" his mother asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANA53h6817mj9
"Well, ya, why do you ask?" Eugene looked puzzled.512Please respect copyright.PENANAC6iGjpbYGR
"Last night, after what had occured at Mrs Derrand's party, you looked really troubled."512Please respect copyright.PENANAyNFP1Zbu0K
"Mum, there was a shoot out last night. Of course I was troubled."512Please respect copyright.PENANArzWSZ6gCcx
"No. There was something else that was bothering you."512Please respect copyright.PENANADFALmYIl6J
For a moment, there was silence between the two as they stared at each other. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAPLA691HeMV
"Were you troubled because of Rhénee?" Mrs Chamberlin asked as she broke the silence.512Please respect copyright.PENANA7rvK5fguNu
Eugene felt a sudden tension in the air as he lifted an eyebrow giving his mother a questioning look.512Please respect copyright.PENANAO5sr1uAeEi
"Why are you asking, mum?" Eugene asked. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAUzTa7JtovC
"Because I noticed that look on your face when Miguel was talking to you about her."512Please respect copyright.PENANAKlovTtTtsm
"Does it bother you?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAnNqpl2je5h
"Um... not really. But.... um."512Please respect copyright.PENANAlS8pJwn9VC
Eugene512Please respect copyright.PENANAWRu0cROmhw
realised that his mother started to fumble with her fingers. And he 512Please respect copyright.PENANAuLIlPHIqlx
knew she only did that when she was nervous about something.512Please respect copyright.PENANAonC4c94gC7
"Mum, are you okay?"512Please respect copyright.PENANALB7B1IbQw0
"I'm okay, sweetie..... I'm just.... well," Mrs Chamberlin licked her lips nervously. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAScIrA3Vsq4
"You don't look okay. You were about to tell me something. What is it?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAOkIXcZUhhW
Mrs Chamberlin's eyes grew wide as looked at Eugene. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAOpfVU44AuS
"Nothing, nothing, Eugene. It's fine. It's no big deal."512Please respect copyright.PENANAWhpAK7u0VK
Mrs512Please respect copyright.PENANAN8zVLVSgf2
Chamberlin turned around and entered the kitchen without a word. Eugene512Please respect copyright.PENANApfVlc9YlIm
knew something was wrong. Why did his mother get all nervous when she 512Please respect copyright.PENANAsfigZoGI2S
had talked about Rhénee?512Please respect copyright.PENANARzyVoN1BHh
Did dad come here and tell her about Rhénee being a danger to the family? 512Please respect copyright.PENANAMRvxH257sz
If that were the case, Mrs Chamberlin would've told him already. Something wasn't right here, and Eugene knew it.512Please respect copyright.PENANAYwPqYUvPxa
***512Please respect copyright.PENANAWfX7feu6z7
"These cupcakes taste so good, Miss Griselda," said Rhénee after taking a bite out of Miss Griselda's homemade cupcakes.512Please respect copyright.PENANAZEGuOE7rHa
"I know how to make the very best," said Miss Griselda. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAZbxfPteCSo
"You better rest though. You still look tired."512Please respect copyright.PENANAEwQZw3blKw
"No, honey, I'm fine. Do you want coffee with the cupcakes?"512Please respect copyright.PENANANT3gFagPYM
"No, I'll do it."512Please respect copyright.PENANAyw1ANlkrcs
As Rhénee stood up from the couch with her cupcake still in her hand, there came the sound of the doorbell. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAXFZwNOMtlw
"I'll get the door," said Rhénee, rushing to go and open it.512Please respect copyright.PENANAr6BVBORRiD
"And I'll make the coffee," said Miss Griselda, as she headed to the kitchen.512Please respect copyright.PENANADJBKn1yi1Z
"No, I'm making the coffee!" Rhénee called out to Miss Griselda, as she put the rest of her cupcake into her mouth.512Please respect copyright.PENANAn0kkp8MmR9
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANARwoMC8yzE7
reached the door and pulled it open. And standing in front of her was 512Please respect copyright.PENANAak3jDguGjZ
the old woman whom she had met in the forest the previous day.512Please respect copyright.PENANA7J7xQvgAnF
"Hello, dear," greeted the old woman.512Please respect copyright.PENANAOtjBVYHA21
"You came," Rhénee couldn't tell if she was relieved to see her or surprised.512Please respect copyright.PENANAWsm1FBIEzW
"I did tell you I would come, didn't I?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAyFIBmW37Xu
"Oh, please do come in," Rhénee led the old woman inside.512Please respect copyright.PENANAoaWjDxNBVI
"Thank512Please respect copyright.PENANABa4RmyQ9DS
you, dear. Looks like you would still keep this place as it is then?" 512Please respect copyright.PENANAZ5x4wJjXXj
the old woman asked as she looked around the place. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAL72DVQs9pN
"Well, yes. I still think I would."512Please respect copyright.PENANAYUx4uUgUXZ
"Good. Your grandmother had great taste."512Please respect copyright.PENANAFaLxwR39q6
Rhénee led the old woman to the living room where they sat on the couch.512Please respect copyright.PENANAZasQGErK6s
"Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?" Rhénee asked. "Miss Griselda even made some cupcakes to go with either of the two."512Please respect copyright.PENANAuDVfgDLriT
Before the old woman could reply, Miss Griselda appeared.512Please respect copyright.PENANA0JgLMsxoN3
"Miss Marie? I wasn't expecting you here," said Miss Griselda. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA7QvFgASSGb
"Hello, Griselda. How nice to see you again," said Miss Marie.512Please respect copyright.PENANAvbJtb6R92T
"Its nice to see you too, Miss Marie. Tea or coffee?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAUgRoBxMqcS
"Coffee will be lovely."512Please respect copyright.PENANAqW8AXARjK2
Miss512Please respect copyright.PENANAbxdtX9n3j8
Griselda left Rhénee and Miss Marie in the living room and at the same 512Please respect copyright.PENANA8hCl6WuAEt
time Sophie appeared and jumped onto Miss Marie's laps.512Please respect copyright.PENANA7uVUk5N33R
"Oh, hello little fella," sais Miss Marie as she scratched behind the cat's ear. Sophie purred and got settled comfortably.512Please respect copyright.PENANAqq8SaQ4hUO
"So, are you going to tell me all you know about my late grandmother?" Rhénee asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANAYSFXJJ3jVc
"I know you deserve to know everything, but you're putting everyone in danger, Rhénee."512Please respect copyright.PENANA5Zk6KnzRts
"I know. That's what the mysterious person said over the phone."512Please respect copyright.PENANADETR24b8H9
"What mysterious person?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAszt3jdRywJ
"The person who gave me the necklace which belonged to my grandmother and also the photo."512Please respect copyright.PENANA2Y5irtJdM5
Miss Marie gave Rhénee a horrifying look. "Do you know who he is?"512Please respect copyright.PENANA4a9QfX4oVy
"No, I don't know who he-" Rhénee paused for a second as she looked at Miss Marie.512Please respect copyright.PENANAUvkFTJBcZ9
"How do you know I was talking about a man, Miss Marie?" Rhénee asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANATkgcNDg1Mq
This time, it was Miss Marie to pause. She turned away from Rhénee's gaze. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAN8pyII6Dzj
"You know this person, don't you, Miss Marie?"512Please respect copyright.PENANA5qXcrrGLhu
"I.... well, I don't know what to tell you, Rhénee."512Please respect copyright.PENANAk3gEd5qVep
Rhénee held Miss Marie's hand. "But you can-"512Please respect copyright.PENANAmuqAltoFuj
"Figure it out. And tell your friends not to get involved."512Please respect copyright.PENANAqSF3ss5tLf
The512Please respect copyright.PENANA4HTUeb3oX3
stranger's voice rang in Rhénee's mind so suddenly. What was she doing?512Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ4Wg9vgeb
Even if Miss Marie wasn't a friend, it was quite clear that the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAJXNMjA75G6
stranger meant everyone around her wasn't supposed to be involved in all512Please respect copyright.PENANANbMTZ2X9Sb
of this.512Please respect copyright.PENANAz8MWBAiTvX
"Are you okay, Rhénee? You looked like you were deep in thought," came Miss Marie's voice.512Please respect copyright.PENANAN8NUt61Z9q
"I...512Please respect copyright.PENANA4zDZ7G9di6
it's nothing. You don't have to tell me who the person is if you don't 512Please respect copyright.PENANAPCjhDqRiKp
want to," said Rhénee as she covered her face with her hands in 512Please respect copyright.PENANAai3P8vKOAO
frustration. 512Please respect copyright.PENANALzHj0boEMU
"Who is this person you keep talking about?" came Miss Griselda's voice.512Please respect copyright.PENANA2FpxBh4MK6
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANATDWk3NE2Gp
and Miss Marie looked behind them and Miss Griselda was standing there 512Please respect copyright.PENANADcq20qMr2q
with a tray of tea cups and cupcakes. Rhénee realised the number of tea 512Please respect copyright.PENANA03g3GER6ol
cups on the tray and wondered. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA8GV10KMlwB
"Are we having other guests?" Rhénee asked. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAdcQ51ovHSZ
512Please respect copyright.PENANA2Q24QMeVz9
As512Please respect copyright.PENANA5JDHmzRlCi
though to answer Rhénee's question, Greta, Malcom and Kevin appeared 512Please respect copyright.PENANA9ARacGiCbw
behind Miss Griselda. Rhénee stood up from the couch as the stranger's 512Please respect copyright.PENANABxaZyRamke
reminder kept ringing in her head.512Please respect copyright.PENANAplvgVw4ZYk
"And tell your friends not to get involved."512Please respect copyright.PENANAYkOkcAwXvW
"What are you doing here?" Rhénee asked. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAabYxe5FuOd
"I512Please respect copyright.PENANAPyttVyRsN3
told you I was coming to see you," said Malcom, "but you yourself 512Please respect copyright.PENANAk5wdJyBByY
haven't answered Miss Griselda's question. Who is the person you're 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHXdevLhgJL
talking about, Rhénee?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAr13hKqZPJ2
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANAP8JFyFlpcS
couldn't answer. What was she going to tell them anyway? If she did, 512Please respect copyright.PENANA5yNSHv5PMz
she was getting them into trouble. She looked down for a moment and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAd98Ksk0qvA
looked up again, straight into Malcom's striking blue eyes. But as she 512Please respect copyright.PENANAoRR0DBhDj6
continued to look at Malcom, something dawned on her.512Please respect copyright.PENANAlY5FBwnlxq
"Rhénee, are you okay?" Malcom looked concerned.512Please respect copyright.PENANA4yQVul8TBI
Rhénee for a moment couldn't breathe. Something felt wrong about her as she continued to look at Malcom and then at Greta. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAJUnfRDF1lf
"You don't look okay, Rhénee," said Miss Griselda, "are you okay? Say something at least."512Please respect copyright.PENANApDEQMtWSqX
Rhénee still didn't say a thing as her eyes drew from Malcom to Greta and then back. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA8aoE9EAoYN
"You. Why didn't you tell me all this time?" was all Rhénee could manage to say as she looked straight at Malcom. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAS1xXegDIZ1
"Tell you what, Rhénee?" Malcom asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANAND6Bc1DUhr
"You were the guy I met at the gas station the day I was coming here to Madison, weren't you?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAHqNfm3U4PK
And with that, a silence fell amongst them.512Please respect copyright.PENANAQXgl4kg87x
***512Please respect copyright.PENANAQbyV6qcjtk
Sweat512Please respect copyright.PENANAkTFoGfuH2K
ran down his face as he rushed along the hallway. His heavy panting 512Please respect copyright.PENANAEW8ZIbZKXM
echoed as he ran as fast he could in the semi-darkness. He was late and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAtviGUzAeNS
the person waiting never likes to wait.512Please respect copyright.PENANAYf8mQby8Lz
He512Please respect copyright.PENANAD0gmdg8tMQ
reached the end of the hall where he found a door with a golden door 512Please respect copyright.PENANAIBkHdmXyDT
knob shaped in a head of a ferocious lion. For a moment, the head of the512Please respect copyright.PENANAZUyD7XBhfR
lion looked deadly to touch, like it would bite your hand off at any 512Please respect copyright.PENANAFip1Mn8zm4
second.512Please respect copyright.PENANA207BQsuBVi
He512Please respect copyright.PENANAR9fr7wjfHT
wiped away the sweat from his head with his already sweaty hand and 512Please respect copyright.PENANACzR8Ug39ns
wiped his hand on his shirt. He held the door knob, twisted it and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAo7BigQ8EuR
slowly pushed the door open. His heart beat quickened at each dying 512Please respect copyright.PENANALt1Xb1CjZC
second as he took in the surrounding of the room. For a second, it was 512Please respect copyright.PENANAbj4ENQQVDH
completely dark and then a bright light quickly flashed before his eyes.512Please respect copyright.PENANArT2fSuxKOj
He held up his hands to shield his eyes from the striking light. When 512Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ujpnw5gag
his eyes had adjusted to the light, he realised that the light in the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAWThJHPnbUX
room came from outside. Someone had just drawn the curtain window. 512Please respect copyright.PENANA5YIAOXs6HW
"You're late, again."512Please respect copyright.PENANAUlCNa3I9tT
His512Please respect copyright.PENANAdH6gbVrURK
heart beat quickened even more. He didn't like that tone. Even though 512Please respect copyright.PENANARo6mhz2fGO
the words came out calmy, it carried ferociousness in it just like that 512Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8w0sFMAun
lion door knob. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAdL6GXOQT71
He512Please respect copyright.PENANA09oNWYkGTh
lowered his hands slowly as he saw a dark silhouette of a talk man 512Please respect copyright.PENANAOOlfS2sGMt
standing in front of him with the man's back towards the huge windows. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAMVhJt8fXAa
"What512Please respect copyright.PENANA2gRc7r3szr
do you have to say for yourself?" came that voice again from the tall 512Please respect copyright.PENANAaoQ6a2mpjT
man. "Do I always have to remind you of what to do around here?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAmlIH5lz8e3
"No.... no, no..... you don't," mumbled the sweaty man in fear, "I'm sorry I came late."512Please respect copyright.PENANAlDDsvW4VBN
"Again. You came late, again," said he tall man.512Please respect copyright.PENANAHaMYoH1wiA
"I've always told you that he is of no use to us," came a hoarse female voice, "but you never listen to me."512Please respect copyright.PENANAZW9bXcl4ab
A512Please respect copyright.PENANALtJ3mv56b5
female figure stepped out of the shadows and went to stand beside the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAhDFoijKFE6
man in front of the huge windows. There faces were blinded by the light 512Please respect copyright.PENANASDSCaY6Rps
as they had their backs towards the window.512Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ms279fNUm
"You know we need him," said the tall man.512Please respect copyright.PENANAfm5PvefJR4
"But he is useless as always," said the woman, "I don't know why you have kept him alive all this time."512Please respect copyright.PENANAXtmuiYfIIY
"Lets go back to the matter at hand, shall we? Now, tell me what news you have for me."512Please respect copyright.PENANANDe8GxlwPf
The512Please respect copyright.PENANAeVX5ahgNyi
sweaty man wiped his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. Dealing with the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAneeL4wCkit
people in front of him wasn't easy, especially when you knew your life 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHA55oF6Flx
was in their hands and they could crush it whenever they felt like it.512Please respect copyright.PENANAItCrerxVoA
"We have bad news I'm afraid," started the sweaty man.512Please respect copyright.PENANAlKEU5ejV1n
"What kind of bad news?" asked the tall man, his voice still calm.512Please respect copyright.PENANAOIPJ3KK2d8
"It's Miss Marie. I'm afraid she could spoil our plans."512Please respect copyright.PENANAVip8wzwKva
"That old hag?" asked the woman. "Didn't I tell you we should have eliminated her sooner?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAsYk2OmmsMn
"Don't insult her like that, will you?" insisted the tall man.512Please respect copyright.PENANASel4IdIyNq
"Oh, please! She's a pest and you know it."512Please respect copyright.PENANA11RF458WFp
"As much as she is a pest to you, she is also very crooked. So we must play our cards right."512Please respect copyright.PENANA2NOWilhENF
"What if she reveals the truth?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAOwrZoPsckh
"No, Miss Marie is too smart to pull off that move. We just have to keep a watchful eye on her."512Please respect copyright.PENANATTVKrTr40s
"She was seen this morning going to the late Griselda's mansion," blurted out the sweaty man.512Please respect copyright.PENANAMfX2Kf0DoR
For a moment, silence hung over them.512Please respect copyright.PENANAJdAySd1zKm
"You see! I told you," said the woman, "that old hag has no limits."512Please respect copyright.PENANA8QhjoXV0Tw
"But still she won't say anything," said the tall man. "I know her better than you do."512Please respect copyright.PENANAVcXYGsHq88
"I still suggest we get rid of her though."512Please respect copyright.PENANAKJFG6fHP7f
"I512Please respect copyright.PENANAhp2RAkNduP
know." The tall man then addreader the sweaty man in front of him. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAJLpvjQ55yu
"Assign men to watch over Miss Marie 24/7. That woman may pull out 512Please respect copyright.PENANA81IuW1xGDw
something under our noses and I want to be one step ahead of her."512Please respect copyright.PENANAT3qWlRL20i
"Yes, sir," said the sweaty man as he quickly left the room.512Please respect copyright.PENANAUz3FZfLdZd
"Aren't you going to assign anyone over....." the woman wanted to ask but the tall man raised his hand to silence her.512Please respect copyright.PENANA0WBP0rqTMl
"Don't worry about that," said the man smoothly. "I already have someone special working on that."512Please respect copyright.PENANAZf8aJUcZZj
***512Please respect copyright.PENANASeGTxVX3G1
The512Please respect copyright.PENANAjGjXuLagYQ
Diamond stud on his left ear, his hair cropped on one side with the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAp873LQnXZ5
rest of his blonde hair falling over his right striking blue eye..... 512Please respect copyright.PENANA3z6Cx87L85
how could Rhénee have not seen all of this sooner? From all she could 512Please respect copyright.PENANAQKRNLEBm0y
remember, his eyes weren't striking blue as they were now. The last time512Please respect copyright.PENANApfKnV5agQd
they met, they seemed sky blue.512Please respect copyright.PENANAPEIVxXDAyN
And512Please respect copyright.PENANAHq1v85EiXv
the girl who served her at the restaurant was none other than Greta. No512Please respect copyright.PENANAH9mNXfD4lp
wonder Rhénee had felt like she had seen Greta before.512Please respect copyright.PENANAuEh8v4F0va
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANA2kmEukjDOH
couldn't stop staring at Malcom from where she sat with Miss Marie. 512Please respect copyright.PENANAtMdYk9ALZV
Greta and Kevin occupied a couch to Rhénee's right while Malcom occupied512Please respect copyright.PENANAuuWfzzyyRy
the couch opposite from where Rhénee sat. Miss Griselda was serving 512Please respect copyright.PENANA1ckknqWPK4
everyone a cup of tea and coffee, whichever anyone preferred, on the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAASBTY4g1m8
coffee table in the middle.512Please respect copyright.PENANARhIy5sjILl
When512Please respect copyright.PENANAw11fWHNA09
Miss Griselda served Malcom his coffee, he looked up at Rhénee and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAiefeQjW1ky
caught her staring at him. Rhénee blushed as she quickly looked away.512Please respect copyright.PENANAVuR7Kp7psL
"Here, Rhénee," Miss Griselda was holding a cup of coffee for Rhénee to take.512Please respect copyright.PENANArPYlYm7jkA
"It's fine, Miss Griselda. I'll drink it later. I'm in no mood for coffee at the moment," said Rhénee.512Please respect copyright.PENANAcf9Cu7iwWM
"Are you sure?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAlD3AeVO9YR
"Yes, I'm positive."512Please respect copyright.PENANASNul0xwI84
Miss512Please respect copyright.PENANAaRVtuSlZnp
Griselda placed the cup of coffee on the table and went to take her 512Please respect copyright.PENANAYHC5k9axZI
seat opposite Greta and Kevin. Silence hung over them for a while and 512Please respect copyright.PENANAjMmH9pWPOy
Rhénee started to tap her feet on the floor while others took a few sips512Please respect copyright.PENANAc5f4HkyAEK
from their cups.512Please respect copyright.PENANA6OST5JgPot
"Well, thus us a weird gathering," said Rhénee as he broke the silence.512Please respect copyright.PENANAdCK2MKIVhm
"It sure is," said Malcom, with a cocky grin on his face. Rhénee I felt her face heat up.512Please respect copyright.PENANAp9y7erc1b8
"I agree," said Miss Marie. "So, where shall we start?"512Please respect copyright.PENANA47Ml48wF2W
"How about the mysterious person, Rhénee was talking about a while ago?" Malcom asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANAjZJRECMjrM
"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.512Please respect copyright.PENANAA7z1XrnVwS
"All that can come at another time, Rhénee."512Please respect copyright.PENANAu34PTJ6SIP
"I don't need another time," Rhénee's tone was becoming tense. "I want now."512Please respect copyright.PENANAZOA3KHbZV3
"To be fair, Rhénee, we've answered most of your questions," said Greta. "Now it's time you answered ours."512Please respect copyright.PENANANQ3qzQfcVK
"Doesn't all this have to do with me?" Rhénee asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANA7Xqo5d0Ik1
"Yes, it does, but this time you've to answer us," said Kevin. "We're trying to help you."512Please respect copyright.PENANAdkj1iFb5xx
"But I'm the one in control here. And I say we go for my question," said Rhénee.512Please respect copyright.PENANATAzuQ6v9FN
"Oh, goodness, you're one tough but aren't you?" Miss Marie asked.512Please respect copyright.PENANAPapdykjL1h
"Rhénee, we don't have to make all this into one big fight," said Miss Griselda. "It's best you calm down, please."512Please respect copyright.PENANAOvISFbqscb
"She's right," said Malcom, "apparently, most of us in here want to go for the first question. How about you, Miss Marie?"512Please respect copyright.PENANAU4Hqut2CDn
"I agree," answered Miss Marie.512Please respect copyright.PENANA3GK9sxXmha
"Oh,512Please respect copyright.PENANApd8Ot9IM6z
come on!" Rhénee raised her arms in frustration. "How can I be outvoted512Please respect copyright.PENANAHdbtL0xCGF
like to this? Miss Marie and I just talked about it and I betshe knows 512Please respect copyright.PENANAeUPnxGxnCZ
who he is."512Please respect copyright.PENANAyMVjFnfEjw
"Rules are rules," said Malcom, "now, tell us what you know."512Please respect copyright.PENANA6eiOigv0uf
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANAoxpQHvaSKW
scowled. She thought trying to bend away from talking about the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAHGDqsHjkx9
mysterious stranger might have worked out but it didn't. She didn't want512Please respect copyright.PENANAi9iW08lrKU
to get anyone's lives in this room in danger and the only way to do 512Please respect copyright.PENANAEPdMaxXqmk
that was to tell them about the stranger's warning.512Please respect copyright.PENANAcEQ0bpdVah
Rhénee512Please respect copyright.PENANASaNcN1gq3W
sighed, feeling defeated as she took a cupcake from the table and a 512Please respect copyright.PENANA0uxHnNYkpV
huge bite out of it. All of this was making her hungry and she hated it.512Please respect copyright.PENANAa41cNB1IZr
Sophie jumped from Miss Marie's lap to Rhénee's. It was good that the 512Please respect copyright.PENANAo4zJkjIe70
cat was on her side. Rhénee felt a little relieved by the cat's gesture.512Please respect copyright.PENANAgc3avfeVmX
"Fine,512Please respect copyright.PENANAsJO09yJwxT
I'll tell you," said Rhénee, after swallowing the cupcake in her mouth.512Please respect copyright.PENANAmTIKSQ9Pkd
"But at the end of it all, you'll have to choose. You either walk away 512Please respect copyright.PENANAgS0hbH3yzd
or die if you stay by me."512Please respect copyright.PENANA5l0cXr2HnP